BOSTON, May 27, 2016—Prosecutors and victim advocates from Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley’s office yesterday joined members of Boston’s Somali community to offer immigrant families an overview of the American justice system – and then enjoy a traditional Somali meal.

Conley’s staffers gathered with about 40 men and women during an information session yesterday evening at the Alrowda Masjid Mosque in Dorchester.  Conley’s office worked with Somali Community & Culture Association Executive Director Deeqo Jibril to extend the invitation to community members with the goal of answering questions and addressing concerns about issues facing them and families.  The event included a catered Somali dinner provided by the community.

From left to right, Suffolk County prosecutors and victim advocates Gregory Henning (background), Zachary Hillman, Adrian Bispham, Erica Baganza, Jassie Senwah, and Philip Chen answer questions from members of Boston’s Somali community last night at the Alrowda Masjid Mosque in Dorchester. District Attorney Dan Conley’s office arranged the meeting to build relationships in the community and offer new Americans an overview of the criminal justice system.

In attendance from Conley’s office were Chief of Community Engagement Kara Hayes; Assistant District Attorneys Philip Cheng of the DA’s Major Felony Bureau, Adrian Bispham of the DA’s Gang Unit, Greg Henning of the DA’s Senior Trial Unit, and Zachary Hillman of the Appellate Division; and Victim-Witness Advocates Jassie Senwah of the DA’s Gang and Special Prosecutions Units and Erica Baganza of the DA’s Gang Unit.  The group gave attendees an overview of the criminal justice system from district and municipal courts up through the appellate process. They explained the role and mission of the district attorney’s office – an institution that does not exist in Somalia – and Conley’s prioritization of victims, witnesses, and their families.

In more personal terms, Senwah spoke to the group about her own experience immigrating to the United States from Liberia, and Cheng and Baganza discussed their experiences as first-generation Americans whose families emigrated from China and Uganda, respectively.

“The immigrant experience is encoded in America’s DNA,” Conley said. “We want new Americans to feel welcome and confident, especially when they need help.  The first step is making ourselves available and accessible, and sharing our common ground.”

Victim-witness advocates Jassie Senwah and Erica Baganza and Kara Hayes, Chief of Community Engagement for Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley, wear the traditional hijab, or head scarf, at a meeting with members of Boston’s Somali community last night at the Alrowda Masjid Mosque in Dorchester.

During the meeting, Conley’s staff answered questions from community members and addressed concerns they raised over issues such as youth violence as it affects immigrant youth already traumatized by war in their nations of birth.  Staffers provided information on community resources and innovative programs offered by the office to help reduce violence and minimize the factors that contribute to it.

“Outreach and engagement, especially to underserved groups, are critical to a prosecutor’s office,” Conley said. “By building these bridges in times of calm rather than crisis, we’re better situated to offer help when the need arises.”

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