Mayor Pro Tem Chuck Hendrickson presents March’s MoorHeart award to volunteer Sadiyo Osman, who helps new Americans master English through the African American Development Association.

Sadiyo Osman, a first-generation Somali American who volunteers her time through the Afro-American Development Association, was presented with the monthly MoorHeart Award Monday by Mayor Pro Tem Chuck Hendrickson.

Sadiyo helps newcomers master the English language, as well as understand how to operate a child care center. Lisa Arnold, who nominated her for the city’s award for outstanding service, said she has witnessed the value of her work: “Her background allows her to connect deeply with our students, many of them Somali, both culturally and linguistically.” She observed that it took courage for the young woman to volunteer, as English is not her native language, but that she has become a “solid English tutor.”

Sadiyo has also initiated a monthly training program that prepares students to achieve licensure to operate home-based child care. “This new training will be a great boon for many of our students who are otherwise not employed or not happy with their current employment,” Arnold noted, then added. “She is a role model for other young New American women in the community.”

Moorhead residents are invited to nominate other individuals and organizations to be honored for their contributions to the community, large or small. For more information, go to cityofmoorhead.com and search “MoorHeart.”