Matuor Alier
Executive Director

Matuor Alier is a dedicated community leader with a passion for empowering newcomers.

As the Executive Director of Community Connect Center (formerly South Sudanese Foundation), he has been instrumental in developing and implementing programs that support immigrants and refugees. Alier's experience spans across various sectors, including social work, education, and government. He has a proven track record of securing funding, building partnerships, and advocating for the needs of diverse communities. His leadership roles at Moorhead Area Public Schools as Director of Equity and Inclusion and his participation in prestigious fellowships like the Bush Foundation Fellowship and Blandin Leadership program demonstrate his commitment to fostering inclusive environments and driving positive social change. 

From Humble Beginnings to a Thriving Hub

Imagine a church basement, filled not just with hymnals and prayer books, but with textbooks, laughter, and the unwavering determination to overcome. This was the humble birthplace of the South Sudanese Foundation in 2015, born from the compassionate hearts of those who witnessed the struggles of their community to provide informal tutoring and a helping hand.

A Ripple Effect of Empowerment,
Expanding Beyond Expectations

Word of their kindness spread like wildfire through the community. Soon, the basement buzzed with requests for help – not just with schoolwork, but with navigating the complexities of resumes, job applications, and even finding doctors and interpreters in a new and unfamiliar land. By 2018, the need had outgrown the space, and the community yearned for a place where everyone could access these vital services. In 2019, the South Sudanese Foundation took a bold step, becoming an official nonprofit and expanding its reach with structured after-school programs and crucial workforce development training for both youth and adults.

A Tapestry of Cultures, Woven Together with Compassion

Today, the spirit of that humble basement lives on in the dedicated staff and volunteers who provide personalized support to students of all ages, igniting a passion for learning and empowering them to succeed in reading, writing, and math. Their dynamic 21st Century Learning program fosters academic success for groups of 20 or more students, creating a vibrant space where knowledge is shared, and dreams take flight. But the support doesn't stop there. Community Connect Center has become a lifeline, offering a growing network of resources that includes transportation assistance, a food pantry stocked with familiar flavors, welcoming community events that celebrate diversity, and crucial help with finding safe and affordable housing.

Community Connect Center:
A New Chapter of Connection and Growth

Recognizing that the Fargo-Moorhead area was becoming a vibrant tapestry woven with threads from all corners of the globe, the organization embraced a new identity in 2024: Community Connect Center. This name embodies their unwavering commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that all newcomers, regardless of their background, find the resources, support, and sense of belonging they need to not just survive, but truly thrive in their new home.