We are a youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit ensuring no immigrant or refugee community is overlooked when it comes to healthcare access, preparedness, and belonging.
* A member of our Vietnam chapter running the Bridge Project
Our Mission
Support without barriers.
Steps Ahead is a youth-led nonprofit ensuring no immigrant or refugee community is left behind when it comes to healthcare, preparedness, support, and belonging.
Our Vision
Steps toward a brighter future.
A world where every individual and family — regardless of background — has the support, tools, and confidence to take steps toward a brighter future.
Our Story
How it all started.
Sam and Angela's school community faced a significant food instability crisis — one disproportionately concentrated among refugee and immigrant families. Over several months, they organized a series of smaller projects to support those in need.
What started as local drives grew into delivering 60+ toys, distributing 200+ books, and using a Target grant to provide 2,000+ hygiene kits and school supply bundles to families who needed them most.
The cumulative impact of these efforts showed Sam the power of youth-driven, community-level change. That energy became the foundation for Steps Ahead — a formalized nonprofit built to help immigrant and refugee communities across the country tackle similar barriers to healthcare, preparedness, and belonging.
What started as two students turned into a network of 240+ volunteers across 8+ chapters nationwide, mapping over 13,000 verified resources across 12+ states.
Leadership
Meet the Team.
Sam Forouzan
Founder & Executive Director
Angela Pham
VP of Social Media
Sam Forouzan, a first-generation Iranian American and UC Berkeley undergraduate studying Molecular & Cell Biology, founded Steps Ahead in 2024. Angela Pham, an immigrant from Vietnam, serves as VP of Social Media. Both grew up witnessing the barriers families face when navigating healthcare, crisis, and belonging in a new country. Their shared experiences with displacement and community gaps drove them to build an organization that ensures no community is overlooked — turning personal understanding into nationwide action with 240+ volunteers across 8+ chapters.
Join the team.
We're always looking for passionate individuals to help us grow.
Each program addresses the unique challenges immigrants and refugees face — from day one and beyond.
[01] Program
Healthcare Navigation
We connect immigrants and refugees with essential medical care, mental health support, and culturally sensitive services through our resource-mapping platform. Our team also works to make healthcare more accessible by simplifying complex medical and insurance documents into clear, understandable guides.
Championing inclusive emergency preparedness and culturally-informed aid so every community member is ready and supported. Our lectures and sessions include accessible document guides to help families navigate bureaucratic processes during times of crisis.
Navigating healthcare and insurance paperwork can be overwhelming — especially for immigrant and refugee families facing language barriers and unfamiliar systems. We simplify complex bureaucratic documents into clear, accessible guides that are included in every supply kit and emergency preparedness session, helping families understand their rights, coverage options, and available resources. Our main reference guide is publicly available, and as we grow, we are expanding our document library to include translated materials in multiple languages.
A digital platform built specifically for immigrant and refugee communities — connecting families with trusted, local shelters, healthcare, and essential support services.
One platform. Thousands of resources.
Research shows that immigrant and refugee communities are significantly less likely to seek help from large, bureaucratic organizations — often due to fear, language barriers, and distrust. Steps Ahead Community was built to change that by connecting families with trusted, local resources they can actually access.
Find Local Shelters
Search verified shelters and support services with contact details, availability, and directions — designed for immigrant and refugee families seeking trusted, local help.
Community Support
Connect with volunteers and partner organizations who are trained, vetted, and ready to provide immediate assistance.
Comprehensive Care
Access food assistance, housing programs, and healthcare services — all in one place, without the bureaucratic barriers that keep families from getting help.
70%+
of migrants in a Red Cross study of 16,000+ migrants across 15 countries feared that seeking help from formal organizations would put them at risk. Steps Ahead Community was built to bridge this trust gap — providing access to local, community-based resources instead.
