Our Story
How New Patterns grew from a vision of compassion into a vital community resource for families across Minnesota and North Dakota.
How It All Began
New Patterns was founded with a deeply personal mission: to create a safety net for the families who fall through the cracks of existing systems. Our founder, Ramla Ibrahim, witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by immigrant women and families of color in the Fargo-Moorhead area, from language barriers to lack of healthcare access, from addiction struggles to homelessness.
Through her other company, Ramla managed a similar program funded by state grants, serving families and individuals in need across the community. She saw the transformative impact that these services had on the lives of mothers, children, and families in crisis. When that grant funding came to an end, the need in the community did not stop. Families still needed support, mothers still needed recovery services, and individuals still needed a pathway forward.
Refusing to let the work die, Ramla revived the program through her own funding and established New Patterns as a dedicated nonprofit to continue serving the community. Her goal was not only to sustain what had been built, but to broaden the reach of these vital programs and deepen the support available to families and individuals who depend on them.
Today, New Patterns offers 12 distinct programs spanning family health services and treatment and recovery support, all designed to meet people where they are. What began as a refusal to let families fall through the cracks has grown into a comprehensive organization serving families across two states.
Our Mission
New Patterns empowers underserved families across Minnesota and North Dakota through family health services, addiction recovery support, and resource connections. We center our work on pregnant women, especially women of color facing addiction, joblessness, and homelessness, providing wraparound support: healthcare navigation, parenting education, employment pathways, transportation, translation, and re-entry assistance.
Our Vision
We envision a community where every family, regardless of race, language, immigration status, or circumstance, has equitable access to healthcare, recovery support, stable housing, and meaningful employment. A future where pregnant women of color receive dignified, culturally affirming care, where addiction is met with compassion, and where every individual returning to their community is embraced with support to succeed.
Our Values
Compassion
We lead with empathy and meet each person with dignity and understanding.
Community
We believe in the power of community connections to transform lives.
Cultural Sensitivity
We honor diverse backgrounds and provide culturally responsive services.
Empowerment
We equip families with tools and knowledge to build self-sufficiency.
Equity
We work to remove barriers and ensure fair access to essential resources.
Hope
We believe every person deserves a chance at a healthy, fulfilling life.