Picture a young mother on a cold city sidewalk, her children curled beneath a thin blanket. Every night she worries less about hunger and more about the invisible wounds her children carry: fear, shame, and the quiet despair of being unseen. What if, instead of only offering a bed for the night, we could help her heal, restore her strength, and guide her family toward lasting stability and elevate their mental health and wellness?
That question sparked A New Era America (ANEA), founded by Samir Zakir, who saw firsthand how trauma silently fuels suffering across our communities. Through years in wellness, media, and advocacy, Samir learned a vital truth: true recovery begins when we heal the mind. After three years of research and pilot programs, ANEA was born to redefine humanitarian relief by placing mental health at the center of action.
Joined by Bob Burke, Esq., a seasoned advocate who has spent decades addressing crises around the world; Nicholas Berry, LMFT, a trauma recovery expert and therapist; and Lyle Volkwyn, an entrepreneur passionate about bringing mental health solutions to the U.S., they formed a team united by one conviction: what if survivors didn’t just survive, but had the chance to heal?
This became our why.
At ANEA, we believe mental health is a human right, not a privilege. Every survivor deserves more than survival, they deserve empathy, relief, and the opportunity to reclaim their future. Across America, millions face homelessness, deportation trauma, and displacement. Food and shelter may come, but emotional (and mental health and wellness) recovery rarely does.
Our mission is simple yet urgent: to heal minds and restore humanity for individuals facing humanitarian crises. Because when we heal the mind, we heal families, communities, and the world around us.
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