A New Era America was born from a simple but radical belief: humanitarian relief is incomplete without healing the mind. What began as civic engagement grew into a full-scale humanitarian and wellness organization after witnessing the same truth across communities in crisis, survival alone is not enough. Food, shelter, and wellness services matter, but without mental and emotional care, suffering quietly continues. We exist to bridge crises with compassion and rebuild lives through wellness-centered mental-health care and human connection.
Our why is rooted in one question that changed everything: What if survivors didn’t just survive, but truly healed? At ANEA, we place mental health at the center of action, because dignity, stability, and recovery begin there. Healing minds restores humanity, and restored humanity changes the future.
FOUNDER’S WHY
ANEA was founded by Samir Zakir from lived understanding and deep conviction. Through years working in wellness, media, politics, and advocacy, Samir saw trauma silently shaping lives, especially when people lacked stability, safety, and a place to call home. He learned that without security (and a home), true wellness is impossible, and without mental health care, lasting change cannot exist. Systems often address symptoms, but rarely the inner wounds that keep people trapped in cycles of crisis.
Samir started ANEA to help people directly, one life, one mind, one moment at a time. His why is grounded in the belief that mental health is a human right, not a privilege, and that every person deserves empathy, care, and the chance to reclaim their future. ANEA exists because healing the mind is how we restore hope, dignity, and humanity itself.
Joined by Bob Burke, Esq., a seasoned advocate who has spent decades addressing crises around the world through his various ventures; and Nicholas Berry, LMFT, a trauma recovery expert and therapist; 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.
Maria Hernandez and her 12-year-old son, Luis, lost their housing after a medical crisis ended her employment. Living in their car was only part of the damage. The deeper wound was trauma, panic attacks, fear, and a child who no longer felt safe in the world.
ANEA met them where they were.
Through 4WARDSTEPS, they received immediate stabilization, trauma-informed care, and a guided 90-day recovery plan.
Today:
One family’s healing strengthened an entire ecosystem around them.
This is the power of structured compassion.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.