About Us
OUR STORY
Welcome to our vibrant community in the heart of Seattle, where we proudly serve over 3000+ East Africans. Nestled in this diverse city, we are dedicated to providing a warm and inclusive environment that caters to the unique needs and cultural backgrounds of our East African residents. With a rich tapestry of traditions, languages, and experiences, our community is a vibrant tapestry of unity, celebration, and shared aspirations. We strive to create a space that fosters connections, supports growth, and preserves the rich heritage of our East African community. Join us as we celebrate our collective journey and create lasting memories together.
MISSION
Building a foundational community between refugees, first generation families emigrating during the 1980s-present and Eritrean-Americans born in the United States.
Ensuring access to knowledge about heritage and history through education and socialization.
Providing consideration to community concerns and identifying matters of self-help through support.
PURPOSE
The primary purpose of the Eritrean Association is to address the urgent needs and emerging priorities within an ever-growing community by building interconnectedness and preserving cultural awareness in the diaspora.
This means that on a day-to-day basis our work includes: caring for our community leaders, memorializing members who have died and comforting their families, aiding new immigrants and refugees with resources, assisting adults with limited English skills to fill out job applications or learn basic computer skills, supporting the educational aspirations of our children and building coalitions with other refugee, immigrant groups and communities of color on issues of joint concern.
As a result, we hope to see the following results in the lives of the individuals, families and communities we serve:
A thriving network of support for Eritrean immigrants and refugees living in the greater Seattle area.
Providing elders with a safe place—where they are honored and cared for—to gather, speak their native language, and locate resources.
Pathways to opportunity for our youth through educational and leadership support.
Building a strong and enduring sense of purpose, belonging and empowerment among Seattle’s Eritrean-American youth.
Shaping strong families wherein parents and children raised in two different environments can be supportive and communicate effectively.
Supporting immigrant and refugee members to become self-sufficient and integrate into a healthy and inclusive pan-ethnic society.
Cultivating partnerships between our community, government agencies and other nonprofit organizations to maximize resources.
Increasing civic participation among immigrants, refugees and people of color.