Investing in our future!
The Ethiopian-American
Youth Development primary purpose is to serve the Ethiopian American Youth in their development of positive values, self-esteem and citizenship.
BACKGROUND:
It is estimated that number of Ethiopians in the Diaspora to be close to 300,000 in the United States. It is estimated the youth population is at least 50 to 60 percent of the estimated number mentioned.
We believe that population we have targeted to serve are underserved for reasons listed below:
- There are no known development programs specifically designed for the Ethiopian American Youth.
- Many of the youth that recently immigrated have had weak educational and development support from their country of origin.
- Many of the youth that recently immigrated are without parental support or formal mentorship and thus are more vulnerable to the harsh realities of negative values facing the American Youth.
- Significant numbers of families are unable to provide the time and money for enrichment and extra-curricular programs for their children.
- Many of the parents, with the exception of understanding educational and work values, do not fully grasp the value of enrichment and extra-curricular programs, thus challenge the involvement of their children in these kinds of environment.
- There are communication and cultural gaps between the young and adult, and more noticeably between youth born in the United States and youth born in Ethiopia. Very few, if any, opportunities exist to bridge the divide.
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Addressing problems:
The problems are many and broad; but our organization has determined that it could best serve the youth by addressing the following areas of focus:
- Support and Cultural Enhancement
- Health and Welfare
- Social and Physical Development
- Support and Cultural Enhancement focus will include – Academic mentoring and or tutoring programs through matches with professionals, college students or older students, particularly for youth whose parents don’t reside in the U.S., English as a Second Language, After-School/ Homework clubs, access to the internet, Career Guidance and Exploration, assistance with the process of Citizenship, Political Awareness, Orientation to local community, Cultural advancement and exchanges.
- Health and Welfare focus will include - Awareness of the dangers of Drugs, Gangs, Alcohol, Smoking and HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy, providing facts regarding nutrition, exercise, physiology, relationships and communication.
- Social and Physical Development focus will include the promotion of sports activities or tournaments as a proven past time to enhance the social and physical development of young people.
The Community Role:
- Through the active financial, physical and morale support of the community, The Ethiopian- American Youth Development is poised to undertake the responsibility of enhancing the development of its youth.
Interested supporters, parties, volunteers and mentors are sought urgently!
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