#GivingTuesday, Invest in Collective Care and Deep Belonging
$3,765
Raised
25
Donations
$10,000
Goal
Dear Friends,
As 2021 comes to a close, our hearts are filled with immense gratitude for the spirit of generosity and mutuality that is ALIVE in our communities. This past year has revealed to us the true wealth of the East African refugee and immigrant community that lies within our reciprocal webs of collective care.
This #GivingTuesday, we hope you can support this vision for collective care and belonging for those who made difficult journeys across continents to seek refuge and safety in San Diego.
This past year the team of UWEAST showed up truly and fully; whether it was delivering groceries to those in need or offering technical assistance for online learning for children or connecting families with critical benefits, like unemployment and housing assistance, our staff went over and beyond to be responsive, nimble and attentive.
Through intersecting crises and grief, UWEAST also saw the possibilities of building shared power and meaningful alliances with refugee community-based organizations who are reimagining wellbeing. We partnered with the San Diego Refugees Coalition with a clear mandate to define our own problems, solutions and outcomes for health equity. And as a pandemic persisted, our multilingual and multicultural counselors and staff supported youth facing mental health crises and co-organized vaccination drives with community health workers.
One of our flagship programs, Bilal and Baraka, is equipping over 20 women entrepreneurs with critical marketing and business skills to launch their catering services for delicious ancestral foods from Somalia to Morocco. “Bilal and Baraka has been an incredible experience for women who don’t have a support system. I was able to connect with other sisters, and I know this catering program has been valuable to many,” shared Khadra Hassan.
And we want to do more!
We would be honored if you would consider making a gift to support the expansion and deepening of our programs, like Bilal and Baraka. Can you help us reach our goal of $10,000? In 2022, we hope to move into a larger community space that can accommodate over 100 youth who attend our programs. Our doors are open for all, and more than ever, we recognize the need to have a safe space to connect and share resources and skills.
We know that when we gather, share stories, and witness each other, we also heal. Thank you for journeying with us as we reimagine genuine safety and wellbeing. We need you.
Sahra Abdi, Executive Director, United Women of East Africa
P.S: Please amplify our #GivingTuesday appeal on social media! Follow + share our campaign: Twitter | IG | Facebook
Make a GIFT now! Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Sincerely
Sahra Abdi, Executive Director