People gather at community centers to participate in recreational activities, connect with others, and learn new skills. With an estimated 3,302 community centers across the United States, many are dedicated to preserving and celebrating specific cultures. These small pieces of home away from home allow generations to reconnect with their heritage while also enriching the local area’s cultural landscape.
What is the role of the Eritrean Community Center?
Located in Seattle’s diverse Central District, the Eritrean Community Center has been a welcoming and accessible space since the early 80s. It provides cultural, educational, and societal services to Eritreans and the local community in the greater Seattle area.
One of its main goals is to support refugees and newcomers adjusting to life in the United States. This is achieved through job community services, networking opportunities, and programs designed for growth and integration.
What impact does it have on the community?
Yonatan Gebreyesus, the program director, describes the Eritrean Community Center as his “home.” He says, “[It] has done a lot for me and my family, so I always want to give back in any way I can.”
Yonatan’s connection to the center is deeply personal: His family fled Eritrea during the war for independence in 1988 and sought refuge in Sudan. Born in 1992, Yonatan and his family moved to the United States a year later. Once settled in Seattle, they quickly found a second home in the community center.
Beyond a second home, the Eritrean Hall is also a place of healing for many. This includes a friend of Yonatan who, after losing a parent, returned to mourn at the community’s church. Overwhelmed by the members’ love and support, he felt a newfound connection to his heritage. Today, he volunteers twice a month, giving back to the community that helped him through a difficult time.
How does it help preserve Eritrean heritage?
Maintaining Eritrean traditions in a different country doesn’t come without challenges. Yonatan explains, “Living in America, it’s easy to forget about your roots.”
To help members connect with their heritage, the center offers a variety of programs and activities:
Tigrinya language classes and Eritrean film screenings are made available for the youth. The center also hosts a dance group where children learn traditional dances that they then perform at the yearly graduation ceremony. Additionally, volunteers organize storytelling sessions, where older community members share their experiences of finding their way back to their roots.
To honor the role of the elderly in Eritrean culture, the center offers special services for them. This includes a city-funded weekly dinner, as well as basic computer and typing classes to help them become familiar with modern technology. Keeping them up to date with current trends is key to preserving their presence within the community.
Yonatan mentions that the center’s future goals involve increasing the number of young Eritrean volunteers and providing additional incentives for them to engage with the community. The center also plans to create further opportunities for youth to express themselves in a safe and welcoming environment.
How does the center share Eritrean culture locally?
Through the efforts of its members, the Eritrean Community Center in Seattle and Vicinity serves as a bridge to Eritrea for those who had to leave their homeland. It has become a pillar for cultural preservation and community support, thriving 8,000 miles away.
Part of that thriving spirit also involves sharing the culture with the wider local community. This is why the center regularly invites neighbors and residents to attend various quarterly events. “We make sure to post flyers and on community Facebook pages so everyone has the visibility to see what we do,” Yonatan says.
The community center welcomes everyone to experience the warmth and hospitality of Eritrean traditions, so if you’re in the area, don’t hesitate to stop by!
