ABOUT ECMAA
The Ethiopian Community Mutual Assistance Association, Inc. is a volunteer-led nonprofit serving Ethiopians and friends of the community across the New York City metropolitan area.
Our community spans the New York City metropolitan area, including New York City, Northern New Jersey, and Southern Connecticut. For more than four decades, the Association has brought people together to share knowledge and resources, build relationships, create opportunities, and keep Ethiopian culture and heritage active across generations.
ECMAA was established as Ethiopian immigrants and refugees were building new lives in the New York City metropolitan area. From the beginning, the idea was practical: people within the community had knowledge, experience and resources that could help one another.
Mutual assistance took many forms. Over the years, ECMAA's work has included information and referrals, educational programs, employment and immigration resources, health and legal awareness, emergency assistance, children's activities, cultural programs, professional connections, recreation and community gatherings.
The needs of the community have changed, and the Association has changed with them. Programs today may look different from those of earlier decades, but the underlying purpose remains: creating ways for people to connect, contribute what they know and strengthen the community together.
To strengthen the local Ethiopian community through cultural, educational and community activities while drawing on the knowledge, skills and resources of community members.
A thriving and empowered community that remains connected to its culture and values while accessing educational, social and economic opportunities.
ድር ቢያብር አንበሳ ያስር
“When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.”
Ethiopian proverb featured in ECMAA's organizational materials.
ECMAA TODAY
ECMAA's work continues to evolve with the people it serves. Today, the Association's direction is organized around four priorities that shape how we bring people together, share what our community knows and create opportunities to participate.
A strong association depends on people who participate. ECMAA creates opportunities for community members to meet one another, become members, volunteer, contribute their skills and take on leadership.
Community gatherings · recreation · volunteering · membership · leadership
Knowledge within the community becomes more useful when it is shared. ECMAA connects people with information, community expertise and programs that can help them navigate everyday needs and challenges.
Community information · wellness · educational workshops · referrals · mutual assistance
ECMAA brings people together in ways that can open doors. Education, mentorship, professional connections and skill-sharing help community members learn from one another and expand their networks.
Education · professional connections · mentorship · networking · skill-sharing
Ethiopian culture is something to practice and pass on. Through language, celebrations, historical remembrance and cultural programming, ECMAA creates opportunities for different generations to experience and share their heritage together.
Amharic · cultural celebrations · history · commemorations · intergenerational programs