ACHD Monthly Edition
- African Community Housing and Development
- Apr 1
- 8 min read
This March, we published two newsletters—one in honor of Women's History Month (WHM) and this one, with your news from the four pillars. Aside from WHM, March was relatively quiet in terms of news, but we're nonetheless thrilled to share some of the uplifting stories that underscore the incredible work happening across ACHD.
Housing and Social Services
The Asthma Program
ACHD’s Asthma Program continues to help King County residents manage, and more importantly, prevent this life-threatening condition. In partnership with the county and the University of Washington, a study is being conducted to explore the link between air quality and asthma for those living in the cities surrounding the SeaTac Airport. Our own Case Worker Amen Farra serves as the helm of this program at ACHD.
Greater access to knowledge and education remains key. Find out more about this program by contacting Amen@achdo.org or Betsy@achd.org.
Food Justice
ACHD recently received a generous donation that has enabled us to provide essential food deliveries to the families we serve. Although we have four distinct pillars, our departments often partner up to ensure that the communities we serve receive holistic care. This time, to serve nearly 2,000 individuals and families, the Education and Housing & Social Services Departments have collaborated to provide basic food needs.
Thanks to this donation, we’ve been able to offer weekly bulk deliveries of basic food items, with an initial delivery of 150 items during the first week of Ramadan. Chief Housing Specialist Aden Hussein is coordinating everything behind the scenes, and our entire Education Team serving as the face for distributing these goods.
The donation increased to 200 items by March 10th, and with Costco’s contribution, we were able to provide 400 items—100 of each food item. Every Monday, we receive deliveries totaling about 500 items, which include 200 bags of rice and a variety of other essential goods.
Just this past Monday, March 24th, we expanded to 700 items to meet the growing needs of the families we serve.
Over the course of this effort, we’ve spent over $6,000 on food, and additionally, we have distributed $7,000 worth of gift cards to families. This donation has been the largest we’ve received for food and basic needs giveaways at ACHD—the impact has been profound.
While the initiative officially ended on March 28th, we still have basic goods available, and we will continue to provide this essential support as long as the need remains.
Lynwood Community Cafe
Senior Manager of Health and Wellness Betsy Baffa and Health and Wellness Case Manager Abdinasir Mohamed hosted another successful Community Cafe on Friday, March 21st—the next installment of the HEAL Act series.
If you've been following the news on our HEAL Act Community Cafes, you already know the purpose of these events. But in case you need a refresher—these programs serve as a place for local communities to engage in meaningful conversation about issues impacting them, one of the primary themes being that you understand your community’s challenges better than anyone—and you have the power to create change.
On that Friday, over 50 members of the East African Diaspora of King County got together, ate warm food, and talked about mental health issues such as suicide, and the necessity of support systems.
Huddled in groups, attendees spoke with confidence and urgency about these issues that are typically considered a taboo topic in African cultures. Breaking down these significant barriers, people agreed that more help and solidarity within our own communities is necessary.
"When my mom passed," an attendee said. "I felt so alone. But my family and community were right here supporting me. Recently, my friend helped. You just feel low, but you can still get the support that you need. Don’t keep it to yourself because it’s not easy."
Community members shared their personal stories with the crowd, highlighting the challenges many face when trying to access essential resources.
These tragedies serve as a reminder that while community-based organizations and certain government departments in King County are here to help, navigating the system—even getting into the system—remains difficult.
From mental health support and housing assistance to legal aid and employment opportunities, access is often limited—our communities are in need of greater awareness, accessibility, and action.
Support systems play a crucial role in the mental health and well-being of immigrants in the United States, particularly among African immigrants. The migration process often introduces significant stressors, including cultural adjustments, language barriers, and the challenge of establishing new social networks, all of which can impact mental health.
"A lot of us come here and there is no welcoming community," said another attendee. "If the African community came together, we could represent the various African states and identify what to do for each other. If there is strong African leadership like other communities, we could achieve the same thing."
The ability to share your personal struggles with others, let alone a crowd of 50 community members, is a challenging yet special thing. That Friday night, community members held each other, building trust and showing promise for a future that is more open to discussion about mental health issues and support systems.
"I think that when we help each other, we can change that whole cycle," said Betsy. "Being someone to trust and show a way. Once I show you where to get the resources, I'm empowering you to move forward. I think we can sit down and blame other people in our community, but we can also sit down and work together to change that cycle. It starts with you."
Education
A Quiet Month with Some Loud Updates
The Education Department, in addition to actively engaging with the community by providing essential support and resources to nearly 2,000 individuals and families, also has important updates about our upcoming summer programs. We have three separate programs, one for elementary-age students, middle school students, and one for high school students.
In-School Instruction is Finally Here
Additionally, our Education Department took an important step toward enhancing the education of our communities’ youth by providing in-school instruction on March 26th at Thomas Jefferson High School.
"In-school instruction allows us to reach more students because they don't have to travel to a different location," said Laurie Stamp, S.T.E.A.M. Education Program Specialist at ACHD. "Being on site also allows us to connect with parents and teachers in a more collaborative way.
"We are an additional academic-and-community-based after school club that will build on skills taught in the classroom. The purpose of programming on site is to build the community of African students at each school and ensure that they and their families have what is needed to find success."
This is a pilot program, and ACHD is very excited to see where this leads as educational disparities continue to persist. Community-based organizations represent a future of enriched, empowering education for students in the United States that will prepare them for life beyond what the system can do for them right now.
Economic Development
Small Business Program: Supporting Entrepreneurs & Navigating Challenges
One of the biggest milestones this month was the launch of our Farmers Market vendor applications, which received over 100 submissions—including many new vendors eager to join our market community. Our team is in the process of confirming applications and preparing new ways to support small business owners, including equipment assistance, debt reduction strategies, and cost coverage solutions.
The urgency of these efforts is amplified by significant funding cuts at the state level, leaving a major deficit in resources that small businesses rely on. The current climate makes it increasingly difficult for entrepreneurs to access the support they need, highlighting the importance of advocacy to ensure funding reaches the right places.
A key success story from this month is a longtime client who has been working to open a home health staffing agency. She has been navigating complex documentation, policies, and procedures—almost beyond ACHD’s capacity to assist—but our team was able to connect her with an external organization that offered her a significant discount. After years of perseverance, it’s been rewarding to see her progress, and with continued support from a consultant, she is now just months away from launching her business.
Beyond individual success stories, we are also working to expand our network within ACHD, creating more connections between organizations and acting as a bridge for resources. Our Small Business Incubator continues to grow, with team members Indra and Joanna reaching out to East African vendors and helping them navigate applications and grant opportunities. This month, we helped two new vendors secure spots at the market, including Darian, who will be selling his family’s BBQ sauce, and Jenne, a Burundian farmer who has been eager to join for some time.
Farmers Market Growth & Insights from a National Conference
In mid-March, our Small Business Team attended the InTents Farmers Market Conference in San Diego, where we connected with market leaders from across the country to exchange ideas, learn best practices, and explore innovative ways to combat food insecurity.
Key takeaways included:
Creative food security solutions: Markets in other states have found ways to match SNAP benefits with additional “protein bucks” to help low-income shoppers buy meat, eggs, and dairy.
Capturing data for funding: Tracking impact is crucial for securing more financial support, and we are exploring ways to enhance our own data collection.
Marketing strategies for vendors: Learning from successful markets, we discovered new ways to help vendors promote their businesses through social media trends and increase engagement.
We also visited the Little Italy Farmers Market, where we spoke with the market manager about vendor selection and ensuring the overall health of a market. One of the biggest lessons was reinforcing the mission of our own market—serving as an incubator for culturally diverse vendors and providing a space for customers to discover unique products without having to travel far.
Looking Ahead: Exciting Plans for the Next Few Months
As we gear up for the next season, we’re launching the Harvesting Success: Market Vendor Readiness Workshop, starting on May 2nd. This training will ensure vendors are prepared, encouraged, and equipped with the knowledge they need to operate successful booths. Speakers, including representatives from L&I’s Agricultural Safety Office, will provide guidance on best practices and business readiness. Stay tuned for more information about this event in the coming weeks.
We are also continuing to offer valuable resources for small businesses, including:
Vendor 101 Training (contact Indra@achdo.org)
Small Business Office Support from L&I (Contact: smallbusiness@lni.wa.gov | 1-800-987-0145)
For small business owners looking to get involved, the best step is reaching out! Whether it’s applying for the Farmers Market, seeking financial support, or accessing training, we are here to provide guidance and opportunities. A simple email or conversation could be the key to unlocking the next step in your business journey.
Abokor Isaac, Economic Development Manager
Joanna Desalegne, Economic Development Coordinator
Indra Budiman, Farmers Market Manager
RESOURCES
ACHD’s Commitment to Community Stability and Support
At ACHD, we remain deeply aware of our rapidly evolving political climate and its direct impact on our community. Our top priority is to ensure that ACHD and our programs continue to serve as a safe, inclusive space that upholds and protects the rights of those we serve.
We recognize that these ongoing changes may bring uncertainty, and we are committed to open dialogue, active engagement, and unwavering support as we navigate these challenges together. Our dedication to community resilience remains steadfast, and we will continue to provide the resources and advocacy needed to foster stability and empowerment.
Here’s a list of resources and informational sites for communities in need:
Thank you for taking some time out of your busy day to learn about ACHD and our many programs. See you next month.
African Community Housing is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to serving the community of African Diaspora, BIPOC communities, immigrants, and refugees in the Greater Seattle Area by building culturally rooted health and housing stability through economic development, legal support, resource navigation, holistic education, and access to cultural arts and traditions.
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