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ACHD Monthly Edition: Grand Opening Ceremony, June Groundbreaking, Updates in Education
- African Community Housing and Development
- 1 day ago
- 11 min read
This month, we’re spotlighting stories about community connection—from the kickoff of our Delridge Farmers Market to community-funded summer programming, housing, and real estate development.
Economic Development
The Delridge Farmers Market kicked off its season on May 17—and for a soft opening, it was a major success. Despite the drizzle and gray skies, community members began lining up as early as 9:50 AM to grab their free produce bags.
We had around 25 vendors—a notable expansion from last year. Though we were initially concerned that the side-by-side layout might feel too tight, it ended up creating a vibrant, communal atmosphere. Attendees—Seattleites, often known to “freeze” when it comes to social interaction—were able to move easily between vendors, sparking conversations and forming new connections.
Then came our Grand Opening Ceremony on May 24. ACHD welcomed elected officials, including Seattle Councilmember Rob Saka, Washington State Senator Emily Alvarado, and Eric Moss, Communications Director for the Seattle Office of Economic Development, who spoke just before the ribbon cutting at 10:20 AM. Against a complex political backdrop, their messages landed with power. They spoke passionately about why investing your dollars at the farmers market matters—because it's about strengthening the Delridge community, building generational wealth, and fostering resilience in historically underserved communities.
We’re also proud to share that total sales at our markets continue to grow—the Grand Opening's total sales being over $10k alone—which shows the power of community commerce and why this work remains so vital. Together, we can continue building a strong, resourceful, and thriving small business ecosystem—rooted in empathy and kindness.
To celebrate the momentum of our May markets, here are five things you might not know about ACHD’s Delridge and SeaTac Farmers Markets:
Vendors pay no fees. Zero. ACHD completely removes financial barriers by waiving vendor fees—something rarely seen in traditional markets. This makes it possible for low-income and first-time vendors to participate without fear of startup costs.
First-time vendors are the norm here. The majority of vendors at Delridge and SeaTac are immigrants, refugees, and micro-entrepreneurs. For many, it’s their first public market experience—and a critical step toward long-term economic stability.
Fresh food is free for those who need it. Over 43,286 pounds of fresh, local produce were distributed for free to families in need, thanks to ACHD’s buy-back program. Unsold produce is purchased from vendors and donated to community organizations like Cultivate South Park, Seattle Community Fridge, Long Haul Kitchen, Villa Comunitaria, and White Center Food Bank.
Each market provides thousands in community resources. On average, every single market distributes over $4,000 worth of free resources, from fresh food and hygiene supplies to healthcare services and wellness education. It’s food justice with wraparound support.
It’s a model with measurable impact. The results speak for themselves. Whether it's the food redistributed, the businesses launched, or the dignity restored, ACHD’s markets are transforming lives. These are not charity-based programs—they’re equity-based ecosystems rooted in justice, trust, and belonging.
Watch our reel here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKClbFkpNld/
Afella Jollof's goat dibi at the Delridge Farmers Market Soft Opening. Gael Gallegos / ACHD
Resources Recommended by the Small Business Team
We know that budget cuts are taking a toll on small businesses across the nation right now. Here are a few resources our small business team wanted to recommend to you this month. Please keep in mind that we are still here for you if you are in need of technical support, referrals, and other needs.
Resources:
Denkyem Co-Op
Business Impact Northwest (Tukwila)
Grow America Loan Program – A “pay-what-you-can” loan designed to support your business through good and tough months. You’ll pay a minimum of $100/month, with the option to pay more if revenue allows. Loans typically have a 3-year term and are flexible based on your income.
Real Estate
ACHD and Habitat for Humanity broke ground on their first townhome
project on June 9th at 3601 Martin Luther King Jr Way S.
The history of Black homeownership in King County is intertwined with systemic barriers and discriminatory practices that have persisted from the late 19th century, when Black Americans began establishing communities in Seattle, to the present. Understanding this history is crucial to recognizing the importance of the partnership between ACHD and Habitat SKKC in addressing enduring inequities and fostering generational wealth in Black communities.
Our collaboration marks a proactive effort to rectify historic injustices. By developing 65 permanently affordable homes in Rainier Valley, ACHD and Habitat SKKC directly confront the obstacles that have long hindered Black homeownership.
This initiative not only expands access to affordable housing but also works to reverse the wealth disparities caused by exclusionary practices. Even after the Fair Housing Act of 1968, the legacy of discrimination has endured: Black homeownership rates in Seattle fell from 50% in 1970 to 28% in 2022.
Because homeownership is a key driver of generational wealth and long-term stability, this partnership empowers Black families to invest in their futures and strengthen the economic vitality of their communities.
By acknowledging and addressing the systemic barriers that have shaped the housing landscape, this project helps build a future where all individuals have the opportunity to achieve stability and prosperity through homeownership.
The June groundbreaking represents years of dedication, planning, and community engagement, particularly by ACHD leaders Hamdi Abdulle and Bilan Aden. Stay tuned for more in-depth stories about our groundbreaking and partnership with Habitat SKKC in next month's newsletter.
Education
GiveBIG recap
Funded largely by your generosity during our May Flowers campaign, our students will have the support to fuel their wellbeing, mind and body alike, all summer long. Every dollar donated is a commitment to care, equity, and local change.
“It’s going to make our kids more excited to be here,” said Ebneazer and Laurie. “Thank you for your contributions, it’s going to make teaching kids easier because they’ll be full! Happy Bellies. Happy faces. Happy learning.”
Aviation Day – June 7
We’re excited to participate in Alaska Airlines’ annual Aviation Day on June 7! This immersive event introduces young people to the world of aviation and aerospace, with a strong focus on STEM. From flight simulators to workshops on engineering, plane painting (yes, how to make it go viral!), and Aviation 101, it’s a hands-on learning experience that opens up the skies for our youth. Alaska Airlines runs a tight 3:1 student-to-adult ratio, ensuring every participant gets focused support.
Family BBQ at Angle Lake – June 14
We're hosting our very first Family BBQ at Angle Lake on June 14, and we hope to make it an annual tradition. This family-friendly event will include field and water games, and we're especially excited to feature Erv’s BBQ (a new vendor from our SeaTac and Delridge Farmers Markets), who will serve halal BBQ at this event. This event is all about deepening community bonds—we’re expecting about 50 families to join us for good food, fun, and connection.
After-School Program Wrap Up & Summer Launch
It's summertiiiiiiiiime at ACHD🎶. We’re wrapping up our after-school programs on June 12, and preparing for the launch of our summer camp on June 30! Highline School District officially ends the school year on June 25—pushed back a week due to recent disruptions including the Highline hackers incident and wind storm closures. We’re ready to transition into a summer of learning, creativity, and fun!
Family University – June 20
In collaboration with the Highline School District, ACHD is proud to support Family University on June 20. These workshops are designed to help families navigate the school system, with tools to stay up-to-date on grades, communication, and student support. This session is for all our Positive Families Connection (PFC) families, program families, and staff. PFC programming will continue through the summer with community cafés and workshops.
Makerspace Launch – June 30
Our Makerspace officially launches on June 30—and we’re kicking things off with a creative twist! Kids in our summer programs will be customizing their camp t-shirts as the first project. This space will give young makers the chance to explore design, technology, and hands-on learning all summer long.
Housing and Social Services
ACHD’s Amen Farra Named 2025 Puget Sound Business Journal Health Care Hero
We are proud to announce that Amen Farra, a case manager and community health worker in ACHD’s Housing and Social Services Department, has been named a 2025 Health Care Hero by the Puget Sound Business Journal. This prestigious recognition honors Amen’s unwavering dedication to health equity and her outstanding leadership
in King County’s Asthma Program.
A fluent speaker of three languages and a trusted liaison within African immigrant and refugee communities, Amen serves as a critical bridge between vulnerable families and lifesaving public health services. Her work is central to the success of the Asthma Program, a collaboration between ACHD, King County, and the University of Washington.
Through this program, Amen supports individuals—especially those living near the SeaTac Airport—who face elevated asthma risks due to environmental and structural inequities. She connects families to essential services including asthma education, medication guidance, free health supplies (such as HEPA air filters and vacuums), and participation in ongoing University of Washington research.
The 2025 Health Care Heroes Awards Luncheon will be held on Monday, July 8th at the Hyatt Olive 8 Hotel in downtown Seattle. Amen will be honored alongside other health care professionals making a difference across the Puget Sound region.
“Safety Starts Here:” ACHD and Partners Host Car Seat Awareness Event for Local Families
On May 22nd, African Community Housing & Development (ACHD) joined forces with Harborview Medical Center, their Safe Kids program, and King County Public Health to host a community event focused on one critical question: are your children riding safely?
The event brought together families of the African Diaspora from across South King County, some of whom are new to the U.S., for a free car seat education and distribution day aimed at increasing awareness of child passenger safety. With help from trained technicians, interpreters, and community volunteers, families learned how to properly install car seats, position children securely, and navigate state laws many were encountering for the first time.
The event was made possible through the leadership of Fran from Harborview Medical Center and Laura from King County EMS, both of whom are dedicated to equipping parents with life-saving knowledge. Harborview and its program, Safe Kids Worldwide, a national nonprofit dedicated to preventing childhood injury, helped provide the structure and resources needed for this event.
The safety class was led by certified car seat technicians from multiple agencies who volunteered their time to serve the community. Among them was Vanessa, a doula from Enumclaw, who made the long drive simply to help families better protect their children.
“The safety of children is difficult to navigate, even for me,” said Abdi, a father of six who attended the event. “Most immigrant communities don’t have access to this kind of education or resources. I’m glad these families feel more confident.”
Concluding our HEAL Act Community Café Series With Pride and Gratitude
As we near the end of June, we’re preparing to say goodbye to our HEAL Act Community Café Series, a cornerstone of our outreach made possible through the HEAL Act. As we near the end of June, we’re preparing to say goodbye to our HEAL Act Community Café Series, a cornerstone of our outreach. The Healthy Environment for All Act (AKA the HEAL Act) was implemented by the Washington State Legislature in 2021 and was the first statewide law to cultivate a collaborative approach to environmental justice, making it a priority of key state agencies and community-based organizations like ours. The HEAL Act allowed ACHD to host large community conversations with African Diaspora immigrants, many of whom did not have access to education about the environment and how it impacts health and wellness.
Note that we will continue to host Community Cafés independent of HEAL Act funding.
These warm, welcoming gatherings were so much more than events—they were safe spaces that brought together families and individuals from across the African Diaspora to share meals, stories, and support," said Betsy Baffa, Senior Manager of Health and Wellness at ACHD. “It was one Africa together.”
The cafés opened doors to serve an even wider range of people—diverse in language, background, age, and neighborhood. Thanks to the cafés, many community members learned about ACHD for the first time and began accessing resources they didn’t know existed. Betsy and Abdinasir Mohamed, Health and Wellness Case Manager, take tremendous pride in the outreach and trust that grew from these gatherings. The cafés helped ACHD expand its reach in ways that will resonate far beyond the final meal.
Final HEAL Act Community Café – Join Us in Puyallup
Join us for the last HEAL Act Community Café on a Friday in June in Puyallup. The exact date is still being secured, so stay tuned for further information about this event on our social media. Let’s close out this chapter with reflection, connection, and one more chance to celebrate what we’ve built together. We’ll also be capturing testimonial videos—sharing voices and stories around one powerful question: “What does community mean to you?”
“It’s time for people to come together and support community in whatever way
they can,” said Betsy. “We have to be in community in times like this. The HEAL Act allowed us to unify communities—it created environmental awareness and gave them a safe space to voice their opinions about these issues, from the water they drink to the transportation they take to the jet fuel-laced air they breathe in if the live close to the airport—we cannot lose this momentum just because the HEAL Act has ended.”
What You Can Do to Help
These cuts will affect not only our clients and services, but also our staff—a reality we are grappling with every day.
One meaningful way to support our work is through donations. We're also dedicated storytellers, committed to uplifting the voices of the communities we serve by sharing their experiences and perspectives.
Donate — visit our website to make a gift. Help keep the sense of community going.
Pitch us a community story you'd like to see covered! Email lauren@achdo.org with your ideas.
Visit Us at the Farmers Market – Meet our team and share your thoughts.
Want to help in other ways? Contact lauren@achdo.org to get involved or learn how your business or organization can collaborate.
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:
https://www.seattle.gov/iandraffairs
https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas
https://www.ice.gov/about-ice/ero/protected-areas
https://lcycwa.org/resources/immigration
https://www.atg.wa.gov/keep-washington-working-act-faq-law-enforcement
https://www.nilc.org/resources/know-your-rights-expedited-removal-expansion/
https://www.nwirp.org/resources/kyr/
https://refugeerights.app.box.com/s/t5y0mnpri8v80czfe818l8p3jcimec4m
https://washington-mass-hub.zendesk.com/hc/en-us