Executive Summary

Fifteen years ago, a group of six East African women began a journey to create a safe, collaborative space for East African women and their children, a grassroots effort that became the 501(c)3, United Women of East Africa Support Team (UWEAST). UWEAST is recognized for its capacity to deliver services that demonstrate respect for cultural values and norms and a nuanced understanding of the refugee experience. UWEAST’s programs are designed with a deep understanding of the needs of Muslim refugee families to bridge the divide between individuals maintaining their culture and heritage while integrating with American culture and society. Programs operate seven days a week serving around 1,600 households annually from Somalia, DR Congo, Iraq, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. All of UWEAST’s staff are culturally, ethnically, racially, linguistically, and/or religiously representative of participants, and most also have similar lived experiences. Staff speaks Somali, Amharic, Swahili, Arabic, Tigrinya, Kizigula, Dinka, and other languages. UWEAST meets the overwhelming physical, economic, and mental health-related needs of East African refugees through health services, education, and advocacy, including mental health support, mentorship, system navigational services, youth development and leadership, parenting education, youth sporting activities, and economic development services, such as women entrepreneur development and microenterprises. UWEAST provides culturally affirming spaces and culturally, age, and gender-appropriate groups and activities observant of participants’ Muslim practices. Participants have reported gains in social connectedness, physical and social-emotional health, and community familiarity and integration. UWEAST also supports expanding inclusivity countywide through cultural competency training and partnerships with other organizations.

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