Columbus is home to a diverse range of immigrant communities that hail from countries across Africa, Asia, Latin American and beyond — and it goes without saying that their needs vary greatly from those who are native-born in the United States. Dr. Seleshi Ayalew Asfaw, Executive Director of Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS), is hard at work to ease the transition for new immigrants and their families and help them make their place in Columbus the best experience that it can be.
“Language is the main barrier, which is very critical because it’s how we communicate and interact,” he explained. “Other needs include case management, settlement and employment. There are lots of social services and programs in Central Ohio, but there is a lack of access and a lack of information for these new residents.”
Despite those challenges, Dr. Asfaw remains optimistic about the mission of his 10-year-old nonprofit organization thanks in part to The Big Give campaign, which returns for a third time at 10am on Tuesday, May 12th, running through 10am on Wednesday, May 13th. This 24-hour online giving campaign has already raised over $19 million dollars for over 560 local nonprofits in the past, which ETSS has been able to benefit from.
“The first two years of The Big Give gave our new and small organization wide exposure to the funding community,” he explained. “It encouraged investors to make new donations in our communities, which was multiplied by The Foundation. This program has become one of the things we’re most proud of in the philanthropic world.”
While the services that ETSS most often provides on a day to day basis address immediate needs for housing and employment, Dr. Asfaw says that the most important aspect is the long term effects that their support can have on families and children. He said that they often help to make sure that immigrant children are able to find a good education in Central Ohio and that families can find homes in safe neighborhoods.
“The New American immigrant communities that we serve don’t have a lot of exposure to philanthropic giving, so it’s great for them to see how a program like The Big Give works,” he said. “They may think that all of our funding comes from the federal government, so it’s a good learning experience to see it come from within our own community. That way, in the future, they will know that they can reinvest and our customers today can become our supporters tomorrow.”
All Central Ohioans are invited to support their favorite charities and causes during The Big Give. Online donations to over 630 local nonprofit organizations can be made between 10am on Tuesday May 12th and 10am on Tuesday May 13th. All individual contributions will be amplified by a $1.3 million bonus pool assigned on a pro rata basis.
For more information, visit www.columbusfoundation.org.
