I have volunteered with ETSS for the past 10 years. They help immigrants and refugees in the Columbus area has much as possible. My side profession as a photographer kept me and my wife busy as volunteers. Also working for Eclipse Corp in printing I have been able to help advertise Etss events. My wife is now working for ETSS leading the family care department. We are embedded with ETSS for life. We love our connections.
ETSS has helped countless New Americans of all ages. They are helping to change our city for the better.
I first started out with this organization over two years ago and it has definitely had a major impact on my life, as many others as well. I volunteered with the Youth Summer Program which exposed me to people outside of my background. Spending time over the summer with the children and staff members definitely changed my mindset and it was disappointing when the program finally ended. Fortunately ETSS also offers an after-school program which I ended up joining and two years later I'm still around!
Even though it may be difficult at times, the children with the youth programs have definitely matured and improved. ETSS has given these children, growing up in America, opportunities to learn/not forget about their culture while also providing learning opportunities they wouldn't experience elsewhere. The staff, volunteers, and children are the reason I can never leave!
I have the pleasure of serving as a board member of this outstanding organization whose vision is to be the focal point of integration for immigrant and refugee families and to assist the New American community in being healthy, wealthy, and self-reliant. It is accomplishing this through an array of adult programming and workforce development, youth tutoring, enrichment, and employment programs, and a plethora of outreach, education and advocacy initiatives. ETSS has an indelible footprint in Central Ohio and has effectively leveraged relationships with the City of Columbus, State of Ohio, and local and national nonprofit and for-profit organizations for the benefit of our New American communities. ETSS and its leadership have been recognized with numerous awards, but what we are most proud of is the direct impact that we are having on the livelihood of many families across Central Ohio.
ETSS is the premier social service agency in Central Ohio for New Americans refugees. Their case management, employment, ELS,youth summer and employment, and grant writing programs are simply the best in the area.
ETSS' diverse staff and dedicated leadership has combined to make this agency one of the best and successful non profit in Columbus.
ETSS provides unique support and integration services for immigrants, refugees, and low income individuals here in Central Ohio. The challenges faced by this group are overwhelming. Through ETSS both adults and child ten receive translation services, education and training support which facilitate their health and productive contributions back to our Centeal Ohio community. This organization also raises cultural awareness in the community at large. I am personally thankful for gaining a better understanding of the immigrant and refugee experience and for the ability to volunteer with this organization to show welcome them, reassuring them we are unified- all one community.
Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services has been an excellent organization that we have partnered with for the last ten years. I am a Pastor of a church that partners with ETSS. We have provided tutors to ETSS and give them space to use. They have five classrooms, our fellowship hall, use of the kitchen, and we have given them two offices (one for a computer room and another for their site office). We have had an excellent relationship with ETSS. They are open to suggestions; they have responded positively to any concerns we have had; they are serving the immigrant community and we have seen the positive impact they have made and are making in the community, for families, and for individuals.
As a volunteer and member of the development committee, I have been beyond impressed with the service and commitment ETSS makes to it's clients. They are always working proactively and tirelessly to improve people's lives!
special people at etts.
Beeing a trainee at etts was the most impressing time in my life. To experience the possibility of working together with people of at least 7 different nationalities without trouble ,was just amazing.The understanding of the great ideas and efforts to help people whereever they came from, inspired me to give all my best ,helping with my ideas and thoughts. Helping not financially but with love and care for adults as well as children was a great goal of me staying at this fabulous place. Not only giving but taking was possible. I gave my wisdom ,love andadmiration and got back wisdom about different African mentalitys,about unknown people like Uygur,Chinese,Iracky, Macedonian and Nepalese . Igave at the time I stayed with these wonderful People and I would do it again.
Thank you to the director Dr. Shelefi and his words :Tawehado!
And : Be prood of your roots!!
Iwould like to give more! If I only could,I surely would!!!!!
Review from #MyGivingStory
Lucky to Give
I learned about Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS), www.ethiotss.org, during the adoption process of my son. We were adopting from Ethiopia and I was trying to learn everything I could about his homeland. I had been living in Columbus, OH for 10 years but had no idea about the strong Ethiopian immigrant community in my very own city. I also had no idea that Columbus is home to the largest Bhutanese-Nepali community in the US and the second largest Somali community.
These were all things I would learn as I started volunteering for ETSS and then in 2013 became a tutor in the ETSS After School program. I’ve met refugees from Iraq, Somalia, Nepal, Bhutan, Ethiopia and Burma and as I learn their stories there is always a common theme. They consider themselves lucky. They had to escape bombings in their home country, or live in a refugee camp for 20 years or as a teenager they had to walk from Somalia to Kenya. Despite surviving the worst of circumstances, they will all say they are “lucky.” Can you imagine? I am inspired daily by my colleagues and their tenacity to overcome obstacles and navigate life in the US. ETSS provides necessary programs and services to refugees, immigrants and their families as they make a new life in Central Ohio. I am lucky to give to ETSS.
Review from #MyGivingStory