Eritrean Canadian Multicultural Association

A home for the
Eritrean community
in Edmonton

الجمعية الإريترية الكندية متعددة الثقافات

A non-profit association providing assistance and support to Eritrean immigrants in Edmonton — newcomer integration, language studies, employment assistance, youth development, burial support, and a full spectrum of wrap-around social services.

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outdoor soccer team

ECMA Edmonton

outdoor soccer team

فريق كرة القدم في الهواء الطلق

Registered members
250+
Community services
12
Board members
7
Years serving Edmonton
10+

About Us

A community built from a rented room to a registered association.

نبذة عن الجمعية

The Eritrean Canadian Multicultural Association is a non-profit organization established to provide assistance and support to Eritrean immigrants to Edmonton, Canada. The Association was officially registered in August 2016 in accordance with the Societies Act of Alberta. Throughout the past several years, the association has grown in steps, flourishing from its humble beginnings to today's vibrant organization, providing a full spectrum of wrap-around social services — ranging from newcomer integration, language studies, and chances of sponsorship, to employment assistance, skills and training, youth development, burial support, and countless other support services.

Our Community
مجتمعنا

250+

Registered members

12

Community services

7

Board members

10+

Years serving Edmonton

Community Services

What we run, in-house.

خدمات الجالية

ECMA provides services to the community in various avenues. The following are a list of services that ECMA carries for members.

01

Youth Development

تطوير الشباب

The Eritrean Canadian Multicultural Association's main focus at present is to assist Eritrean youth born and/or raised in Canada to come together and establish an alliance that encourages networking and peer-to-peer support and development. The association wants to be attached to the youth and act as a mentor for them to be educated, responsible, law-abiding and respectable members of the city. By fostering a close relationship with the youth, the association hopes to decrease the number of youth exposed to various kinds of social problems.

02

Senior Program

برنامج كبار السن

Some members are becoming senior citizens, and ECMA has designed a program to adapt to the needs of these individuals. ECMA encourages frontline volunteers of the association to organize a coffee ceremony and invite senior citizens so that they can interact with others. By way of free membership and other initiatives, senior citizens will be encouraged to come out and stay in touch with community members.

03

Inter-community Dialogues

الحوارات بين المجتمعات

Eritrean immigrants in Canada represent different ethnic groups and nationalities within Eritrea. Inter-community dialogues and group forums are, therefore, important to promote unity and harmony among these groups. ECMA frequently organizes such dialogues, and works with local leaders to promote discussion and facilitate peaceful co-existence among various groups. It also works with local government bodies to ensure that decision-making is an inclusive process that builds upon consensus among diverse community members. Further, the association tries to use elders as a mediation committee that assists in mediating group disputes — one of the association's main, ongoing activities as new members continue to arrive as immigrants to the City of Edmonton. As part of the larger ethno-cultural community in Edmonton, ECMA also participates in key Afro-centric events.

04

Working with Edmonton Police

العمل مع شرطة إدمونتون

As part of the Edmonton Police Service community outreach program, ECMA maintains a strong tie with the Community Liaison Officer. This mutually beneficial relationship helps the Police handle culturally sensitive issues as they arise within the community.

05

Support Youth Sport and Art

دعم الرياضة والفنون للشباب

ECMA organizes and supports sport and art training for youth and children, both girls and boys. The program runs on volunteers and members of the association. Community-based sport and art is a program that brings people together — running outdoors in summer and indoors in winter. Many parents do not have the financial capacity to join the programs offered by high-end sport and art clubs in the city. These community-supported sport and art programs are, therefore, vital in providing the mental and physical health and strength, as well as self-esteem and self-discipline, these children need.

06

Language Classes for Children

دروس اللغة للأطفال

Started in 2003 as part of a combined initiative between the Edmonton Public Library and the association, ECMA continues to provide occasional Amharic and English language training for children to help them improve their communication skills and self-expression in both languages. The program was initiated and led by ECMA but often runs on volunteers. ECMA rents halls and facilities, and provides teaching materials — often held indoors in rental facilities, community halls and schools. Non-Eritrean Edmonton families who adopted children from Eritrea, and who are looking to preserve their children's language and cultural heritage, also come to use the service.

View all 12 services

Pictures & Events

What we've gathered for.

فعالياتنا

See past events & gallery

Join ECMA

Over 250 members strong,
still volunteer-run.

انضم إلى عضوية الجمعية

Membership is open to anyone entitled to join the Eritrean Canadian Multicultural Association. Fill out the application, show proof of Eritrean descent, and you're in.

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