East African Women's Center


The intention of the East African Women’s Center is to help women understand American life styles including work requirements—and support their efforts towards economic stability. Starting where the women are, all our programs are culturally sensitive and focus on making families’ transitions to life in America easier and less stressful. When the Center first opened, it was open only 20 hours per week. We started with activities women wanted and needed like sewing. We encouraged elder women to leave their apartments to share a Somali meal that we had catered once a week. In the summer of 2005, we invited girls (11 - 14 years old) and their mothers to participate in conversation, sewing, and crafts. A beautiful new space. In the summer of 2006, CSCM had the opportunity to improve the Women’s Center’sphysical space. With funding from the Bush Foundation, the Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation, and Sherman and Associates, we were able to create a room
				The Center’s sewing classes combine the basics ofsewing with learning English. The Center currentlyconducts five sewing classes each week for women and two for girls.

			especially for infants and toddlers, remodel the bath-room, add a new family-style kitchen, and improvethe lighting in the sewing area. In September 2006, the Center expanded its programming to 45 hours per week and opened its family childcare center.Currently, the Center serves 80 - 100 women and children each week, and we have waiting lists for all our programs. VIEW PROGRAMS


	Mothers and their infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers comeonce a week for 5th Day ESL/Parenting Classes. With our certified nutritionist, they practicecombining traditional Somalifoods with American vegetablesand fruits. Then everyone shares a meal together.
		This is a part of the play area in the family childcare center at CSCM’s East African Women’s Center