CECA's
Mission
The Calgary
Ethiopian Community Association (CECA) is a non-profit organization
which tries not only to address the needs, concerns, and interests
but also provides support and social welfare to Ethiopians in Calgary
and and surrounding cities.
CECA has been
providing numerous services to its members since 1982.
Currently, it has several active sub-committees:
- Relief Committee
- Sport and Culture
Committee
- "Hibret" Newsletter
Committee
- "Saturday
with Us" organizing committee
- Sponsorship
Coordinating Committee
The major CECA
activities include:
Relief
and Rehabilitation Effort
In the past 5
years, the association has sent over $15,000 to Ethiopia
to contribute towards the relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Sponsorship
In the past 4
years the community association as a constituent group
under the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society has sponsored
106 refugees from various parts of the world and 28 individuals
have already arrived - as the membership views this as
a very critical issue, we have now signed an agreement
with Citizenship and Immigration Canada to become a Sponsorship
Agreement Holder. Under this agreement, we are able to
sponsor 40 individuals each year.
Hibret
Is a monthly newsletter
published both in Amharic and English. It has been running
continuously for the past 42 months brining news and related
information to its members. It is distributed free of charge
at various Ethiopian hangouts in Calgary, and special issues
are mailed to members. Businesses with specialized service
aimed at the community have run several successful advertising
campaigns.
As the sole regular
Amharic publication in Calgary, it has become a popular
item among its members.
Referrals
and support letters to various organizations on behalf
of members
Numerous support
letters have been written on behalf of our members, to
various organizations. These include, the Citizenship and
Immigration Canada office supporting applications for permanent
resident permit, and various Municipal departments such
as Calgary Housing in dealing with issues like housing
and relocation.
Subsidized
Income Tax Preparation
In the past 3
years the association has been helping its members prepare
an annual income tax statement for a nominal contribution.
Conflict
Resolution
The association gets
involved in family related conflict resolution and also provides
service as a community liaison to the Calgary Police. |
