Ethiopian Eritrean Special Needs Community

08/26/2026

EESNC is participating in the Grand African Run — join us!

Want to walk/run? Scan the flyer's QR code to buy your ticket and use code 26EESNCGAR for the EESNC discount.

Can't walk? You can still help:

Donate via Zeffy (QR code on flyer)
Start your own fundraising page and invite friends & family to give

Every ticket and donation helps EESNC keep providing culturally and linguistically responsive services to Ethiopian, Eritrean, and African immigrant families with special needs.

Please share with your circle — every bit of support counts!

08/24/2026

07/17/2026

📢 Employment Opportunity for Maryland Adults with Autism (18+)

EESNC would like to share an excellent employment support opportunity through the Autism Society of Maryland for adults with autism who are not currently receiving employment services through DDA, DORS, or another employment agency.

You may qualify if you:

Are 18 years or older
Live in Howard County or surrounding counties in Maryland
Have an autism diagnosis
Have a high school diploma/GED, certification, some college, or a college degree
Are not currently receiving employment services from DDA, DORS, an employment specialist, or another agency
Can participate independently in weekly virtual and in-person coaching sessions
Are motivated to find and maintain meaningful employment

Please use this link to apply:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/howard-county

For more information about the program:
https://autismsocietymd.org/autism-hiring-program/

APPLY NOW FOR OUR 2026 COHORTS! Scroll down for information and applications The Autism Hiring Program advances workplace neurodiversity and acceptance, connecting businesses to an untapped workforce of skilled Autistic adults and targeting…

07/15/2026

The Governor's Office of Immigrant Affairs is holding a community call this Friday, July 17, 2026, at 10:30 AM to discuss updates on TPS. As many of you know, USCIS has announced that TPS for Haiti and a number of other countries (Syria, South Sudan, Yemen, Ethiopia, Burma, Somalia) will end later this month, unless a court decides something different. They will have an outside speaker join to discuss available resources and the advocacy efforts currently underway.
The Office of Immigrant Affairs OIA is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

06/11/2026

A Major Advocacy Win for Our Community! 🎉
We are thrilled to share that Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services has announced two landmark commitments for FY27:
A full-time Community Navigator position to provide case management for families facing barriers to IDD services
An open solicitation contract for community partners to deliver navigation services specifically for immigrant and culturally diverse families
This is a direct result of persistent advocacy by EESNC's Azeb Adere, alongside coalition partners Lisa Lorraine (Jubilee Association of Maryland) and Jingfeng (SEEDS), through multiple meetings with DHHS leadership — including Kim Mayo, Karen Gipson, and Dr. Patrice McGee — over the past year.
This victory means that more Ethiopian, Eritrean, and African immigrant families in Montgomery County will finally have culturally responsive support to access the IDD services they deserve. And it doesn't stop here — this model has the potential to inspire change across the entire state of Maryland.
To God be the glory — this is what advocacy looks like!

06/11/2026

A Victory Worth Celebrating!
We are overjoyed to share some wonderful news that will make a real difference for so many families in our community!
Virginia has passed HB37 — a landmark bill ensuring that Medicaid waiver recipients will no longer lose their benefits if a parent passes away or retires and begins receiving SSDI income that would have previously pushed them over the eligibility limit.
Under this new law, the state will disregard that excess income, allowing individuals to keep their Medicaid waiver — and the life-changing services that come with it.
This is the result of five years of dedicated advocacy by the Virginia Autism Project, Delegate Irene Shin, Dennis Findley, The Arc, and the Autism Society of Central Virginia. We are deeply grateful for their perseverance and commitment to protecting our most vulnerable community members.
At EESNC, we know firsthand how much is at stake when families face the loss of essential supports. This win is a reminder that advocacy works — and that when we stand together, change is possible.

06/04/2026

Azeb Adere is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85137267944?pwd=S2cvYUtNdWVLV01BZG94TWhFZit0UT09

Meeting ID: 851 3726 7944
Passcode: 036448

05/10/2026

To the Moms Who Never Give Up.
You wake up every morning with more love than most can imagine and more on your plate than most could carry. You navigate systems, fight for services, hold your child through hard moments, and somehow still hold your family together.
You are not just a mother. You are an advocate, a translator, a teacher, a warrior and on the hardest days, you are still enough.
To every mom in our EESNC family your strength is seen. Your sacrifice is honored. Your love changes lives.
እናቶቻችን — ፍቅራችሁ ሕይወትን ይቀይራል። Happy Mother's Day.

05/08/2026

Check out TATA TECH (Dr. T ) PHD’s post.