About
Who we are:
We are a group of like-minded African immigrant and refugee women in Central Minnesota who are committed to fulfilling our vision of an inclusive, safe, welcoming community where African women feel at home and have the support and opportunities needed to thrive and succeed.
African Women's Alliance (AWA) is committed to the advancement of African women and bringing together St. Cloud’s African immigrant and refugee women to form a cohesive group that uplifts and supports members of the African community. AWA delivers our programs through the generous support of individual donors and collaborative partners.
History:
The African Women’s Alliance (AWA) was formed in 2009 by a group of dedicated volunteers who recognized the need for holistic and supportive programs for immigrant and refugee women in the St. Cloud region. These women included: Janette Yiran, Lul Hersi, Beth Gathetu, Jessica Hasslen, Stacy Brubaugh, Johnson and Katrina Pierson.
Today, AWA has grown to become its own 501c3 organization. This autonomy ensures that our constituents and members will be governed by a board of directors that fully represents the women we serve. AWA’s Board includes women from various African countries who have an extraordinary perspective on the needs of the communities we serve.
Mission:
The mission of AWA is to empower African women immigrants and refugees through advocacy, hands-on education, holistic support and the provision and facilitation of resources.
Vision:
An inclusive, safe welcoming community where African women and children feel at home and have the support and opportunities needed to thrive and succeed.
Values:
The guiding values that uphold the work of AWA include:
• Empowerment
• Education
• Integrity
• Service
• Compassion as an organization, AWA is striving to build its programs from the ground up.
We focus our work in these areas.
Services:
As an organization, AWA is striving to build its programs from the ground up. We focus our work in these areas:
1. HEALTH AND WELLNESS: We provide basic health education, gardening, nutrition classes and connect with local care providers enabling women to best protect themselves and their families. (i.e. MNSURE Project Care, Early Childhood Dental Network)
2. SEWING PROGRAM: We offer a Textile and Sewing Program to educate and develop new skills for the women.
3. AWARENESS PROGRAMS: We provide education for women on becoming actively engaged in community issues through collaborating with local community agencies. We provide through world –café model (which is a structured conversational process intended to facilitate open and intimate discussion, and link ideas within a larger group to access the collective intelligence or collective wisdom).
4. WELCOME BABY PROGRAM: AWA members visit parents to welcome the newborn baby.