Seattle’s Eritrean Community Center Strengthens Its Future With Safety Upgrades

For more than two decades, the Eritrean Association of Greater Seattle has provided a place where immigrants, refugees, seniors, youth and families can find support, celebrate their culture and connect with one another. Now, a major safety improvement is helping ensure that community hub will continue serving future generations.

The organization recently completed the installation of a fire sprinkler system at the Eritrean Community Center, an upgrade made possible through Seattle’s Neighborhood Matching Fund and the efforts of dozens of community volunteers. While the project was required after the center expanded beyond 5,000 square feet, leaders say it also represents an investment in the facility’s long-term future.

“Our project focused on installing a fire sprinkler system as part of the expansion of the Eritrean Community Center. As we expanded the building beyond 5,000 square feet, fire sprinklers became a required safety measure to meet code compliance,” said Makda Seyoum, head of operations for the Eritrean Association of Greater Seattle. “What started as a regulatory requirement quickly became an opportunity to invest in the long-term safety and sustainability of our space. With our growing programs, it was important that our facility not only met code requirements but also provided a safe environment for everyone who relies on it.”

The community center has served Seattle’s Eritrean community for more than 25 years, offering culturally responsive programs and services while providing a gathering place for more than 3,000 community members. The association first partnered with the City of Seattle through the Neighborhood Matching Fund in 2000 to help construct the center and has continued working with the city on improvements that support its growing programs.

Seyoum said the latest project will help the organization continue providing trusted services and resources for the community.

“This project ensures that we can continue to provide for seniors, youth, and families, including immigrants and refugees who rely on our center for culturally appropriate support and trusted information,” she said. “Beyond safety, it strengthens the center as a long-term resource where community members can access services, connect culturally, and feel a sense of belonging.”

The Neighborhood Matching Fund helped finance the project while encouraging community members to participate through volunteer service, a hallmark of the city’s grant program.

“The Neighborhood Matching Fund was key in helping us move forward with a critical infrastructure improvement that might otherwise have been delayed,” Seyoum said. “This structure made the project more inclusive and allowed community members to feel directly connected to the outcome.”

Residents volunteered throughout the project by preparing work areas, moving materials and restoring spaces after construction, transforming what might have been a routine building improvement into a community-wide effort.

“Neighbors played a direct role in making this project possible. We had a strong turnout of volunteers. This level of involvement created a sense of ownership and pride within the community,” Seyoum said. “It wasn’t just supportive, it was essential. People showed up consistently and contributed in hands-on ways, which made the process feel collaborative and community-driven rather than just a construction project.”

She said the experience demonstrated how community members embraced even a behind-the-scenes infrastructure project because they understood its importance.

“Even for something as technical as a fire sprinkler system, people were engaged, curious, and ready to help,” Seyoum said. “It showed that when people understand the purpose and impact of a project, they are more than willing to contribute their time and energy.”

Although coordinating volunteers while keeping the center’s programs running presented challenges, Seyoum said the effort ultimately strengthened relationships among community members.

“It felt incredibly meaningful to work together with our community on this project. It made the process more transparent and helped people feel included and informed. More than anything, it strengthened our sense of connection,” she said. “We weren’t just completing a construction project; we were building something together. It created space for people to engage, support one another, and spend time together in a meaningful way. That sense of unity and shared purpose is what made this experience so impactful.”

Seyoum said involving residents throughout the process also helped build trust by giving community members a firsthand look at how funding was used and how the improvements would benefit the neighborhood.

“This project built trust by making the process transparent and inclusive. Community members were able to see how decisions were made, how funding was used, and how improvements would benefit them directly,” she said. “That level of transparency is important because it strengthens long-term engagement and ensures people feel confident in the work being done on their behalf.”