‘Ethiopian Hour’ Creates Community For Older Adults In Cambridge

CAMBRIDGE, MA — English classes, health workshops and cultural celebrations are bringing together more than 30 older Ethiopian residents in Cambridge as a program that started with a small gathering in North Cambridge continues to grow.

“Ethiopian Hour” was started in early 2024 by Yemi Kibret, program and advocacy director for the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee. Kibret, who immigrated to the United States from the African nation as a teenager, created the group to help older adults who immigrated from Ethiopia build connections with each other and learn more about resources available in the city.

The group first gathered in the community room at Fresh Pond Apartments, where early meetings centered on hearing from participants about their needs, interests, and hopes for the program. Building social connections and reducing isolation were also some of its early priorities. It has since grown to more than 30 elders from across the city and now meets at the North Cambridge Senior Center at 2050 Massachusetts Ave., where participants have also been able to learn about and try other programs and services.

English classes were added after participants said they wanted more opportunities to learn and practice the language. Kibret reached out to the Cambridge Community Learning Center and Council on Aging, and the Community Learning Center began offering a one-hour English class at the senior center in September 2024 with funding from the Council on Aging. Transportation support was also added after participants traveling from other neighborhoods asked for help getting to the meetings, with the Council on Aging providing van pickups at several senior housing developments.

Programming has expanded to include information on immigration resources, health and wellness, citizenship, civic participation, participatory budgeting, voting, SNAP benefits, nutrition, and food shopping. Knitting and other textile activities, cultural celebrations, and an Ethiopian coffee ceremony have also given participants opportunities to spend time together.

Health programming has become another part of the initiative through partnerships with the Cambridge Public Health Department, Cambridge Health Alliance, and the city’s language access manager. Live interpretation and translated materials have been provided for activities including health fairs, a hypertension workshop, and a bilingual yoga class.

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