We, the concerned residents of Chicago and its environs of Ethiopian origin:
AWARE of the critical role of community-based organizations in ensuring smooth adjustment of immigrants and refugees to a new life in the United States; and
INSPIRED to create an institutional vehicle for providing charitable and eductional services for members of our community, as well as others in need of such services; and
COGNIZANT of Ethiopia's rich history and culture which have been instrumental in bonding its peoples during moments of triumph and despair, and mindful of our duties to promote positive awareness and understanding of such riches; and
FURTHER INSPIRED to serve as good-will ambassadors between our society of origin, the people of Ethiopia, and our host society, the people of the United States of America, and thereby foster positive awareness of and appreciation for each other's culture, history, and common interest; and
DEEPLY COMMITTED to embracing and relishing diversity as a positive attribute and a source of enrichment to the life of the individual and the community, and to combating stereotype, prejudice, discrimination, unfair treatment and all forms of injustices; and
FURTHER COMMITTED to fostering mutual-respect, greater tolerance to differences and unity within and between Ethiopians, other Africans, immigrants from the Caribbean, West Indies, African Americans, and the society at large:
NOW, THEREFORE, the Ethiopian Mutual Aid Association of Illinois, Inc, referred to as EMAA, has been established.
PURPOSE:
The EMAA is a not-for profit corporation that exists to:
1. Operate for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law (the "code");
2. Promote and encourage increased communication, interaction, and exchange of ideas within Ethiopians of diverse backgrounds, and between Ethiopians, the peoples of African descent and the general public;
3. Plan and implement programs and activities for the advancement of the social, cultural, economic, and educational interests of individual members and the Ethiopian community as a whole;
4. Plan and implement programs and activities that are designed to combat all forms of prejudice and discrimination which threaten the welfare and impede the advancement of the individual and the community, and to thereby foster equal opportunity and fair treatment possible for all Ethiopians;
5. Gather and disseminate information concering issues and matters that affect the Ethiopian community in Metropolitan Chicago and the United States in general.
Adopted by the founders of EMAA
In the year of 2004.
