Our mission is to serve low-income refugees and immigrants from all East African countries by providing opportunities for them to develop the social, linguistic and vocational skills they need in order to be socially integrated and economically self-sufficient.

Horn of Africa Services (HOAS) is a multi-lingual, multi-cultural nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization offering support and advocacy services in response to health, employment, housing educational and social needs for the East African refugees and immigrants from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea and Sudan who are now living in the greater Seattle area.

HOAS has been recognized throughout the Puget Sound as a leading social services provider to East Africans. We have offices in four different locations (Our head office is in Columbia City and three branch offices are located at Rainier Vista, Yesler Terrace and High Point) throughout Seattle. HOAS has a multi-national board and staff composed mostly of East Africans who have experience the hardships that our clients have been exposed to. Our professional staff is responsible for implementing the programs of the agency. There are currently 10 staff members serving at HOAS. They work with a large pool of community volunteers and leaders who represent a variety of East African countries.

Founded in 1992 by a group of volunteers, HOAS continues to provide assistance to East African immigrants and refugees, regardless of their religious, ethnic or political affiliations. HOAS helps to empower clients to navigate more efficiently through their lives by creating an atmosphere of supportive interaction, learning and by providing information and guidance on accessing social and related services. HOAS strives to ensure our East African clients that their relocation to the Seattle area becomes trouble-free.

HOAS currently offers the following range of programs and services:

• Information & Referral- Social services, health care, legal immigration, housing, employment, English as a Second Language (ESL) and education.
• Advocacy & Counseling- Services for individuals and families including cultural adjustment workshops to assist East Africans in the acculturation process.
• Citizenship Classes- Provide free to East African immigrants and fefugees who have been in the US for at least four years and are interested in applying for citizenship.
• ESL- Free to East Africans who are interested in learning English.
• Computer/Technology Lab- Computer/technology training, internet access, resume and employment related computer services.
• Outreach- Provided to East African Residents of Yesler Terrace, Rainier Vista and Highpoint who need assistance with translation/interpretation, social services, information and referral to housing, healthcare, employment, ESL, education and other services.
• Job Training & Placement- Provided to long term public assistance recipients who need intensive services to assist with overcoming barriers to employment.
• Youth & Parent Leadership Programs- intergenerational, educational community service.
• Youth Services- For East African youth, 14-18 years of age, who want a structured program to develop leadership skills. Includes a summer youth employment component.