About
“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove... but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”Forest E. Witcraft
Here at Empower Family Focused Services (EFFS) , we are driven by a single goal: to contribute our best to make a difference in raising the next generation, specifically the under-served population.
In America, this land of opportunities, we can tap the resources and raise our children to become the next responsible leaders who will play key roles in transforming themselves, their community, and the world.
Our Values
Serve the community with integrity, accountability and transparency.
Our Mission
Empower Family Focused Services (EFFS) has evolved over many years and aims to play a key role to holistically improve the social, educational, physical, cultural, spiritual and civic life of the underserved communities in general, and the East African population in particular.
Our Vision
EFFS envisions raising up vibrant and active community members by investing resources, specifically on the second generation of immigrants.
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Helping mold, guide and mentor the next generation of immigrants (East African origin in particular) to be educated, become responsible law-abiding and respectable citizens of society.
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Extending advocacy services which focus on critical basic needs in our community, particularly in equitable education, and health care services. This will be achieved by establishing close partnership with schools, government agencies, healthcare providers, and other non-profit organizations.
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Work on initiatives to support long term challenges in education, healthcare and housing disparities for the undeserved communities of color.
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Empowering the immigrant community members to lead meaningful and dignified lives.
Meet the Director
Worku Negussie (founder and Executive Director) holds a BS in Mechanical engineering and Master of Arts in Counseling (MA, LMHCA).
Worku always had passion for the helping profession, especially making a difference in the lives of the younger generation.
Beside his over 22 years experience working in semiconductor industry, Worku has been actively involved with children, youth, adult and family ministries in a church setting since 2002. He has also had the privilege of serving as a President of Council of Elders of a church with predominantly an Ethiopian-American congregation for several years.
He had also experience working with high school and college students and their families with a holistic approach. Besides teaching Sunday school and organizing youth programs, he has helped students in preparing them academically for SAT/ACT college entrance exams, and life planning. Based on their ability, aptitude, and interest, he collaborated to find their unique pathway in college. As a result, he was fortunate enough to guide a number of students from various multicultural backgrounds and watched them flourish as young adults. Worku has also been helping diverse clients at his private mental health practice office, focusing primarily on members of underserved communities.
Worku Negussie
Founder & Executive Director
MA, LMHCA
Meet the Team
We couldn't do the amazing work we do without these amazing people.
Youth mentoring Director
Kalkidan Worku
Prospective Doctor of Nurse Practitioner
Education and Social Services Director
Samson Gebretnsae
PhD, Bioconjugate Scientist
Health and youth development Director
Sintayehu Gurmessa
PhD, Medical Sciences (post-doctoral scholar @OHSU)
College-bound Students Mentor
Berhan Worku
Doctor of Pharmacy