IMPACT
MISSION
To support and serve immigrants and refugees and other politically, socially and economically marginalized communities as they seek to advance the condition of their lives in the United States.
VISION
SEAMAAC envisions a strong and unified society, where immigrants and refugees work alongside other Americans to build shared political, economic and social power.
We envision a community where the contributions of each generation of Americans, whether native to this land, immigrant, or brought against their will, are equally acknowledged, valued and embraced, and where all people live whole, healthy lives with joy and dignity.
THEORY OF CHANGE
Thoai Nguyen CEO, SEAMAAC
Founded in 1984 by Southeast Asian refugees, SEAMAAC's 40-year journey is the story of America, shared by many generations of immigrants & refugees who first sought refuge in the United States and eventually became the cornerstones of our nation.
SEAMAAC’s mission is to support and serve immigrants, refugees, and other economically, politically, and socially marginalized communities, as they seek to advance the condition of their lives in the United States. SEAMAAC sees our mission of supporting marginalized communities as a roadmap that guides our work towards creating a society based on equity and justice. Our mission is a living pledge and not just a mere required statement for operating in the nonprofit sector This pledge guides SEAMAAC to fight alongside the most disenfranchised, regardless of the challenges
SEAMAAC works to build a strong and unified society, where immigrants and refugees work alongside other Americans to shape a future of shared economic, political, and social power We envision a community where the contributions of each generation of Americans, whether native to this land, immigrant, or brought against their will, are equally acknowledged, valued, and embraced. Where communities are active participants that have voice and agency in their endeavors to live whole, healthy lives with joy and dignity.
When we speak of the Social Determinants to health and wellness for the communities we serve, it is implied in our analysis that these social determinants include the systemic economic divestment and the sociopolitical exclusion that have kept these communities in generational poverty and perpetual political disenfranchisement.
SEAMAAC’s work is rooted in the core principles of racial justice and equity and uses holistic approaches to address and eliminate the economic, political, and social marginalization of our communities. Through an array of programs in advocacy, civic engagement, community organizing, direct services, and community-responsive programming, we seek to address and eliminate systemic inequities in the areas of education, accessible quality healthcare, livable wage employment, fair working conditions, and safe and climate-resilient communities
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The Community Development Department’s Mission is to build community power and prosperity by improving and implementing physical and operational upgrades with authentic community engagement. We achieve this by strengthening local businesses, preserving affordable housing, and ensuring that residents have a voice in the development of their neighborhoods. Our department strives to establish a strong neighborhood coalition, with an emphasis on supporting local businesses and merchants throughout South Philadelphia, especially along the South 7th Street Commercial Corridor.
Engaging the community in improving and implementing changes in the physical environment of South Philadelphia Neighborhoods.
Strengthening businesses and shopping along 7th Street.
Facilitating connections to economic opportunities.
Preserving affordable housing and ensuring that current residents play an integral role in development and benefit from it. Incorporating arts to convey key messages and promote unity within the community.
Advocating for climate and environmental justice using evidence-based research, data, and community organizing.
Increasing green space, planting trees, and establishing community-led urban gardens to enhance food security and safety.
Build long-term political power by increasing and expanding the AAPI electorate through Voter Registration, Voter Education, Counter-Disinformation, and Voter Protection at the Polls
FISCAL YEAR 2024
DEPARTMENTAL STATS
Community Development & Civic Engagement
11,363
Get Out The Vote
Registered voters reached through calls, texts, and door-to-door canvassing.
174
52
25
Organized 25
Community-Wide Events to unify neighbors in South Philadelphia
11
Volunteers engaged in counterdisinformation, poll monitoring and voter protection efforts at 11 polling sites. Languages/dialects. Polling Sites
Provided language access to voters speaking 52 languages/dialects. Engaged in counter-
638
Administered 638 exit polls at different polling sites on election day.
IMPACT REPORT | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
SEAMAAC’s Education Department’s Mission is to create equitable and thriving education environments for all students in Philadelphia, particularly those from historically marginalized communities, ensuring they have the opportunities and resources necessary to succeed academically and professionally.
Inequities in Philadelphia's public education have led to significant barriers that prevent regular school attendance and limit access to enriching educational experiences. This has perpetuated cycles of poverty and reduced chances for children and families in marginalized communities.
The Education Department’s Truancy Case Management program seeks to provide personalized case management to demystify the school system; navigate families through educational bureaucracy; decode truancy statutes; unlock avenues for financial assistance to address the root causes of absenteeism; and empower parents to be proactive in claiming their children’s right to an enriching school experience and engagement.
The Education Department’s After-School Enrichment program seeks to offer dynamic after-school and summer programs that provide students with opportunities to explore the arts and other creative fields through a variety of Hip Hop Arts. The goal to help the students to use these programs as tools for empowerment, professional development, and confidence-building.
The Education Department's transformative work will lead to empowered families, engaged students, and a community uplifted out of the cycle of educational inequity. This will foster a generation of young people who are prepared to thrive academically, creatively, and professionally, ultimately contributing to a society where every individual has the opportunity to succeed.
FISCAL YEAR 2024
DEPARTMENTAL STATS
435 23 07 30
Clients Zip Codes
Language Groups Different Schools
Education Dept has served 435 Clients across 23 zip codes, 7 different language groups, and 30 different schools,
90% 8,660+
Cases Closed
Have spent $8,660.46 on resources for truant families with clients age 5 to 17.
90 percent of families referred to SEAMAAC were diverted from further DHS inolvement. Spent on Resources
This includes purchases like a refrigerator, a bed, laundry cards, uniforms, water, electric, and gas bills, because we believe in a holistic approach.
HEALTH AND
and refugees to have economic security, community belonging, family safety, and joy; New Americans will become social change agents in Philadelphia and beyond. To achieve this, the HSS team strengthens the social determinants of health in immigrant and refugee communities by uplifting the community’s inherent strengths, building community connections and social capital, increasing community resources, and supporting literacy skills, economic security, and wellness. HSS programs include ESL & Digital Literacy, Digital Navigation, Health Access, Employment Support, Domestic Violence, Elders, Naturalization, Immigrant Family Wellness, and special events. Strategies include culturally tailored and linguistically appropriate community education, outreach, group programming, case management, professional development, coalition-building, and advocacy.
DEPARTMENTAL STATS
Unduplicated Clients
Unduplicated Households
Distinct Primary Languages/ Dialects
Living with Disability/ ies
HUNGER RELIEF
SEAMAAC operates one of the most utilized Hunger Relief programs in Philadelphia, providing more than 1,500 families with food security through SEAMAAC’s Food Pantry, grocery delivery, and prepared meals program each week. The Hunger Relief team welcomes all individuals and families in need, regardless of race or ethnicity. Our Mission is to offer fresh, culturally appropriate, and nutritious food to families in our community with dignity and respect. SEAMAAC’s Hunger Relief Program does not consider our work as charity; rather, our food security work seeks to address systemic economic and racial injustices, that keep families in persistent states of food insecurity. Along with our work to address hunger, we continue to organize and advocate for food security as a basic and universal human right.
FISCAL YEAR 2024
DEPARTMENTAL STATS
50,000 1176
50,000 unique transactions at the Food Pantry last year. This means that nearly 50,000 times last year, someone came to the food pantry and received food for themselves or/and their families
400k+
Unique Transactions New Clients in FY2024 lbs of Food Used
Received and distributed food: 462,221 lbs. (wow!)
10k+ 7569
Individuals Served Elder Deliveries
10,698 individuals received food from our pantry or grocery delivery programs.
CLOSING STATEMENT
In Program Year 2023-24, SEAMAAC continues to rise to the challenge by faithfully meeting the basic needs of more than 10,000 community members from 52 countries of origin, representing 77 ethnic communities, speaking more than 50 languages and dialects. SEAMAAC remains steadfast in our commitment to serving marginalized communities that are still navigating economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic and systemic inequities. By addressing food and housing insecurity, providing high quality healthcare and educational services, countering harmful disinformation, closing the digital gap, ensuring communities are wellinformed and can vote safely, and improving built environments in neighborhoods and public green spaces, SEAMAAC lays the foundation for stronger communities
As we move forward into our 41st year of operation, we are grateful to our remarkable community of funding and program partners, volunteers, supporters, staff, and Board. Thank you for standing with SEAMAAC in our work to Fight for the Future and in our mission to Build Stronger Communities.
