Building Stronger Communities Through Education
Washington Dugsi Association has proudly served immigrant and BIPOC families across King County since its founding, creating meaningful pathways for youth success through education, mentorship, and community engagement.
Our Mission
Washington Dugsi Association exists to support children, youth and families by providing educational, youth development; health, wellness, and sports; and family and community programs that help Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and East African immigrant/refugee communities succeed in school, life, and careers; build confidence, and contribute as responsible members of their communities. We are committed to creating opportunities for students, individuals and families, especially low-income people who need financial support to reach their full potential, navigate life changes and evolving systems, improve their quality of life and build strong futures.
Our Vision
Since our inception in 2016, WA Dugsi Association's staff and volunteers have advanced its vision that BIPOC, Somali and East African immigrant/refugee children, youth and families build a future where everyone has access to culturally and linguistically-specific opportunities that ensure that underserved and low-income people receive the support they need to be healthy and succeed academically, socially, economically and professionally and build resiliency in life.
Programs & Services
Washington Dugsi Association (WDA) began in 2016. Our multilingual, multicultural staff address persistent disparities through four program areas in eight languages: Cham, Somali, Oromo, Arabic, Amharic, Swahili, Tigrinya, and English.
Youth & Young Adults Served During the Reporting Period
Educational Programs
In 2025, WDA's culturally relevant Educational programs provided 175 low-income BIPOC children and youth aged 5–25 with education support and enrichment. Students received support to progress toward WaKIDS Pre-K readiness, meet WA State grade-level standards, and advance cultural awareness. WDA also provided ESL classes for non-English speakers and basic computer skills for 10.
Youth Development Programs
The Mentorship Program served 120 youth (ages 13–17) through one-on-one and group sessions focused on leadership, personal development, and academic support — improving confidence, leadership skills, and academic engagement. The Job Readiness Program prepared 55 young adults (ages 18–24) for employment through resume writing, interview skills, professional communication training, and career exploration support.
Sports, Health & Wellness
The Summer Sports Program engaged 160 youth (ages 11–19) through organized sports leagues, tournaments, team-building activities, and physical fitness education — developing teamwork skills, improving physical health, and strengthening community connections. Trauma-informed counseling and therapy services were also provided for individuals in need.
Family & Community Programs
Family and Community Programs — including arts and crafts, music, show-and-tell story time, and raffles and scavenger hunts — served 58 children through young adults and 75 older adults. WDA fosters physical, mental, and social health; economic prosperity; academic curiosity; and healthy peer, intergenerational, and community connections.
Addressing Inequities
How WDA's programs address persistent disparities for underserved populations in King County.
Income & Immigration Status
95% of WDA's clients earned under 30% of Seattle's median income in 2025. Low-income and BIPOC communities experience higher levels of homelessness and food insecurity, and face disparities in education and access to extracurricular activities. Many families cannot afford private tutoring or structured youth programs.
Language Barriers
30% of King County residents speak a language other than English at home. English Language Learners graduate at a lower rate (69.9%) compared to the King County average. WDA offers services in eight languages — Cham, Somali, Oromo, Arabic, Amharic, Swahili, Tigrinya, and English — to address this critical gap.
The Digital Divide
Immigrants and refugees often lack access to and skill with technology that many U.S.-born residents take for granted. This 'digital divide' diminishes academic and social-emotional learning development. WDA's programs actively incorporate computer-assisted instruction and digital skills training to close this gap.
Who We Serve
Washington Dugsi Association primarily serves low-income immigrant youth and Muslim families residing in King County, Washington. Our participants come from diverse backgrounds including East African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian communities.
- Youth ages 5–25 seeking academic support and mentorship
- Families navigating cultural integration while preserving identity
- First-generation immigrants seeking community connection
- Students requiring after-school programming and tutoring
Our History
Washington Dugsi Association was founded by community members who recognized the critical need for culturally appropriate educational resources for immigrant youth in the greater Seattle area.
What began as a small weekend Quran school has grown into a comprehensive nonprofit organization offering multiple programs that serve hundreds of families annually. Our growth reflects the community's trust in our mission and the effectiveness of our approach.
Today, we continue to expand our reach and impact, partnering with schools, community organizations, and funders to ensure that every youth in our community has the opportunity to succeed.
Commitment to Equity
Our work is guided by core values that ensure equitable, culturally responsive programming for all the communities we serve.
Cultural Responsiveness
Programming that honors and integrates diverse cultural backgrounds
Educational Excellence
High-quality instruction that prepares youth for academic success
Community Connection
Building strong bonds between families, mentors, and organizations
Youth Empowerment
Developing confident leaders who give back to their communities
Leadership & Board
Our organization is led by dedicated community members committed to advancing educational equity and youth development.
Hussein Bashir
President
Principal, Abubakr Dugsi
Dr. Ahmed Noor
Vice President
Imam, Al-Huda Islamic Center
Abdirizak Goni
Treasurer & Secretary
Imam, Abu-Bakr Seattle
Abdi Abdullahi
Board Member
Founder, Zayd Ibn Thabit
Abdullahi Hashi
Board Member
Imam, Muslim American Youth Foundation