For over 20 years, Million has been serving Neighborhood House families and children in diverse positions of increasing responsibility. Million has served as Health Associate, Family Support Worker, Family Services Manager, and most recently, Family Services Director. Million’s experiences in early learning are as diverse as they are vast. He’s worked in the classroom, cooked meals for the children, facilitated parent leaders at Policy Council, and hired and mentored many staff that have grown into leadership roles both at Neighborhood House and with our partners.
Prior to Neighborhood House, Million worked for international aid organizations: Save the Children and CARE International where he worked to improve access to food, health, and education for displaced families and children.
Million holds BA degree in Education from University of Bahir Dar, Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Cross Cultural Issues and Teaching English As Second Language from Seattle Pacific University, and a Professional Teaching License in Washington, with endorsements in elementary education and Language Arts. Million is a native speaker of two widely spoken languages among Neighborhood house families: Oromo and Amharic, for which he is also WA state certified interpreter; he also understands Somali and Tigrinya languages, also widely spoken among our families.
“I am a refugee from Ethiopia and I am proud of my life journey in the US: from near houselessness and isolation, to becoming a support and resource to fellow refugee and immigrants. From the time I rented my first one bedroom apartment until today, I have taken in friends, relatives, and other immigrants and refugees that needed help and a place to stay while they start over in the US.
Like many of our families, I was raised by parents that didn’t have a chance to get education. However, they had love, care and wisdom. I believe that is what children need the most. If my parents did it, I believe our parents can do it. My role as a leader is to be a partner with our families, to empower them; knowing that they have what it takes to raise successful children.”
Please join us in congratulating Million Shiferaw in his new role as Director of Child Development!