When Zenebech Aly first immigrated to Rochester, Minnesota, in 2010, she couldn’t sit still as she waited for authorization to work legally in the country.
She was constantly busy where she last lived, the United Arab Emirates, working for a construction company after she left her home country of Ethiopia.
“I love to work, and work is a sense of security for me,” said Aly.
She started volunteering at the Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association, a nonprofit that serves immigrants and refugees in southeast Minnesota, and has since logged thousands of hours helping new immigrants transition to life in the United States.
Aly is one of seven recipients of the McKnight Foundation’s 2024 Virginia McKnight Binger Heart of Community Honor. The recipients are individuals across the state that represent “everyday champions whose compassion and contributions serve as the heartbeat of Minnesota communities,” according to the foundation.
Aly’s sister, Selamawit Unger, submitted her name for consideration.
“She’s the kind of person who does what needs to be done, but she does not want recognition,” Unger said. “When she doesn’t say anything, it looks like it’s easy or it’s effortless so when she gets this award, people notice.”
The McKnight Foundation has honored 326 Minnesotans since 1995. The winners receive a $10,000 cash award.
Aly hopes her award will inspire others.
“The response that I see in the community — that really encouraged me even to do more,” she said. “This is a whole different appreciation.”
Aly currently works at the UnitedWay of Olmsted County as an impact operations associate to oversee volunteers and help in grant-making.
In 2020, she co-founded the Ethiopian Community Rochester Organization, which serves as a central hub for the Ethiopian community and provides supportive services to newcomers. In her current role as a project coordinator, she leads the crisis response program to help families experiencing unexpected expenses and loss.
As of 2023, about 8% of Rochester residents are foreign-born, according to the Census Bureau. About 800 Rochester residents are Ethiopian.
“The Ethiopian community [organization] was formed by ten Ethiopians, but it serves every immigrant that experiences similar challenges that we have, because most of the time, when we share the information and the resources, it applies to a lot of people who may not have asked, or who may not understand, or who may have a hard time navigating it,” Aly said.
Some of the program’s services include providing transportation, essential items and financial assistance. Aly also helps translate materials such as event flyers and health information from English into Amharic.
Unger said Aly played a key role in setting up the organization for success. Aly applied for grants and organized meetings.
“She helped us get really organized and made it make sense,” Unger said.
Mulugeta Demsash and his daughter immigrated from Ethiopia to Minnesota about a year ago, and moved to Rochester so his daughter could receive medical care at the Mayo Clinic. Demsash, who spoke limited English, was introduced to Aly.
In the past seven months, Aly connected Demsash with medical assistance through the Salvation Army because he is waiting for work authorization and does not have a social security number. Aly also provided him with a bus pass and taught him how to ride public transportation. She also helped him find legal support to file for political asylum.
“This kind of particular woman like Zeni are few in number,” Demsash said. “Not only [did] Zeni locate resources, but also she spent a lot of money to assist people.”
Challenges facing newcomers
The primary barrier facing newcomers in Rochester is understanding the English language, Aly said. Other barriers include lack of transportation and cultural differences.
Aly said many immigrants come from cultures where asking for help is “directly associated with begging.” By translating materials into Amharic, Aly said, Ethiopian newcomers learn themselves how to access resources.
She also helps immigrants find jobs by organizing training sessions and helping with resumes.
“Everybody has potential, but for different reasons they can be limited,” she said. “Those factors can be avoided if we make sure that we are sharing opportunities that are available, calling people, and making sure people get information on time.”
As a child growing up in Ethiopia, Aly said, her culture and family taught her to value sharing with others.
“Since childhood, whenever you can, you share what you have, and it doesn’t matter whether it is clothing or food or even education material,” she said. “They don’t have to ask or they don’t have to demand. You just make sure you share what you have.”
