Our Programs
Culturally-competent and respectful.
Community over the individual.
Care as holistic for all.
Youth Programming
Our Learning Center
In the fall of 2026, thanks to our generous donors and solid community support, we launched Elmahaba Learning Center.
The Learning Center weaves together three programs at the heart of our work for our children:
Tutoring (academic year; 5th-12th grade; Tuesday and Thursday nights; $20/month)
ACT Preparation (anytime; 10th-12th grade; $25/hr—all fees for the instructor)
Writing Center (anytime; 5th grade-college; $25/hr—all fees for tutor)
All programs are virtual and with affordable fee structures (and waivers) to support the next generation’s drive and ambition to connect and to grow.
Registration for any of those programs starts here.
For more information, visit our dedicated website here.
If you have any questions, please contact Mariam, our youth coordinator, at 615-559-0288 or mariam@elmahabacenter.org.
If you would like to tutor with us, please fill out this form and we will be in contact with you. Or email Mariam your questions. (Yes, this form is separate from the volunteer form, which can be found here for our general events and distributions.)
Community Programming
Thursday Livestreams
Launching in January 2020, the Thursday livestreams on Facebook are a hit! Every Thursday, community leaders, interpreters, and institutional leaders meet to offer new programming, information, services, resources for Arabic-speaking immigrants. Elmahaba has partnered with over 30 organizations in 2020 to offer quality, community-based programming and accurate information, especially during COVID-19. Partners we’ve had in the past include: Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt Office of Health Equity, Siloam Health, JustServe, Metro Nashville Health Department, Metro Nashville Public Schools and the Office of English Learners and teachers, Metro Nashville Teachers’ Union, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee, TN Kidney Foundation, and Monroe Harding.
Diaper Bank
Every third Saturday in the month, we distribute over 7,000 diapers in South Nashville. To receive the diaper application (a one-time application for a monthly supply of 50 diapers per child), text us: 615-567-3215.
Mutual Aid
Anyone who needs food, school supplies/creative kits, Angel Tree, newcomer kits, let us know by phone or email. We will add you to our routes, if we are able.
Sewing Class
Saturdays from 10 am-1 pm in Southeast Library in Antioch (5260 Hickory Hollow Pkwy) with Ms. Souad. The class is taught in Arabic, but there is English translation. Childcare is paid for by Elmahaba. The class is free and all supplies are given to students. All levels are welcome.
Civic Engagement Work + Support
We support newcomers and community members in general with registering to vote, developing a voting plan, and translating the ballot through our Language Co-Op. Our website is always updating information on local and national elections.
Cultural Programming
Elmahaba Center Podcast
Because we believe theory is important to any practice of service or labor of love, we started our podcast to casually discuss important topics. The opinions of the podcast are not the general opinion of all volunteers, board, or staff, but rather are the reflections of individuals on relevant topics to the communities we serve. The podcast is available free online!
Oral History Project of Nashville
There is no concept of culture without histories. Therefore, to address respecting cultures, we have to identify what is culture, and to identify what is culture, we must reflect on histories before us, present with us. Elmahaba’s Oral History Project, its own separate website, started in the summer of 2016 with Lydia Yousief’s bachelor’s thesis, which captured a general history of Coptic Nashville. Through those initial interviews, Lydia has continued the project with Elmahaba, as it is quintessential to Elmahaba’s efforts to build intersectional communities and greater solidarity in Nashville.
The project now has a robust timeline, a gallery of photos and links to YouTube playlist of videos, and also narratives.
Public Speaking and Advising
Elmahaba Center’s board, staff, and volunteers are all pioneers in services, histories, and cultures in Nashville. All are available to speak and to advise other organizations and institutions in Nashville that seek knowledge and connection. Simply contact us.
Cultural events
For two years, Elmahaba Center has represented Egypt at Nashville’s Culture Festival in October, and our director has attended two Orthodox panels to discuss Coptic histories in Nashville.
We are planning our own cultural events in Nashville in 2021! Stay tuned!
