First Tongan American Community of Washington

First Tongan American Community of Washington's (FTAC) mission is to uplift and unify Tongan American’s and Pasifika by establishing PERMANENCE through EDUCATION. 

The First Tongan American Community of Washington is a 100% grassroots 501c3 nonprofit founded by 6 individuals whose parents are Tongan immigrants. 

We found commonality not only in our heritage but in our responsibilities to financially and emotionally support our parents during difficult situations in an unforgiving Western system that leaves them without a federally mandated living wage, accessible health care, and affordable housing. 

We, like so many other children of immigrants, serve as cultural and language brokers for our families’ collective survival at home and at work. 

As first generation Tongan Americans we saw the opportunity to have direct input on issues that impact our families and communities. We know that having a seat at the table and elevating issues of importance will help to improve the well-being of our Pasifika people and our collective future.

While living in the 21st century poses new challenges for our communities, it also provides us an opportunity to look to our past and reclaim our ancestral knowledge in developing modern-day solutions.  As the vessels of our ancestors, we elevate our community by bringing attention to the challenges we face.

FTAC provides and promotes culturally relevant workforce development and education, heritage preservation programming, referrals to basic needs services, and resources to Tongan, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.

We are fundraising to build our capacity, we are in dire need of:

1. Improving our Facilities for the community

2. Funding our Programs 

3. Improving our Infrastructure (Establishing a volunteer transportation system and Tongan Community Computer Lab)

4. Making our range and resources more accessible to our community (developing online resources, free events, improving physical access to programs and services)