Familia’s History

Story #1

​Back in the 1980s, integration and cross-cultural interaction were promoted in a remarkably different reality than today. There were about 20,000 foreigners in Finland who had come to Finland for marriage, study, work, and later also as refugees. In Finland, the state or municipalities had not yet organized the readiness to receive people from different cultures, whose contacts with Finns were almost non-existent. At that time, the unique richness that that group of people brought to Finland or their need to participate in Finnish everyday life was rarely understood. Overall, society did not understand the importance of integration. The desire to do something about the situation and enable natural coexistence between Finns and those who moved to Finland was initially born in the circle of private people.

It was Tuula Jakowleff's idea to open the doors of her home and invite international friends to her "Sewing Circle". Attendees exchanged news, shared different experiences, and listened to how things were in other parts of the world. Children’s clothes were patched, and wool socks were woven. At Tuula’s house children were always involved and were the first to try delicacies from different countries brought to the table.

​“From the very beginning, the principles of Familia Club have included open doors, a welcoming smile, working together and listening with compassion. The feeling that there is a place where you are welcome regardless of nationality, language, religion or belonging to a political group is very important. Familia has understood this issue since its foundation.”

​This socializing experience turned out to be so meaningful and interesting to a growing number of people that the activity of the "Sewing Circle" later known as Familia Club eventually developed into an official association: Familia Club ry! Registered as such on May 24th, 1988.

​Volunteers started a completely new, unique, and ground-breaking work, and while activity started on a small scale in people's homes, it gradually expanded to larger spaces offered by different parties. In any case, the activities of the first years were based entirely on the work done by volunteers, where interested foreigners also showed up to help.

​Although teaching of Finnish language has been a central part of Familia’s activities since its inception, at the very beginning, other activities were also organized. This way everyone had the opportunity to bring a “piece” of their own culture and learn about Finland at the same time.  Meaningfulness and joy of doing new things were encouraged. The purpose was to give foreigners a sense of belonging to a group, to a new country and ultimately to Finnish society. 

From the very beginning, the principles of Familia Club have included open doors, a welcoming smile, working together and listening with compassion. The feeling that there is a place where you are welcome regardless of nationality, language, religion is very important. Familia has understood this issue since its foundation.
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Familia was born because many people in 1980s felt that they needed information about multiculturalism and a framework in which the spectrum of cultures would be seen as a positive and life-enriching thing and not exclusively a problem. 

​In autumn 2022, Familia had more than 1600 members and we organize a diverse number of activities including: language Clubs, Finnish language courses, peer support groups, counselling consultations, webinars, events, and many more! 

Editor and production: Yvette Ahonen 
For Familia ry