About Us

The Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) was established in 1983. Currently headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, ECDC was initially formed to focus on the needs of a growing Ethiopian population in the Washington, D.C. Metro area. However, since its founding, ECDC has served newcomers from diverse cultural backgrounds and many parts of the world. In 1991, ECDC became the first community-based organization authorized by the Department of State to resettle refugees in the U.S. Since its inception, ECDC have assisted more than 250,000 people, including refugees, asylees, and Special Immigration Visa holders from across the world.

ECDC has three branch offices located in Denver, Colorado, Las Vegas, Nevada and Metropolitan Washington DC. The African Community Center DC Metro (ACC DC Metro)—continues the mission of ECDC in the DC metro area. ACC DC Metro operates in two locations, one based out of the ECDC headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, and another in Silver Spring, Maryland. In both locations ACC DC Metro staff respond to the needs of this country’s most vulnerable newcomers while raising awareness about the issues faced by refugees at home and abroad.

Together the Virginia and Maryland ACC DC Metro offices serve an estimated 2,000 newcomers per year. Through our various programs, ECDC supports refugees in their journey to create new lives in their new home.

Vision

A world where oppressed and displaced peoples of all nationalities can find a safe, sustainable home in America.

Mission

Enable and empower refugees on their path toward building safe, sustainable lives.

Our Values

At ECDC-ACC, we value Diversity, Empathy, Passion, Community, and Service in all our actions.

Our Goals

Acclimate newcomers to the different customs and culture of American society. We will sponsor continual cultural orientation through the workshops we host and the expertise our staff and volunteer share.

Provide services and programs that help newcomers become self-sufficient, productive members their communities.We will assist clients as they find their place in the unfamiliar American workforce. We will use individualized case management to address the specific needs of our clients.

Foster mutual understanding between immigrants and their new communities through outreach and education. We will participate in and host forums and community events that pertain to the interests of refugees and immigrants. We will develop partnerships with community organizations and educate service providers on the needs of our clients.