Who We Help
While ECDC was initially created to meet the needs of a growing Ethiopian community, our refugee resettlement program has served clients from all over the world – Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, China, Cuba, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, Nepal, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, and more. The largest populations we serve generally, though not exclusively, fall into one of three legal categories.
REFUGEES
Those who have been forced to flee their countries due to a well-founded fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Refugees are approved for admittance overseas, and assigned to a resettlement agency, like ECDC, before arrival in the United States.
SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISA HOLDERS
These clients, either Iraqi or Afghan nationals, served with the U.S. military or government in their respective home countries. As a result they are often under tremendous threat of violence. They are approved for admittance in their home countries, and assigned to resettlement agencies before arrival.
ASYLEES
Asylees arrive in the United States, and upon reaching customs, request humanitarian asylum due to fear of persecution. They are not initially assigned to a resettlement agency, but once their asylum has been approved, they can access all ECDC programs except the Reception and Placement program.
