ECDC Multicultural Community Center

ECDC was founded in 1983 as a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c) (3) community-based organization to meet the needs of Washington, D.C.'s growing Ethiopian community. Since then, ECDC has grown into a National Voluntary Agency authorized by the United States Department of State to resettle refugees. ECDC works on a local, regional, and national scale. Its public education program aims to raise awareness among the general public and mainstream organizations about issues of concern to the newcomer community in general.

The ECDC Multicultural Community Center (MCC) - Wausau is a branch office of the Ethiopian Community Development Council, Inc. We opened our doors in November 2021 with the goal of resettling 75 refugees, a goal that we far exceeded! We have now resettled over 400 refugees throughout the Wausau and Stevens Point communities; the majority of which, continue to live, work and play in Central Wisconsin!

We receive new client referrals from many countries/cultures, including but not limited to; Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo / Republic of Congo, Burma/Myanmar, Syria, Iraq, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Guatemala, Central Africa, Burundi, Somalia, Ukraine, and more!

As a resettlement agency, MCC works alongside the state and federal government to take in refugees from across the world facing war, persecution, and violence. All refugees who arrive in Central Wisconsin are referred to our agency through the State Department. Before their arrival, our team secures safe and secure housing for each family, which is fully furnished through collaboration with local organizations and volunteers.

Each family is then personally welcomed to Central Wisconsin by their case manager and other staff, who receive them from the airport and transport them to their new home. Newcomers are greeted with a culturally-appropriate hot meal. For the next 30–90 days, the case manager oversees their successful resettlement, helping them forge a path to become self-sufficient. This includes assistance with obtaining state and federal benefits, school enrollment, cultural orientation, and access to healthcare. The employment team also assists with finding a job for all employable refugees that aligns with their skillset and career goals.