ECDC Multicultural Community Center

The ECDC Multicultural Community Center (MCC) – Wausau is part of the Ethiopian Community Development Council, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) founded in 1983 to support Washington, D.C.’s growing Ethiopian community. Over the years, ECDC expanded its mission and became a National Voluntary Agency, authorized by the U.S. Department of State to help refugees build new lives across the country.

Our Wausau office opened in November 2021 with a goal of welcoming 75 newcomers. Today, we’ve supported the resettlement of more than 400 refugees throughout Wausau and Stevens Point — individuals and families who now live, work, learn, and thrive in Central Wisconsin.

We welcome people from many countries and cultures, including Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burma/Myanmar, Syria, Iraq, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Guatemala, Burundi, Somalia, Ukraine, and more. No matter where someone comes from, we meet them with dignity, cultural understanding, and a commitment to helping them feel at home.

A welcoming presence that prioritizes compassion, safety, and human connection.

As a refugee resettlement agency, the ECDC Multicultural Community Center (MCC) – Wausau works alongside state and federal partners to welcome individuals and families fleeing war, persecution, and violence. Every newcomer referred to Central Wisconsin through the U.S. State Department is met with care, preparation, and a community ready to support them.

Before a family arrives, our team — together with local partners and volunteers — secures safe, stable housing and fully furnishes each home to ensure a warm start. When newcomers land at the airport, they are personally welcomed by their case manager and staff, then brought to their new home and greeted with a culturally‑appropriate hot meal.

Over the next 30–90 days, case managers guide families through the resettlement process, helping them build confidence and independence. This includes:

• Accessing state and federal benefits
• Enrolling children in schoolConnecting families to healthcare
• Providing cultural orientation and daily‑life support
• Helping employable adults find jobs that match their skills and goals

Volunteers play a vital role in every step — from preparing homes to offering transportation, mentoring, and practical support that helps families feel grounded and welcomed.

Our work is simple but deeply impactful: we show up, we serve, and we care — together.