Refugee Resettlement
As a community-based non-profit organization, we provide “Reception & Placement” services providing refugee families and individuals basic support for the first 90 days in the community. We continue supporting them after the first 90 days through Community Integration Programs. We also help coordinate additional support services through our co-sponsorship program and through other community volunteer organizations.
Resettlement Services:
ECDC provides many different services to help newly arrived refugees in their new communities!
-
A case worker from ECDC works closely with the refugee family or individual to fulfill all their needs. The case worker advocates for and supports the family or individual. This includes: welcoming families or individuals from the airport, referring them to medical services, helping them navigate the public transportation system, enrolling children in the public school system, registering families or individuals with federal, state, and local assistance programs (Social Security, Food Stamps, Medicaid, etc.), as well as providing any other necessary assistance.
-
ECDC provides refugees with a community-based orientation after arrival. The cultural orientation aims to create a safe, welcoming environment where refugees are further informed about the community they now belong to. This allows refugees to achieve self-sufficiency more quickly by gaining knowledge about their communities and community members.
-
ECDC provides housing assistance to arriving refugees by obtaining safe, appropriate living arrangements prior to their arrival to the United States. ECDC also helps to provide the refugee individual or family with all initial furnishing and household items.
-
ECDC brings new arrivals to a health screening appointment and helps them set up any necessary follow up appointments. We help refugees obtain a primary-care provider and help share knowledge for hour to live a healthy lifestyle in an American society.
-
ECDC helps enroll children in the public school system upon arrival. This service explains to the refugee family or individual expectations and guidelines for the public school system in the United States.
-
With the goal of helping refugees reach self-sufficiency, ECDC’s team supports and advises refugees with employment opportunities. ECDC helps prepare refugees for the American workforce by developing an employment plan, developing interview skills, and helping them with the hiring process.
Training
ECDC provides all neccesary training to all staff, co-sponsors, and volunteers prior to refugee arrival. ECDC aims to provide a safe, welcoming environment to all of our refugee families and individuals. Training is important to ensure all members of ECDC understand the cultural differences and how to make a family feel safe and welcomed upon arriving!