ECDC/The African Community Center (ACC) is Denver’s newest Refugee Resettlement program which welcomes newcomers who have had to flee persecution within their home country. Many of our clients arrive in the United States with little but possess great hope about their lives in America. ECDC/ACC conducts educational and social service programs that help newcomers resettle in their new communities and acculturate; recover from past trauma; gain personal independence and economic self-sufficiency; and quickly become able participants and productive, contributing members of American society.

Refugee Resettlement ECDC/The African Community Center offers a variety of refugee resettlement program services during the first 12 months of their arrival:

• Case Management services
  Our case managers act as advocates and support for the newcomers. Their services include welcoming the clients during their arrival at the airport, helping them find safe housing, referring them to medical assistance, enrolling them to schools as well as to federal, state and local assistance programs (social security, food stamps, Medicaid) or simply being there to listen and comfort them.
• HousingOur agency provides housing assistance to our clients, by locating suitable housing, filling appropriate applications and help with moving; establishing utility services and provides a supply of household furnishings.
• Employment services Our agency supports client efforts to become self-sufficient and productive members of the Denver community. Understanding that employment is vital to this goal we assist clients with preparing for, locating and keeping a job. We help them to develop the skills and attitude that are key to succeeding in the American workplace. We also help clients access training programs in an effort to increase employment opportunities.In addition, we assist employers in locating and hiring individuals who are skilled, hard working and creative. We have developed successful relationships with employers who recognize that refugees have developed qualities essential to business success: determination, focus and toughness of spirit. Our employer services include screening, referral and follow-up of applicants.
• Cultural Adjustment Services Adjusting to a new home land can be very stressful. The African Community Center helps the refugees overcome culture shock through cultural adjustment workshops as well as by matching the clients with their first American friends.

Employment Training Programs

ECDC/TheAfrican Community Center recently begun a program to help our most vulnerable refugees—Safari Seconds Thrift store!  Through community donations, ACC has provided comfortable, warm and welcoming ‘homes’ to over 700 refugees since 2001.  Many of the refugee groups arriving in Colorado arrive with numerous barriers preventing them from finding employment and therefore independence.  Safari Seconds provides tools for refugees with low levels of English and literacy, helping them become successful through employment and economic stability.

In 2005, ECDC/ACC received funding from the Denver Office of Economic Development Division of Workforce Development to provide Denver county TANF recipients with Intensive ESL, employment readiness and Life Skills workshops.  The program also provides employment search and placement assistance.  Finally, refugees receive on the job experience within the thrift store, giving them work history while meeting TANF requirements.

Community Outreach

Our agency works with community based organizations to provide technical assistance to develop the leadership capacity within local ethnic/immigrant populations. Our community outreach also promotes awareness about African in general as well as refugee issues and the challenges faced by newcomers as they move through the resettlement and cultural adjustment process. In addition, our agency engages newcomers and members of the wider community to enhance cross-cultural communication.

Translation/Interpretation Services

ECDC/The African Community Center provides referral services to organizations, businesses and individuals who are in need of translation/interpretation services. We have access to the largest community of translators and interpreters who speak the many languages of Africa.

Computer Training Programs

ECDC/The African Community Center holds computer training sessions for our refugees in conjunction with Metro Volunteers’ Impact Group. Refugees receive computer training on subjects such as basic computer skills, e-mail and internet, job searching, typing & 10-key as well as English as a Second language. ECDC/ACC’s computer lab is available to refugees, asylees and immigrants during regular business hours.  Computer equipment and software are provided througha grant from the Colorado Foundation for Families and Children