War and hunger forced many Ethiopians to leave their homeland in the 1980s, and when Dr. Tsehaye Teferra arrived in America as an immigrant himself, he saw how much help these families needed to rebuild their lives. In 1983, he founded Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) with a powerful belief: refugees carry gifts and strength, not just needs. By 1991, ECDC became the first refugee organization started by an African person to receive U.S. government permission to help resettle refugees.

Leadership matters most when it comes from people who understand the journey firsthand. ECDC believes that former refugees should help make decisions about how families are served because they know what it feels like to start over in a new country. This approach values treating everyone with respect, working closely with communities, and helping families live with dignity while building the confidence to take care of themselves.

The first 90 days in America can feel overwhelming, so ECDC provides complete support to help families find homes, enroll children in school, connect with doctors, learn English, and understand their new life. Beyond basic needs, they teach job skills, help with resumes, and show families how to manage money in American systems. Families facing special challenges because of disabilities, trauma, or other difficulties receive extra support. Through partnerships with 7 offices and 17 organizations across the country, ECDC ensures that families get help in their own communities from people who understand their experiences and celebrate their potential.