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Community Corner

ECDC First Refugee Thanksgiving Dinner

The Ethiopian Community Development Council, Inc.
(ECDC) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) community-based organization which
resettles refugees from a range of countries, such as Bhutan, Iraq, Iran,
Burma, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Afghanistan, and China. The African Community Center (ACC) DC Metro is the branch office responsible for directly
assisting them in the transition to their new home and culture. Examples of
client services include help securing housing, finding jobs, learning public
transit, and enrolling in school and ESL classes. ECDC/ACC DC Metro regularly
holds events to educate the general public on refugee issues and to connect clients with the local community.

Our largest such function is the annual Refugee’s
First Thanksgiving Dinner. This event is especially important because it
introduces refugees for the first time to the quintessential American holiday
and spirit of Thanksgiving. The celebration this year will take place on
Sunday, November 24th at 903 S. Highland St. Arlington, VA and
include American Thanksgiving feast favorites, traditional dishes and
dances from community members’ home countries, and activities for children.
This meal gives an opportunity to our newest members to give back to the
community by sharing food and music from their own cultures. Last year’s event
saw nearly 200 people, and we look forward to hosting even more guests this
year.  Open to the public.

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