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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: The
African Community Center/ECDC offers a variety of refugee resettlement program services during the first 12 months of their arrival:
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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.
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Housing
Our 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.
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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.
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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
The African Community
Center/ECDC recently begun a program to help our most vulnerable refugees—Safari Thrift !
Through community donations, ACC has provided comfortable, warm and
welcoming ‘homes’ to over 1000 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
The African Community
Center/ECDC 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
many languages. |
