CONFERENCE SPONSORS
AS OF April 2, 2008

Alliance for Multicultural Community Services

American Red Cross

Church World Service

East African Community of Orange County

Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago

The Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago (ECAC) is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to serving the cultural, psychological and socio-economic needs of refugees and immigrants in and around metropolitan Chicago. In addition to assisting native Ethiopians, ECAC also supports other African, Asian, Middle Eastern and Eastern European refugee populations who seek its services. Established in 1984, ECAC assists in the promotion of personal growth, financial stability, positive family and community relations and community empowerment. The adjustment and development of all of ECAC’s constituents is facilitated with programs in the areas of advocacy, education, employment, healthcare and community outreach.

International Rescue Committee

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), the U.S. Lutheran expression of service to refugees and migrants in America, has been bringing new hope and new life to newcomers since 1939. In a nation built by immigrants, LIRS carries on the tradition of welcoming newcomers through resettling refugees, protecting unaccompanied refugee children, advocating for fair and just treatment of asylum seekers, and seeking alternatives to detention for those who are incarcerated during their immigration proceedings. Since its founding, LIRS has given hundreds of thousands of people a new start in the United States as they have sought protection from countries where war and oppression have threatened their existence. With initiative and sound stewardship, LIRS seeks creative and lasting solutions to the needs of uprooted people. Our network of affiliates, partners, congregations and volunteers works with us to extend a welcome to newcomers in need, regardless of their race, ethnicity or religious beliefs.

Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center

Refugee and Immigrant Relief Center, Inc.

Somali Family Care Network

The Somali Family Care Network, Inc. is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping all Somali groups, Africans and other minorities in the United States work together to improve the social and economic opportunities in their respective communities. 

Since its foundation in 2001, SFCN has helped to establish a strong national network of Somali Community-Based Organizations (SCBOs). These SCBOs work together with other refugee service providers to foster and ensure the health and social well-being of Somali refugees resettled in the United States.

SFCN is governed by a board of directors that strives to empower refugees through on-site consultation, environmental scan, technical assistance, capacity building and social mobilization activities that will aid refugees in their transition from dependency to self-sufficiency and integration into American society. SFCN aims to act as a national resource for the growing Somali immigrant community as well as for the refugee and mainstream service providers who interface with Somali communities in the U.S. Additionally, SFCN acts as a technical assistance organization, providing training to strengthen institution building, resource development and leadership development.

U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Migration and Refugee Services carries out the commitment of the Roman Catholic bishops of the United States to serve and advocate for immigrants, refugees, migrants, victims of human trafficking, and people on the move. This commitment is rooted in the Gospel mandate that every person is to be welcomed by the disciple as if he or she were Christ himself and in the right of every human being to pursue, without restraint, the call of holiness.