ECDC Wausau

06/04/2026

Wausau's Culture Festival is Back! This August, we're excited to combine the Culture Festival and the Backpack Bash into one incredible community event!

Join us on August 13th from 4-7 at the Rothschild Pavilion as we celebrate the many cultures that make the Wausau area vibrant and welcoming. Enjoy cultural performances, food, activities, community resources, and opportunities to connect with neighbors from around the world.

Families can also receive free school supplies to help students start the school year prepared and ready to succeed.

Come celebrate diversity, community, and education all in one place!

To make the Backpack Bash a success, we are seeking school supply donations from community members, businesses, and organizations. Whether you donate a few items or organize a larger supply drive, your contribution can make a meaningful difference for local families.

06/01/2026

ECDC MCC had so much fun at Franklin's Culture Night!

Thank you to Franklin Elementary for hosting such a meaningful event and to everyone who shared a piece of their culture with us. We loved being part of this special evening and look forward to many more opportunities to celebrate our community together!

Franklin Elementary School- Wausau School District

05/06/2026

The ECDC Annual Gala is a moment to come together and celebrate the impact we’re making. As a local branch, we’re proud to be part to take part in this year's theme: “Celebrating Welcome.” It reflects what this work is all about: supporting refugees and immigrants and building community. It’s also a chance to connect with partners, donors, and people across the country who care about this mission.

Check the comments for the link to the event page.

03/13/2026

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

02/19/2026

As the month of Ramadan begins, we extend our heartfelt wishes to the families and communities observing this sacred time of reflection, prayer, and generosity.

We celebrate the strength of those rebuilding their lives and the spirit of community that makes Central Wisconsin a home for many.

May this month bring peace and abundance to all who celebrate.

To learn more about Ramadan: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ramadan

01/20/2026

“Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

ECDC-MCC was truly honored to be part of this MLK Celebration, a day that reflected Dr. King’s call to serve others and build a more just, welcoming community. This quote resonates deeply with our work alongside refugees, as we strive to ensure that those seeking safety and a chance to rebuild their lives are met with compassion, empathy, dignity, humanity, and support as they make our community their home.

Thank you to all of the nonprofits, volunteers, speakers, performers, local businesses, and committee members who helped bring this event to life. Your time, dedication, and service are a powerful reminder that when we come together, we can create spaces of welcome, hope, and unity for all.

Photo Credits: Samantha Salazar

01/20/2026

12/29/2025

We are pleased to announce that Gwen Taylor has joined the ECDC Multicultural Community Center as our new Program Manager, effective December 29.

Gwen brings over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including a long tenure with the Girl Scouts of America, where she led multi-site programs, supervised and coached diverse teams, managed budgets, coordinated volunteers, and ensured adherence to state and federal guidelines. Her work has consistently focused on building strong systems, improving outcomes, and supporting staff through thoughtful leadership and professional
development.

We are excited that Gwen has joined our team and the leadership she will bring to the Multicultural Community Center. Please join us in welcoming Gwen to the ECDC MCC team.

12/02/2025

Every day, we work to welcome newcomers, strengthen families, and build communities where everyone can thrive. Our team works diligently to address barriers to self-sufficiently, and we couldn't do it without the community support.

In Honor of Giving Tuesday, we extend a huge thank you to those who have already donated more winter clothing for refugee families this winter. This community's generosity and support, through donation or volunteering, continues to help provide essential services, educational opportunities, and critical resources for refugees and immigrants rebuilding their lives.

For those who want to get involved, it is never too late to be a part of building a stronger community.

Donate: https://givebutter.com/1uzy90
Volunteer with us: https://www.ecdcwausau.org/volunteer

11/17/2025

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Tomorrow, ECDC is hosting "Refugees Reshaping Wisconsin", a panel discussion with refugees in Central Wisconsin who assist in resettling other refugees. All are invited to hear their stories of resilience, community advocacy, adversity, and triumphs. Our speaker lineup features leaders of organizations that work tirelessly to ensure maximum impact in the lives of refugees, including two of ECDC's staff.

This panel is free to attend for all who are interested in celebrating the courage and hard work of the refugee leaders in the Central Wisconsin community. The details are provided below:

Date: 11/18/2025
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Location: 1015 Reserve Street, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, 54481 Laird Room.

Panelists: Patrick Kabangu, Natasa Torbica, Yee Leng Xiong, Naseer Sofizada, and Amin Mohammad.