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Introducing a New National Directory of Ethnic Community-Based Organizations

The Karen Organization of San Diego (KOSD) has created a new directory of ethnic community-based organizations (ECBOs) across the United States, organized by state. KOSD developed this directory to improve access to services and strengthen support networks for refugee and immigrant communities throughout the country. This resource is designed to support both newcomers and the agencies that serve them. 

Access ECBO Directory

The Directory Serves Three Main Purposes:

  1. Helping refugees and other newcomers find culturally appropriate support in their local areas 
  2. Assisting resettlement agencies and service providers in connecting clients with relevant local resources 
  3. Allowing new and emerging ECBOs to network with and learn from established organizations 

Tips for Using the Directory:

  • Stay informed: Sign up for newsletters, follow social media accounts, and check the websites of listed organizations to stay updated on their activities and events. 
  • Find local support: If you’re a refugee or newcomer, connect with ECBOs in your area to access support services or join peer networks. 
  • Pursue service provider partnerships: If you’re a service provider, reach out to ECBOs to explore potential partnerships for offering culturally and linguistically appropriate support to newcomer clients. 
  • Engage directly: Don’t hesitate to contact organizations directly for the most current information about their services, programs, or volunteer opportunities. 

Further Suggestions:

  • Seek alternative referrals: If a listed organization can’t meet your needs or is inaccessible, contact them for recommendations of other suitable providers in your area. 
  • Verify information: As organizations may change over time, confirm the listed contact details and services before making plans. 
  • Provide feedback: If you notice any outdated information or know of ECBOs not included in the directory, please inform KOSD to help keep the resource current and comprehensive. 
  • Share the resource: Help spread awareness of this directory among your networks to maximize its impact and to reach those who might benefit from it.  


If you would like your organization to be included in this list or know of an organization that you think should be included, please reach out to KOSD or fill out this form.

More Ways to Find Services

See the resources below for more ways to locate providers serving newcomers in the U.S.: 

  • Findhelp.org (formerly Aunt Bertha), available in dozens of languages  
  • The IRC’s Virtual Resettlement Line (VRL): VRL is a one-stop resource for any prospective clients who are not yet connected to a resettlement agency or who are struggling to access benefits or resources in their community. VRL is staffed by English-, Ukrainian-, Russian-, Dari-, and Pashto-speaking virtual navigators. VRL is open 9am – 5pm ET Monday – Friday and can be reached by calling +1 (212) 551 – 3010 or emailing VRL@rescue.org.  

Related Content

Picture of Karen Organization of San Diego

Karen Organization of San Diego

  • Karen Organization of San Diego was founded by grassroots community organizing efforts. In 2008, Karen community leaders had meetings to find ways to support the Karen and other refugee families from Burma who had been struggling to adjust their lives upon their arrival in San Diego. They organized the community and hosted a series of community meetings where community members shared their needs and struggles and discussed all together if they would want to have an ethnic community-based organization for refugees from Burma in San Diego to organize, support, and educate their own community members. KOSD’s founding members including Karen community leaders and Nao Kabashima (then a volunteer at the Jewish Family Services and currently KOSD’s Executive Director) started to have a series of meetings and finally registered with the California Secretary of State as a non-profit cooperation of San Diego on August 11, 2009. KOSD was recognized as a 501c3 non-profit organization in 2010, and opened its first office in November 2011 when it received the first grant funding support from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).

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