ECHO MINNESOTA

ECHO began its work in 2004 as a project of county government and incorporated as a nonprofit in 2008. The mission of ECHO is to leverage partnerships to deliver vital health, safety, emergency and civic engagement information to help the ever-changing, diverse population integrate and become successful in our communities.

Approximately 500,000 Minnesotans speak a language other than English with 18,000 new Americans arriving in Minnesota each year. ECHO Minnesota has the capability to reach nearly 90% of these individuals and families. In fact, last year alone ECHO reached 1.3 million immigrants, refugees, community members, and service providers through TV, Radio, internet, social media, and community outreach, with vital health, safety, and emergency information.

ECHO strives to provide them Minnesota’s immigrant and refugee communities with the knowledge that they need to be successful in our community, by offering over 50 health, safety, emergency, and civic topics free of charge to communities via broadcast, online, and DVD format, among other educational tools.

Bao's Story

In February of 2010 a Hmong mother of three realized that her husband was having difficulty breathing.
After trying to help him herself she ran to her next-door neighbors to ask for help. She spoke very little English and went from one house to another in a panic doing her best to communicate without English what was happening.

She found no help amongst her neighbors and went back home to find her husband still struggling for air. Unable to leave her young children, she stayed with him and waited for him to get better. Within the hour he had died.

What this Hmong wife and mother did not know was that her husband was suffering from an asthma attack. Something that, due to medical advancements, should no longer be deadly. His death could have been easily prevented had she known how to dial 9-1-1.
Help ECHO save lives by providing simple health, safety, emergency, and civic information to Minnesota’s newest residents.

In order to keep Minnesota’s families and children healthy and safe, we need your help. Every contribution makes a difference.