Communities in the United States are becoming increasingly diverse, in part, because of the continual resettlement of refugees and immigrants from around the world. The promotion of refugees' well-being and integration depends upon how our communities value diversity and provide opportunities for meaningful involvement. However, refugees often face challenges to such involvement. An ecological perspective suggests that it is important to consider not only the characteristics of individuals but also to examine the extent to which particular settings are able to facilitate the participation of community members. The purpose of this study was to understand the participation experiences of 54 Hmong refugees living in multiethnic housing developments. Interviews revealed that while Hmong residents valued participation highly, most were excluded from meaningful avenues of participation because of multiple barriers, including language differences, time constraints, and discrimination. No supports to address these barriers existed in their communities. It is important to understand and build individuals' capacities to participate and communities' capacities to promote involvement, integrate diversity, and foster interdependence. Participation is fundamental to the process of enabling refugees to become an integral part of their new communities and is a potential way for them to regain a sense of control over their lives and the decisions that affect them. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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