Catholic Social Services
Residential and community-based education programs to court-adjudicated youth, and sponsors residential and community-based care for persons who are developmentally delayed.
Catholic Social Services (CSS) traces its roots to colonial Philadelphia. The ten agencies of CSS administer programs dedicated to serving men, women, and children in need. CCS provides residential and community-based education programs to court-adjudicated youth, and sponsors residential and community-based care for persons who are developmentally delayed. Programs:free or low-cost immigration law services and a wide range of services for low-income people including residential treatment programs for at-risk children, family preservation services, foster care, adoption, counseling, senior citizen centers, programming for the elderly, transitional housing, homeless services, and care for medically fragile men and women. Contact:www.css-phl.org | 227 North 18th Street | Philadelphia, PA 19103 | (215) 854-7019
Center for Literacy
Providing the community with classes at nearly 100 locations in Philadelphia and Delaware County at schools, public libraries and community sites.
The Center for Literacy (CFL) has created a number of specialized programs, including a wide range of Community Classes and Volunteer Tutoring. CFL conducts community classes at nearly 100 locations in Philadelphia and Delaware County at schools, public libraries and community sites. Classes range from multi-level Adult Basic Education to GED exam preparation, to Workforce Education and English as a Second Language instruction. CFL community classes are designed to accommodate adult schedules and are offered in morning, afternoon and evening sessions. They are generally open entry/open exit, and are offered on a year-round basis. The curricula and materials are individually tailored to help learners meet both their long and short-term goals. Learners interested in enrolling in community classes are asked to attend an orientation. Orienta tions are conducted in various convenient locations throughout the area. CFL also offers programs for young adults, ages 16-21. Contact: www.centerforliteracy.org | 636 South 48th St. | Philadelphia, PA 19143 | (215) 474-1235
Community Legal Services
Providing low-income Philadelphia residents with advice and representation in civil legal matters, advocating for their legal rights, and conducting community education.
The mission of Community Legal Services (CLS) of Philadelphia is to help low-income Philadelphia residents obtain equal access to justice by providing them with advice and representation in civil legal matters, advocating for their legal rights, and conducting community education about the legal issues that affect them. For more than 40 years, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia has provided the highest quality legal assistance to low-income Philadelphians who cannot afford legal counsel when they most need it. We provide free legal assistance on a wide variety of matters, including housing, health care, employment, public benefits, consumer scams, home ownership, loans and collections, property taxes, SSI disability benefits, DHS (parents only), nursing home and personal care homes, credit card debt, and utilities. CLS' Language Access Project coordinates CLS services to Philadelphia's growing limited English proficient and immigrant communities. CLS provides direct legal representation to limited English proficient clients or client groups who have been denied equal access to services or benefits on account of language. CLS partners with many organizations to advocate for language access for limited English proficient clients to services and benefits at the local, state and national levels. Contact: www.clsphila.org | 1424 Chestnut Street | Philadelphia, PA 19102 | (215) 981-3700 | Law Center North Central: 3638 North Broad Street | Philadelphia, PA 19140 | (215) 227-2400
Friends of Farmworkers, Inc.
Improving the living and working conditions of indigent farmworkers, mushroom workers, food processing workers, and workers from immigrant and migrant communities.
The Friends of Farmworkers’ (FOF) mission is to improve the living and working conditions of indigent farmworkers, mushroom workers, food processing workers, and workers from immigrant and migrant communities. FOF also provides community education on legal rights of farm workers, mushroom workers and food processing workers, which includes outreach to farm labor camps, community groups, and to students and families in schools with students whose families do farm work. FOF’s focuses on employment related claims of eligible workers and claims related to a client's status as a farm worker, including: minimum wage and wage payment problems; unsafe or unhealthy work conditions; substandard housing for groups of workers; employment or housing discrimination based on race, sex, national origin, disability or familial status; retaliation for exercising legal rights; establishment of eligibility rights to public benefits; and limited representation related to immigrant status. Programs: direct legal services to farm workers, mushroom workers and food processing workers in Pennsylvania, migrant farm workers who have been employed in Pennsylvania and have claims arising out of their employment in PA, and organizations whose members are client eligible workers and their families. Contact www.friendsfw.org | 924 Cherry Street | 4th Floor | Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 733-0878 | (800) 729-1607 | Toll Free from Mexico (clients only) 001-800-51-41-349
HIAS and Council Migration Service
Working to rescue, relocate and resettle Jews and peoples of all religion and nationalities who are fleeing persecution and discrimination.
Since 1882, the primary mission of HIAS & Council Migration Service of Philadelphia has been to rescue, relocate and resettle Jews and peoples of all religion and nationalities who are fleeing persecution and discrimination. HIAS and Council provides law-related immigration services to the foreign born and their families who seek asylum, family reunification, permanent legal status and citizenship in the U.S. HIAS and Council offers refugee counseling and processing assistance, acculturation, education and advocacy to, and on behalf of, prospective refugees, immigrants, their families, and friends in the Delaware Valley and the Tri-State region. HIAS and Council strive to advance the fair treatment and protection of the rights of immigrants and refugees, and to educate to larger community about the positive economic, social and cultural contributions made by new Americans. The agency provides assistance to refugees and immigrants so that they can become productive members of society. HIAS and Council serves individuals of limited means, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or handicap. HIAS also coordinates a state-wide Asylee Outreach Project that links those granted asylum to refugee social services. The project assists with documentation issues facing asylees. As a non-profit agency authorized by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) to provide legal immigration assistance, HIAS and Council Migration Service is required to keep service fees at nominal levels. Clients providing evidence of inability to pay even the lowest fees qualify for free service. Contact: www.hiaspa.org | 2100 Arch St., 3rd Floor | Philadelphia, PA 19103 | (215) 832-0900
Lutheran Children and Family Service
Providing foster care, adoption, refugee resettlement, family preservation, after school care, immigration services, and adult education.
Lutheran Children and Family Service (LCFS), a non-profit social service agency, provides a broad scope of services to a diverse clientele throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. By relying on a wide network of individuals and agency supporters, their skilled and dedicated staff is able to provide families and children with services from a variety of local, state, federal and community resources. LCFS connects people interested in becoming foster parents, volunteers and congregational members, so they are able to bring new opportunities and restore hope to many throughout the greater Philadelphia region. Programs: refugee resettlement services (immigration, counseling, employment, etc.), human-trafficking victims case management, various programs including mental health services for survivors of torture, ESL classes (in north and west Philadelphia and in Upper Darby) Contact: www.lcfsinpa.org | 231 North 63rd Street | Philadelphia, PA 19139 | (215) 747-7500
Mayor’s Commission on Literacy
Ensuring that quality education is available to equip all adults in Philadelphia with the literacy skills necessary for the workforce, parenting, and community life.
Formed in 1983, the Mayor's Commission on Literacy (MCOL) was the first literacy agency in the country to be established by a local governing body. While there were literacy activities underway in Philadelphia at that time, general awareness of the extent of the need was limited. To address this issue, the city had to focus attention on the literacy needs of its adults, coordinate the efforts of existing programs, and provide educational opportunities for increased numbers of adults. MCOL was established to ensure that quality education is available to equip all adults in Philadelphia with the literacy skills necessary for the workforce, parenting, and community life. MCOL offers information and referral services for Philadelphia adults interested in improving their lives through education. Individuals 18 years old or 16 - 17 year old, who have officially dropped out of school, can easily access information about Philadelphia adult education programs by calling the commission at 215-686-5250. Contact: www.freelibrary.org/mcol | Free Library of Philadelphia | 1901 Vine Street | Philadelphia, PA19103 | (215) 686-5254
Nationalities Service Center
Providing social, educational and legal services to immigrants and refugees in the Greater Philadelphia area
Nationalities Service Center (NSC) is a nonprofit organization that provides social, educational, senior, translation and interpretation, and legal services to immigrants and refugees in the Greater Philadelphia area. Each year, they help approximately 4,000 individuals from over 90 countries. Their mission is to help immigrants and refugees participate fully in American society. They implement this mission by meeting four main objectives: Protecting legal rights Strengthening families and promoting self-sufficiency Eliminating barriers caused by language and cultural differences> Promoting public awareness of the benefits of diversity in American society Programs: low-cost legal services: family reunification, removal/deportation defense, domestic violence cases, lawful permanent residence (green card) applications, citizenship and naturalization, asylum applications, criminal cases, refugee social services (resettlement, job readiness and placement, cultural reunification, health), senior center, translation and interpretation services, ESL classes. Contact: www.nationalitiesservice.org | 1216 Arch Street, 4th Floor | Philadelphia, PA 19107 | (215) 893-8400
Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition
Convening professionals, advocates and immigrant groups of different backgrounds to share information and resources, identify common problems, and advocate for solutions.
The Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (PICC) is a diverse group that brings together professionals, advocates and immigrant groups of different backgrounds to share information and resources, identify common problems, and advocate for solutions. They have 50 member organizations and numerous individual members. Their membership includes community groups, legal service providers, social service providers, mutual assistance associations, immigrant leaders, unions, faith communities, and concerned individuals. Refugees and other new Americans make significant contributions to our nation, state, region, and our local communities. They pay taxes in our local economy, revitalize neighborhoods as renters, consumers and even business owners and home owners, and bring a rich cultural diversity. PICC is a diverse coalition that represents the needs of immigrants, migrants, refugees and other new Americans living in Pennsylvania to policy makers, public officials, and the general public. PICC seeks to educate the public and develop support for fair policies that welcome and sustain immigrants. Contact: www.picc-pa.org | 2100 Arch Street, 7th Floor | Philadelphia, PA 19103 | 215-832-0636
Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations
Enforcing the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance; educating on intergroup harmony and cultural diversity; and mediating disputes through its Disputes resolution program.
The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) was established in 1951. The Commission is mandated by the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to enforce the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance. The Ordinance prohibits discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, and the provision of City services. It is unlawful to discriminate in these areas because of race, color, gender, religion, age (excluding public accommodations), sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, and disability. In housing, it is also unlawful to discriminate because of marital status, the source of income, and the presence of children. In addition, the Commission reduces and prevents intergroup tension in Philadelphia, provides education on intergroup harmony and cultural diversity, and mediates disputes through its Disputes resolution program. The Commission has nine Commissioners appointed by the Mayor. Contact: www.phila.gov/humanrelations | The Curtis Center | 601 Walnut Street, Suite 300 South | Philadelphia, PA 19106 215-686-4670 | TTY: 215-686-3238 | Fax: 215-686-4684 | E-mail: faqpchr@phila.gov North Philadelphia Field Office 601 W. Lehigh Avenue | Philadelphia, PA 19133 | 215-685-9761 | Fax: 215-685-9768
Philadelphia Coalition for Victim Advocacy
Providing advocacy and assistance to victims, co-victims and witnesses to crime.
The Philadelphia Coalition for Victim Advocacy (PCVA) is a membership consortium of organizations and individuals that provide advocacy and assistance to victims, co-victims and witnesses to crime. PCVA is dedicated to improving and promoting victim rights and the provision of a full range of high quality victim services in the City of Philadelphia. PCVA’s primary goals are as follows: To provide member agencies with a collective voice that is greater than the voice of any individual agency, program or individual member in addressing the rights and needs of crime victims. To provide opportunities for concerned citizens, programs and organizations to exchange information and ideas; support the sharing and utilization of materials and resources; and address emerging issues and policies related to victims of crime. To support initiatives that address the policies, the rights, the needs, and the provision of services to crime victims and witnesses of crime in the City of Philadelphia. To create opportunities for crime victims to feel heard and empowered as well as to support and recognize the contributions that crime victims and service providers make in the Philadelphia community. To increase public awareness of crime victim issues and the services available for victims, especially those offered by PCVA’s member agencies. To identify unserved or underserved victim populations and to address service gaps and system problems that affect crime victims. PCVA member agencies provide direct service to crime victims. The settings for member agencies range from Neighborhood Based Agencies to Schools to Criminal Justice environments. A variety of services are offered by PCVA member agencies such as: assistance in filing for Crime Victim Compensation, crisis response, education, counseling and criminal justice/legal advocacy. Contact: www.pcvainfo.org | c/o Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office | 3 South Penn Square | Philadelphia, PA 19103 | 215-567-5000
Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians
Connecting newly arrived individuals from around the world with the economic opportunities that they need to succeed in the region.
The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians connects newly arrived individuals from around the world with the economic opportunities that they need to succeed in our region. Welcoming Center West facilitates cooperative efforts and understanding among immigrants and native-born residents, thus promoting a stronger, safer and more economically dynamic community. Welcoming Center West works closely with the 52nd Street Business Association and a host of other community partners. Welcoming Center West programs: business development seminars, merchant literacy program, cross-cultural youth programs, information and resources, inter-ethnic event Programs: Employment Services (job placement for work-authorized immigrants, and employer services) Programs: Employment Services (job placement for work-authorized immigrants, and employer services); Resource Referrals (connecting immigrants with legal, health, and other programs and services); Legal Clinic (free monthly clinic for immigrants with questions regarding all areas of law); Vocational Literacy Program (for clients referred by EARN Centers); Project Bridging Cultures (academic and social support to youth at South Philadelphia High School); Public Policy (information and education on immigration issues through presentations, seminars, the media, etc.) Contact: www.welcomingcenter.org | 1617 John F. Kennedy Blvd., 13th Floor | Philadelphia, PA 19103 | (215) 557-2626 Welcoming Center West: 246 S. 52nd St. | Philadelphia, PA 19139 | (215) 220-8795
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