Welcome to the Pennsylvania Immigrant Resource Guide! This online guide offers a collection of resources for immigrants looking to settle in the Pennsylvania area. Offering a variety of information and resources, this guide encompasses all areas of life that a new immigrant and his or her family might need in order to make Pennsylvania their new home!
Resources available in this guide include: Immigration Process Information, Connections to Multi-Resource Organizations, Resettlement Assistance, Education Resources, Citizenship Assistance, Health Services, Community and Cultural Organizations, Safety Resources, Legal Services, Financial Tips and Services, and Employment Resources.
As our community evolves, we are always looking for new ways to encourage inclusivity and interconnectedness. If you or your organization is interested in helping us with this project, please contact us at wacharrisburg@gmail.com, or call 717 221 1627.
Want to know more about current arrival statistics for refugees in Pennsylvania? Click here for up-to-date data about new members of our community!
Immigration Process Information
Security Checkpoints Diagram for Refugees
Multi-Resource Websites:
Multicultural Community Resource Center (Erie, PA)
Homepage: http://www.mcrcerie.org/
- Offers programs and resources for Refugees in the region
Pennsylvania Immigrant and Citizenship Coalition
Homepage: http://www.paimmigrant.org/resources/list
- Resources: Capacity Building; Civic Engagement; Deportation/Detention; Education; Federal Legislation; Health Care; Language Access; Legal Education & Services; Pennsylvania Legislation.
Pennsylvania Refugee Resettlement Program
Homepage: http://www.refugeesinpa.org/index.htm
- PA Refugee Demographics available here
- Directory of PA Refugee Service Providers
- Facts and General Information about U.S. and PA Refugee’s
Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians
Homepage: http://www.welcomingcenter.org/services/summary
- The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians connects newly arrived individuals from around the world with the economic opportunities that they need to succeed in the region. It is a centralized employment and referral center for the region’s growing immigrant community by promoting immigrant participation in the area’s political, social, and economic life.
Nationalities Service Center
Homepage: https://nscphila.org/about-us
- Nationalities Service Center prepares and empowers immigrants and refugees in the Philadelphia region to transcend challenging circumstances by providing comprehensive client-centered services to build a solid foundation for a self-sustaining and dignified future.
Catholic Charities
Homepage: http://www.cchbg.org/get-help/immigration-refugee-services/
- Locations in Allentown, Erie, Harrisburg, Altoona, Pittsburgh, Scranton, and Greensburg
- Immigration and Refugee Services
- Contact: Sara Beck
939 East Park Drive, Suite 102
Harrisburg, PA 17111
717-232-0568
shbeck@cchbg.org
- Contact: Sara Beck
- Refugee Employment Services
- Sinisa “Sasha” Jovic
939 East Park Drive, Suite 104
Harrisburg, PA 17111
717-232-0568
sjovic@cchbg.org
- Sinisa “Sasha” Jovic
- Refugee Resettlement Services
- Amy Strawser
939 East Park Drive, Suite 102
Harrisburg, PA 17111
717-232-0568
astrawser@cchbg.org
- Amy Strawser
- Immigration Legal Advising Services
- John Leedock
939 East Park Drive, Suite 102
Harrisburg, PA 17109
717-232-0568
jleedock@cchbg.org
- John Leedock
Church World Service Lancaster, PA
- Homepage: http://cwslancaster.org/
- With the help of local churches and volunteers, the CWS immigration and refugee office in Lancaster welcomes around 400 individuals each year to central Pennsylvania and aims to help the new arrivals adjust, become successful members of their local neighborhoods.
U.S. Communities for Refugees and Immigrants Erie, PA
- Homepage: http://refugees.org/field-office/erie/
- Part of a nationwide network that breaks through social, cultural, and economic barriers so previously interrupted lives can flourish.
- Dylanna Jackson, Director
517 East 26th Street
Erie, PA 15604
Phone: 814-452-3935
Email: info@uscri-erie.org
- Dylanna Jackson, Director
Resettlement Resources
- Church World Service Resettlement Program
- Valentina Ross
Resettlement Program Coordinator
Email: vross@cwsglobal.org
Phone: 717-381-2891 - Josh Digrugilliers
Housing Specialist
Email: jdigrugilliers@cwsglobal.org
Phone:717-358-9274
- Valentina Ross
- Department of Health and Human Services General Resources
- Information on refugee resources for: Housing, State Programs, Social Services, Migrant Grant Programs, Cash and Medical Programs, and Refugee Placement.
Education Resources
Citizenship Assistance
- Philadelphia Citizenship Action Network
- Step by Step Resource Guide to Citizenship Process
- HIAS Specialized Refugee Legal Services
- Immigration Law Training
Health Services
- Pennsylvania Refugee Health Program
- Refugee Program Factsheet
- Susan Johnston
Public Health Program Administrator Refugee Health Program Office of Health
Health & Welfare Building 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120
Email: sjohnston@pa.gov
Phone: 717-547-3313
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Philadelphia Refugee Health Program
- INSPIRE Health Care Program
- Immigrant Survivors Project
Community Integration and Culture
- Community Integration Orientation Events
- Orientations include: culture; personal and housing safety; financial literacy; transportation; weatherization and preparing for winter; geography of neighborhood and city; US money; emergency services and procedures; and American norms of personal interaction.
- Coalition of African and Caribbean Communities–Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Gardening Initiative
- Philadelphia Area Immigrant Event Page
- English Classes in Philadelphia for Refugees
- Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Refugee Farm Stand
- Pennsylvania Department of Education Refugee Program
- Somali Community in Central Pennsylvania
- Muslim Association of Lehigh Valley
- Islamic Community Center of Lancaster (Lancaster, PA)
Safety and Welfare Services
- Pennsylvania Anti-Human Trafficking Coalitions
- Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Coalition
- Bucks County Anti-Trafficking Coalition
- Delaware County Anti-Trafficking Coalition
- Montgomery County Anti-Trafficking Coalition
- Chester County Anti-Trafficking Coalition
- Anti-Discrimination Services
- Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services
- YWCA of York/York County
- YWCA of Hanover, Safe Home/York County
- SURVIVORS, Inc./Adams County
- Women in Need (WIN)/Franklin and Fulton Counties
- Domestic Violence Services/Lancaster County
- Lancaster YWCA
- Harrisburg YWCA/Dauphin County
- Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape
- PA Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Network (PAIRWN)
Legal and Financial Services
- PA Legal Services Directory
- Church World Services Legal Consultations
- Services are by appointment only. To make an appointment call (717) 358-9728. The consultation fee is $35.
- PSECU WalletWorks
- Homepage: www.psecu.com/walletworks
- Interactive website with video and printable resources for navigating the financial world for first-time bankers. Information and resources available about financial literacy, investment, loans, etc…
Employment Resources
- Major PA Employers by Region
- Legal Advice for Refugee Employment
- Refugee Employment and Advanced Program (REAP)
- Department of Health and Human Services Employment Resources
- Refugees seeking employment in the United States can face many difficulties ranging from understanding hiring processes, to needing new certifications and credentials, to discrimination. The following resources provide information on how to address these difficulties.
- Employment Placement and Education Program with HIAS
- Catholic Charities Employment Program
- Sinisa “Sasha” Jovic
Refugee Employment Services
Email:sjovic@cchbg.org
Phone:717-232-0568
- Sinisa “Sasha” Jovic
- Church World Services Employment Program
- Besy Carcamo
Employment Program Coordinator
Email: bcarcamo@cwsglobal.org
Phone: 717-358-9397
- Besy Carcamo
