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 — or PA as the residents call it — their new home!
*The information posted on this guide may include hyperlinks to information created and maintained by other public or private organizations for which we are not responsible.
- The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services leads a Refugee Resettlement Program to help refugees and their families.
- 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
- HIAS Pennsylvania
- The Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition published a Welcoming Schools Toolkit to provide information about the student services available to schools, communities, and families.
- Child Care Works
- If you are looking for help to pay childcare expenses, or if you need help figuring out how to care for and educate your young child, Child Care Works can help.
- Find Childcare options here
- Headstart
- Head Start is primarily a federally funded program that provides education, health and social services to families with children aged 3, 4, and 5
- Information about K-12 education
- PA Refugee Education Program
- Pennsylvania State Refugee Employment Resources
- Refugee Career Pathways Program
- Department of Health and Human Services Employment Resources
- Refugee Welcome Collective
- 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
- Nationalities Service Center
- Hello Neighbor – Pittsburgh
There are a variety of free and/or low-cost health care resources available to people who are uninsured, underinsured, or economically disadvantaged. The federal and non-profit organizations listed below may provide or help cover a range of medical, dental, pharmacy, vision, and/or behavioral health services.
- Free Clinic Association of Pennsylvania are safety-net health care organizations that utilize a volunteer/staff model to provide a range of health services.
Federal Health Insurance Marketplace
Pennie helps people find affordable health insurance. Depending on your immigration status, you may be eligible for coverage through Pennie. Visit Pennie’s resources for immigrants to find out what income and immigration statuses qualify for Pennie coverage.
- PA Legal Services Directory
- List of Pennsylvania Immigration Legal Aid & Pro Bono Services
- 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…
- Monthly Budget Tool
- Coalition of African and Caribbean Communities–Philadelphia
- Local & Online Events HIASPA
- English Classes in Philadelphia for Refugees
- Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia
- Somali Community in Central Pennsylvania
- Muslim Association of Lehigh Valley
- Carlisle PA Islamic Center
- ESL Classes in Carlisle, PA
- Pennsylvania Anti-Human Trafficking Coalitions
- 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)
Multicultural Community Resource Center (Erie, PA)
- Offers programs and resources for Refugees in the region
Pennsylvania Immigrant and Citizenship Coalition
- Resources: Capacity Building; Civic Engagement; Deportation/Detention; Education; Federal Legislation; Health Care; Language Access; Legal Education & Services; Pennsylvania Legislation.
Pennsylvania Refugee Resettlement Program
- 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