Immigration and Refugee Services

Catholic Charities English as a Second Language (ESL) services are the best in the region. Classes are offered virtually, accommodating the varying schedules of our clients by offering both day and evening classes. With those new to the country, finding childcare can be challenging. By offering virtual classes, that challenge is solved.

ESL classes are offered at various learning levels from beginner to intermediate, covering a variety of functional topics such as workplace language. Low literacy tutoring programs are offered as needed.

Catholic Charities serves individuals who speak more than 40 different languages in our classes.

Empowering Women for Success is a specialized program specifically designed to assist women with the transition to the United States. Women have unique needs related to understanding the culture in the United States. We offer educational opportunities, learning social skills and a diaper and personal hygiene program.

Imagine what it might be like to arrive in a new community with no home and you must start from the very beginning. You have to buy everything. When client families arrive, they come with only the clothes on their back and a suitcase. They have no comforts, furniture, or basics. We offer them a Welcome Kit to get them started on the right foot. These welcome kits contain essentials that we use every day and serve as the start of getting their home stocked. The kits are also an easy way for individuals or groups to be involved with our program by collecting these items for our families.

Click the link below to see the types of items we need for our Welcome Kits.

The ESL Mentoring Program pairs a select group of English students with trained volunteer mentors who guide them in setting a career goal and support them in working toward their goal. Examples of goals include securing job upgrades, identifying career pathways, investigating certificate/training programs, navigating the US workplace, and starting a small business.

By pairing our advanced students with volunteer mentors, we hope to give students the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to meet challenges beyond the ESL classroom.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer mentor, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Katie Martin-Momose at 717-329-6139.