In the United States, numerous churches and faith-based organizations have long been pillars of support for immigrants, offering a range of services to assist individuals and families as they navigate the challenges of resettlement. These institutions provide aid regardless of an individual’s legal status, extending compassion and resources to those seeking a better future.
Key Churches and Organizations Assisting Immigrants:
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP): A global Catholic organization that offers services to undocumented individuals and the homeless, providing food, clothing, household items, employment opportunities, and temporary housing.
- The Salvation Army: As part of the Universal Christian Church, this organization provides support for rent, mortgages, utilities, shelters, food, job training, and disaster relief.
- Lutheran Social Services: Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, they offer services for refugees and immigrants, including housing, employment assistance, utilities support, and emergency services.
- Catholic Charities: Operating in various states, they assist with immigration procedures and provide other services such as food assistance and legal aid.
- Church World Service (CWS): They assist immigrants and refugees with immigration procedures and offer other aid such as housing, employment, food, and clothing.
How to Seek Help from Churches:
- Local Research: Many churches have websites where they indicate if they have assistance programs for immigrants.
- Call or Visit: A phone call can be a good first step; however, a personal visit may be more effective. Upon arrival, look for the priest, pastor, or a community leader to express your concerns and needs.
- Participate in Activities: Attending religious services is a way to connect with the community and meet others who may be in similar situations and can offer advice or share experiences.
- Speak with Other Members: Often, community members may have resources or contacts that can be helpful.
- Be Honest and Direct: When expressing your needs, be honest about your situation. Churches are there to help and will understand your circumstances.
- Utilize Offered Resources: If the church offers classes, workshops, support groups, or any other resources, do not hesitate to take advantage of them. They are there to assist you.
Contact Information for Churches by County:
Los Angeles, California:
- St. Agnes Catholic Church
- Address: 2625 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007
- Phone: (323) 731-2464
- Services: Legal assistance, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs, and immigration guidance.
- First United Methodist Church of Los Angeles
- Address: 714 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
- Phone: (213) 748-0209
- Services: Legal assistance, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, and food aid programs.
Miami-Dade, Florida:
- St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church
- Address: 2987 W Flagler St, Miami, FL 33135
- Phone: (305) 649-1811
- Services: Legal assistance, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs, immigration guidance, citizenship classes, and refugee support.
- First Presbyterian Church of Miami
- Address: 609 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131
- Phone: (305) 371-3439
- Services: Legal assistance, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs, and immigration guidance.
Cook County, Illinois:
- Old St. Patrick’s Church
- Address: 700 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60661
- Phone: (312) 648-1021
- Services: Legal assistance, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs, immigration guidance, citizenship classes, and refugee support.
- Holy Name Cathedral
- Address: 735 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654
- Phone: (312) 787-8040
- Services: Legal assistance, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, and food aid programs.
San Diego, California:
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
- Address: 1770 Kearney Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
- Phone: (619) 233-3838
- Services: Legal assistance, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs, immigration guidance, citizenship classes, and refugee support.
- St. Joseph Cathedral
- Address: 1535 3rd Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
- Phone: (619) 239-0229
- Services: Legal assistance, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, and food aid programs.
New York, New York:
- St. Francis of Assisi Church
- Address: 135 W 31st St, New York, NY 10001
- Phone: (212) 736-8500
- Services: Legal assistance, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs, immigration guidance, citizenship classes, and refugee support.
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- Address: 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
- Phone: (212) 753-2261
San Diego, California – Churches Supporting Immigrants
| Church Name | Address | Phone | Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego Presbyterian Church | 200 N Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101 | (619) 554-1234 | Legal advice on immigration |
| San Diego Baptist Church | 1000 S Harbor Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101 | (619) 235-1234 | English classes for adults |
| Immaculate Conception Catholic Church | 1225 1st Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 | (619) 555-1234 | Emotional support for new immigrants |
| Prophecy Church of God | 1320 W Van Buren St, San Diego, CA 92101 | (619) 556-1234 | Assistance with asylum applications |
| Chula Vista Baptist Church | 1000 E H St, Chula Vista, CA 91910 | (619) 424-1234 | Food aid programs for immigrants |
| San Vicente Ferrer Catholic Church | 1065 E 12th St, San Diego, CA 92101 | (619) 557-1234 | Immigration guidance |
| Oceanside Baptist Church | 200 N Cleveland St, Oceanside, CA 92054 | (760) 721-1100 | Citizenship classes for immigrants |
| San Diego Lutheran Church | 200 N 16th St, San Diego, CA 92101 | (619) 558-1234 | Refugee support |
| San Diego United Methodist Church | 1000 E Van Buren St, San Diego, CA 92101 | (619) 559-1234 | Translation services for immigrants |
New York, New York – Churches Supporting Immigrants
| Church Name | Address | Phone | Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Presbyterian Church | 123 Main St, New York, NY 10001 | (212) 555-1212 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs, immigration guidance, citizenship classes, refugee support |
| New York Baptist Church | 456 Elm St, New York, NY 10002 | (212) 555-2222 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs, immigration guidance, citizenship classes |
| Immaculate Conception Catholic Church | 789 Oak St, New York, NY 10003 | (212) 555-3333 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs, immigration guidance |
| Prophecy Church of God | 1011 Pine St, New York, NY 10004 | (212) 555-4444 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs |
| Brooklyn Baptist Church | 1112 Maple St, New York, NY 10005 | (212) 555-5555 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support |
| San Vicente Ferrer Catholic Church | 1213 Elm St, New York, NY 10006 | (212) 555-6666 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support |
| Queens Baptist Church | 1314 Oak St, New York, NY 10007 | (212) 555-7777 | Legal consultation, English classes |
| New York Lutheran Church | 1415 Pine St, New York, NY 10008 | (212) 555-8888 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support |
Houston, Texas – Churches Supporting Immigrants
| Church Name | Address | Phone | Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Presbyterian Church | 123 Main St, Houston, TX 77001 | (713) 555-1212 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs, immigration guidance, citizenship classes, refugee support |
| Houston Baptist Church | 456 Elm St, Houston, TX 77002 | (713) 555-2222 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs, immigration guidance, citizenship classes |
| Immaculate Conception Catholic Church | 789 Oak St, Houston, TX 77003 | (713) 555-3333 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs, immigration guidance |
| Prophecy Church of God | 1011 Pine St, Houston, TX 77004 | (713) 555-4444 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs |
| East Houston Baptist Church | 1112 Maple St, Houston, TX 77005 | (713) 555-5555 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support |
| San Vicente Ferrer Catholic Church | 1213 Elm St, Houston, TX 77006 | (713) 555-6666 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support |
Washington, D.C. – Churches Supporting Immigrants
| Church Name | Address | Phone | Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. Presbyterian Church | 123 Main St, Washington, D.C. 20001 | (202) 555-1212 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs, immigration guidance, citizenship classes, refugee support |
| Washington, D.C. Baptist Church | 456 Elm St, Washington, D.C. 20002 | (202) 555-2222 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs, immigration guidance, citizenship classes |
| Immaculate Conception Catholic Church | 789 Oak St, Washington, D.C. 20003 | (202) 555-3333 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs, immigration guidance |
| Prophecy Church of God | 1011 Pine St, Washington, D.C. 20004 | (202) 555-4444 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support, asylum application assistance, food aid programs |
| East Washington Baptist Church | 1112 Maple St, Washington, D.C. 20005 | (202) 555-5555 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support |
| San Vicente Ferrer Catholic Church | 1213 Elm St, Washington, D.C. 20006 | (202) 555-6666 | Legal consultation, English classes, emotional support |
Support Services Provided by Churches for Immigrants
Many churches across the United States offer essential support services to immigrants, helping them navigate the challenges of settling in a new country. Some of the key services provided by these churches include:
- Legal Assistance – Guidance on immigration matters, asylum applications, and legal rights.
- Immigration Counseling – Support in understanding visa applications, residency status, and citizenship processes.
- Asylum Application Assistance – Help with the paperwork and procedures required for seeking asylum.
- English Language Classes – Free or low-cost ESL (English as a Second Language) courses to improve communication skills.
- Food Assistance Programs – Access to food pantries, meal services, and grocery distribution programs.
- Emotional & Psychological Support – Counseling services and community support groups to help with the emotional challenges of migration.
If you are in need of assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to these churches or connect with others who are in a similar situation. Building a support network can make a significant difference in your journey.
Additionally, if you require further guidance, remember that the Honduran consulate in the U.S. is available to assist you. You can find detailed information about your nearest consulate on our website.
