Friday, May 3, 2024

The Open Space The REACH Center

tacoma community house

The city boasts a lively arts scene, with numerous theaters, museums, and music venues. The food scene is noteworthy too, offering a plethora of international cuisines and a celebrated coffee culture. The Seattle, WA metro area, nestled in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, is a place where nature and city life blend beautifully. It's surrounded by water, with Puget Sound to the west and Lake Washington to the east, while the Cascade and Olympic Mountains provide a stunning backdrop. This setting offers both urban amenities and natural beauty, making it a unique place to live.

Education Services Offered

Tacoma Community House provides electronic access to our 990s for those who are interested in the financial strength of our organization.

Immigration Services Manager

Khuu started volunteering with migrant farm working communities more than 25 years ago, and she said this work catalyzed a passion within her for social justice and a learning journey to better understanding her role as a global citizen. We do not disclose our Crime Victim Advocacy team members for their safety and security. If you have experienced a crime, please e-mail to request an appointment or speak with the next available Advocate. Once you are the beneficiary of an approved immigrant petition and an immigrant visa number is immediately available to you, there are two ways to apply for lawful permanent resident status (a Green Card). Department of State consulate abroad for an immigrant visa in order to come to the United States and be admitted as a permanent resident.

Make an Appointment

In 1923, the agency began offering English classes to newly-arrived Filipino immigrants and workshops for immigrants who needed to get their citizenship papers. TCH achieved many “firsts” during this prosperous time — from organizing Tacoma’s first baby clinic and kindergarten class, to hiring the city’s first African American teacher. Built as a Settlement House to serve Tacoma’s Italian and Scandinavian communities, it evolved with the neighborhood’s changing needs and became a prominent center for immigrants of all backgrounds.

Tacoma Community House offers a range of language and literacy programs from adult basic education classes to GED preparation to English Language Acquisition. We have staff that speak Spanish, Thai, Khmer, Laotian, German, Ukrainian, Russian, Vietnamese, Japanese. We can provide services to any clients that speak any language through our translation service partnerships. We are a pathway to change leading to generations of self-sufficient people and a region welcoming of immigrants and refugees. A one-stop youth service center for young people seeking to advance their educational, career, and life goals. Tacoma Community House’s English classes help adults improve their English listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

Development and Communications

Now that the pandemic has subsided and gatherings are happening again, TCH is anticipating upward of 500 guests for its annual luncheon coming April 28 at Hotel Murano. Tacoma Community House has a profile in the community for providing high-quality services to people in need. Our annual reports highlight the clients we serve and the successes we facilitate. Please explore these publications and learn more about how we make a difference in the lives of people every day. We help to make Pierce County a stronger community by following our “Housing First” model, which believes in the power of providing  the basic need of safe and stable housing. We connect our participants to education, employment, and like skill development resources to ensure a successful life after program graduation.

Housing

A special Ukrainian Relief Fund was established in December last year and, thanks to generous community members, TCH’s year-end campaign for this fund exceeded the $100,000 goal by an additional $30,000. The public can still help by donating gift cards to the fund at tacomacommunityhouse.org/ukrainian-relief-fund. Khuu described TCH as "the best kept secret in the Pacific Northwest” as a one-stop shop providing immigrants and refugees access to legal services and educational programs that meet their specific needs to support them on their journey. Tacoma Community House embodies the power of hope, creating a lifeline in which a trusted advocate stands alongside members of our community; in those moments when they most need critical support. We serve more than 3,000 individuals annually, providing life-changing legal, education, employment, advocacy, housing, and wraparound services.

Our passion and motivation for change is only one thread to the story of hope – this story can only continue to be written together with YOU. For TCH’s family of dedicated and compassionate staff, "I want TCH to be the best place that they’ve ever worked at,” Khuu said. "We have incredible staff members who serve the community with so much love and care and I want to make sure we hold them up. Opening its doors in 1910, for 113 years Tacoma Community House has been a haven and source of support for immigrants of all backgrounds, and over the years evolved to embrace homeless youth as well. Now in a new chapter in its storied history, TCH has welcomed a new executive director following the departure of Lauren Walker Lee in 2021 after her three years of excellent leadership. For some, earning their GED® is a goal, while others want to increase their skills before entering a local community college. Many students who enroll in the program often go on to further their education or improve their employment standing.

Though the name suggests a very local ministry, their approach is to assist a wide variety of people and needs. About 70% of those participating in the language and citizenship classes are Ukrainian! They can also receive pro bono and low bono legal assistance when navigating the legal hurdles to citizenship. You could meet with a small group for about 10 minutes and engage in conversation with them. You would get a list of vocabulary words they are studying and talk to them about their culture, their struggles, how they are adapting to their new situation, and so on. What a personal way to experience the life of one of our newest residents!

If you are experiencing homelessness, The REACH Center is here to support you in finding a home and employment that will allow you to be self-sufficient. Through our ACT Program we provide individualized case management support for youth ages who are dealing with homelessness. What an exciting time to get involved in the ministries and mission of Tacoma Community House! I had the privilege of meeting with the new Executive Director, Aimee Khuu, recently. She comes to the organization with a wealth of administrative and organizational skills from the Providence Hospital system. Her father was an immigrant from Vietnam and she has lived int that country as an ESL teacher and volunteer.

Washington State Courts Washington Courts - Washington State Courts

Washington State Courts Washington Courts.

Posted: Sat, 25 Jan 2020 09:08:13 GMT [source]

An advocate of immigrant and human rights, Khuu serves on the board of directors for Southwest Youth & Family Services, an organization committed to providing resources for low-income families and youth. This grant is a further step toward the transition to clean energy at the Port of Seattle. The REACH Center serves Pierce County youth ages 12-24, through resource navigation related to employment, education, housing, advocacy, and counseling. Life in the United States is challenging for people who do not speak English.

Tacoma Community House is a nationally-respected, community-based service center for immigrants, refugees, and long-time South Sound residents seeking enrichment and pathways to self-sufficiency. For 111 years, we have helped thousands of immigrants, refugees, low-income, and underserved individuals who come to us yearly for assistance from over one hundred different countries of origin. Tacoma Community House is a nationally-respected, community-based service center for immigrants, refugees, and long-time South Sound residents seeking enrichment and pathways to self-sufficiency. For 110 years, we have helped countless individuals gain the skills they need to transition out of poverty, navigate a new culture, and find personal and professional success. For over 110 years, we have helped countless individuals gain the skills they need to transition out of poverty, navigate a new culture, and find personal and professional success.

Over one million immigrants arrive in the United States each year, and many need assistance navigating the naturalization process. Our team of Department of Justice (D.O.J.) Accredited Immigration Specialists and trained instructors have partnered with the Pierce County Library System to host Citizenship Classes to prepare you for your citizenship interview and civics exam. The organization changed its name to Tacoma Community House in 1922 and continued to develop new services as community needs shifted. Living in Seattle offers a lifestyle filled with outdoor and cultural activities. Residents enjoy hiking, skiing, and boating thanks to the nearby mountains and waterways.

tacoma community house

The community is politically active, championing causes from LGBTQ+ rights to climate change action. H4S is a City & County funded Rapid Re-Housing program composed of various organizations that provide housing navigation,  subsidized housing, and case management to unaccompanied youth and homeless young adults ages (16-24). Since 1910, TCH’s mission to advance inclusion, self-sufficiency, and advocacy has supported the growth and unity of our community.

For homeless youth, TCH partners with other providers like the Beacon Young Adult Shelter in Tacoma and also integrated the REACH Center into TCH after being one of the founding partners. REACH Center programs include education, employment, housing, counseling and advocacy for youth years of age to help them achieve success and reach their life goals. REACH’s 10 peer outreach specialists, all with lived experience, meet one-on-one with homeless youth (many BIPOC and LGBTQ2+) at encampments, shelters, and vehicles.

No comments:

Post a Comment

How to Get Rid of Clothes Moths

Table Of Content Launder Before You Store Natural DIY Remedies to Get Rid of Pill Bugs Case-Bearing Clothes Moth (Tinea pellionella) How to ...