Free Resources For Immigrants In Seattle

Last Updated on November 2, 2019 by Estrella

Yesterday, I went to an event filled with service providers for immigrants. What an eye opener! There are services I didn’t even know about that are free to immigrants. There are also some that cost based on income. Many of the services are for individuals with lower income. However, there are free education events that are open to all. In this article, I’ll share some of the free resources for immigrants in Seattle.

For immigrants needing free resources

Legal advice

Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP) provides free, high-quality civil legal services to people who cannot afford legal help. Since 1989, ELAP has been helping thousands of vulnerable residents by providing free legal services. Their website is http://www.elap.org/ .

ELAP has a team of volunteer attorneys and full-time staff attorneys to assist low-income families and individuals who live in Northeast, East, and Southeast King County, as well as to survivors of domestic violence in King County.

Their volunteer attorneys prepare wills and powers of attorney for clients. ELAP provides witnesses and notary public services at the time of signing.

On November 21, from 5:30 – 7 pm, ELAP is holding a workshop on Immigration Law at Stevenson Elementary. Address is 14220 NE 8th St., Bellevue. Receive free legal advice from expert lawyers on significant law and regulations surrounding immigration and how they affect you.

Healthcare

The Health Home Program can make things go more smoothly between your medical and social service support. This may help you make fewer visits to hospitals and emergency rooms. They support your health, overall well-being, as well as self-care. Their service is free.

If you are a Medicaid client, if you have a serious chronic condition, and if you are at risk for a second one, they can help you. Their phone number is 800.562.3022.

Another organization that provides free services is Care Net of Puget Sound. Their website is https://carenetps.org/ . Care Net offers free pregnancy tests, parenting classes, STD screening, limited ultrasounds, sex education, baby supplies, and referrals. They have a 24/7 helpline. 1.877.668.2566.

Care Net offers first trimester class, childbirth education, parenting class (both group classes and 1-on-1 mentoring) community referrals and resources, and men’s programming.

Again, the service is free.

If you find yourself facing aging or disability issues, Community Living Connections can help you figure out the kind of assistance that meets your needs. Older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers, family members, and professionals can call them at 844.348.5464. All calls are confidential.

Services provided by Community Living Connections includes assistance accessing community services. For example, state and federal benefits, nutrition programs, family caregiver programs, minor home repairs, volunteer transportation, just to name a few. Here is their website. https://www.communitylivingconnections.org/wecanhelp/

Support for caregivers

The Family Caregiver Support Program provides support services in various ways to the primary caregiver of a relative or friend. Caregivers need to be taken care of. Former First Lady Rosalyn Carter wrote about this long ago. The program indirectly enables the person receiving care to remain in their own home and keep their independence by supporting the caregiver, so they are not stressed out. This includes getting a break or a day off.

A FCSP coordinator works with each caregiver to develop a support plan that meets their specific needs.

Most of the services are free. The Family Caregiver Support Program is provided by Jewish Family Services with funding from the City of Seattle Aging and Disability Services. And they are offered to everyone regardless of religion or financial status. The phone number is 206.861.8790. Here is a link to their website. https://www.caregiver.org/family-caregiver-support-program-fcsp-35

Stability and Self-sufficienty

Bellevue Life Spring is one of the organizations that help families and individuals achieve stability and self-sufficiency. They help families and their children by providing food, clothing, education, and emergency assistance.

One example is providing meals and snacks when schools are on break.

For clothing help, they provide gift cards for new back-to-school clothes. Also, scholarships for high school seniors and college students. And they have summer school scholarships for high school students.

There is holiday food and gifts assistance, as well as emergency bags of food and basic needs items.

To prevent eviction, they help with rent. And also helps with move-in assistance.

Their website is https://www.bellevuelifespring.org/ . Phone number is 425.451.1175.

These are just a few of the organization providing free assistance. If you know of someone who needs help in any of these areas, please share the information with them. Sometimes, one helping hand is all it takes to help someone take the next step.

If you find this article helpful, here is one on Where can I volunteer in Seattle.

Estrella Chan coaches immigrants and international professionals in English fluency, interview skills, and public speaking.    To schedule a session with her, please email support@englisharoundtheworld.com