Sisters of Saint Joseph Welcome Center
How Our Mission Unfolds
The Welcome Center is committed to community and education. Through the generosity of our volunteer teachers, we offer in-person and online classes in Literacy and Citizenship. Our classes provide opportunities for students to develop and sharpen their language skills, as well as grow in self-confidence while interacting with our team, other immigrants, and volunteers alike.
Literacy
We offer various levels of Literacy classes, beginning with entry, basic, intermediate, and progressing to advanced conversation with reading and writing. The emphasis is on speaking and listening with an integration of practical life scenarios and skills.
For the 2023-2024 school year, we have forty Literacy classes with forty-two volunteer teachers.
“I have learned so much from the people at the Welcome Center. I am especially grateful for their patience in teaching me English.”
~ B from the Dominican Republic
“The Welcome Center has become our family who have been through thick and thin with us. Not only have they taught us to function in the language, they have given us love. Blessings to all the Sisters and the staff that work there. They are wonderful beings.”
~ A and D from Venezuela
Citizenship/Immigration
Our Citizenship classes help students prepare for the naturalization process and ready themselves for the personal interview. Class topics include American history, civics, and geography with an added emphasis on pronunciation skills.
For the 2023-2024 school year, we have twenty Citizenship classes with eighteen volunteer teachers.
The Sisters of Saint Joseph Welcome Center is also recognized by the Department of Justice as a nonprofit organization authorized to provide immigration legal services. We offer immigration services throughout the year to help prevent abuse of vulnerable populations and assist immigrants who otherwise would not be able to afford legal assistance.
We assist with matters such as citizenship/naturalization, permanent resident card renewals, petitions for family members, and adjustment of status. For more information about the immigration services we provide, please contact us at 215 634 1696.
Visit the resources linked to learn more about immigration so to be an informed ally to the immigrant community.
As of February 2024, we have accompanied 353 friends through the naturalization process to become citizens!
“I am from Haiti and have been in the United States since 1990. After studying many years at the Welcome Center I became a U.S. Citizen.”
~ J from Haiti
“I called the Welcome Center when I retired and spoke to Sister Marian. After co-teaching with another volunteer, I taught my own Literacy class. I now teach a class for adults pursuing American citizenship.”
~ T, volunteer teacher for over ten years
Outreach
In keeping with the spirit of Saint Joseph, “that all people may be united with God and with one another,” outreach at the Welcome Center often expands beyond our walls here at 728 E. Allegheny Avenue. Local parishes, high schools, colleges, other sponsored ministries of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, and private donors partner with us throughout the year to help us meet the needs of both our immigrant friends and our fellow Kensington residents. We view outreach through the lens of relationships that are invested in community-building. It is an honor to accompany both our students and our neighbors, to listen to their stories, be present to their experiences, and work with them to help meet their needs.
“I want the Welcome Center to continue making connections with all kinds of people despite race, color, or religion. Please continue welcoming all with openness and love.”
~ M from Honduras
“The Welcome Center will continue because word is out. Friends and neighbors will continue to spread the word. Remember that it’s more than just learning English… you make friends with similar stories. The Welcome Center is a safe haven.“
~ J and P, Sisters of Saint Joseph and former teammates of the Welcome Center