Our Mission
Welcoming the Stranger is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing free classes in English as a Second Language (ESL), computer skills, and United States citizenship exam preparation to adult immigrants and refugees. Our mission is to help our students successfully integrate into their communities and thrive both socially and economically.
Welcoming the Stranger's online and in-person classes are open to immigrants and refugees eighteen years of age and older who live in Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Lehigh and Northampton Counties in Pennsylvania, and Burlington, Hunterdon and Mercer Counties in New Jersey, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin. Our in-person classes are typically held in Bensalem, Doylestown, Hatboro, Langhorne, Levittown, Morrisville, Richboro, and Warminster in PA and in Lambertville, NJ.
What Our Students Are Saying
Tanya M., Ukraine
I would like to thank our teachers from the morning classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Hatboro and Southampton. For the knowledge they give us, but even more for their friendliness, sincerity, willingness to help and a great sense of humor. I enjoy going to classes and meeting with them. Thank you for organizing such a wonderful opportunity to gain knowledge and communicate with Americans.”
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Ekatarina B., Belarus
I started with Welcoming the Stranger in 2015 and found an amazing group that became my family. In 2017 I took Citizenship classes and became a US citizen. I continued with my conversation classes, meeting new people from different cultures and countries. During the pandemic. I realize that I needed to improve my computer skills for helping my children at home. My teacher is very patience and guides me through Word, Power Point, Internet safety and Excel. Thank you, Welcoming the Stranger Organization and their teachers.
Magally R, Costa Rica
​Thank you to Welcoming the Stranger for all the support I've received in my English classes. I've learned a lot, especially with my speaking skills. I know this program should always be available, and I'm grateful to the donors and volunteers who make this program available free of charge. Those who teach do so with great love and dedication, and the strategies they use are well-suited to any learning level.