About Welcoming the Stranger
Welcoming the Stranger is an educational non-profit that offers free classes in English as a Second Language (ESL), computer skills, and United States citizenship exam preparation to adult immigrants and refugees in the Philadelphia metro region.
Founded in 1999, Welcoming the Stranger has taught over 5,700 students from 112 different countries. Welcoming the Stranger is a fully independent, IRS-approved, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Financial support comes from individuals, places of worship, and local businesses, as well as grants from area foundations, which allows all programs to remain free of charge for students.
Mobilizing up to 100 volunteers, we offer more than twenty classes each term. Classes are held both day and evening. Over the past several years, classes have been offered virtually and in Bensalem, Doylestown, Hatboro, Lambertville, Langhorne, Levittown, Morrisville, Richboro, Southampton, and Warminster. Classes are often located in churches and community centers. There is no cost to the student for any of the classes.
Our Mission Statement:
Welcoming the Stranger provides free classes in English, Computer Skills, and Citizenship Preparation for adult immigrants and refugees in Bucks County and surrounding areas, encouraging connections to community and country.
OUR CLASSES
Welcoming the Stranger offers English, Citizenship Preparation, and Computer Skills classes. All of our classes are free to all of our students. Students may enroll in more than one class at a time. Classes are offered to all students regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin.
Computer Classes:
Computer classes are provided for those who want to gain or improve their computer skills. We teach basic skills such as internet searching, computer care, how to access e-mail, and computer security, as well as more advanced skills including how to use Microsoft, how to download programs, and how to create resumes and apply for jobs online.
English Classes:
Classes in English are provided to beginner, intermediate, and advanced students and include reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, as well as American cultural traditions and etiquette. Students are given ample opportunity for direct interaction with their instructors and are able to work on different leveled lessons in small groups. Our English classes are highly personalized and curriculum is adjusted to meet the needs and goals of the students in the course.
U.S. Citizenship Preparation:
Citizenship Preparation classes are provided to anyone who wishes to become an American, whether they are just gathering information, have an application in process, or have secured a citizenship interview. Students study questions for the U.S. Naturalization Exam as they practice their English skills for their interview.
BEYOND CLASS
Welcoming the Stranger is a global family that starts in our classes and extends beyond academic learning. We offer valuable resources to our students to help them establish life in a new country. By working with over 50 partner organizations in the community, we provide students with connections to jobs, childcare, healthcare, housing, food security, and social outlets so that our immigrant families can build a support system here in America.
Workshops
Welcoming the Stranger offers multiple workshops each term on topics such as: Nutrition, Financial Literacy, Voter Registration, Know Your Rights, Talking to the Doctor, Legal Clinics, and more.
Many workshops are held within our classes to provide convenient access to students, though outside immigrant attendees are welcome. Some workshops are conducted by WTS staff and others are presented by our community partners.
Community Building
We believe that building a community and developing support systems can make all the difference in adjusting to live in a new country. Our organization strives to build connections - both connecting people to resources and connecting students to each other and to native English speaking Americans. Our students have formed mother’s groups, book clubs, and social clubs with each other and with our American volunteers. We have run mentoring programs connecting immigrants with Americans for social and cultural interaction, and long-lasting friendships have developed from these personal interactions. Our volunteers and staff have advocated for our students, attending serious meetings like parent/teacher conferences and immigration court visits with students, as well as forming life-long connections that result in fun gatherings like attending our students’ children’s birthday parties, participating in students’ weddings, or becoming godparents to a students’ new baby.
“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. I look forward to January. Thank you for organizing such a wonderful opportunity to gain knowledge and communicate with Americans.”
Welcoming the Stranger was honored to be immortalized in song by musician Dan May https://www.danmaycd.com
Click above to hear the song inspired by our work! Welcoming the Stranger · Dan May Heartland ℗ 2015
Important Documents: IRS Determination Letter
990 forms are available on request.