The Immigrant Rights Program at American Friends Service Commitee integrates legal services, advocacy, and organizing, providing legal representation in challenging immigration cases and also ensuring that immigrant voices in New Jersey and beyond are heard in policy debates. The program responds to myths about immigrants through presentations and media work.
CONTACT
Chia-Chia Wang, Nicole Miller
89 Market Street, 6th Floor
Newark, NJ 07102
973-643-1924
Fax: 973-741-2702
irpnewark@afsc.org
Services all of Essex County.
The ASPIRA NJ Evening Reporting Center Program (ERC) continues to provide services for our clients during New Jersey’s Shelter-In-Place restrictions. Traditionally, ERC serves as an alternative to incarceration for juveniles between the ages 14-18 as these juveniles await their court hearings.
ASPIRA ERC provides educational support, meals, case management, a in-house boxing program, in-house recording studio, recreational activities outside of the program, and life skills workshops. These life skills workshops provide our clients with cognitive-behavioral awareness tools, job readiness skills, and educational enrichment strategies that they need to be successful citizens.
For additional information, contact Isaac Medina at 973-484-7554.
Available to all Essex County residents.
976 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102
Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
P: 973-733-3516
F:973-733-9631
Immigration Assistance Program
“Immigrants are our brothers and sisters.” ~Pope Francis
Direct Representation
Catholic Charities provides low costand pro bono legal assistance in all phases of immigration and naturalization proceedings, including removal defense (asylum, cancellation of removal, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status), family petitions, waivers of inadmissibility, humanitarian applications (VAWA, U visa, T visa), TPS, DACA, and naturalization. All cases are handled by an attorney or Department of Justice Accredited Representative. Program staff are also available to provide educational workshops on immigration law and current immigration issues.
Children & Youth
With funding from NJ DHS, we offer free legal representation and case management services to unaccompanied children and similarly situated youth in New Jersey.
Naturalization Assistance
In partnership with Jewish Vocational Services, we provide free naturalization application assistance and interview preparation.
For more information, please email us at immigration@ccannj.org.
Legal Orientation Program for Custodians (LOPC)
LOPC connects sponsors of unaccompanied minors with critical information about Immigration Court proceedings, medical and mental health services, school registration, and community youth programs. Sponsors participate in a 90-minute presentation, including a Q&A session, leave with a packet of resources, and receive a follow-up check-in phone call the week after the orientation. LOPC staff can be reached at LOPC@ccannj.org.
Immigration Court Helpdesk (ICH) and Family Group Legal Orientation Program (FGLOP)
For unrepresented individuals and families in removal proceedings, these programs offer group and individual orientations on court procedures, options for relief, and the rights and responsibilities of pro se litigants. Families on the Dedicated Docket in Newark can contact FGLOP@ccannj.org for more information. The Immigration Court Helpdesk can be reached at ICH@ccannj.org. Walk-in services are available at the Newark Immigration Court Monday – Thursday from 9 – 12, and at our office Monday – Thursday from 9 – 4.
Safe Release Support
The Safe Release Support Program helps reunite migrant children with their families in the United States. Catholic Charities offers family members with crucial assistance in the background check process and provides referrals for legal assistance, medical and mental health services, and other social services for both the sponsoring family members and the children they receive.
For more information, please contact fingerprints@ccannj.org.
Refugee Social Services
“Jesus was a refugee. [He] had to flee to save his life.”
~Pope Francis
Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)
RCA is a federal cash assistance program for refugee populations who are not otherwise eligible for direct financial assistance, including Cuban/Haitian entrants, asylees, refugees, and victims of human trafficking. Catholic Charities assists RCA clients in accessing available cash assistance, applying for benefits, accessing medical care, and developing longer-term plans for self-sufficiency.
For more information about RCA eligibility, please call (201) 407-7713 or email refugee@ccannj.org.
Refugee Support Services (RSS)
RSS helps refugees gain economic independence and integrate into local communities by helping to find and maintain employment and addressing barriers to employment including English language instruction, child care, and access to legal services.
For more information, please call (201) 306-1338 or email refugee@ccannj.org.
Refugee School Impact (RSI)
The Refugee School Impact program assists newly-arrived families enroll their children in school and access academic programs and resources.
For more information about refugee social service programming, please email refugee@ccannj.org.
Available to anyone throughout Essex County.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children of Essex County believes that children in foster care deserve the opportunity to thrive and works to ensure that every child is placed in a safe, and permanent home as quickly as possible.
CASA works towards this goal by recruiting, training, and supervising dedicated volunteer advocates to speak for a child’s best interests in court, at school, and in the community as well as ensure their needs remain a priority in an overburdened child welfare system.
Services available for children throughout Essex County.
Provides legal and advocacy services, training, education and related activities to persons with disabilities.
Founded in 1976, the Community Health Law Project (CHLP) is a New Jersey statewide not-for-profit advocacy and legal service organization which provides legal representation and advocacy services to low-income individuals with disabilities and the frail elderly. The organization has traditionally specialized in services exclusively for these populations, although recently the organization has begun to provide broader services through the creation of medical-legal partnerships that offer the entire range of civil law.
Through the services it offers, CHLP maintains the independence and self-sufficiency of its clients so that they can live productive lives as contributing members of their communities. Clients are comprised of persons with chronic mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, mobility impairments, sensory impairments that render persons blind or deaf, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, and more recently persons with substance use disorders and chronic health conditions. In summary, their clients are individuals who, by virtue of their age, health, or disability, cannot negotiate the complexities of daily life on their own and need the assistance of attorneys and advocates to help them with legal matters so that they may continue to live independently.
Available to all Essex county residents.
ELC is at the forefront of state-based efforts to improve school funding equity and secure essential resources for all students. Our strategies include litigation, policy development, capacity building, communications, data analysis and research.
Available to all NJ residents.
Provides callers with the name and telephone number of an attorney upon inquiry. Consultation with that attorney is $25.00 for the first half hour.
Provides services for all Essex county residents.
Essex County Legal Aid Association (“ECLAA”), founded in 1920, is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization providing free legal advice and/or representation on civil law matters to Essex County residents.
To qualify for our services, your household income must be within 250% of the federal poverty guidelines (proof of income must be provided) and you must live in Essex County.
We provide legal services regardless of immigration status and translators are available through our translation line.
Specializes in criminal defense for income-eligible Essex County residents. Available upon individual's application or court appointment.
Adult:
Veterans Courthouse
50West Market Street
Criminal Case Mgmt.
Room 912
Newark, NJ 07102
Available for all Essex County residents.
Specializes in criminal defense for income-eligible Essex County residents. Available upon individual's application or court appointment.
Youth:
Wilentz Justice Complez
212 Washington Street
Juvenile Services Unit
Room 915
Newark, NJ 07102
Available for all Essex County residents.
Hyacinth Care and Treatment Programs
People living with HIV have a variety of physical, psychosocial, and material needs. All of Hyacinth’s Care and Treatment Services, in alignment with federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) requirements, are designed to improve the health and achieve health equity for people who are geographically isolated or economically/medically vulnerable. We serve all people, regardless of background, at our eight centers throughout New Jersey.
Non-Medical Case Management (Paterson, Jersey City, Newark, Plainfield, Trenton)
Emergency Financial Assistance (Jersey City, Plainfield, New Brunswick, Trenton)
Community Health Worker Program (All Offices)
Housing Placement Assistance (Newark, New Brunswick)
Individual & Group Substance Abuse Counseling (Paterson, Newark)
Individual Mental Health (All Offices)
Legal Client Advocacy (Jersey City, Newark)
Medical Case Management (Paterson, Newark)
Mental Health Groups (Wellness groups) (All Offices)
Psychosocial Services (All Offices)
Our Newark office hosts the Hyacinth Health & Wellness Center where HIV medical services as well as PrEP treatment are offered
Available to all NJ residents.
In reaching 3,000 families annually, ICC’s many programs aim to:
Address unmet needs and service gaps, particularly for underserved individuals and families
Provide Summer Programs for community youths
Serve as a Community Center for Ironbound residents
Create After-School programs in partnership with Newark Public Schools
Provide Environmental Justice leadership
ICC’s programs include the following.
Children’s Programs (Birth – 5 years old)
Early Head Start, Infants & Toddlers
Preschool, Head Start
Youth Programs (5 – 13 years old)
After-School
Community Center
Hawkins St. School
Summer Programs
Community Center
Newark Public Schools
Environmental Justice Leadership
Family Services
Family Success Centers
Information, Assistance & Advocacy for Families
Child & Family Activities
Emergency Assistance
Education Programs
Counseling (VOCA. FOC)
Fresh Food
Mental Health Services & Abuse Counseling
Breaking the Cycle
Therapy
Case Management
Emergency Assistance
Information & Referrals
Advocacy
Adult Education
Essex County College @ Ironbound
Citizenship
ESL, Computers (FSC)
Budgeting & Finances (FOC)
Jobs & Financial Counseling
Financial Opportunity Center
Free Tax Program
Financial Counseling
Financial Education
Job Training
Job Placement
Ironbound Community Corporation Family Success Center - Elm Street
317 Elm Street
Newark, NJ 07105
973-465-0555 ext. 202
Director: Cheryl Meyers
Email: cmeyers@ironboundcc.org
Website: www.ironboundcc.org
Exclusive to Newark residents.
In reaching 3,000 families annually, ICC’s many programs aim to:
Address unmet needs and service gaps, particularly for underserved individuals and families
Provide Summer Programs for community youths
Serve as a Community Center for Ironbound residents
Create After-School programs in partnership with Newark Public Schools
Provide Environmental Justice leadership
ICC’s programs include the following.
Children’s Programs (Birth – 5 years old)
Early Head Start, Infants & Toddlers
Preschool, Head Start
Youth Programs (5 – 13 years old)
After-School
Community Center
Hawkins St. School
Summer Programs
Community Center
Newark Public Schools
Environmental Justice Leadership
Family Services
Family Success Centers
Information, Assistance & Advocacy for Families
Child & Family Activities
Emergency Assistance
Education Programs
Counseling (VOCA. FOC)
Fresh Food
Mental Health Services & Abuse Counseling
Breaking the Cycle
Therapy
Case Management
Emergency Assistance
Information & Referrals
Advocacy
Adult Education
Essex County College @ Ironbound
Citizenship
ESL, Computers (FSC)
Budgeting & Finances (FOC)
Jobs & Financial Counseling
Financial Opportunity Center
Free Tax Program
Financial Counseling
Financial Education
Job Training
Job Placement
Ironbound Community Corporation Family Success Center - Cortland Street
29-31 Cortland Street
Newark, NJ 07105
973-344-5949 ext. 201
Director: Cheryl Meyers
Email: cmeyers@ironboundcc.org
Website: www.ironboundcc.org
Exclusive to Newark residents.
La Casa de Don Pedro offers a comprehensive, proven, nurturing solution that addresses the social determinants of health, providing safety, stability, tools, resources, and opportunities that enrich peoples’ lives and builds social capital, helping them overcome their adverse experiences and become economically prosperous. La Casa meets people physically, culturally, and psycho-socially, where they are, and are flexible to their needs.
La Casa de Don Pedro provides prenatal care and parenting education, gives children a head start with Early Head Start, Head Start and preschool, addresses food insecurity, enriches youth with education, recreation, the arts, and advocacy. La Casa counsels families facing psycho-social issues, builds supportive networks for marginalized people (often immigrants), empower domestic violence victims, and prevents illnesses with health education, screenings & care. La Casa builds and sell quality, affordable homes, prepares adults for homeownership, higher education, training and workforce, helps immigrants adapt to the US with English, citizenship, and legal immigration assistance, revitalizes neighborhoods, repairs homes, helps families conserve energy, and provides emergency financial assistance.
LaCasa’s 2 Family Success Center
282 First Avenue
Newark, NJ 07107
973-482-9002
Director: Jessica Viera
Email: jviera@lacasanwk.org
FSC Email: lacasafscs@gmail.com
Website: www.lacasanwk.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaCasaFamilySuccessCenters/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lacasafsc/?hl=en
La Casa de Don Pedro offers a comprehensive, proven, nurturing solution that addresses the social determinants of health, providing safety, stability, tools, resources, and opportunities that enrich peoples’ lives and builds social capital, helping them overcome their adverse experiences and become economically prosperous. La Casa meets people physically, culturally, and psycho-socially, where they are, and are flexible to their needs.
La Casa de Don Pedro provides prenatal care and parenting education, gives children a head start with Early Head Start, Head Start and preschool, addresses food insecurity, enriches youth with education, recreation, the arts, and advocacy. La Casa counsels families facing psycho-social issues, builds supportive networks for marginalized people (often immigrants), empower domestic violence victims, and prevents illnesses with health education, screenings & care. La Casa builds and sell quality, affordable homes, prepares adults for homeownership, higher education, training and workforce, helps immigrants adapt to the US with English, citizenship, and legal immigration assistance, revitalizes neighborhoods, repairs homes, helps families conserve energy, and provides emergency financial assistance.
LaCasa’s 1 Family Success Center
28 Broadway
Newark, NJ 07104
973-483-2703 ext. 2218
Director: Jessica Viera
Email: jviera@lacasanwk.org
FSC Email: lacasafscs@gmail.com
Website: www.lacasanwk.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaCasaFamilySuccessCenters/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lacasafsc/?hl=en
LSNJ coordinates the statewide Legal Services system, which provides free legal assistance to low-income New Jerseyans for their civil legal problems. Through its work, LSNJ strives to secure substantive and procedural justice for those living in poverty.
The Family Success Center’s overarching goal is to strengthen families and to prevent child abuse and neglect in the home.
Through proactive services, we enhance parental capacity for growth and development; increase the stability, health, and wellbeing of children and families; and empower community residents to acquire the knowledge, skills and resources they need to provide optimal outcomes for families.
The NWC Family Success Center provides family health, parent education, family activities, employment-related services, life skills, housing-related services, advocacy, referrals, special assistance, citizenship classes, and ESL classes.
Most importantly, the FSC creates opportunities for families to spend quality time with one another.
For additional information call us at 973-481-0415 or email info@northwardcenter.org.
24 HR Hotline: 973-759-2153
Email: safehouse@rwibh.org
Open to Essex County, NJ residents
Available Services
The Safe House is an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children. The Safe House has 12 rooms and can shelter 12 women and 24 children at any one time. A 24 hour hotline is operational and 24 hour admission to the shelter is available.
The Safe House program provides:
counseling, case management, legal advocacy, a comprehensive children’s program, food, clothing, personal necessities, transportation, financial assistance through welfare, housing advocacy, parenting classes, support groups, medical care, a pre-school program, a summer day camp, immigration referrals and linkage to an extensive number of community services on an as needed basis. Non-residential counseling is also provided.
Bi-Lingual staff is avaulable (Spanish) and we have access to the Language Line if needed.
The Safe House provides shelter in a safe and supportive environment for families in crisis and provides the help, education, advocacy & guidance needed to empower women to live safe and productive lives.
The University Hospital (UH) Trauma Recovery Center is a 16-week program (which may be extended for those who need it) aimed at healing survivors’ injuries holistically by addressing them emotionally, physically, and socially.
Through targeted trauma-informed mental health services, we aim to support survivors in restoring the daily functioning that was disrupted by victimization. The goal is for survivors of trauma to successfully regain independence in all areas of their lives. Our program is staffed by Licensed Social Work Clinicians, Social Workers, and other supportive staff.
University Hospital’s Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP) works with community partners, as ONE, to decrease victimization in our community. Being a victim of crime increases a person’s chance of becoming a victim again.
University Hospital is home to New Jersey’s busiest Level 1 Trauma Center and the Hospital’s HVIP serves patients at University Hospital who have suffered an injury due to a violent crime, such as gunshot wounds, stabbings, and assaults.
In collaboration with Newark Community Street Team (NCST) and Newark Community Solutions (NCS), HVIP provides care coordination services to survivors of interpersonal violence.
Wynona’s House revolutionized the process endured by children and families of Essex County coping with the aftermath of abuse and neglect. We are a collaboration of more than 70 multi-disciplinary advocates helping the children of Essex County who have been abused or neglected. Wynona’s House coordinates a cross-systems collaboration that leverages both public and private resources to improve outcomes addressing the problem of child abuse, neglect and maltreatment within the 22 municipalities of Essex County, including Bellville, Bloomfield, Caldwell, Cedar Grove, East Orange, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn (and Short Hills), Montclair (and Upper Montclair), Newark, North Caldwell, Nutley, Orange, Roseland, South Orange, Verona, West Caldwell and West Orange). The multi-agency collaboration serves 789,565 county residents and provides direct services to more than 600 abused or neglected children each year.
Receptionist@WynonasHouse.org