Cultural Services for Immigrants and Refugees
Minnesota provides many resources to help newcomers to America adjust to life in Minnesota. Below is a list of services that encourage immigrant and refugee participation. Many of these organizations provide translation and interpreter services.
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African
African Community Services (ASC)
The ASC assists new arrivals with social services referrals, social security forms, translation, housing, school enrollment, and other basic needs. It also provides employment opportunities to newly arrived refugees by linking them to appropriate job banks that are available in the Metro area and help to find the appropriate occupational skills that are necessary to obtain employment.Confederation of Somali Communities in Minnesota
CSCM is a multi-service organization serving primarily Somalis but also other East Africans in Minnesota. The recently opened East African Women's Center offers opportunities for mothers to learn English as a Second Language, new skills for parenting in America, build support networks with each others, and learn to successfully bridge cultures.African Development Center (ADC)
ADC provides support to African-owned businesses, offers financial literacy education to Africans living in Minnesota, and seeks out new opportunities in home ownership for African immigrants.Somali Education Center
The Somali Education Center provides bilingual instruction and tutoring in math, science, English, and other subjects for children in kindergarten through the first year of college, their parents, and other members of the Somali community. -
Asian
Hmong American Partnership (HAP)
HAP's goals are to: assist Hmong adults in gaining computer and English language skills, find and retain employment, prevent Hmong youth involvement in drugs and crime, while helping to improve their academic achievement; help Hmong parents understand and adapt to parenting systems in the United States; and support the elders who experience loneliness and loss of purpose in their resettlement in the United States.Hmong American Mutual Assistance Association (HAMAA)
HAMAA has developed and sponsors several primary programs, including: Council of Hmong Elders, Family Empowerment Network, Academic Barriers Challenges, Youth Empowerment Partners, Center for Hmong Adolescent, Minneapolis Community Patrol, Neighborhood Home Buyers Club, and Hmong Economic Development Program.Hmong Cultural Center
Promotes the personal development of children, youth, and adults in the Twin Cities through Hmong cultural education while providing resources that enhance cross-cultural understanding.Hmong National Development, Inc. (HND)
A non-profit organization, HND works with local and national organizations, public and private entities, and individuals to promote educational opportunities, increase community capacity, and develop resources for the well-being, growth, and full participation of Hmong in society. A regional listing of Minnesota based Hmong organizations is provided.Lao Family Community of Minnesota
Lao Family's mission is to help Hmong families overcome barriers to self-sufficiency. In particular, Lao Family's employment program assists individuals who have lost their jobs due to plant closings or who were self-employed (including farmers and ranchers) and are now unemployed.Southeast Asian Refugee Community Home (SEARCH)
SEARCH helps African and Southeast Asian refugees become economically self sufficient and integrate into American society while retaining important cultural values and traditions. They offer employment services, Refugee Social Services, Immigrant Youth Intervention Services, and Health Services.United Cambodian Association of Minnesota
Supports the adjustment of Cambodians to American society by providing opportunities for Cambodian youth to reach their full potential; preserving their ethnic heritage; and promoting access to the social, economic and educational opportunities available to all Americans.Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota
Dedicated to maintaining the identity of the Minnesota Vietnamese community while addressing the basic economic, educational, and health needs of refugees and immigrants statewide. -
Latino
CLUES - Latino Resource Center
The Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES) Resource Center has been recognized as leading source of culturally specific materials for the Spanish speaking community. It is known as a leader representing prevention needs of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs for the Hispanic community. The center is located in Minneapolis and St. Paul and houses competent and certified staff in the drug prevention field.Chicano Latino Affairs Council (CLAC)
The primary mission of CLAC is to advise the governor and the state legislature on the issues of importance to Minnesota's Chicano Latino community. CLAC also serves as an information and referral agency to ensure that Chicano Latinos in Minnesota are connected to the appropriate government agencies and community based organizations to address their concerns, which range from immigration and education to discrimination and social welfare.Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Minnesota
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce provides training, technical assistance, workforce development, homeownership counseling, financial literacy and other resources to Latino individuals and entrepreneurs. -
Multi-cultural
Minnesota Ethnic Resources Directory
Publication of this directory grew out of continuous inquiries for information about organizations engaged in ethnic/nationality activities and services. It contains a diverse array of cultural, social service, educational, artistic, religious, community, and governmental groups throughout the state of Minnesota. Included are ethnic student organizations at Minnesota Colleges and Universities, congressional offices of Minnesota's U.S. Senators and Representatives, consular posts of other countries, immigration attorneys, and citizenship and passport Information.International Institute of Minnesota
The Institute provides a center for information; develops fellowship; promotes the welfare of foreign-born populations and their families; and preserves and stimulates intercultural values.Immigration in Minnesota
Immigration in Minnesota is produced by the Minneapolis Foundation and offers a comprehensive overview of immigration to this state. The website contains a history of immigration; contributions by immigrants; and specific information about Latino, African, Asian and other immigration groups. The Minneapolis Foundation produced an educational brochure titled Immigration in Minnesota Discovering Common Ground which is also available on this website.Hennepin County Office of Multi-Cultural Services
Hennepin County is determined to meet the challenge of delivering accessible, efficient and cost-effective services to their community's multicultural residents. The Hennepin County Office of Multi-Cultural Services was implemented to provide a gateway for coordinated multicultural service delivery across county departments and in collaboration with community partners. This channel is devoted to information about and health, housing, and social services for immigrants and others who are recent arrivals to this county.Center for Victims of Torture (CVT)
The healing services staff at CVT help torture survivors regain control over their lives and help them heal from symptoms of torture. This may include mild to severe physical, mental, and spiritual suffering. Each survivor works with a team of care providers including doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, massage therapists, and physical therapists.Centre for Asians and Pacific Islanders (CAPI)
CAPI assists Southeast Asian and East African immigrants and refugees to become increasingly self-sufficient and contributing members of our community. CAPI has two integrated departments: Employment and Training and Social Services and Cultural Education. The agency's diverse employees collectively speak 10 languages, and offer valuable services from several Minneapolis locations.Jewish Family Service of St. Paul
Primary target groups for services include unemployed and underemployed persons; adults, families, and children needing better coping skills; frail elders; and refugees. Major programs include counseling, vocational improvement program (VIP), senior services, resettlement, and bilingual information and referral. The agency is affiliated with United Way and United Jewish Fund and Council.Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services
Services include outreach to Spanish-speaking individuals and families in the Latino community, employment services for refugees and asylees through Project RISE ( Refugees in Search of Employment ), case management and refugee resettlement services.
