Welcome Center
Supporting Newcomers
About the Welcome Center
We envision a vibrant, culturally diverse community, where everyone is seen, valued, included, and self-sufficient. We’re building community by welcoming newcomers, supporting residents in transition and creating access and economic opportunity.
Advocacy & Client Services
- Digital literacy: set up online accounts, scanning/ printing/copy/laminating, writing letters and emails
- Calling a business or agency the client needs to work with (calls to IRS, Social Security, utilities, etc.)
- Form filling such as legal forms, employment applications, registrations, applications for assistance
- Referrals to other organizations that have the expertise and ability to help the client with their needs
- Spanish speaking notary public (can notarize English and Spanish documents)
Language Services
- Translations of certain documents depends on the capacity of our translator roster
- Interpreting over the phone or in-person for clients facing a language barrier or businesses who need to communicate with their clients
Community Building
- Special events like Inviting Tables and Taste of Nations
- Community workshops like ITIN, Driver’s License and A Conversation with Law Enforcement
Free Services
- Filling out applications (employment, public assistance, school enrollment, utilities, passport applications.
- Scanning of documents
- Newcomer orientation
- Phone calls for clients
- Setting up online accounts (email, banking, work)
Paid Services
- Printing/Copying: $0.25 per page for black and white, $0.50 per page for color
- Laminating: 8in x 11in $0.75, larger sheets are $1.00/sq ft
- Translation of documents: $0.25 per word, minimum of 200 words
- Interpreting: $45.00/hour, minimum one hour
- Court papers form filling: $50-$200
The Welcome Center Does NOT Provide
- Immigration services
- Legal advice
- Tax preparation
FOCUS
FOCUS stands for Family Opportunity through Coordinated and Unduplicated Services. This program provides intensive case management to families who have entered the United States with Refugee status or other protected humanitarian status during the first 36 months of residency. The FOCUS coordinator serves the SE Minnesota region and assists families in cooperation with service providers who are local to the families.
Participants receive guidance and support from a personal FOCUS coordinator for the entire family.
Services
- Access to a personal FOCUS coordinator that provides individualized direction to each member of the family
- Access to support and services that fit their daily lives and needs from a variety of resources
- Access to collaborative and holistic services across service organizations
Eligibility
- Newly arrived eligible families under the humanitarian statuses
- Receiving or eligible for MFIP/FSS programs
- Residing in the U.S. for less than 36 months
Contact
P: 507-437-8330, option 1
Welcome Center Program Coordinator
welcome.ctr@prc-austinmn.org
Language and Social Services Advocate
languages@prc-austinmn.org
Social Services Advocate
spanish.ss@prc-austinmn.org
FOCUS Case Manager
focus@prc-austinmn.org
cell: 507-402-2879
What Our Families are Saying
When we came to Austin, we became better connected to the community after my parents asked for support from the Welcome Center. They helped us with what we needed, and also provided fun things to do in the community.
