Still going strong since it began offering services to community newcomers in 1910, Tacoma Community House, 1314 S. “L” St. in Tacoma’s Hilltop district, offers, under one roof, a broad menu of programs and services in basic education, life skills development, employment assistance, multi-lingual assistance and immigration help.  It provides those services to clients who have come to Tacoma from countries around the world.

   

“And all of the programs and services, except for a few, we provide at no cost,” said Mike Chapman, TCH’s marketing officer.  Free programs include TCH’s educational offerings, including adult basic education and GED preparation, and English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction.  Low cost services of interest to potential clients in the local Hispanic community include interpreter and translation services and social services programs, including assistance with immigration issues.

   

“One of the things that’s really unique about Tacoma Community House,” Chapman said, “is that it is a multi-service organization, and that’s very beneficial to our participants.”

   

“People come in with varying sets of skills,” Chapman explained.  Some come to TCH with limited or no language skills in English. 

   

“The overriding goal here is to help people gain self-sufficiency.”  That may be accomplished by helping the client to learn to communicate more effectively in English, or to develop and implement employment related skills:  “Just about any type of advice or services,” Chapman said.

   

But beyond the specific programs provided at the facility, it is the atmosphere of accommodation and safety that underlies the approach taken by staffers with the broad range of clients seen.  Some clients are uncomfortable with the English language.  Some are unsure, for example, of their exact immigration status. 

   

“But Tacoma Community House is a safe location,” Chapman explained.  “So people can feel comfortable coming in.”

   

TCH staffers who work with clients who need information about their immigration status are sensitive to a client’s potential fears when seeking help. 

   

Brigitte Fisher, coordinator for TCH’s Immigration and Social Services arm, describes the facility’s immigration office as “a place to get help with their immigration needs that is low cost, is of high quality – and accessible…and where they feel safe.

   

“We don’t care who you are when you come in,” she said.  “We just want to help you.”

   

Staffers agree that the best way to access any of the services offered by Tacoma Community House is to schedule an initial visit.  More information is available at 253.383.3951 or on the Web.