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Social Services
At MSM, we take a holist approach to "self-sufficiency".
We recognize that "Paths to Self-Sufficiency" requires
more than education and employment services to be
successful. MSM has made a conscious decision early on
to balance "self-sufficiency" programs with
complementary social services - identifying and removing
barriers - so that individuals can lead a healthy and
productive life.
Refugee Resettlement Assistance
Majority of refugees and asylees need assistance in
adjusting to a new country, region, culture, norms,
laws, and system.
MSM provides culturally competent and linguistically
appropriate services to refugees to help them adjust to
their new country and integrate quickly to the
mainstream culture.
MSM provides services in the following areas: English as
a second language; American culture and expectations;
employment services; civic education; introduction to
American legal system; home management; health and
safety; financial literacy; and access to technology.
MSM also provides one-on-one case management,
immigration services, and information and referral
services to access local resources in public assistance,
health care, and housing.
Refugees services are available in English, Russian,
Ukrainian, Moldavian, and Romanian. Priority is given to
new arrivals, elderly, and disabled persons.
FACT BOX
According to Office of Refugee and Resettlement,
Washington State consistently ranked in the top 5
for receiving the largest refugee resettlement
from 2000 to 2006. From 2000 to 2007, Washington
State resettled over 27,000 refugees. Refugees
from former Soviet Union constituted the largest
resettlement group in Washington State from 2000
to 2007, constituting over 60%, followed by
refugees from Somalia, and Southeast Asia. And, as
the war in the middle east continues, we can
expect refugees from the Iraq, Iran, and
Afghanistan.
Prior to 2001, Washington ranked in the top 3 for
receiving the largest Southeast Asian refugees |
Immigration and Naturalization Services
MSM's multi-lingual and multi-cultural staff, who have
firsthand knowledge and experience preparing for and in
becoming a United States citizen, provides a
comprehensive immigration and naturalization services.
Services include:
- Professional consultation to determine services needed, clarify process, and set clear expectations;
- Verifying if client may qualify for application fee waiver based on income eligibility;
- Assistance with completing applications;
- Document reviews;
- Translation services;
- American history and civics education and interview assistance in preparation of the naturalization test;
- Case management to ensure compliance with the Citizenship and Immigration Services requirements, be present for appointments , and submit the necessary and complete paperwork; and
- Other services as needed.
View Citizenship class schedule
If you are or someone you know needs assistance, please contact MSM to schedule an appointment.
Victim of Crime Assistance
MSM provides crime victim assistance to refugee and immigrants that is culturally competent and linguistically appropriate-in English, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Moldovan & Ukrainian.
As a victim of a crime, it is emotionally, physically, and mentally stressful to deal with law enforcement, legal and judicial system, and other entities. It is twice as difficult for immigrants and refugees who do not understand the American criminal justice system or speak English well.
MSM provides a wide range of assistance:
- Pro-active crisis intervention to stabilize and provide compassionate aid.
- Education and advocacy throughout the criminal justice system. A collaborative continuum of care via appropriate referrals to community agencies/resources. Community and professional education focused on victim issues, needs and service.
- information on a wide range of topics, including the impact of crime, victims' rights, and the criminal and civil justice processes.
If you are or someone you know or love is a victim of a crime, contact us for help, information about your options, and referrals to local services in Pierce County.
Please call (253)584-5615 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
Please call (800)346-7555 after business hours.
Free Legal Clinic
Legal matters are often confusing and complicated for the average person. It is doubly challenging for immigrants and refugees who have limited English proficiency and are unfamiliar with the American legal and judicial system. Therefore, MSM has partnered with the Pierce County Minority Bar Association to offer free legal clinic and referral services related to immigration, family law, bankruptcy, estate planning, employment, housing, small business, and other areas of practice.
The free legal clinic is available every Thursday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Areas of practice represented vary from week to week, so check the schedule in advance to see what areas of practice will be represented.
Guidelines:
- Be advised that clients are served on a first-come-first-served basis.
- Everyone who wishes to meet with an attorney will be expected to fill out an in-take form.
- Free legal consultation is for approximately 30 minutes with a licensed attorney. If further legal assistance is needed beyond the free legal consultation, MSM will work with the client to explore possible options.
- Interpreter and translation services are provided, as needed, by MSM's multi-lingual and multi-cultural staff in Korea, East European languages, and Spanish.
If you have any questions, please contact MSM during normal business hours from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.
Addiction Assistance
MSM offers substance abuse prevention and treatment by our state-certified substance abuse counselor. Our Addiction Assistance program assists addicted individuals to abstain from drug and alcohol use, abstain from gambling, improve their physical and mental health, and improve their quality of life. If you or someone you know or love needs addiction assistance, please contact MSM for information about your options, counseling, and referrals for local services in the Puget Sound area.
Tobacco Cessation and Prevention
New Americans and immigrants represent a vulnerable segment of the population when it comes to the deadly effects of tobacco and tobacco messaging. The overall rate of smoking among New Americans and immigrants is 21.6% according to Tobacco Use & Immigrants).
It has been reported that the attitude and desire to quit is lower in New Americans and immigrants because of the often acceptance of smoking by their country of origin.
In recognition of this social challenge, MSM has developed several programs specifically targeted to immigrants. It conducts education seminars, awareness campaigns, and prevention program that is culturally and linguistically appropriate. In 1998, MSM received the Community Service Appreciation Award from the Tobacco Free Coalition of Pierce County and the S.M.O.O.T.H. (Students Mobilizing Others Out of Tobacco Habits) Coalition for its innovative programs and work.
Services are available in English, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Moldovan, & Ukrainian.
FACT BOX
It has been reported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, The American Lung Association and from previous Surgeon Generals that:
- Smoking-related diseases cause an estimated 440,000 American deaths each year.
- Smoking costs the United States over $150 billion annually in health care costs.
- A 2004 Study by the CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion found that cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer.
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Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment
Substance dependence, including alcohol and drug
addictions, is a progressive disease. In most people,
addictions begin slowly and grow until the victim's life
becomes progressively unmanageable.
Alcoholism and drug abuse can shatter lives.
Consequences are often reflected in the addicted
individual's family life, health, spiritual happiness,
social life, school or work relationships and legal
matters.
There are numerous programs and services available to
the mainstream communities. However, very limited
programs and services are available that are
linguistically and culturally appropriate to immigrant
and refugee populations.
MSM recognizes that it can offer education and
employment services to help immigrants and refugees
become self-sufficient. However, drug and alcohol
addiction can negate all of the positive gains towards
self-sufficiency. Therefore, MSM offers substance abuse
assessment, counseling, and referral services that are
linguistically and culturally appropriate by state
certified counselors.
MSM offers the following services in English, Korean, Russian, Spanish,
Moldovan & Ukrainian:
- Evaluations and Assessments
- Individual Counseling and Guidance
- Education about drugs and alcohol and its effect on one's body
- Family counseling and planning
- Teen counseling
- Group Meetings and Support Groups
- Referral to in-patient treatment services
- Legal support services, such as free legal advice from a lawyer
- Decision-making and coping skills education
Gambling Addiction Treatment
Problem gambling can strain relationships, interfere with responsibilities at home and work, and lead to financial catastrophe.
Gambling addiction is sometimes referred to as the "hidden illness" because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are in drug or alcohol addiction.
A recent study showed that up to 1 in 35 people in Washington State have a gambling problem.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call MSM for information, assistance, or referral! Our multi-lingual, multi-cultural and state certified counselors will provide services in culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
Information and Referral Assistance
Since 1994 MSM has been connecting low-income and limited English proficient individuals, immigrants and refugees, and persons with diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds to resources to help them become self-sufficient. Whether it's employment services, job training, civic education, ESL, access to health care or refugee resettlement assistance, MSM connects people to resources and community services within MSM or at other organizations in the Puget Sound area.
For further assistance, please contact MSM.
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