Services
The International Welcome Center is dedicated to empowering refugees, immigrants, and newcomers as they build secure and fulfilling lives in their new communities. Our comprehensive services are designed to meet the unique needs of individuals and families, guiding them toward independence and success.
Empowering Pathways: Our Support Services
At the International Welcome Center, we are committed to creating a welcoming environment where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. Our services are tailored to help each person achieve their goals, strengthen their community connections, and build a brighter future.
Legal Services
Empowering Every Journey: Comprehensive Legal Assistance for Our Immigrant Community
At the International Welcome Center, we are committed to guiding refugees and immigrants through the complexities of the legal process, ensuring that every individual has access to trusted, affordable support. We recognize the challenges foreign-born individuals in Akron face without proper legal assistance, and we’re here to help.
Our Immigration Legal Services Include:
- Citizenship & Naturalization: Assistance with the N-400 application for U.S. citizenship, helping individuals take the final step toward becoming U.S. citizens.
- Legal Document Assistance: Support with I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card), I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative), and I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status).
- DACA & Humanitarian Relief: Guidance for individuals eligible for I-821D (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and screenings for additional immigration benefits, including asylum, VAWA, and cancellation of removal.
- Comprehensive Screenings & Referrals: If a case falls beyond our capabilities, we provide referrals to trusted legal service providers, ensuring every individual receives the support they need.
Everyone deserves a fair chance, and we’re here to make that a reality. Explore our specialized legal services and find the right support for you:
Welcome Home Stories: Finding Citizenship
“I’m so glad and blessed to be in this family which is the International Welcome Center. They gave me a wonderful welcome. They helped me navigate the legal process to get my green card, obtain travel documents, apply for citizenship, and now I am a United States Citizen! Currently we are working on the process to bring my family to the United States and so much more. THANK YOU SO MUCH IWC”
~ Rushoboza
Resettlement Services
Turning Your House into a Home
The International Welcome Center is committed to ensuring every legal refugee family has the resources and support needed to build a stable, welcoming home in Greater Akron. Our Resettlement Services provide essential assistance helping families meet their basic needs and start the journey toward self-sufficiency.
- These services include:
Household Goods Provision – Supplying the essentials needed to turn an empty house into a home. - Clothing Assistance – Ensuring families are prepared for Ohio’s seasonal weather.
- Bicycles & Bicycle Maintenance – Providing transportation independence and bike safety education.
- Basic Household Management & Maintenance – Helping families navigate the responsibilities of homeownership and upkeep.
- Social Service Referrals – Connecting families with local resources for long-term support.
With the International Welcome Center by your side, every step of the transition to Greater Akron is met with care, guidance, and a welcoming community.
Welcome Home Stories: Crafting a New Life
“I have been living in Ohio for 3 months and I am really thankful for the IWC. They have helped us a lot. They have especially helped our refugee people, my family, kids, my wife, and my house too. So whatever I say is not enough. They have helped us so much. They brought my family couches, pens, pencils, food, and much more. I am thankful for everyone at the IWC.
The United States of America brought us here due to the Afghanistan withdrawal. The IWC has helped us a lot even though we miss people back home. We feel that our family is here with us because the IWC gives us that feeling. Thank you so much.”
~ H. Emakhan
Case Management
Personalized Support for Lasting Stability
Our Case Management services provide individualized support to help refugee families navigate the challenges of building a new life in Greater Akron. Through our Intake Assessment & Referral Program, we extend crucial services beyond the initial 90-day resettlement period, ensuring families continue on their path to self-sufficiency and long-term stability.
- With the guidance of a dedicated case manager, participants will:
Set personalized goals for themselves and their families - Develop a step-by-step plan to achieve stability and independence
- Connect with community resources and support networks
Eligible participants may also receive limited financial assistance to cover critical needs such as housing, work-related essentials, or certification fees—helping them take the next step toward employment, education, and a secure future.
No one walks this journey alone. With the right support system in place, families can move forward with confidence, knowing they have a team standing beside them every step of the way.
Education Services
Empowering New Beginnings Through Learning
At the International Welcome Center, education is more than just knowledge—it’s the key to opportunity, confidence, and independence. Whether it’s learning a new language, navigating the roads, or accessing educational pathways, our programs equip legal refugees and immigrants with the skills they need to build a stable and successful future.
English Language Services – Bridging Conversations, Building Community
Language is essential to feeling at home in a new country. Our English learning programs go beyond traditional lessons—our volunteers integrate language practice into daily interactions, ensuring that refugees and immigrants not only learn to communicate but also feel welcomed, connected, and empowered in their new community.
Driver’s License Services – Steering Toward Independence
The ability to drive opens doors to work, school, and community engagement. Our volunteers guide newcomers through every step of the process—from driving lessons to navigating the license bureau—so they can gain the independence and mobility they need to thrive.
Through education, we are equipping refugees and immigrants with the tools they need to navigate life in Greater Akron with confidence.
Community Support & Advocacy
Navigating Resources, Building Inclusion
Adjusting to life in a new country comes with challenges, but no one should have to navigate them alone. At the International Welcome Center, we connect refugees and immigrants with essential resources and advocate for an inclusive, welcoming community.
Community Resource Navigation
From healthcare to transportation, financial literacy to legal assistance, we ensure that individuals and families have access to the services they need to build stability and self-sufficiency. Our team provides personalized support, guiding newcomers as they integrate into their new home.
Advocacy & Cultural Competency
A welcoming community starts with understanding. Through advocacy efforts and cultural competency training, we work to promote awareness, inclusion, and equity—bridging the gap between newcomers and the local community to foster mutual respect and support.
Together, we are creating a community where every individual feels seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.
Get Involved
Step into a transformative role by volunteering with the International Welcome Center. Your generous giving of time and expertise builds bridges for our refugee and immigrant families in Akron, ensuring they find a place they can truly call home. Let’s collaborate and create moments of connection, empowerment, and belonging, ensuring every individual feels truly at home.
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