There are many community resources to aid our ESL families.
Please Note: Information posted below is for reference only and endorsement by West Shore School District should not be implied.
Community Libraries
The libraries in the Cumberland County Library System offer many local resources. Besides borrowing books, movies, and music from their collection, they offer:
- computers with internet access
- information about state resources, voting, and taxes
- job and career help that includes help with writing resumes, searching for a job, and preparing for an interview
- library services for people with special needs
Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th Street Camp Hill, PA 17011
(717) 761-3900
http://www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/FRE
New Cumberland Library
1 Benjamin Plaza New Cumberland, PA 17070
(717) 774-7820
http://www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/NCU
Simpson Library
16 North Walnut Street Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717)-766-0171
http://www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/SIM
Red Land Community Library
48 Robin Hood Drive, Etters, PA 17319
(717)-938-5599
http://www.yorklibraries.org/red-land-community-library
Adult ESL Classes
The Employment Skills Center in Carlisle offers free English classes for non-native speakers. The classes are held on the following days:
New Speakers/Beginners - Monday and Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Intermediate - Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Evening Class - Monday and Thursday, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Tutoring - One-on-one tutoring is also available
Contact:
Shelly Brown
Employment Skills Center
29 South Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-6040, extension 4424
email - [email protected]
http://employmentskillscenter.org/esl-program
The Catholic Charities of Harrisburg also offers ESL classes to immigrants and refugees in our area. They offer 15 classes per year, ranging from beginner English to advanced English classes. They offer instruction on English in the workplace, ESL computer labs, US Citizenship, and tutoring programs.
Contact:
Sara Beck
Catholic Charities
939 East Park Dr., Suite 102, Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 232-0568
email - [email protected]
http://www.cchbg.org/get-help/immigration-refugee-services/english-second-language/
Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) also offers Adult ESL classes and GED classes. To learn about ESL for Community, College and Career, sign up for new student orientation or schedule placement testing, contact:
Contact:
Melinda Fraker de Fonte
Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC)
(717) 780-2577
email - [email protected]
http://www.hacc.edu/ProgramsandCourses/AdultEducationGED/ESL-for-Workplace-and-Community.cfm
Immanuel Church also offers Adult ESL classes. The classes are held on the following days:
Thursdays - 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Thursdays - 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Contact:
Armando Rhon
Immanuel Church
800 South Market St., Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 766-4633
email - [email protected]
Tri-County OIC offers ESL classes to students whose native language is not English. ESL classes are designed to help students better understand the basic structure of the English language. Teachers will help students speak, listen, and write in English. Our ESL classes are contextualized. They are designed to meet the needs of our learners in their everyday lives. What students learn in class can be applied immediately. Classes are held at several locations in Dauphin and Cumberland counties. Small group, one-on-one, and distance learning instruction are available.
Contact:
Call (717) 238-7318 for up to date classes
http://tricountyoic.org/programs.html#esl
Social Services
Here are some local agencies that may be of help, copied from What to Know about Cumberland County: A Beginner's Guide to Human Services prepared by the Cumberland County Homeless Assistance Program, Revised September 15, 2014
GENERAL ASSISTANCE
Weekday Hours: 9 am. to 4 pm.
Contact:
5228 East Trindle Road Mechanicsburg 17050
(717) 766-7333
http://www.nhm-pa.org/
Additional information for general assistance can be found by clicking here.
FOOD
Food Stamp information available:
(717) 240-2700
(800) 269-0173
(800) 692-7462
TDD for hearing impairments (800) 451-5886
Apply online for information through Compass website.
Local Food Banks
Please go to the one closest to your house only one time per month, unless there is an emergency. You will need proof of income and residence.
Christian Life Assembly Food Bank2nd Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. - Noon2645 Lisburn Road (at Church), Camp Hill, PA 17011(717) 737-6560Cornerstone Assembly- Five Loaves Food Pantry3rd Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - Noon32 S. Front Street, Wormleysburg, PA 17043(717) 737-1903The Bridge Food Bank3rd Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.122 Geary Avenue (at Senior Center), New Cumberland, PA 17070(717) 774-6255New Hope Ministries Food BankMonday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.5228 East Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050(717) 766-7333
CLOTHING & FURNISHINGS
Bountiful Blessings offers non-consumable goods to those in need. Those who receive through Bountiful Blessings are required to give back to the program through volunteer time.
Contacts:Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church1st and 3rd Wednesday, 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.509 Hummel Avenue, Lemoyne, PACapital Area Christian Church1st and 3rd Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.1775 Lambs Gap Road, Mechanicsburg, PA(717) 802-1222
Calvary United Methodist Church
Distribution of clothes: 3rd Saturday, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Free lunch is provided the day of the clothing bank.
700 Market Street, Lemoyne, PA
(717) 737-6921
Community Aid
Thrift store providing clothing, household and collectible items. 50% off all items on Wednesdays.
4833 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
(717) 412-7706
Goodwill Boutique
Monday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Source of low cost used clothing, used household goods and furniture.
1051 Hummel Avenue, Lemoyne, PA 17043
(717) 737-6134
Salvation Army A.R.C. Thrift Store
Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am. - 9:00 pm.
3901 E. Trindle Road, Camp Hill, PA 17055
(717) 731-0576
West Shore Evangelical Free Church's Caring Closet
3rd Friday, 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Closed June, July, & January
1345 Williams Grove Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 697-0226
MEDICAL SERVICES
Ambulance - Call 911
CHIP
Offers free services for children’s medical care offered to children ages 0 through 15.
(800) 543-7101
http://www.chipcoverspakids.com
CUMBERLAND CARES for Families (Cumberland County Aging & Community Services)
An in-home visitation program to support and educate parents of children (Pre-natal to age 5). Cumberland Cares for Families focuses on goals the family wants to pursue with a family development social worker guiding and supporting those efforts. Direct help with child development and parenting skills is offered along with information and support to access other social services to meet financial, medical, counseling, housing, legal, and educational needs. No fees!
18 North Hanover Street, 3rd Floor Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 240-6172
Health Share
Provides low/middle income persons needing medical help w/ affordable services. Examples of services offered include: office visits, eye, dental, &/or prescription assistance. Those persons served are not covered by the Medical Assistance Program or cannot locate a medical professional to provide needed services. Many have limited or no health insurance. Locations include:
Contacts:
New Hope Ministries
(Mechanicsburg Area)
5228 East Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
(717) 766-7333Tri County Community Action
(West Shore Area – Camp Hill, Enola, Lemoyne, New Cumberland & West Fairview)
125 North Enola Drive – Suite 204B, Enola, PA 17025
(717) 732-1944
UTILITIES
LIHEAP/Crisis/Weatherization Heat Programs
Three programs for low income households offered by the County Assistance Office that normally operate from mid November through March.
Contact:County Assistance Office early November of each year(717) 240-2700(800) 269-0173
(800) 545-7741
PA American Water CompanyContact:
Financial help at New Hope Ministries (PCAP)5228 Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050(717) 766-7333
(800) 717-7292
Contact:Possible financial help at New Hope Ministries (PCAP)5228 Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050(717) 766-7333
1030 McClay Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103
(800) 342-5775
Operation HELP
A crisis program for good paying customers to assist with their electric bill
Contact:West Shore to Mechanicsburg
New Hope Ministries (PCAP)5228 Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050(717) 766-7333
A low income program that helps with lower bill payments and debt forgiveness.
Contact:Harrisburg Community Action Commission(717) 232-9757 - ask for the On-Track Program
1500 Paxton St. Harrisburg 17104
(717) 234-5951
(800) 648-6280 (Harrisburg customers)
(800) 609-4844 (Carlisle customers)
Contacts:Customers Assistance Program (CAP) formerly known as LISHP.Must already be on a payment service.LIURP (Low Income Usage Reduction Program) if dwelling is heated by UGI, with landlord’s permission, UGI will weatherize unit.Call (800) 340-5394 to see if eligible.Operation SHARE is a UGI gas program for Cumberland County customers who are not enrolled in the CAP program.(717) 249-7773
TRANSPORTATION
Capital Area Transit (CAT) (main bus station)
Provides transit services with reduced fees. Call for free bus route booklet.
901 N. Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 238-8304
http://www.cattransit.com
5228 East Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
(717) 766-7333
LEGAL
Mid-Penn Legal Services - Cumberland County
401 East Louther Street Suite 103, Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-9400
(800) 822-5288
