Hispanic Apostolate Community Services and Immigration and Refugee Services Immigration & Refugee Services *Immigration & Refugee Services information coming soon. If you need assistance with a non-Hispanic immigration matter, please call (504) 523-6962. Hispanic Apostolate Community Services (Click for En Español) Catholic Charities’ Hispanic Apostolate Community Services has been serving the Hispanic community in New Orleans since 1972. Our mission is to help immigrants become independent, productive, and integral members of our society, respecting the dignity and potential of each human person.  We carry out this mission-driven work by providing twelve different services to the Hispanic community. We are the leader in providing direct client services, community outreach and advocacy to the Hispanic community. Contact Information: Catholic Charities’ Hispanic Apostolate Community Services 2809 Harvard Avenue, Metairie, LA 70006 Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 4 PM hispanicapostolate@archdiocese-no.org (504) 457-3462 SERVICES WE PROVIDE: Click here to download a copy of our flyer EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE (Ext. 206) The emergency assistance office provides case management services to individuals and families in crisis or in emergency situations. We assist clients based on the resources available. Our office works in collaboration with public and private agencies and church parishes, in order to meet the client’s needs. JOB SERVICES (Ext. 208) We serve as liaison between employers and individuals seeking employment. We assist with resume writing, job applications and job interview skills. Employers submit job openings to our office and our staff refers clients to them based on experience, education, and skills. All clients must present the necessary documentation indicating that they can work in the U.S. IMMIGRATION SERVICES AT THE METAIRIE SITE (Ext. 205 or Ext. 203) Our immigration office is fully accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice to provide a broad range of immigration counseling and representation to immigrants and their families. We help clients understand the immigration law; learn their rights under the law and to complete the immigration process successfully. TAX PREPARATION SERVICES (Ext. 209) This program strives to help individuals in preparing tax returns, provides information on services, regulations and tax concerns/issues. We provide small business workshops that impact and educate the community in partnership with the IRS. LATINO HEALTH ACCESS NETWORK (736-5047, 736-5048) LHAN’s mission is to improve the access to primary medical care to uninsured and underinsured Hispanics. Our health promoters connect clients with health services and assist them in accessing health care from a range of medical care providers and community organizations. WORKERS’ RIGHTS (Ext. 223) In collaboration with Loyola Law Clinic and the Pro Bono Project, we offer a weekly Wage Claim Clinic for individuals who have been victims of wage theft and would like legal assistance to reclaim the money they are owed.  We assist workers in navigating the legal system and offer mediation if necessary. We inform and educate workers about their rights and also raise awareness about workers’ rights among law enforcement, attorneys, and other agencies.  HISPANIC PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVE (Ext. 223) The Hispanic Public Safety Initiative launched in May 2008 with the goal of improving overall public safety by strengthening relations between the Latino community and law enforcement.  We provide information on crime prevention, reporting crimes and cultural awareness to the Hispanic community.  ESL/CITIZENSHIP CLASSES (722-5692) English as a Second Language (ESL) and Citizenship classes serve over hundreds of adult learners annually and operate in 6 sites throughout Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Tammany parishes.  Both morning and evening classes are offered in order to accommodate all work schedules, and 100% of instructors are volunteers. Our ESL and Citizenship classes provide a key component for integrating into the American society for both immigrants who have recently arrived and those who have been in this country for several years.  HOUSING COUNSELING & TUTORING CENTER (Located at Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School in Rooms 7-118 and 7-119) Through our counseling and tutoring center, we provide family, individual and small group counseling to the Hispanic community, and offer after-school assistance with homework, school projects to students from Hispanic families. The ultimate goal of this program is to reduce the dropout rate among Hispanic youth and provide mentoring toward the importance of high school graduation and higher learning.  WEEKLY RADIO SHOW (Ext. 211) We host a weekly 30-minute live radio show “Construyendo Nuestra Comunidad” (Building Our Community), alternating between both local Latin stations (WFNO and KGLA). Each week guests are interviewed about different topics in an effort to educate the community about available services, current issues, and outreach efforts.  HOUSING COUNSELING (504-310-6922) We provide information and guidance to families who are either considering the purchase of a home for the first time or who are in the process of foreclosure by explaining financing options, encouraging financial planning and good money management, and more. THE REBUILD CENTER AT ST. JOSEPH CHURCH (273-5561) As a partner of the Harry Tompson Center, Lantern Light Ministries, and St. Joseph Church, we provide basic case management helping Spanish speakers access the many services offered at the St. Joseph Rebuild Center for the homeless and working poor.  These services include: shower, laundry, telephones, lunch, mail, medical and legal assistance, ID assistance, interpretation and more.