OUR IMPACT

15 YEARS & BEYOND

As we look towards the next 15 years and beyond, hear from four program participants, our founder, Anne O’Callaghan, and President and CEO, Peter Gonzales, about how we have been fulfilling our mission over the last 15 years.

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OUR MILESTONES

WELCOMING NEW PENNSYLVANIANS SINCE 2003
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CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

I left Kenya in 2009 because tribal clashes made it unsafe for me and my family. I was a Chemistry teacher for 26 years. It was difficult finding employment when I got to the U.S. The Welcoming Center helped me land my first job. Later, they gave me the tools I needed to launch a small business of my own. Today, my company employs 60 Pennsylvanians, six of whom were hired through the Welcoming Center.david-kitonga-edited-crop-bw
David Kitonga
from Kenya
When I came to the States, I hardly spoke any English. My case manager was very helpful because she talked to me, listened to me, and said, ``there are a lot of people who make it and you’re gonna make it too. You just have to be strong.`` I always dreamed of being a nurse, so I decided to become an LPN.lesya-p-1-crop-bw
Lesya Ponyzhay
from Ukraine
I worked as a medical doctor before I moved to the US with my wife. The first months were very hard for us. The Welcoming Center helped me find a job, and now I work in the medical implants field. It's amazing! I enrolled in the English for Healthcare Professionals course, and it was very helpful. I can't forget my teacher and the director of the program. I thank them so much because I'm expecting to go further along my path as a healthcare professional.menouar-m-crop-bw
Menouar Maallemi
from Algeria
Living in America thousands of miles away from home is sometimes hard, but I am doing my best. I have come a long way from where I was three years ago. I could barely speak English, and now I am no longer taking ESL classes. I’m taking Chemistry, Biology, and many more difficult courses at Community College of Philadelphia - and all in English! If you met me three years ago when I first came to the Welcoming Center, you would not believe it!agnes-014
Agnieszka Dubik
from Poland
I immigrated to the U.S in 2014 to start a new life. I started taking English classes because my English was very limited. The Welcoming Center helped me with my writing and speaking skills. I submitted my application to Thomas Jefferson Hospital University Scholarship Professional Community Health Worker Program. I was awarded a one-year scholarship!phalla-c-crop-bw
Phalla Chhoeun
from Cambodia
My dream, even before I got married, was that my kids would study in the United States. It’s not easy to fit in when you come here. A friend told me about the Welcoming Center. Just casually, you know, I decided to try them out and I was thrilled. I was marveled at what I saw.leonard-i-1-crop-bw
Leonard Ihedirionye
from Nigeria
The year before I joined the Welcoming Center, I tried to learn some English but it was a horrible year. As the name implies, it really is indeed the Welcoming Center. I learned in the ESL classes and the Civics class about American society. They really gave me hope!may-y-1-crop-bw
May Yazji
from Syria