Standing With Our Newest Neighbors
Since 2017, Hello Neighbor has provided support to over 800 refugees and immigrants from more than 17 countries of origin. Our programs focus on responding to the needs of our community and connecting refugees and immigrants to the support systems and resources they need to thrive.
Our local Family Services programs provide direct, neighbor-to-neighbor support to refugees and immigrants throughout the Pittsburgh region. These programs include Family Mentorship, connecting local families to their newest neighbors, Study Buddy, offering peer tutoring for refugee and immigrant youth, and Smart Start, providing support to new moms and babies.
We also provide local support through our Direct Services program which supplies refugee and immigrant families in crisis with essential items, support, and direct cash assistance.
Our newest program, Refugee Resettlement, focuses on supporting new refugee arrivals from the moment they step off the plane through the difficult journey of rebuilding a life - starting with access to safe and furnished housing, employment services, access to basic needs and health services, school enrollment support and so much more.
In addition to these local programs, the Hello Neighbor Network is our national program that helps build more inclusive communities across the country through providing refugee-focused nonprofits with the support and resources they need to create structural change.
Read more about our programs below and learn how you can get involved.
Refugee Resettlement
Our newest resettlement program focuses on directly resettling refugees, SIVs, and Afghan humanitarian parolees across Allegheny County. We will use a Community Sponsorship model to garner grassroots, community support around our newest neighbor from the moment they step off the plane.
Family Mentorship
Our core mentorship program matches recently resettled refugee and immigrant families with caring Pittsburghers as they work together to navigate the challenges of adjusting to life in America. Mentors consist of families, couples, and individuals and the core commitment is 10 hours a month for six month.
Study Buddy
Study Buddy uses a peer-to-peer model to offer online navigation support and homework help for middle and high school refugee youth in response to the shift to remote and hybrid learning due to COVID-19. Students and young professionals are matched with refugee students for Fall and Spring semesters.
Smart Start
Smart Start works to provide culturally competent and personalized support for new refugee and immigrant moms and babies by pairing them with local moms to guide them through their pregnancy. The core commitment for Smart Start volunteers is one hour per week for six months.
Direct Services
Through our Direct Services programs, we address the most urgent and pressing needs of refugee and immigrant families impacted by COVID-19. We do this through the Refugee Assistance Fund, which provides direct cash assistance to families in need, and Distributions, which supply families with essential items.
Hello Neighbor Network
A national coalition of grassroots organizations supporting refugees and immigrants across the U.S., the Hello Neighbor Network provides refugee-focused nonprofits with the tools and resources they need to create structural change. Learn more about upcoming events and opportunities to engage with the Network.
Food Social Enterprise
PAUSED DUE TO COVID-19Our Food Social Enterprise program exists to help refugee women gain financial freedom and job training through food-based programs, such as our New Neighbor Cookie Table and Community Dinners. Due to COVID-19 this program is currently on pause, but stay tuned for the latest updates!