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Resource Finder

Resources for California Newcomers

There are numerous resources out there, but finding the ones you need, when you need them can be a daunting task. We've curated a list of the most helpful links and resources for California newcomers, and the caseworkers and community members who support them.

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Find Free Tax Preparation

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. Visit to find a provider nearby who can help you file your taxes for free.

Source:

Inland Revenue Service

Best for:

Everyone

Google Translate

Visit Google Translate to easily translate text from one language to another.

Source:

Google

Best for:

Everyone

Russian-speaking Therapists

A list of Russian-speaking therapists offering services throughout California. Visit for contact details to request services.

Source:

Psychology Today

Best for:

Everyone

Translation and Interpretation Services

Tajimly offers free and affordable remote interpretation and translation services to non-profit organisations, humanitarian volunteers, social workers, and direct to refugees and immigrants. Tarjimly's free mobile app connects multi-lingual volunteers direct to those in need of language assistance.

Source:

Tajimly

Best for:

Everyone

Ukrainian-speaking Therapists

A list of Ukrainian-speaking therapists offering services throughout California. Visit for contact details to request services.

Source:

Psychology Today

Best for:

Everyone

Refugee Resettlement Agencies (RAs) assisting Uniting for Ukraine Arrivals in California

Visit for a complete list of Resettlement Agencies (RAs) assisting Uniting for Ukraine Arrivals in California. Agencies are listed by county and provide contact details.

Source:

California Department of Public Health

Best for:

Everyone

How to Change your Address - AR11

USCIS Guidance on how to complete a change of address

Source:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Best for:

Everyone

Commonly Used Immigration Documents

Examples of commonly used immigration documents, including Certificate of Naturalization, Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), Refugee Travel Document, Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card, I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, and others.

Source:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Best for:

Everyone

Correcting Info on I-94, CBP Deferred Inspection Sites

Find your nearest Deferred Inspection Site. There are over 70 Deferred Inspections Sites throughout the United States and the outlying territories. These sites provide assistance to those individuals who at the time of entry into the United States were scheduled for a deferred inspection or believe that the documentation and corresponding endorsements issued at the port of entry require review and possible correction. The Deferred Inspection Site staff is also available to review and issue the necessary documents to remedy errors recorded on arrival documents issued at the time of entry to the United States.

Source:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Best for:

Everyone

Drivers Education Materials

Access resources from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), including the California Driver's Handbook, sample driver's license tests, and other helpful how-tos.

Source:

California Department of Motor Vehicles

Best for:

Clients & Community

Requirements for a California Driver's License

A California driver’s license (DL) is a card which grants permission to an individual to operate a motor vehicle. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) provides guidance on how to apply for, renew, or replace a driver's license.

Source:

California Department of Motor Vehicles

Best for:

Clients & Community

Employment Authorized Document (EAD) for Afghan and Ukrainian Parolees

Nov. 21, 2022, USCIS announced that Ukrainian and Afghan parolees with certain classes of admission are employment authorized incident to their parole. Visit for more information and related forms.

Source:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Best for:

Everyone

Troubleshooting: Extension Not yet received for Ukrainians Paroled into the US

For Ukrainians Paroled into the US who have not yet received their extention, complete this USCIS Form. Select Topic: “I-94/ Traveler Compliance” and Applicable Issue: “Ukrainians Paroled into US - Russia Invasion”.

Source:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Best for:

Clients & Community

Request a Fee Waiver for Immigration Forms (I-912)

Use this form to request a fee waiver for certain immigration forms and services, based on a demonstrated inability to pay.

Source:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Best for:

Everyone

Apply for I-94, View Travel History, and Check Compliance

International travelers visiting the United States can apply for or retrieve their I-94 admission number/record (which is proof of legal visitor status), request travel history of their U.S. arrivals and departures, and check travel compliance.

Source:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Best for:

Everyone

Introduction to Transportation in the United States

Public transportation in the USA can be a challenge to navigate. Nova Ukraine provides an overview of transportation options and answers frequently asked questions.

Source:

Nova Ukraine

Best for:

Clients & Community

Uniting for Ukraine

Uniting for Ukraine provides a pathway for displaced Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily for up to two years. Visit this page for more information on how to apply, eligibility requirements, and what to expect.

Source:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Best for:

Everyone

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukrainians

USCIS provides guidance on Temporary Protected Status for Ukrainians, important dates, and details on how to apply.

Source:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Best for:

Clients & Community

211: Find Services in your Zip Code

2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that helps people across North America find the local resources they need. 2-1-1 makes it easy to find food, housing, job training, after-school programs and much more.

Source:

2-1-1 and United Way

Best for:

Clients & Community

California Tenants Rights & Responsibilities Guide

What should a tenant do if his or her apartment needs repairs? Can a landlord force a tenant to move? How many days' notice does a tenant have to give a landlord before moving out? Can a landlord raise a tenant’s rent? This guidebook answers these questions and many others and provides an overview of the California laws that govern the landlord-tenant relationship.

Source:

California Department of Real Estate

Best for:

Everyone

What to do about Housing Discrimination

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) is responsible for enforcing state fair housing laws that make it illegal to discriminate against or harass someone because of a protected characteristic, such as their gender, race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. The law also requires reasonable accommodations for disabilities and prohibits retaliation against someone for exercising their rights. Visit to learn more about what discrimination looks like, available remedies, and the complaints process.

Source:

CA Civil Rights Department

Best for:

Service Providers

Frequently Asked Questions on Housing Rights

Central California Legal Services provides answers to commonly asked housing questions, including dealing with evictions, security deposits, and repairs.

Source:

Central California Legal Services

Best for:

Service Providers

Community Legal Aid in Southern California

Community Legal Aid SoCal provides free workshops and clinics on a variety of civil legal topics, including family law and eviction defense. Visit to learn more about their services, free workshops, and clincis.

Source:

Community Legal Aid SoCal

Best for:

Service Providers

Find Financial Assistance for Rent Hardship and other Housing Resources

Find local resources for your housing issues in your state. You can find legal aid groups to call for help. You can see what rental assistance programs may help you. Or you can use tools to write letters or file court documents to protect yourself.

Source:

Legal Help FAQs

Best for:

Service Providers

Affordable Apartments by County

Visit to find affordable housing options in your county. The list is updated quarterly.

Source:

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Best for:

Service Providers

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