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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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Know Your Rights Printable Red Cards (Multiple Languages)

These printable “Red Cards,” available in multiple languages through the Immigration Resource Center, help individuals assert their constitutional rights during encounters with ICE or law enforcement. The cards explain the right to remain silent and the right to refuse entry without a warrant, making them a simple and powerful preparedness tool.

Source:

Immigration Resource Center

Best for:

Service Providers, Clients & Community, Everyone

Rapid Response Toolkit

Created by the Legal Aid Justice Center, this Rapid Response Toolkit offers practical guidance for community members and advocates on how to respond to immigration enforcement actions. It includes information on planning, documentation, legal observation, and community-based strategies to support impacted individuals and families.

Source:

Legal Aid Justice Center

Best for:

Service Providers, Clients & Community, Everyone

Refugee Know Your Rights

This resource from the Pars Equality Center provides refugees and asylum seekers with clear, practical information about their legal rights when interacting with immigration officials, law enforcement, and government agencies. It is designed to empower individuals with knowledge to protect themselves and their families and is especially useful during enforcement encounters or legal uncertainty.

Source:

Pars Equality Center

Best for:

Everyone, Clients & Community, Service Providers

Free Training for Interpreters and Translators

Would you like to volunteer as an interpreter for attorneys working with clients in ICE detention? Maybe you would like to put your language skills to use by translating documents for immigration legal cases? Our free 1-hour training course will give you the knowledge you need to get started as a volunteer interpreter or translator with the Immigration Justice Campaign. By the end of this training, you will be able to: Identify the differences between interpretation and translation Recognize the importance of the volunteer commitment Prepare for a translation request Prepare for an interpretation request Identify common terminology in legal interpretation/translation encounters Apply interpretation best practices Identify specific needs for interpretation of LGBTQ+ cases

Source:

The Immigration Justice Campaign

Best for:

Clients & Community, Everyone, Service Providers

How to Access the EOIR Automated Court Info System

Pars Afghan Support Project has made a new video in Dari for Afghan Nationals to demonstrate how to access the EOIR/Immigration Automated Case Information system (by phone/online). Please share widely with your clients/community members. This info is super helpful, as many community members may not know how to check if they have been put into removal, and we know that many people everyday miss their notices to appear and get removed in absentia. This information is also useful for those in removal to keep track of changes to their hearing dates and times, as we know many Immigration Judges (IJS) have been removed or left their positions locally, and there are many changes to the EOIR court docket.

Source:

Pars Equality Center

Best for:

Service Providers, Clients & Community

Practical Skills for Difficult Times

As part of our CA Commission for Behavioral Health grant, IRC's Technical Training Unit is excited to offer a free training series, “Practical Skills for Difficult Times,” designed specifically for immigrant- and refugee‑serving behavioral health service providers. This three‑part series offers practical tools to support staff wellness, strengthen trauma‑informed service delivery, and enhance our collective capacity to support clients during periods of uncertainty. Training Series Overview 1. Psychological First Aid to Support Clients Impacted by Immigration Enforcement 📅 March 24 at 12:00 PM PST 🔗 Register: https://rescue.zoom.us/meeting/register/E-rXMORVQGunT7JiJVpKeQ 2. Trauma‑Informed Engagement & Assessments 📅 April 28 at 12:00 PM PST 🔗 Register: https://rescue.zoom.us/meeting/register/rldNJj2LSimuwLuJ6amzcg 3. Mitigating Vicarious Trauma and Burnout During Uncertainty 📅 May 26 at 12:00 PM PST 🔗 Register: https://rescue.zoom.us/meeting/register/4q8WjGn6R9Kmp-IjkFQCMg What Participants Will Gain Practical Psychological First Aid skills for moments of heightened fear or distress Region-specific supports to share with clients Tools to promote trauma-informed assessments and client engagement Strategies to reduce burnout and strengthen resilience Free, easy‑to‑use wellness resources for providers We would love to have your team join us for any—or all—of these virtual sessions. Please feel free to share this invitation broadly with colleagues or partners who may benefit. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to learning together!

Source:

International Rescue Committee

Best for:

Service Providers

El Tímpano Guía de Recursos

The guide includes relevant and up-to-date information about how to seek help on issues ranging from housing and utilities assistance to citizenship classes, legal aid, and health care services. It is a curated and vetted guide to programs and organizations that serve the East Bay’s Latino and Mayan immigrants. For local, up-to-date information and personalized guidance from El Tímpano in Spanish, text the word “OÍR” to (510) 800-8305. La guía incluye información relevante y actualizada sobre dónde encontrar ayuda en temas que van desde asistencia para vivienda y servicios públicos hasta clases de ciudadanía, asistencia legal y servicios de atención médica. Es una guía curada y examinada de programas y organizaciones locales que sirven inmigrantes latinos y mayas en el Área de la Bahía. Para información local, actualizada y orientación personalizada de El Tímpano en español, envíe un mensaje de texto con la palabra “OÍR” al (510) 800-8305.

Source:

El Timpano

Best for:

Clients & Community, Everyone, Service Providers

California Immigrant Guide

This guide features services with English language learning, workforce skill development, naturalization preparation, or legal assistance.

Source:

State of California

Best for:

Everyone

Beauty Licensing Recognition in US

Agency provides guidance for those with licenses in the beauty and spa industries from other counties in getting their certificates recognized in the US. Could save thousands of dollars in fees. Site offered in Russian and English

Source:

Community Member submitted resource

Best for:

Everyone

Find Help by UC Davis Health

Search and connect to support. Financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help available.

Source:

University of California - Davis, Health

Best for:

Everyone

Housing Assistance for Ukrainians FAQ

FAQ regarding HAU program overview, eligibility, and documentation

Source:

CDSS' Refugee Programs Bureau

Best for:

Everyone, Government Staff

Get Help Paying your Energy Bills

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance ​Program (LIHEAP) may be able to help you pay yo​​​ur energy bill. ​​​​LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay for heating or cooling in their homes. Visit to learn more about eligibility and contact your local LIHEAP agency.

Source:

California Department of Community Services and Development

Best for:

Clients & Community

Housing Assisstance for Ukrainians Program, RPB

The Housing Assistance for Ukrainians (HAU) program was created to support the transition of recent Ukrainian arrivals and non-Ukrainian individuals displaced from Ukraine to long-term housing in California. HAU provides direct housing and utility assistance and housing support services to eligible households through partnerships with eight refugee-impacted county leads. Visit to learn more.

Source:

CDSS Refugee Programs Bureau (RPB)

Best for:

Everyone

Free phone & service plus 2 months of Amazon Prime

Answer a few simple questions to see if you’re eligible for Lifeline and the new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal initiative to provide all Americans with broadband Internet service.

Source:

TruConnect

Best for:

Clients & Community

Discounted Phone and Internet Services through Lifeline

The California LifeLine Program (California LifeLine) is a state program that provides discounted home phone and cell phone services to eligible households. Viist to learn more about the types of discounted services available and see if you qualify.

Source:

California Public Utilities Commission

Best for:

Clients & Community

Loans & Financial Education

The Center for Economic Opportunity (CEO) offers financial coaching and small loans tailored to meet the practical needs of working families and new Americans. CEO specializes in making flexible, affordable consumer and microenterprise loans to borrowers with little access to traditional financing. Visit to learn more about CEO's loans, including auto, credit building, and immigration loans.

Source:

Center for Economic Opportunity

Best for:

Everyone

Overview of Services and Benefits in Sacramento County

See a list of local service providers and benefits in Sacramento County, including Resettlement Agencies.

Source:

California Department of Public Health

Best for:

Clients & Community

Overview of Services and Benefits in Alameda County

See a list of local service providers and benefits in Alameda County, including Resettlement Agencies.

Source:

California Department of Public Health

Best for:

Clients & Community

Overview of Services and Benefits in Contra Costa County

See a list of local service providers and benefits in Contra Costa County, including Resettlement Agencies.

Source:

California Department of Public Health

Best for:

Clients & Community

Overview of Services and Benefits in Los Angeles County

See a list of local service providers and benefits in Los Angeles County, including Resettlement Agencies.

Source:

California Department of Public Health

Best for:

Clients & Community

Overview of Services and Benefits in San Diego County

See a list of local service providers and benefits in San Diego County, including Resettlement Agencies.

Source:

California Department of Public Health

Best for:

Clients & Community

Overview of Services and Benefits in San Francisco County

See a list of local service providers and benefits in San Francisco County, including Resettlement Agencies.

Source:

California Department of Public Health

Best for:

Clients & Community

Overview of Services and Benefits in Santa Clara County

See a list of local service providers and benefits in Santa Clara County, including Resettlement Agencies.

Source:

California Department of Public Health

Best for:

Clients & Community

Overview of Services and Benefits in Stanislaus County

See a list of local service providers and benefits in Stanislaus County, including Resettlement Agencies.

Source:

California Department of Public Health

Best for:

Clients & Community

Resource Guide for Ukrainian Newcomers - English

CDSS's Resource Guide provides a helpful overview for Ukrainian Newcomers, covering topics including Social Security, School Enrollment, Medical Care, Housing, Driver's License, Public Charge, Legal Aid, and Public Assistance Benefits.

Source:

California Department of Social Services

Best for:

Clients & Community

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