CWS - Lancaster Immigration & Refugee Program

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CWS - Lancaster Immigration & Refugee Program

CWS Lancaster is committed to showing welcome to refugees, immigrants, and asylum-seekers. Disagree with what we say? Please keep your comments on-topic.

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05/15/2026

On this International Day of Families, we celebrate the simple, powerful truth: families belong together. ❤️

This heartfelt drawing -- created by one of our immigration attorneys who represents unaccompanied children -- began as part of an activity during a recent staff meeting. What started as a piece of paper with a few simple circles became a father and child, connected, protected, and whole.

Today helps remind us why our work matters. Every child deserves safety, and every family deserves to be together.

05/09/2026

We are all set up for Open Streets!

05/07/2026

It's been 6 months since we opend our food pantry doors, and since then, we've provided culturally familiar staples to 750+ individuals—with 47% of guests being children. That includes 500+ halal chickens!

We launched this pantry in response to changes in SNAP eligibility impacting refugee and immigrant families—but it has become so much more than a place for food. It’s a space rooted in hospitality, respect, and belonging, where every neighbor feels seen and welcomed.

Thank you to all of the individuals, community groups, faith groups, and local businesses that have hosted food drives and regular donations. Because of you, families are receiving food that honors their traditions, choices, and dignity.

As demand grows, we’ve doubled the number of available appointments—and we need YOUR HELP to keep our shelves stocked to meet the need.

👉 Host a food drive
👉 Donate to support food purchases
👉 Help us keep shelves stocked and bellies full

Together, we're building a world where everyone has food, voice, and a safe place to call home.

05/06/2026

For 20 years, CWS Lancaster has worked to ensure immigrants and refugees have access to the legal representation they deserve.

Our immigration legal services programs provide free and low-cost legal representation by attorneys and accredited representatives to refugees, immigrants, unaccompanied children, and their families with family and humanitarian-based immigration matters.

In a recent LNP | Lancaster Online op-ed, our Associate Director for Legal Services, Janet Tisinger, highlighted the vital role DOJ-accredited programs play in making this work possible—and the risks they face today.

05/04/2026

A huge thank-you to the for donating menstrual products to share through our food pantry. Access to menstrual products is essential to staying healthy, safe, and able to fully participate in daily life.

This week marks 6 months of food pantry support, so you'll be be hearing a lot about this space all week. As families face changing policies and hateful rhetoric, we’re working hard to provide dignity, care, and the everyday essentials that families need to thrive.

Thank you for helping us make that possible!

04/27/2026

Join us at OPEN STREETS! 🚶‍♀️🚲

We’ll be out on Water Street on Saturday, May 9 | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM. Stop by the CWS Lancaster table with a donation for our Food Pantry and receive a free yard sign!

04/23/2026

Even in a year marked by heartache and adversity, our community showed up.

Together, we helped ensure families had food and essential resources and legal support that protects their rights. You helped build a community rooted in belonging— here in Lancaster and across central PA. 🍎⚖️🌱

Our FY25 Impact Report tells the story of what we made possible, together. In grateful solidarity --

🔗 Link in bio

04/21/2026

Thanks to Tyson Foods Community Giving program for empowering new beginnings! With Tyson's support, CWS Lancaster helped 95 refugee and immigrant neighbors start their new jobs on the right foot, providing orientation interpretation, uniforms and equipment, and transportation support. We're grateful to community partners like Tyson who believe in the potential of new neighbors and invest in their success!

04/16/2026

You know him and love him! We're excited to share that our very own Matt Johnson has been selected as a .us Heart of Welcome honoree. Matt is a passionate advocate, collaborative leader, and true friend who somehow manages to make the impossible possible.

In sharing with .us, Matt said, "Lancaster lives and breathes welcome, and I'm lucky to live here.”

We think we're the lucky ones!

04/13/2026

On March 27, for the first time ever, an immigration-related “discharge petition” successfully reached 218 signatures and is set to force a vote on the House floor.

The petition will compel a vote on H.R. 1689, a bipartisan bill that would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS provides critical protection and work authorization for individuals who cannot safely return to their home countries.

Many Haitians have lived here for decades. Meanwhile, Haiti is in an escalating humanitarian and security crisis.

Contact your members of Congress to vote in favor of legislation requiring TPS protections to continue.

04/09/2026

Looking for an excuse to treat your self Friday night? Luca Pizzeria has chosen CWS Lancaster for this month's Pizza with a purpose. 10% of all sales of the delicious NORCIA Pizza in the month of April will be donated to CWS Lancaster! Stop by, enjoy the spring air on their patio and support CWS Lancaster all in one go!

Address

308 E King Street
Lancaster, PA
17602

Website

http://www.cwslancaster.org/

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