Immigrant, Refugee Assistance Available in Pittsburgh Region

Through the latter part of the 20^th century, the Pittsburgh region’s population has been less ethnically diverse than that of other U.S. cities of similar size. That is slowly changing, however, as a small-but-growing number of immigrants and internationals are drawn to our stable economy and educational offerings, including the Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program to city school graduates. The region has also become a haven to refugees rebuilding their lives after fleeing unrest in places like Bhutan, Myanmar, Iraq and Africa.

Aiding in the transition is the Allegheny County Department of Human Services’s Immigration and International Advisory Council. As Adriana Dobrzycka of Vibrant Pittsburgh says, the council is “facilitating connections and multiplying scarce resources” to help international newcomers build on their own strengths while integrating into the Pittsburgh community.

You can read more about the department’s work – and that of such partner organizations as Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Pittsburgh Muslim Family Support Services and the Latino Family Center — in a new report, “Lessons from the DHS Immigrant and International Advisory Council.” It’s the second .pdf document on this page.