Jonathan House Resource List

Introduction 

The IAFR Jonathan House Reference List is designed to assist IAFR Jonathan House program participants in navigating and accessing various community resources. The list aims to identify what services are available to asylum seekers across a variety of categories. It also includes a number of community resources that program participants commonly use or participate in. They are listed under their corresponding sections to help residents access specific services (language acquisition, clothing, etc.). 


This list is not exhaustive, so if you are looking for resources related to a specific condition or situation (HIV, Disability, LGBTQ+, Culturally specific services, etc.) you can check with your therapist or caseworker. For assistance accessing any of the following resources you can again check with your caseworker or the Jonathan House support coordinator. If you have other specific questions (i.e. what to know about buying a car), Jonathan House staff is always here to help and be a resource to you as well! 

Shelter

Hope

Healing

Basic Needs

Clothing

Reach and Restore


Additional Information: Reach and Restore Website

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Joseph’s Coat


Additional Information: Joseph’s Coat Website

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Dress for Success


Additional Information: Dress for Success Website

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Goodwill 


Additional Information: Goodwill Website

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Diaper Banks

There are a few locations around the Twin Cities that provide free diapers


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Food

Du Nord Foundation Community Market


Additional Information: Du Nord Market 

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St. Stephanus Food Shelf (FROGTOWN)


Additional Information: Serving Frogtown

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Feeding the Dream Food Shelf (FROGTOWN)


Additional Information: See St. Stephanus website

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Godtown Food Distribution (FROGTOWN)


Additional Information: Godtown MN

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La Vina (EASTSIDE)

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Help at Your Door


Additional Information: Help at Your Door Website

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Ethnic Grocery Stores

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General Health / Medical Care

Sliding Fee Dental Clinics


Additional Information: Sliding Fee Clinics

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General Wellness


Additional Information: St. Paul Parks and Recreation Website

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YMCA


Additional Information: YMCA of the North 


Tuberculosis Testing

Clinics who provide free testing and referral to the Saint Paul TB Clinic: 


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Other Affordable Gyms

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Household Management 

Tips for Managing a Typical American-Style House


Additional Information: Welcome to your New Home Pamphlet

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Mobility

Transportation 

Metro Transit / Metro Transit Orientations


Additional Information: Metro Transit: Home

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Transit Assistance Program (TAP)


Additional Information: TAP

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Metro Mobility


Additional Information: Metro Mobility

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Google Maps

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Wheels for Women


Additional Information: Wheels for Women Application

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Communication / Cell Phone

PCs for People


Additional Information: PCs for People

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Lifeline Program/Telephone Assistance Plan


Additional Information: MN TAP

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Resource Connection

Faith Community 

Mosques and Islamic Cultural Centers


Additional Information: MN Dawah | Assalam Mosque

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Jonathan House Church Partners


Additional Information: St. Stephanus | FCC | City Church 

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International Churches in the Twin Cities 


Additional Information: La Iglesia | ICF | BCF

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Community 

Local Library

Libraries may offer any of the following resources: 


Additional Information: St. Paul Public Libraries

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Local Parks, Lakes, and Community Centers


Additional Information:  St. Paul Parks and Recreation

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Museums and Historical Sites

St. Paul has many institutions that share about the cultural and history of Minnesota including museums and historical sites. You can find museums for:


Additional Information: St. Paul Museums and History

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Legal Assistance

The Advocates for Human Rights


Additional Information: The Advocates for Human Rights Website

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Immigrant Law Center of MN


Additional Information: Immigrant Law Center

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Asylum Law Project


Additional Information: Asylum Law Project

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Volunteer Lawyers Network


Additional Information: VLN MN

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UMN Law School- Immigrant and Legal Rights Clinic 


Additional Information: UMN Legal Clinic

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Mid-MN Legal Aid


Additional Information: Mid-MN Legal Aid

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MN Interfaith Coalition on Migration 


Additional Information: MN ICOM

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Self-help Resources

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Social Work / Case Management 

Center for Victims of Torture 


Additional Information: The Center for Victims of Torture 

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CLUES

CLUES provides all around case management services including: 


Additional Information: CLUES

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Other Case Management Options

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Mental Health Care

Trauma Healing


Additional Information: MN Trauma Project

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Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation 


Additional Information: Pilgrim Center

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For more information see "Social Work / Case Management" 

Health Insurance / Wellness 

Minnesota Care


Additional Information: MinnesotaCare / Minnesota Department of Human Services

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Medical Assistance (MA)


Additional Information: Medical Assistance (MA) / Minnesota Department of Human Services

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Other

Sharing and Caring Hands


Additional Information: Sharing and Caring Hands

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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program


Additional Information: How to Check Minnesota EBT Card Balance

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CAPRW


More Info: https://caprw.org/get-assistance.html

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Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program


Additional Information: Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program

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General Assistance- Family Assisters

The Family Assisters program provides interpretation and works with a variety of basic and immediate needs. 


Additional information: Family Assisters

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Ramsey County Assistance


Additional Information: Senior Service 

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Oromo Community Center


More info: Community Center

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*For more information on these and other programs or for assistance applying, check with your social worker or case manager

Capacity Building

Language / Education / English Class

International Institute of Minnesota


Additional Information: International Institute of Minnesota 

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Open Door Learning Center


Additional Information: Learn at Open Door 

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School Supplies

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Vocational / Academic Training 

Vocational Training Programs

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Hubbs Center for Lifelong Learning

Additional Information: HUBBS

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Hmong American Partnership Program

Additional Information: HAPP

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Avivo

Additional Information: Avivo Career Services

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Goodwill


To view all courses or to get additional information visit: Free Online Learning at GCFGlobal

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YWCA St. Paul

Additional Information: EED

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Project for Pride in Living


Additional Information: Training Programs

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Volunteering 

Why Volunteer?


Common Places to Volunteer


Additional Information: Hands-On Twin Cities

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Long-Term Stability 

Drivers License / ID

Applying for a MN State ID or Learners Permit


Additional Information: DVS Home 

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Studying for Your Test

There are many resources that can be used to prepare for your driver’s permit test, here are a few below: 

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The order for obtaining an ID is as follows: Visa/Asylum Application ----> EAD ----> SSN ---> Photo ID 

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Finances

ATM Use

Using an ATM, you are able to withdraw EBT Cash Benefits and/or check your monthly balance. You will need: 


Additional Information:

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Bank Account 

The process to open a bank account varies based on which branch you choose. In addition, there are two basic types of accounts you may want to open to get started, either savings or checkings. 


To open a bank account, you will typically need:

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Paying Taxes

In the United States if you receive an income, you are responsible to file taxes each year by April 14th. Taxes are money paid to the government out of your pay-check each year. If the government takes too much out of your paycheck, they might owe you money. If they take too little, you might owe them money. There is also a chance you may have some deductions based on your situation. There are a lot of resources that can help explain the other complexities to you. 


Some documents you might want to take with you when you get your taxes done are: 


For some resources that can help you file your taxes, see here: 

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Creating a Budget

A helpful way to manage your finances and save money can be creating a budget. This allows you to project, track, and control your expenses each month. 



Additional Information: Budget Worksheet

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Employment

EAD Application


Additional Information: MN Council of Churches | USCIS Contact Center

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Upwardly Global


Additional Information: Upwardly Global

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HAP (Hmong American Partnership)


Additional Information: Hmong American Partnership

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Vocational Rehabilitation Services

VocRehab is a program run by the MN State Government. 

 

Additional Information: Vocational Rehab Services 

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International Institute of Minnesota


Additional Information: IIMN Workforce Development 

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Daily Works

Helps people get connected to job opportunities that fit their skills, interests, training, and timeframe. 

Additional Information: Daily Works

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Important Employment Information

It is important to understand certain facets of applying for and holding a job in the United States. If you are not familiar with the following: 


I would encourage you to reach out to one of the above programs for more information! 

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Housing

Family Assisters Program


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International Institute


Additional Information: Housing Services 

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Renter’s Insurance

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RentHelpMN


Additional Information: RentHelpMN Webpage

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Zacah


Additional Information: Zacah Aid and Charity Assisting Humanity 

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Bridge to Benefits


Additional Information: Bridge to Benefits Housing Resource List

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Al Maa’uun Housing 

Al Maa’uun provides a few different services. 


Additional Information: Al Maa’unn- The Neighborly Need

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Housing Link

Additional Information:  Housing Link 

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Sarah's...an Oasis for Women

Provides mid-term housing to:


Additional Information: Sarah's...an Oasis for Women

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Casa Guadalupana

Provides mid-term housing to:


Additional Information: Casa Guadalupana

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CLUES Emergency Housing Hotline

CLUES is a local social service organization providing services to Latinx immigrants. 

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Hennepin County Shelters

Hennepin County has a variety of emergency shelters available to people who are seeking asylum


Additional Information: Emergency programs | Hennepin County

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Common Bond Communities


Additional Information: Common Bond

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Other Housing Options  

Other organizations in the community that may be able to assist with housing needs include: 

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Ramsey County


Additional Information: Ramsey County

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Cultural Fluency 

Pro Tips

Starting off in a new country can be overwhelming to say the least. Mastering or even understanding another culture’s habits, etiquette, language, and customs is no small task. A great way to begin to understand and navigate your new culture, is to simply ask. When you see someone doing or saying something you don’t understand, it may be helpful to describe the situation to someone in your new culture and ask them to explain to you why that was happening. 

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Basic Cultural Awareness

For some basic tips on navigating U.S. culture, check out some of the following resources:

Of course culture is complex and there is so much more that informs different customs, beliefs, and habits. It may be confusing at first, but keep asking questions and staying open to learning and eventually you will find yourself ever more comfortable navigating American culture. 

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Child Care

Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

“The Child Care Assistance Program helps parents with low incomes pay for child care so they can work, go to school or look for a job. It helps make sure children are well cared for and prepared to enter school.”



Additional Information: DHS MN CCAP Family Guide

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Think Small- Early Learning Scholarship


Additional Information: Think Small Early Learning Scholarship

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Employment Training with Child Care

Though oftentimes employment training/job preparation courses DO NOT provide childcare during the hours of the course. Some organizations that offer vocational training and MAY provide child are are:


It is always good to call and check once you have identified a program that may interest you to ask if childcare is provided or not

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Other Child Care Resources 

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YMCA Summer Camps                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 1. The YMCA  offers summer camp day programs for children of all ages

Additional Information: Summer Programming

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*Checking with your child's school for summer child care or afterschool programs is another great place to start

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Asylee Benefits

Post-Asylum Care

There are a variety of services available that can help you access the benefits you are entitled to after being granted asylum. Some of these resources might include: 


Additional Information: MN Council of Churches | International Institute of MN- Asylum Case Management

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