Resources
Learning English
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Norwich Adult Education
191 Hickory St
Norwich, CT 06360
(860) 823-4299
ESOL classes at many levels and times of the day.
Literacy Volunteers of Eastern Connecticut
Otis Library
261 Main Street
Norwich, CT 06360
(860) 889-2365
Mixed-level English conversation groups conducted at Otis Library. Daily drop-in schedule. Also offers small groups for 2-3 people for help with grammar and sentence structure. Flexible conversation topics often on practical matters such as job searches or citizenship applications.
The Otis Library is a welcoming location that offers computers with the internet and printing, a foreign-language collection with adult and children books, and magazines, newspapers, and movies and music in Spanish, French, and Chinese. There is also a new Americans corner with multi-lingual government forms, citizenship materials, and a wide range of ESOL books, DVDs, CDs, and flashcards.
The library also offers a passport application center, a private community room available for literacy tutoring, multicultural events, and library materials and programming in Spanish.
Visas and Citizenship
Visa Assistance
Ayanti Grant
Congressman Joe Courtney's Office
55 Main St. Suite 250
Norwich, CT 06360
(860) 886-0139
Provides immigration case work by request including such services as looking into individual applications, helping to find reasons for denial or delay, providing letters of support when possible, and keeping records of files. Also offers assistance in applying for fee wavers and navigating USCIS website. Helps to process last minute passport applications and non-immigrant visa applications. Citizenship toolkits are available.
Citizenship Classes
Norwich Adult Education
191 Hickory St
Norwich, CT 06360
(860) 823-4299
Offers Citizenship Preparation classes.
Immigration Services
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Please note that you should only use U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website when applying for visas or citizenship. Other imitation government sites over-charge for forms and services even though they appear to be official.
Catholic Charities
331 Main St
Norwich, CT 06360
(860) 889-8346
Appointments can be made with Accredited Immigration Representatives.
Immigrant Advocacy and Support Center
250 State Street (8 Washington Street entrance)
New London, CT 06320
Phone: (860) 629-7758
email
Provides a variety of low-cost or no cost immigration services and legal assistance.
International Institute of Connecticut (IICONN)
670 Clinton Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06605
(203) 336-0141
A statewide non-profit human service agency that provides many services for immigrants and refugees including private consultations on immigration legal assistance and a network of pro-bono lawyers.
Healthcare and Human Services
Norwich Human Services
100 Broadway Room 212
Norwich, CT 06360
(860) 823-3778
The first stop for Norwich residents in need. Helps to provide a safety net for residents by helping with such things as food, rent, shelter, medicine, relocation expenses, heating and utilities, back-to-school supplies, and holiday costs. Also offers individual case management, referrals, and advocacy to help navigate state and federal resource programs.
In addition, Norwich Human Services offers individualized, comprehensive employment assessments as well as job search assistance, referrals, and help with transportation. Also offers training programs for entry-level positions including certified-nurses aide, Patient Care Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Lead Abatement, and Emergency Medical Technician.
United Community & Family Services (UCFS)
Meadows Shopping Center
47 Town St
Norwich, CT 06360
(860) 892-7042
Offers comprehensive healthcare services including overall primary care, eldercare, women's services, pediatric care, outpatient behavioral health services, dental care, and more. Uses a sliding scale and accepts insurance. Offers on-site telephone translation services.
Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc. (TVCCA)
401 West Thames Street, Unit 201
Norwich, CT 06360
Tel: 860-889-1365
Toll Free: 800-861-8429
Fax: 860-885-2738
A comprehensive non-profit social service agency serving New London county with such supports as childcare/early childhood education, nutrition programs, housing assistance, employment assistance, case management, energy assistance, and more.
Backus Hospital
326 Washington Street
Norwich, CT 06360
(860) 889-8331
Good for emergency and major care. Offers 24/7 video and telephone translation services.
South Eastern Mental Health Authority- Multicultural Committee
Sylvia Baird, LCSW
401 W. Thames St.
Norwich, CT 06360
(860) 859-4554
Workplace Assistance
Norwich Community Development Corporation (NCDC)
77 Main Street
Norwich, CT 06360
(860) 887-6964
Offers resources and links to starting a small business in Norwich, and it also includes programs to assist business development in Norwich's downtown.
America's Small Business Development Center of Connecticut
No-cost advising services for new or existing small business owners. Information on resources, trainings, events, and more.
Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development
Links to state resources for small business entrepreneurship such as financial and technical assistance and advising.
Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region
Local small business and development information including network, financing, revolving loan fund, technical assistance and other resources.
Connecticut Department of Labor - American Job Center of Norwich
113 Salem Turnpike, North Building, Suite 200 Norwich, CT 06360
Services include job search assistance, resume-writing assistance, recruitment for job openings, computer workshops, and more.
International Institute of Connecticut (IICONN)
670 Clinton Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06605
(203) 336-0141
Housing
Housing Assistance
Norwich Housing Authority
10 Westwood Park
Norwich, CT 06360
(860) 887-1605
Provides housing assistance to low-income residents through both state and federal housing assistance programs. Passport, birth certificate, green card or other documents may be required for applications. Wait lists are likely.
Catholic Charities
331 Main St.
Norwich, CT 06360
(860) 889-8346 x271
Provides extensive housing counseling services including housing education workshops, financial management, budget counseling, pre-purchase counseling, rental housing counseling, services for the homeless counseling, and more.
Norwich Human Services
100 Broadway Room 212
Norwich, CT 06360
(860) 823-3778
Norwich Human Services
Includes services such as emergency rent and mortgage assistance, relocation services, and heat/utility assistance for Norwich residents.
Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc. (TVCCA)
401 West Thames Street, Unit 201
Norwich, CT 06360
Tel: 860-889-1365
Housing programs include foreclosure/eviction prevention, a homeless shelter, section 8 housing vouchers and rental assistance program (RAP), supporting Housing Program for permanently disabled and homeless individuals, and case management for families in shelters who are at risk of violence or abuse.
Multicultural Organizations
Centro de la Comunidad
109 Blinman Street New London, CT 06320
Mailing address: PO Box 1421 New London, CT 06320
(860) 442-4462
Their mission is to promote the empowerment of Hispanics in New London County. They provide various educational programs and services such as ESL (English as a Second Language) G.E.D Classes (General Educational Development), Certified Nurse’s Aide Training, Spanish Classes, Social Services & Case Management, Job Readiness Program and Community Services. They also have a youth dance program.
Chinese and American Cultural Assistance Association
John Wong, President
PO Box 471
Uncasville, CT 06382
(860) 373-0606
Individual or family memberships include such services as performing arts classes, workshops and seminars, health and medical assistance, immigration assistance, translation service, community advocacy, voter registration, tax assistance, legislative representation, and more.
A Capela do Santo Antonio, Inc.
Roberta J. Vincent
(860) 705-3176
St. Anthony's Chapel, a small historic community chapel, was built in 1926 in Norwich by a Cape Verdean Immigrant. It was restored by the Cape Verdean Santiago Society in 1977 and later relocated and rebuilt in its current location, at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 70 Central Ave in Norwich.