Social Services Program The UFA Social Service Office is an information and referral center dedicated to providing services to the Ukrainian-American community, and especially to new immigrants. We provide assistance with the English language and job skills, small business development and other programs that will help new Ukrainian immigrants in the United States to become self-sustaining individuals, integrated into American society. Since its inception, the Information & Referral program has provided assistance to over 500 people. We help people fill out applications to qualify for various programs, such as Low-income Energy Assistance, the Rent Rebate program, the Property Tax Assistance program. We also help with resume writing and employment applications, and provide referrals Meals On Wheels programs, Congregate Meals, Home Health Aide and In-Home Nursing agencies, ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, and housing assistance organizations. Our bi-lingual and bi-cultural staff continue to provide assistance to the community not only through by telephone, but we also home visit homes, and accompany clients to necessary appointments. In the spring of 2009, we received a grant from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, which enables us to re-start our Social Service program later this year. Presently, we are developing a program for home visits and interpreter services that are necessary throughout the social service delivery process. We will implement a Needs Assessment project which will locate vulnerable elderly in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and, especially, the isolated at-home elderly. The assessment will enable us to provide contacts and services to this language and home-bound population. As funding will be limited during these difficult financial times, the Federation is looking to partner with other local government agencies in order to provide more direct service for our community. The completion and distribution of our Information Resource Manual has provided a point of reference for the public as well as organizations looking to identify sources of information and assistance. Later in 2009, we intend to present a series of 5 informational seminars that will address issues of interest and concern to the new immigrant population and the growing elderly community. We believe that information is empowerment! UFA staff will be available to provide employment, career, and visa advice to members of the Ukrainian-American commuity. Our office is located at: 700 Cedar Road The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 10 AM till 3 PM. (Updated 7/28/2010)
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