Tacoma Community House, a non-profit agency related to the United Methodist Church, works with and advocates for individuals from various cultural and ethnic groups to improve the quality of their lives, through education, employment and multilingual assistance.

Description:
At Tacoma Community House we serve our community through employment, education, and multi-lingual assistance programs. Employment services include job training, job placement assistance, minority business outreach, and a youth employment project -- all with the one-on-one attention from case managers that helps participants succeed.
Education is the starting point for what is to come. Our Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language classes give adults the skills needed to thrive in our world. Families are strengthened through childhood and family support programs. Our two state-of-the-art computer labs offer computer-based learning to reinforce the skills taught in class.
The TCH Bilingual Social Services program assists limited English speakers in our community. We help immigrants and refugees understand the complex and confusing naturalization laws and the paperwork that follows. We also offer citizenship classes and translation services. Our division, Literacy Network Of Washington, is a training, information, and referral resource for those interested in volunteering in literacy and ESL programs throughout the state.

History:
In 1907 a group of United Methodist Women dreamed of a place that would offer assistance, opportunity and understanding for local immigrant populations. In 1910 their dream was realized when Tacoma Community House opened its doors in the heart of the Hilltop neighborhood. Through the years, the programs offered at TCH have changed in response to the needs of the people we serve. Here are some brief highlights from our 90+ years of history:

• During its first years of operation, TCH was mainly a youth center offering spots, hobbies, scouting classes, and a safe and welcoming after school center for children in the Hilltop neighborhood. Later, TCH began classes for adults, focusing on eliminating the barriers faced by many immigrants and low-income families.
• English classes were first offered to immigrants in 1923. Also in 1923, TCH became a founding member of Community Chest, which is now United Way of Pierce County.
• In 1930, during the Great Depression, TCH sponsored an employment bureau and consultation service for small businesses.
• In the post-WWII years, TCH focused on naturalization assistance for refugees and immigrants, including citizenship classes. Also during the 1950s, TCH began to actively collaborate with other social service organizations in Tacoma, a trend which has continued through the years.
• During the 1960s TCH programs focused on increasing communication and understanding amid the increasingly diverse population of the Hilltop.
• Through the 1970s, TCH focused programs on the resettlement needs of refugees from Vietnam and other Asian countries, as well as Asian wives of US servicemen. During this time, TCH also began offering job training and placement services.
• The 1980s were a time of growth for TCH. We expanded our English as a Second Language program, built a new facility, and began to offer adult literacy classes.
• In 1990 Tacoma Community House was recognized by President George Bush as the 277th "Point of Light."
• Through the 1990s, TCH continued to offer classes and assistance to immigrants, refugees, low-income and undereducated adults. A new Outreach building was dedicated in 1993. In addition, TCH became a leader in helping people transition off of Welfare and into living wage jobs.
• In 2000, Tacoma Community House celebrated our 90th anniversary at a special luncheon. US Senator Patty Murray was the guest speaker at the luncheon and joined over 200 attendees in congratulating TCH for its successful programs and its history of service.



Contact person: Karen Thomas, Volunteer Services Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (253) 597-6687

Address:


1314 South L Street Tacoma, WA 98405 (See a map)


Web Site: http://www.tchonline.org

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