Refugee and Immigrant Resources
The Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) works alongside community organizations to support refugees and immigrants in our region. Below are helpful resources across several categories:
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Available Resources for Refugees
Housing and Utilities
Housing & Utilities
- CalWORKs Housing Assistance
For CalWORKs participants – Offers temporary and permanent housing assistance. - Coachella Valley Rescue Mission
For Coachella Valley residents – Hot meals, shelter, medical care, clothing, vocational training, and recovery programs. - Martha’s Village & Kitchen
For Coachella Valley & Riverside County residents – Career/education support, emergency housing, food, health care, showers, cooling center. - IEHP Community Services
For IEHP members – Housing deposits, meals, sobering centers, home modifications, respite care. - Molina Community Services
For Molina plan members – Housing support, personal care, medically tailored meals, respite care. - Community Action Partnership – Utility Assistance
Programs like LIHEAP and SHARE provide one-time financial help for utility bills.
Food Assistance
Food Assistance
- FIND Food Bank – Regional food support in Southeastern California.
- Galilee Center – GalileeCenter.org
For East Coachella Valley residents – Food, clothing, blankets, rental assistance, infant supplies, and more. - WIC Program – Apply for WIC
For pregnant/breastfeeding women and children under 5 – Provides food, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support.
Transportation
Transportation
- SunLine Transit Agency
Public transit for Coachella Valley residents, offering free and discounted rides—including the Haul Pass for high school students. - Riverside Transit Agency
Public transit for western Riverside County residents, including free unlimited rides for college students through Go-Pass and U-Pass programs.
English Learning (ESL)
English Learning (ESL)
- Coachella Valley Adult School – CVAS Courses
- College of the Desert – COD ESL Program
For Coachella Valley residents – ESL classes and resources.
Legal Services
Legal Services
- Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice – Legal advocacy and support for immigrant and refugee rights.
- Catholic Charities of Riverside & San Bernardino Counties – Housing, employment, legal, and healthcare services.
- TODEC Legal Center – For Coachella Valley & Inland Empire – Free legal immigration services.
- Inland Empire Latino Lawyers Association – Free legal help for low-income residents regardless of immigration status.
Refugee and Immigrant Services
Refugee & Immigrant Services
- Refugee Cash Assistance – If you are a refugee without children who is not eligible for other cash aid, Refugee Cash Assistance may help. The program provides cash aid to qualified refugees who are not eligible for CalWORKs or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- Get your questions answered. Applying is easy!
- Call our Self Sufficiency customer service line at 877-410-8827.
- Learn more about Refugee Cash Assistance by visiting this California Department of Social Services webpage.
- Refugee Programs Bureau (RPB) – Supports programs like:
- Office of Refugee Health – Overseen by California Department of Public Health.
- Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) – Monthly cash aid for aged, blind, or disabled immigrants not eligible for SSI/SSP.
Community Support Programs
Community Support Programs
- Grove Community Church – https://www.thegrove.cc/
Offers conversational English classes and a food pantry. - HMI Refugee Support – hmir.org/rcrf
Offers community integration, public awareness, and refugee services. - Voices of Refugees (VOR) – www.voiceofrefugees.org
In-person/online ESL, food bags, help with driver’s licenses, employment, and citizenship.
Other Resources
Other Resources
- Inland SoCal 211 – Referral service for resources in Riverside & San Bernardino counties.
- Riverside County Immigration Resources – rivco.org
- Birth Choice of the Desert – BirthChoice
Diapers, baby formula, pregnancy services for Palm Desert residents. - Workforce Development Center – rivcoworkforce.org
Job search support, training, and career resources. - Social Security Administration – ssa.gov
Retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. - Riverside University Health System – Express Care – ruhealth.org
Walk-in clinics for affordable medical care. - Take My Hand – takemyhand.co
Peer-to-peer live chat for emotional wellness and resilience building.