Are You New to the United States?
Click here for a list of organizations that work with entrepreneurs who are new to the United States.
If you are from another country and want to learn what it means to start and operate a business in the United States and the State of Washington, here are some resources to get you started.
Improving your Business English
Refugee and Immigrant Business Programs
Other Refugee, Immigrant and Newcomer Programs
Immigration and Bilingual Legal Clinics
Improving your Business English
The following Community Colleges offer English as a Second Language (ESL) non credit classes to immigrants, refugees and non-English speaking United States citizens for little to no cost:
Seattle Public Library
The Seattle Public Library offers ESL classes, computer classes, citizenship and immigration information and ESL tools.
Valerie Wonder
Central Library
1000 Fourth Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 386-4636
Refugee and Immigrant Business Programs
JumpStart Fund
The JumpStart Fund is the only microenterprise development organization (MDO) in Seattle that provides micro-loans and training exclusively for refugees and other immigrant newcomers interested in starting, strengthening or expanding their micro-business.
1610 S. King St.
Seattle, WA 98144
Phone: (206) 323-3152
http://www.jumpstartfund.org
 Calendar of Events
Puget Sound Business Innovation Center
The PSIBC was created to assist Immigrant and Refugee small-scale businesses often located in low-income, urban neighborhoods so that they can make an impact in strengthening the sense of community. The PSIBC provides Technical Assistance, Financial Literacy, and Business Coaching. PSBIC supplements the classes with post-training follow-up to provide encouragement and technical assistance. It will also facilitate the formation of support networks and provide micro-loans application assistance. Their approach aims to integrate refugees and immigrants with the American business mainstream and make them think of Washington as their home away from home.
Lisa Schumann
Felix Ngoussou
8438 South 117th Place
Seattle, WA 98178
Phone: 206-753-8966
http://www.psbic.com
Refugee Women's Alliance (ReWA)
The Vocational Training program at ReWA provides information on starting a daycare, nursing home, home care, hospitality, customer service, maintenance or custodial business. Refugee Women's Alliance is a nonprofit, multi-ethnic organization that promotes inclusion, independence, personal leadership and strong communities by providing refugee and immigrant women and families with culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
4008 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way South
Seattle, WA 98108
Phone: (206) 721-5290 (Eriko Mori)
Phone: (206) 721-5298 (Kristen Moss)
http://www.rewa.org
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
The Contractor Development and Competitiveness Center at the Urban League helps minority, women, disadvantaged, and emerging small construction firms in becoming more competitive by developing or improving their business operations skills and by providing access to contracts with private and public owners; developers; and prime contractors.
105 14th Avenue
Seattle WA, 98122
Phone: (206) 461-3792
http://www.urbanleague.org
Washington CASH
In order to better meet the needs of newcomer communities; immigrants and refugees, Washington CASH has Community Based Business Training (CBBT). They currently offer classes in the following languages: Somali, Amharic, and Spanish. The CBBT program's first class is dedicated to how to conduct business in the U.S. Please see their calendar for upcoming CBBT classes and locations.
2100 24th Ave S, Suite 380
Seattle, WA 98144
Phone: (206) 352-1945
http://www.washingtoncash.org
Calendar of Events
Other Refugee, Immigrant and Newcomer Programs
The following programs may not offer specific business programs, but they provide other assistance to newcomers who are starting businesses. Some of them also occasionally offer small business workshops.
Asian Counseling and Referral Services
The ACRS Offers a wide array of social and behavioral services in a multicultural, multilingual setting including vocational and employment services.
3639 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S
Seattle, WA 98144
http://www.acrs.org/
Phone: (206) 695-7600
Eastside Multi-Ethnic Center
The Eastside Multi-Ethnic Center offers many services to refugees and immigrants including classes, counseling in many languages, translation and advocacy for medical/dental care. They also provide vocational and employment services.
1811 - 156th Ave. NE
Bellevue, WA 98007
Phone: (425) 643-2221
Ethiopian Community Mutual Association
The ECMA aims to bridge the gap created by language and cultural barriers which prevented Ethiopians refugees and immigrants access to health, social, and other services that are available to them; transmit cultural values and promote economic development and sports to benefit Ethiopians living in Seattle and its vicinity.
2111 East Union Street
Seattle, WA 98122
http://www.ecmaseattle.org
Phone: (206) 325-0304
Refugee Federation Service Center
The RFSC is an employment agency serving the diverse needs of refugee/immigrant communities. Bilingual/bicultural staff are committed to finding jobs that match clients' interests and abilities. RFSC also offers Electronic Assembly skills training with ESL support and a comprehensive social service program.
Ngy Hul
7101 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S, Suite 214
Seattle, WA 98118
Phone: (206) 725-9181
Southern Sudanese Community Services (SSCS)
If you are from southern Sudan, and are living or have just arrived in Washington State, the SSCS provide the following services: orientation to American life, education for children and adults, family and job assistance, women's programs, African assistance programs
510 2nd Ave. W
Seattle, WA 98119
http://sscw.org
Phone: (206) 283-9191 or info@sscw.org.
Somali Community Services Coalition (SCSC)
The SCSC is a charitable organization that formed in 1998 to help Somali refugees in the State of Washington. The SCSC assists the Somali refugees in their resettlement activities, and supports their efforts in maintaining their language, cultural and values. They also offer financial literacy classes.
Ahmed Jama
7101 MLK Jr. Way South # 203
Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 722-6473
Immigration and Bilingual Legal Clinics
Specialty Legal Clinics are provided through the King County Bar Association's Neighborhood Legal Clinic Program. For an appointment at a Specialty Legal Clinic, see the specific clinic below. Legal advice is not given over the phone.
Debt and Bankruptcy Clinic
In south Seattle: Open Mondays, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
In downtown Seattle: Open Thursdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
For an appointment, call (206) 267-7070 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon Monday-Thursday
Immigration Legal Clinic
Open Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
For an appointment in any language, call Monday-Friday at (206) 587-4009 x7
Bilingual Spanish Legal Clinic
Open Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Senior Services, 2208 Second Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121 at Seneca in Belltown
Walk-in clinic: first 8 clients served; hours strictly enforced. Spanish-speaking interpreters provided.
International District Legal Clinic
Open Wednesdays, 5:45-7:45 p.m.
For an appointment, call (206) 695-7639
Korean Legal Clinic
Open alternating Thursdays & Saturdays 6:00-9:00 p.m. Thursdays; 9:30-12 noon Saturdays
For an appointment, call (206)784-5691. Korean-speaking interpreters provided.
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