The Pennsylvania Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Network, or PAIRWN, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the well-being of immigrant and refugee women in Pennsylvania.
PAIRWN provides culturally and linguistically responsive programs that promote economic self-sufficiency, social integration, and emotional well-being through initiatives such as victim services, ESL classes, economic empowerment programming, and life coaching. Through these programs, PAIRWN has become a critical resource for immigrant and refugee women and survivors in Central Pennsylvania
As the first organization in Pennsylvania to focus directly on immigrant and refugee women’s issues, PAIRWN has a crucial and ground-breaking mission.
Our Members
PAIRWN’s members are women from all over the world who have made Pennsylvania their home. We are successfully working in local immigrant and refugee communities and forging partnerships with individuals and communities, nonprofit organizations, legal services, government organizations, schools and universities, businesses, and media outlets.
Our organization is led and managed by immigrant and refugee women from diverse backgrounds. PAIRWN is a collaborative project for self-empowerment between these women, their families and friends, and the broader immigrant and refugee communities of Pennsylvania.
Our Work
PAIRWN exists to help women access healthcare resources, ESL classes, transportation, and job training; opportunities to retain cultural heritage and share traditions with young children; resources for remedying experiences with discrimination, domestic violence, and sexual assault; and developing leadership skills in a new country – all these needs, among many others, go beyond the definition of an initial successful placement.
Immigrant and refugee women can continue to struggle, to remain isolated by cultural, linguistic, and financial barriers for years after they arrive in the United States. Without our work, many of these women would struggle alone.
Who We Serve
PAIRWN seeks to meet the needs of a large and underserved population. PAIRWN serves New Americans of immigrant and refugee backgrounds and those who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pennsylvania is home to a foreign-born population of over 565,000 people. PAIRWN currently serves the immigrant and refugee communities of Central Pennsylvania in the six counties of Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster, York, Lebanon, and Perry surrounding the state capital of Harrisburg. Many people within this population have limited English language skills; many live at or below the poverty level.
Leadership and decision-making responsibilities are reserved for immigrant and refugee women. However, all people interested in our mission and projects are welcome to become members and partner with our organization.
For More Information
All programs provided by PAIRWN are free to those eligible for them. For more information, please contact 717-980-3888 or email pairwn@pairwn.org.