Nationalities Service Center

NSC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides social, educational, and legal services to immigrants and refugees in the Philadelphia area. Founded in 1921, NSC’s mission is to help immigrants and refugees participate fully in American society. NSC has a thirty year history of resettling refugees through the U.S. Resettlement Program as a US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) affiliate. NSC has managed federal pass through funds from the Department of State, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, in partnership with multiple national non-profit organizations including USCRI, the International Rescue Committee, the US Catholic Conference of Bishops as well as state and city government agencies.

NSC resettles up to 450 refugees to the Philadelphia area each year. Recent resettlement groups have included Iraqi, Karen, Chin, Burmese, Bhutanese, Darfuri, Congolese, and Eritrean populations. Since 2007, NSC has spearheaded local efforts to establish resettlement agency/medical provider partnerships to meet refugees’ needs for screening, primary and specialist care. NSC has developed best practices for newly arrived refugees including: a comprehensive orientation to the U.S. health system; coordination, scheduling and escorting to initial screening and specialist appointments; a dedicated program of intensive medical support services for medically complex arrivals; and community health education and outreach through a refugee urban farm. NSC is the coordinating agency for the Philadelphia Refugee Health Collaborative.