FEQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of frequently asked questions and answers. If your question is not on this list please email your question to info@pghhc.org

Basic Information

Do I have to speak Spanish or be Hispanic to receive services from The Hispanic Center?
No. Although the majority of our clients are Latino, we welcome everyone.

I was born in USA and one of my parents is Latino, am I eligible to receive services at The Hispanic Center?
Absolutely, you are eligible to receive services. Anyone is eligible to receive services at The Hispanic Center.

I need services other than about employment and training. Can The Hispanic Center help me?
Yes, We are familiar with many services in Pittsburgh and provide referrals to all sort of other services. We welcome your questions, however big or small. You may also wish to refer to the Links section of this Website and/or our Service Directory.

Is there any cost for services provided by The Hispanic Center, Inc.?
No. The only thing we request is that you keep us informed of any jobs you apply for, interview for, or obtain. We compile monthly reports to demonstrate how many people we are serving and helping to obtain employment. These are valuable statistics to report to our funders and better ensures ongoing funding and services.

Does my legal status affect my access to Hispanic Center services?
No. By law we are not allowed to ask our clients their legal status. However, if you are offered employment you will need to provide evidence that you have authorization to work in the United States.

Do I need to make an appointment to come to the Hispanic Center?
It is to your advantage to make an appointment. Walk-ins cannot always be accommodated.

When is The Hispanic Center open and where is it located?
The Office is open Monday through Friday 8:30am till 5:00pm. The Center is located ont he Northside, 800 Allegheny Avenue in the administrative building of the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). We're about a block and half up from the Steeler's' Heinz stadium. Out building is across the street from McDonald's. Open the yahoo locator to get directions to the Hispanic Center.

Is there any parking?
We have free parking in the lot across the street from Wendy's. There is a gate prohibiting entrance. When you approach the gate just press the intercom and let the receptionist know that you have an appointment at the Hispanic Center. She will then open the gate for you and you can park free of charge in the lot.

What buses pass by The Hispanic Center?
The bus 16D pass right near the Hispanic Center. To go to Northside from Downtown you can catch the bus 16D between 6th Avenue and Liberty Avenue. You would get off at the corner of Western Avenue with Allegheny Avenue. There is a 7-Eleven at the same corner. Our building is across the street form McDonald's.

Is your newsletter, Oportunidades free?
Yes, please remember to keep us informed of any change of address, and if you know of other individuals interested in receiving a newsletter, we could be happy to add them to our mailing list.

Training

What types of training programs does The Hispanic Center offer?
We offer various trainings, and often create new trainings to respond to current needs. Please see the Training section of this Website for further information.

Are the training classes conducted in Spanish?
Most of our training is offered in English by native English instructors who have experience teaching immigrants with varying levels of English. Our GED in Spanish is offered in Spanish.

What are the chances of getting a job once the training is completed?
Statistically, approximately 80% of the graduates from the short-term training programs obtain employment.

Wherever I go looking for work, a High School Diploma is required. How can I get an equivalent high school education in a short time?
There are several places to take a class to prepare to take the GED (General Education Diploma) test in English: Goodwill, Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Center, Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU), Bidwell Training Center, and Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). However, The Hispanic Center, in collaboration with Goodwill offers the only free GED preparation class in Spanish. To enroll, just call The Hispanic Center.

What is the GED?
The GED (General Education Diploma) credential is the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma. Those who wish to earn a GED, enroll in a class to study the following subjects: social studies, mathematics, science and language arts (in both writing and reading). When a student feels ready, he or she may sit for the GED Test, which measures knowledge and academic skills against hose of today's traditional high school graduates.The test assesses competence in all of the above subject matters.

Is the GED Test only in English?
The GED test is offered in the U.S. and Canada at special test centers, and it also offered in Spanish and French at specified locations.

Job Seeking Services

How do I access Hispanic Center Job Postings? And how do I know what positions are available and where?
If you are a new client to The Hispanic Center, we ask that you make an appointment to meet with our staff to gain access to our job postings. During your initial appointment you will complete an information form and discuss your employment experience and aspirations, and then you will receive postings that suit your interests and experience.

How often are the job posting updated?
After your initial appointment you will receive weekly postings by email. Generally, postings are sent out each Friday. Individuals without email may call the Hispanic Center to receive future postings. Our staff and volunteers also try to call or email individuals when new jobs arrive that match a particular candidate's interests.

Can you describe the job placement process at the Hispanic Center?
During the initial appointment at THC,you can indicate which jobs immediately interest you. THC staff can make calls or send letters of support to our contacts at those companies. Our staff also can help review and improve your resume, review cover letters that you may want to prepare to apply to future positions of interest. Part of the placement process also can include follow-up inquiries. If after you submit an application of have an interview, THC can also provide follow-up contact with the employer upon request.

I don't have a computer. How can I receive updated job postings?
While you may not own a computer, THC still recommends that you set up a free email account with yahoo.com or some other free service. You may access free Internet service through any public library. In this way, you will receive the most up-to-date postings at the earliest possible time. You may also call The Hispanic Center to inquire whether there are any new postings that may be appropriate for you. For library locations closed to you click here.

I recently moved. What should I do to keep receiving information?
Send us an email or call us with your new address, email and telephone number. Many times our staff tries to call our clients about special job opportunities or upcoming events. Unfortunately many times, we reach numbers no longer in service and/or receive returned email and undeliverable emails.

Legal Services

I need legal advice for immigration. Does the Center have legal resources?
The Hispanic Center provides no legal services, but we can provide referrals to immigration attorneys and may other legal services. See Links section of this Website.

My employer has not paid me fully for work performed? What should I do?
The Hispanic Center works closely with The Community Justice Project which provides low-cost legal services to low-income documented and undocumented individuals in your sort of predicament. They also provide legal help for matters of discrimination in education, housing, and public benefits. Get and share the brochure.

Statistics of Latinos in Southwestern Pennsylvania

How many Latinos are in SWPA?
According to the 2000 Census, there are approximately 20,000 Latinos living in SWPA. Given the progressively increasing number of new clients we see, our sense is that the number is closer to 28,000. Approximately 50% (or 10,000/14,000) of them are in Allegheny County, and 5,000/7,000 in Greater Pittsburgh.