The Polish and Slavic Center empowers Polish and Slavic immigrants and underserved local New York communities by providing social and legal assistance to connect them to services available through city, state, and federal agencies. Since 1972, we have also promoted the rich culture and heritage of Poland and other Slavic countries. Through various cultural experiences, we connect communities and generations while contributing to the rich diversity of New York City and State.
Extended Social Services
For over 48 years, our Extended Social Services Program has helped elderly members of our community access important social benefits programs.
The Polish and Slavic Center provides essential information, help, and assistance in obtaining benefits related to Social Security/retirement, disability, Medicare/Medicaid, housing, unemployment, and others.
Our program team assists clients in various ways such as filling out and completing applications, pre-screening for eligibility, translating various documents, understanding the New York City laws and regulations, and using our network of agencies and services to provide the best assistance to our members.
READ MORE HERE
Older Adults Centers
The Polish and Slavic Center operates two older adult centers: Krakus Senior Center located at 176 Java in Brooklyn and its satellite site John Paul II Friendship Center in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
They have served our senior community for over 40 years with a full schedule of social, health, and wellness programming and low-cost daily nutritious meals. They also deliver the meals through the City Meals on Wheels program for those who are not able to dine with us in person.
The members of the Older Adults Centers participate in a range of educational and recreational activities which include a choir group, a book-, a cross-word- and chess club, computer classes, lectures from medical professionals, and field trips. The Senior Centers are a second home for many citizens. They enrich their lives and strengthen community ties.
READ MORE ABOUT KRAKUS SENIOR CENTER HERE
READ MORE ABOUT JOHN PAUL II SENIOR CENTER HERE
Immigration and Legal Services
The main goal of this program is helping newcomers from Poland and Eastern European countries, as well as other parts of the world in obtaining legal immigration status.
Through the program, immigrants can seek assistance in applying for U.S. citizenship, adjustment of status applications, representation and defense in deportation/removal and asylum cases before Immigration Court.
The program is an affordable and trustworthy alternative to costly legal services that can be obtained from legal firms, or unauthorized immigration service agencies. PSC’s Immigration and Legal Services Program is accredited by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and BIA. READ MORE HERE.
History
The idea to establish the Polish & Slavic Center originated in the early 1970s. At the time, Reverend Longin Tolczyk was working with Polish-American immigrants who had just arrived in New York City.
These ideas and dreams became a reality in 1972 when the Polish & Slavic Center was formed. Five years later and through the Polish & Slavic Center, Rev. Longin Tolczyk formed the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union.
Since that time, the Polish and Slavic Center has grown tremendously and become a staple for the Polish community in the Tri-State Area and our 30,000 members.
We occupy two buildings in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (177 Kent Street and 176 Java Street) that feature state-of-the-art performing stages, a fully-functioning kitchen, and community meeting spaces.
Annual sponsorship funds from the City allows us to provide much-needed social services free of charge, and we are always interested in expanding our array of social services and arts programming to provide the best for our community. Read more about PSC’s history HERE.
Our supporters
Our organization currently has approximately 30,000 members. Most of them join by opening an account at the Polish and Slavic Federal Credit Union and selecting the PSC as their sponsoring organization. Currently, our members include not only immigrants from Poland and Slavic countries, but also representatives of many other communities living mainly in the broader New York area, but also in Illinois as well as on the East Coast.
Our services would not be possible without the generosity of our members and donors. Your contributions allow us to make a difference in our community, and we express our sincere gratitude for your generosity and support.