TThe Council of the English-Speaking Community was established in 1981 to enable educational, cultural and services-oriented anglophone groups in the Paris area to get to know one another better. There are about 50 such organizations in this capital, and their various representatives meet informally three times a year. Tel: 01 34 46 01 14, patricia.vanier@wanadoo.fr

AARO — the Association of American Residents Overseas — aims to protect the rights of Americans residing abroad and has members in over 20 different countries, who have access to meetings and seminars, focusing on issues like voting rights, citizenship and health care. 34 av de New-York, 16e, tel: 01 47 20 24 15

The American Aid Society provides assitance for United States citizens who have short-term financial difficulties, as well as for seniors, the disabled or the ill. Relying solely on donations, AAS is an entirely non-profit making, private association. United States Embassy, Consular section, 2 rue St-Florentin, 8e, tel: 01 43 12 48 07

Health Network International Created to provide community services and professional development for health professionals, HNI organizes networking events and monthly presentations, as well as publishing “Health Care in Paris” jointly with WICE. Info: 06 23 27 34 24, welcome.to/healthnetwork-paris

Franco-American organizations
The American Chamber of Commerce in France promotes Franco-American business relations. A non-profit private organization, founded in 1894, the Chamber of Commerce facilitates the integration of American companies into the French business world and provides them with opportunities for exchange with local firms. The Chamber of Commerce publishes a directory, listing its members along with American firms based in France. 156 bd Haussmann, 8e, tel. 01 56 43 45 67, amchamfr@club-internet.fr

The Franco-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry Encouraging trade between France and the UK through networking, this business information service, offers promotional assistance, training programs and access to various publications. 3 rue Boissy d’Anglas, 8e, tel: 01 53 30 81 30, information@francobritishchamber.com

The Franco-American Commission for Cultural Exchange is an educational advice center, which makes counseling and documentation services available to French and American universities for a fee and by appointment. This organization administers the Fulbright program and other educational exchanges. 9 rue Chardin, 16e, tel: 01 44 14 53 60, cfa@fulbright-france.org

Women's Groups
The Women of the American Church group hosts its annual “Bloom Where you are Planted” workshop, a transition/orientation program aimed at English-speaking newcomers to Paris. This year’s BLOOM is cimprised of two day-long seminars. Oct 7 & 14, 65 quai d’Orsay, 7e, tel: 01 40 62 05 00

Sisters Since 1993, this association has been providing African-American and English-speaking women of color with a support forum, as well as networking opportunities. 23 rue Lecourbe, BP 161, 15e, tel: 01 53 01 08 96

The American Catholic Women’s Organization Founded in 1954, this group promotes social and religious exchange between women of all backgrounds. Yearly activities include lectures, luncheons, classes and retreats, as well as charity fundraisers. Saint Joseph’s Church, 50 av Hoche, 8e, tel: 01 42 27 28 56

Established in 1953, AWG — the American Woman’s Group — holds monthly lectures as well as continuing education classes, and also sponsors scholarship fundraisers. 32 rue du Général Bertrand, 7e, tel: 01 42 73 36 74

The Association of American Wives of Europeans publishes two invaluable books, the Guide to Education, which lists bilingual and English languages schools in France, and the AAWE Guide to Living in France. 34 av de New York, 16e, tel: 01 40 70 11 80, aawe@wanadoo.fr

The Junior Service League is a volunteer organization specialzing in health and children’s services; its areas of activity include cancer and infertility support groups, child care training courses and kiddies toy collections. 34 av de New York, 16e, tel: 01 40 20 00 03

Cultural Activities
The American Library in Paris features research facilities and periodicals as well as a children’s department, and organizes special events such as its monthly “Evenings with an Author.” Open to members, and non-members (who pay a daily consultation fee). Tue-Sat 10am to 7pm, 10 rue du Général Camou, 7e, tel: 01 53 59 12 60

The Irish Cultural Center promotes contemporary Irish culture via its monthly programs. The Center has an exhibition space and a media room, with an extensive selection of prints, audio and video material. 5 rue des Irlandais, 5e, tel: 01 58 52 10 32, irishcol@easynet.fr

WICE offers a variety of continuing education classes, ranging from arts and language groups to preparation for professional teaching certificates, and hosts a Paris Writers Workshop as well as art exhibitions held at its gallery. 20 bd du Montparnasse, 15e, tel: 01 45 66 75 50, wice@wice-paris.org

Support Groups
FACTS The Facts line supplies anonymous information and support in English for people concerned about HIV and AIDS. The association offers treatment information, counseling and education to English speakers in Paris. Mon to Fri, 11am to 2pm, 190 bd de Charonne, 20e, tel: 01 44 93 16 69

SOS Help An anonymous telephone hotline, founded in 1974 which offers a crisis/suicide prevention listening service in English. Mon-Fri, 3-11pm, BP 239-16, 16e, tel: 01 46 21 46 46

A Cancer Support Group open to English-speaking patients is run jointly by the Association of American Wives of Europeans and the Junior Service League. Tel: 01 45 51 26 93, jas@easynet.fr.

MESSAGE provides contacts and information aimed at mothers-to-be and families with children. Tel: 01 43 06 35 89

Church
The American Church in Paris (Inter-denominational) 65 quai d’Orsay, 7e, M° Invalides/Alma-Marceau, tel: 01 40 62 05 04 The American Cathedral (Episcopalian) 23 av George V, 8e, tel: 01 42 17 04 16 The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 7bis rue du Pasteur Wagner, 11e, M°Bastille. tel. 01 30 82 75 33 The Scots Kirk (Church of Scotland) 17 rue Bayard, 8e, M° Franklin D Roosevelt, tel: 01 48 78 47 94 St. George’s Anglican Church 7 rue Auguste Vacquerie, 16e, tel: 01 47 20 22 51 St. Joseph’s Church (Roman Catholic) 50 av Hoche, 8e, tel: 01 42 27 28 56 St. Michael’s Church (Anglican) 5 rue d’Aguesseau, 8e, tel: 01 47 42 70 88

Consular Services
Various consular sections provide services for citizens traveling and residing abroad, including passport insurance and emergency renewal, notarial services and free English language guides connected with traveling in France, as well as living and working here.

Australia 9:15am to noon, 2-4:30pm, 4 rue Jean Ray, 15e, M° Bir-Hakeim, tel: 01 40 59 33 00

Canada 9am to noon, 2-4:30pm, 35 av Montaigne, 8e, M° Alma-Marceau/Franklin D. Roosevelt, tel: 01 44 43 29 00, www.amb-canada.fr

Great Britain Mon & Wed-Fri, 9:30am to 12:30pm, 2:30-5pm, Tue 9:30am to 4:30pm, 18bis rue Anjou, 8e, M° St-Augustin, tel: 01 44 51 31 02, www.amb-grandebretagne.fr

Ireland 9:30am to 1pm & 2:30-5:30pm, Mon-Fri phone calls accepted after 12pm, 4 rue Rude, 16e, M° Charles de Gaulle-Etoile, tel: 01 44 17 67 00

United States 9am to 12:30pm, 1-3pm (notarial services: Tue-Fri, 9am to noon), 2 rue St-Florentin, 1er, M° Concorde, tel: 01 43 12 22 22, www.amb-usa.fr