Jan Douglas is founder and principal of the Symbiocon Group a national network of consultants who specialize in Human Capital Risk Management.

Symbiocon brings together experienced independent consultants to  provide creative solutions to problems affecting the health and productivity of a client’s workforce. Areas of focus include health and  wellness; occupational health and safety; performance management and  workplace communication.

Douglas was, formerly, a managing director  with Marsh USA Inc.  where she managed  a broad range of services in Workers Compensation, Health Risk Management; Operations and Asset Management; Complex Liability Claims and Environmental Consulting.

She also served as Business Leader for a joint venture between Marsh Risk Consulting and Mercer Human Resource Consulting, specializing in the design and evaluation of integrated programs to manage both occupational and non-occupational disability and absence.

Previously, Douglas was a Director,  Employee Benefits Services, Price Waterhouse LLP and  a Principal with Mercer Human Resources Consulting.  Before  moving to the United States, from her native England, Douglas served with the United Nations World Health Organization in the African and South- East Asian Regions.

Throughout her career, Douglas had made frequent presentation at national and international conferences and has a number of publications, including three books to her credit.   Her most recent book, “  a Field Guide to Workers’ Compensation- a Holistic Approach to Improving the Health, Safety and Productivity of Human Capital’ was   released in May 2010.

Douglas currently serves as  a  Vice-President of the Board of Directors of the United Nations Association of Greater Chicago ;    A member of the Advisory Board of the National Institute of Disability Rehabilitation and Research(NIDRR) Stroke program and a member of the Board of  the Disability Management Employer Coalition. Douglas served, for eight years, as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council at the UIC School of Public Health.

In her role as a member of the Board of Directors of RefugeeOne, Douglas is  working with the  leadership team to develop a comprehensive  approach to human capital management.

One, Douglas is working with the leadership team to develop a comprehensive approach to human capital management.

Hartwig Zakin is the Operations Manager for Circo Vino, a national importer of fine wines from Austria. Prior to his tenure at Circo Vino, Zakin was the Operations Manager for the Illinois Medical District, a commercial banking research assistant at Deutsche Bank, a sales representative at Vin Divino and a case specialist in the Better Business Bureau’s consumer arbitration division. Hartwig is a member of the Evanston Citizens Police Academy and has mediated juvenile victim-offender cases with the Neighborhood Restorative Justice Institute. As an immigrant who came to the United States when he has 11, Zakin has long been passionate about refugee issues and joined the board of Refugee One in October 2009. Hartwig Zakin holds a Masters degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a Bachelors degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California.

To learn more about IRIM’s Employment Program, please contact:

Joe Carroll
Job Developer
Phone: (773) 989-5647 ext. 244
E-mail: jcarroll@irim.org

Jonathan Tabor
Job Developer
Phone: (773) 989-5647 ext. 266
E-mail: jtabor@irim.org

Resettlement Services

RefugeeOne resettles hundreds of refugees from around the world who are fleeing war, persecution, violence, or genocide. Resettlement is often difficult and stressful. To assist, RefugeeOne provides a comprehensive and multi-faceted range of programs that empower newly-arrived refugees with the support and the skills necessary for successfully rebuilding their new lives.

Under the caring guidance of RefugeeOne’s Case Workers, refugees are relocated into new homes, receive days of Group Orientation, as well as comprehensive Family Adjustment Services. They also learn English skills, and receive vocational training and counseling in a compassionate, non-threatening environment. All services are provided with a single goal in mind: to provide refugees with happy, self-sufficient new lives within the United States.

RefugeeOne coordinates the reception and placement of newly-arrived refugees through the sponsorship of local congregations, community groups, and individual sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring a refugee or refugee family please contact:

RefugeeOne : (773) 989-5647
info@refugeeone.org

RefugeeOne’s Immigration Assistance Program
Serving Chicago’s Newcomers with Dignity

As refugees and immigrants remain in the United States, their status may be adjusted to permanent resident and later, citizen. Others need assistance with travel documents or petitions to bring other relatives to the United Sates.

Unfortunately, dealing with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS, formerly the INS) can be a daunting experience that means long lines, and even longer forms. To assist newcomers through this bureaucratic maze, RefugeeOne’s Immigration Services Program provides clients with high quality, personal attention at a reasonable, often-negligible cost.

The Immigration Program provides:

Free Citizenship Classes-These classes are taught throughout the city and suburbs to provide students with the information they need to pass the citizenship exam, and learn what is involved in the citizenship interview process.

Our experienced staff also provides assistance in the following areas:

* Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
* Visa processing
* Counselor processing
* Work authorization
* Travel documents
* Immediate relative petitions
* VAWA petitions for women who need to self-petition for immigration relief without relying on an abusive spouse
* Asylum applications

Recently, our efforts to assist immigrants have extended to the Chicago suburb, Waukegan, where our goal is to provide quality immigration service through our community outreach program. In Waukegan, as in other communities with a large immigrant population, RefugeeOne is able to provide “Know Your Rights” seminars through the assistance of local congregations and community social service providers thus educating the public of their rights in the United States.

Donate now to help refugees and immigrants to attain their US Citizenship.

For more information about RefugeeOne’s Immigration Program, please contact:

Uptown Chicago Office
4753 N. Broadway, Suite 401
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (773) 989-5647
Fax: (773) 989-0484
E-mail: info@refugeeone.org

Waukegan Office
1020 Glen Flora Avenue, Suite 204
Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 244-4342 phone
(847) 244-4371 fax
E-mail: irimwaukegan@sbcglobal.net
mhoyos@irim.org

Youth Program

Of the 15 million refugees in the world, nearly half are children. Many have witnessed unspeakable horrors, lost loved ones, and have had to live in abject poverty. Unfamiliar with US culture and carrying the trauma they have experienced in their countries of birth, refugee youth are especially vulnerable when they first arrive in the United States.

The goals of IRIM’s Youth Program are to ease the transition for refugee children from unstable environments of conflict to their new homes in Chicago and to inspire them to dream again through the exploration of new possibilities.

The Youth Program is built on three components:

Services for Youth:

* After school center with academic tutoring, computer classes, sports, and arts and crafts activities
* In-home one-on-one tutoring
* Field trips
* Music and martial arts classes
* Summer Learning Program
* Mental health counseling referrals

Services for Parents:

* Orientation on US education system
* School registration and mediation
* Parenting classes

Services for Schools:

* In-service training on the refugee experience
* Cultural orientation workshops
* Interpretation/translation and mediation

Donate now to make a difference for a refugee family!

Volunteer for the Youth Program!

Volunteer tutors/mentors play an extremely important role in the work of IRIM’s Refugee Youth Program. If you’re interested in finding out how you can make a difference in the life of a young refugee, contact:

Amy Hill
Youth Program Coordinator
Phone: (773) 989-5647
Fax: (773) 989-0484
E-mail: ahill@irim.org

For more information on refugee youth:

www.savethechildren.org.uk/eyetoeye/
An excellent site offering a glimpse of life in a camp through the photos and stories of Palestinian refugee children.

www.unhcr.ch
Site of the United Nations refugee agency. Quick link “Teacher’s Corner” for free lesson plans, books, games, and videos.

www.refugeecamp.org
What kind of shelter do refugees live in? How do refugees get food? Learn about life in a refugee camp at this interactive site run by Doctors Without Borders.

http://www.brycs.org/
A national technical assistance project working to broaden the scope of information and collaboration among service providers in order to strengthen services to refugee youth and their families.

English Language Training

Learning the English language is one of the most difficult challenges facing our newly arrived immigrants and refugees. RefugeeOne’s English Language Training Program empowers students to learn the language so that they can take advantage of the wealth of opportunities available to them in their new home. Classes are taught five days a week by our patient and knowledgeable staff. Four levels of classes are available to accommodate students arriving with different skill levels.

For more information about RefugeeOne’s English Language Training Program, please contact:

Zlata Paratusic
Instructional Services Coordinator
Phone: (773) 561-6017
Fax: (773) 989-0484
Email: zparatusic@irim.org

Women’s Empowerment Program

Over 70% of refugees are women. Many have been widowed or have lost children to violence, and most have been oppressed and victimized in their home countries. Women refugees often struggle with chronic depression and anxiety, making it difficult for them to integrate successfully into a new society.

The Women’s Empowerment Program (WEP) was founded to meet the needs of women refugees. Its overall purpose is to help women become self-sufficient while also building community in their new home of Chicago. From decreasing social isolation and facilitating clients’ achievement, to increasing English language skills and enhancing employability, WEP works in partnership with women to help empower their integration into mainstream US culture with respect to their traditions, culture and religious beliefs.

Since its inception, the Women’s Empowerment Program has listened closely to the needs of project beneficiaries, and incorporated these needs into our program design. As a result, this program has grown exponentially in direct response to their concerns and requests. The Program is free of charge.

The Women’s Empowerment Program includes five components:

Mentorship and Befriending:

Individualized, one-on-one mentorship is invaluable. Volunteers and clients are matched and get together weekly to practice English, cook, talk or help solve daily dilemmas. The connection achieved in these relationships is key to helping women find more grounding in their new society.

English Classes:

Specially designed for pre-literate and semi-literate refugee and immigrant women, English classes are offered at two sites in Albany Park and Rogers Park. Childcare is provided on-site.

Educational Workshops:

Monthly workshops help teach important life skills and provide opportunities for women to create community. Recent workshop topics include HIV/AIDS and domestic violence prevention, home safety and winterizing, and a cooking class.

Fieldtrips:

Monthly fieldtrips introduce women and their families to the Chicagoland area, and expose them to the how-to of life in the US. Recent fieldtrips have included the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, a World Music Concert on the Magnificent Mile, Ravinia Park, and the Garfield Park Conservatory on Chicago’s West Side.

Sewing Classes and New Hope Women’s Sewing Cooperative. Teaching sewing and entrepreneurial skills in an interactive, hands-on forum, sewing classes and co-op are fun and allow women to gain employable skill sets.

To see or purchase hand-made items by refugee women visit the New Hope Sewing Collective homepage.

For more information about the Women’s Program, contact:

Helen Sweitzer
Women’s Empowerment Program Coordinator
Phone: (773) 989-5647
Fax: (773) 989-0484
E-mail: hsweitzer@irim.org

Vocational Training Program

RefugeeOne’s computer training program provides students with the tools they need to find employment in the competitive American job market.

Computer training is offered in the following areas and is available to students with any level of computer experience:

* Microsoft Office Suite and General Office Skills
* Typing and Data Entry
* Drafting, CAD Operation

In addition to excellent instruction in computer programs, job readiness training is also incorporated on a weekly basis. Throughout this training students learn about the American work force, how to interview professionally, writing cover letters and resumes, and generally get prepared for their first professional American job. In addition, students have approximately one week of basic Internet training and learn how to set up their own e-mail account.

Donate now to support Chicagoland’s newcomers.

To learn more about RefugeeOne’s Vocational Training Program, please contact:

Zlata Paratusic
Instructional Services Coordinator
Phone: (773) 561-6017
Fax: (773) 989-0484
Email: zparatusic@irim.org

Senior refugees and immigrants face unique and formidable barriers that may prevent them from successfully resettling in our country. Many of these individuals have witnessed unimaginable atrocities, and suffered the loss of loved ones. Their difficulties are further compounded by a lack of English skills, social isolation due to physical infirmities, financial insecurity, and intergenerational challenges.

RefugeeOne’s Senior Services Initiative strives to remedy these problems. To help seniors overcome their challenges, the Senior Services Initiative offers an array of services.

Case Management Services- Caring and dedicated caseworkers complete a comprehensive needs assessments for each client along with the development and fulfillment of an individualized Care Plan. These services also provide individualized assistance for elderly immigrants and refugees who wish to obtain US citizenship.

Community Forums-These provide information on relevant topics, such as financial management, transportation, housing, health and nutrition, safety, legal, immigration issues, and community support services.

Field Trips-Regular field trips around the Chicago area are arranged to alleviate the isolation and loneliness that many elder refugees and immigrants suffer from.

For more information about the Senior Services Initiatives, please contact:

Oleg Malski
Senior Services Initiative Supervisor
Phone: (847) 338-1889
Fax: (773) 989-0484
E-mail: omalskiy@sbcglobal.net

Edward Wheatley is Professor of English at Loyola University. Full bio and photo coming soon.

After serving four years in the United States Marine Corps and receiving two meritorious promotions leading to the rank of Sergeant, John decided to transition his career aspirations to the business and nonprofit sectors.  Over the last 15 years he has had a mixture of business, non-profit and faith based work experience with a specific focus over the last 5 years on social entrepreneurship and the various issues surrounding business, community development, urban poverty and social ethics.  With Master degrees in Urban Studies (2000), Theological Studies (2001) and Religion in American Life (2004) John began working with Cara/ Cleanslate in July, 2006.

John is co-founder and President of Social Enterprise Development Group which is a Chicago based consulting firm focused on the development of social enterprise ventures and is also co-founder and partner with Talents Capital which is a boutique investment and real estate holding firm focused on aligning social return and opportunity.  He currently is the Managing Director of Cleanslate where he is responsible for business operations, including personnel management, budgeting, planning, quality control, and business expansion in support of the program services of Cleanslate’s nonprofit parent company, The Cara Program.  John continued his graduate work at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, MBA (2011) and North Park University’s School of Business and Nonprofit Management, Master’s in Nonprofit Management (2010).

John is an active board member at RefugeeOne (Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee), Accion Chicago and the Chicago Historic Bungalow Association along with a second term on Chicago’s Community Development Advisory Committee.  John is an active member of the President’s Circle of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and also serves on Chicago’s Sister City Casablanca Committee. I was a finalist two times for Chicago’s Nonprofit Executive of the year Award (2007 and 2009).  John is an avid reader of theology, philosophy, ethics, and history and enjoys sports having previously played and coached basketball.  John is married with eight children and lives in Chicago.

Befekadu Retta is Field Coordinator at Cook County Election Department. Full bio and photo coming soon.

Douglas Meyer is Pastor at Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit. Full bio and photo coming soon.

Adam Gleich is the Owner of Gleich Trading. Full bio and photo coming soon.

Brian Chapman is the President of Grenbebach Glier Associates. Full bio and photo coming soon.

Gabrielle Buckley is an Attorney at Vedder Price P.C. Full bio and photo coming soon.

The Rev. Dr. Stephen Paul Bouman was called to the position of Executive Director for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission unit in November, 2007 and officially assumed office in February, 2008.

He previously served as bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod from September 1996 through January 2008.  The Metropolitan New York Synod, or district, embraces the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, and several counties north and west.  It includes 236 member congregations.

Pastor Bouman was born in Melrose Park, Illinois on April 14, 1947.  He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary/Seminex in 1973.  He received his Master of Sacred Theology from New York Theological Seminary in 1978 and his Doctor of Ministry degree in 1980 and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in 2001.

He began his pastoral ministry in 1973 at St. Jacobus Lutheran Church, Woodside, Queens.  He then pastored Atonement Lutheran Church, Jackson Heights, from 1974 until 1981; and Trinity Lutheran Church, Bogota, New Jersey from 1982 through 1992.  He is founder of the Diakonia ministry education program, which trains lay people for ministry in local congregations.  His parish ministry also included building strong multicultural outreach, the launching of two parochial schools, and a variety of ministries of assistance and advocacy among the poor.

Pastor Bouman served as Assistant to the Bishop from 1992 until his election as bishop in 1996.  His responsibilities in this capacity included regional care of congregations in the Bronx, Manhattan, Westchester and northern counties of the Hudson Valley.  In addition, he bore primary responsibility for evangelism and social ministry, as well as worship and communications.  He also served as Chair of the ELCA Board of Higher Education and Schools.  He currently serves on the board of Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Ministries in Chicago, Illinois.

Pastor Bouman is a published author of a number of scholarly articles, books, curricula and devotionals.  Two recent books are They Are Us: Lutherans and Immigration, co-authored with Ralston Deffenbaugh, published in 2009 and Grace All Around Us, published in 2007.

He is married to the former Janet Luce, and they have three grown children and three grandchildren.  They reside in Chicago.

Ronald Baulsbaugh, Retired Executive, Quaker Oats (Bio & Photo Coming Soon)

Sioban Albiol, Professor, DePaul University College of Law (Bio & Photo Coming Soon)