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