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.

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