Rian Immigrant Center Inc

THE RIAN IMMIGRANT CENTER (RIC) ASSISTS IMMIGRANTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD AS THEY INTEGRATE INTO AMERICAN SOCIETY. WE ARE A VIBRANT WELCOME CENTER THAT PROVIDES INTEGRATION SERVICES, ADVOCATES FOR SYSTEMATIC CHANGE, AND FACILITATES CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNITY BUILDING AND INCLUSION. OUR INTEGRATION SERVICES INCLUDE LEGAL, WELLNESS, AND EDUCATION SERVICES. OUR VISION IS OF A SHARED SOCIETY, WHERE ALL PEOPLE ARE WELCOMED AND VALUED, AND ENJOY EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND PROTECTIONS.

IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES: OUR ATTORNEYS PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE AND FULL CASE REPRESENTATIONS THAT HELP 2,200 LOW-INCOME AND UNDERSERVED IMMIGRANTS ANNUALLY AS THEY GAIN CITIZENSHIP, LEGAL STATUS AND/OR WORK AUTHORIZATION; AND REUNITE WITH THEIR FAMILIES SO THEY CAN ESTABLISH PRODUCTIVE, STABLE LIVES, AND MOVE OUT OF PROVERTY.EDUCATION AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT SERVICES: OUR INSTRUCTORS EMPOWER IMMIGRANTS WORKING TO BUILD FINANCIALLY STABLE, PRODUCTIVE LIVES SO THEY MAY BREAK THEY CYCLE OF POVERTY FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN. OUR ADULT EDUCATION SERVICES EMPOWER 100 STUDENTS EACH YEAR, AND INCLUDE ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (ESOL), TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTER LITERACY CLASSES, AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES.RESOURCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES: OUR SOCIAL WORKERS PROVIDE THERAPEUTIC COUNSELING FOR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS SUCH AS TRAUMA, STRESS, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION; AND WE OFFER CASE MANAGEMENT FOR 300 INDIVIDUALS EVERY YEAR. WE OFFER FREE HEALTH CLINICS, AND WORKSHOPS DESIGNED TO REDUCE STRESS.

LEARNING EXCHANGE PROGRAM:RIAN IS A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE VISA SPONSOR FOR THE J-1 INTERN AND IWT VISAS, WHICH GIVE IRISH STUDENTS AND GRADUATES THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE AND WORK IN THE U.S. FOR UP TO A YEAR. THE RIAN J-1 TEAM PROVIDES SUPPORT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE END OF THEIR VISA. EXCHANGE VISITORS WORK IN AN INTERNSHIP RELATED TO THEIR FIELD OF STUDY, GAINING INVALUABLE INTERNATIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOPING CRITICAL WORKPLACE SKILLS. OUR TEAM ASSISTS STUDENTS AND GRADUATES IN OBTAINING THESE INTERNSHIPS; WE PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR INTERNSHIP SEARCHING, GUIDE THEM THROUGH TAILORING RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS, AND MAKE DIRECT CONNECTIONS WITH EMPLOYERS.BUILDING ON OUR IRISH ROOTS OF WELCOMING OTHERS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE, AS BOSTON'S WELCOME CENTER FOR MORE THAN 4,100 IMMIGRANTS FROM OVER 126 COUNTRIES EACH YEAR WE SEEK TO BE PROACTIVE, RESPONSIVE AND INNOVATIVE IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY IN NEW ENGLAND.

IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ITS IMPACT ON IMMIGRANT FAMILIES, THE RIAN IMMIGRANT CENTER AND 14 OTHER PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS CAME TOGETHER TO FORM THE MASSACHUSETTS IMMIGRANT COLLABORATIVE (MIC) (FORMERLY THE BOSTON IMMIGRANT COVID-19 COLLABORATIVE (BICC)). THE RIAN IMMIGRANT CENTER IS THE FISCAL SPONSOR OF THE MIC. IMMIGRANTS ARE THE BACKBONE OF SUPPORT FOR THE CITY OF BOSTON AND ITS SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. MANY IMMIGRANTS WERE STRUCK BY LOSING THEIR JOBS AND HAVING LITTLE-TO-NO ACCESS TO BENEFITS OR HEALTHCARE. THE FOCUS OF MIC'S PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ITS DIVERSE COMMUNITIES. THE PURPOSE OF THE COLLABORATION IS TO ADDRESS IMMIGRANT FAMILIES' MOST URGENT NEEDS BY PROVIDING DIRECT FINANCIAL RELIEF AND OTHER RESOURCES. JOINING FORCES HAS ALLOWED MIC TO SERVE MORE THAN 59,000 INDIVIDUALS ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS SINCE APRIL 13, 2020.