Indo American Center Inc

THE INDO AMERICAN CENTER (IAC) ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF SOUTH-ASIANS IMMIGRANTS AS WELL AS PEOPLE FROM MORE THAN 30 NATIONS THE WORLD OVER. IAC PROVIDES SERVICES THAT FACILITATE THEIR ADJUSTMENT, INTEGRATION, AND FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WIDER SOCIETY, NURTURE THER SENSE OF COMMUNITY, AND FOSTER APPRECIATION FOR THE DIVERSITY OF CULTURE AND HERITAGE.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT INDO-AMERICAN CENTER'S CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM INTEGRATES VOTER REGISTRATION, MOBILIZATION, EMPOWERMENT, AND EDUCATION INTO OUR PUBLIC BENEFITS, ADULT LITERACY, CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION, AND SENIORS PROGRAMS. THIS COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH IS DESIGNED TO EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN THE FORM OF VOTING, CENSUS PARTICIPATION, AND ADVOCACY IN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES-REGARDLESS OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS. IMMIGRATION AND LEGAL SERVICES- IAC'S IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES CONSULTATION ON FAMILY- BASED U.S. IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS, ASSISTANCE WITH APPLYING FOR U.S. CITIZENSHIP, ASSISTANCE WITH COMPLETING SELECT FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRATION APPLICATIONS, DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS (DACA) CASES AND SELECT TRANSLATION SERVICES.

SENIOR'S PROGRAM SENIORS THE GOAL OF THE SENIORS' MILAN PROGRAM IS TO HELP SOUTH ASIAN IMMIGRANT SENIORS FULLY ADJUST TO THEIR NEW COMMUNITY WITHIN THE UNITED STATES AND LEAD MORE INDEPENDENT LIVES. THE PROGRAM INCORPORATES EDUCATION, ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN GROUP ACTIVITIES, AND HANDS-ON LEARNING. THE "MILAN," WHICH TRANSLATES AS "GATHERING- OR "GET-TOGETHER," IS AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO ASSIST SENIORS IN OVERCOMING THE SOCIAL ISOLATION THAT THEY OFTEN EXPERIENCE AFTER MOVING TO THE UNITED STATES. EVERY WEEK, SENIORS WATCH MOVIES, PLAY GAMES, PARTICIPATE IN CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, AND ENJOY YOGA AND LIGHT EXERCISE. THE MILAN IS FOLLOWED EACH DAY BY THE GOLDEN DINERS LUNCH, WHICH PROVIDES SENIORS WITH HOT, ETHNIC LUNCHES COOKED ON PREMISES FIVE DAYS A WEEK. DAILY LUNCHES ARE ALSO CRITICAL IN HELPING SENIORS TO BUILD THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKS, DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS AND FOSTER FRIENDSHIPS WHILE DINING.

PUBLIC BENEFIT ASSISTANCE PUBLIC BENEFITS THE PUBLIC BENEFITS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ASSISTS CLIENTS IN APPLYING FOR VARIOUS FORMS OF GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING MEDICAID, SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) BENEFITS, SENIOR RIDE FREE PROGRAM AND MUCH MORE. THE PROGRAM COMBATS THE THREE MOST COMMON BARRIERS CLIENTS FACE IN ENSURING THEIR WELFARE: COMPLICATED PROCEDURES REQUIRED TO RECEIVE PUBLIC BENEFITS; LIMITED ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE IN ENGLISH; THE PERSISTENCE OF MISINFORMATION RELATED TO PUBLIC BENEFITS.

ADULT ESL AND LITERACY THE MISSION OF THE ESL/LITERACY PROGRAM IS TO FACILITATE SERVICES IN WHICH QUALITY AND CULTURALLY COMPETENT EDUCATIONAL INSTRUCTION IS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL PEOPLE IN THEIR ADJUSTMENT, INTEGRATION, SELF-SUFFICIENCY, AND MOBILIZATION THROUGH THE ACQUISITION OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. CLASSES ARE FREE OF CHARGE AND OFFERED IN FOUR LEVELS OF INSTRUCTION FROM BEGINNER TO ADVANCED OVER THE COURSE OF TWELVE WEEKS. CLASSES RANGE IN SIZE FROM 10 TO 15 STUDENTS WITH INSTRUCTION PROVIDED BY PAID STAFF OR VOLUNTEERS. THE CURRICULUM IS BASED UPON A MULTI-LEVEL TEXTBOOK SERIES AND ENHANCED WITH FIELD TRIPS TO EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING SITES IN CHICAGO, A CONVERSATIONAL CLUB, WORKSHOPS TO ENHANCE SELF-CARE, AND ONE-ON-ONE TUTORING. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO EQUIP LEARNERS WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS, BUT IN ADDITION TO THIS OTHER AID IS PROVIDED TO STUDENTS SUCH AS MOCK INTERVIEWS FOR CITIZENSHIP EXAMS AND INTERVIEWS, DRIVER'S LICENSE TEST PREPARATION, AND COMPLETING JOB APPLICATIONS. IN ADDITION TO READING, SPEAKING IN ENGLISH IS ALSO MANY OF OUR LEARNERS' MAIN GOAL WHETHER IT IS TO TALK WITH THEIR CHILD'S TEACHER, BECOME A CITIZEN, ATTAIN A JOB OR A HIGHER POSITION IN THEIR JOB, OR TO BECOME AN ACTIVE, INTEGRAL COMMUNITY MEMBER. WE ASSIST OUR LEARNERS' GOALS BY ASSESSING THEM ONCE A MONTH THROUGH STANDARDIZED AND INDIVIDUAL WRITTEN/ORAL ASSESSMENTS, MAINTAINING POSITIVE COMMUNICATION, AND OFFERING LEARNERS HIGHER EDUCATION OPTIONS. THE IMPACT OF THE PROGRAM RESULTS IN PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. ADULT LEARNERS GAIN A SENSE OF TRUST, STRONG COMMUNITY, INCREASED SELF-CONFIDENCE AND POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH WHILE BEING POSITIVELY FULFILLED. ULTIMATELY, WE SEE THIS PROGRAM AS A FIRST STEP AND CONTINUOUS JOURNEY TO DEVELOPING WELL INFORMED CITIZENS READY TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD BY VOTING AND PARTICIPATING IN CIVIC ACTION.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT INDO-AMERICAN CENTER'S CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM INTEGRATES VOTER REGISTRATION, MOBILIZATION, EMPOWERMENT, AND EDUCATION INTO OUR PUBLIC BENEFITS, ADULT LITERACY, CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION, AND SENIORS PROGRAMS. THIS COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH IS DESIGNED TO EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN THE FORM OF VOTING, CENSUS PARTICIPATION, AND ADVOCACY IN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES-REGARDLESS OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS. IMMIGRATION AND LEGAL SERVICES- IAC'S IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES CONSULTATION ON FAMILY- BASED U.S. IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS, ASSISTANCE WITH APPLYING FOR U.S. CITIZENSHIP, ASSISTANCE WITH COMPLETING SELECT FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRATION APPLICATIONS, DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS (DACA) CASES AND SELECT TRANSLATION SERVICES.

SENIOR'S PROGRAM SENIORS THE GOAL OF THE SENIORS' MILAN PROGRAM IS TO HELP SOUTH ASIAN IMMIGRANT SENIORS FULLY ADJUST TO THEIR NEW COMMUNITY WITHIN THE UNITED STATES AND LEAD MORE INDEPENDENT LIVES. THE PROGRAM INCORPORATES EDUCATION, ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN GROUP ACTIVITIES, AND HANDS-ON LEARNING. THE "MILAN," WHICH TRANSLATES AS "GATHERING- OR "GET-TOGETHER," IS AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO ASSIST SENIORS IN OVERCOMING THE SOCIAL ISOLATION THAT THEY OFTEN EXPERIENCE AFTER MOVING TO THE UNITED STATES. EVERY WEEK, SENIORS WATCH MOVIES, PLAY GAMES, PARTICIPATE IN CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, AND ENJOY YOGA AND LIGHT EXERCISE. THE MILAN IS FOLLOWED EACH DAY BY THE GOLDEN DINERS LUNCH, WHICH PROVIDES SENIORS WITH HOT, ETHNIC LUNCHES COOKED ON PREMISES FIVE DAYS A WEEK. DAILY LUNCHES ARE ALSO CRITICAL IN HELPING SENIORS TO BUILD THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKS, DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS AND FOSTER FRIENDSHIPS WHILE DINING.

PUBLIC BENEFIT ASSISTANCE PUBLIC BENEFITS THE PUBLIC BENEFITS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ASSISTS CLIENTS IN APPLYING FOR VARIOUS FORMS OF GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING MEDICAID, SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) BENEFITS, SENIOR RIDE FREE PROGRAM AND MUCH MORE. THE PROGRAM COMBATS THE THREE MOST COMMON BARRIERS CLIENTS FACE IN ENSURING THEIR WELFARE: COMPLICATED PROCEDURES REQUIRED TO RECEIVE PUBLIC BENEFITS; LIMITED ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE IN ENGLISH; THE PERSISTENCE OF MISINFORMATION RELATED TO PUBLIC BENEFITS.

ADULT ESL AND LITERACY THE MISSION OF THE ESL/LITERACY PROGRAM IS TO FACILITATE SERVICES IN WHICH QUALITY AND CULTURALLY COMPETENT EDUCATIONAL INSTRUCTION IS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL PEOPLE IN THEIR ADJUSTMENT, INTEGRATION, SELF-SUFFICIENCY, AND MOBILIZATION THROUGH THE ACQUISITION OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. CLASSES ARE FREE OF CHARGE AND OFFERED IN FOUR LEVELS OF INSTRUCTION FROM BEGINNER TO ADVANCED OVER THE COURSE OF TWELVE WEEKS. CLASSES RANGE IN SIZE FROM 10 TO 15 STUDENTS WITH INSTRUCTION PROVIDED BY PAID STAFF OR VOLUNTEERS. THE CURRICULUM IS BASED UPON A MULTI-LEVEL TEXTBOOK SERIES AND ENHANCED WITH FIELD TRIPS TO EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING SITES IN CHICAGO, A CONVERSATIONAL CLUB, WORKSHOPS TO ENHANCE SELF-CARE, AND ONE-ON-ONE TUTORING. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO EQUIP LEARNERS WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS, BUT IN ADDITION TO THIS OTHER AID IS PROVIDED TO STUDENTS SUCH AS MOCK INTERVIEWS FOR CITIZENSHIP EXAMS AND INTERVIEWS, DRIVER'S LICENSE TEST PREPARATION, AND COMPLETING JOB APPLICATIONS. IN ADDITION TO READING, SPEAKING IN ENGLISH IS ALSO MANY OF OUR LEARNERS' MAIN GOAL WHETHER IT IS TO TALK WITH THEIR CHILD'S TEACHER, BECOME A CITIZEN, ATTAIN A JOB OR A HIGHER POSITION IN THEIR JOB, OR TO BECOME AN ACTIVE, INTEGRAL COMMUNITY MEMBER. WE ASSIST OUR LEARNERS' GOALS BY ASSESSING THEM ONCE A MONTH THROUGH STANDARDIZED AND INDIVIDUAL WRITTEN/ORAL ASSESSMENTS, MAINTAINING POSITIVE COMMUNICATION, AND OFFERING LEARNERS HIGHER EDUCATION OPTIONS. THE IMPACT OF THE PROGRAM RESULTS IN PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. ADULT LEARNERS GAIN A SENSE OF TRUST, STRONG COMMUNITY, INCREASED SELF-CONFIDENCE AND POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH WHILE BEING POSITIVELY FULFILLED. ULTIMATELY, WE SEE THIS PROGRAM AS A FIRST STEP AND CONTINUOUS JOURNEY TO DEVELOPING WELL INFORMED CITIZENS READY TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD BY VOTING AND PARTICIPATING IN CIVIC ACTION.