Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center

RECOGNIZING THE INHERENT WORTH AND DIGNITY OF ALL PEOPLE, KIAC WORKS FOR THE WELL-BEING AND EMPOWERMENT OF IMMIGRANTS THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.

FAMILY SERVICES: KITSAP IMMIGRANT ASSISTANCE CENTER (KIAC) IS THE ONLY ORGANIZATION PROVIDING IMMIGRANT-CENTRIC FAMILY IMMIGRATION LEGAL, AND TAX AND BUSINESS SERVICES IN THE WEST SALISH/PUGET SOUND REGION. SERVICES INCLUDE HELP WITH PAPERWORK AND PHONE CALLS, LEARNING ENGLISH, OBTAINING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, HEALTHCARE, FOOD, CLOTHING AND HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES, GENERAL, INFORMATION AND REFERRALS FOR OTHER NEEDS, SUCH AS SCHOOL ENROLLMENT, HEALTH INSURANCE, HELP FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, CIVIL LEGAL AID, AND OTHER RESOURCES. PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES WITH MATERNITY, NEWBORN, AND CHILD SUPPLIES. KIAC, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH REGIONAL SERVICES, HELPED PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES TO OUR CLIENTS. IN 2022 WITH EASTSIDE BABY CORNER, KIAC FILLED 4,287 ORDERS FOR NEWBORN AND MATERNITY NEEDS (UP MORE THAN 200% SINCE 2020). WITH NEW BEGINNINGS,742 CLIENTS VISITED FOR CLOTHING AND PANTRY ITEMS (UP MORE THAN 100% SINCE 2020). WITH LOCAL HEALTHCARE, PARTNERS ENCOURAGED CLIENTS TOWARDS HEALTH AND WELLNESS. DURING THIS YEAR WE HAD 32 MEDICAL CLINICS SERVING 166 PATIENTS, INCLUDING 221 MEDICAL CONSULTATIONS PROVIDED BY WEST SOUND FREE CLINIC AND 30 PHYSIOTHERAPY SESSIONS PROVIDED BY KITSAP PHYSIOTHERAPY. WE ORGANIZED WITH PENINSULA COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICE HELD 22 DENTAL CLINICS.

LEGAL SERVICES: IN 2022, THE LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDED A VARIETY OF FREE AND LOW-COST LEGAL SERVICES IN KING, KITSAP, CLALLAM, JEFFERSON, NORTH MASON, PIERCE, AND PACIFIC COUNTIES. A TOTAL OF 242 NEW CASES WERE OPENED, WHILE VOLUNTEER AND PAID STAFF CONTINUED TO HANDLE OPEN CASES FROM PRIOR YEARS. FULLY VOLUNTEER LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES (11 ACCREDITED WITH 2 MORE IN TRAINING, PLUS 3 PRO BONO VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS) PROVIDED THESE SERVICES DESPITE THE LACK OF IMMIGRATION REFORM AND SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN NATIONAL IMMIGRATION POLICY. STRONG COLLABORATIONS CONTINUED WITH THE NORTHWEST IMMIGRANT RIGHTS PROJECT, ONE AMERICA, JEFFERSON COUNTY IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ADVOCATES, AND CATHOLIC LEGAL IMMIGRATION NETWORK, AND A NEW CONNECTION WAS ESTABLISHED WITH FIRELANDS WASHINGTON TO SERVE IMMIGRANTS IN PACIFIC COUNTY. THE LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM ALSO HELPED 140 IMMIGRANTS SEEKING TO FULFILL THEIR CIVIC AND LEGAL OBLIGATIONS TO FILE FEDERAL AND STATE TAX RETURNS, AND 50 TO APPLY FOR OR RENEW BUSINESS LICENSES. A VOLUNTEER TAX PREPARER AND TWO OTHER VOLUNTEERS ASSISTED CLIENTS WITH THEIR RETURNS, ITIN APPLICATION REFERRALS, BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATIONS, AND TRAINING IN BUSINESS RECORD KEEPING. VOLUNTEER HOURS IN THE LEGAL PROGRAM EXCEEDED 9,012.