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. WITH EASTSIDE BABY CORNER, KIAC FILLED 4,493 ORDERS FOR NEWBORN AND MATERNITY NEEDS (UP MORE THAN 200% SINCE 2020). WITH NEW BEGINNINGS, 671 CLIENTS VISITED FOR CLOTHING AND PANTRY ITEMS (UP MORE THAN 100% SINCE 2020). WITH LOCAL HEALTHCARE PARTNERS, ENCOURAGED CLIENTS TOWARDS HEALTH AND WELLNESS. THROUGH PENINSULA COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES, 940 VACCINES WERE ADMINISTERED TO KIAC CLIENTS (A NEW OFFERING). DURING VACCINE VISITS KIAC CLIENTS LEARNED OF OTHER REGIONAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES, SUCH AS THE WEST SOUND FREE CLINIC, WHICH COUNTED 76 KIAC CLIENT VISITS IN 2021.

LEGAL SERVICES: IN 2021, THE LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDED A RANGE OF FREE AND LOW-COST LEGAL SERVICES IN KING, KITSAP, CLALLAM, JEFFERSON, NORTH MASON, PIERCE AND PACIFIC COUNTIES. A TOTAL OF 123 NEW CASES WERE OPENED WHILE THE VOLUNTEER AND PAID STAFF CONTINUED TO HANDLE OPEN CASES FROM PRIOR YEARS. THE ALL-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 MEANINGFUL CHANGES IN NATIONAL IMMIGRATION POLICY. ROBUST COLLABORATIONS WITH THE NORTHWEST IMMIGRANT RIGHTS PROJECT, ONE AMERICA, JEFFERSON COUNTY IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ADVOCATES, AND THE CATHOLIC LEGAL IMMIGRATION NETWORK CONTINUED, AND A NEW CONNECTION WAS MADE WITH FIRELANDS WASHINGTON TO SERVE IMMIGRANTS IN PACIFIC COUNTY. THE LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM ALSO ASSISTED 70 IMMIGRANTS WHO WERE SEEKING TO MEET THEIR CIVIC AND LEGAL OBLIGATIONS TO FILE FEDERAL AND STATE TAX RETURNS, AND 40 TO APPLY FOR OR TO RENEW BUSINESS LICENSES. ONE VOLUNTEER TAX PREPARER AND TWO OTHER VOLUNTEERS HELPED CLIENTS WITH THEIR RETURNS, WITH REFERRALS FOR ITIN APPLICATIONS, IN APPLYING FOR BUSINESS LICENSES, AND BY COACHING THEM IN BUSINESS RECORDKEEPING. VOLUNTEER HOURS TO THE LEGAL PROGRAM EXCEEDED 9,734.

AS PART OF FAMILY SERVICES, AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, RAISED CLIENT AWARENESS AROUND HEALTH AND WELLNESS. THROUGH PENINSULA COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES, 940 VACCINES WERE ADMINISTERED TO KIAC CLIENTS IN 2021. MORE DISCUSSION AT 1ST ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT FAMILY SERVICES.