[Grad_history_students] New Americans Initiative: Volunteers Needed

[Judy Ossello]

New Americans Initiative

Please join us in helping newcomers in your area to become American
citizens.

In the state of Illinois, there are 348,000 Legal Permanent Residents
who are eligible to become U.S. citizens.  In response, the State
Legislators created the New Americans Initiative with the goal of
helping 60,000 Illinois immigrants over three years to learn English and
pass the naturalization exam. 

Township H.S. District 214 Community Education in collaboration with
the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS Chicago) and the Midwest
Immigrant Human Rights Center (MIHRC), are excited to be recipients of
New Americans Initiative funds.  Our collaborative will be embarking on
a bold new program to help immigrants in the northwest suburbs become
American citizens.

We are searching for dedicated community volunteers who would like to
assist immigrants in completing their citizenship applications to be
submitted to the Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at a one
day "Citizenship Rally".  Volunteers are required to attend a 2.5 hour
training prior to the one-day event, in order to be fully prepared to
assist newcomers in their community with their citizenship application. 
No previous experience is necessary. If you speak a second language, you
are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Citizenship Rallies will take place on Saturdays - February 26th, April
16th, and June 18th.

To take part in the February 26th Rally, volunteers are required to
register with the volunteer coordinator and attend a training on either
February 19th (Saturday, 9-11:30am) or February 22nd  (Tuesday, 6:30pm
to 9pm). Trainings will be held at Forest View Educational Center, 2121
S. Goebbert Road in Arlington Heights.  (Also the location for the
Citizenship Rallies.)

To register or for more information, please contact volunteer
coordinator, Suzie Budak (312) 673-3240 or suzannebudak at jfcschicago.org


If you or someone you know would like to apply for U.S. citizenship,
please contact the New Americans Initiative at (847) 718-6556.