THE SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN IMMIGRANT PROJECT JOURNAL

IN THIS ISSUE

SUMMER ISSUE 1 VOL.1

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Day of the Immigrant 2012

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Citizenship Workshop: Making the dream more accessible

Bolingbrook Deputy Mayor, Leroy Brown stops by to see the SSIP staff and volunteers at work.

Soutwest Suburban Immigrant Project becomes the voice of the immigrant community
The Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project (SSIP) is a local nonprofit organization working toward immigrant reform and advocacy. Founded in 2010 the organization has been focused on the needs and concerns of the immigrant population living in Bolingbrook. The organization has managed to meet these needs through education, civic engagement and personal support and care toward members of the communities affected by the current immigration policies. SSIP has addressed immigration policies through a variety of political actions including prayer vigil, canvassing, rallies and peaceful demonstrations. The group also prides itself of on special programs to educate and empower community members. Some of the key programs of SSIP include the Tools Program, which offers computer and ESL (English as a second language) classes to give families practical communication skills for everyday tasks such as doctor visits and job applications. Another key program, the Mariarchi Youth Outreach, give immigrant and Latino children the opportunity to learn musical instruments as a positive outlet. The goal of this program is to ensure no child is left to turn to the streets for gain their acceptance and affirmation. SSIP also hosts various workshops where lawyers, law enforcement and politicians address serious issues of the immigration policies and give out invaluable resources and information. SSIP now stands holding an upward number of 170 members ranging from a variety of ages, backgrounds and lifestyles. These members have access to SSIPs free resources and also gain much needed support from the organization. The members of the organization really do feel like an extended family, said SSIP Director Sheena Kauzlarich. Ive been involved from the organization from the beginning, and I can confirm that the support and diligence of our group has helped us in realizing the dream for reform in our community. As for the future SSIP want to expand their membership with even more immigrant families and churches. The group also intends to have more roles and activities for the youth to partake of, in addition to answering the specific needs and concerns of the immigrant population living in the southwest Suburbs.

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What your time and support can do for SSIP

CITIZENSHIP WORKSHOP
Residents move closer toward citizenship
These people love their Saturday, July 28 Southwest communities and are doing Suburban Immigrant Project the best they can to make and Family Focus of Aurora them better, said Volunteer assembled another citizenship Karina Lopez. They workshop for the residents give so much for their living in Bolingbrook. This was communities and they are the second workshop hosted in the voice that says we are Bolingbrook with about 100 green important too. card holding residents applying Also visiting the progress for citizenship. of the citizenship workshop The workshops were provided was Bolingbrook Deputy through the services of Family Mayor Leroy Brown. Focus who hosts workshops Deputy Mayor Brown was throughout the Chicago-land area. impressed by the progress SSIP has been the Bolingbrook of the workshop and gained host organization for theses Green card carrying applicants got their paperwork checked at the workshop for free. more insight on the circumstances workshops starting first April. many immigrant families are left to Statistics also say that 97 percent of applicants The citizenship workshops are deal with. that go through citizenship workshops achieve designed to assist residents with the application We were so honored to have Dep. Mayor Brown citizenship status afterward. This means these process with free legal screenings, fee waivers at the workshop, said Kauzlarich. Ultimately residents can access more essential resources and other resources to prepare them for the the goal is for the community empathize with their such as drivers licenses and government aid for naturalization process. immigrant neighbors, and to make the situation college expenses. Our focus has always been to provide essential better for everyone. In addition to the workshop volunteers talked to resources to the immigrant community, and this SSIP hopes to one day to allocate the resources different family members and children speak of workshop gives them not only resources and and training to host their own workshops in the the importance of the communities they live in. preparation, but hope, future. The organization truly believes events like They had children draw pictures representing the said SSIP Director Sheena Kauzlarich. Were so the workshop are vital resources for the immigrant positive nature of their community and collaged happy to be working with Family Focus again on community. them on the wall. this project and to make a difference.

Pictures from the workshop

DAY OF THE IMMGRANT 2012

SSIP celebrates the greatness of Bolingbrook immigrants
Bolingbrook residents and immigrant supporters attended the celebration known as Day of the Immigrant on Saturday June 30. Day of the Immigrant first started in 2010 with the help of Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel. The event was designed to highlight the contributions, success stories and cultural influences of the immigrant community living in the southwest suburbs of DuPage and Will County. This year Day of the Immigrant showcased this message in the form of a cultural entertainment expo and resource fair. The event kicked off with an opening ceremony including major political figures, immigrant entrepreneurs and other motivational speakers.
Congresswoman, Judy Biggert poses at Bolingbrook village hall honoring SSIP members. Among political figures attending Once the opening ceremony closed the cultural attractions included a train ride, a rock climbing included Bolingbrook Mayor Roger entertainment began. Various groups performed wall and the Bolingbrook Library Truck. C. Claar, Congress Woman Judy Biggert, musical numbers including traditional African Romeoville Mayor John Noak and State Senator It was great seeing everyone enjoy themselves, music, folkloric ballet and special tribute song Pat Maguire. At the event Mayor Claar and said SSIP Core Leader Jose Vera. The point of performed by sitar player, Bob Cevic. Also Congresswoman Biggert both spoke at opening this event was to celebrate how far weve come performing was belly dance artist Shahina ceremony. in terms of immigration reform. We know we who taught community members a few of her have a lot of work to do, but this level of joy and signature moves. It was such an honor to have them at the enthusiasm gives up hope for tomorrow. event, said SSIP Director Sheena Kauzlarich. While performances were going strong a Their presence was such an affirmation for our The day ended with plenty of smiling faces and host of vendors and resources were available members and the community that we serve. We the embracing of new possibilities. to community members. In addition special hope we can continue to work with them.

Pictures from DOI 2012

THE SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN IMMIGRANT PROJECT JOURNAL

From the volunteers, members and staff from SSIP we want our readers and contributors to know that your time and effort does make a difference. Over the summer whe have been able to do things that seemed impossible. We held countless workshops, special events, political actions, civic engagenmet and we are far from stopping. We plan to change the stigma of immigration and make the laws fair for everyone. With your support we can create a better tomorrow for all of our communities. Thank You.

The Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering our immigrant neighbors with the tools necessary to become fully-engaged, contributing members of the communities that we all call home www.ssipchicago.org 4