Chicago Nonprofits and Charities

Family Focus provides my family reliable, safe, fun before and after school care. My son loves attending and playing games with other kids and the staff. He actually does get mad at me if I come early! The staff is kind and generous and help to establish routines that support my son's academic needs. I am so grateful that this exists for my family.

CASL has such an important mission of providing a wide range of social services for Chinese-Americans in the Chicago area with an emphasis on helping newer immigrants to connect & grow in the US-- LOVE it!! <br> <br>CEO Paul Luu is a fantastic leader! <br> <br>GREAT org, GREAT team— the CLOZTALK team is honored to call CASL our partner!! <br> <br>CLOZTALK team <br>>> Jonny Imerman, co-founder

they helped me with my case and they did great i recommend this community for everyone who need help <br>and thank you immigrant integration community

My name is Fahd K. I am an immigrant. I encountered ICDI when I was in immigration detention. I was detained for approximately 3 years while I fought my case for deferral of removal under the United Nation's Convention Against Torture (UNCAT). I am thankful to the people of the United States for their protection under this convention which provides vulnerable ones a safe place of refuge. And I am grateful to ICDI for their unconditional love for immigrants; their support during detention and after detention with many services. <br>ICDI is not simply helping immigrants; it is also doing a great service to the country. Helping immigrants is an investment in the future of America and society itself. The US is largely an immigrant nation. Compassionately helping people to integrate into this society will yield grateful individuals with positive attitudes toward American society and who will be the new patriots! Steve Jobs, Co-founder of Apple, is the son of a Syrian. President Barak Obama is the son of a Kenyan. Fazlur Rahman Khan, structural engineer for the John Hancock Center and Willis Tower, is an immigrant from East Pakistan, present day Bangladesh. You may read more about iconic American figures that were immigrants at: https://time.com/4108606/history-american-immigrants/<br>In the Christian tradition (Matthew 35:31-46) we are taught that when we give something to eat to someone who is hungry, we are doing it for Christ. We are taught to give drink to those who are thirsty; invite the stranger into our home; clothe the person who has no clothes; care for the sick, and not least, visit those in prison. In so doing we minister to Christ. ICDI does all these things.<br><br>Their simple visits to me and others brought so much joy that it cannot be explained or felt unless one finds him/herself in the detainees' shoes. Their visit was a window to a refreshing garden that brought in fresh, fragrant air. <br>I am very thankful to all who came to visit the detainees, especially Sister Jan Gregorcich and Jean Engel. Grateful also for Pam Shearman and Ed Pratt and their utmost efforts and support for detained immigrants.<br><br>May God (as you may understand God) allow me to contribute to ICDI's work, services, and efforts. These acts are godly and angelic! I urge you to support ICDI so they can continue doing these holy works. They are not doing this for few but for all, regardless of one’s nation of origin or immigration status.<br>Peace.

This is a home. I’ve learned to strengthen my skills and amplify my confidence and knowledge. I have learned so many things from this program and I feel like I am capable of expressing myself on a health yo and beneficial way for myself and my family.

The Indo-American Center is a great place to volunteer! The adult ESL students are eager to learn English, and the staff gives great support so that I can volunteer without difficulty. It's great to feel that I can have an impact in the lives of immigrants to help them assimilate into the United States.

GREAT mission, GREAT team! the CLOZTALK team is honored to call this org a partner & promote its good work! <br> <br>CLOZTALK team <br>>> Jonny Imerman, co-founder

In my 25 year-career in fundraising, I had the opportunity to work FT and as a consultant for a lot of organizations. RefugeeOne is one of the best-run and most caring non-profits I met. Their front line staff provide a complete range of resettlement services for refugees. They start by meeting the newcomers at the airport, provide housing and essentials for several months until the refugee or refugee family is able to speak English and support themselves. They run special programs for youth, women, seniors and those with mental health issues such as PTS. <br> <br>They have a strong Board of Directors who contribute their own money, fundraise in the community and watch the agency's finances like hawks. I was their grantwriter for about five years and this agency has one of the most varied funding bases of any agency I worked for. This has allowed RefugeeOne to continue services in times of economic weakness. The agency prides itself in the fact that, unlike other resettlement agencies, no refugee entrusted to its care has ever gone homeless. Their tight fiscal management has allowed them to go over and above in ensuring that their clients have true refuge as they begin their journey towards becoming Americans.

I could not find a job on my own. I was referred to this organization by my neighbor. They were very patient with me and told me I would have to learn English a little better. This association helped me find a job. And then they helped me to start my own business. They helped me for many hours with documents and license and legal things I needed to know. Thank you

I've brought my kids here for their after-school and summer programs. The staff members are always very helpful and nurturing. They have lots of extras too, like field trips and special events. There is a real family environment there that is refreshing---you don't feel like just another client. My family has gone for other services too, like help with immigration-related legal issues and to get visa photos.