Chicago New Residents Resource Guide Richard M
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BACKSIDE OF BACK INSIDE FLAP j IMMIGRANT SERVICES Citizenship/ English as a Second Language (ESL) / k SPORTS AND RECREATION Gymnasiums and Recreational Centers/ Fitness Immigrant-specific services/ Refugee-specific services/ Immigration detainee programs/ After-school programs/ Summer programs/ Youth and adult sports YOU HAVE RIGHTS services/ Resources for asylum-seekers/ Family reunification leagues YOU HAVE RIGHTS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW Documented and Undocumented Immigrants Have Several international treaties give protcection to immigrants, including the This is a marvelously useful guide for new and Protection Under U.S. and International Laws q c United Nations Declaration on Human Rights, the International Convention on seasoned Chicago residents alike. Organized by EDUCATION Day care/ Head Start/ Pre-kindergarten/ Secondary HOUSING Rental assistance/ Housing referrals/ Public and low-income th the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Covenant LOCATIONWITHEASY TO READGRAPHICS YOUWILLlND (kindergarten through 12 grade)/ Post-secondary (community college/ colleges housing referrals/ Co-op housing/ Homeowner educational workshops/ Building on Civil and Political Rights, and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. If the police, FBI, or immigration authorities stop or detain you: vital information about how to navigate the cityói ts and universities)/ College application and scholarship help/ Youth mentoring code information/ Counseling for tenant/landlord disputes/ Foster care/ These treaties give you the right to: DO tell them if you have children at home who need your care. In raids in other public transportation, the public school system, and development/ After-school programs/ Summer programs/ Adult education/ Homeless shelters parts of the country, parents of young children were less likely to be detained. YOURLOCALMUNICIPALOFlCESANDREPRESENTATIVES AND Vocational training/ Computer/technology training / Literacy programs/ GED CHICAGO NEWCHICAGO RESIDENTS RESOURCE GUIDE —Know why you are being arrested DO NOT respond to any other questions before speaking with a lawyer. directories to Chicagoís abundant ethnic, cultural, and preperation/ Community education/ Advocacy and community development m LEGAL SERVICES Attorney referrals/ Immigrant-specific legal services/ —Speak to a lawyer Say, “I wish to talk to a lawyer.” civic offerings. And donít forget your practical ì Know Pro bono or low-cost legal aid/ Court advocacy services/ Civil rights protection/ —Be given the time and resources to prepare your court case DO ask to speak with a lawyer. Immigration authorities should give you a list of Your Rightsî Card included inside, so you will always n LGBT LGBT-friendly health care/ Resources for transgender individuals/ Consumer fraud protection —Have a day in court in front of a judge low-cost and free legal services in your ares. be prepared. Resources for LGBT youth/ LGBT community centers/ LGBT advocacy groups —Be treated humanely, no matter your race, nationality, or religion DO NOT sign anything before speaking with a lawyer. t ARTS AND CULTURE Visual arts/ Music/ Theater/ Dance/ Poetry/spoken —Speak to your home country’s counsulate DO NOT allow anyone to enter your home unless they have a court order. No Chicagoan, new or native, should be without this u FINANCIAL SERVICES Insurance services/ Credit counseling/ Mortgage word/ Museums and cultural institutions/ Ethnic celebrations and events/ DO ask to see a judge. book! services/ Loan services/ General financial counseling/ Help with filing taxes Community events/ Community education and development YOU HAVE RIGHTS UNDER U.S. LAW DO ask to speak with someone from your home country’s consulate (unless you U.S. immigration law says that you have a right to see a lawyer, but you must have a fear of being in your home country). All of the information in this book is available online e HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Medical care/ Mental health care/ Disability- lGOVERNMENT SERVICES Public assistance (cash/ food stamps/ etc.)/ find and pay for one yourself. You may be able to find a lawyer to help you free ATTHESUPPLEMENTALWEBSITE WHICHALSOINCLUDESlRST specific care Preventative care/ Dentistry/ Eye care/ Elder care/ Reproductive of charge. Ask an immigration officer for a list of legal service providers. Licenses and permits (marriage license/ driver’s license/ etc.)/ Public The National Immigrant Justice Center provides low-cost and free legal hand stories, essays, and spoken word poems about and sexual health/ Domestic Violence prevention/ Women’s health/ Harm transportation/ Law enforcement/ Filing official complaints services to immigrants. Keep these phone numbers, along with your A number, immigrant experience here reduction/ Substance abuse treatment/ HIV/AIDS counseling and treatment/ YOU HAVE RIGHTS UNDER U.S. DETENTION with you at all times. in Chicago, one of the most diverse and global cities Fitness programs/ Nutritional counseling Financial support for basic needs/ h If you are detained call, call collect (312) 263-0901 in the world. Foster care/ Homeless shelters/ Accessing public benefits/ Support groups EMPLOYMENT SERVICES Job training/ Job placement/ Resume workshops/ STANDARDS If you are not detained, call (312) 660-1370 Career development services/ Workers’ Centers/ Union organizing/ Job While these standards are not part of U.S. law, they serve as guidelines for the staff of jails and detention centers where immigrants are detained. According to immigrantcitychicago.hullhouse.uic.edu i EMERGENCY Emergency medical care/ Emergency shelter/ food/ and discrimination assistance/Unemployment assistance these standards if you are detained: clothing/ Emergency police and fire department/ Rape Crisis center/ Domestic —You should have access to a working telephone so you can call a lawyer. Violence center/ Emergency mental health services/ Emergency substance abuse f SERVES WOMEN AND GIRLS ONLY —The detention center or jail should provide a list of phone numbers you can services/ Emergency family services call to obtain affordable legal services. RICHARD M. DALEY, MAYOR a —The detention center or jail also should provide books about immigration law SERVES MEN AND BOYS ONLY CHICAGO COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS pMEDIA so that you can do research for your case. Local ethnic-specific and foreign language media r —You should have access to physical and mental health care. JANE ADDAMS HULL–HOUSE MUSEUM, COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THE ARTS UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO o FOOD Food pantry/ Food co-op/ Farmer’s markets/ Community gardens/ g SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS Free or reduced-cost meals s SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH CITY OF CHICAGO NEW RESIDENT'S GUIDE immigrantcitychicago.hullhouse.uic.edu CITY OF CHICAGO NEW RESIDENT'S GUIDE immigrantcitychicago.hullhouse.uic.edu The Freedom to copy and share the work with others © ——Message from Mayor ——WELCOME TO CHICAGO Richard M. DALEY The City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations Advisory Council Dear New Resident: on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs is pleased to present the 2010–2011 As Mayor and on behalf of the City of edition of the Chicago New Residents Resource Guide. The purpose of Chicago, it gives me great pleasure to this publication is to make pertinent information available and contribute welcome you to our city. to the smooth adjustment of immigrants and refugees to life in Chicago. Chicago’s past and present have The Guide comprises many articles and an extensive list of public and been shaped by immigrants and refugees private resources. The articles provide general information about a wide who came from around the world. These spectrum of topics, including the legal system, housing, health, community determined men and women dedicated services, employment, education, and consumer protection. The Resource themselves to improving the quality of Listings section provides names and telephone numbers, addresses, and life for their families and the community websites (where available) of governmental, non‑governmental, and at large. Your arrival continues this community‑based service providers that offer services to immigrants proud tradition and I have no doubt and refugees, either for free or for low fees. Included in the listings are that you bring the same energy and optimism to Chicago as did your ethnic community‑based organizations and Consulate General offices. predecessors. In preparing this edition, special attention was given to designing the Our city government takes pride in its long‑standing tradition of Guide to be user‑friendly, covering the issues and topics that are most welcoming and embracing immigrants and refugees. In keeping with that pertinent, and ensuring that the resource listings are reflective of the tradition, the Chicago Commission on Human Relations Advisory Council diversity of Chicago’s immigrant and refugee community. The end result, on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs has been working diligently to maintain we hope, is that the intended beneficiaries of the Guide—immigrants and foster a welcoming climate for our new arrivals. Among many other and refugees, especially newcomers—will find it an informative and activities, this office conducts education and outreach programs including empowering tool in their quest for a new and better life in Chicago. the publication of the Chicago New Residents Resource Guidebook. Despite our best intention and efforts, we may have omitted