March Shared Offering Will Go to ECIRMAC

The purpose of the East Central Illinois Refugee Mutual Assistance Center (ECIRMAC) is to aid in the resettlement of refugees and immigrants, regardless of country of origin, in the East-Central Illinois area and to aid in the exchange and preservation of their respective cultures. ECIRMAC was incorporated in August 1980 and has been operating since January 1982 through funds donated by churches, sponsors, the refugee community, United Way, Champaign County Mental Health Board, and the Illinois Department of Human Services. Some examples of services provided by ECIRMAC are job placement and supportive employment services, orientation, translation, referral, counseling, and advocacy. They provide local sponsors with liaison and translation services and resettlement information. ECIRMAC shares the unique cultural heritage of the refugee and immigrant community with all interested individuals, and assists refugees and immigrants in the preservation of their language, culture, and traditions. They provide tutoring in ESL and help with permanent residency applications, family reunification papers, and citizenship services. In addition, ECIRMAC provides family support groups, interest free loans to refugees in emergencies, and help with violence against women applications (VAMA).