ILLINOIS WELCOMING Center
As an Illinois Welcoming Center, MENA Community Center provides immigrants and refugees with streamlined, culturally and linguistically tailored access to essential services critical to their well-being. By removing systemic barriers that often hinder individuals from navigating state resources, our IWC empowers clients with hands-on support for public benefits (Medical and SNAP), senior services, home care, healthcare, social security disability, Medicare, employment documentation, and translation services through staff fluent in English, Arabic, Spanish, Russian, and Bulgarian.
When direct assistance is not possible, we connect clients to essential resources, including childcare, legal aid, shelters, and mental health services. This one-stop approach enables families to gain stability and access resources that allow them to move beyond survival mode, build stability, pursue opportunities, and thrive.
Through our community education workshops, we equip immigrants and refugees with the knowledge to integrate, engage fully in their communities, and build sustainable futures. Our Welcoming Center serves as a lifeline for many Middle Eastern, North African, and other immigrant families in Illinois, helping them access the foundational services they need to succeed.
ILLINOIS WELCOMING CENTER SERVICES
Assistance with Benefits Applications
Assistance with Benefits Applications
Assistance with Benefits Applications
We assist individuals in accessing a range of benefits programs including Medicaid, SNAP, and WIC, handling the application process on their behalf when possible. Our support includes guiding them through applications, offering essential information and resources, and bridging language barriers between clients and the Illinois Department of Human Services through interpretation and translation services.
Senior Services
Assistance with Benefits Applications
Assistance with Benefits Applications
We offer support for seniors, including assistance with applying for senior housing, home care services, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), Medicare, and free bus passes for seniors. We aim to enhance the quality of life for our senior community members.
Identification Services
Assistance with Benefits Applications
Identification Services
Our organization helps individuals obtain identification documents by completing passport applications, and scheduling appointments with the DMV for permits, driving tests, ID renewals, and driver's licenses. We understand the importance of having proper identification and assistance in navigating the necessary procedures.
Healthcare Support
Referrals and Support
Identification Services
We assist individuals in choosing a primary doctor, making appointments with the doctor's office, and changing providers for Medicaid. Our goal is to ensure access to quality healthcare and facilitate smooth healthcare transitions.
Referrals and Support
Referrals and Support
Referrals and Support
We provide referrals to various services and resources based on individual needs. This includes referring clients to programs such as LIHEAP for electric and gas utility assistance, childcare services, immigration services, divorce attorneys, shelters, mental health counseling, translation services, and degree evaluation institutes.