The Welcoming Center
About the Welcoming Center
Through the support of grant funding from the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Welcoming Center initiative will foster community alliances and support immigrant families and the local English Language Learning (ELL) population with non-legal needs.
The Welcoming Center hopes to serve as a one-stop-shop to provide immigrants and new Americans with vital resources and opportunities to build their lives here in McLean County.
Our Services
Referrals are offered to provide direct assistance with:
01.
— Legal Services
02.
— Housing and Food Insecurity
03.
— Interpretation/Translation
04.
— Mental Health Issues
05.
— Substance Abuse
06.
— Education and Unemployment
07.
— Community Networking
08.
— Emergency Assistance
History
In 2007, the Illinois Department of Human Services launched the Illinois Welcoming Center Program (IWC) to model a state-operated one-stop human service center designed to help immigrants and ELL (English Language Learning) individuals navigate state services and coordinate those state services with non-profit community social services. In 2017, the Welcoming Center Program transitioned to include a community-based service model that continues to operate as a one-stop human service center in a community setting. As part of a 2020 grant initiative from the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Immigration Project sought to support the bolstering of a strong connective social services hub to complement immigrants’ legal needs in Bloomington-Normal.
Our Team
Caseworker
Caseworker
The Welcoming Center is located within the offices of The Immigration Project, at our Bloomington-Normal location.
Walk-ins are accepted at the Welcoming Center.
Welcoming Center Hours
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri | 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wed, Sat, Sun | closed
Bloomington - Normal Office
211 Landmark Drive, Suite B3A, Normal, IL 61761