Tech. for Immigrants and Refugees

Hello there! My name is Chirag Shah. I am the computer instructor at the Indo-American Center (IAC). IAC is a nonprofit located in Chicago, Illinois, serving the immigrant/refugee community for the last 25 years. Our mission is to promote the well-being of immigrants and refugees through services that facilitate their adjustment, integration, and friendship with the wider society, nurture their sense of community, and foster appreciation for their culture and heritage. There are ten vital programs that help fulfill our mission. Aside from the small fee for Citizenship and Immigration services, all of our programs are FREE to the community.

Seniors’ Program - promotes socialization and facilitating adjustment to life in the United States for people over the age of 65

Adult Literacy Program – focuses on better speaking, reading, writing, and listening to the English language

Civics Education Program – prepares clients for the U.S. Naturalization Exam and Interview

Workforce Development Program - establishes job-readiness skills and literacy for the workplace

Youth Program - promotes socialization and learning for youth ages 5-14

Public Benefits Assistant Program - allows access to public benefits

Citizenship and Immigration Program- assists clients with citizenship and family-based immigration needs

Legal Clinic Program - provides no-cost pre-legal counseling

Housing Program – assist with home buying & foreclosure prevention counseling

Computer Education Program – trains basic and intermediate computer literacy

The purpose of this campaign is towards the computer education program however, donations toward any of the aforementioned programs will be highly appreciated. You can visit our website at www.indoamerican.org to find out more information.
IAC Computer Lab


IAC Computer Lab

Students receive certificates after completing the Intermediate Computer Class

The Indo-American center runs two FREE computer classes all year long.

The beginner class serves students with little or no previous computer experience. Yes, believe it or not there are people out there that have never touched a computer. When they see that many of today’s tasks are completed using a computer, they feel that they are light years behind. In this class they learn the many things that can be done a computer, such as; reading the news, searching/applying for jobs, sending out emails, banking, shopping and much more.

The intermediate class is for those who have experience using a computer, have completed the beginner class or just need to refresh their skills. This class consists of three main programs; Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint. Many of the students, who do decide to take this class, take it because they would like to further develop their career. Taking the intermediate class creates a base for students so that they can start building their technological skills.

The schedules for both classes are Monday through Thursday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM each class is preceded by the next.

We at the Indo-American Center believe that the lack of computer skills creates great obstacles for anyone who is trying to achieve economic and social advancement. The clients who come to center are mixture of immigrants/refugees from 23 different countries as well as those born here in the US. There are many issues that people face when they do not know how to use a computer. The goals that the clients have when taking the computer vary from person to person. Many clients are content with taking just the beginner course, they would like to simply be able to use the internet, send emails and they have no intention of looking for work or advancing their tech skills. Others want to able to help their children with school homework and some would like to further their careers. 

When clients come to the Indo-American Center asking for job related help, one of the things we assess is what level their computer skills are. If they have never used a computer then we tell them that one of first things you need to do is learn how to use one before you start looking for work. Not only will employers expect you to know the basics, but as you know looking for employment itself is done through a computer now. The days of walking to each individual store and asking for an application are long gone and inefficient. By being able to use a computer, job seekers are able complete as twice many applications if they went to individual stores. 

FREE Computer Lab

Aside from the computer classes, the Indo-American Center also provides open lab to anyone for 2 and 1/2 hours a day. Internet service is pretty expensive; many of our clients cannot afford the cost of 30 to 50 dollars a month. At IAC patrons can come and use the lab for FREE. Patrons come during the open lab to check emails, pay bills, apply for jobs, complete school work and much more.  A printer is also available to them if needed.

How will your funding be used?

The funding of programs at the Indo-American comes from various resources like foundations, private donations, and government grants. Due to a great number budget cuts recently, IAC is seeing a lot less government grants. Currently there is no funding for the Computer Education Program and all expenses are paid for by the organization’s general funds.

What your funding will go towards;

New Computers/Monitors – The computers that are available in the lab are refurbished and were purchase over 4 years ago they becoming more and more obsolete everyday. They are starting to show great signs of wear and tear and are becoming more challenging to conduct class. Monitors and computer are breaking down to point they are not repairable. 

Computer Class Book – There is book that is used in class that I have created for the students. It is a step by step guide on how to perform various computer tasks the cost to print the book $9 each. In order to print more copies, IAC has to sell it to students for $10.  The money collected from the sale of the books is used to print more. We would love to give the book the students for free.

Projector – By having a projector it would make it easier to conduct class. I would be able to share my screen and all the students could pay attention to the screen. Also it would be nice to be able to have the projector mounted to the ceiling. It would save me a lot of time instead of having to connect and disconnect it every single day.

Software – Currently we use Microsoft Office 2003. Even though 2013 is the latest version, I would like to use at least 2010. This would help the students a lot more because version 2010 is the version that they would most likely come across outside the computer class. 

Other expenses – Some of the other expenses that the computer lab incurs is monthly internet bill, energy cost for the lights and computers, printer paper and toner and upkeep of the computer lab itself. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.  We hope you decide to support us! We appreciate any size donation. This is a local initiative, and the money will go directly to the Computer Education Program. Thank you, again.    

To learn more about Indo-American Center, watch the video below, follow us on Facebook  or visit our Website 


Sincerely,
Indo-American Center
Chirag Shah
Computer Instructor