Indo-American Center fears cut in its services

CHICAGO: A highly patronized no profit body in Chicago, Indo American Center (IAC), is heading for a severe financial crunch if the threatened slashing of funds from the Illinois government turns out to be a reality.

The State law makers have made it known that they intend to slash by 50% funds allocated to non profit service organizations like IAC and the IAC official are unnerved because this move will jeopardize a good number of activities undertaken by these bodies.

"Canceling this program would make it very difficult for people like me who have limited English skills to go elsewhere and get the education that is necessary to become an American citizen," Syed, a student of both the Civics and beginning English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, told his Hindi-speaking Civics Education teacher at Indo American Center (IAC) Canceling programs may be an inevitable aftermath at IAC should legislators decide upon cutting funds virtually in half, according to Jay Luthra, Executive director IAC.

Serving over 100 clients a day, the IAC programs include ESL, computer, and civics classes, and youth and seniors programs. Services in the Benefits and Immigration departments are also home to the IAC. It regularly assists immigrants, many of whom have no insurance, to obtain public benefits; it also assists immigrants, who need assistance with their citizenship status.

For clients like Baljit who have no insurance, a lack of funding may bring this vital assistance to an end, possibly compromising his current benefits of Food Stamps and Medicaid that he applied for through IAC assistance, Luthra added Since 1990, the IAC has been committed to serving the South Asian community by providing low income immigrants and their families the opportunity to assimilate and prosper in a new environment.

With the immigrant population and its families comprising 26% of the Illinois population, the IAC urges that state legislators reconsider their move toward funding cuts by understanding and acknowledging the crucial role played by community service agencies, such as the IAC, in the community.

The IAC relies highly upon the necessary funding to go about its daily functions of providing low-cost, if not free, services and benefits to an immigrant population in need. As a non-profit organization, state funding cuts are a significant threat that may result in displacing countless members of the immigrant population, neglecting their dire need for immigrant assistance. 

The Indo-American Center is a not-for-profit community service organization serving the South Asian immigrant population. The mission of the Indo-American Center is to promote the well being of South Asian immigrants through services that facilitate their adjustment, integration and friendship with the wider society, nurture their sense of community, and foster appreciation for their heritage and culture.