Illinois Welcoming Center Opens in Joliet to Serve The Growing Latino and Immigrant Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       FOR INFORMATION

October 16, 2014                                                                              Contact Ray Rubio

Illinois Welcoming Center Opens in Joliet to Serve

The Growing Latino and Immigrant Community

State, community, and religious leaders cut the ribbon to open newest center

to assist immigrants in the State

JOLIET – Officials from Governor Pat Quinn’s Administration and members of the Illinois Latino Family Commission (ILFC) joined Senator Pat McGuire, Representative Larry M. Walsh, Jr., IDHS Secretary Michelle R.B. Saddler and dozens of state and local elected officials, community and religious leaders to cut the ribbon for the new Illinois Welcoming Center (IWC) in Joliet. The IWC will bring information and access to state programs, and serve as a community based contact for the growing number of Latinos and other immigrants in the Joliet area.
"We are proud of the partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and local leaders that is bringing this Welcoming Center to Joliet”said Dr. Layla Suleiman Gonzalez, executive director of the ILFC, “the IWC is a nationally recognized model in the way the State works with Latino and other immigrant families who need information and services to make Illinois their home and this is the eighth center in the state.”
The Welcoming Center offers a one stop shop for services in healthcare, education, labor and employment available through the state to help newcomers transition into their communities. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Governor's Office are working with over ten state agencies in order to bring direct access to services to qualified applicants.
The IWC in Joliet, located at the Spanish Community Center, 309 N. Eastern Ave., will also provide referrals to a number of other state programs as well as serve as space where other community-based and/or non-profit organizations offer services such as legal clinics or job fairs. Clients can also be enrolled in classes or other kinds of workshops.