Wednesday, September 14, 2022

2022 Recipients of the 9th Immigrant Welcome Awards!

 


PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

September 14, 2022 

For media inquiries, contact:

Ricardo Diaz, CU Immigration Forum

217-979-0255 |  xpenn.diaz@gmail.com

 

Congratulations to the 2022 Recipients

of the Immigrant Welcome Awards!

 

The 9th Annual Immigrant Welcome Awards

Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 11 AM

Urbana Free Library, Lewis Auditorium

210 W Green Street, Urbana 61801 

 

(Urbana/Champaign, Illinois) The CU Immigration Forum as sponsor of the 9th Annual Immigrant Welcome Awards is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s awards. The 2022 Immigrant Welcome Award recipients are:

 

•       Business Leadership Award – Flex-N-Gate

•       Community Impact Award

Champaign County Board and the

–New American Welcome Center

•       Immigrant Leadership Award  – Mateo Sebastián

•       Student Leadership Award –Ishita Dharap

•       The Claire Szoke Distinguished Service Award – Gloria Yen

 

All award recipients will be honored during the Immigrant Welcome Awards Ceremony and Celebration on Saturday, September 17, 2022.  The celebration starts at 11AM and will be held at the ground floor of the Urbana Free Library (210 W. Green St. Urbana).  The public is invited to attend this free event and to celebrate the diversity of cultures that make up Champaign-Urbana. The event includes food, music, children’s library is adjacent, special guests, and features Middle Eastern Music by the Mirage Ensemble (Hadi Meidani, Parisa Karimi, Shafagh Hadinezhad, and Roya Attarian). ​​​ ​​​A free reception sponsored by the cities and Immigration Services of Champaign Urbana will immediately follow on the first floor of the Library.​​

 

The CU Immigration Forum’s Steering and the Planning Committee recognize that each nominee and recipient serve beyond a requirement and as a sign of their love to fellow human beings. Please join us to celebrate their accomplishments and the amazing diversity of cultures in our wonderful and welcoming community.

 

The Immigrant Welcome Awards Ceremony and Celebration is sponsored by C-U Immigration Forum, generously supported by the Cities of Champaign and Urbana and The Urbana Free Library, and co-sponsored by ISCU, University YMCA New American Welcome Center, and the Urbana Arts and Culture Program. The 9th Annual Immigrant Welcome Awards Ceremony and Celebration is part of 2022 Welcoming Week, a national week of events that brings together immigrants and U.S. born residents in a spirit of better understanding and unity.


The Champaign-Urbana Immigration Forum is a group of immigrants, students, clergy, service providers, labor union representatives, residents and community organizations concerned about the progress and plight of immigrants in the Champaign County community (Central Illinois).

 

About the 2022 Award Recipients:

 

Business Leadership Award - A business that contributes to the local immigrant community through advocacy, donations or in-kind services and/or a locally owned immigrant owned business that has contributed to the local economic development of CU


2022 Winner:  Flex-N-Gate | Anastacia Floyd, Human Resources Manager

 

Flex-N-Gate, founded in 1956, has been owned and led by Shahid Khan, himself an immigrant from Pakistan, since 1980.  Flex-N-Gate is a manufacturer of bumpers and other automotive parts. The company not only hires immigrants, it makes English classes available via Parkland College at the plant.  It also makes accommodations for Muslim employees to do their prayers during their work shifts. This past year Champaign-Urbana has received many Afghans after the U.S. exit from Afghanistan.  Flex-N-Gate has hired many of them to work in such jobs as welding and assembly line work. They receive training for their jobs, in their language, and are able to earn an income.  Many local Congolese immigrants also work for the company.  Anastasia Lloyd, human resources manager at Flex-N-Gate Guardian West, has been instrumental in hiring and working with the immigrant employees.  When transportation to and from Flex-N-Gate has been an issue, she has coordinated some of the Congolese employees, in the country longer, to provide rides for the new Afghan employees.  Lloyd has worked with the Refugee Center to enable the Afghans to be able to apply for jobs and adjust to American work culture and expectations.  Flex-N-Gate’s willingness to work with non-English speaking immigrants and enable them to navigate a completely new world, is commendable.

 

Community Impact Award - A community-based organization, non-profit, public sector institution, or local government which demonstrates exceptional commitment to serving and advocating for local immigrants in our community. The nominee may also be considered for adopting specific policies or initiatives in response to the growing immigrant population.

 

2022 Winners: New American Welcome Center & Champaign County Board (two winners)

New American Welcome Center

 

The New American Welcome Center (NAWC) is part of the University YMCA.  It began in 2017 to welcome immigrants and to serve as an umbrella organization for the other organizations working with immigrants.  A report showing the economic contributions of immigrants in Champaign County, was published, bridging the larger community to its immigrant communities. Gloria Yen was hired as Director of the NAWC, developing a talented staff that created the NAWC into what it is today, an organization which enhances the way our community welcomes and integrates our immigrant communities into the larger C-U community, engaging students in the process.  Practically, NAWC created a legal clinic staffed by Department of Justice trained staff. Also offered are citizenship classes; an online resources center; COVID-19 information in multiple languages; the NAWC Immigrant Relief Fund; and the helpline La Línea.  NAWC's Jes DesVries organizes the annual Immigrant Welcome Week and a monthly Community Coalition meeting, which has resulted in greater cooperation, collaboration and communication between local immigrant-service organizations. 2021 was the launch of the Champaign County Welcoming Plan which involved many community players coming together to create a plan of both visionary and practical welcome in our community. The leadership of the NAWC and the trust that they have won from community players deserve a strong commendation.

 

In the work of serving immigrants, it’s not often that a county board is involved. The Champaign County Board deserves a commendation for listening to the needs of immigrants and working with the immigrant support organizations to eventually grant them $250,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds (with potentially more to come in 2023) to serve Champaign County immigrants in the areas of language access and mental health.  It was a multi-organization effort that started on July 19, 2021 when the Champaign County Board’s Finance Committee of the Whole, led by Stephanie Fortado agreed to a study session so that board members could learn about the needs of immigrants in Champaign County. They listened to representatives of the New American Welcome Center, the Pixan Konob’ Q’anjob’al Interpreters Collective, The Refugee Center, The Urbana School District’s Parent Liaison for Spanish-speaking families, Immigration Services of Champaign-Urbana and the first hand testimony from representatives of the Afghan, Congolese, Guatemalan communities and a Ugandan speaking for English-speaking African immigrants.  A joint grant proposal was written resulting in an ARPA grant from the county board to address language access and mental health needs of immigrants. Those needs are now being actively addressed.

 

 

Immigrant Leadership Award: An immigrant individual who has been a strong leader of the immigrant community. 

 

2022 Winner: Mateo Sebastián

 

Mateo Sebastián is the Q’anjob’al-Spanish Parent Liaison for the Champaign School District, but he is so much more.  As one of the few tri-lingual speakers of the Mayan Q’anjob’al language in Champaign County, he is much in demand as a translator.  He is a leader in the Guatemalan community in C-U. He is instrumental in the Pixan Konob’ community-based language justice and interpreters collective.  He puts together a Q'anjob'al-language radio show that airs every Monday at 6-7 pm on radio station WRFU FM. He helps with translation in the courts. He helps kids know how to catch the right bus to and from school. He helps transport adult learners of English and their kids to the Parent & Family Language Lab at Stratton School.  He is on staff at Immigration Services of Champaign-Urbana.  He's testified before the Champaign County Board on the needs of Guatemalan immigrants in Champaign County. "He is a wonderful, caring, smart guy very much tuned to the needs of his community. I have seen him grow and push himself to advance to new stages in his professional life knowing that it will benefit his community,” said UIUC assistant clinical professor Korinta Maldonado who has worked with Mateo in Pixan Konob.'

 

 

Student Leadership Award - A student who has shown promise as a leader or demonstrated commitment to serving or working with immigrants or refugees, locally or abroad

 

2022 Winner: Ishita Dharap, Education Coordinator at Krannert Museum | Doctoral Student, School of Art + Design

Ishita Dharap is a doctoral student in art education in the School of Art + Design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and works full-time as the Education Coordinator at Krannert Art Museum.  From India, she is an artist, designer and art educator and an immigrant.  In 2020 she received a Master’s in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.  In 2021 she designed a virtual tour “This is My America” to explore themes of immigration and migration in America, her contribution to Welcoming Week through Krannert Art Museum. The interactive exhibit featured immigrant artists exploring what it means to be at home. This year “Long-Distance Love” is her choice for a virtual tour for Welcoming Week 2022, reflecting immigrants with loved ones in other countries.  She works with a variety of ages and has had both solo and collaborative exhibits in India, Chicago and Champaign-Urbana.  Philosophically, she likes to use a variety of programs to engage students, including art, imagination, play, research, reflection, literacy, bicycles, etc. to communicate about migration, discrimination, racism, to educate, tell stories and to bring about social transformation and create connections throughout the world.

(194 words)

 

 

The Claire Szoke Distinguished  Service Award: An individual who has contributed to immigrants over the years in Champaign County. This award is named after Claire Szoke who is resting in peace since 2020. For over 40 years, Claire Szoke was on the front lines of nearly every social justice fight in our community.  She was been an important part of the movement for immigrant and refugee rights - from her work in the 1980s with the Sanctuary Movement to her key role as director of the Channing Murray Foundation and host of the first meetings of what would become the CU Immigration Forum.  This award acknowledges her lifetime of contributions to help create a more just world. 

 

2022 Winner:  Gloria Yen, Executive Director, New American Welcome Center

 

Gloria Yen, the daughter of immigrants, has been the director of the New American Welcome Center since May 2017. With her extraordinary people skills, she has developed an extremely capable and talented staff that has shaped the NAWC into what it is today.  She maintains a clear vision of how NAWC might enhance and increase the way our community truly welcomes and integrates our immigrant communities into the larger Champaign-Urbana community.  She made key community connections and led the NAWC through the creation and development of the Champaign County Welcoming Plan, realized in September 2021, setting a roadmap for long-term  goals and strategies. She established new programs such as immigration legal services (for which she, herself trained to be a DOJ legal services provider,) citizenship initiatives, and an Immigrant Emergency Fund, and inspired her staff to create or expand others (Welcoming Week, Community Coalition, an online information resource center, COVID information in a variety of languages and the helpline La Línea.) She is not one to seek the limelight, but her vision, intelligence, leadership and skills of bringing people together, including the various immigrant service organizations, as well as her kindness and compassion in doing so, deserve the spotlight.  (199 words)  

 

Additional Media Contacts:

Ricardo Diaz – CU Immigration Forum – 217-979-0255

Lauren Chambers – Urbana Free Library – 217-367-4405

Follow the event on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/events/574689060932467


Monday, September 6, 2021

2021 Welcome Awards announce winners




Press Release

 

For Immediate Release

September 6, 2021 

 

 

 

For media inquiries, contact:

Ricardo Diaz,  (217-979-0255  xpenn.diaz@gmail.com), CU Immigration Forum board member

Rachel Joy (217-403-8830   rachel.joy@champaignil.gov), Welcome Awards Committee 


2021 IMMIGRANT WELCOME AWARDS RECOGNIZE EXCELLING INDIVIDUALS

The winners recognized at a virtual ceremony September 18th

 

 


 


(Urbana/Champaign, Illinois)  While the year has been hard for everyone because

of COVID-19, immigrants have been especially hard hit. Many are essential workers on the front

lines; others faced job loss or loss of family members to COVID. The following individuals and

organizations are being recognized as excelling in taking care of their neighbors and are this

year's Immigration Award winners:

  •  

  • Student Leadership Award – Daniella DiStefano

  • Business Leadership Award – Maize Mexican Grill

  • Community Impact Award – Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Task Force

  • Distinguished Service to Immigrants Award – Greg Springer

  • Immigrant Leadership Award  – Korinta Maldonado

  • The Claire Szoke Lifetime of Service Award – John Muirhead

 

"I am humbled and surprised anyone noticed," said the winner of one of the prestigious awards, reflecting

that the hard work of many is often not in the public's eye. Over 25,000 residents of Champaign County were born in another country, according to the 2020 US Census, and the recognized individuals are part of various groups that aim to make their integration experience better. 

 

The Champaign-Urbana Immigration Forum is a group of immigrants, students, clergy, service providers, labor union representatives, residents and community organizations concerned since 2009 about the progress and plight of immigrants in the Champaign County community (Central Illinois)

 

All award recipients will be honored during the 8th Annual Immigrant Welcome Awards. A ceremony and celebration on Saturday, September 18, 2021.  The public is invited to attend via zoom to celebrate the diversity of cultures that make up Champaign-Urbana. The celebration starts at 3:30 PM  and attendees must register at https://bit.ly/3n70PZX

 

Event details at (https://urbanafreelibrary.libnet.info/event/5386568  

###



Monday, September 14, 2020

2020 Immigrant Welcome Awards



 

Press Release

 

For Immediate Release

September 14, 2020 

 

For media inquiries, contact:

Ricardo Diaz,  (217-979-0255  diazr@cuimmigrationforum.org)

Rachel Joy (217-403-8830   rachel.joy@champaignil.gov


Announcing the 2020 Recipients

of the Immigrant Welcome Awards!

 

 


 


(Urbana/Champaign, Illinois) The highlight of a very hard year in immigration is to announce  the 7th Annual Immigrant Welcome! Awards. The 2020 Immigrant Welcome Award recipients are:

  •  

  • Business Leadership Award – Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine 

  • Community Impact Award – Chinese American Association at Central Illinois (CAACI)

  • Distinguished Leadership Service Awards – Nils Jacobsen

  • Leadership Awards – Ibrahim Bourema Ouedraogo

  • Student Leadership Award – Jacopo DeMarinis

  •  

The CU Immigration Forum's Steering and the Planning Committee recognize that each nominee and recipient serve beyond a requirement and as a sign of their love to fellow human beings. As Mr. Nils Jacobsen states, "I am humbled by the award, especially because I know how many people here in the community have been working with tremendous dedication for the immigrants for many years."

  •  

All award recipients will be honored during the Immigrant Welcome Awards Ceremony and Celebration on Saturday, September 19, 2020.  The public is invited to attend this free event and to celebrate the diversity of cultures that make up Champaign-Urbana. The celebration starts at 4:00 PM  via zoom, register at https://bit.ly/31PdCW7  


This event is part of Welcoming Week, a national week to bring both together immigrants and U.S.-born residents in a spirit of unity and whose theme is "Creating Home Together." Since the Fall of 2015, the cities of Champaign and Urbana have signed a joint proclamation locally recognizing Welcoming Week and it is presented at the same ceremony. 

 

The Immigrant Welcome Awards Ceremony and Celebration is sponsored by C-U Immigration Forum, generously supported by the Cities of Champaign and Urbana and The Urbana Free Library, and co-sponsored by ISCU, University YMCA New American Welcome Center, and the Channing Murray Foundation.

Media Contacts:

Ricardo Diaz – CU Immigration Forum – 217-979-0255

Rachel Joy | Community Relations Manager/Compliance Officer, City of Champaign – 217-403-8830

Event details at   https://bit.ly/31PdCW7 

###


 

 





Immigration Forum General Meetings Every Second Tuesday at 5 at the Y

Together, we shall resist, survive, and change the world to benefit all immigrants.

------------------
The CU Immigration Forum is composed of immigrants, students, local clergy, service providers, labor unions representatives and ordinary citizens concerned about the plight and contributions of immigrants in the Champaign County community.
CUimmigrationforum.org

Champaign County Immigrants Report (Eng Span)



Wednesday, September 11, 2019

2019 Immigrant Welcome Award Recipients Announced


 

Press Release

 

For Immediate Release

September 11, 2019 

 

For media inquiries, contact: Ricardo Diaz,

(217-979-0255  diazr@cuimmigrationforum.org)

 

Congratulations to the 2019 Recipients

of the Immigrant Welcome Awards!

 

 

 

 

 

(Urbana/Champaign, Illinois) The sponsors of the 6th Annual Immigrant Welcome Awards are proud to announce the recipients of this year's awards. The 2019 Immigrant Welcome Award recipients are:

·         

·        Business Leadership Award – Ruth Wyman Law Office

·        Community Impact Award – Bend the Arc: Champaign-Urbana, Dr. Annie Abbott

·        Distinguished Leadership Service Awards – Claire Szoke

·        Leadership Awards – Guadalupe Abreu

·        Student Leadership Award – Susan Ogwal

       

All award recipients will be honored during the Immigrant Welcome Awards Ceremony and Celebration on Saturday, September 21, 2019.  The celebration starts at 3:00 p.m. and will be held at the ground floor of the Urbana Free Library (210 W. Green St. Urbana).  The public is invited to attend this free event and to celebrate the diversity of cultures that make up Champaign-Urbana.

 

The event includes food, music, art projects for children, special guests, and features Oud, Guitar, Violin and Flute, by local musicans.  A free reception will immediately follow on the first floor of the Library.

 

Guests can also enjoy the exhibit BELONGING(S), a collection of photography and short stories from local immigrants exploring identity and curated by the Urbana Arts and Culture Program.

 

The CU Immigration Forum's Steering and the Planning Committee recognize that each nominee and recipient serve beyond a requirement and as a sign of their love to fellow human beings. Please join us to celebrate their accomplishments and the amazing diversity of cultures in our wonderful and welcoming community.

 

The Immigrant Welcome Awards Ceremony and Celebration is sponsored by C-U Immigration Forum, generously supported by the Cities of Champaign and Urbana and The Urbana Free Library, and co-sponsored by CU FAIR, University YMCA New American Welcome Center, Urbana Arts and Culture Program and the Channing Murray Foundation.

 

Media Contacts:

Ricardo Diaz – CU Immigration Forum – 217-979-0255

Rachel Joy | Community Relations Manager/Compliance Officer, City of Champaign – 217-403-8830

Carol Inskeep – Urbana Free Library – 217-367-4405

Follow the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/501857677312437/

###

 

 

 

 

The 6th Annual Immigrant Welcome Awards

Saturday, September 21, 2017 from 3pm-5pm 

Urbana Free Library, Lewis Auditorium

210 W Green Street, Urbana 61801

 

The 6th Annual Immigrant Welcome Awards Ceremony and Celebration is part of 2019 Welcoming Week, a national week of events that brings together immigrants and U.S. born residents in a spirit of better understanding and unity.

 

The 2019 Recipients of the 6th Annual Immigrant Welcome Awards:

 

Business Leadership Award - A business that contributes to the local immigrant community through advocacy, donations or in-kind services and/or a locally owned immigrant owned business that has contributed to the local economic development of CU

2019 Winner: Ruth Wyman Law Office , Ruth Wyman, owner

The Ruth Wyman Law Office has worked diligently on several fronts to increase legal access for immigrants – providing affordable and timely legal consultations, DACA renewal application assistance, and Know Your Rights trainings for families.  In addition, Ruth Wyman has worked with the University YMCA to launch regular Free Legal Clinics at The Urbana Free Library.  Her leadership has helped to create an easy entry point for other local attorneys to volunteer.

 

Community Impact Award - A community-based organization, non-profit, public sector institution, or local government which demonstrates exceptional commitment to serving and advocating for local immigrants in our community. The nominee may also be considered for adopting specific policies or initiatives in response to the growing immigrant population.

2019 Winners:  Bend the Arc: Champaign-Urbana & Ann Abbott (two winners)

Bend the Arc is part of the national movement of progressive Jews who are organizing acts of public protest and organizing for social, racial and religious equality.  Here in Central Illinois they have played an important role in bringing the community together to understand the threat of white supremacy and the need to organize together to fight hate and defend the rights of immigrants and refugees. 

Professor Ann Abbott is the Director of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Professor in the Spanish / Portuguese Department at the University of Illinois.  She is a leader in the teaching and promotion of civic engagement and community service learning.  Countless students from her classes have served at ECIRMAC (also known as the Refugee Center) and the New American Welcome Center – University YMCA, providing enthusiastic and committed students who can go on to serve as leaders in their own communities.  Her work on the Refugee Center Board, as well as her promotion of community service learning have also made significant contributions.

  

Leadership Award - An individual who has been a strong leader of the immigrant community

2019 Winner: Guadalupe Abreu

For nearly 20 years, Guadalupe Abreu has worked for the Refugee Center (ECIRMAC) as a bilingual Spanish translator, earning numerous certificates in bilingual certification, immigrant public benefits training and outreach in the immigrant community.  More than that, she has been a tireless friend and advocate to the Latinx community. 

 

Student Leadership Award - A student who has shown promise as a leader or demonstrated commitment to serving or working with immigrants or refugees, locally or abroad.

2019 Winner: Susan Ogwal

Susan Ogwal is the model of an engaged scholar.  She is a champion of cultural programming with a strong social justice ethic, exemplified by the soon-to-take-place Champaign-Urbana Black and African Arts Festival, a showcase of art, music, food and family activities.  She has done countless art workshops and educational programs, and has contributed through service on boards and organizations. Her academic research seeks to fill a gap in understanding Black immigrants in Central Illinois. 

 

Distinguished Leadership Service Award – An individual who made a significant contribution to making our community more welcoming to immigrants and refugees.

2019 Winner:  Claire Szoke

For over 40 years, Claire Szoke has been on the front lines of nearly every social justice fight in our community.  She has been an important part of the movement for immigrant and refugee rights - from her work in the 1980s with the Sanctuary Movement to her key role as director of the Channing Murray Foundation and host of the first meetings of what would become the CU Immigration Forum.  This award acknowledges her lifetime of contributions to help create a more just world. 

 

Follow the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/501857677312437/


###


Ricardo Diaz

cell: 217-979-0255

September 21 
Welcome! Awards
3-5 PM at the Urbana Public LIbrary 


Together, we shall resist, survive, and change the world to benefit all immigrants.

------------------
The CU Immigration Forum is composed of immigrants, students, local clergy, service providers, labor unions representatives and ordinary citizens concerned about the plight and contributions of immigrants in the Champaign County community.
CUimmigrationforum.org



--