CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–September 11, 2014. Roosevelt University and the Mutual Aid Associations of Illinois (MAAI) will sign an historic agreement on Sept. 18 that promises to further educational opportunities for many of the region’s immigrants and refugees.
Paving the way for immigrants from all over the world to receive information and assistance regarding a wide range of college opportunities, the agreement is unique, as it will be the first time ever that multiple agencies serving area immigrants and refugees in Chicagoland will be working together to further higher education among their communities.
“With this unique agreement Roosevelt will be helping to educate immigrant and refugee youths and their families about college and all that is involved in investigating and navigating the college process,” said Jennifer Tani, assistant vice president for community engagement at Roosevelt.
As many as 10 social-service organizations with ties to MAAI are expected to join in signing a memorandum of understanding with Roosevelt at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 at the University, 425 S. Wabash Ave., Room 1315, Chicago.
The groups participating in the signing include: the Bhutanese Community Association of Illinois; Bosnian & Herzegovinian American Community Center; Chicago Burmese Community Center; Chinese Mutual Aid Association; Cambodian Association of Illinois & Cambodian American Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial; Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago; Iraqi Mutual Aid Society; Lao American Community Services; Pan African Association; and the Vietnamese Association of Illinois.
“It will be the first time in 34 years of MAAI’s existence that we will have a relationship and partnership with a university as a coalition,” said Dary Mien, president of MAAI and director of the museum and memorial at the Cambodian Association of Illinois. “It’s going to open the door to refugees and immigrants from all over the region who need to be working closely with a college. With this memorandum of understanding partnership, Roosevelt is elevating the importance of going to college and making it a significant part of what we do as social service agencies and cultural organizations,” said Mien.
Among the highlights, Roosevelt and MAAI will be reaching out together to immigrant/refugee youths and their families to provide information about the college application process, transfer of credits from other institutions, and applying for financial aid and scholarship opportunities through “college nights” at member agencies.
Partnership activities may include: co-hosting visiting scholars and artists and cosponsoring visits, lectures, performances, exhibits and speaking engagements; teaming up on appropriate grants and research opportunities; working together to address language barriers facing immigrants who are interested in a college education; exploring issues related to recognizing credentials from other countries; and sharing expertise of faculty and staff.
“This is a great opportunity for the University and MAAI to work together to provide information and support to increase the likelihood that immigrants will not only have the chance to go to college, but also to be successful,” said Tani.
Source: roosevelt.edu
