Instituto Joins the Round Table on Illinois Higher Education Funding and The Path Towards Adequacy, Equity, and Sustainability.

Instituto President & CEO Karina Ayala Bermejo was honored to represent Instituto del Progreso Latino and to participate in a round table on Illinois Higher Education Funding and The Path Towards Adequacy, Equity, and Sustainability. This was an incredible event hosted by Robin Steans and the Advance Illinois team. The team enjoyed learning more about SB3965 championed by Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, and Representative Carol Ammons. Cherita Ellens brilliantly moderated a panel with Ginger Ostro (IBHE), Dr. Jennifer Juarez (Latino Policy Forum), and Dr Green (GSU), among others.

It was great to meet Representative Norma Hernandez and reconnect with so many leaders passionate about education. The legislation aims at advancing a student-centered funding approach for public universities that will make college more accessible for students. #TransformHigherEd

Immigration Legal Aid Team Hosted a Lunch Celebration for New American's Initiative Collaborative

The IDPL Immigration Legal Aid Department hosted a successful "Thank you" luncheon for our New American's Initiative Collaborative members.

Thank you so much for the continued support of all our staff and volunteers. All of our work would not be possible without the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and our NAI partners at Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Casa Michoacán Federación De Clubes Michoacános En Illinois, @centrodetrabajadoresunidos, Southwest Organizing Project, and Mujeres Latinas en Accion! We truly could not do this work without you.

In September of 2022, Instituto responded to the influx of Recent arrivals to Chicago by launching Project AMOR (Asylum Migrant Outreach Response). In conjunction with the City of Chicago, Instituto created an Amazon Wishlist to mobilize donation efforts for this new population. Since the launch of the Wishlist, over $375,000 in essential items such as clothes, toiletries, diapers, and hygiene products, have been purchased by generous donors to help aid migrants. Instituto has also directly assisted over 8,000 asylum seekers by helping them obtain essential items as well as providing them with legal aid and financial literacy direction.

With a surge of new arrivals that began in May of 2023, Instituto del Progreso Latino began accepting physical donations of new and unused clothes and other essential items to its buildings. Additionally, over 950 community members have signed up to volunteer and assist with Instituto's Project AMOR efforts. 

Your generous, tax-deductible gift will directly support Instituto's efforts to assist the recent influx of migrants to Chicago.