Immigrant Help Guide

What Do Immigrants Want And How Do They Get It?

Introduction

Bloomington-Normal is a lovely place to live for immigrants and residents here are welcoming. There is a large number of immigrants here from all over the world. Roughly 75% of the population is white, but the remaining 25% is made up of residents that identify as Asian, African, Hispanic/Latino, or two or more races [1]. Many immigrants who come to Bloomington-Normal, stay and build their lives here. However, being an immigrant can be lonely, confusing, and overwhelming. Everything is completely new and challenges all prior knowledge and beliefs. Therefore, it is important that immigrants have to courage to stand up for themselves and learn the new ways of life in the US. Thus, information is a blessing that saves time and facilitates life. This is why the creation of this Wiki page; Immigrant Survival Guide, would work as a compass for immigrants. This page holds information about where to learn English, how to pursue a degree, schooling for immigrant children, how to get a job, how to get help, where to shop, and transportation.

1. Introduction

2. Learning English

3. Schools

4. Getting A Job

5. Getting Help

6. Shopping

7. Transportation

LEARNING ENGLISH

For immigrants, learning the local language is key for survival. In Bloomington –Normal, Heartland community college is known as one of the most popular and beneficial places when it comes to learning English in their FESL (Functional English as a Second Language) program [2]. Another option for those who already know English but want to improve or transition to taking college credit courses, they also have an AELP (Academic English Language Program) classes [3]. For parents who are taking classes at Heartland, the college also provides them with free childcare [4]. This allows parents to attend the classes without having to worry about the cost of childcare or the stress of finding it. Transportation is provided by the college by them giving students free student bus stickers [5].

FESL (Functional English as a Second Language)

This program contains 5 levels. As of March 2024, classes are running from 9AM to 12PM for mornings, or 5:30PM to 8:30PM for evening classes. These classes meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. This program is intended for those who want to start learning English, or those who are seeking to transition into academic courses and want to improve their English to do so.

AELP (Academic English Language Program)

The purpose of this program is to provide those who attend, the English skills to begin college courses. There are multiple levels for this program as well, each providing different skills necessary to pursue an education. Meeting days and times differ based on level for this course. Typically, classes are beginning from 8:30AM-12:30PM or 5PM-9PM for evenings. This program has online or in-person classes available. [6]

If you're interested in any of these courses, the name, address, and phone number are as follows: Heartland Community College, (309) 268-8433, 1500 W Raab Road, Normal, IL, 61761. They can provide guidance over the phone or in person and have translators available.

Heartland Community College to Invest $1M in Cybersecurity

SCHOOLS

In Bloomington-Normal public schools are free, but parent have to buy school furniture. There is free lunch at school depend on the income. Most of the immigrant are low income when they are new, so most of immigrant children enjoy of the free lunch. For immigrant children, It required that they go to school where there is ESL (English as Second Language ) program . Here is some of those schools that have ESL program; Oakdale elementary , Kingsley Junior High; Bloomington public schools

GETTING A JOB

for a job Bloomington -Normal community is open to immigrant. Companies offer the same opportunity to everybody. There is usually announcement in;

News :

Network

The majority of immigrants get jobs through network. Often ask people around about jobs because in somebody's job , it can have openings.

GETTING HELP

Translation services in Bloomington -Normal; Western Avenue community Center they help immigrant by interpreting and translating in:

Medical appointments
Hospital visits
Court proceedings
Conferences
Immigration needs
School related needs

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IDHS, the Illinois Department of Human services is governmental services that help citizen and immigrant's as well family in need for food; SNAP( food stamp),medical assistance; they offer a free health assurance to family; immediately for children but for parents they should have been in USA for five years.Child care; the care of children in the USA is big problem because both parent have to work to survive, to afford their responsibilities. And this services helps parents with low-income to put their children in childcare for allowing them to work. For applying, there is an online application or can be done in their location at 501 Washington in Bloomington.
Organization non-governmental, Immigration Project. This is organization help immigrant to integrate the community by helping them with information about citizenship, etc. Here is their localization and hours:

211 Landmark Drive, Suite B3A

Normal, IL 61761-9680

PO Box 1503

Bloomington, IL 61702-1503

They are open on Mondays and Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 4p.m. For getting any help, taking an appointment is requited by calling them or faxing them at 309.829.8703 or 309.807.275.

SHOPPING

Bloomington -Normal has many places where people can buy food; Walmart, Kroger, Hy-Vee, Aldi, and Schnucks and clothes, East Mall; it is gathering shops like Macys , Kohl’s etc. Where all kind of clothes and shoes are. There are TJmaxx a shop which receive item from other big shops anywhere in the USA.

Transportation

Connect Transit is the main transportation company in Bloomington-Normal. They offer their services from 6:30AM to 9:00PM, six days a week. The current ride fare for adults is $1.25, but day passes ranging from 1-30 days are also available at different rates [7]. By searching Connect Transit Bloomington-Normal online, you can find the current routes, stops, and times [8]. Another option in Bloomington-Normal is taxi companies. There are quite a few different companies that run in the area with varying fares. Lastly, the Uber and Lyft apps can also provide transportation during any hour, any day of the week. These prices are much higher than the bus or taxi but are still an option when in need.