If you’ve ever tried to apply for health care or other assistance, you know how confusing it can be. Imagine the challenge for someone new to the country, with limited English and literacy skills.

This summer, ILC is launching a new partnership with Hunger Task Force to help refugee students apply for Food Share and other benefits. In-house Advocates are available to assist anyone with Food Share, W2 and child care applications and renewals.  “This is a great partnership for our students,” said ILC Instructional Supervisor Cynthia Zarazua. The service fills a real need in the refugee community: convenient access to social services, with language support and advocacy. These services are available to everyone in the community.

Self-sufficiency can be a struggle for adult refugees. Workers with limited English are often limited to low-wage jobs, and may cycle in and out of temporary and seasonal work. Keeping up-to-date with benefits can be both daunting, and essential for building a new life in the US. ILC’s partnership with Hunger Task Force empowers refugees to understand and navigate the social service systems that are available to them.

Hunger Task Force believes that every person has a right to adequate food obtained with dignity, and was responsible for bringing 175 donated turkeys to ILC at Thanksgiving last year!