Mission Statement
The mission of the Irish Immigration Pastoral Center (IIPC) is to provide a home away from home for Irish immigrants in the Western United States. In essence, it is a parish without boundaries offering spiritual, social, medical, educational, legal, and financial guidance and advice to Irish who are thousands of miles away from home and family. The IIPC often helps to lessen the feeling of loneliness, isolation and frustration experienced by so many recently arrived Irish immigrants, as well as providing practical assistance to members of our community.
Description
The IIPC, which celebrates it's twentieth anniverasy this year, is a non profit organization and is located in San Francisco's Richmond district. It has three full time staff and one part time staff member.
This is an outline of the IIPC's programs and activities:
Support, Advice & Outreach Services: accommodation; new arrival info; banking & taxes; Educational Workshops; IDL apps; AB60 licenses. Immigration & Legal: Review of new policies; prepare for anticipated ICE activity, continue immigration services.
Irish Immigrant Connect: Employment referral; career training; J1WT pre-arrival webinars; Networking Mixers; Mentorship. Community Building: cross community partnership, volunteer engagement [151 active], Media & Social Media: Newspaper, Facebook [9,392 members], Twitter [791 followers], Local Govt Engagement.
Wellness: Counseling, referral, case management, Suicide awareness; Facilitate 3 x 12 step Program meetings. Access to local health care programs. Expansion of self help & support groups; Repatriation of remains; hospital visits.
Active Retirement: Monthly Mass & Lunch & guest speaker or entertainment. Monthly coffee morning; Highlight local services. Outings & excursions, Variety Show; Ballroom Dance event; Monthly welfare calls and visits.
