Who is United Immigrant & Refugee Communities of Vermont – UIRC of VT INC?
UIRC of VT, INC. was established in response to witnessing the widening gap, on a daily basis, between immigrants and refugees in the state, and the existing agencies or organizations that are intended to support them. These gaps led some immigrant and refugee families and individuals relocate to other states in the nation in search for better help and services. Our agency helps them in any way possible and at times be the bridge between service providers and the folks in the immigrant and refugee communities. With our services, our agency can be very helpful, resourceful, and impactful to the immigrant and the refugee community members it serves in our State in any possible way.
United Immigrant & Refugee Communities of Vermont, INC. (UIRC) offers personalized individual and family services to facilitate the creation of opportunities for immigrants and refugees in the state. These services enable them to access available resources, enhancing their lives and empowering them to become productive members of their respective communities and society at large.
UIRC's mission is to deliver personalized individual and family services, fostering the creation of opportunities for immigrant and refugee community members in the State. Our aim is to facilitate access to available resources, empowering individuals to become productive members of their respective communities and society at large.
UIRC's vision is for all immigrants and refugees in the great state of Vermont to access the assistance they need, improving their quality of life and guiding them toward fulfilling, meaningful lives.
Foreign-born resident who:
Who/What is an immigrant?
- Is not a United States citizen
- Is defined by U.S. immigration law as a person lawfully
admitted for permanent residence in the United States. - Either arrives in the U.S. with an immigrant visa issued abroad
or adjusts their status in the U.S. from temporary to permanent
resident.
Foreign-born resident who:
What/Who is a Refugee?
- Is not a United States citizen
- Cannot currently return to his or her country of origin because of
a well-founded fear of persecution due to either their race,
religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a
particular social group. - Refugee status is generally given prior to entering the United States by the Bureau of Citizenship & Immigrant Services (USCIS).
UIRC of VT PROGRAMS & SERVICES
United Immigrant & Refugee Communities of Vermont offers a wide range of service programs to assist the different member groups or individuals from the immigrant & refugee communities of our State. Our services and programs will include but not limited to the following below:
Interpretation & Translation Services with the UIRC Language Services
Interpretation and translation services will be billable to the service providers when possible and is free for the community members. UIRC currently provides interpretation and translation services in 2 languages – Maay Maay and Somali. Arabic, Kiswahili & Mizigua are currently in the works.
New Americans Case Management Services
This is also known as the Document/Paperwork Help Program. The high demand for case management services, specifically related to document management and submission, was the main driver for the creation of our organization, UIRC. Completing immigration, school, employment, medical, social services paperwork is a stressing process for immigrants and refugees who do not read English and speak limited English.
Youth and Family Support Services
The integration of a Youth and Family Services Program within UIRC of VT INC is paramount to our mission of providing comprehensive support to immigrants and refugees in Vermont. By offering a combined program, we recognize the interconnected needs of youth and their families as they navigate the challenges of integration into a new community. This approach ensures a more cohesive and impactful support system, addressing the unique needs of each family member.
Bridging New Americans to Health Care Services
The health care system and health related social support services is a complex maze, even in a small state like Vermont. UIRC intends to provide bilingual and bicultural health navigation services to immigrants and refugees so they can access these resources and have better health outcomes.
Citizenship & English Classes for the New Americans
Majority of the parents and senior citizens in the immigrant and refugee communities apply for exemption to their US Naturalization Exam that usually tests the immigrant/refugee's English skills and their learned knowledge of the history of the U.S. government and Civics because they have no available support to prepare for the citizenship classes.
Advocacy and Policy Support
The Advocacy and Policy Support Program within UIRC of VT INC plays a pivotal role in championing the rights and well-being of immigrants and refugees in the state of Vermont. By actively engaging in advocacy efforts and policy initiatives, our organization seeks to address systemic challenges and promote inclusive policies that safeguard the rights of our community members.
UIRC's Awareness Program Current Topic:
What is Mental Health?
According to CDC Mental health includes: Our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
What is Mental Illness?
According to National Alliance on Mental Illness, it’s defined as: A condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, or mood for a sustained period of time that negatively impacts them.
Challenges/Barriers Faced by Immigrants & Refugees from Seeking Professional Mental Health Services
- Potential service seekers are afraid of being stigmatized as a person who is crazy, weak and/or lacks faith.
- Huge Cultural Differences/gaps & Misunderstanding
- Lack of Access to Culturally Sensitive Mental Health Care
Services - Not understanding the purpose of mental health and
counseling. - Believing that they can resolve their issues on their own
through other means of their own - Counseling is perceived as a waste of time.
- Lack of Reliable Transportation with lack of competent,
certified, trustworthy, and in person interpretation services. - Not being aware or able to identify their own mental health
problems. - Lack more imminent basic needs such as adequate housing,
employment and other valuable resources to thrive.
UIRC's Latest News, Articles & Topics of Discussion
Discover the heartbeat of immigrant and refugee advocacy with UIRC of VT’s ‘Latest News and Articles.’ Stay connected to our community as we share the most recent updates, vital information, challenges, struggles, and compelling stories that illuminate the experiences and achievements of immigrants and refugees in the state of Vermont.
OFFER HELP: Building Awareness About “Mental Health” in Immigrants & Refugee Communities in the State
Frequent Community Workshops and information sessions while incentivizing it. This
Understanding “Mental Health” AND Stigmas Associated with it
Stigma is a mark of disgrace associated with a particular
Known Types of Mental Health Illness
1. Anxiety Disorders 2. Personality Disorder 3. ADHD Disorder 4.