CLESE - Refugee Project

Serving Older Immigrants, Refugees, and Migrants in Illinois

This project targets underserved, elderly (60+) refugees who will arrive or already live in northeastern Illinois. It links them to Older Americans Act (OAA) services and places them on the path towards engagement and citizenship, which are keys to a quality life and income security. Seven resettlement agencies will serve a total of 300 elderly refugees.

Elderly refugees will be linked to Older Americans Act (OAA) services by cross training case workers from the refugee resettlement and aging services networks. Resettlement agency staff will learn what services and programs are available through the OAA and through Illinois state programs for seniors and how to refer refugees to these services. Aging services case workers will learn about the special needs of elderly refugees and develop cultural competencies for effective service delivery to elderly refugees.

Coalition of Limited English Speaking Elderly (CLESE)
53 West Jackson,
Suite 1301
Chicago, IL 60604
312-461-0812
312-461-1466 (fax)
info@clese.org

Elderly refugees will be enrolled in language and civics classes which prepare them for naturalization. Classes will be offered at two levels, depending on each refugee’s initial level of English proficiency, and will utilize a curriculum designed for older learners who are low-literate in their native language (Bright Ideas). Lessons will focus on conversational English, daily life skills, and civics and community engagement.

Participation in Bright Ideas early in the resettlement process will provide socialization, peer support, and purposefulness to counter the isolation and depression which threaten many elderly, but especially refugee elderly.

Most students will participate in these classes for one to four years before transitioning to Citizenship classes during the last two years before they become eligible to apply for naturalization.

More about CLESE