The Refugee Center

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The Refugee Center The purpose of The Refugee Center is to aid in the resettlement of refugees and immigrants.

Visit our link tree: https://linktr.ee/TheRefugeeCenter?utm_source=linktree_admin_share ECIRMAC (also known as the Refugee Center) provides resettlement services for refugees, immigrants, and political asylees in East Central Illinois. Among the services offered are: translation and interpretation, aid with the citizenship process, employment assistance, case management and counseling, advocacy, tutoring and socialization for school aged children, provision of basic material needs for recently arriving individuals or families in need, ESL training, and many more!

Brand new homeowners 🏠 The Refugee Center is celebrating the Akhtary family of seven who recently purchased their first ...
10/02/2026

Brand new homeowners 🏠

The Refugee Center is celebrating the Akhtary family of seven who recently purchased their first home in the U.S. after immigrating from Afghanistan nearly three years ago. TRC staff member Sadia Rahman originally welcomed Mohammad and his family to Champaign County in 2024 as a Resettlement Caseworker. This year, now serving as our Cultural Orientation and Education Coordinator, she worked closely with the family to successfully navigate the application process for Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County’s Habitat Homebuyer Program.

UIUC students, TRC staff members, religious leaders, and many others were among the first people to be hosted by the Akhtary family in their new home.🍽️ We are thrilled to see them put down permanent roots in our community, and are grateful to everyone who made it possible.

Huge thanks to:

⭐ Sadia and Habitat for Humanity for your continual hard work and creative collaboration to uplift so many deserving community members

⭐ The student-led Illinois Solar Decathlon team for building and donating a truly incredible net-zero, all-electric home powered by rooftop solar

⭐ Supporters like United Way of Champaign County who helps fund the work of Habitat for Humanity as well as The Refugee Center's daily work with immigrants and refugees like the Akhtary family

Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County
Illinois Solar Decathlon
United Way of Champaign County
Student Sustainability Committee
Village Hall of Rantoul, IL
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

In Champaign-Urbana, welcome is a community effort. Francisco Baires of the New American Welcome Center and Ashlyn Henke...
09/16/2026

In Champaign-Urbana, welcome is a community effort. Francisco Baires of the New American Welcome Center and Ashlyn Henke of The Refugee Center join Terri and Jordan to explore how Welcoming Week brings Chambana together. From shared food and music to stories and new friendships, discover how celebrating immigrant and refugee neighbors builds belonging and strengthens our whole community. Plus, learn how to keep that welcome going all year long.

Stay tuned in to chambanaproud.com to plan your warm weekend, from Oktoberfest to a large BBQ festival to a local movie premiere. 🎧

This episode is sponsored by Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and supported by Busey Bank.

New American Welcome Center at the University YMCA
The Refugee Center
Champaign County Economic Development Corporation


09/11/2026

Today’s the day! Join us for the Welcoming Week Kickoff Celebration! 🌎💙

Doors open soon—come enjoy free food from local immigrant-owned businesses, cultural performances, and community connections.

📍 Lincoln Square Mall, 300 S. Broadway Ave, Urbana
🕔 5:00–7:00 PM

✨ Bring your friends and family, and help us celebrate what makes C-U welcoming for all.

🤝 In collaboration with and

Join us for the official Welcoming Week Kick Off Celebration on September 11th! Welcoming Week celebrates building inclu...
09/01/2026

Join us for the official Welcoming Week Kick Off Celebration on September 11th!

Welcoming Week celebrates building inclusive communities that fully embrace immigrants and their contributions to the social fabric of our country.

This year, we're launching Welcoming Week with a completely 🌟 free multi-cultural celebration for the whole community. 🌟

Bring your family and friends to enjoy:
🍽️FREE food from local immigrant-owned businesses
🎶Live cross-cultural music performances
🖌️Kid-friendly activities
🤝Tons of local resource booths

Location: Lincoln Square Mall - 300 S Broadway Ave. Urbana, IL
Date: September 11th
Time: 5-7pm, doors open at 5pm!
All ages welcome

To learn more about Welcoming Week and additional local welcoming events, visit: nawc.universityymca.org/programs/welcoming-week


We Love Urbana
City of Champaign - Municipal Government
Experience Champaign-Urbana
C-U Immigration Forum
Siam Terrace
Les Gourmets Cuisine by Christelle
La Mixteca Restaurant
Afro D & Global Soundwaves
Les Claviers
The Refugee Center
New American Welcome Center at the University YMCA
ISC-U Immigrant Services Champaign-Urbana

https://www.facebook.com/share/18Qjchu3Hd/

It's catching on 🫶Join The Refugee Center in providing crisis grocery gift cards to immigrants in our community navigati...
08/24/2026

It's catching on 🫶

Join The Refugee Center in providing crisis grocery gift cards to immigrants in our community navigating unexpected crises -- a loss of public benefits, house fire, injury, loss of a loved one, and more.

The next time you're grocery shopping, consider adding a gift card of any amount to your cart in the checkout line, or simply check if your credit card offers gift cards for points! A gift card to a local grocery store may seem like a small gesture, but for a family in crisis, it can mean one less impossible decision to make.

Gift cards can be dropped off or mailed to us at:

201 West Kenyon Rd. Ste 4D
Champaign, IL 61820

If you have questions about how to get it to us, please send us a message.🧡

Thank you for helping us stand with immigrants!

We need your help!Since October, The Refugee Center has provided crisis grocery gift cards to more than 100 immigrants i...
07/31/2026

We need your help!

Since October, The Refugee Center has provided crisis grocery gift cards to more than 100 immigrants in our community navigate unexpected crises. Families have come to us after losing SNAP benefits because of the H.R. 1 bill, experiencing house fires, having loved ones detained, surviving grand theft, recovering from serious injuries, and grieving the death of a family member.

In moments like these, something as simple as a grocery gift card can provide immediate relief while our team helps families access longer-term resources and support.

The next time you're grocery shopping, consider adding a gift card to your cart in the checkout line, or simply check if your credit card offers gift cards for points! A gift card of any amount to a local grocery store, whether it's Schnucks, Walmart, Meijer, Aldi, or another neighborhood grocery store may seem like a small gesture, but for a family in crisis, it can mean stability, dignity, and one less impossible decision to make.

Please consider helping us show our clients that CU stands with our immigrant neighbors during some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Gift cards can be dropped off or mailed to us at:

201 West Kenyon Rd. Ste 4D
Champaign, IL 61820

If you have questions about how to get it to us, please send us a message.🧡 Thank you for helping us stand with immigrants!

Tip: Amtrak Guest Rewards points, granted with Amtrak travel, can also be redeemed for gift cards!

Please join us in celebrating two clients of The Refugee Center who took their citizenship oath in Urbana on Friday -- a...
07/08/2026

Please join us in celebrating two clients of The Refugee Center who took their citizenship oath in Urbana on Friday -- a life-changing accomplishment! Special thanks to their caseworker Thao (left) who assisted them with their studying and applications, as well as provided interpretation services throughout the process. Next to Thao is Sheri, a long time ESL teacher who has helped many students in Champaign County through her work with Urbana Adult Education Center and Parkland College. There is so much to be proud of in this photo!

Get to know ahead of to learn more about supporting immigrants in the community!
04/01/2026

Get to know ahead of to learn more about supporting immigrants in the community!

Get to know ahead of to learn more about supporting immigrants in the community!
04/01/2026

Get to know ahead of to learn more about supporting immigrants in the community!

Happy Black History Month from the Refugee Center! This year marks the 100th anniversary of BHM, initially established b...
02/23/2026

Happy Black History Month from the Refugee Center! This year marks the 100th anniversary of BHM, initially established by Carter G. Woodson as a single week in 1926. We commemorate the contributions & rich history of Black Americans in the face of exploitation & injustice.

Address

201 W. Kenyon Road, Suite 4D
Champaign, IL
61820

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12173448455

Website

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