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The Immigrants Assistance Center was founded by members of the Portuguese community in 1971 to address the problems and difficulties being encountered by recent immigrants. Several organizational meetings were held and in the process those interested citizens organized and created the Immigrants' Assistance Center, Inc. By April 1971, with limited funds, the Center's Board of Directors was organized.
The search for a center location was conducted and the funds sought through the emergency Employment Act to hire the staff. After nearly three years of dreams and plans the long-envisioned Immigrants' Assistance Center, Inc., is now a reality. With a temporary location at the Onboard's North End Community Center (local agency supported by (OEO) of New Bedford, and with the hiring of two staff members through E.E.A. The Center was opened in late August of 1972.
The Immigrants' Assistance Center, Inc., aids the exceptionally large concentration of Non-English speaking residents but more specifically recent arrived immigrants in New Bedford. Because the needs and various problems associated with being disadvantaged are compounded when one has a language barrier, limiting the immigrants awareness of educational opportunities, better jobs, adequate housing, medical needs and individual rights, an effort has to be made strictly on their behalf. |
| The objective then of the Immigrants' Assistance Center, Inc. as a referral agency is to offer direction and assistance to the Non-English speaking community and to work in cooperation with the various agencies and institutions already in existence to help alleviate the many problems unique to the recent arrived immigrant. |
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