Our Community Support Amid COVID-19

All of us from the HANA Center wish each of you to be healthy and well! 

In these uncertain times, HANA Center has been actively monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis and is taking steps to keep our families, community, and staff safe. We are writing to update you on how the HANA Center will be operating for the next two weeks to provide you with some key information. We will continue to share updates and resources in the coming days.

  • HANA Center programs will continue running, as one-on-one appointments and consultations will be provided over the phone.  Starting tomorrow, March 17, all of our staff will begin working remotely. While we are working remotely, our Chicago and Northwest Center office buildings will both remain closed. 

  • Community members needing assistance can continue to call HANA Center at 773-583-5501, and a staff person will answer and direct you to the appropriate program areas. You can also email us at info@hanacenter.org.  All appointments will be handled by phone or video conferencing.

  • For time-sensitive and urgent matters, our staff will make appropriate arrangements to follow up, including efforts to extend deadlines with government and other authority entities as possible.

  • Critical program information for our community members: 

    • All Illinois public benefits will remain in effect.  If you receive Food Stamps (SNAP), WIC, LIHEAP, AllKids, or other public benefits, your status or benefits will NOT change because of COVID-19. 

    • Public Charge rule will NOT apply to those immigrants who receive COVID-19 testing and necessary treatment.

    • Cook County evictions have been suspended for 30 days, and Cook County Evictions Court will be closed until April 16. Any individual facing an illegal eviction should contact the police and seek legal assistance through Legal Aid Chicago.

    • Undocumented immigrants living in Illinois are eligible for financial assistance at non-profit hospitals including Swedish Hospital, Advocate, and John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County (Cook County Hospital).  

    • If you are concerned about ICE activities and deportation, please call our HANA/NAKASEC Korean language hotline 24/7 at 1-844-500-3222.

    • All deadlines for immigration cases remain in effect until further notice is given by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  We are recommending community members to NOT assume their deadlines have changed until they receive a notice by DHS/USCIS.  If you are a current client with the HANA Center and have questions about your deadlines, please call us at 847-520-1999 or email jeonghwa@hanacenter.org.  HANA Center will also check our mail daily, and we will notify appropriate community members if we receive notice from DHS/USCIS.

  • Illinois Primary Election is Tuesday, March 17th.  If you have not already, please vote and raise your voice in this critical Primary Election.  HANA Center will be providing direct voter support through transportation, translation, and accompaniment.  HANA volunteers will also serve as poll watchers to ensure voter rights will be protected and enforced at the polls!

  • 2020 Census is here!  The first set of post cards have been mailed.  Residents will receive an individualized code and are encouraged to complete the Census questionnaire online.  Please contact the HANA Center for support! 

We anticipate reopening our buildings on Tuesday, March 31, in line with the Chicago Public Schools calendar, but will continue to monitor guidance from federal, state, and local health authorities to make sure this plan is in the best interest of the health and safety of our community and staff.

Thank you for your continued support. During these difficult times, we are reminded that social services are critical and that advocacy and civic engagement continue to be necessary tools in defending the rights of immigrant communities and those who are most vulnerable. Please join us engaging and uplifting our community through this new reality!

In solidarity,

The HANA Center Team

 

 

 

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