By PEGGY AULISIO
Contributing writer
August 03, 2009
NEW BEDFORD — With nearly $50,000 in state funding lost due to budget cuts, the Immigrants' Assistance Center is looking to its annual fundraiser to make up some of the loss.
"Unfortunately, this year, we're trying to stay above water," said Helena Marques, executive director of the center, which is located at 58 Crapo St. in the South End.
The fundraiser will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday at the Museum of Madeiran Heritage at 27 Hope St. Tickets are $25 and can be obtained at the center or by calling (508) 996-8113.
Marques said the center usually serves 5,000 immigrants annually but has already seen an increase of about 1,000 this year because of the recession. The center serves legal immigrants with a variety of services, including helping them become U.S. citizens. Marques said the center also lost half the funding it usually receives for its citizenship program.
"The cuts are hitting the most vulnerable population," she said.
One of the social services hurt is the HIV/substance abuse program. Its state funding from the Department of Public Health was "totally cut," Marques said. She said the state used to provide $35,000 to the HIV/substance abuse program.
Marques said New Bedford has a high incidence of HIV because of heroin use and infected needles. She said the outreach program, which includes leaving literature in bars, clubs, bakeries and fish markets near the waterfront, has been very successful over the past 10 years.
Marques said the center will discontinue the outreach but will help those who come to the center seeking assistance with drug or alcohol-related problems, including their family members.
After the federal immigration raid of illegal immigrants working at Michael Bianco Inc. in New Bedford, the center provided social services to many of their children, who are U.S. citizens, Marques said.
The center was formed in the 1970s to serve primarily Portuguese immigrants "to help overcome language, cultural and economic barriers and help them integrate," Marques said. Today, its staff has the capacity to serve immigrants speaking five different languages.
The center's fundraiser is being sponsored by Senior Whole Health, an insurance company that specializes in serving low-income seniors.
Gabriel Martinez, corporate director, said they know of the Immigrant Assistance Center because of their work in that area of New Bedford.
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