OCTOBER 2012 NEWSLETTER

A Message from our Executive Director Breandán Magee

I just recently attended the annual members meeting of the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers in New York City and came away very impressed at the leadership being shown at the national level by the various Irish groups across the country. The diverse regions of the country represented by community leaders spoke to the story of Irish immigration to the USA and of our community’s current successes as well as concerns. To read more of Breandán's Message...



Irish Transport and Tourism Minister in Chicago

Irish Transport and Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar arrived in Chicago September 27 to host an event at the Irish Consulate in support of The Gathering in Ireland in 2013. The Gathering is a nationwide initiative designed to encourage an extra 325,000 visitors to Ireland in 2013. The government sponsored idea came out of the high powered meeting of influential global Irish leaders at Farmleigh last year and is designed to not only boost tourism for the ailing Irish economy but to harness the power of the Diaspora in Ireland’s economic recovery.

Each town and village across Ireland will host its own Gathering events and people are also encouraged to create their own personal Gatherings. For more information and details on registering you own Gathering go to http://www.thegatheringireland.com

AN IMMIGRANT’S MUSINGS BY FATHER MICHAEL LEONARD

IMMIGRATION & THE ENVIRONMENT: I have had many conversations on the subject of Immigration reform over the years, but among the elected representatives and their staffers in D.C. I have seen very little reference to the above named topic. It seems to me that, we as a nation need to take a serious look at how immigration impacts our environment and take that into account as we plan for the future. To read more of Michael Leonard's Musings...

CIIS Welcomes New Grants Manager Magdalyn Ann Guzzo

Magdalyn was Senior Case Manager at Heartland Alliance's International Children's Reception Center before joining the CIIS Team. As such, she provided human care services to unaccompanied Guatemalan, Salvadoran, and Honduran youth. To read more about Magdalyn...

JOIN THE JUSTICE FOR IMMIGRANTS CAMPAIGN

The Justice for Immigrants Campaign continues to build its grassroots support for comprehensive immigration reform. If you want to be notified of immigration legislation updates, NOW is the time to join the JFI Action Alert list. Sign up at: www.justiceforimmigrants.org

Dublin makes the grade for 7 Best
Cities for Start Up Companies

Looking for the next Silicon Valley? You're not alone. With growth slowing or stagnant in economies around the world, executives, entrepreneurs, and investors are on the hunt for hotbeds of original thinking and new-business creation, in search of people and startups that might give their own companies and portfolios a competitive edge. For more on Dublin...

Irish Language Competition

To promote the use of the Irish language abroad, Glór na nGael runs an annual Irish language Christmas Card competition for Irish speakers living overseas. Full information and contact details are available from Glor na nGael’s website at http://www.glornangael.ie/nollaig_2012.doc.

Paul Dowling Director of Social Services – News and Events

New Study Looks at Irish Risk for Rare Fatal Disease

Tay-Sachs is a rare neurodegenerative disease that causes a progressive deterioration of mental and physical abilities. Fatty tissue builds up around the nerve endings in the brain and spinal cord eventually killing those nerves. The disease is always fatal and there is no know treatment or cure. The most common form of the disease manifests in infancy and those affected generally do not live past four years of age. To read more about Tay-Sachs and Irish risk...

Events for Seniors

Our senior group programs run at both the Irish American Heritage Center and Gaelic Park. Groups provide an opportunity for seniors to come together in a welcoming, social environment when we can learn something new or enjoy something old. We feature a host of educational, cultural, and general interest events, and the good news is your invited! All meetings take place between 10am and noon. There is no cost and refreshments will be served. Click here for specific details of each event. If you need further information please contact CIIS at 773.282.8445 or ciissocialservices@gmail.com.

Meet the New Social Work Interns

This semester we have two new social work interns from Ireland: Brendan Cronin and Rob O'Connor. Brendan is a proud Munster-man from the great city of Limerick, Ireland. His background consists of working as a Youth advocate, outreach worker and teenage aftercare project worker in Limerick and Dublin respectively. To read more about Brendan and Rob...













ConnectIreland: Ireland Means Business!

ConnectIreland is a new initiative that has been set up to encourage direct foreign investment in Ireland with the creation of new jobs. The innovative new program seeks to use the power of peoples’ networks via introductions to key decision makers in companies seeking to establish themselves in Europe. More on ConnectIreland!