On Wednesday 12th December CIIS held out annual senior Christmas party. This year the festivities were held at the Irish American Heritage Center. We had over 70 seniors in attendance. There was pleanty of festive cheer supplied by our talented perfomrers, The Gilhoolys, who regailed us with songs, stories, and jokes. And of course it wouldn't have been a Christmas celebration witout plenty of great food! We're already looking forward to next year's bash!

ATLANTIC STEPS REVIEW!

On November 3^rd Chicago Irish Immigrant Support (CIIS) was honored to have Brain Cunningham’s Atlantic Steps perform at the Irish American Heritage Center (IAHC).   Brian crafted his Atlantic Steps show to reflect the immigration experiences of the Irish Diaspora across the Atlantic. The evening was riotous and exceptional: 350 CIIS supporters in attendance cheered on the amazing music and dance performance. 

CIIS would like to provide similar programming in the future, so please contact us with your ideas! We will happily accommodate. Please call us at 773.282.8445 or email Magdalyn at mguzzo@ci-is.org.

In the meantime, please read CIIS Volunteer Marialice McCarthy’s review of the Atlantic Steps performance and event…Thanks for your support!

Atlantic Steps Alive by Marialice McCarthy

Atlantic Steps brought a lively energy to the IAHC auditorium Saturday, November 3^rd. Ireland’s oldest dance form began in people’s homes. The five sean nós (Gaelic Irish for “old style”) presented a variety of dance steps, weaving a story of the rhythms of work in the west of Ireland long ago. Dancers with brooms showed their expertise as their feet and legs flew over and around the brooms at an amazing speed.



Four great musicians and some enjoyable songs added to the magic. An interpretation of the Irish immigration to North America followed. The performers demonstrated typical entertainment in dance halls and vaudeville; moving the old style dance with new ideas and energy. Brian Cunningham joyfully led the dancers with enthusiasm and expertise. Each dancer had an opportunity to demonstrate their own special talents as if in a contest. They were all wonderful and we were left enthralled.

CIIS Table at IrishFest Chicago 2012

We had a table at IrishFest Chicago at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago. Here are some of the pictures that we took at the Event.

We had a great time at the 3rd annual ‘Day on the Lake’ where we enjoyed a delightful luncheon cruise on Lake Michigan and took in the breathtaking views of the downtown Chicago skyline. Here are some pictures of the day!

Chicago Irish Immigrant Support Annual Dinner Gala and Fundraiser

The board and staff would like to thank all those who made our annual Gala such a great success.  A special word of congratulations to Lt. Thomas Maloney, recipient of our 2012 Golden Harp for Humanity Award.  The event was also attended by Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle and Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.

To view the introductory video for Lt. Thomas Maloney, click here! 

Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD met with the Board and Staff of Chicago Irish Immigrant Support at a breakfast at the prestigious Union League Club in downtown Chicago on March 16th.  The Prime Minister was in town for the St. Patrick's Day festivities before heading to the White House for a reception with the President on Tuesday March 19th.  He was joined at the Union League Club by Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, Alderman Ed Burke, the Irish Ambassador to the USA Michael Collins and former Bush Ambassador to Ireland Jim Kenny. 

The Taoiseach spoke of Ireland's journey to peace and stability and the closing of a circle in Irish history with the recent visit by Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland.  He also reiterated his government's commitment to securing Ireland's economic recovery and praised Chicago's Irish community for their support of Ireland in these tough times.

Chicago Irish Immigrant Support Board Chairman Cyril Regan and Executive Director Breandán Magee (seen pictured) joined Celts for Immigration Reform Chair Billy Lawless in NYC on Thursday February 9, 2012 for a meeting with the Irish Premier. 

The trio were part of a contingent that met with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Irish Ambassador to the United States, Michael Collins.  The AOH, Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) and members of the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers joined Chicago's representatives in an hour long meeting that touched on recent legislative moves on the Hill to secure visas for the Irish, as well as a host of other issues near to the Taoiseach's heart. 

The Taoiseach reiterated his support for an Irish E3 visa that would allow up to 10,000 Irish nationals access to a 2 year renewable work visa to come to the Unites States.  He also expressed concern for vulnerable Irish seniors living in the USA and pledged his government's continued committment to funding services provided by Irish Immigration Centers.

Chicago Irish Immigrant Support receives an annual grant from the Irish government to provide immigration and social services and is grateful for the Taoiseach's show of support.



The Fundraiser was a great success, the details of this Fundraiser are below:

Chicago Irish Immigrant Support Fundraiser at the Irish American Heritage Center!

Chicago Irish Immigrant Support  is a 501c3 not for profit organization established in 1998 in association with the Irish Bishops and the Archdiocese of Chicago to serve the needs of Chicago's Irish immigrant population. The center began by primarily serving the needs of young immigrants arriving from Ireland but our mission has expanded over the years to include immigration and naturalization assistance, seniors' services and an array of social services. We work closely with the Consulate General of Ireland in Chicago and are responsible for services spanning over 20 states all the way to Texas.

The event hosted Live Music! Derek Byrne and Paddygrass and Patrick and Karen Cannady.

Raffle and Prizes! Cash Bar!

$25 Donation at the door!

Thanks to all who made the vent such a great success. Half of the proceeds were donated to the Ionad Pobail (Social Center) and Church in Lettermore, County Galway just in time for St Patrick's Day.



Chicago Irish Immigrant Support & Wellspring Personal Care

Co-Sponsored a hugely successful Informational Workshop for the Adult Children of Aging Parents on Saturday October 1, 2011

“When It’s Time to Talk”

Planning for the Future with Your Aging Parents

This workshop provided a lively interactive discussion, and offered resources and tips to help address those issues that are often difficult to talk about with parents or older family members.

The Expert Panel discussed - Resources, Geriatric Healthcare, Answers to Legal Questions, Caregiver Support, and Retirement Housing Options

Workshop Panel

Lee Lindquist MD, MPH, MBA. Asst Professor of Geriatrics at Northwestern University/ Medical Faculty Foundation

Ben Neiburger, Attorney at Law, of Neiburger Law Ltd. Specialist in Elder Law and Estate Planning

Mary O'Hara, AM, LCSW Social Worker, Assistant Director of Education Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Kathleen Elster, Division Director of Marketing, Resurrection Senior Living Communities

Amedisys Home Health, Home Health Agency providing state- of- the- art health care at home

Wellspring Personal Care, Private Duty Home Care Agency and experts on “Aging in Place"

Chicago Irish Immigrant Support collaborated with the Chicago Cultural Alliance to bring together the Irish American Heritage Center and the Chinese American Museum for a dialogue on immigration past and present.  The event on Tuesday July 26 was a resounding success and brought together 30 participants from the Irish and Chinese communities to discuss their stories of immigration.

The round table discussion saw participants open up about their own immigration stories: stories that included growing up as an American with Irish parents, as an immigrant who came to the USA from Ireland in the 1950's and the Chinese perspective on coming to a strange new land.

Those who partook left the dialogue with a renewed undertanding of the story of American immigration and integration and expressed hope in the dream that is America.  Each immigrant who came here, be it two hundred years ago or two years ago, has a unique story to tell and this dialogue touched on the common humanity of each of our experiences.  Parallels were drawn between the Chinese experience and the Irish experience but it was agreed that we all share the same American experience.

A special thanks to all of the organizers and participants who generously shared their experiences to make this a very worthwhile dialogue and exchange.  We look forward to the next installment.  If you are interested in learning more about this and upcoming events contact us at 773 282 8445.



Last Thursday, 14^thJuly, The Irish American Heritage Center officially became the home of CIIS. We were honored to have the Irish Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn (pictured left) (more photos here), perform the official ceremonies.

The Minister first enjoyed a tour of the Heritage Center before meeting with the Chicago Irish Immigrant Support Board of Directors. In this meeting the Board stressed the importance of the work we do here in the US to support the Irish community, especially older Irish people. Minister Quinn then addressed a meeting of around 80 of our senior group attendees from the north and south side. He thanked them for all that they had done for Ireland as immigrants and said that Ireland as a nation recognizes their contribution. After this it was time for the official ceremonies as Minister Quinn cut the ribbon to formally open the Chicago Irish Immigrant Support Office.

All at Chicago Irish Immigrant Support are proud to be able to call the Irish American Heritage Center home!



We would like to thank all those who made our third Annual Dinner Dance on Saturday April 2nd 2011 at Chicago Gaelic Park such a success. 

This year we honored one of Chicago's finest Corkmen, Pat Noonan, who has given so much of himself to the Irish community of Chicago.  We also acknowledged our founding board member Mary Johnson-Gorski for her years of service to CIIS.  Consul General of Ireland Martin Rouine also received an accolade for his 4 years of service to Chicagos' Irish community.  He returns to Dublin in the summer of 2011.  Best of luck to him and his wife Mary.

Click here to see more pictures of the big night.  Thank you all again and see you next year!