ABOUT US

About Us

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For a brief overview of PAA please see video.

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Founded in 1922, the Polish American Association (PAA) is the nation's only human services organization providing a comprehensive range of bilingual and bicultural services to the Polish community and others in need.

Mission: The mission of the Polish American Association, a human service agency, is to serve the diverse needs of the Polish community in the Chicago metro area by providing resources for changing lives, with emphasis on assisting immigrants

Programs & Services: Through its 28 programs and services PAA is providing clients with the resources for changing their lives and enhancing their ability to become contributing members of our community. Programs include

Education and Employment Services:

• English as a Second Language (ESL), Adult Basic Education (ABE), and citizenship classes
• vocational training for Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA) and Physical Rehabilitation Aid (PRA) classes
• office skills vocational training
• job development and placement
• career counseling
• computer literacy classes
• computer lab - resource rooms

The school is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education (www.ibhe.org).

The Polish American Association is not accredited with a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting body.

Complaints, which cannot be resolved by direct negotiation with the School in accordance to our written grievance policy, may be filed with the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), 431 E. Adams St., 2nd Floor, Springfield, IL 62701 or at www.ibhe.org.

Social Services:

• crisis intervention
• individual and family counseling
• domestic violence program
• women's services
• after-school program for youth
• teen counseling
• senior program
• day center for homeless men
• intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment
• homemaker program
• health outreach and screenings
• All Kids applications
• food pantry
• clothing closet
• and energy assistance

Immigration Services:

• immigration application processing
• fingerprinting
• photographs
• document translation
• citizenship information

Information and Advocacy:

• Individual case advocacy
• systems advocacy
• interpretation and translation services
• website: www.polish.org.

Locations:
Main Office 3834 N. Cicero Ave. Chicago, IL 60641 (773) 282-8206
Learning Center 3815 N. Cicero Ave. Chicago, IL 60641 (773) 282-1122
Southwest Office 6276 W. Archer Ave. Chicago, IL 60638 (773)767-7773

Clients: While most of PAA's clients are Polish immigrants, the organization is committed to serving anyone who is in need. More than 3,500 clients seek help from PAA each month.

Staff: PAA employs 69 full-time and 75 part-time staff members. With the exception of administrative staff, all program and support staff members are bilingual. PAA is also fortunate to count 40 volunteers among its ranks.

Budget: $5.07 million (FY'09)

Sources of Funding:

• Government 87.7%
• Corporations & Foundations 3.1%
• Contributions & Special Events 4.2%
• Program Fees 4.1%
• United Way 0.01%
• Other 0.8%

Governance:
22-member Board of Directors (volunteer) and 8 Honorary Directors

Logo:
The logo of the Polish American Association symbolizes the entwining of the lives of many people who together form a strong bond of support and guidance. Their united support emits rays of hope and light to others, especially those in need. Our donors and program sponsors join together with our committed board members, volunteers and dedicated staff to provide education, employment, immigration, social services, information and advocacy programs that serve as resources for changing lives.