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Refugee & Immigrant Community Services – Vocational English Language Skills Training

The Vocational English Language Skills Training program offers vocational English and technical training in the areas of hospitality, horticulture, and restaurant skills to refugees, asylees, and immigrants with limited English proficiency. Job-readiness training and job-placement services are also offered to participants in these courses. The courses aim to help individuals with limited English proficiency gain and retain entry-level employment in the specified industries and begin a career.



Services Offered:
  • Vocational English training in hospitality, horticulture, and food-service
  • Technical training in hospitality, horticulture, and food-service
  • Job-readiness training (application practice, interview practice, resume writing, etc.)
  • Job-placement services
  • Transportation assistance
   
Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be refugee, asylee, or immigrant
  • Must be authorized to work in the United States
  • Must meet minimum English proficiency requirements
   
Fees:

All services are free of charge.

   
Applying for Services:

For more information, please contact 773.728.5960 x6313.

   
Referral and Intake:
  • Requires verification of refugee, asylee, or immigrant status and work authorization
  • Requires English test to assess proficiency level
   
Contact Information:

Phone: 773.728.5960
Fax: 773.728.6929

   
Address:

4411 North Ravenswood Avenue
Chicago IL 60640

5551 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago IL 60641

   
Directions:

4411 North Ravenswood is less than a block away from the Montrose CTA Brown Line stop and the #78 Montrose bus. Street parking is available.

   
Hours:

Business hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Class Times:

Hospitality Skills: Class takes place 4x/year. Each class is six weeks long. Class runs Monday - Thursday 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Horticulture Skills: Class takes place once a year from mid-January to mid-March. Class runs Monday - Thursday 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Restaurant Skills: Class takes place once a year from October to February. There are three course components: vocational English training, culinary skills training, and an internship. Hours vary.

   
Languages:

Languages spoken by staff:  Acholi, Amharic, Arabic, French, Kirundi, Polish, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tigre, and Tigrinya.

Services provided in the following languages: Classes are conducted in English. Case management services can be provided in all of the above languages.

With advanced notice, Heartland Alliance services can be provided in more than 35 different languages. 

   
Appointments:

This program takes appointments.

   
Walk In Accepted: This program accepts walk-ins.
   
Program Aliases:
  • 4411 North Ravenswood Avenue: Refugee & Immigrant Community Services
   
Additional Information:

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