El Zócalo Immigrant Resource Center
Mission: To promote a dignified life for immigrants in Arkansas by connecting families with services and to foster community-wide understanding through education.
Who We Are: El Zócalo was founded in September 2011 by a small group of volunteers who were active in established community organizations. We are recognized in the State of Arkansas as a non-profit organization and we are a fiscally sponsored project of the 501(c)(3) Fellowship of Reconciliation. Our name, "Zócalo," means town square in Spanish.
Our Strategy:
- Build a comprehensive support network for immigrants made up of organizations, faith bodies, and service providers.
How:
- Empower immigrants to utilize and develop the skills and strengths necessary to navigate difficult situations.
- Integrated approach that recognizes importance of an in-depth understanding of the people we help.
What We Do:
- Support immigrants, particularly families in crisis.
- Engage non-immigrant populations via education, outreach, and volunteer opportunities.
- Participate in regional and national coalitions dedicated to social justice.
Our Work:
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Social Support: We help families in crisis in the areas of basic needs, legal, and health. In partnership with Interfaith Arkansas, we run a monthly food and clothing pantry for immigrants.
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Health Support: Case managers help immigrants access health and related community resources. We team up with other groups to put on events, provide outreach, and offer education.
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Advocacy: We actively support just immigration reforms, such as DREAM Act, Alternatives to Detention, and Comprehensive Immigration Reform. We assist local families in immigration proceedings.
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Our Co-Founders:
Sara Mullally:
Teaches Spanish in NLR Public Schools, former Assistant Director of and Case Manager at Casa Marianella Immigrant Shelter in Austin, Texas.
Kelsey Reville: Works in Marshall Public Schools, previous Assistant Manager of La Pantera Hispanic Radio station and Member of Casa Chapulín, an international solidarity collective in Oaxaca, Mexico.
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Our Board of Directors
Our Board is comprised of Dr. Donna Kelly, Humberto Zarate, Sara Mullally, and Benji Hardy.
Donations are always appreciated in support of El Zócalo´s work.
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