Immigration since 1996 is the topic that will be explored by Helena S. Marques, Executive Director of the Immigrants Assistance Center since 1996. She has been working with the immigrant community for 24 years and is bi-lingual in Portuguese and Spanish. Helena developed and implemented the first immigrant citizenship program and also designed sessions to provide out-reach assistance to hundreds of constituents with strict budget guidelines. Not only did she initiate the first student immigrant high school program focused on citizenship and civic involvement, she also spearheaded and implemented a successful Native Language Citizenship Tutoring program for the elderly.

Ms. Marques stands on the front lines in defense of immigrants’ and refugees’ rights. She was selected several times by the Massachusetts Immigrants and Refugee Advocacy Coalition to lecture before Congress concerning immigration laws and issues pertaining to the immigrant population. She is on several boards and has been honored with numerous awards for her work.

The program will be held at Cafe Funchal, 123 Church Street in New Bedford, MA on Thursday, May 22, 2008. Ms. Marques will speak at 5:30 followed by an Attitude Adjustment/Social time. The buffet dinner will be served at 7:00 followed by the business meeting.

The dinner will consist of:
Chicken Rice Soup
Iceberg & Romaine Lettuce Salad
Roasted Chicken, Alaskan Cod Fillets, & Hand Carved Roast Beef
Roasted Potatoes & Seasonal Vegetables
Soda, Coffee & Decaf

The cost for the program and buffet is $22.00. Please send a check to make reservations by May 1 to Mr. Fred Cole, 23 Arrowhead Lane, South Dartmouth, MA 02748. Make check payable to Southeastern Mass. Council.