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Not too long ago arrived migrant households on Chicago’s West Facet will get assist with enrolling in class, receiving free college provides, signing up for public advantages, and getting vaccinated at a brand new “welcome middle” run by Chicago Public Faculties and the town.

Mayor Brandon Johnson and metropolis and district officers unveiled the brand new middle at Roberto Clemente Group Academy, a highschool within the metropolis’s Humboldt Park neighborhood, on Monday. Officers mentioned the middle is a pilot effort — presumably the primary of a number of such amenities throughout the town.

In addition they known as it a centerpiece of a broader plan they’ve promised for higher serving migrant households throughout the town, although the middle will solely assist clean the transition into the district for these residing within the Humboldt Park and West City neighborhoods.

The middle, which can work with households by appointment solely beginning later this week, is estimated to value roughly $750,000, in line with CPS CEO Pedro Martinez, who described it as a “very small funding” from the district’s working price range.

Greater than 10,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago since August, many despatched on buses from Texas by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. Roughly half are staying in momentary shelters, together with police stations. A whole bunch of school-aged kids are among the many new arrivals, although the varsity district has not shared precise numbers. Serving to these households discover everlasting housing and easing kids into native public faculties are key challenges dealing with the Johnson administration.

The Chicago Lecturers Union, which helped carry Johnson — a former union organizer — to victory in April, had criticized district officers for not doing extra to help newly arrived migrant college students. Union leaders mentioned some faculties have been overwhelmed by an inflow of such college students and scrambled to offer translation and different fundamental companies.

District leaders have mentioned they have been engaged on an in depth, complete plan for serving to migrant college students, to be launched earlier than the primary day of faculty on Aug. 21. That greater plan continues to be to return, Martinez mentioned Monday.

Johnson mentioned the realm round Clemente was one of many metropolis’s most densely populated with newcomer immigrants.

“We’re going to face on the shoulders of our ancestors, and we’re going to convey folks nearer collectively to ensure that the households who’ve been right here have the complete power of presidency and households who want to name Chicago their house even have the complete power of presidency,” Johnson mentioned on the Monday press convention.

Martinez balked at saying precisely what number of migrant college students enrolled within the district this previous college yr — it’s within the 1000’s, he mentioned — or what number of the district expects to serve within the fall. That latter quantity is just too fluid, he mentioned, however he promised to have an replace at the beginning of the varsity yr.

Johnson mentioned his workplace will observe “outcomes with this middle” with a view to enhance the way it operates and likewise use it as a mannequin to doubtlessly develop to different neighborhoods.

On the new “welcoming middle” on the highschool’s second ground, households will make their manner via a number of school rooms to get a string of companies, officers mentioned. Youngsters will get an English language screening, obtain free provides, and get assigned to a faculty.

Martinez mentioned the highschool college students will probably be assigned to Clemente whereas youthful kids will probably be enrolled at one in every of eight close by elementary faculties — Chopin, De Diego LaSalle II, Mitchell, Moos, Pritzker, Sabin, and Talcott.

“These are migrant households who come right here to hunt their dream, and we’ll be a part of that dream,” mentioned Martha Valerio, the neighborhood coordinator at Clemente, standing in entrance of a desk piled with coats, trainers, and backpacks. “We’re all going to obtain them with a heat smile.”

Households will meet with a social employee and get assist signing up for medical, dental appointments, and public advantages, corresponding to meals help and Medicaid.

“These are the kinds of companies we now have to offer throughout your entire metropolis,” Johnson informed journalists in entrance of the middle.

Based on WBEZ, some migrants are actually residing in tents, slightly than police stations or crowded shelters, as they watch for everlasting housing. College-aged migrant kids are eligible to be categorised as College students in Non permanent Dwelling Conditions – a standing that protects kids with out everlasting housing.

In the meantime, some lecturers have been volunteering their time this summer time to get college students prepared for varsity.

Earlier this month, the police division opened an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations towards officers, together with one accused of impregnating a recently-arrived teen, at a west aspect police station. The investigation prompted metropolis officers to transfer migrants out of police stations.

Johnson mentioned on the Monday occasion that the investigation is ongoing, with an replace slated for Tuesday.

Reema Amin contributed.

Mila Koumpilova is Chalkbeat Chicago’s senior reporter protecting Chicago Public Faculties. Contact Mila at mkoumpilova@chalkbeat.org.

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