Written by Amy Ralls | Sep 14, 2022 4:00:00 AM
Funds Earmarked to Support Ukrainian Refugees in Need of Critical Services as they Relocate to the Chicago Area
CHICAGO, IL - September 14,
2022 -
Peerless Network, a leading-edge global communications provider and now part of the
Infobip family, is proud to announce that the company has donated $32,500 to
RefugeeOne, a Chicago-based non-for-profit whose mission is to create opportunity for refugees fleeing war, terror, and persecution to build new lives of safety, dignity, and self-reliance. In response to the war in Ukraine, Peerless collected donations from employees, and then the company matched employee contributions dollar-for-dollar. The money presented to RefugeeOne is earmarked to help refugees from Ukraine transition to life in the Chicago area. “We are thrilled and humbled by the way you all have rallied around this cause with such generosity. We continue to take on Ukrainian clients as word-of-mouth continues to spread. Thus far, RefugeeOne has been able to help over 450 people in need,” commented Jenn Bosma Goodwin, Assistant Director of Development for RefugeeOne. “Your support makes a world of difference in helping us welcome them to our community and start rebuilding their lives here in the U.S.”
RefugeeOne has been an important resource for families from Ukraine relocating to the Chicago area. The organization has expanded its case manager team and is able to offer the following critical services:
- Enrolling all eligible individuals and families in public benefits programs to secure an income source and assisting in applying for work authorization documents.
- Securing available state funding of $4,000 per family or $2,000 for individuals through a special grant.
- Serving as a resource for information on immigration status and making referrals for legal applications.
- Making individuals aware of services, including English classes, youth programs, employment support, and wellness services.
- Connecting Ukrainians with local food pantries and other community support resources.
“I am grateful to our employees for initiating this effort and for their tremendous generosity in helping Ukrainians who are coming here because of the war that continues to devastate their country. Like Peerless, our new parent company Infobip has supported the people of Ukraine since the beginning of this crisis contributing not only funds and supplies, but also opening up their homes in Croatia to Ukrainians fleeing their country,” added John Barnicle, President & CEO of Peerless Network. “For those Ukrainian refugees that have moved to the Chicago area, we are thankful that the team at RefugeeOne is making this transition easier, and I am proud that we are able to support the important hands-on work they are doing in our city.”
About RefugeeOne Founded in 1982 and incorporated as an independent not-for-profit in 1992,
RefugeeOne is a refugee resettlement agency that provides a full range of services to refugees resettled in the Chicago area. The agency’s primary focus is to assist each refugee in becoming an independent, self-supporting member of the new community as soon as possible. Every year, RefugeeOne assists approximately 2,500 refugees and immigrants of all ages, ethnic groups, faiths, and backgrounds to find housing, learn the English language, acclimate to American culture, develop computer and job readiness skills, secure employment, obtain medical and other care, apply for citizenship, and develop overall family strengthening skills. RefugeeOne’s programs are made possible through the dedicated efforts of nearly 45 staff members – many of whom were refugees themselves – and approximately 400 volunteers. While many of the programs and services are delivered at RefugeeOne’s main offices in Uptown in Chicago, the organization operates off-site locations throughout the north side of Chicago and in various suburbs where programs for youth, women, and seniors are held.
About Peerless Network, An Infobip Company Peerless Network is a leading-edge provider of telecommunications services that delivers the highest quality voice solutions for VoIP and enterprise customers worldwide. As a disruptor in the telecom industry, Peerless Network is a reliable network that scales efficiencies, lowers customer costs, increases quality, and automates workflows with ease of implementation via our portfolio of cutting-edge products and services. Our automated platforms, the
Peerless Portal and
ANImate, allow customers to easily provision
Cloud PBX,
SIP trunking channels,
SD-WAN,
telephone numbers,
local service,
domestic/international long distance, and
toll-free services from one advanced system. Peerless is dedicated to driving innovation and bringing value to customers by expanding our suite of products, services, and markets we serve. Peerless Network is headquartered in Chicago, IL. The company was acquired by
Infobip, the world’s most connected cloud communications platform, in 2022. For more information, visit
www.peerlessnetwork.com.