PAA Announcements

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Enroll in a New Class at the PAA this Spring!

The Education Department at the PAA is offering several new classes this spring. Students are now welcome to register and enroll for classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) and Adult Basic Education (ABE), as well as classes in U.S. Citizenship, Office Skills (Microsoft, QuickBooks), Basic Computing, GED Prep, and Health Care (Certified Nursing Assistant and Rehabilitation Assistance).

We offer convenient hours (including weekday evenings and weekends) and classes in-person at our Northside (3817 N. Cicero Ave.) and Southside (6276 S. Archer Ave.) offices, as well as online (Zoom) options. Job placement assistance, when relevant, is available. All classes, including textbooks, are free and you do not need to be Polish to enroll: all are welcome. For more information, call us today at 773-282-1122, extensions: • ESL/ABE: 404, 407 or 408 • U.S. Citizenship: 400 • Office Skills: 407 or 408 • Basic Computing: 404 or 409 • GED Prep: 408 • Health Care: 403

Students must come in for a placement test before they can register and enroll for classes. In addition to normal business hours, the Northside office (3817 N. Cicero Ave.) will be offering extended hours from today (January 9), to Friday, January 18: Mondays through Thursdays, 9 am – 8 pm, Fridays 9 am – 6 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 4 pm, and Sundays 9 am – 2 pm. For hours at the Southside (6276 S. Archer Ave.) office, please call for more information.

PAA Partnership with the Haitian American Congress

The Polish American Association is delighted to announce a new partnership with the Haitian American Congress, a coalition of organizations in the Chicagoland area serving the Haitian American community. Beginning early next year, the PAA and the Haitian American Congress will offer Haitian American Chicagoans English language courses, and plan to extend other services to the community thereafter. This partnership is the latest chapter of the PAA’s mission to serve today’s diverse immigrant communities.

Recently the PAA was an honored guest at a Battle of Vertières event sponsored by the Haitian American Congress, celebrating Haiti’s independence from French rule in 1803. In this clip (https://youtu.be/AAelmpdlXXk) the Honorable Lionel Jean-Baptiste, judge for the 9th Subcircuit of the Cook County Judicial Circuit Court in Illinois, explains how Polish soldiers originally conscripted to fight for Napoleon’s army soon switched sides and joined Haitians fighting for their independence.

Summer GED Prep Classes at the PAA

The PAA Education Department has successfully begun its new GED program. We will be offering another GED course this summer. Prepare for and take the GED at the PAA! Call 773-481-5408 for details.

Thank You All for Joining PAA at the Polish Constitution Day Parade 2023!

We are so proud to have been a part of the Polish Constitution Day Parade 2023 in Downtown Chicago! We were honored to stand alongside other Polish organizations and community groups in celebrating our shared cultural heritage. As an organization committed to serving immigrant communities, we strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all. While we are proud of our Polish roots, we also recognize the unique experiences and challenges faced by immigrants of all backgrounds. That's why we offer a wide range of services to help newcomers navigate their new lives in the United States. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this joyous occasion! We look forward to continuing to serve our diverse and vibrant community.

GED Preparatory Courses at the PAA

Polish American Association is starting a brand new GED Preparation class! This class will meet every Sunday from April 16 to June 25, from 10 am–2 pm, at our North Chicago (3817 N. Cicero Ave.) location. The purpose of this class is to prepare you to pass the GED. You can also take the GED test at the Polish American Association after the class finishes. The class will be taught in English, and it’s completely free to all students, materials included. For more info or to register please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 773-481-5408.

Happy Pulaski Day 2023!

The Polish American Association wishes everyone a very happy Pulaski Day!
This local holiday commemorates and celebrates the birthday of Casimir Pulaski, a Revolutionary War cavalry officer, born in Poland as Kazimierz Pułaski, who is often called “the father of the American cavalry.” We celebrate General Pulaski’s contributions to the US military and the American Revolution. Pulaski Day is a legal holiday in Illinois, therefore the PAA’s offices are closed on Monday, March 6th, 2023.

Ukrainian Orthodox Christmas Gifts Delivered

At our 2022 holiday celebration, PAA staff brought their own wrapped presents for the children as our small gift to our #UkrainianRefugee immigration families. These were delivered on Orthodox Christmas to the #Ukrainian Church and we're glad to have brought some tenderness and joy to these children.

Currently, PAA is serving programs in Polish, Ukrainian, and Spanish, bridging the idea that at one point or another, we have each come from an immigrant bravely seeking a new life. The PAA's #Polish heritage proudly carries on by making immigrants welcome and settled in their new lives in the United States.
PAA is certified, licensed, and supported by the #DepartmentofJustice, the #USCIS, #IllinoisCommunityCollegeBoard, the #IllinoisState'sAttorney'sOffice, multiple offices of the #CityofChicago, #CookCountyBoard and #ICIRR. We are grateful for their partnership so those most vulnerable among us receive the best-in-class services from us.

If you, or someone you know, needs services, PAA is a safe and approved provider for immigration, education, and multiple social programs and benefits access. We are a registered 501c3 charity founded in 1922. Thank you for your continued support.

Education Department - 2-Day Training Workshop

On Thursday, July 28 and Friday, July 29, the Education Department hosted a 2-day training workshop (in-person and remote) for its instructional and administrative staff at Northeastern Illinois University. Several topics were covered, such as class syllabi and our new Learning Management System (Canvas). We are working hard at improving the Education Department: with our staff, we know that we will succeed!

Help Ukraine! Pomoc Ukrainie! Ayuda a Ukrania!

If you are contacting us to offer your assistance to Ukraine or are seeking how to direct your support, please click HERE.

Jeśli kontaktujecie się Państwo z nami aby zaoferować swoją pomoc dla Ukrainy, prosimy kliknąć TUTAJ.

Si se pone en contacto con nosotros para ofrecer su asistencia a Ucrania o está buscando cómo dirigir su apoyo, por favor rellene el formulario.

Help Ukraine

PAA Statement about Ukraine

The Polish American Association wishes to extend its thoughts and prayers to the citizens of the Ukraine, both locally and abroad. The PAA stands shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with their plight and struggle for freedom. In this time of need, the PAA remains open to aid those in harm's way. May peace soon prevail.

Zrzeszenie Amerykańsko-Polskie wyraża wsparcie dla wszystkich obywateli ukraińskich w Chicago i w Ukrainie. Wyrażamy swoją solidarność z ich losem i walką o wolność. W tych trudnych chwilach drzwi Zrzeszenia pozostają otwarte dla wszystkich potrzebujących pomocy. Niech znów zapanuje pokój.

President Biden Announces Key Appointments to Boards and Commissions

The PAA congratulates Maureen Pikarski, a life long supporter of the PAA, its causes and efforts. President Biden Announces Key Appointments to Boards and Commissions | The White House (Maureen Catherine Pikarski, Commissioner, U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad.)

PAA Reopens the Food Pantry

October 28, 2021

The Polish-American Association is reopening its Food Pantry on November 16th, Tuesday, at 10:00am. The Food Pantry will be open every week, on Tuesdays, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. We will be observing social distancing and COVID-19 safety precautions. Please enter at 4808 W Berenice. The Food Pantry is sponsored by the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Zrzeszenie Amerykańsko-Polskie informuje, że po przerwie spowodowanej pandemią otwiera na nowo bank żywności (Food Pantry) w dniu 16 listopada, wtorek, o godzinie 10:00 rano. Wydawanie żywności będzie się odbywać co tydzień, we wtorki, od godziny 10:00 do 14:00 z zachowaniem zasad bezpieczeństwa pandemicznego. Wejście od 4808 W Berenice. Bank żywności sponsorowany jest przez Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Current employment listings

Our most recent employment job listings are available at polish.org/jobs

ALL JOB SEEKERS ENROLL TODAY!

Free Employment Services for Chicago and Cook County Residents - We offer job search assistance and funding for vocational training to income eligible individuals and Unemployment Insurance (UI) recipients. Registration: 3819 N. Cicero Ave, Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm. Program Orientation: Tuesdays at 1pm. Information: (773) 282-1122 ext. 412

SOUTH SIDE OFFICE HOURS

Our South Side office hours have changed, and are as follows:

• Monday 9 am- 5pm, closed between 12pm-1pm
• Tuesday – 9 am- 5pm, closed between 12pm-1pm
• Wednesday 9am - 5pm, closed between 12pm-1pm
• Thursday 9am - 5pm, closed between 12pm-1pm
• Friday 9am - 3pm, closed between 12pm-1pm