[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 28, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2097-E2098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HISPANIC INFORMATION CENTER OF PASSAIC, 
                                  INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 28, 1997

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the 
momentous occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Hispanic Information 
Center of Passaic, Inc.
  The Hispanic Information Center of Passaic was established in 1972 to 
identify, study, and articulate the human service needs of the Hispanic 
community in the city of Passaic. Today, through its different 
programs, the agency reaches out to the most at-risk populations. It 
contributes to economic and social stability by means of job placement 
and support to families, youth, seniors, the disabled, people suffering 
from addiction, and the homeless. Services are rendered with no regard 
to race, color, or national origin.
  Each and every program at the center is administered with the utmost 
of professionalism and caring. The Community Service Program of the 
Hispanic Information Center strives to inform low- and moderate-income 
clients of the resources available that will help them develop and 
maintain economic self-sufficiency. In addition, the program assists in 
providing social service information and helps with social adjustment, 
job placement, emergency shelter, food referral, advocacy, 
translations, and referrals.
  The center also offers a program of the youth counseling services 
which was created to serve individuals referred by schools, State 
agencies, or families. They work to prevent dropping out of school and 
provide individual and group counseling to help young people cope with 
family, school, and environmental problems through behavior 
modification. They also provide tutoring, pre-delinquent and family 
intervention, vocational and educational orientation, as well as 
recreation and field trips. This program serves as an advocate for 
youth in school, city, county agencies, and courts.
  The Homebound Program caters to persons who are homebound due to age 
or illness with the goal of preventing institutionalization. Services 
are geared toward improving the quality of life and independent living 
within the heritage characteristic of a Latino culture. Services 
included but are not limited to case management, counseling, referral, 
translations, interpreters, recreational activities, and social events.
  Other programs aimed at fostering familial settings include the Host 
Program which is designed to assist children whose natural parents are 
unable to provide adequate care at home. Families are recruited in 
order to provide a temporary home environment. The goal of the program 
is to reunite the child with their family or to ensure that the child 
will have a safe and nurturing family environment. The program is 
founded on the premise that all children have the right to physical and 
emotional protection. Host parenting is not a lifetime commitment to a 
child but a commitment to make a meaningful contribution to a child's 
life. Additionally the goal of the Bridge Family Program is to provide 
a temporary placement for children ages 7 to 10 who have been adopted 
and the adoption was disrupted. Further, the Teaching Family Program is 
designed to help adolescents currently placed in residential facilities 
or being considered for such placement with alternative family settings 
within the community. The program provides support and guidance to 
assist them in their transition to a permanent family environment.
  The Alcohol Outreach for Minorities Program was established to serve 
the needs of individuals suffering from the consequences of alcoholism. 
The program provides a 16-week treatment service and is the only 
Hispanic alcoholism treatment and referral service program in Passaic 
County which takes into consideration the cultural uniqueness of the 
Hispanic client.
  The Immigration and Citizenship Program was established with the 
purpose of helping immigrants achieve social stability through 
immigration aid, which gives information and basic orientation to the 
immigrants that wish to become permanent residents or legalize their 
migratory status. The new citizenship project aids eligible permanent 
residents in completing naturalization forms, lending them the

[[Page E2098]]

service of fingerprinting, photos, and educational services to better 
prepare them for the test required by INS for naturalization.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, the city of 
Passaic, and the people of north Jersey, in recognizing the momentous 
occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Hispanic Information Center of 
Passaic and its many outstanding and invaluable contributions made to 
the community.

                          ____________________