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Our History
The former First Lady of Indianapolis, Amy Minick Peterson led a study to determine how immigrant newcomers’ needs were being met in Central Indiana. Together with members of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee (GIPC), chaired by community leader Yvonne Shaheen, Mrs. Peterson researched various immigrant populations and their needs, facilitated focus groups with service providers, and studied best practices in other cities for assisting immigrants and refugees.
Immigrant Welcome Center, as it is known today, was established with the help of 12 volunteers known as Natural Helpers. In 2008, Immigrant Welcome Center moved its office into the John H. Boner Community Center. Immigrant Welcome Center relocated its offices to SouthEast Community Services in 2015.
The first Chief Executive Officer who is a woman of color and an immigrant, Gurinder Kaur, is hired to lead the Immigrant Welcome Center. In May 2021, our offices were relocated to the Central Library in downtown Indianapolis.
Immigrant Welcome Center moves to its current location at 2049 N. Meridian Street. This freestanding building offers enhanced opportunities to welcome clients and partners. It also offers almost 1,000 sq. feet of meeting and training space. It is accessible by bus, car, and foot.