Our Mission
Who We Are
Providing Comprehensive Immigrant Support, Community Integration, and Advocacy
Our Commitments
To be a trusted partner and advocate for all immigrants
Every Immigrant in Indiana is thriving
Our Values
We embrace accountability by consistently holding ourselves responsible for the outcomes of our programs and initatives. We strive to address the needs of our immigrant neighbors,community partners, and stakeholders with transparency and effectiveness.
Collaboration is at the heart of our apporach. We believe we can create more welcoming and inclusive communities by working together with immigrant neighbors, community partners and stakeholders.
We are committed to equity. We strive to eliminate disparities by providing fair and unbiased access to resources and services. We acknowledge and value the unique strengths of everyone within our diverse communities.
Building trust is foundational to our mission. We cultivate open and honest relationships with immigrant neighbors and community partners to ensure safe, inclusive, and welcoming communities.
Additional Support
Meet Our Team
About Us
Join Our Team
Join the next generation of people helping immigrants and refugees build homes in Indiana.
View Careers
Additional Support
Our Board
Lisa Sirkin Vielee
Chair
Owner & President, Well Done Marketing
Naomi Kwang
Immediate Past Chair
Partner, Barnes and Thornburg, LLP
Ashley Overley, M.D.
Secretary
Chief Executive Officer, Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center
Kristie S. Johnson, PhD, CFRE
VP of Development & External Affairs, The International Center
Tammy Lieber
Editor Enterprise Marketing and Communications, One America
Soula Banich
VP – Chief Operations Officer, ISR
North Hospital, supporting Saxony and Tipton IU Health
Dulce Vega
Development Director, Crossroads of America Council, Boy Scouts of Indiana
Ephraim Palmero
Program Officer, Policy & Engagement LISC Indianapolis
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
Luisa Macer
Treasurer
Community Outreach & Fan Engagement Manager, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Linda Simba
Clinical Labs & Data Sciences Advisor, Eli Lilly and Company
Charles J. Garcia
President & CEO, C GARCIA ASSOCIATE, INC.
Leonard Hoops
President & CEO, Visit Indy
Nida Ansari
Chief Executive Officer, Karmic Partners
Mark Wuellner
Chief of Staff, Brown Lier Law
George Khazal
VP of Systems and Infra Engineering, Salesforce
Ritu Chokshi
Partner & Immigration Attorney, Chugh
Michael B. Murphy
President, CUMARSAID GROUP INC.
Mario Rodriguez
Executive Director, Indianapolis Airport Authority
Aaron Spiegel
Executive Director, GIMA
Amy Minick Peterson
Founder and Board Member Emerita Decorate
About Us
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.