The Center educates both immigrants and allies on local, national and global social justice issues affecting immigrants and refugees. In addition to holding public forums, the Center offers a six-week long popular education course (four times per year)—Refugee and Immigrant Solidarity Education (RISE) Workshops. Through RISE, participants work together across cultural lines to develop a thorough knowledge of the dynamics of immigration, influences on immigration policy, and effective community organizing.

Our civic engagement program empowers immigrants and refugees throughout the Portland Tri-County region to develop a unified voice, advocate for their rights, and create an environment in which they are recognized and supported as valued community members. The program provides a pathway for immigrants and refugees to participate in democratic processes through skill-building workshops and hands-on projects that produce concrete improvements in their lives.

ORGANIZING AND MOBILIZATION

The Center holds organizing trainings for immigrant and refugee community leaders and mobilizes multiple diverse constituencies to act collectively. 2009 trainings include: Basics of City Government; Introduction to Community Organizing; Politics of Oppression (Poverty, Class, Gender, Immigration Status, Race, etc.); Power Analysis; Meeting Planning, Turnout and Facilitation; Conflict Resolution; Volunteer Recruitment and Base Building; Media Planning and Cross-Cultural Movement Building.

INTERGENERATIONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

The Center develops new leaders throughout our various internal and external programs, giving special attention to youth. CIO has also established a structured, year-long leadership development program, Pan-Immigrant Leadership and Organizing Training (PILOT) that serves emerging first generation immigrant and refugee leaders.