Marianna Omazic, manager of immigration services for Jewish Vocational Service of Kansas City, Mo., has made it a part of her schedule to help immigrants here by coming to Emporia twice a month to offer her services.
Omazic, who comes to Emporia on the first and last Friday of each month, has been with JVS for seven years. She sets up shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 2 Neosho St.
On April 27, Omazic sat in the church, visited with clients and explained what services she offers. Omazic said she can offer passport-style photos; advice on basic immigration laws, citizenship and legal residency; and family-based immigration services.
“We assist with travel documents, work permits and we also serve refugees to get their green cards and bring their family over,” Omazic said. “From time to time, we receive folks that want to immigrate through their employers.”
Omazic said JVS has a wide range of services for immigrants and refugees as well as citizens. The services include vocational rehabilitation, immigration counseling, refugee resettlement, the Center for New Americans and refugee employment services. JVS is a private, non-profit corporation devoted to helping people and families achieve self-reliance.
“That makes us very diverse in services,” Omazic said.
Omazic, who is bilingual in English and Spanish, hopes to bring some of the agency’s many services to Emporia. She said she’s only been to Emporia a few times so far. The organization has begun a six-month pilot project to determine if there is a need for its services in Emporia.
So far, she said, business has been slow.
Omazic said JVS has worked with Catholic Charities in Emporia.
“Our main goal is to try and see if there’s a need in Emporia,” she said.
“Hopefully, it will pick up.”
• To make an appointment with Omazic, call Gladys Velasquez at (816) 471-2808, Ext. 1169. Appointments are available on the first and last Friday of each month at Grace Methodist Church, 2 Neosho St..