Immigrants’ Assistance Center

What Immigrants’ Assistance Center does

The Immigrants' Assistance Center (IAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1971 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, providing immigration legal services, citizenship preparation, workforce readiness training, and basic-needs support to immigrants and non-English speaking individuals across the Greater New Bedford region. The organization is accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice's Board of Immigration Appeals as an authorized immigration representative, and operates with a staff of 10 professionals supplemented by volunteers and AmeriCorps members. Case managers deliver services in six languages — English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Cape Verdean Creole, and Wolof — addressing a client base of over 12,000 individuals annually (up from 7,500 in 2016).

The IAC's service portfolio is anchored by three core programs: Citizenship Support Services (achieving a 98% naturalization test pass rate across 2,200+ applications completed over 20 years), Case Management (covering food, clothing, housing, and healthcare access), and Workforce Readiness (delivered in partnership with MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center). Supplementary programs include an Immigrant Youth Program for at-risk minors ages 14-18, Elder Services for Portuguese non-English speaking elders, Emergency Family Preparedness for families facing potential detention, and a Business & Community Services line providing multi-language compliance training to local employers. The technology footprint is intentionally minimal — no proprietary systems, no API, and reliance on standard nonprofit tools (WordPress website, Google Forms, Bloomerang donation platform, WhatsApp).

All services are provided free of charge to clients. The IAC is funded through a diversified mix of donations, an annual gala (~$30,000 in proceeds), foundation grants (Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation, Cove Foundation, Grimshaw-Gudewicz Charitable Foundation, Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation), and government funding from the City of New Bedford's Community Development Block Grant Program, the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants, and Senator Montigny's Children's Equality and Empowerment Fund. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led by President/Executive Director Helena DaSilva Hughes and Director of Operations Anabel Arias. Strategic positioning emphasizes 50+ years of community trust, federal accreditation, and reciprocal referral relationships with regional legal, health, education, and workforce partners.

Name

Immigrants’ Assistance Center

Legal name

Immigrants' Assistance Center

Website

https://immigrantsassistancecenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Immigrants' Assistance Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1971 in New Bedford, MA, providing BIA-accredited immigration legal services, citizenship preparation, workforce readiness training, and case management in six languages to over 12,000 immigrants and non-English speaking individuals annually in southeastern Massachusetts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Immigration and Refugee Social Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ), Immigration Law Literacy & Rights Education (EDAAADAB)

Keywords

• Immigration legal services
• Citizenship preparation classes
• Immigrant case management
• Workforce readiness training
• Nonprofit community services

Headquarters

HQ city

New Bedford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The IAC operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization relying entirely on donations from businesses, individuals, and foundations. Annual gala fundraiser generates approximately $30,000 in proceeds.
2. Government Grants: Funding from government sources including City of New Bedford's Community Development Block Grant Program, Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants, and Senator Montigny's Children's Equality and Empowerment Fund ($15,000 grant).
3. Foundation Grants: Capital grants from foundations such as Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation ($23,000), Cove Foundation, Grimshaw-Gudewicz Charitable Foundation, and others for specific programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Immigrants' Assistance Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free, multilingual immigration assistance and integration services in the Greater New Bedford region. Its core offerings are Citizenship Support Services (classroom and tutoring for the naturalization process with a 98% test pass rate), Case Management connecting clients to food/clothing/housing/healthcare, Workforce Readiness training in partnership with MassHire, plus Youth, Elder, Emergency Preparedness, and Business/Community compliance services.

Product overview

The Immigrants' Assistance Center is a nonprofit social services organization (501(c)(3)) established in 1971 in New Bedford, MA, serving approximately 12,000 clients annually. The organization does not operate a traditional software product; instead, it provides an integrated suite of immigration and community support services. The core offerings include: Citizenship Support Services (the flagship program with a 98% test pass rate), Case Management Services (delivered in six languages), Workforce Readiness (in partnership with MassHire), Business & Community Services (for employer compliance), Immigrant Youth Program, Elder Services, Emergency Family Preparedness, and Basic Needs Support. These services are interconnected—case management serves as the entry point connecting clients to citizenship classes, workforce development, and elder/youth programs, creating a holistic support system from initial arrival through naturalization and economic self-sufficiency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Citizenship Support Services Prepares legal permanent residents in the Greater New Bedford region to become naturalized U.S. citizens through classroom instruction, individual tutoring, and application assistance, achieving a 98% citizenship test pass rate. Services include English language learning, computer skills, civics test preparation, interview coaching, application completion, and voter registration; citizenship application rates have increased 336% over the last two years.
• Case Management Services Provides comprehensive case management to over 12,000 immigrants and non-English speaking individuals annually, offering guidance on rights under current law and access to food, clothing, housing, and healthcare. Case managers deliver services in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Cape Verdean Creole, and Wolof.
• Workforce Readiness Partners with MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center to help clients achieve economic self-sufficiency through job readiness skills including computer proficiency, resume creation, employment research, job applications, interviewing skills, workplace interpersonal skills, and financial literacy.
• Immigrant Youth Program Supports immigrant youth ages 14-18 with services including English language learning, health screenings, housing referrals, psychological counseling, food and clothing assistance, citizenship education, translation services, and assistance with summer job applications, DACA eligibility, and asylum status.
• Elder Services Provides comprehensive support to non-English speaking immigrant elders including healthcare coordination, interpretation services, an Elder Day Care program featuring crochet, lacework, singing groups, fall prevention workshops, cancer and diabetes screenings, nutrition education, and community day trips.
• Emergency Family Preparedness Prepares families facing potential detention or deportation by providing Know Your Rights information, guidance on legal rights during ICE interactions, and assistance creating guardianship and financial management plans for children.
• Basic Needs Support Addresses immediate needs including food, clothing, housing, and healthcare access for immigrants and non-English speaking individuals in the Greater New Bedford region.
• Business and Community Services Provides immigration policy compliance support to businesses and community organizations, including up-to-date policy updates, bi-annual harassment training delivered in four languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Creole), and translation services for company literature and safety policies.
• English and Citizenship Classes Free English language and citizenship instruction offered to immigrants to improve language proficiency, prepare for the naturalization process, and support integration into American society; class registration is available online.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% citizenship test pass rate among students
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mass Hire Greater New Bedford Career CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2019First-of-its-kind partnership providing job readiness skills including computer proficiency, resume creation, job application, interviewing skills, and continued language support. MassHire provides intake, assessment and computer-based job search training in the classroom.
• Tufts Health PlanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGala & Fundraiser sponsor for 2026 event.
• Bristol County Savings BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGala & Fundraiser sponsor for 2026 event.
• Eastern BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGala & Fundraiser sponsor for 2026 event.
• Southcoast HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouthcoast Health nursing staff visits the IAC monthly to conduct health screenings. Partnership for elder services and health fair.
• Coastline Elderly ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Elder Day Program serving Portuguese non-English speaking immigrant elders in a weekly Health, Wellness and Social program.
• South Coastal Legal ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate organization for legal services referrals.
• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall RivercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate organization for immigrant services referrals.
• New Bedford Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for census outreach, emergency family preparedness information sessions, and ELL student support.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Rescue Committee (IRC): Major international humanitarian organization providing refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and workforce development across the U.S.; broader portfolio and scale, but overlapping service lines with IAC, especially in workforce readiness for newly arrived clients.
• HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society): One of the oldest global refugee resettlement agencies providing legal, resettlement, and integration services; broader geographic footprint and scale than IAC, but comparable in mission and BIA-accredited legal service delivery.
• U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI): National nonprofit operating refugee resettlement, integration, and immigration legal aid programs across multiple U.S. cities; same overall mission as IAC with significantly broader scope and resources.

Direct peers

• MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center: Local workforce development board partner of IAC providing job readiness and computer training; directly comparable as a public workforce intermediary operating in the same geography with overlapping workforce readiness services for immigrants.
• Justice For Our Neighbors: National network of free immigration legal services clinics affiliated with faith communities; directly comparable as a BIA-accredited nonprofit providing low-cost or free immigration representation, citizenship support, and community-based integration services.
• South Coastal Legal Services: Legal aid affiliate serving the South Coast of Massachusetts including New Bedford; provides immigration legal representation and is a direct referral partner to IAC, making it a peer in adjacent legal services delivery.
• International Institute of New England (IINE): New England-based nonprofit providing refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, workforce training, and case management — directly comparable service mix to IAC and a potential regional expansion or partnership model.
• Refugee & Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES): Large nonprofit providing free and low-cost immigration legal services and education to underserved immigrant children, families, and refugees; comparable in mission, accreditation status, and service breadth to IAC, though at much larger scale.
• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River: Affiliate partner of IAC and a regional Catholic Charities affiliate providing refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and case management across southeastern Massachusetts — same geographic catchment, same client base, and overlapping service lines.

Regional players

• MIRA — Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition: Statewide policy and advocacy coalition for immigrants and refugees in Massachusetts; complementary rather than directly competitive, serving as a regional umbrella that IAC could partner with for policy advocacy and capacity support.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/immigrantsac
• Facebookfacebook.com/ImmigrantsCenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/immigrantscenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Immigrants’ Assistance Center