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player ready...An Oak Park woman who emigrated from Iraq is hosting a fundraising bazaar at a local cafe to help those trying to become U.S. citizens.
From 5-7 p.m. April 30 at L!VE Cafe, 163 S. Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park, handmade goods like candles, cards, jewelry and more will be for sale, with profits going to the Iraqi Mutual Aid Society in Chicago.
The organizer of the event, Dima Ali, lives in Oak Park with her husband, Abdul Mazin, and their two children. The couple legally immigrated to the U.S. almost 15 years ago, when they were desperate to leave Iraq.
“I’ve never felt I am not included,” Ali said.
Last year, as the presidential election drew closer — when Ali said “things started to get ugly” with regard to anti-immigrant rhetoric — she felt the need to pursue citizenship. Ali’s children were born in America, and she said she didn’t want to risk her family being broken up in any way.
“I just was terrified,” she said. “I busted my behind to build my life in this country.”
The process took almost 10 months, and she became a citizen in early April. Ali noted she was able to pay the more than $600 in citizenship fees, but it can be tough for some who might have to choose between feeding their family or securing citizenship.
Currently, the system is backlogged as “many people in my situation are thinking the same,” Ali noted.
Ali said she’s a crafty person who loves to paint and color, so she decided to organize a bazaar. Many of the items for sale are handmade by Ali herself. A friend of Ali’s will play the violin at the event, and cafe baristas will be available to make drinks.
Items will be priced modestly to raise money for IMAS, Ali said, with the funds going to help a family in need.
Laura Youngberg, executive director of IMAS, said a core part of the organization’s mission is to help those who’ve come to the U.S. as refugees. It’s common that many immigrants have put off obtaining citizenship due to the cost, and now they want to have their papers in order, she said. One of the services IMAS provides is assistance in applying for fee waivers.
“We’re really excited about it,” Youngberg said of the fundraiser. “It’s especially critical right now. There’s a lot of fear, and a lot of concern, and a lot of uncertainty.”
Youngberg said Ali’s story is worth sharing, showing it’s possible to be successful and “it’s also possible to support your community and help the ones who come after you.” Beyond that, Ali’s education and inspiration will go far, Youngberg added.
“I really want to highlight [Ali] as a model for what’s possible,” Youngberg said. “We’re incredibly grateful to people like this who see the need and understand the importance.”
In addition to the funds she hopes to raise, Ali also hopes to spread the word on what immigrants go through to become citizens. The community embraced Ali, and she’s hoping to pay it forward.
“It’s more like a community effort,” she said. “This is my big family.”
For more information on the event, visit www.facebook.com/events/199088640588752/.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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