The detail activities that BAA aims to accomplish in the near future. Bangladeshi American Alliance (BAA) is an Indiana-based not-for-profit organization for the Bangladeshi Community. Our mission is to promote a stronger and healthier community through confidential support services, education, and advocacy. Guided by values of consensus in decision-making, diversity in leadership, and the dignity
and worth of every individual, BAA strives to empower and serve the Bangladeshi immigrant community. Direct Services
Crisis interventions allow for an immediate source of support in urgent situations that clients are otherwise unable to address themselves. Employment and education services such as referrals, resume development, interviewing skills, application assistance, etc. Individual and family counseling with adults and children allows clients an opportunity to begin to explore issues of self-esteem, boundaries, healing, etc. as related to the abuse. Information and referral provides clients with much needed resources that they otherwise would not know how to obtain. BAA provides referrals to a network of shelters, legal clinics, medical services, social services and social networking organizations. Legal and general victim advocacy provides clients the necessary backing to begin to find legal recourse for their situations. BAA’s staff and trained volunteers provide assistance in finding affordable legal counsel and/or accessing community-based legal programs. Interpretation and translation services help clients to better understand and negotiate the many systems they may have to interact. BAA staff also provides interpretation and technical support to mainstream agencies and shelters that serve immigrants. Community Building:
Change can only happen through relationships. Staff and volunteers partner with local and national community members, organizations and initiatives to build awareness and work towards lasting relationships. Key issues include domestic violence, immigration and its impact on survivors of violence, the myth of the model minority, hate crimes, and health education. Legal Advocacy
BAA aims to provide technical assistance to clients in complete appropriate immigration papers that will allow them to work and refers clients to legal resources that can assist in getting them proper immigration status. To benefit our non-English speaking community members, BAA has networked with several lawyers who are willing to assist some of our clients on a probono or a sliding-scale basis. To promote cultural sensitivity among local and national social service providers and criminal justice agencies BAA aims to provide technical assistance to police departments, health care providers, battered women’s shelters, and domestic violence agencies such as Women’s Resource Center, hospitals and Police Department. Economic Empowerment
BAA’s Economic Empowerment Program
BAA’s Economic Empowerment Program (EEP) aims to serve approximately 50 to 60 women every year who need assistance in getting a job, overcoming transportation obstacles, women who want to pursue training or educational opportunities, clients who need assistance applying for jobs or finding better paying jobs. The Economic Empowerment Program offers the following services:
Career Coaching
BAA is planning to offer career counseling to community members on an as needed basis. BAA will offer a wide variety of structured career coaching services to clients including interview training, job search skills, networking, and resume assistance. Individually tailored career coaching sessions enable individuals to clarify career goals, reflect upon personal values, identify skills, and systematically explore career options and opportunities. Business Development Resources – Local & Online Markets
BAA’s Economic Empowerment Advocate connects clients with training and assistance from local business development organizations that assist clients in writing business plans, locating resources, and applying for start-up capital. Resume Development
BAA’s Economic Empowerment Advocate offers resume development skills training and a resume critiquing service. BAA staff/volunteers will offer expertise in technical aspects of resume development (length of resume, fonts, paper color and type, section headings, etc.). Transportation Options
Lack of transportation is a barrier previously identified by BAA clients in other places. As part of its economic empowerment program, BAA will identify transportation options for clients. Public transportation in Indianapolis and surrounding counties is far from sufficient, so this assistance can be invaluable in helping a client identify options including bus, train, or driving lessons & licensure. Expanding transportation options also expands the employability of each client.
