Polish American Association

06/05/2026

Are you ready to take the next step toward U.S. citizenship?

The Polish American Association invites you to join our FREE Online Summer Citizenship Exam Preparation Class. This program is designed to help students feel more confident, prepared, and supported throughout the citizenship process.

Participants receive free study materials, guidance from experienced instructors, and support from PAA every step of the way. Classes are convenient, online, and held twice a week, making it easier to study from home.
Application assistance is also available through PAA’s Immigration Department.
Start your journey to U.S. citizenship today.
For more information about the class, please contact us at 773-481-5405.

06/04/2026

You Are Not Alone - Join Our “Ask Anything” Live Conversation Session 2

A lot is happening around us, and many people are feeling stressed, uncertain, or simply overwhelmed. Sometimes it helps to know that others share the same concerns and that there is a safe space to talk, listen, and connect.

The Polish American Association invites you to join “Ask Anything”, a free live conversation where community members can come together, ask questions, share thoughts, and discuss the challenges affecting our daily lives and sense of well-being.

Tuesday, June 9, 2026
2:00 PM Central Time
Free Online Event

The conversation will be led by:
• Aleksandra Papiez Zubek, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), PhD Candidate
• Mina Gerall, Community Health Program Liaison

Whether you have questions, concerns, or simply want to be part of a supportive community discussion, we welcome you to join us.
Register for free: www.polish.org/askanything
Please feel free to share this invitation with friends, family members, and anyone who may benefit from the conversation.

06/03/2026

Summer EBT 2026 Eligibility Information
Summer EBT is a program that helps eligible families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer months when school meals are not available.
If you need more detailed information or assistance with the application, please call the Polish American Association at 773-282-8206.
Eligibility Screener:
https://abe.illinois.gov/sebtPortal/ebt-screener
IDHS Website:
https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=163478
Eligibility:
A student is eligible for Summer EBT 2026 without an application if they meet one of the following criteria:
The student’s birthday is between 07/02/2007 and 08/14/2020 AND they received SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid between 07/01/2025 and 08/14/2026 OR They attended a school that participated in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) this school year and received free or reduced-price lunch.
If you want to check if you are eligible, you can fill out this screening tool:
Illinois Summer EBT: EBT Screener
https://abe.illinois.gov/sebtPortal/ebt-screener
We can help you fill out the application! Below is the information you will need for your appointment:
Household Information:
- Names and birthdays for everyone who lives with you
- Income information for all members of the household
- Parent or Guardian Information:
- Social Security Number, if you have one
- Income details
- Contact information
Student Information:
- Social Security Number, if they have one
- Name of school they are enrolled in for the 2025–2026 school year
- Student’s school district
For more information, please visit the IDHS website:
https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=163478

06/03/2026

We were happy to volunteer at this year's Hospitality Hires Chicago event. It was inspiring to see so many people connecting with employers and taking the next step in their careers.

If you’re currently looking for a job or thinking about a career change, our Employment Services team is here to help. Call us at (773) 282-1122 to learn about job search assistance, training opportunities, career counseling, and other programs designed to help you find employment.

We look forward to hearing from you!

06/01/2026

Summer registration is here!
The PAA Education Department invites community members to register for summer classes and take the next step toward their personal, educational, and career goals.
To make registration easier, we are offering adjusted office hours from June 13–21 at our Learning Center, located at 3817 N. Cicero Ave.
Whether you are interested in improving your English, preparing for the citizenship exam, building computer skills, or learning more about available programs, our team will be available to answer questions and help you with the registration process.
For more information, please contact us at 773-282-1122.

05/31/2026

Looking for a Career in the Healthcare Field?
Looking for a stable career with opportunities to grow? The Polish American Association can help you get started with training and connect you to job opportunities in the healthcare field.
Through our vocational training and job placement services, you can explore career pathways in medical support, patient care, and other allied health roles.
- Training opportunities
- Career pathways
- Fast career start
- Job placement support
Vocational training and job placement services are offered through the WIOA program. Registration is required.
Scan the QR code or contact us today to learn more:
(773) 282-1122
www.polish.org
Take the first step toward your new career today!

05/30/2026

Our Answer: I'm 40 and Feel Completely Alone - Is it Too Late to Make Friends?

This “Ask Anything” session is a part of the Polish American Association’s community health program, created to talk openly and honestly about real-life challenges many people face — especially within immigrant communities.

Together with Aleksandra Papiez Zubek, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), PhD Candidate, and Mina Gerall, Community Health Program Liaison, we explore common topics like loneliness, stress, emotional burnout, and the difficulty of building connections in a new country.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure where to start – or how to keep going — this conversation is for you.
You are not alone.

Watch the full session and be part of the conversation.

Follow us for upcoming sessions: facebook.com/PAAChicago
Support our work: polish.org/donate

This “Ask Anything” session is a part of the Polish American Association’s community health program, created to talk openly and honestly about real-life chal...

05/28/2026

When parents argue

Let’s imagine Antek or Gabrysia — loving, bright children, curious about the world, full of ideas and talents just waiting for the right moment to shine. And yet, by Friday afternoon, a familiar sense of anxiety already begins to creep in.

What will this weekend be like?
Will their parents once again speak to each other in that frightening tone that “sends chills down your spine”?
Will they have to stand between Mom and Dad again, pleading with them to stop pushing and hurting each other?

To read the full article in Polish, “Gdy rodzice się kłócą,” published by Dziennik Związkowy | Polish Daily News, please visit:
https://www.dziennikzwiazkowy.com/artykul/137135,gdy-rodzice-sie-kloca
Dziennik Związkowy | Polish Daily News website:
https://www.dziennikzwiazkowy.com/
For free trauma-informed counseling, please call our multilingual Domestic Violence Program:

Main line: 773-282-8206
Polish-speaking counselors: 773-427-6333 or 773-427-6345
Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking counselor: 773-427-6357

05/27/2026

Hello everyone!
Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve received many calls and messages from people interested in the PAA + DeVry Pathways Program. Seeing this response from the community made us happy. It’s encouraging to see people looking for new opportunities, new skills, and a new beginning for themselves or their families.
Because of that, we decided to organize a live webinar where we can come together, talk about the program, answer questions, and explain how everything works.
Register here: Polish.org/webinar
Monday, June 8, 2026
6 p.m. Central Time
During the webinar, we’ll talk about the grant-funded online Business and IT certificate pathways, eligibility requirements, the application process, and what studying online looks like.
We’re also happy that Scarlett Howery, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at DeVry University , will join us to answer questions and speak with our community directly.
If you’ve been thinking about changing careers, learning something new, or simply exploring new possibilities, we hope you’ll join us.
And as always, if you have questions, Nataliia is here to help:
📞 773-481-5400
[email protected]
Thank you for being part of our community ❤️

05/26/2026

Polish American Association is pleased to co-host a hiring event with Pyramid Workwise Alliance on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
218 S. Wabash Ave., Suite 540, Chicago, IL 60604
We invite interested candidates to join us, meet with the employer’s representatives, learn more about the available opportunities, and take part in on-site interviews.