Bilingual International Assistant Services

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Online Auction Countdown: 8 days left to purchase Hair Salon and Martial Arts services at a fraction of the cost.
1. Beauty Sampler from Mitchell James Salon

2. $100 gift certificate at World Martial Arts ( Martial Arts lessons)

Help us raise funds by clicking on the link below and bid!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150764441959?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150764442321?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150764443107?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 (read more…)

This is a story of a BIAS client, told through the eyes of Julia Ostropolsky, MSW and CEO of Bi-Lingual International Assistant Services. Mrs. M., who has recently undergone tremendous grief and misfortune. She is an overweight Russian female in her 60’s, showing a row of bad teeth as she strains to smile. Three weeks ago, her husband of 25 years collapsed. By the time the ambulance arrived, the 62 year old man was in a coma, and within 24 hours was dead. Ms. M. is depressed. She has not been able to cook, clean or leave the house since her spouse passed away. At the age of 60, she has little to look forward to as she suffers multiple physical ailments and is applying for disability after years as a pizza maker at a local shop. Mrs. M. asked me to come to see her more often. She finds comfort in telling her story and having not only an empathetic ear but a trained clinician social worker to help her navigate through these difficult times.

And the times are indeed difficult. Everything reminds her of her husband: the sofa he used to sleep on, the TV station he used to enjoy, the china he ate from. Following his death, his wife donated his clothes. She is looking to donate his sleep machine so that it’s not thrown away, but is used by someone with sleep apnea, someone who cannot afford such equipment. Mrs. M’s daughter will soon come to help re-arrange the furniture, maybe even purchase a new sofa for her mother as Mrs. M. receives only $347.00 a month in Social Security benefit — not even enough to pay her regular bills. As I sit in her small Section 8 Apartment, as I look at Mrs. M., so stoically attempting not to cry while she is telling her story, I realize with pain that many of the reminders of her husband are gone, however his ashes rest in a vase in her bedroom. She cannot afford to bury the ashes and is living with his remains — not by choice, but out of necessity.

Mrs. M. cannot find peace since her husband’s ashes are not buried. While there are many agencies/entities with funds for public need, there are no funds available to assist with burial. The funds must come from the general public. We ask you to please donate funds to assist Mrs.M. in the burial of her husband.

By Julia Ostropolsky, CEO, Bi-Lingual International Assistant Services (BIAS) (read more…)

Social Media

BIAS is now celebrating the recent addition of Twitter to our social media repertoire. To learn more about upcoming events and stay abreast of new and current opportunities follow BIAS online at:

Twitter

Facebook

Website

The Twitter experience:  education on citizenship tutoring, civics questions to test your brain power, volunteer events, relevant news on immigrant and refugee related topics, etc.

Facebook: Photo history of past events, updates on current events and needs, social connection with supporting organizations and relevant articles.

Bilingualstl.org: Focus on programs, achievements, partners, history, a donation link, contact information, volunteer opportunities, and news. (read more…)