Join QCAIR and East Moline Main Street for Harmony Fest on September 19!
Our
Voice
Matters
At QCAIR, we believe the New Americans Initiative has the power to help transform communities through organizing civic engagement. QCAIR aims to mobilize foreign-born Quad Citians by supporting pathways to citizenship, providing voter education, registering voters, and encouraging active participation in civic life.
The Numbers
There are an estimated 600 immigrants living in QCA.
If we were all in one county, our population would be bigger than every county in QCA other than Jefferson and Fayette.
By THe Numbers
The Gap
The Quad Cities is home to around 35,000 immigrants.
Language barriers, trust, and accessibility of information can make it difficult for immigrants to become acclimated to the community and that is where QCAIR steps in.
The Need
The Immigrant Family Resource Program (IFRP) addresses a critical need in the Quad Cities by helping immigrant and refugee families navigate systems that can be difficult to understand, especially when language and cultural barriers are involved.
Who We
Are
The Quad Cities Alliance for Immigrants & Refugees (QCAIR Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012. We support immigrants, refugees, and their families by connecting them with vital resources and services. At the same time, we work to highlight the talents, skills, and contributions these new neighbors bring to our community and our country.
What we do.
QCAIR is very involved in the civics process. We hosts legal clinics and workshops across the Quad Cities to support immigrants who are eligible—or soon will be eligible—for U.S. citizenship. These clinics are designed to break down the most common barriers to naturalization, such as lack of knowledge about the process, the high cost of filing fees, and challenges with the English portion of the interview. By providing limited legal representation, education, and resources, NAI helps foreign-born Quad Citians move forward on the path to citizenship. Beyond the legal process, QCAIR also offers civic engagement workshops, empowering new Americans to participate fully in our democracy and to learn to communicate with other citizens. Over the next five years, these efforts will not only increase the number of naturalized citizens in Quad Cities but also strengthen their active role as voters and community leaders. If you want to learn more about our citinzenship classes contact us with the button below.
Civic
Engagement
QCAIR provides voter education resources in culturally competent formats and multiple languages to immigrant and refugee communities throughout the Quad Cities. We also organize voter registration drives, Get Out the Vote (GOTV) events, and candidate forums to ensure every voice has the opportunity to be heard.
Our goal is to equip community members with the knowledge, tools, and strategies they need to be civically informed and engaged. Through strong partnerships at the city, state, and national levels, we work to bridge communities and amplify immigrant and refugee voices.
By focusing on organizing, policy advocacy, and voter engagement, QCAIR strives to shift the narrative and highlight how immigrants and refugees in the Quad Cities are a powerful force for progress and positive change. We are committed to year-round engagement with immigrant and refugee voters on the issues that matter most to their families and communities, while mobilizing an electorate that has too often been overlooked.
Community
Organizing
Community Organizing
QCAIR is proud to play a leading role in building coalitions and partnerships that strengthen support for immigrants and refugees across the Quad Cities. By bringing together nonprofits, schools, labor unions, attorneys, business leaders, faith-based organizations, elected officials, and community volunteers, we are helping to create a united network that stands behind immigrant and refugee communities.
Through these partnerships, QCAIR has been active in:
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Serving on leadership and steering committees to help guide coalition priorities and provide administrative support, freeing up direct-service organizations to focus on urgent community needs.
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Empowering individuals through Know Your Rights (KYR) trainings so immigrants understand and can confidently exercise their rights.
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Sharing accurate and timely information to ensure immigrant and refugee families stay informed.
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Building solidarity and encouraging collaboration between immigrant communities and their allies to strengthen the safety net of resources available.
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Supporting and coordinating with local nonprofits to expand their impact and ensure no one is left behind.
Together, these efforts help us foster a stronger, more welcoming Quad Cities where immigrants and refugees are informed, empowered, and supported.
Our Partner
The New Americans Initiative (NAI) is a joint collaboration between the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and 62 community organizations across Illinois with capacity in 65 languages.
Since 2005, the NAI has assisted low-income immigrant families with citizenship information & education, interview preparation, application processing, and citizenship scholarships for eligible Illinois residents.
HOW YOU
CAN HELP
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Provide pro bono legal support
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Volunteer to interpret or translate
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Volunteer at a legal clinic
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Staff an NAI table at community events
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Register new voters
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Work a GOTV (Get out the vote) event
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Sponsor a naturalization or work permit clinic
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Provide child care for children during clinics
Honors Dinner
QCAIR’s Honors Dinner celebrates the individuals, organizations, and community partners who help strengthen and support our immigrant and refugee communities. Join us as we recognize their dedication, service, and impact..
Harmony Festival
QCAIR’s Harmony Fest celebrates the cultures, traditions, food, music, and diversity that make our community stronger. It’s a day to come together, connect, and celebrate the many cultures that call the Quad Cities home.
QC World Cup
QCAIR’s QC World Cup brings our community together through the universal language of soccer. Teams representing different cultures and communities compete, connect, and celebrate diversity on and off the field.
Isaac Carr
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Isaac Carr is a dedicated member of the QCAIR team, committed to supporting immigrants and refugees as they navigate new opportunities in the Quad Cities. At QCAIR, Isaac plays a vital role in connecting individuals and families with resources that strengthen their path toward stability and success, from citizenship services and workforce development to benefits navigation and community engagement. Known for his approachable style and deep care for the community, Isaac works to ensure that every client feels welcomed, respected, and empowered to thrive. His passion for advocacy and building a more inclusive Quad Cities drives his work each day.
