WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — According to the American Immigration Council, immigrants pay more than $7 billion a year in taxes, but a nonprofit that provides counseling to immigrants in Forsyth County says there is a lack of resources for many newcomers to the community.
Creando Familias Felices offers free mental health counseling and financial and legal support to people from any country in their native languages.
The organization’s name means Creating Happy Families, and founder Connie Trejo says it was the only agency in the area to financially help immigrants who did not qualify for government assistance.
Trejo came from Cancun, Mexico, 23 years ago for a safer life for her family.
She says she started the nonprofit to offer the access that she wishes she received when she arrived in Winston-Salem.
The organization is funded by the Minority Business Enterprise Grant through Greater Winston-Salem Inc. and community donations.
The nonprofit leg of the organization, Hogar Del Inmigrante, or Home of the Immigrant, provides services to seniors, children and domestic violence survivors at no cost.
Right now, they are working to raise money for a permanent place to hold workshops and a van or bus for transportation.
“Our space is not enough for all of them, so we have a waiting list for seniors,” Trejo said. “We have seniors that are 80 years old and still working, still sending money to their families in Mexico or El Salvador. We have a lot of needs in our community.”
For more information about Creating Happy Families and the Home of the Immigrant click here.