Civic & Cultural Education Program

The Civic and Cultural Education Program empowers new Americans with security in their rights and liberties by providing English and Citizenship instruction, including rights and responsibilities education, along with Green card and Citizenship application assistance. BACI also collaborates with community partners such as the USCIS to improve newcomers’ ability to navigate and understand the naturalization process and the US legal system. Over 7,000 individuals have been served through this program since its inception.

NATURALIZATION ASSISTANCE

BACI provides one-on-one naturalization assistance to the community members and newcomers who are in the process of adjusting their immigration status, e.g. filing of Green Card application, citizenship application, etc.

ENGLISH AND CITIZENSHIP INSTRUCTIONS

Be prepared for your Citizenship Test! Begin classes anytime, as orientations occur on a rolling basis. These classes will cover everything you’ll need to know to take the Citizenship test and help improve your English as well. All levels of English are welcome. All classes are currently held at BACI and West Perry Branch of Indianapolis Public Libraries. We will soon be introducing new classes at new location including in the Northside of Indianapolis.

English & Citizenship Instruction Classes Schedule (subject to be adjusted)
Mondays & Wednesdays: 9:30 AM-12:00 PM (BACI & West Perry)
Mondays & Tuesdays: 5:30 PM-8:00 PM
Mondays & Wednesdays: 5:30 PM-8:00 PM
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9:30 AM-12:00 PM
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 5:30 PM-8:00 PM
Mondays & Fridays: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (IPL Southport Branch)
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 10:00 AM-12:00PM (IPL Nora Branch; TBC)
BACI Center: 4925 Shelby St, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46227

Classes are held quarterly. To enroll, or if you would like more information, please fill out this pre-orientation registration form. You may also contact us at (317) 731-5537, or email to info@baci-indy.org. Walk-in registration also is available.

NATURALIZATION INFORMATION SESSIONS WITH USCIS

BACI collaboratively works with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and host free naturalization information sessions quarterly where community members can learn more about the process of naturalization and ask the specific questions they may have.

PROMOTING CIVIC AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Not only does BACI assist the newcomers in becoming naturalized citizens of the United States, but it puts forward every effort to ensure the community members are engaged and active citizens of society by promoting civic engagement and hosting special talks and conducting workshops, such as voter education.

Below a note from Executive Director Elaisa Vahnie speaking to parents on the community on civic engagement:

Excerpt of BACI Executive Director Remarks Given at Meeting With Parents And Community Members

FAMILY RENUNCIATION

BACI also assists the community members with their family reunification process, e.g. assisting with the filing of form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.

Students during a typical Orientation Session for English and Citizenship Instruction (ECI) class taking National Standardized Assessment Testing on Wednesday, ‎April ‎24, ‎2019

Photo left: BACI staff members celebrate with new Americans who have just been granted U.S. Citizenship.

Photo right: A group of community members who have successfully completed 48 hours of BACI English and Citizenship Instruction in 2017.

BACI Executive Director Elaisa Vahnie and BACI Staff Attorney Clare explaining the community members with respect to the information and naturalization process with the USCIS.

BACI Executive Director Elaisa Vahnie and BACI Staff Attorney Clare Corado explaining information about and the naturalization process of the USCIS to the community members.