Receptionist Elizabeth Garcia (left), and Immigration Advocate Cindy Ruiz, assist clients at the Hispanic American Community Education and Services Agency’s office in Waukegan. (Photo by Gregory Harutunian/for Chronicle Media)

The history of Waukegan’s south side, starting in the 1910s, encompassed multiple ethnic groups forging a community built on jobs at the lakefront Washburn-Moen wire-bailing mill, and a muted common fear of new surroundings.

At the northeast corner of South Street and Sheridan Road, stood the Barwell Settlement, which became a magnet for providing resources, from lessons in English to renting ice skates in winter.

The settlement is long gone but the uncertainty in adjustments for immigrant families is still prevalent, as is the process of naturalization. The Hispanic American Community Education and Services (HACES), a non-profit agency, has been working toward supplying social services and guidance in meeting the needs of Lake County’s diverse immigrant community. Its mission focuses on citizenship, and assistance, for all ethnicities.

“I started with this area of concern 30 years ago when the amnesty took effect,” said Maria-Elena Jonas, the organization’s CEO, and founder. “HACES has been in existence for 10 years, and the reason is the great need for these services. Community involvement and citizenship are at the core of our efforts, and we stress that our doors are open to all ethnicities.

“One major task for new arrivals is the high cost of legal fees for services, charged by attorneys,” she said. “When people earn minimum wage, it is difficult for them to afford those costs. We became trained and hold a special license from the Board of immigration Appeals, to provide those same legal duties, without being attorneys.”

Those services include assistance with immigration, citizenship, personal counseling, navigation of health care plans, literacy, housing counseling, and parent mentor development. Consumer fraud protection, and an advocacy program also factor into the milieu. Located at 641 Lorraine Ave., the agency is a center for the wealth of services available through different channels.

Programs such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), enacted in 2012 by a federal executive order, protect undocumented youths.

“There are approximately 600,000 nationwide, for new arrivals, before their 16^th birthday,” said Cindy Ruiz, an Immigration Advocate for the agency.

“My Latina side, I understand the problems since my husband was an undocumented alien, and started working illegally,” she said. “When I met him, we petitioned successfully for a status change because my American side knows you need to follow the rules. Why is it you have money to buy a car or a home, but don’t have money to correct your papers?”

Ruiz also said that the agency prefers to give clients the opportunities, and they will do the legal review for status eligibility.

“These are somewhat complex issues that are compounded by an inability to speak the language, so we translate and interpret,” said Ruiz. This is the road to citizenship and we are able to help about 25 clients per month, with these steps. And our residency consultants charge $30, where attorneys would list a $250 fee.”

The agency held a voter registration session Apr. 30, at the Fr. Graf Center, which is part of the Holy Family Church parish at 450 Keller Avenue.

“Normally, these are held once every two months or so, but with the Nov. elections, there is a great demand to register and being able to vote,” said Jonas. “This is a fundamental right, and something very important to our community.”

The agency received a distinguished certificate of appreciation from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) four years ago, for its assistance in obtaining participation from the Latino community in identifying transportation needs in Lake County. In 2014, the U. S. House of Representatives recognized HACES with the Outstanding Commitment to the Achievement of Citizenship Award.

“Our clients aren’t just from Lake County … they come from McHenry County, Wisconsin, and the outlying areas,” said Jonas. “Our services offer an advantage for all ethnicities. We have clients from all over the world, which attests to that ethic.”