Founded as a nonprofit organization in 1984 in Rochester, Minnesota, IMAA provides culturally and linguistically appropriate support services that foster the well-being and independence of our foreign born residents. An agency of the United Way of Olmsted County since 1986, IMAA’s budget is funded through a combination of public grants, private grants, service fees, and individual contributions. IMAA is also supported by the efforts of active and loyal volunteers. Last year IMAA programs helped over 500 refugees and immigrants find employment and helped guide over 5000 people through the complex systems of health, language, legal, and social services. IMAA’s programs include Interpreting & Translating, the Community Health Worker Program, Employment Program, Social Services Programs, and culturally appropriate Victim Services.

The leadership at IMAA is committed to reflecting and responding to changes in the demographics of arriving refugees and immigrants, carefully maintaining a multi-ethnic approach to services. The majority of IMAA’s 16 staff members and 17 Board of Directors members are multilingual first generation immigrants and refugees who carry out the mission of IMAA – “IMAA's mission is to build bridges between cultures by providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services”.