Cultural Connections Committee

Ethnic Awareness Committee – Minutes of the meeting of March 21 City Hall Auditorium Members Present: Ann Ackerman Tom Lopez, Carlos Camacho, Tom Woodward, Sharon Dalton, Scott Jaquith, and Muchmua Niva Members Absent: Jennifer Hinderer, Carmen Nunez, Johnny Perez, Representative from the Health Department, Alderman Melizi-Golia, Paul Bergeron, Patricia Howson, Ronni Karlsberg, Bruce & Mary Bradshaw, Andrew Smith and Claudia Mahr Visitors: Nasir Arush, Collin Lever, Janeth Orozco, Bernadette Melton-Plante and Dendrea Smith. The meeting came to order at 3:30 and the committee approved the minutes from the last meeting with slight amendments including the correction of Scott Jaquith's last name and a correction in the minutes that should state "Tom Lopez asked how long the refugee families were in his program". Ann welcomed visitors including guest speakers Nasir Arush from the International Institute and Janeth Orozco from Welcome New Hampshire. Ann discussed the city webpage and plans to update the resource list on the city page. Ann also restated that Tom Lopez will be taking over as Chair of the committee at the end of April even though Ann will be staying the committee. New Business: Guest Speakers: Nasir Arush; director of the International Institute of New Hampshire spoke about his agency and discussed the strong possibility of the 50 refugees from Bhutan and Iraq coming to Nashua in September 2013. He assured the committee that the International Institute will provide supports to help the families feel welcomed and be successful. Several committee members shared concerns about the shortage of resources in Nashua including viable translation services, affordable housing and appropriate employment opportunities needed to support new families. Members also gave suggestions to Nasir. Janeth Orozco spoke on behalf of Welcome NH. She explained the purpose of her agency in terms of supporting immigrant families and providing support in the acculturation process. In addition, Janeth also discussed the importance in providing cultural education to communities like Nashua and Manchester. Welcome NH has recently sponsored a prayer breakfast in Manchester and is working on a Film screening of Not in my Town There was a unanimous motion to support having a Film Festival in Nashua through Welcome NH Scott Jaquith talked about the possibility of UP With People coming to Nashua in the FAll of 2014. He has approached the Nashua Education Foundation and they are considering the proposal. The EAC discussed possibilities for supporting this opportunity without providing direct financial support. Old Business Sharon Dalton gave an update on the Gate City Initiative. The team has been discussing the arrival of new families in Nashua. Lutheran Southern Services will be appointing a new representative. Carlos Camacho gave a quick update on the DMC. All 9 points of contact are now represented on the DMC. Nashua has received a grant to provide summer programming to help keep children and teens out of the 9 points of contact. Agencies can contact the DMC if their organization wants to be involved. The meeting adjourned at 5:05 pm.