Cultural Connections Committee

Gate City Immigrant Initiative Meeting Minutes February 26, 2014 9:00AM – 10:00AM The United Way Present: Scott Jacquith, Brandon Anderson, Sharon Dalton, Cathy Chelsea, Janeth Orozco, Shayana Owen, Karen Emis-Williams, Paul Hebert, Maria Baymas, Sharon Cowen, Michelle Holt-Shamon, Tom Woodward, Jared Barbosa, Luis Porres, Robert Cioppa, Shirley Woodward, Lisa Conti and Maria LaPointe Commenced: 9:00AM with Introductions Review of January Minutes: Cathy Chelsea accepted the minutes. All in favor. Mission Statement: It was reviewed and several words were changed. This will be given to the working committee: The mission of the Gate City Immigrant Initiative is to provide support to orient and empower new comers and the broader community to fully integrate as citizens of Greater Nashua in good health and well-being. The goals of this mission will be achieved through outreach and providing cultural education and the continuous celebration of diversity. The Gate City Initiative strives to fully embrace integration in our community. Define the sub-committees: Karen Emis-Williams explained the distinction between the Ethnic Awareness Committee and Gate City Initiative. EAC – Serves as a liaison between Nashua community members and the Mayor’s Office. The Gate City Initiative is a subcommittee of the EAC. Gate City Initiative – Mayor Streeter formed a committee were Nashua Community Agencies (Nashua School Dept, Lamprey Health Center, Nashua Housing Authority, Dept of Public Health & Community Services, & other agencies) and the Resettlement Agencies worked together in order to address the needs of the refugees resettled in Nashua. Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) –refers to the disproportionate number of minority youth who come into contact with the juvenile justice system. NH population is 93% white, yet the jails statics show it’s 50/50. The Mayor considers the DMC as another subcommittee of EAC. DMC sees themselves as separate entity as they are based out of Concord and receive federal funding. DMC representative attends the EAC monthly meetings. Other Business/Announcements: a) Nominate a Secretary – looking for volunteers to fill the secretary position. b) Youth Ambassadors Program – ( Janeth shared with the subcommittee on the first class graduating March 25, 2014) c) DMC Summit – Boys & Girls Club on 2/26/14 from 5:00PM- 7:00PM. d) Interfaith Welcoming Breakfast -( Cathy Chelsie and Janeth Orozco are working on it) e) World Refugee Day – will be on 6/20/14. Manchester and Concord hold celebrations. Suggestion: Nashua could have the own celebration at the Adult Learning Center or join Manchester’s. f) Nashua Summer Fun – opening 6/7/14 g) Symposium Evaluation Summary- Karen Emis-Williams shared the outcome of the symposium. The group requested a copy of it which will be sent out via email. Announcements: Lutheran Social Services Shirley Woodward reported the currently fiscal year there’s been 14 cases resettled statewide which consists of 30 individuals, 4 cases (5 individuals) placed in Nashua. 1 Bhutanese individual placed with family. 2 Somali families (4 total ) all living together. LSS will be expecting more placements before the end of the fiscal year. Shirley also mentioned that LSS wants to expand to Laconia. “It’s getting harder to place in Concord”. Meeting Adjourned