Cultural Connections Committee

Gate City Immigrant Initiative Meeting Minutes June 24, 2015 9:00AM – 10:00AM City Hall – Auditorium Present: Donna Marceau, Sharon Dalton, Sylvia Gale, Mark Hastbacka, Becky Field, Shayana Owen, Jenn Hosking, Karen Emis-Williams, Janeth Orozco. Meeting commenced at 9:00AM Workgroup update: Janeth – in development of a simplified toolkit with services, name of organizations, address and contact. Symposium:  Keynote Speaker: Jose Vargas was contacted but unable to confirm for the symposium. It would still be important to bring him for a 1 day conference next year. The Endowment for Health will be sponsoring Steve Tobocman from WE Global Detroit to come to NH and do several presentations in October. He will speak about his Immigration Initiative on Economic Impact and his speaking engagements would start at the symposium. The symposium will be held on Thursday October 22.  American Dream: 3-4 panelists composed of refugees and immigrants would share their experience of living in the United States.  Afternoon breakout: PART I 12:45 – 1:30PM: -- Culturally Effective Community - Law Enforcement – Building Safe and Stronger Communities. Panelist I.C.E. NPD, Immigration (clarifying the role of each organization, what creates a safe community). The group discussed should remove Culturally Effective Community and leave Building Safe and Stronger Communities. The possible facilitators: Eva Castillo or Devon Chaffe. Sylvia spoke to Devon and she’s interested in facilitating. Culturally Effective Business: Local Minority Business Owners sharing their stories of success. Cultural competency training for the business with an exercise activity. The group discussed should remove Culturally Effective Businesses and use Building Economic Strength and Diversity. Possible facilitator Elizabeth Barry and she can also do a cultural competency exercise. Possible Panelists: Chamber of Commerce, Persian Rugs of Nashua, Triangle Credit Union, Terri Williams, or another local business owner.  PART II - 1:45 – 2:45PM Diversified Workforce: Panelists will discuss the efforts being made by their organization to recruit minorities. Possible Panelists: Bobbie Bagley (Rivier University), Carlos Camacho (NPD). Pathways to Success: Panelists will discuss the different programs available from the Adult Learning, Work Ready, and the importance of citizenship. Catholic Charities, Attorney John Wilson could do the importance of citizenship. Resettlement Agency Update: There were no representation from neither of the agencies but they sent information about their projections for their FY 2016. International Institute: Manchester – 150 individuals which may consist of 30-40 families. Populations: Bhutanese, Iraqi, Rohingya, Congolese, Somalia, Sudanese, Afghans. Nashua – 50 individuals which may consist of 10-15 families. Population is the same as in Manchester. Ascentria Care Alliance: Concord: 120-135 individuals which will consist of 30-34 families. Populations: Bhutanese, Burundian, and Congolese. Nashua: 120-135 individuals which will consist of 30-34 families. Populations: Burundian, Congolese, and Rohingya. Gate City is planning on having both agencies do a presentation on how the resettlement process works. This is being planned for Tuesday 9/22/15 from 9:00AM-12:00PM at Nashua City Hall in the auditorium. NEXT MEETING: Wednesday 7/22/15 @ 9AM-10:30AM at City Hall – Room 208