Cultural Connections Committee

Gate City Immigrant Initiative Meeting Minutes August 26, 2015 9:00AM – 10:30AM City Hall – Auditorium Present: Donna Marceau, Lauren Osowski, Sylvia Gale, Mark Hastbacka, Barbara Seebart, Mikayla Foster, Amy Jo Muscott, Beth Todgham, Shirley Woodward, Liz Fitzgerald, Jenn Hosking, Karen Emis-Williams. Meeting commenced at 9:00AM Workgroup Update: Resettlement Presentation: The resettlement agencies will not be able to do their presentation in September due to scheduling conflicts. This will be postponed until after the holidays. Toolkit: Janeth is working with Fairground Elementary School on their toolkit. The City of Nashua has on their website their Community Health Improvement Plan which highlights 3 health priorities: Access to Healthcare, Mental Health and Obesity. Gate City may be able to use this information as another source of information. Also need to emphasize the use of 211. Symposium: Keynote speaker: Steve Tobocman will have time during lunch to speak with a small group of people about his presentation on economic impact. One Greater Nashua will gather the people for that group. American Dream: All the panelists have been confirmed. Lunch vendors/resources: The office of Congresswoman Ann Kuster has resources about immigration. This committee would also invite Senator Shaheen and Senator Ayotte office. Afternoon breakout: Part I – Building Safe and Stronger Communities – still need to confirm that a presentative from I.C.E. and USCIS. Nashua Police Department and the FBI has been confirmed. Building Economic Strength and Diversity: The Chamber of Commerce will be selecting the business that will present. PART II – Tools to Success Value of a Multicultural Workplace: Will discuss why it’s important to be multicultural workplace. Pathways and Resources to Success: Will discuss the resources available in the community. Resettlement Agency Update: Ascentria Care Alliance: Shirley reported 1 Congolese family has been placed in Nashua, 4 Congolese in Concord, 1 Bhutanese. Coming: 4 Burmese but only 1 will be placed in Nashua. Lots of single men. In September: 14 single men from Rohingya will be placed in Nashua. They will room some of them together. Barbara reports the Boston International Institute has a new director which will bring changes. Community Announcement: Greater Nashua Healthy Community will be having a meeting on 9/28/15 from 9-11AM at St. Joseph Hospital. A gate city representative will be there to discuss the symposium. NEXT MEETING: Wednesday 9/23/15 @9AM-10:30AM at City Hall in the Auditorium