Cultural Connections Committee

Gate City Immigrant Initiative Meeting Minutes February 24, 2016 9:00AM – 10:30AM City Hall – Auditorium Present: Martha Alvarado, Sharon Dalton, Lauren Osowski, Mark Hastbacka, Damaris Njenga, Beth Todgham, Galina Szakacs, Anna Wageling, Janet Groat, Bobbie Bagley, Jenn Hosking, Shirley Woodward, Liz Fitzgerald. Karen Emis-Williams (co-chair), Janeth Orozco (co-chair). Meeting commenced at 9:00AM Resettlement Agency Presentation: Ascentria Care Alliance and the International Institute of New England will be doing a presentation on the process of resettlement (open to the public) on Wednesday, March 23rd from 9:00AM-11:00AM. This will be an extended meeting and will reconvene the regular monthly meeting in April. There will be an email sent to everyone that registered for the symposium. Resettlement Agency Update: International Institute – Anna reports there was a family of 3 and single male from Burma resettled in Nashua. A local church donated all of the home goods. There haven’t been any other arrivals due to political issues and slow process. Ascentria Care Alliance – Shirley reports in February 22 Congolese refugees were placed in Concord, 5 Burmese in Nashua and 2 Syrians in Concord. Ascentria wasn’t aware that they were going to receive any Syrians. They receive a lot of calls about wanting to help Syrians. On March 3rd an Afghanistan family will be arriving and unsure where they’ll be resettled as it depends on housing. They’ve also seen a decrease in arrivals. Community Update: -Emerging Leaders in Community of Colors will be participating in the City of Nashua Summer Fun program again which will be held on Saturday 6/4. Last year, ELCC partnered with the Adult Learning Center to create the Nashua goes M.A.D. (Multicultural Awareness Day) event. There were over 20 countries represented and had ethnic food, games, dances, etc. -United Way is working with NH Listens on a collaborative community organization on early childhood. Meeting on 3/7/16 @ 1:30 PM at United Way 20 Broad St. -Cultural Navigator Martha Alvarado has been having citizenship practice interviews at the library (east wing) – next session 3/5/16 @ 11:30AM. New session starts 3/12/16 at the library. -Investing in Communities Initiative (Janet Groat) - Champion for Change: Understanding Advocacy as an Essential Board Responsibility meeting on 2/29/16 from 4:00PM-6:30PM Next Meeting: March 23, 2016 – 9:00AM – 11:00AM – CITY HALL AUDITORIUM