How to Engage Local Leaders in Refugee Welcome July 31, 2014 Fostering Community Engagement and Welcoming Communities is supported by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR/ACF/DHHS)
Mayor Welcomes Refugees to Lincoln, Nebraska “It is important to me to welcome you to this place as your new home […] We encourage you to share your culture with the entire community, like the event you’ve planned today. It’s important we all continue working to build bridges with people who come from old and rich traditions.” -Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler at a recent Karen New Year Celebration
Today’s Agenda 1. Case Study: Lessons from a Refugee Resettlement Provider Anna Crosslin, International Institute of St. Louis 2. Case Study: Lessons from a Local Government Leader Barbara Murock, Allegheny County Department of Human Services 3. Moderated Discussion
Immersion Investment Inclusion Engaging More Community Leaders Anna E. Crosslin, President & CEO
• What are desired outcomes? • Which leaders per outcome? • What messages have resonance? • How/where can you engage? • What have you got to offer? Service Leadership Partnership
Desired Outcomes Examples: • More welcoming community • Improved agency sustainability • Stronger economy for all Immersion Investment Inclusion
Identifying Connections • Different set of connections for each outcome • If you have enough outcomes, sooner or later sets will connect/overlap Examples: elected officials, business leaders, faith leaders, immigrant community leaders Immersion Investment Inclusion
Messages that Resonate • Formulate based on issues of the city/region, not based on client needs. Examples: • Millenial attraction and retention • Immigrant entrepreneurs • Foreign-born as new population source Immersion Investment Inclusion
Opportunities to Contact/Meet • Be intentional • Identify circles where such leaders interact • Attend events & volunteer on region- wide committees & task forces • Make friends with media Immersion Investment Inclusion
What You Can Offer • Knowledge of ethnic communities which include their constituents & customers • Access to immigrant leaders • Connections to mainstream services • Pipeline for population growth Immersion Investment Inclusion
Before You Reach Out • Make a plan & perfect your elevator speech BASED ON THE BEST MESSAGING • Make sure your internal house is in order; the best time to engage leaders, start programs & raise funds is when your organization is healthy! Immersion Investment Inclusion
A Current Message “Our community needs greater capacity to welcome and integrate immigrant newcomers by 2020 when the MOSAIC Project reaches its goal for St. Louis to be the fastest growing region for immigrants.” Hence… Immersion Investment Inclusion
St. Louis’ New & Vastly Expanded Welcoming Center International Institute of St. Louis Arsenal Headquarters Campus 132,000/sq. ft. in 5 buildings on 3.7 acres; purchase & renovation: $4.5 million. Capacity to expand services annually from 7,500 to +12,000 or more.
Anna E. Crosslin President & CEO International Institute of St. Louis 3654 S. Grand Blvd St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 773-9090 x 119 crosslina@iistl.org www.iistl.org Immersion Investment Inclusion
Allegheny County Department of Human Services Immigrants & Internationals Initiative Welcoming America Webinar on Leadership Engagement July 31, 2014 15
Allegheny County DHS Immigrants & Internationals Initiative • Department of Human Services • Demographics; Immigrants and Refugees in Allegheny County • Immigrants & Internationals Initiative • Immigrants & Internationals Advisory Council 16
Allegheny County DHS Immigrants & Internationals Initiative • Strength in Numbers – Collective voices – Approaching leaders as a group – Create a ‘Tipping Point’ 17
Allegheny County DHS Immigrants & Internationals Initiative • Strength in Numbers – Come with a focused agenda, not just a meet and greet – Understand the landscape and identify the right channel (state DPW, City, County, etc.) 18
Allegheny County DHS Immigrants & Internationals Initiative • Positive problem-solving – Frame the issues, offer solutions – Assume goodwill and commitment to common good (win-win) – Always conclude with next steps 19
Allegheny County DHS Immigrants & Internationals Initiative • Program development: Expand Access to existing programs or services, or Develop specialized programs – Catalyze ideas and activities – Pilot promising programs – Build sustainability and ownership – Give credit and recognition 20
Allegheny County DHS Immigrants & Internationals Initiative • Immigrant leadership development – Help immigrants speaking for themselves at meetings and community presentations – Promote and support development of ethnic associations and organizers – Facilitate Ethnic community leaders building relationships with municipal governments, schools, etc. – Look for opportunities to connect immigrant and receiving communities 21
Allegheny County DHS Immigrants & Internationals Initiative • Immigrant leadership development – Wide representation of groups on Council – Participation in Advisory Council gives a voice, and seen as effective – Consistent support builds a strong relationship (but don’t over promise) – Commitment reciprocation 22
Allegheny County DHS Immigrants & Internationals Initiative • Collaboration – Reach out and engage local institutions • Schools, hospitals, police, local government – Consistent outreach and dependability • Attracts engagement from others • Connect, Connect, Connect – Within and across communities and organizations – People, opportunities, resources 23
Allegheny County DHS Immigrants & Internationals Initiative • Effective strategies – Strength in numbers – Positive approach to problem solving – Immigrant leadership development – Collaborate wherever possible 24
Allegheny County DHS Immigrants & Internationals Initiative Thank you! To learn more about the Allegheny County Immigrants and Internationals Initiative : Your Culture is Valued Here: Lessons from the DHS Immigrants and Internationals Advisory Council Immigrants and Refugees in Allegheny County: Scan and Needs Assessment http://www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/imm-intern/index.aspx 25
Moderated Discussion
Additional Resources: www.welcomingrefugees.org
Announcing the Leadership Learning Circle Who: People interested in joining a deeper conversation about leadership engagement What: An opportunity to connect with a peer network and today’s speakers When: August 18 th from 2:30-3:30 pm Eastern Time Where: Conference call Why: To develop greater expertise around how to use leadership engagement to reach your organization’s goals
How to Join the Learning Circle Send us an email with the following: 1. The geographic reach of your work 2. Why you would like to join 3. Leadership engagement topics of most interest. hannah@welcomingamerica.org Deadline: Monday August 4, 2014
National Welcoming Week www.welcomingweek.org September 13 – 21, 2014 • Bringing together immigrants & receiving community • Many possibilities: service projects, soccer, film, citizenship ceremonies, international food festivals and mayoral proclamations • Tailor this to your community – make it fun!
National Welcoming Week 2 • In 2013, we had 150 events with 6,000 participants. Help us knock that number out of the water! • Register your event(s) by August 7 th and receive 5 free National Welcoming Week t- shirts, a large banner and 50 buttons. • Visit www.welcomingweek.org to learn more and register!
NWW Resources • For ideas and more information, join us for our next Welcoming Week webinar. Register at http://bit.ly/nwwwebinar • Listen to a recording of our July 10 th Storytelling Webinar at http://bit.ly/wwstorytellingwebinar • Access iNation’s Welcoming Week Activities Toolkit to find even more ideas and information about creating a NWW storytelling event at http://bit.ly/storytellingtoolkit
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