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Free screening of “I Learn America” film in Omaha

The children of immigration, here to stay, are the new Americans. How we fare in welcoming them will determine the nature of this country in the 21st century and beyond. Schools have a unique role in bridging divides between newcomer and longer term students and families and helping all students succeed.

You’re invited to a special screening of “I Learn America,” a must-see new film on the experiences and challenges faced by a group of young immigrants adapting to their new country.

What: “I Learn America” screening
When: Thursday, December 5 – 6pm Dessert Reception, 7pm Film Screening
A new storytelling website tool – ideal for teachers and local community members – will be demonstrated during the reception.
Where: Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge Street, Omaha

“I Learn America”  follows five students as they strive to master English, adapt to families they haven’t seen in years, confront the universal trials of adolescence, and search for a future they can claim as their own. Through these five vibrant young people, their stories and struggles, and their willingness to share their lives with us, we “learn America.”

Watch the trailer:

This film is sponsored and brought to you free of admission charge by: Omaha Public Libraries, SSCA Omaha, You’re Welcome In Omaha, and Nebraska Appleseed.

A new Immigrant Nation storytelling website will be demonstrated at the reception preceding the film, sharing local stories of immigration through the decades. The interactive project includes a web platform where you can record your own immigrant story.

As many of our immigrant stories fade into memory, Immigrant Nation creates an opportunity to harness our shared history to create a bridge between those who have lived in the U.S. for generations, and immigrants who have just arrived.

We hope you can join us Thursday, December 5th in Omaha.

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Columbus business tour celebrates diversity of locally owned businesses

Pages from Columbus Business Tour Flyer 10-10-2013An article in Thursday’s Columbus Telegram highlighted a recent small-business tour that invited residents to get to know some of the diverse local businesses that help Columbus’ community thrive.

From the article:

“From long-standing businesses to newly opened stores, a tour through Columbus showcased a diversity among establishments in the city.

A group of about 20 people went on the Discover Columbus tour held Tuesday evening. They were driven to eight local businesses where they met with the owners and learned a bit about the background of each.”

On a crisp fall evening, a diverse group of participants toured local establishments offering everything from photography to tax preparation and massage therapy to unique boutiques “Sometimes it can be hard to walk in a new store for the very first time,” said Christa Yoakum, coordinator of Nebraska Is Home. “This was a fun way for friends to visit some new establishments together — particularly cross-culturally –and for business owners to chat with community members about what they offer.”

Participants commented that they wanted to do it again and even suggested a few businesses they were curious about for a future tour. Several people said they had been curious about new businesses but felt uncomfortable about going in a first time. Many also expressed delight in knowing services available locally at good rates. Guests and business owners connected through stories of the business owners.

Maria Davila, owner of Servicios En General, and Eduardo and Mary Morales, owners of Venemex Video and Photography, described developing their businesses in response to seeing a need in the community or being asked for their services by community members. Davila and Jerry Morales, owners of First Class Auto Detailing, also said they were looking for business opportunities that fit with raising their families.

Future tours are being planned for Columbus, and Lincoln community members who heard about the Columbus event expressed interest in creating a similar tour in Lincoln.

Businesses toured in this first Columbus tour included: El Tapitio, Servicios en General, Venemex Photography and Videography, Mother Nature’s Emporium, Fabulous Forever, Lavender Thyme, First Class Auto Detailing, and Kay’s Place for Massage Therapy. The tour was co-hosted by Connect Columbus, United Way of Columbus, Centro Hispano, Central Community College, Center for Rural Affairs, REAP (Rural Enterprise Assistance Program), Nebraska Is Home, and Nebraska Appleseed.

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Nebraskans to celebrate National Welcoming Week

Welcoming-Week-2013-jpg-300x65A new and growing chorus of voices across the country – from mayors to business owners to everyday residents – recognize the contributions that immigrants bring to our communities and are developing comprehensive efforts to welcome them.

This week, from September 15th to the 22nd, this chorus will grow as immigrants and U.S.-born individuals come together across the the U.S. to create stronger communities during National Welcoming Week.

Close to 80 events are planned in 22 states, including right here in Nebraska, to celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of our communities when we welcome people of all backgrounds and origins.

Thursday, September 19 is World Day on the Mall, where Nebraskans will celebrate food, music, art, and culture from around the world inside Lincoln’s Pershing Center, located on Centennial Mall.

Also on Thursday, people are invited to Schuyler, Nebraska, for a tour of small businesses owned by both immigrants and long-time Schuyler residents.  This tour will showcase the richness of the Schuyler business community, bring neighbors of all backgrounds together, and celebrate how diversity continues to strengthen this small-town Nebraska economy.

Throughout this Welcoming Week, Lincoln High students and Lincoln area quilters are sharing stories and learning about each other as they create a story quilt of memories and dreams together at the Sheldon Museum of Art. The completed quilt will be be displayed publicly in the Spring.

The Omaha Diversity and Inclusion Conference on Monday, September 23 will bring together immigrants and Omaha community members, businesses, and employers to share stories and learn and develop strategies to create a culture of inclusiveness and embrace the rich diversity of Omaha’s workforce. The conference is 8:30-4:30 at the Omaha Hilton Hotel, 1001 Cass Street. To register, contact Laura de Rosier at lderosier@sscaomaha.org.

We hope you can join in one of these events to continue to promote Nebraska’s nationally recognized spirit of welcoming people from all over the world and continue to grow our state’s welcoming atmosphere for all.

National Welcoming Week includes other events across the country:

From Alabama and Florida to Colorado and California, immigrants and U.S.-born residents will come together in a spirit of unity to participate in volunteer service projects that benefit their local communities, including projects focused on collecting and packaging food and supplies, building community gardens, and cleaning up public spaces.

Local government officials will be affirming their commitment to welcoming immigrants already.  Michigan Governor Rick Snyder issued a proclamation in honor of 2013 Welcoming Week and seven Michigan communities have passed similar resolutions. In Iowa, mayors Buck Clark and Jon Crews and Rep. Anesa Kajtazovich have joined with local residents and business leaders to sign similar welcoming pledges.

Welcoming Indianapolis is bringing the community together through approximately 20 events all across the city, and during Welcoming Week’s kickoff, Mayor Gregory Ballard will share his vision on how to make Indianapolis more inclusive to immigrants.

In Indiana and Missouri, immigrants eager to contribute to their new hometowns will become U.S. citizens during naturalization ceremonies, while immigrants in Massachusetts and Tennessee will learn how to apply for U.S. citizenship through clinics.

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Eleven Brothers helped immigrant children form new family on soccer field

NEishome_featimgEleven Brothers was more than the name of their soccer team.  “We are all brothers,” the coach says. “We are all one. We respect each other. We love each other as brothers.”

The Lincoln Journal Star tells the inspiring story of how these young soccer players who came to Nebraska from Vietnam, Cambodia, Kosovo, Sudan, Nigeria, Bosnia, Iraq and Mexico bonded together, overcoming cultural barriers with respect and honesty and bonding over their love for soccer.  Their coach and mentor, Joseph Rafique, taught his young players manners, behaviors and integrity that remain now that they no longer teammates but young adults, and still brothers.

Through the common love of the sport, the youth who spoke English, Spanish, Arabic and Serbo-Croatian found success on the soccer field and a respect for each other and for each other’s culture, faith and race.

This mutual respect and cooperation is an important principle of Nebraska Is Home,  recognizing immigrants who feel welcome, valued and included in the community are more successful at integrating into their new community.

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You’re Invited – Omaha Welcoming Community Dialogue

youre_welcome_logoOmaha is a stronger, safer, and better community when we welcome people from all backgrounds and places of origin.

You are invited Monday evening to join Nebraska Appleseed, Inclusive Communities, and You’re Welcome in Omaha for a dialogue about making Omaha a more welcoming community for all people.

What: You’re Welcome In Omaha Community Dialogue
Where: Urban Abbey coffee shop
1026 Jackson St. Omaha
When: Monday, July 29, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

The event will be an informal conversation between Omaha neighbors, both those whose families have immigrated to Omaha generations ago and those who have immigrated more recently. Sharing experiences, identifying common goals and shared values will lead to greater respect among all neighbors.

Please join us at Urban Abbey Monday evening to participate in a conversation about how we can make Omaha an even better community by making everyone feel welcome.

We hope to see you there!

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Immigrants breathe new life into communities

NEishome_featimgA recent article by Immigration Impact gives a telling portrayal of the benefits that immigrants bring to their new homes – while highlighting new local efforts across the country to focus on “welcoming” initiatives that create strong communities.

New immigrants “breathe new life into communities” and help create a vibrant social, economic, and cultural environment.  They diversify neighborhoods and open businesses that share the beauties of numerous cultures.

The economic benefits are significant as well.  Many immigrants fill the gaps in the labor market and positively contribute to the state and local economies.  Immigrants with stable financial situations often start their own businesses and create jobs in their new hometowns.

Immigrants are a necessary and crucial factor in helping the United States sustain growth.  Immigrants have been an engine of this country since its creation.  Local organizations, such as Welcoming America affiliates and Nebraska is Home, help create a more welcoming community environment to help new and longtime residents find shared prosperity, because our communities are strongest when everyone feels welcome. For many of these immigrants, their potential is limitless if they are welcomed and have the belief that they can play a part in creating positive change in their community.

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Announcing the Welcoming Cities and Counties Initiative

Re-posted from a Welcoming America announcement

welcom_cities_final-300x154Recognizing that immigrants help maximize opportunities for economic growth and civic vitality and position communities as globally competitive, 21st century leaders, 14 local governments have joined the Welcoming Cities and Counties Initiative with Welcoming America.The initiative signals the growing importance of an innovative and proactive role for local governments, and the growing recognition of immigrants as assets in any community.Participating cities and counties include:

  • Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (incl. Pittsburgh)
  • Austin, Texas
  • Baltimore, Maryland
  • Boise, Idaho
  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Columbus, Ohio
  • Dayton, Ohio
  • High Point, North Carolina
  • Lincoln, Nebraska
  • Macomb County, Michigan
  • Montgomery County, Maryland
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • St. Louis, Missouri (city)
  • St. Louis, Missouri (county)

 

Welcoming Cities and Counties recognize the benefit of supporting immigrant-friendly, welcoming environments in which all community members can fully contribute and participate.Welcoming America is convening members of Welcoming Cities and Counties to share promising practices with each other and help the nation learn from their local level innovations that support economic development and create vibrant global communities that are great places to live, work and do business.In addition this initiative is supported by a growing list of partner organizations, which include: City of Chicago, The German Marshall Fund of the United States, AS/COA, and Maytree’s Cities of Migration. Welcoming Cities and Counties has also been recognized as a 2013 Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action.

If you, your organization, or your city or county is interested in learning more or participating, please contact Susan Downs-Karkos, Director of Strategic Partnerships, at susan@welcomingamerica.org.

To learn more about the initiative, visit www.welcomingcities.org.  Read more research about the imperatives for this work in Communities and Banking magazine and the Welcoming Cities report.

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Nebraska immigrant documentary screening in Lincoln Sunday

QC16x9Meet The Quilted Conscience director Sunday at the Ross

Documentary also airs statewide Friday on NET

A locally produced documentary about the welcoming of cultural diversity in Nebraska will air this weekend in Lincoln with a chance for you to participate.  The Quilted Conscience will be screened at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center (313 N. 13th St., Lincoln) as part of NET’s Coffee and Conversation series.

Following the film, you can participate in a discussion with the film’s director, John Sorenson, as well as several of the quilters featured in the movie.

The Quilted Conscience portrays a remarkable bond formed between a group of 16 Sudanese-American girls and a local quilter’s guild in Grand Island, coming together to create something spectacular.  The film shows the incredible experience of two groups of women coming together and understanding that they have more similarities than differences through the work in their hands.

Peggie Hartwell, a master quiltmaker, helps to “stitch” these two groups together in creating a quilt, depicting the girl’s memories of Africa and their dreams of America.

A community discussion will follow the screening of the one-hour film with panelists including director John Sorenson, NET Executive Producer Christine Lesiak, and several of the quilters featured in the film.

This screening is also shown in partnership with Nebraska Appleseed, Center For People in Need, and the Clyde Malone Community Center.

The Quilted Conscience also will air statewide this week on NET Friday night at 7 p.m.  Omaha residents will have their chance to view the film and meet the director, master quiltmaker, and some of the girls featured in the film at a screening Thursday, June 20th at Aksarben Cinema and Saturday, June 22nd for a pair of screenings on World Refugee Day at Omaha Benson High School.

We encourage you to watch this film to see a beautiful story about how creating a sense of welcoming strengthens our communities and makes Nebraska thrive.

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Immigrants bring hard work, creative ideas to U.S. economy

the_immigrant_advantageLast week Marketplace Money, a public radio program focusing on business and the economy, highlighted the positive effects immigration has on our nation and our economy. Two immigrants, Mario Escobar, originally from El Salvador, and Jose Luis Zelaya, from Honduras, described the trials they have gone through in their pursuit of the American dream.

Escobar, now a 35-year-old father of two, was unable to receive student loans since he had not yet been granted political asylum after fleeing the violence of his home country.  In order to put himself through college at UCLA, he juggled multiple jobs and still continues to do so to this day. He currently is working as a translator and managing his own small business as a book publisher.

Zelaya left Honduras after the death of his brother.  He was a homeless teenager before he came to the U.S. with a unique skill, crocheting.  By crocheting and selling his products online he made enough money to put himself and his sister through college.  He is now a graduate student at Texas A&M.

Claudia Koelker, the author of “The Immigrant Advantage: What We Can Learn From Newcomers to America About Health, Happiness and Hope,” writes in her new book that too often we fail to see all of the positive benefits of immigrants in our community.  Apart from diversifying our community and bringing new cultures, foods and hope, they also bring new, innovative ideas and a passion to succeed.

You can learn more and test your immigration knowledge with the Marketplace Money podcasts below.

Listen: Learn from immigrants…and test your knowledge

Listen: Immigrants get creative to survive without credit

Listen: How much would you spend for a taste of home?

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Welcoming Conference looks to create friendly communities for new Americans

A growing number of communities are recognizing the economic and social benefits of welcoming and engaging immigrant residents.

Last week, 20 Welcoming America affiliates from communities in states near and far met to discuss diverse strategies for creating welcoming communities. Detroit is creating opportunities for immigrant and long-term neighbors to get to know one another in neighborhoods.  Dayton, Ohio, is creating an initiative woven into city government which includes a city resolution and a city position dedicated to fostering relationships between newcomers and the receiving community members.

As participants from across the country discussed the importance of fostering greater mutual understanding and respect among all community members, Darcy Tromanhauser and Christa Yoakum with Nebraska Is Home  shared successes with You’re Welcome In Omaha.