23. Latino Domestic Immersion Cultural Competency Curriculum Julia Storm, Immersion Project Leader NC State University, NC Cooperative Extension Cambio de Colores June 2011
31. Life of New Immigrant: Finding Services, Support Mexican Consulate
32. Latino Credit Union “ We realized that our members had an average education level of seventh grade, and were accustomed to an all-cash economy typical of Latin America – they come with mistrust.” Alejandro Sánchez, Director of Organizational Development
50. Southeast Extension professionals experience Latino immersion in North Carolina http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/agcomm/news-center/ No international borders were crossed, but a recent journey across cultures was an eye-opening and life-changing experience for a group of Extension professionals. A spirit of “bienvenidos” permeated the week, as North Carolina’s Latino community welcomed Extension participants from five southern states for a new professional development program.
Slide 1: Overview: Why Now Why Extension: Many of these new immigrant families in the south are locating themselves in rural areas with little experience working with Latino families. We have a strong presence in these communities and are known as a trusted resource for rural families. We now need to grow our ability to serve Latino families by opening our arms and hearts to these families and producing services and products that they can trust and that really meet their urgent needs. This is a niche that we need to reach out to in order to help struggling rural economies and to meet the needs of families that are struggling. Likewise, we can help the long-time residents of these communities prepare to understand and integrate these newcomers and bridge the cultures.
What is a SERA? Southern Extension Research Activity
CESAR
Who we are: southern region states with individual participants. CESAR
SlidWebsite to connect leaders in the field Understanding the types of programs Latinos in the South desire to take part in Getting beyond fact sheets.. Sharing resources via a new compendium of extension programs targeting Latino audiences Interdisciplinary research Demography, family involvement, farmworkers e 3
ANDREW Having had our first organizational meeting in Atlanta in February 2008, our group has quickly organized and has already sprung into action around the focal areas. We are currently in transition between research taskforce leaders.
Currently in proposal development stage. Seeking funding from USDA rural development. Still formulating curriculum and research questions.
Upon completion, participants will have: Achieved personal and professional growth in a supportive, experiential environment Gained new insights into the challenges and achievements of Latino immigrant families and communities Gained the knowledge and cultural competency skills to engage the Latino community Expanded their network and opportunities for partnerships in local community, state and the Southern Region
Risks, reasons and outcomes of immigration
Deputy Consul General, Selena Barcelo Director of Community Affairs, Felipe Carrera Scott, MS: “the educational needs of the Latino Community could be met by a partnership between Extension and the Mexican Consulate, resulting in a win-win situation for all.”
Met with Alejandro Sánchez. Director of Organizational Development Latino Credit Union provides financial education By Leah Campbell UNC Staff Writer the Durham VOICE Between 2002 and 2007, Latino entrepreneurship grew by 135 percent in the state – faster than in any state but Arkansas, according to the most recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cherry blossoms bloom outside the entrance to the Latino Community Credit Union. Inside, members can receive financial training and bilingual assistance. (Staff photo by Leah Campbell) The Latino Community Credit Union , or La Cooperativa Latina de Credita as it is known in Spanish, is hoping to help boost those statistics. The LCCU in Durham, the largest and fastest growing Hispanic-focused credit union in the United States according to its website, is accelerating Latino entrepreneurship their accredited and award-winning financial education program. “ We realized that our members had an average education level of seventh grade,” Director of Organizational Development Alejandro Sánchez said, “and so when they come here with the mentality of an all-cash economy like they’re accustomed to in Latin America – they come with mistrust.” LCCU’s financial education program eases that mistrust. Through six workshops and intense conversations with motivated employees, financial services become accessible to the members and put them on the path to economic development, Sánchez said. The branch even holds a graduation for members who complete the program, complete with caps and gowns. Founded in 2000 by the state of North Carolina to protect immigrants’ savings from increasing burglary, LCCU serves primarily under-resourced members in the community. According to its website, it has members from all 18-Spanish speaking nations in Latin America and tailors its services to North Carolina’s quickly growing Latino population. “ New immigrants used to be known as walking ATMs,” Sánchez said. “They needed a secure place for their money. That’s why LCCU was founded.” The Durham location has inspired expansion. According to the website, LCCU branches now exist in Charlotte, Monroe, Carrboro, Raleigh, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville and Garner – opening their doors to thousands in need of the aid LCCU’s bilingual staff provides. The staff supplies members with financial literacy training and a range of credit and savings products, including Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) and home mortgages, Sánchez said. IDAs are matched savings accounts that allow low-income families to save and build their assets to purchase a home, pursue an education or start a business. LCCU is also willing to lend to illegal immigrants and help them secure Tax Identification Numbers in lieu of Social Security numbers, according to the website. “ We are just very open with our community and our members,” LCCU teller Maria Isabel Velazquez said. But LCCU’s membership isn’t restricted to those of Latino descent. Anyone with a valid government photo I.D. and $20 can invest. In fact, in recent years, an increasing number of immigrant and refugee populations have flocked to LCCU branches, including Kenyans, Burmese and Bhutanese, Sánchez said. This natural growth led to LCCU’s 2010 recognition with the E Pluribus Unum Prize, a national award for exceptional immigrant integration initiatives awarded by the Migration Policy Institute. The Latino Community Credit Union (LCCU) is a community-based and member-owned nonprofit financial institution that provides protection of financial assets, access to loans, financial independence and financial education. Based in North Carolina, LCCU is the first fully bilingual financial institution in the state.
Maria Rosa Rangell, LEP Family Outreach Olbi Dilday, CIE Coordinator
El Pueblo, Florence Siman, Health Program Director Celia,
Jose Cusicanqui, Raleigh Editor Carolina ???, Marketing Director
Salvador: El Flama Mexican Restaurant and Tinoco construction Services Gloria: Honduran woman with Greene County Health Care Outreach worker Imelda
Guillermina Ingrid Melissa Bailey
Community Action After North Carolina Immersion Phase 3: Community-Based Team Project in Home State: April – December 2011 April – June 2011 : Teams revisit community assessment; develop program plan with community partners July – December 2011 : State teams develop & deliver a program with local Latino community partners
Funding serendipity: Budget drove retreat-style accommodations, but became a learning component SRDC essential --support with planning grant --facilitation support --funding source support Plan for funding for meals for host family orientation and follow-up meetings. Budget more for interpretation at host family events and translation/transcription of host family evaluation Evening guided reflection discussions worked well Modest camp-style accommodations worked well Develop certificate program or official credit Community assessment needs more time, guidance and interactive exercises Initial face-to-face meeting would result in improved bonding and more comfort in expressing thoughts during DE sessions Need to incorporate more local CE administrative support Teams work best when geographically close Conduct a site visit with host families