CWS Interethnic Dialogues on Immigration

[notes by Katie Hengeveld] Basic idea: While refugees are provided with a good amount of cultural orientation, other immigrants generally don't have that opportunity. Some key orientation issues could be introduced into already-standing settings, such as ESL classrooms. Ideas mentioned: -tornado drills -hurricane procedures -Emergency Room versus Health Center -the right to ask for an interpreter in medical settings -the availability of immunizations and WIC, regardless of legal status -"stop, drop, and roll" -knowing which resources in your community are free -211 -Understanding Antibiotics: the importance of completing a course -Heat waves (hydration, leaving children in cars, etc.) -When the... Read more »

[Notes by Rev. Al Hoogewind, entered and edited by Jamie Pitts.] We need a better organization of services for immigrants. The missing link is a purposefully run agency to coordinate efforts: "here's how to do immigration" "these are the resources" "these are the services available" train churches and immigrants about culture need an agency to grease the employment world teaching churches how to address the cultural issues teaching immigrants to understand American cultural expectations need a warehouse connected to this coordinating agency for household supplies need to have contacts with businesses and schools We need to address the cultural issues... Read more »