July 25- Internship/Fellowship Projects
Empowerment
1. Immigration Table
The Immigration Table is an idea adapted from meetings that occur in the Twin Cities. This is an opportunity for immigrants/refugees to ask questions of government and other service agencies in round-table discussions. Each monthly meeting has a different agenda and host agency. This also provides the opportunity to form action groups around a specific topic at hand. The agenda is usually presentations, question and answers, and then action groups. According to Mohamed, family reunification is the number one issue right now. I am contacting USCIS and St. Cloud Legal Aide to be the hosts of this 2 ½ hour table which will occur in October (goal date of committee). The site is yet to be determined, and see “Fellowship Expense Log” for estimated costs.
2. Immigration/Welcome Guide
The United Way has a 75 page Immigration/Welcome Guide, and it has been discussed to make it shorter and more manageable for users, and to translate it to Somali. During the Immigration Table meeting we mentioned the importance of oral tradition in Somali culture and wondered if the guide should be translated and then put on a CD or DVD. I have spoken to a colleague at SCSU who does production and would be willing to help if we choose to go this route. Costs for this are not known until we decide print or audio. However, I have students at SCSU willing to do either for a small monetary amount in addition to the actual expense of creation.
3. Clothing & Supplies Drive
The money not spent on programs will be used to purchase materials for Welcome Boxes, School Supply Bags, and Warm Winter Wear packages for newly arrived refugees. These items will help them with their transition as they typically do not have many possessions, especially winter clothes.
4. Library Grant
There was a presentation at the League of MN Cities Conference that discussed the Library Services & Technology Act Fund, which funds special programs at libraries. I am looking into this grant and the possibility of applying for funds for books in Somali, books by Somali authors in English and Somali, and other types of books that would be of interest to the Somali community or those who would like to learn about Somalis. Audio tapes and videos will be important to include because of Somali oral traditions. Letters of intent are due January 2007.
Education
(Note that all of these trainings will hopefully occur before Ramadan)
1. Racism/White Privilege & Somali Culture Training (2)
The purpose of this training, which will take place on two different occasions (one during day hours, the other at night to reach as many people as possible based on schedules), is to educate the people of St. Cloud on racism, white privilege, and Somali culture. This 2 ½ hour session will be lead by an expert on racism and white privilege, Cindy, and a Somali, Mohamed or someone he suggests. The agenda is not yet created, but see “Curriculum Development” to view what I created for my class assignment, which can easily be adapted for this. The site is yet to be determined, and see “Fellowship Expense Log” for estimated costs.
2. Employers/HR Training
As I have talked to Somalis and asked them what issue that would like me to address, employment is always the top of the list. Some of the issues I have heard are prayer time, clothing is a safety hazard, touching pork, Ramadan, language barriers, and being over qualified for the jobs they are working in. This is the project that I have the least amount of ideas for or an action plan. I’m thinking Baba would be the best to talk about these issues, but he maybe able to recommend someone else also. I don’t know if this should be training for employers or a round table discussion where there is dialogue between Somalis and employers.
1. Immigration Table
The Immigration Table is an idea adapted from meetings that occur in the Twin Cities. This is an opportunity for immigrants/refugees to ask questions of government and other service agencies in round-table discussions. Each monthly meeting has a different agenda and host agency. This also provides the opportunity to form action groups around a specific topic at hand. The agenda is usually presentations, question and answers, and then action groups. According to Mohamed, family reunification is the number one issue right now. I am contacting USCIS and St. Cloud Legal Aide to be the hosts of this 2 ½ hour table which will occur in October (goal date of committee). The site is yet to be determined, and see “Fellowship Expense Log” for estimated costs.
2. Immigration/Welcome Guide
The United Way has a 75 page Immigration/Welcome Guide, and it has been discussed to make it shorter and more manageable for users, and to translate it to Somali. During the Immigration Table meeting we mentioned the importance of oral tradition in Somali culture and wondered if the guide should be translated and then put on a CD or DVD. I have spoken to a colleague at SCSU who does production and would be willing to help if we choose to go this route. Costs for this are not known until we decide print or audio. However, I have students at SCSU willing to do either for a small monetary amount in addition to the actual expense of creation.
3. Clothing & Supplies Drive
The money not spent on programs will be used to purchase materials for Welcome Boxes, School Supply Bags, and Warm Winter Wear packages for newly arrived refugees. These items will help them with their transition as they typically do not have many possessions, especially winter clothes.
4. Library Grant
There was a presentation at the League of MN Cities Conference that discussed the Library Services & Technology Act Fund, which funds special programs at libraries. I am looking into this grant and the possibility of applying for funds for books in Somali, books by Somali authors in English and Somali, and other types of books that would be of interest to the Somali community or those who would like to learn about Somalis. Audio tapes and videos will be important to include because of Somali oral traditions. Letters of intent are due January 2007.
Education
(Note that all of these trainings will hopefully occur before Ramadan)
1. Racism/White Privilege & Somali Culture Training (2)
The purpose of this training, which will take place on two different occasions (one during day hours, the other at night to reach as many people as possible based on schedules), is to educate the people of St. Cloud on racism, white privilege, and Somali culture. This 2 ½ hour session will be lead by an expert on racism and white privilege, Cindy, and a Somali, Mohamed or someone he suggests. The agenda is not yet created, but see “Curriculum Development” to view what I created for my class assignment, which can easily be adapted for this. The site is yet to be determined, and see “Fellowship Expense Log” for estimated costs.
2. Employers/HR Training
As I have talked to Somalis and asked them what issue that would like me to address, employment is always the top of the list. Some of the issues I have heard are prayer time, clothing is a safety hazard, touching pork, Ramadan, language barriers, and being over qualified for the jobs they are working in. This is the project that I have the least amount of ideas for or an action plan. I’m thinking Baba would be the best to talk about these issues, but he maybe able to recommend someone else also. I don’t know if this should be training for employers or a round table discussion where there is dialogue between Somalis and employers.
posted by sarahsomalihr at 9:35 PM
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