Last week we highlighted DFW International Community Alliance for the extraordinary work they are doing of linking different international communities together.
When I was going to college it was almost impossible to find scholarships geared towards immigrants. They were either very few or we just never heard about them.
The guide that DFW Alliance has put together is a very valuable resource for anyone interested in attending college. It is divided in to 4 very helpful sections:
Preparing for College
How to Enroll in College
Financial Aid
Directory of Scholarships—this section includes scholarships for colleges and technical (vocational) schools plus stud abroad programs.
You may have completed your studies but I am sure you know someone who is still in high school or even currently in college. Please forward this guide to them. You could make a very big difference in someone’s life.
Lots of interesting things happening in Dallas, Texas. I recently came across the website for the DFW International Community Alliance, a network of organizations serving the immigrant communities in the region. In most of these communities the members are either first or second generation Americans.
The goal of the alliance is to "build mutual understanding and respect by linking diverse international cultural communities".
To this end, the alliance publishes a cultural calendar highlighting all the global inspired events in the DFW area.
Current listings include Feng Shui, French lessons, Congolese films, Argentinian tango classes and Celtic harp concerts. There is something for everyone with many opportunities to learn more about new cultures and of course to enjoy your own.
Check out the calendar here and try something new this week.
I love, love Chicago. It is a beautiful, vibrant city and this official love from the city makes me want to pack my bags and book a flight straight to O'Hare airport.
Working with community organizations, educational institutions and the private sector, the Office of New Americans will undertake several initiatives including:
Helping immigrants learn English by expanding resources available to them.
Promoting citizenship within the local immigrant communities.
Increased access to business development and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Ensuring access to information on education, health, public safety by developing a central language policy.
Supporting the Illinois Dream Act to help immigrant children access the funds they need to go to college.
Earlier this month, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Governor Pat Quinn had signed the Illinois Dream Act. The act establishes a private fund to make scholarships available to children of undocumented immigrants. These children have no other way of accessing college because they cannot get loans or grants from the federal government. The Illinois Dream Act supports the goals of those "willing and able to get a college education, want to work hard and wish to fully integrate into society".
Let's hope that other cities will follow Chicago's lead in making immigrants feel welcome and supporting their efforts to be part and parcel of our larger communities.
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) has more information on the Illinois Dream Act. Click here to access their website.
From a report by the "Partnership for a New American Economy", comes these staggering numbers that show the positive impact of immigrants on the American economy. The report is based on membership on the 2010 Fortune 500 list.
18% of companies had at least one immigrant founder.
23% of companies had at least one founder who was the child of an immigrant.
41% of companies were founded either by an immigrant or a child of an immigrant.
20% of companies started between 1985 and 2010 were founded by immigrants.
45% of high tech firms had a founder who was either an immigrant or a child of an immigrant.
50% of medical equipment and device makers had a founder who was either an immigrant or a child of an immigrant.
7 of the 10 most valuable brands in the world are American companies created by immigrants or children of immigrants. They include: Apple, Google, AT&T, Budweiser, IBM,Colgate, McDonald's and eBay.
Companies founded by immigrants or children of immigrants generated revenues of $4.2 trillion. If this were a country, it would have the 4th largest GDP in the world after USA, China and Japan.
Red Jade: Having spent all her life here (Ruth) and most of her formative years here (Michelle), it was interesting that they both turned to their roots so to speak and embraced their "Kenyaness", in a way to determine their identity.
Rafiki: I found that very interesting too. I know many parents wonder how much of their own heritage they should pass on to their children. It was eye opening that the kids actually want to learn that heritage especially the language.
Red Jade: I don't have children but I imagine it is a difficult decision. African immigrant parents face the same challenges as say Irish/ Polish/Chinese immigrants of yesteryear who struggled to help their children assimilate believing that it was the only way their children could be successful and also avoid harassment and discrimination. Many of them forbade their children to speak anything else other than English and so the children never learnt their mother tongues. Today, it seems to us that America is more tolerant of foreigners but Michelle points out that people would make fun of her for speaking differently, dressing differently etc. As a parent if you see your child bullied in this way you may pull back from emphasizing your own cultural heritage to help them assimilate.
Rafiki: That is true but I think it is more important to encourage their uniqueness and provide support on the home front.I do not think parents should force their kids to learn another language but they should teach it until the kids decide that they do not want to learn. Their kids will thank them later. It is important to remember that kids pick on each other for various reasons and therefore help kids understand that. It is definitely not easy for a parent.
Red Jade: One of the things that both Ruth and Michelle suggested was frequent trips to the motherland. All that travel can end up being expensive. I know some parents who have opted to send their children "back home" for the holidays, letting the children live with grandparents and other extended family. This allows them to experience life as a local rather than a visitor. Talk about cultural immersion!
Rafiki: That is definitely a great idea. Spending time with extended family is so important and families should make a point to plan for their children to visit their country of origin and meet their relatives. I think most people do not do it because they fail to plan or fail to think about how they will afford a cultural experience for their children. It is important to give it some thought when you start to think about having children.
Red Jade: My co-worker, Amanda, has a Polish grandmother who came to the US as a teenager. She just turned 90 and she has never gone back. Her children (including my co-worker's mother) have never gone to Poland. This summer Amanda and her mother are going to Poland. Alicia says that her mother is very excited to see where her own mother grew up. They are very close and she feels this will help her understand her more. She says that her mother's greatest regret is that she waited so long to make this trip. I trust they will find the trip very fulfilling.
Rafiki: That will definitely be meaningful for them. I know many immigrants who have never been back and always long to go back. It is surprising that even those who do not have any known relatives still want to visit. Ruth was right; our heritage has a huge impact on our identity, even when we don’t live it every day.
Red Jade: An immigrant couple in Canada,Soji and Titi Oyenuga, decided to address the challenge of raising their bicultural children by developing a very systematic program for their two daughters. They have created an audio book to share the program and encourage others to take on this critical task. The book is called, “101 Amazing Tips for Immigrant Parents – How to Transfer Your Heritage Language and Culture to Your Children”.They were featured on the Canadian network Global TV. Here is a video clip of their story.
