Building bridges with the Mexican economy

Posted on March 29, 2012 by comm5775

By BLAKELY BOWERS

Immigration has always been an issue in the United States, and continues to be. With immigration comes the issue of racial profiling, or singling an individual out for criminal suspicion based solely on skin color or ethnicity.  Racial profiling is illegal, but often this discriminatory pigeonholing sets the enforcement tone for those in the law enforcement profession.

“If you give the public an example of conduct to follow, get them to enlist and help stand up for what’s right instead of just accepting or allowing these wrong things to happen in their society, then we can make progress” said Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank. “We need to make sure that criminal behavior profiling is setting the tone, not racial profiling.”

According to Burbank, immigration is the biggest issue facing law enforcement in Salt Lake City, and it’s a matter in dire need of reform. Salt Lake City has one of the highest percentages of legal refugees in the country, he said, along with a steadily increasing number of illegal immigrants. As the number of immigrants rises, so does the need for change.

A Salt Lake City police officer who asked to not be named because of his current work as a narcotics agent, said, “In the past 20 years on duty, I have never seen an issue so impacting on so many levels as immigration is. In some way my job as an officer is impacted by immigration on a daily basis.”

The language barrier plays a big role in this change. “In order to narrow the divide between those who speak English and those who don’t, the community should provide more assistance and printed material in other languages” Burbank said. Some say it is unfair that we make exceptions or change our ways to accommodate non-English speakers, seeing it only fit that immigrants learn the language. The only way for them to progress as contributors to our society is by providing them the necessary measures to know how to follow the laws, to start off on the right foot, and to learn the language.

Burbank tells a story he said is far too common in Salt Lake City, about an immigrant who was misinformed by an acquaintance that he could purchase a license plate from him, slap it on the back of his car and drive legally. The inevitable happens: he is pulled over by the police, confused and still unsure of exactly what’s going on. Driving an unregistered vehicle with stolen plates, this is just the beginning of his troubles.

By preventing the undocumented from having the right information regarding laws and regulation, society is not preventing illegal immigration, Burbank said. “We are allowing them to drive improperly; we are allowing them to break the law unknowingly.” The Salt Lake City Police Department now publishes a handbook for people to read in more than 14 languages. This handbook provides immigrants with the information they need in order to become legal, to properly drive, to register vehicles and to observe neighborhood zoning rules.

You can read detailed information about these handbooks and more immigration assistance here.

Paul Ahlstrom, a long-time Salt Lake City resident, moved his family to Monterrey, Mexico almost three years ago to run a venture capital firm. He has a strong relationship with the state of Nuevo Leon, the state in which Monterrey is located. Watching first-hand the immigration issue from both sides, Ahlstrom became a driving force behind HB 466, which became law in 2011. In brief, the bill passed to start a state program corresponding with the federal guest worker program beginning a partnership between Utah and Mexico to start bringing guest workers here.

“The main factor in this bill is creating a proper way to study the legal, economic, cultural, and educational impact of illegal immigration on Utah. Providing a way to find the right answers in the right ways, not just creating a temporary solution,” Ahlstrom said. To read about Ahlstrom’s current progress in assisting Mexican entrepreneurs, you can visit the Alta Ventures website.

He advocates for providing the right aid and information for immigrants, not simply continuing to allow their illegal entrance to the U.S.  He believes the answer is to assist Mexican citizens in strengthening their own countries by building their economies. “We need to see the positive impact these immigrants have on our country, as well as the positive impact we can have on theirs. The best immigration policy for Utah is aiding in building the Mexican economy.”

Filed under: Immigrants & Refugees, Law and Justice, Student-Journalists, Utah's Economy | Leave a comment »

America, land of the free: Salt Lake City police chief outlines a long history of racial profiling

Posted on March 29, 2012 by comm5775

by FRANCES MOODY

“We are an affective arm of oppression because we stand ready,” said Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank. He was speaking of the existing biases within legal systems. Prejudicial laws, he said, can act as weapons inflicting unfair oppression against one group of people. To Burbank, biased laws make it OK for police and politicians to “stand ready” and discriminate. This form of discrimination prompts racial profiling, Burbank said.

Burbank’s 21 years of experience on the Salt Lake City police force helped form his opinion on the subject of illegal immigration. He has witnessed an increase in illegal immigration and has noticed peoples’ inclination to strictly crackdown on undocumented workers. When speaking to a University of Utah class, Burbank explained how current biases in law enforcement trace back to historical occurrences.

According to Burbank, racial profiling helped construct a legal system with biased laws. Perhaps, these prejudice laws of generalization created the segregated workforce in the United States today.

Segregation in the United States has a long history. From slavery to Jim Crow laws, segregation created a trend of racial profiling against African immigrants. The 12th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution allowed the legalization of slavery. Africans were imported and put to work, working hard labor jobs. When slavery ended with the Civil War, the South designed another form of segregation by enforcing Jim Crow laws

Jim Crow created a caste system in many southern states. For instance, African Americans were segregated from white people. They were forced to drink from their own drinking fountains, use different bathrooms, etc.Though free, African-Americans still worked hard labor jobs that no one else wanted and the segregation cycle continued. .

Today, racial profiling against African-Americans may be prominent. Burbank stressed that the majority of people conclude that African American people are criminals. “What’s the majority population in prison? African-American males between the ages of 18 and 35, they’re obviously criminal, aren’t they?” Burbank said, with a hint of sarcasm.

Along with the immigration of African slaves came other immigrants. New groups traveling to the United States came for a fresh start. History documents that they discovered a similar form of prejudice and favoritism experienced by African slaves. Biased opinions against Irish immigrants became prominent in the mid 1800s.  “Jobs were hard to find. Employers often advertised their unwillingness to take on the newcomers by hanging out ‘No Irish Need Apply’ signs. Irish women did find work as domestics, stereotyped as “Biddies,” short for Bridget,” published website, assumption.edu, said.

Finding work as an Irish man or woman proved itself a difficult task. “Back east all the Irish families are cops or firefighters. Nobody of any dignity wanted to be police officers…The Irish couldn’t get anything else. Segregated as we segregate Hispanics, they all became cops.” Burbank said. The idea of discrimination in the mid 1800s created an Irish family occupation trend.

Burbank also mentioned Italian immigrants struggles against biases. Some citizens viewed Italians as violent people; they also faced the problem of finding a job.  After poor treatment, Italians banned together and generated revenue in alternative ways.  During prohibition the American/ Italian Mafia produced profits through illegal sales of alcohol. Historical figures like Al Capone became prominent in U.S. history and media.

The Italian Mafia is present in pop culture. Reality Television shows like Growing Up Gotti and Mob Wives showcase media’s view of American-Italian decedents. Yet another form of biased opinion stands prominent in contemporary society.

After explaining biases in history, Burbank highlighted the struggles that a new group of immigrants are facing. He offered the idea that while prejudice opinions and laws rise up in culture on a national level, those preconceptions also surface on a local level. Illegal immigration prances to the hotspot of political attention, even in Salt Lake City legislation and business. As police chief, Burbank encounters such local issues.

People of Hispanic descent migrate to the United States everyday. However, many of them find difficulty in becoming legal. As illegal immigrants, the process of finding work may show to be a daunting task. In order to find work, some have been known to buy or forge documentation that looks legal.

The struggle of becoming legal punctures the well being of many businesses that hire employees with false documentation. In Salt Lake City, a local bed and breakfast faced turmoil when the entire housekeeping staff proved to be illegal. For protection, the names of the manager and hotel shall remain anonymous. “They all had documentation that looked totally legitimate. They came into my office and said we are all illegal… Because they told me that, I had to verify our entire staff,” the manager said.

The entire staff lost their jobs and livelihood. Most of them remained in Utah, but have not found work due to new policies of employee verification.

The hotel and its manager faced the task of replacing its view of hardworking employees who work for low wages. In cultural and business viewpoints, staff like this hotel’s housekeepers will work hard for near to nothing. Burbank finds oddness that these hardworking employees are often categorized as criminals in society’s mind.

This local hotel is just among many businesses that have suffered. Another prominent Salt Lake City hotel, The Grand America, faced the task of firing their housekeeping staff after an investigation.

Burbank closed his discussion with the U of U class and left students to ponder on new ideas and different outlooks. Among the new opinions Burbank offered that if new opinions and laws emerged, people like these housekeepers can become legal and break away from the criminal profiling they all face.

In political standards, many Utah politicians and law official hold the same existing biases in United States past and present history. Officer Burbank hopes to break away from racial profiling. Being in the minority, his viewpoints face scrutiny. “Salt Lake City, sanctuary Burbank, they actually have a wall with my name on the hill now because they are actually going to throw out all the police chiefs who don’t enforce immigration laws as they see fit. Not only do Hispanics have no judicial process, review or civil rights, neither do police chiefs,” Burbank said.

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Filed under: Hispanics & Latinos(as), Immigrants & Refugees, Law and Justice | Leave a comment »

Boys and Girls Clubs, dealing with stereotypes and challenges

Posted on December 1, 2011 by comm5775

Story and slideshow by COLLIN McLACHLAN

Take a look at the Lied Boys and Girls Club

“Is it this one teacher?”

“No, not that one. Can you find it? Does anybody know what the answer is?”

“Is it this one?”

“Yep, that’s it. Good job, José. It’s true that most kids are not drug users.”

If this sounds like the dialogue of a normal classroom, that’s because it is. The students in this classroom are trying to answer a question from the teacher by finding the answer card that has been hidden in the room.

This typical classroom situation was one that happened at the Lied Boys and Girls Club, which is located deep in the west side of Salt Lake City. People who have stereotypes about this area might like to learn that the kids who were part of this conversation were all Latino or African American. These kids face challenges in their life, just like everybody else. Some are not unusual, while others are totally unique to their generation and circumstance. That’s what the Boys and Girls Club tries to help with.

The Boys and Girls Club of America is a non profit organization that provides after-school activities for children and teens. Founded in 1860, the B&GC of America is devoted to being “a safe place to learn and grow – all while having fun. It is the place where great futures are started each and everyday.”

According to the club’s mission statement, the organization aims to provide its members with “a safe place to learn and grow, ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, life enhancing programs and character development experiences.”

The B&GC of America is a national organization with branches all over the country. There are two B&GC houses on the west side of Salt Lake, the Lied and the Capitol West. Like all B&GCs, the Lied Club, which is located at 460 S. Concord St. (1235 West), works with kids ages 6 – 18. The kids are divided into two age groups: the Juniors – who range from 6 – 12, and the Teens – who range from 12 – 18.

For the first hour or so kids get to “decompress” by just playing games and hanging out. Most clubs have pool tables, ping-pong tables, full gym and a food court. The club then tries to feed the students a meal every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with small snacks given out every day. Staff and volunteers will then do an activity with small groups of kids that is centered on learning.

A lot of kids attend the B&GC’s for many reasons. “I like that they help me with my homework and stuff,” said Casandra Darca, 14, in an interview. She has been attending the B&GCs since she was in third grade. “I get to have fun with my friends.”

Darca, like many members at the B&GC, comes from an underprivileged home. Her parents aren’t home during after-school hours so she has nowhere else to go. Her mom signed her up for the club because she used to be a member when she was little. “She liked it when she went here, so she wanted me to try it out,” Darca said.

Many Utah residents often have a stereotype about people on the west side of Salt Lake City. Lied Boys and Girls Club Director Tiffany Harris, 30, in an interview said that some people even start to form stereotypes about the kids she works with. “I’ve encountered a few people, thankfully not many, that will assume that all these kids are bad,” Harris said. “There’re not bad, they’re just kids.”

The kids themselves aren’t bad, but the situation they’re in might be. According to the Utah Refugee Coalition, the state is home to more than 25,000 refugees who come from all over the world.  A lot of refugee housing is located on the west side, so the B&GC works with a lot of refugee children.

Harris says that some of the challenges that these kids face really are unique. “I think there’s a stereotype that assumes that since they’re a refugee, that they’re all suffering from PTSD. That they’re all victims.” She states how sometimes a refugee’s current circumstance is what’s hard, not just their past. “Just coming to a new culture and trying to adapt and acculturate, that takes a lot of internal strength and courage, both from the parents and from the kids,” Harris said.

This does not mean, however, that what lays in these kids’ past aren’t causing problems for them. “We’ve had kids that have drawn pictures of men with AK-47s, and people who have their arms cut off by machetes, because they’ve seen that. They’ve had family members that have been killed,” Harris said.

Harris points out that many B&GC’s are intentionally placed in underprivileged neighborhoods to help improve those communities. She also says that they don’t discriminate against anybody coming. “If you can get here, you’re welcome to come,” Harris said.

It’s this underprivileged circumstance that a lot of B&GC kids are in that can cause more problems. “They’re expecting and wanting cell phones at a young age, because that’s what’s out there,” Harris said.

Kelly Gudall, 18, a volunteer at the Lied Boys and Girls Club, feels that having technology can also be a problem. “I feel like a challenge for them is just going outside,” Gudall said. “I mean they do, but I feel like it’s not as their first choice.”

Society’s increasing dependence on technology, and these kids’ inability to use or purchase technology, causes a very unique challenge for them that has not been seen in previous generations. “In school, they might be required to do some Internet research or type something up,” Harris said. “They don’t have a computer at home, and it can be difficult to find transportation to the library.” Harris points out that these kids have to wait for mom or dad to get home and take them before the library closes at 9 p.m. “That is a challenge that I never had to deal with when I was a child,” Harris said.

Despite helping its kids overcome all these challenges, the B&GC is making a substantial difference in children’s lives. A focus for the club is building relationships with the kids. Gudall says that this is one of her favorite parts of volunteering. She explains that like any classroom there are shy kids and outgoing kids. What she tries to do is get the shy kids to open up to her. “It feels like an accomplishment when a kid warms up to you,” Gudall said. “I like that.”

Harris told a story of a girl who had once shared a secret with her. Her secret was that someone had been hurting her. The club was able to take the appropriate action to help this girl. Harris realizes that it was the relationship between the staff and this girl that allowed her to open up and tell someone. “Right then I felt as though we’re doing what we need to,” Harris said.

The kids at the B&GC have a great way of changing people’s stereotypes, not only about them, but about the west side of Salt Lake itself. When Gudall first started volunteering, she said that she had an expectation of what it was going to be like. “I hate to say, but it was the stereotypical thing. But after the first time I came down here, it was so much fun.”

Gudall also says that her expectation of the west side of Salt Lake has changed. “They all seem really, really nice and really friendly. I’m not scared to come down here at all,” Gudall said.

Filed under: Arts, Entertainment, Culture, Education, Hispanics & Latinos(as), Immigrants & Refugees, Nonprofits, Organizations | Tagged: , , | Leave a comment »

Utah Dream Center: providing much needed education

Posted on December 1, 2011 by comm5775

Story and slideshow by COLLIN McLACHLAN

Last time you were around Thanksgiving dinner and you had to go around the table and say what you’re thankful for, did you say “a chance to go to school and get an education”? If you did say that, did you really mean it?

For refugees who attend the Utah Dream Center’s Open Door reading classes, anyone can see that they mean it.

The Utah Dream Center is a nonprofit organization that operates on the west side of Salt Lake City, near an area of refugee housing. According to the Center’s website, its students are devoted to “transforming their neighborhood into a thriving community.” The Utah Dream Center “holistically provides physical, educational and Christian programming to strategic neighborhoods throughout the state of Utah.”

The Center has a number of different programs that are designed for the benefit of people who are living on the west side of Salt Lake. Some of these programs are: Open Door, an after-school reading tutor program; SierraAlta Bible College; Arts Academy; Urban Flow, a multicultural dance class; and a clothing outreach program. Most of the programs that are offered at the Dream Center are free and open to the public.

The Dream Center works with refugees who come from all over the world. Volunteers from the Dream Center will go recruiting by knocking on doors of the apartments near the Center and inviting residents to participate in the activities.

“One of my favorite things is when we do the reading part of the program,” said Susanna Metzger, 27, director of the Open Door after-school reading program, in an interview. “Just reading books with the kids, I can see them learning and improving. I think that’s really awesome.”

The Dream Center focuses on a faith in Christ to effect change in the community. Its website states, “Jesus Christ’s transforming power compels us to emphasize compassion, hope and restoration in each of our programs.” The Dream Center, however, deals with immigrants from all over the world, some from areas with state religions.

“We do not try to force a religion on them,” Metzger said. “Once parents realize that we’re here to just help with their education, or feed them dinner, then I think they start to be more at ease with us.”

Metzger directs the Open Door program. It meets every Monday for reading or math tutoring. Metzger says anyone is allowed to come and receive free tutoring. A Dream Center volunteer will either help a child with their math or reading homework, or will read a book with them.

“It’s loosely structured at the beginning,” Metzger said. “So when the kids show up we’ll play with them and hang out, build relationships.” After the building relationships portion, the students will split up into two groups according to their age. These groups will rotate between reading or homework and doing crafts.

Metzger has been a part of the Open Door program for about four years. Being the director of the program, she leads the 12 to 15 regular volunteers the Dream Center has in personally tutoring the 40 to 50 kids who come in every Monday, which she says is a challenge. She says that what she loves most is seeing a student learn something. “A concept will catch in their heads and it’s one of those ‘ah-ha’ moments,” Metzger said. “I get to experience that with them. I love it.”

Shalom Boutwell, 20, has been volunteering at the Dream Center for nearly a year. In an interview, she talked about why a lot of kids love the Center. “It’s easy for a student to become comfortable because all the other students are ones they go to school with,” Boutwell said. “They’re growing up together and learning together at the same time.”

Boutwell says that her favorite thing to see is when students are excited for the opportunity to learn. “They look forward to it every week, they run to our cars as we pull up, they’re sitting on their porches waiting for us to come knocking,” Boutwell said with a smile. “They love it, and I love building those relationships, to have the students remember your name every time you come, best feeling in the world.”

Marien Niwenshupi, 13, has been a student at the Dream Center for about two years.“My favorite thing is coming and talking to the ladies,” Niwenshupi said. “They really help a lot with your homework. That’s what I really like.”

Volunteers for the Open Door program found Niwenshupi by knocking on her door. She is from Zambia, and is very grateful for the opportunity she now has to attend school.

Niwenshupi said that in Zambia, “it’s really hard because your parents have to pay money, and in Africa, that is hard because they don’t have jobs. Sometimes it’s hard for parents to pay for their students.” If parents, like hers, can’t afford to send their kids to school, they are never able to go.

“But here, it’s really nice. They pay for your school,” Niwenshupi said, with optimism in her eyes. “I wish I was there right now, because I would say ‘Yeah, I’m going to school!’”

Niwenshupi said the Center offers a lot of fun activities. “It’s a good place to be on Mondays,” she said.

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Filed under: Education, Immigrants & Refugees, Nonprofits, Religion | Tagged: , , | Leave a comment »

An inside look at the English Skills Learning Center

Posted on November 29, 2011 by comm5775

Story and slideshow by RYAN McDONALD

Attend English class here

A chorus of “I live in Utah” rang from inside the Humanitarian Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Friday, Oct.  28, 2011. The voices were those of seven people from different parts of the world who are learning English through the English Skills Learning Center (ESLC) in preparation to apply for American citizenship. The ESLC is a nonprofit organization headquartered at 631 W. North Temple in Salt Lake City.

Founded in 1988, the ESLC was originally called Literacy Volunteers of America-Wasatch Front, according to an informational brochure. In its early days, the organization provided tutoring for English speakers who struggled to read and write. English classes for both immigrants and refugees were also offered.

Since 2001, the ESLC has focused its efforts entirely in the field of English as a second language, particularly helping adults who are English language learners. The organization mainly helps those who have been identified as having a low income.

In an effort to reach as many students as possible, the organization teaches classes in different places in the community. This allows students to go to a place that is more convenient for them. Classes are held in places such as apartment complexes, elementary schools, libraries and community centers. Under certain circumstances, such as a lack of transportation or the need for a parent to stay home with their children, classes may be taught in a person’s home.

One of the hallmarks of the ESLC is the fact that most of these classes are taught by volunteers.

“The cornerstone of our organization is volunteers,” said Beth Garstka, volunteer coordinator at the ESLC.

Volunteers are recruited and trained by the ESLC staff, Garstka said. They must be 18 years of age, though there have been exceptions to this rule over the years. After 12 hours of training and two hours of observing classes, teachers must be willing to volunteer for 100 hours over six months. This breaks down to about three to five hours per week. Volunteers typically spend between two and three of those hours teaching and the rest of the time preparing for lessons and traveling.

Garstka said no prior teaching experience is necessary and teachers do not need to know another language, since all classes are taught entirely in English.

“It’s (the volunteer system) a way to bridge different worlds together,” Garstka said. “Our mission statement is ‘Bringing the promise of integration, security and empowerment to adult immigrants and refugees in Salt Lake County.’ That promise of integration is key to make sure that the people of the mainstream culture are interacting with the folks that are newly arriving here. That’s definitely a way of bringing them together.”

That being said, Garstka insists that the ESLC is not a language exchange program. Because classes are taught entirely in English for maximum learning, there is no need for class content to be translated into another language.

“I don’t want our volunteers brushing up on their Spanish,” she said.

Armed with about 200 volunteer teachers, the ESLC continues to help more and more newcomers (the term used when referring to immigrants and refugees) learn English each year. According to Garstka, the organization served 735 people in the 2009-2010 fiscal year. In the 2010-2011 year it helped 850. The 2011-2012 fiscal year began in July and the organization is currently serving about 430 people.

The ESLC teaches a variety of classes, as students are placed in certain ones depending on their needs. The Empowering Parents classes are held in elementary schools and are taught to parents of young children. Parents learn how to communicate with their children’s teachers, how to attend parent-teacher conferences and how to call a doctor’s office.

The ESLC also teaches classes to help people who are applying for their U.S. citizenship and need to take a civics and English test.

The third type of class offered is a workplace literacy class. These are taught at places of business where professional teachers and volunteers teach communication skills that are essential in employment.

“Whatever their (the students’) goal is, that is what we are going to focus on,” Garstka said.

Kathy Phan is the teacher of the civics test preparation class that was held in October. A recent graduate of the University of Utah, she began training to become a volunteer teacher in February 2011 and has been teaching since March. Having done extensive volunteer work at different places throughout her life, Phan enjoys the ESLC because of the relationships she has built with both the staff of the organization and the students she teaches.

“I feel like I have a bond with them so I’m more motivated to volunteer and stay,” she said.

As much as she enjoys teaching, it doesn’t come without challenges.

“The hardest part is trying to find the right place for students and find lessons that fit them the best and will help them improve,” Phan said.

On that October day, students in Phan’s class began by reciting a list of terms that they will need to know for the civics test, such as “senators” and “Abraham Lincoln.” The class then moved on to an activity where one student would read a sentence, such as, “The president lives in Washington, D.C.,” and another would write it on a dry erase board.

“If the activity is too easy they’re not going to benefit a huge amount and if it’s too hard it will just confuse them more,” Phan said. “It’s finding that right level. It’s been a troubleshooting kind of thing.”

Although various struggles arose during the class, such as trying to understand what the written abbreviation, “U.S.A.” meant, students recognize the great opportunity of living in the United States.

“I like it (America) for opportunity. I like it for my kids’ school,” said Inocensia Montejano, a student from Mexico.

Mohamed Muse, a Somali who has lived in Utah for a year, has learned that being able to speak English is crucial to having a successful life here. He summed up the reason that the ESLC provides the services that it does.

“(The) English language is key, key, key to life in this country,” he said.

Filed under: Education, Hispanics & Latinos(as), Immigrants & Refugees, Nonprofits | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »

Communities United, Mexican Consulate keep Ventanilla de Salud open for Utah immigrants

Posted on November 17, 2011 by comm5775

Stories and photos by TOM BETAR

Take a peek in the Ventanilla de Salud HERE

Peering into the Ventanilla de Salud, or health window, of many Utah immigrants may yield cloudy results, so organizations like Communities United (Comunidades Unidas), are working to remove that opacity and open the windows and doors to allow these individuals to become more healthy, educated and productive members of society.

Integration can be a foreign concept to some, but for the members of CU integration is the critical concept that will allow immigrants to reach their full potential as American citizens and community members.

Rose Maizner, interim executive director of CU, said integration occurs in many ways. But, CU’s two main initiatives are community well-being and the recently updated community engagement.

The community well-being initiative covers a wide range of health-related issues and includes services such as diagnostic testing, prenatal classes, referrals and transportation. Advice is also given to residents so that they can affordably and effectively visit a doctor.

The community engagement initiative focuses on civic and social integration, with an underlying philosophy that immigrants need to understand the systems that exist so they can advocate for themselves and address problems they face. This initiative also promotes the idea that immigrants need to be immersed and involved in their community to make changes and to make it stronger.

Maizner said while most immigrants are not a drain on the healthcare or other systems, it does become a possibility if they do not understand some of the basic processes.

“The goal is to help our immigrants in the community become more integrated into the fabric of our society,” Maizner said. “People are not going to be able to be fully integrated unless they have a basic understanding of how our systems operate. We are providing a bridge between a more marginalized community and the larger community.”

David Monge is the program coordinator for Ventanilla de Salud, which roughly translates to health booth or health window. This program takes place at the Mexican Consulate, 1380 S. Main St., and is part of the health initiative of CU.

Although the name may suggest otherwise, it is essentially a small countertop reception area with employees who provide free services such as basic testing for diabetes and blood pressure, as well as a body mass index calculation that can reveal weight issues.

Rows of chairs fill a large room somewhat resembling the waiting area for the typical DMV. While immigrants wait to receive services from the consulate such as visas, passports or identification, they can also take advantage of Ventanilla de Salud. Health-related posters and images are splashed on the walls, and pamphlets containing health information are prominently displayed along the polished countertop.

Monge said another important aspect of his program is Seguro Popular, which allows the family of an immigrant resident to obtain health coverage in Mexico while the immigrant remains here or tries to travel home.

“Pretty much anyone who walks in can have these services,” Monge said. “One of the key things is that every day in front of this audience here we provide health information. We provide information about a specific topic and about something that matters like heart health, cholesterol, influenza, prenatal care, etc. We invite people to come talk to us.”

Maizner said Communities United was started as a neighborhood initiative in 1999 in Midvale, Utah. It was originally created in response to the high infant mortality rate among immigrants, and also to address the overall understanding of the healthcare and democratic systems among immigrants. The organization expanded rapidly and the main facility is now located in Salt Lake City at 1341 S. State St.

“People had no idea what services were available or how to access them,” Maizner said. “We started as a very small organization and through the passion and commitment of our staff, our administrative team and our board we’ve really grown quite significantly in the past few years. We’re still learning a lot but I think on the whole we’ve been really successful and are poised for continued success.”

Masha Boguslavsky, CU’s multicultural health network and breast cancer program coordinator, came to the United States in 1997 from Uzbekistan, so Russian is her first language. She has been with the organization for almost three years. Previously, she majored in international studies as an undergraduate at the University of Utah. She also worked for the International Rescue Committee and said she has always had an interest in working with immigrants, refugees and nonprofit organizations.

“I get to meet people from all over the world, educate them about health issues, (and) help them get a variety of free services,” she said in an email interview. “So it’s definitely an interesting and rewarding experience to say the least.”

As part of CU’s health initiative, free events are organized where immigrants can get HIV or glucose testing, as well as vision exams and healthcare information from various organizations such as the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Boguslavsky said staff members and volunteers drive immigrants to their medical appointments and interpret services for them.

“I think our programs are of great benefit to our diverse community,” she said. “And we always strive to improve ourselves and to be able to serve our clients more effectively.”

Boguslavsky said physical services are only part of the way in which CU helps immigrants in the community.

“Our goal is to make sure everyone receives information, education and assistance to address the most pressing health needs,” she said. “This includes having knowledge of and access to all available federal and local health services and resources, as well as having accurate information on receiving affordable medical services and getting good results.”

She said mammograms, flu shots, general check-ups, prescriptions and referrals for specialized care are just some of the free services available to immigrants. Classes focusing on educating people about breast cancer and prenatal care are also offered. Boguslavsky said proper health care is important to almost all aspects of an individual’s life, so CU’s free and low cost programs are invaluable to residents.

Boguslavsky said that sickness prevents many people from working, and therefore hours and money are lost for sick residents.

“Health is very important among these particular residents. It affects your family and your life in general so it’s very important to stay healthy. If you don’t have health you can’t provide for yourself,” she said.

All Salt Lake City immigrants can benefit from the services provided by CU, but individuals on the west side are of particular interest to organizations like CU because of the complexity of the area in which they live.

CU’s interim Executive Director Maizner said her organization recently partnered with the EPA to conduct a revealing assessment of both immigrant and non-immigrant populations on the west side. The holistic assessment gauged the general concerns and priorities of these residents.

“The sense that we got from a lot of residents we spoke to is that they feel kind of neglected,” Maizner said. “A lot of people felt like the people who were supposed to be representing them weren’t really representative of the average resident.”

Maizner said working with immigrants on the west side is a challenge in large part because of the area’s unique history and diversity.

“One thing that we found is that the west side is a very fractured community,” she said. “Because of the different patterns of migration there is a big divide between the Caucasian population and some of the newer immigrant populations and even between the immigrant groups themselves.”

This diversity makes it harder to assess the needs and wants of the west side as a whole, and many residents are not motivated to join together collectively.

“It’s hard for people to pull together, to band together, and to address issues that affect all of them because it’s such a fractured and divided space,” she said. “We love to see more collaboration between the long-time residents and the newer immigrants but it’s very far from happening.”

Maizner said the programs and services that her organization provides are received well by the community and that some immigrants may only come to them for health needs.

“By and large people are really receptive to our services,” she said. “I think there is a general sense that there are not a lot of services and programs available to them or that they qualify for, and so people very much feel like we are a resource for them and maybe one of the only resources that they are really comfortable going to.”

Maizner said CU’s staff, many of whom predominantly speak Spanish and are from immigrant families themselves, help clients feel at ease. She said many of her clients learn about CU through word of mouth.

“They understand where a lot of our clients are coming from and some of their concerns and the issues that we need to be sensitive towards,” she said. “We definitely have a good reputation within the community and that’s kind of how we are able to continue to serve our clients.”

Filed under: Education, Health & Fitness, Hispanics & Latinos(as), Immigrants & Refugees, Nonprofits | Leave a comment »

Refugees learn at The English Skills Learning Center

Posted on October 27, 2011 by comm5775

Story and photo by NATHANIEL BINGAMAN

Imagine moving to a new country where you do not know the language and you do not have any formal educational experience. Even holding a pencil is new to some. This is the case for thousands of refugees every year. But, with the help of the English Skills Learning Center in Salt Lake City, these individuals are able to learn basic skills such as reading and writing in English.

Beth Garstka, the volunteer coordinator for the ESLC, said more than 16 million refugees live around the world and more than 1,100 come to Utah per year. These individuals come from countries such as Afghanistan, Egypt and Sudan. They are people suffering from war, natural disasters and famines. They come to America with the hope of freedom and improving their lives, but many of the refugees do not have a formal education.

The ESLC offices are located at 631 W. North Temple. It was originally called Literacy Volunteers of America-Wasatch Front (LVA-WF). Its founding member, Mary Hausen, formed LVA-WF in 1988. She was previously involved with an affiliate in Connecticut.

The organization’s first mission was to help improve literacy in adults and those learning English as a second language. In 2001, due to the rapid growth of refugees in the world and non-English speakers in the community, the organization focused solely on English as a Second Language.

The nonprofit organization is unique because it works with a student’s availability. “If they do not have transportation we will meet them at a library or church, anywhere that is convenient for them,” Garstka said.

Multiple class options are available to the students, including one-on-one classes and small group classes that have four to 10 students at a time. Many students participate in classes that prepare individuals to become United Sates citizens. There are even classes to help parents better communicate with teachers and enable them to read their child’s report card. Best of all, the classes are free.

Students have a good reason to come to class. “We teach the people what they want to learn, not what they don’t have interest in,” Garstka said.

The ESLC focuses on where the students are in their life. For example, if students want to drive so they can get to work, they will be taught to read the necessary books and learn writing skills so they can obtain a driver’s license. If they want to obtain United States citizenship, the ESLC will teach lessons pertaining to obtaining that goal.

Jose Amezcua participated in a program offered by the ESLC while in grade school.

“We teach people simple things like the alphabet or even the proper way to hold a pencil,” Garstka said.

The tutors are volunteers 18 years of age or older. These volunteers go through a 14-hour training session where they learn how to teach reading, writing, listening skills and speaking activities. No previous teaching or tutoring experience is required and individuals do not need to know another language because all classes are taught only in English. For those wanting to volunteer, the ESLC offers information on various volunteering opportunities.

“We have amazing volunteers who love being here,” Garstka said.

When the ESLC first began it had a program called “I Can Read” aimed at elementary students who were reading below grade level. The program was eventually adopted by the Utah State Office of Education and used in schools throughout the state.

“The ESL program helped me a lot,” said Jose Amezcua 29, who took ESL classes while he was in grade school. “Without it I would have had no friends and it would be hard for me to get an education in this country.”

Now a college graduate and an electronics salesman at a local Sears store. Amezcua is grateful for the ESL program and the help he received. “Without the classes it would have been hard for me to go to college and get a job,” he said. “Without a job it would be hard for me to take care of my wife and family,”

Learning a new language is difficult for almost everyone, but The ESLC helps make that transition a little easier.

Filed under: Business, Education, Immigrants & Refugees, Organizations | Tagged: , , | Leave a comment »

Salt Lake City organizations take wide approach to solving community challenges

Posted on October 20, 2011 by comm5775

Story and photo by RYAN McDONALD

Nearing the end of a stay in Palermo, Italy, while completing her doctoral dissertation, Sarah Munro was asked by some townspeople what knowledge she had to offer them after researching their way of living.

Members of the community wait to hear from Communidades Unidas Development Director Rose Maizner at The Pink Dress, an annual event held by the organization that took place on Oct. 14, 2011, at Pierpont Place in Salt Lake City.

She realized she had focused so much time and attention on her studies that she had missed a great opportunity to use her knowledge to help others.

Vowing to change that, Munro joined University Neighborhood Partners (UNP), which works as a sort of “bridge” between different groups of people and organizations that are in existence to promote positive changes. UNP focuses its efforts in  the neighborhoods of Rose Park, Glendale, Westpointe, Jordan Meadows, Poplar Grove, State Fairpark and People’s Freeway on the west side of Salt Lake City. One of UNP’s goals is that more students from these neighborhoods will one day attend the University of Utah.

“People don’t know how to talk to each other,” said Munro, UNP’s associate director, about why it exists.

One of the main premises behind UNP is that in order to help solve one problem, other issues need resolution, too. For example, in order to help kids have an opportunity for advanced education, not only do they need to be educated, but their parents also need to be taught how to help their children succeed.

UNP is not the only organization that uses multiple areas of focus to help solve one problem. Created in Midvale about 12 years ago by the city mayor, Comunidades Unidas (Communities United) was originally a neighborhood initiative to help reduce the high infant mortality rate and other prenatal problems in the Latino community. CU quickly realized, however, that more issues needed to be addressed to help curb these problems than a “Band-Aid solution,” said Rose Maizner, CU’s interim director.

“Women put their health very last,” Maizner said in describing how Latinas prioritize responsibilities over themselves.

Because so many things are affected when women get sick, such as their ability to work and the well-being of their children, CU not only helps people with the prevention of health problems, but also with the management of good health. For example, CU holds weekly Zumba classes at Salt Lake Community College.

CU, located at 1341 S. State St. in Salt Lake City, also serves immigrants and refugees from around the world.

Depending on which country immigrants or refugees are from, many are aware of the importance of staying healthy. But many women say, “We know what the risks (causes of illness) are, we just don’t know how to find help.”

Helping to provide access to women’s health care — such as offering mammography clinics and prenatal education — is still a mainstay of what the nonprofit organization does. Maizner said CU also involves itself in other facets of the lives of immigrants and refugees. CU strives to prevent a minor problem, such as an illness, from becoming a colossal list of challenges for a family.

“The ideal story is someone who comes to prenatal clinic, then we can show them other things,” said Maizner, who majored in multicultural psychology and Hispanic studies.

She likened “other things” such as community involvement to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. She said one of the biggest challenges the organization faces is helping people move beyond survival mode and “getting to that next level of society,” such as being involved in school PTAs.

While CU is not in place to force immigrants and refugees to “become American,” Maizner said the organization feels it is crucial for the people with whom they work to gain the skills they’ll need to function from day to day, such as learning English.

“We stress the importance of being part of the larger society,” she said.

In addition, Maizner said it is just as important that those already here assimilate to these new members of their communities. In that vein, Maizner said CU is always looking for community volunteers to help with things like giving people rides to medical appointments.

Filed under: Health & Fitness, Hispanics & Latinos(as), Immigrants & Refugees, Organizations | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »

Economy creates unique challenge for undocumented immigrant’s

Posted on April 21, 2011 by comm5775

Watch a multimedia video about undocumented immigrant’s struggles with the economy.

Story and multimedia by FLOR OLIVIO

The immigration debate often gets heated. In an effort to humanize the politics of immigration we see storytelling that some have classified as melodrama.

“I think it’s a very important part of the story, but I don’t think the opposition cares about that part, and why bother talking about something that is not going to get results,” says history teacher, Jodi Lopez.

We regularly find the faces of the people who this debate is really about buried in piles of statistics and dramatic stories. The turmoil between state and federal action is very clear even at a personal level.

The figures and facts both nationally and locally show a picture of an undocumented immigrant who among struggles, perseveres through American values.

Undocumented immigrants in the U.S. not only exist but they are here in the thousands.

Their contributions come in the billions. Regardless of immigration policy these people have the same basic necessities.

“A third of the children of unauthorized immigrants and a fifth of adult unauthorized immigrants lives in poverty,” according to the Pew Hispanic Center, “this is nearly double the poverty rate for children of U.S.-born parents (18%) or for U.S.-born adults (10%).”

Taking into account that undocumented children and families do not qualify for basic needs assistance like food stamps (SNAP), or traditional medical care (Medicaid), according to the Utah Department of Workforce Services, community resources and family help become essential for undocumented families.

The Pew Hispanic Center found that “most unauthorized immigrant adults reside with immediate family members- spouses or children.” “Almost half (47 percent) of undocumented immigrant homes are composed of couples with children,” a considerably different picture from households of US-born residents (21 percent) or legal immigrants (35 percent).

The stories that remain untold are of families helping each other and their sacrifices through unceasing work that gets these new American families through the days, weeks and months.

“I sell everything that I can.” said Milvia, an undocumented immigrant woman who migrated to the US from Colombia. “I sell nutrition products. I clean offices at night, I earn about seven hundred a month doing that, and even with all this we could not afford to pay rent, and everything else the kids need. My husband had to travel out of the state to find work and has been working there since October of last year, with no hope to return.” Milviaʼs full name is excluded because of her current immigration status.

The facts that undocumented workers pay property, state, food and federal taxes as well as Medicare and Social Security pay-ins that they can never apply for or benefit from are also frequently left out.

A study published in April 2011 by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a nonprofit, non-partisan research organization that works on federal, state, and local tax policy issues, found that in 2010, “unauthorized immigrants paid $11.2 billion in state and local taxes. Which included $1.2 billion in personal income taxes, $1.6 billion in property, and $8.4 billion in sales taxes.” The states receiving the most tax revenue were California, Texas, Florida, New York and Illinois. Utah received, 105 million in total revenue from undocumented immigrant taxes.

Regardless of their hard work, immigrant familiesʼ income is notably less than nonimmigrant families, and so immigrant children live in families with lower levels of income.

In a report by the Urban Institute, a nonpartisan economic and social policy research organization, nationally “the median hourly wages for all wage and salary earners in immigrant families were lower than the median wages for native families,” $14 versus $18.

“The current Utah economy affects these undocumented children directly,” says Elisa Bridge, a coordinator and family support worker for the Salt Lake School District, “jobs are not in abundance, and if you are undocumented itʼs harder to get a job.”

She explained the on-going situation with two parents working outside the home, two or three jobs at a time to be able to support families and provide their children with very basic necessities.

Students suffer when their basic necessities are not met, “This can affect their learning,” said Bridge,” when Iʼm talking about basic needs Iʼm talking about food, clothing or families struggling with bed bugs,” which is a big problem for undocumented families we come in contact with right now. It comes down to “a lot of people just living in horrible situations.”

These are very negative effects but hope seems to be abundant for the undocumented.

“There are students that see their parents struggling, so that might motivate them to fight harder to become something in life and obtain and education,” says Bridge.

Even with this motivation, these same students currently have no hope to actually go on to receive a higher education or to be able to work legally.

Legislation like the “DREAM Act” is geared to close some of these gaps for undocumented children who want to pursue a higher education or serve in the military and successfully navigate through American society.

Some programs that currently help undocumented youth are kept under the shadows in the same places these children reside. Northwest Middle School has an after school program where children receive homework help. The school also provides a dinner option for any student that decides to participate and because school districts do not inquire about immigration status these programs are sometimes the only way some of these students can get a good dinner.

In reality it is hard to document a group of people who live in constant fear of having their livelihood destroyed. It becomes just one more daily struggle.

Regardless unauthorized immigrants continue making it through the values that most Americans identify with hard work, honesty, family and the pursuit of happiness, these undocumented people continue living, surviving and in most cases creating a community of perseverance and hope.

Filed under: Immigrants & Refugees, Organizations, Politics, Utah's Economy | Leave a comment »

Latino community split over economic boycott

Posted on April 5, 2011 by comm5775

Watch a video on the boycott here.

Story by ROBERT CALLISTER

A call for a business boycott this week has divided the Latino community and its leaders. Some Latinos believe that it will not have the desired effect of showing the community their economic power.

Utah Latinos began a two-week business boycott on Monday with the intent to show the community the impact they have on the economy. There were numerous debates and protests on Capitol Hill regarding several controversial immigration bills during this year’s 45-day legislative session.

The boycott’s chief organizer, Jose “Pepe” Gutierrez, believes the boycott will show there is a human element to the issue of immigration. Various immigration enforcements and verification of employment status bills left immigrants confused and even angry.

“We are not going to buy anything for 15 days,” Gutierrez, president of the Utah Hispanic Latino Coalition, said Thursday. Boycott organizers have also urged Latinos to withdraw money out of their respective banks.

The Latino community was left divided as result of the call to boycott.

Michael Clara, state chairman of the Utah Republican Hispanic Assembly, said he felt many positive things resulted from the 2011 legislative session. He went on to say that there is not much support for the boycott even within the Latino community.

“I’m not understanding what the purpose of the boycott is,” Clara said. “I guess it would be to express some anger. But I think we should be celebrating the success.”

House Bill 466 will create a pilot program with the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon to allow migrant workers to come to Utah with nonimmigrant U.S. visas. This would seem like a pretty substantial win for the Latino community.

But not all are satisfied with this legislative session’s results.

“We feel we need to do something to attract attention to the fact that we’re unhappy and an integral part of this state,” said Utah La Raza Chairman Archie Archuleta.

Supporters of the boycott oppose House Bill 497, which requires police to check the immigration status of people they arrest for felonies and serious misdemeanors. Officers may also check the status of those suspected of less serious misdemeanors.

Jonathon Rothwell is a senior economic analyst for the Brookings Institute and co-writes the Mountain Monitor, which tracks metropolitan areas in the intermountain region. His research shows Salt Lake City lost roughly 18,000 jobs in construction related industries from 2007 to 2010.

Rothwell said that the roughly 21,000 Latino construction workers were hit especially hard during the recession.

“So, at a time when Latinos have already been hit disproportionately hard by the recession. Utah legislatures are trying to make life even more difficult for them. The remarkable thing is how calm and reasonable their demands are under the circumstances.”

However, not all of the Latino community is convinced the boycott will work in their advantage.

Tony Yapias, director of Proyecto Latino de Utah, said the boycott is misguided. He believes it will not have the desired effect.

“The business community and the Chamber of Commerce stepped up to the plate this year,” Yapias said. “They signed the Utah Compact and the Salt Lake Chamber did an excellent job of stepping up and to now call for a boycott is like slapping them in the face after all they did to help us. Those pushing the boycott aren’t seeing the big picture.”

The vast majority of illegal immigrants in the state come from Mexico. Estimates are at nearly 110,000 people.

Citizens that have nationalized and emigrated from Mexico own 1,834 businesses in Utah. These establishments account for $227 million in sales yearly, according to a recent letter several Utah economists distributed through the Salt Lake Chamber.

Mexican immigrants own $984 million worth of property in the state and have over $1 billion in purchasing power.

Sam Greener works at the Whole Foods Market in Sugar House, Utah. He has not seen a big impact as result of the boycotts.

“To be honest, I did not even know that there was a boycott going on,” he said. “I can see it affecting other businesses a little more, but there really has not been a huge impact here.”

Pam Perlich, professor of economics at the University of Utah, said full participation in the boycott could be very destructive to Utah’s economy. However, she said the boycott would have to have widespread and even national support for this magnitude of impact to occur.

The boycott has hundreds of supporters and will continue for the next 10 days.

Filed under: Hispanics & Latinos(as), Immigrants & Refugees, Politics, Utah's Economy | Leave a comment »

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