AmeriCorps Community Collaborative
A special initiative funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Abstract: This one year initiative is a special project of the Center for New North Carolinians to target low income immigrant/refugee communities in the Guilford County area who are experiencing major economic impact because of the lack of jobs and other resources during this economic recession.
It provides focused services to targeted neighborhoods through concentrations of AmeriCorps members and volunteers with specialized training in ESOL, interpretation, community development strategies, microenterprise, job training, and other specialized skills that they will share with community members. Community self help and empowerment will be a thematic aspect of the plan.
Building on the initiatives of two existing immigrant community development sites, Glen Haven and Avalon, a “Community Collaborative” team of stakeholders strengthen those sites and expand to other at risk immigrant populations. Stakeholders include involved local service providers, community elders and leaders, and active AmeriCorps members and community volunteers. Activities include ESOL for adults, after school tutoring for children, specialized training in professional interpretation, information and referral, and other family support and community building activities offered on site. Family support activities include assigning AmeriCorps members and volunteers to immigrant families as “First Friends,” providing case management and referral as needed, interpretation as feasible, and other culture brokering activities. Community development includes activities such as community dinners and cultural appreciation events, hosting community meetings for problem solving and planning purposes, and recruitment of resource agencies to address special needs.
Research: The project is seeking to refine and replicate an evidence based practices model for immigrant communities in times of crisis based on reports by national resettlement agencies and university researchers. It is also a community based research site for interested CNNC Fellows.
Staffing: Members include 8 Professional Corps/Research Fellows to mentor and advise the communities from various perspectives, 4 full time Members to provide ongoing continuity at sites, 5 half time Members (900 hours) and 6 reduced half time Members (600 hours) who may have other employment or school obligations. Professional Corps Members include community based professionals plus academics with special interest in this project. For more information, contact Stephanie Baldwin, ACC Coordinator, at 336 312-8209, or email.
