--By Eva Castillo-Turgeon, NH Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees
For immigrants, the process of adapting to a new culture, language and community can be very difficult. Such is the case of immigrants that come to New Hampshire. I have heard some describe the process as "like moving to another planet, where everything is different, where you feel like an alien".
On the other hand, it is also difficult for the receiving community. They find it hard to communicate and to identify with new arrivals. Many people have mixed feelings about the changing faces in their neighborhoods and others are not sure where to start to develop a sense of connection.
How are newcomers supposed to integrate if they are not feeling welcomed? And how is the receiving community going to welcome all these new faces if they feel anxious and apprehensive about their presence in their towns? Interaction and dialogue between members of the immigrant and the receiving communities is the key to promote mutual respect and acceptance. These in turn will allow for successful integration.
Welcoming America works to help strangers become neighbors in the communities that receive those immigrants. In their words, "Welcoming America focuses on the communities where new immigrants have made their homes, helping neighbors build relationships built on trust and understanding". The initiative started in Tennessee in 2007, as result of tensions due to the arrival of refugees in the town of Shelbyville and the lack of communication and understanding between the cultures. The model has proven to be successful in breaking down barriers and promoting understanding. It has been replicated in 19 states including New Hampshire.
The Welcoming New Hampshire initiative was brought to the state in 2011 by NH Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees (NHAIR), with collaboration of a strong group of community leaders and organizations. We have built a local coalition of native-born and immigrant voices to counteract misconceptions and focus on integration.
The recent incidents in Concord highlight the need for more communication and positive interaction between different segments of the community and immigrants. As the face of the state becomes more diverse, people need to come together and share their feelings and concerns. Welcoming New Hampshire strives to promote dialogue between immigrant and receiving communities.
The Welcoming initiative creates a safe space where respectful dialogue can take place; where all members are allowed to express their beliefs free of judgment, and where questions are asked from a position of curiosity.
We recognize that building trust begins by sharing one's ideas. By exploring our common values we build a connection and develop common goals that will result in a stronger, more welcoming community.
To find more information about Welcoming America visit their website at www.welcomingamerica.org and become a member of friends of welcoming.
To become involved in the Welcoming New Hampshire initiative or to find more information about it contact: Eva Castillo at Ecastillo@miracoalition.org or call (603) 661-2873.
Visit the Welcoming NH page on Facebook for announcements and events.
The New Hampshire Alliance of Immigrants and Refugees(NH-AIR), a program-agency of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), is the only organization in New Hampshire with the mission of promoting the rights and integration of immigrants and refugees-statewide. The organization serves the state’s foreign-born residents with policy analysis and advocacy, institutional organizing, and training and leadership development. NH-AIR educates and civically engages immigrants and refugees to build their social capital -- as voters and leaders advocating for public policy change that ensures the civil and human rights of all NH residents.
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