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Welcoming Community Roadmap

Welcoming Community Report - Read it here!

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The Role of GFIII in the Welcoming Community Roadmap:

Who is leading this and funding it?

The City’s Grand Forks Immigrant Integration Initiative is leading and it is being administered by volunteers and staff from the Mayor’s Office. While there is no funding allocated, the City is receiving technical assistance and support from Gateways for Growth. 

Where did the demographic results come from?

The demographic report, New Americans in the Grand Forks Region, Grand Forks being one of 44 communities selected for the Gateways for Growth Challenge, a competitive opportunity for local communities to receive technical assistance from New American Economy and Welcoming America to develop multi-sector plans for welcoming and integrating immigrants. The research focused on demographics and the economic impacts of immigrants in our community and is available on www.grandforksgov.com/gfiii . 

Data Driven Approach

A good place to start is a firm foundation of data on immigration and resettlement in the area. Welcoming America and New American Economy have collaborated to research the impact of immigration in the Grand Forks area (report, below).

This is a starting point as the community begins listening sessions, surveys and focus groups to identify key tactics in enhancing the capabilities and reputation of Grand Forks as a Welcoming Community.

STUDY: New Americans in the Grand Forks Region

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The City of Grand Forks is the proud home to many new immigrants and refugees who come to our great city to begin new lives, families and opportunities. Together, our existing and new residents create the tapestry that help define our community, and together we create a “Welcoming Grand Forks”.

Grand Forks Immigrant Integration

The Grand Forks Immigrant Integration was established by the City of Grand Forks Mayor’s Office and City Council with a steering committee of members from throughout the broad greater Grand Forks area.

The Initiative was a Member of the National League of Cities Municipal Action for Immigrant Integration.

The goal of Grand Forks Immigrant Integration Initiative is to promote naturalization and civic engagement among immigrant populations in our communities, to assess and align community resources to best serve both the New American population and general community, and to assist New Americans with becoming engaged citizens.

Other GFIII Efforts include:

• Partnered efforts and leveraged resources with community organizations including Global Friends Coalition, New American Services of Lutheran Social Services of ND.
• Citizen's Academy to help promote informed and involved citizenship.
• Speaker’s Bureau to enhance community awareness on general and specific immigrant and refugee related.
• A Community Resource Officer from the Grand Forks Police Department designated as a direct liaison with immigrant populations.
• Citizenship and naturalization campaign.
• Agency communication and coordination.
• Immigrant training opportunities.
• Ongoing communication and evaluation of community capacities to achieve the GFIII goals.

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs & the American Immigration Council published a report praising Grand Forks for our Immigration Integration efforts.  Check out this news release for more information.

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Steering Committee - Individual and Community Partners

STAFF:
701-746-2608
phaga@grandforksgov.com

Speakers Bureau

The GFIII Speakers Bureau Program will provide access to speakers knowledgeable about refugees and immigration. The GFIII seeks to enhance community awareness and understanding of refugees and immigrants. The Speakers Bureau will foster and open community conversation on "Refugees, Immigrants and Grand Forks" and encourage the community to be welcoming to all people and embrace a common idea of a "Welcoming Grand Forks."

To Schedule Your Presentation Contact:
Pete Haga
Grand Forks Mayor's Office
701-746-2608

Feb 15, 2018 Agenda 

GFIII July 22 Notes 

Grand Forks Immigrant Integration Initiative NOTES Dec 3, 2015 

Meeting Notes
Grand Forks Immigration Integration
Steering Committee 8/21/14

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