In order to strengthen the system of support

for newcomer integration, three key areas should

be addressed:

• Strengthening newcomer-focused organizations

and programs

• Building the capacity of mainstream organizations

to more effectively serve newcomers

• Involving the broader community

Each of these areas offers a variety of

opportunities for building on existing resources

within Grand Rapids and on the experiences

of other communities.

Newcomer communities represent a large untapped

source of skills and talents, at the individual level

as well as the group level. Providing more leadership

development opportunities for newcomers could

significantly increase their involvement as participants

and leaders in the civic affairs of the community.

Supporting capacity building for mutual assistance

associations (MAAs) could significantly enhance

their effectiveness in supporting newcomer

integration. For example, MAAs around the country

are playing growing roles in conflict resolution,

cross-cultural sensitivity training, citizenship

preparation, leadership development, technical

assistance, and economic development (Brown

and Gilbert, pages 23-24).

The experiences of other communities could

provide useful information for these efforts.

For example, the Los Angeles Immigrant Funders

Collaborative recently released Rising with

Emerging Immigrant Organizations, a report

of findings, lessons learned and recommended

strategies (De Lucca, page 4).

Refugee resettlement programs have been hard

hit by the reverberations of September 11 and the

current economic climate. On the one hand, the

flow of refugees coming into Grand Rapids has

dropped to about 20 percent of its pre-September

11 volume; on the other hand, the same agencies

are being called on to provide more support for

newcomers negatively impacted by the economic

situation. The decrease in refugee arrivals has

led to staffing cuts at some agencies, a loss of

capacity that will cause further strains on agency

resources as new groups of refugees arrive –

such as the 150-250 Somali Bantu refugees

arriving in 2003-2004.

The capacity of local immigrant- and refugeeserving

agencies could be strengthened considerably

through initiatives to support agencies in strategic

planning, help them strengthen and stabilize

Throughout its history,

America has had to confront

the challenge of forging

unity and a sense of

common purpose among

a diverse and ever-changing

population…. How will

we respond to today’s

challenges? Will our

responses continue

to demonstrate that the

diversity of American

society generates creativity

and strength?

The National Immigration

Forum, page 1