articipants demonstrated a gain in knowledge, which is measured by the difference between the ideas they had before the forum and their better understanding of available services and opportunities for public-private partnerships after the presentations and networking among representatives of the different organizations.
From the discussions and post-forum feedback from participants, here are the summarized priorities and next step agendas.
There is unanimous acknowledgement that data is key in determining needs, making decisions in both the public and private sectors, and measuring progress. Currently, there is no county or state data that shows accountability for the economic, social and health crisis or development in the Continental African community.
Health, social services, economic and employment data pertaining to the Continental African population is still collected under the generic African American/Black classification.
Existing policies did not envision the emerging Continental population with distinguishable problems and patterns of development that require the collection of data for the relatively new American population.
Consequently, when data is needed to understand problems, make strategic decisions, and allocate resources, the Continental African population is unaccounted for.
Data collection is also connected to public policies. It is a federal policy or local government prerogative? The question calls for further inquiry in order to understand the policies and process. There are some interesting examples.
From the federal government, the US Health and Human Service addresses resources for HIV/AIDS among African immigrants through the Office of Minority Health. At county and state levels, there are citations of the percentage of HIV/AIDS.
Can the same targeted focus, which requires data collection and driven-driven outcomes, apply in other areas of health (cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, mental health); economic development - employment, small business; social services? Can and do local jurisdictions have policies on data collection? These questions dominated the post-forum feedback.
Next Step Agenda
There are proposed meetings with Montgomery County Executive Leggett and for a hearing with the Montgomery County Council on the need and implication of
data for development. The same process is applicable at the state level, other counties in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Metropolitan Virginia with a growing Continental African population.
Above, our volunteer videographer is Mrs. Aggie Mvengue. On her right is Ms. Marie Stella Dacko, the former first daughter of Central African Republic who introduced a self-help banking concept. Changing Population and Crises
Policy Objective: Vital Living for All Residents
Ms. Karla Silvestre, the Latino Liaison to County Executive Leggett and Manager of Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity took the gathering through the a resource identification tour - verbally with hand-outs and a bag. Based on the post survey, Ms. Silvestre was highly commended for her due diligent engagement of the African immigrant community with flexibility and creativity. She energized the room. Crises and need for resources dominated this segment of discussion. The growth of the Continental African population is diverse - from new comers with dependent children to the elderly population. This is a vast change from the late 1980s when the population was a predominantly student community of first generation immigrants with simpler problems that could be handled by network of friends, relatives and membership in social groups.
The growth in population is accompanied by a rise in more complex quality of life crises that are beyond the scope of members of
mutual aid associations to address. Mutual aid associations include cultural, national and alumni and socially-oriented groups that are not equipped to deal with demands for emergency housing; daily food; health care; job training; mental health services; legal assistance, landlord-tenant interventions among the cited issues.
New discoveries of peculiar problems, including barriers faced by immigrants in the diplomatic community, compound the range of problems that public agencies are not familiar with. Women with dependent children, head of house-holds, or the breadwinners in the family are severely impacted when faced with destabilizing experiences. There are cases where children are pulled out of school as the family scramble from one jurisdiction to the other. But the average Continental African woman is typically shy to seek help in ways that publicly identifies her.
Domestic abuse is a "
taboo problem" and domestic dysfunctions are experienced more than the incidences are admitted and reported. A participant raised the alarm after the official close of the meeting as time ran out. Nevertheless, the first-hand account, heard by the representatives, is an
awakening call to action.In view of the above, there are few or no community-based organizations with functioning staff and abilities to provide daily solutions. Advocacy is minimal, inconsistent, frequently unreliable and often not informed by policy objectives.
Cultural barriers and the
Westernization of the approach to service delivery prevent affected residents from utilizing resources in existing programs.
Ms. Christine Nkwain, a mental health professional, and
Pastor Randolph Roberts, who specializes in rehabilitation of homes for emergency housing, made presentations on culturally relevant and developmentally approach to services.
Next Step Agenda
Surveys conducted between Oct. 27-31 indicate the need to partner with the Gilchrist Center for Diversity to organize orientation sessions and community outreach events.
There is consensus for a one-stop community institution modeled after Casa de Maryland that will provide constituency services and public education to promote the interests and welfare of constituents. "
We want our a La Casa" as a proponent sensitized the urgency.
A broad-based coalition of organizations and stakeholders are submitting a grant application, which will be matched by a 50% resources from the community.
Employment Policy Objective: A Strong and Vibrant Economy
Mr. Joe Heiney-Gonzalez gave an illuminating presentation on job search. Mr. Heiney-Gonzalez compiles a weekly JOB CLUB MEMO, which is a listing of county job openings and job opportunities in the private sector: Get the latest job openings by going to the site. Click JOB CLUB MEMO.
Preparation for job search takes special significance in light of the fact that newly arrived immigrants from Africa are mostly educated but they lack knowledge of the American corporate world, interview techniques, and a functional resume. These assessments will help in providing tailored assistance to job seekers.
In the post forum survey and feedback, Mr. Heiney-Gonzalez was applauded for his strong and consistent working relationship with the Continental African community.
Next Step Agenda:
A volunteer committee with the technical expertise will develop a job preparation program by the end of January 2013. The committee will meet with Mr. Joe Heiney-Gonzalez in a Human Resource and Continental African Partnership to offer periodic job readiness training to residents. The JOB CLUB MEMO will be distributed through more online forums. Women Business/Economic Development
Policy Objective: A Strong and Vibrant Economy
A survey conducted was conducted in the summer 2011 on the needs of African Business women. This information was used as a baseline data and compared to any survey conducted in fall 2012. The results show that more women are venturing out as small business owners. While the loss of jobs was considered among many factors in starting a business, the top motivation is the entrepreneurial drive that taps into the talents and skills of women business owners.
Mr. Augustine Mutemberezi, former staff at the Africa Trade Office, highlighted the prerequisites for International trade, an area where Continental African women are next to being invisible.
The main drawbacks that hinder success are lack of adequate preparation to access resources and to advantage of opportunities. The preparations include a coherent business plan; start-up collateral; certification process, ongoing technical support; marketing and networking. Some find the process to be too frustrating, including navigating bureaucracy, attending business forums that are scheduled at particular times and affording the fees for attendance.
There were pull-by-the bootstrap suggestions by the women, which reflect African women's ingenuity and abilities. Ideas ranged from banking systems to pooling resources through a cooperative network to offer micro loans.
Mr. Heiney-Gonzalez and Mr. Mathews Mutale provided additional insights on opportunities.
Next Step Agenda.
With a focused on self-reliant solutions, the Continental African Network on Business Initiatives and Development CAN-BID will be launched on Saturday December 8, 2012 with a Business Workshop and Dinner Gala.
CAN-BID will provide business support resources to enterprising African women. It is a component of the emerging Continental African Economic Development Corporation. You may visit the site by clicking:
Business Cancer among Women in the Continental African Community
Policy Objective: A Healthy and Sustainable Community Participants got an incisive presentation from Ms. Tomi Oladimeji who represented the Women Cancer Control Program. Currently, there is no data to determine the rate of cancer among Continental African Women in the local communities yet experiences and the frequency of funerals indicate rising cancer in the community.
Broad outreach to communities remains an issue even when there are available resources. Hard-to-reach populations do not normally respond to mainstream information.
What happens after diagnoses and who is eligible for services? Ms Oladimeji provided a walk-through from diagnoses to coordination of treatment, and also services that are provided regardless of immigration status. It was an eye-opening explanation that addressed fears and helplessness.
Post forum survey indicates Ms. Oladimeji was highly effective in explaining and sensitizing the pertinent points.
Next Step Agenda A broad coalition of Cancer Advocates for the African Woman will organize partnership Cancer Awareness Months with the Women Cancer Control Program. The impact objective is to increase health literacy and provide vital link between public health initiatives and community engagement.
Thanks to the Responsive and Accountable Agencies and Participating Staff:Karla Silverstre: Office of Community Partnership, Latino Liaison to County Executive Isiah Leggett and Manager of the Gilchrist Center for DiversityJoe Heiney-Gonzalez: Office of Human ResourcesTomi Olademeji: Health and Human Services, Women Cancer Control Program
Pink Reception in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month was provided by Marie K Dining from the business community.
This email was sent to msjoe21st@aol.com by africanservices@aol.com |Cas Light | 2204 Victor Court | Silver Spring | MD | 20906
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