A N N U A L R E P O R T

Transcription

1 COALITION FOR OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS A N N U A L R E P O R T

2 A Year of Beginnings In the spring of 2016, Kent Newton and Lindsay Faulkenberg, two Indianapolis lawyers, saw the growing need for services for the immigrant community in Indianapolis. They began meeting with immigrant and refugee service providers in the Indianapolis community to see where there were needs and how those needs could be met. Thus, Coalition for Our Immigrant Neighbors was founded.

3 Throughout the summer and fall of 2016, COIN began building a network in the Indianapolis community of those interested in meeting those needs. As organizations and individual lawyers signed the initial Memorandum of Understanding, the need for not only legal services but also many other services including mental health services became clear. By the end of 2016, COIN s mission statement was solidified as: COIN is a coalition of service providers working together to facilitate and coordinate community efforts to provide legal, psychological and other services for immigrants in Central Indiana. COIN's goals are not to provide direct service, but to facilitate and connect existing organizations that work with immigrant and refugee communities to each other and to volunteers who can help fill legal, mental health, and other needs.

4 In January 2017, Julie Sommers Neuman became the part-time Executive Director of COIN. Julie brings with her experience in immigration law, community partnerships, development, and management. COIN receives some funding through its fiscal agent, Kids' Voice of Indiana, with an outreach grant provided by Children's Bureau. COIN also is grateful for the grant received from Meridian Street United Methodist s Church s Hansman Fund. A Year of Partnerships COIN Executive Director met with more than 65 agencies, service providers, and other stakeholders in 2017 to continue growing the network of services for our immigrant neighbors. COIN s monthly meeting attendance grew to 37 partners and guests attending the October meeting. And, COIN s partners grew from nine in 2016 to more than twenty in 2017.

5 COIN Meeting Attendance February March April May June August September October

6 Our Partners American Immigration Lawyers Association- Indiana Chapter Angela Adams, Immigration Attorney Catholic Charities Center for Interfaith Cooperation City of Indianapolis Darcy Weaver, Nonprofit Attorney Exodus Refugee Immigration Immigrant Welcome Center Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Indiana Legal Services Indianapolis Bar Association Indianapolis Public Schools International Language Connection IU McKinney School of Law Student Immigration Society Jewish Community Center Kent Newton, Family Law Attorney Kids' Voice of Indiana La Plaza Mayor's Office of International and Latino Affairs MSD of Perry Township MSD of Pike Township MSD of Washington Township MSD of Wayne Township Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic Su Casa Women4Change

7 A Year of Learning Following the announcement of the Executive Action in January 2017 affecting refugees and immigrants, COIN along with its partners offered Know Your Rights Presentations, Family Safety Planning Clinics and a DACA Renewal Clinic. These events given in churches, schools, and community centers around Indianapolis provided more than 100 immigrant families in Indiana information about their rights. In 2017, COIN co-hosted twelve Family Safety Planning Clinics, and COIN members spoke at more than eleven different organizations to promote the Family Safety Planning Clinics.

8 On July 23, 2017, COIN, in partnership with the Jewish Community Center of Indianapolis, hosted Walk a Mile in a Refugee s Shoes. This simulation of a day in the life of a refugee was made possible through the inspiration of Jesuit Refugee Services USA and more than 100 volunteers from around Indianapolis. More than 500 individuals from as far away as Johannesburg, South Africa came to walk in the footsteps at JCC. Through the eyes of a refugee, participants carried their water and food, made a place to sleep on a 6 x 6 piece of ground, and learned the hardships faced each day by refugees currently living in refugee camps around the world.

9 One refugee featured at the Walk a Mile event was Joe Rinah, a young girl from Burma who now lives in Indianapolis. The struggles that she and many other refugee families face were simulated in the Walk. COIN would like to thank her for her bravery and strength, and thank Roadhouse Productions for helping Joe Rinah tell her story and creating a beautiful video to share. For more information, please visit JRSusa.org and unhcr.org. Link to video: vimeo.com/

10 COIN is grateful for the in-kind and monetary sponsorships for the Walk a Mile event from: American Immigration Lawyers AssociationIndiana Chapter Christ Church Cathedral Congregation Beth-El Zedeck Firehouse Productions First Baptist Church Immigrant Welcome Center Indiana Catholic Conference Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation Kids' Voice of Indiana Lynn McDaniels Jackson Meridian Street United Methodist Church MSD of Wayne Township Morales Group Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic Roadhouse Productions Shelly Ann Stewart St. Luke's United Methodist Church

11 A Year of Looking Forward In September 2017, AmeriCorps Member Katie Sutton joined COIN. Katie graduated in May 2017 from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI. Her interest in immigrant and refugee welfare led her to service, and she brings with her knowledge of philanthropy, experience with local nonprofits, and a great desire to help the community. As 2018 approaches, COIN continues to add partners, including the Center for Interfaith Cooperation (CIC), Hope for Tomorrow, Christ Church Cathedral, Families First, International Language Connection, Dallin Lykins, Esq., and AmeriCorps members with the Interfaith Mental Health Coalition. These partnerships will help COIN develop more relationships in immigrant faithbased communities and address the legal and mental wellness needs of our immigrant neighbors.

12 Coalition for Our Immigrant Neighbors For more information, please visit or