Broadening Citizen Engagement Engaging the Unengaged

Transcription

1 Broadening Citizen Engagement Engaging the Unengaged Keith Barker City Manager City of Clarkston, GA Engaging the Unengaged Strategies Learn what diverse groups are in your community Learn the challenges faced by the diverse groups in your community Discover what services are available to assist immigrants with integration into your community Ask unengaged residents what would make them feel more a part of the community 1

2 Engaging the Unengaged Strategies Brainstorm innovative ways to reach out to diverse groups Plan ways to increase the cultural competency within your city family Examine city regulations to see whether they pose barriers to immigrant/refugee families Lead by example Use your networks and learn from others Clarkston Speaks. the City Listens Community Survey & Focus Groups GA. Tech. School of City & Regional Planning Team of Graduate City Planning Students Clarkston Studio Recommendations to Improve Communications Services 2

3 Survey Methodology Survey Questions English, Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Karen, Nepali, Tigrinya Street Intercept Surveys & Focus Groups 736 Respondents 74% Foreign Born 26% Native Born Community Partners: Somali American Community Center, Eritrean-American Community Association, Bhutanese Community Association, Advancing Justice Atlanta Learn What Diverse Groups are in Your Community 56% of Clarkston s population is black or African American -52% for DeKalb County -32% for the Atlanta MSA 24% of Clarkston s population is Asian -2 to 4 times the county and regional rate 14% of Clarkston s residents are white 3% of Clarkston s population is Hispanic or Latinos 3

4 Learn What Diverse Groups are in Your Community One half of Clarkston Citizens are foreign-born -compared to 16% in DeKalb County One third, 35%, are not United States citizens -over four times the regional proportion of 8% Nearly half speak a language other than English at home -compared to 19% for DeKalb County One-third of Clarkston residents speak English less than very well The Most Diverse Square Mile in America Countries of Origin Burma Nepal Bhutan Vietnam Thailand Cambodia Iran Iraq Countries of Origin Sudan Somalia Ethiopia Eritrea Congo Sudan Croatia Bosnia 4

5 Learn the Challenges Faced by the Diverse Groups in your Community Cultural Assimilation Language Barriers Fear of Government Officials & Police Transportation Housing Low Educational Attainment Learn Service Agencies that Assist Immigrants with Community Integration Refugee Resettlement Agencies State Department (DHR) Clarkston Community Center Various Non-Profit Organizations Mosques, Temples and Churches Opportunities to Partner Established Credible Relationships Access to Religious and Community Leaders 5

6 Ask Unengaged Residents What Would Make them Feel More a Part of the Community Increase transparency and accessibility of City s police force to increase feelings of safety and comfort Obtain Welcoming City designation and implement policies that demonstrate commitment Create a language assistance plan and offer translation resources to break down language barriers Traditional Public Engagement 6

7 Brainstorm Innovative Ways to Reach Out to Diverse Groups Streetscape Public Information Open House (PIOH) Brainstorm Innovative Ways to Reach Out to Diverse Groups Clarkston Streetscape PIOH Identified Interpreters (6 languages) Networked with community leaders Conducted Interpreter Training & Orientation Goals & Objectives Project Details Translated meeting notices & flyers Utilized ethnic radio stations & magazines Understand oral culture 7

8 Brainstorm Innovative Ways to Reach Out to Diverse Groups Clarkston Streetscape PIOH Collaborated with immigrant advocacy groups Provided transportation & child care Used RSVP type notice Follow up: Phone.. Texts Social media, Get out of the Courthouse Take it to the streets! Tactical Urbanism Public Engagement Challenges 8

9 Brainstorm Innovative Ways to Reach Out to Diverse Groups Overcoming Fear of Police Strive for Police Officer Diversity Strategic Plan/Mission Statement Celebrate the Difference Cultural Sensitivity Training Developed with input from the community Citizen Education Clarkston 101 Police Ride Along Brainstorm Innovative Ways to Reach Out to Diverse Groups Overcoming Fear of Police Minority Youth Violence Programs National Night Out Coffee with a Cop Code Enforcement 9

10 Minority Youth Violence Prevention Programs National Night Out 10

11 Coffee with a Cop Clarkston Culture Fest 11

12 Cross Cultural Community Building Lessons Learned Learn what diverse groups are in your community Learn the challenges faced by the diverse groups in your community Discover what services are available to assist immigrants with integration into your community Ask unengaged residents what would make them feel more a part of the community Brainstorm innovative ways to reach out to diverse groups Plan ways to increase the cultural competency within your city family Examine city regulations to see whether they pose barriers to immigrant/refugee families Lead by example Use your resources and learn from others 12

13 Clarkston Connects Newsletters Clarkston Speaks Radio Program 13

14 ThankYou! 14