Fostering Community Engagement: The Boise Experience Supported by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR/ACF/DHHS) May 16, 2013
Lear ning Objectives Understand some tangible benefits of broad-based community collaboration Learn about real-life strategies for engaging leaders from refugee groups and receiving communities Learn about a practical, replicable and scalable approach to strategic planning that can promote community ownership, solidarity and support Identify ways to measure success
Outline and Overview Jan Reeves, Idaho Office for Refugees Webinar Outline 1. Initiating a Strategic Planning Process 2. Engaging Community Leaders Theresa McLeod 3. Refugee Leadership Engagement Kituta Asimba 4. Initiating and Sustaining the Effort Sherry Dyer
Why We re Having this Discussion The Question of Capacity The Need to Know Inclusiveness as a Learned Behavior
The Question of Capacity Hot topic in resettlement circles Some states and municipalities working to restrict resettlement Refugee advocates wary of lowering arrivals Capacity is always dynamic, never static Capacity is about quality
The Need to Know Who are these refugees? Why are they moving into my community? How will they change my life?
Inclusiveness is a Learned Behavior Overcoming fear of the other Breaking the cycle reaching out to youth
Part I: Introduction to the Boise Model The Problem: The Perfect Storm The Attitude: Never let a serious crisis go to waste The Approach: Convene, Listen, Prioritize and Educate The Result: Strategic Plan to Grow Community Resources The Challenge: Keeping It Alive
Capacity Crisis of 2008 (Boise) Unprecedented numbers of refugee arrivals Employment opportunities vanishing Arriving groups needing more support Funding for refugee resettlement lagging Key stakeholders asking hard questions about capacity
Response to Capacity Crisis Recognize need and opportunity to establish stronger and more widespread partnerships in support of refugees IOR initiated regular community-wide meetings Boise Mayor convenes multiple stakeholder meetings Planning group emerges and lays groundwork for the full strategic planning process Focus on growing resources, not limiting arrivals
The Plan Itself Purpose: Strengthen the supports for successful refugee resettlement in the greater Boise area Six plans within a plan Education, Employment, Health Care, Housing, Transportation and Social Integration High level goals for each section Objectives Action steps Responsibility/Partners Progress Reporting
Fundamental Principles People are looking for tools to help them succeed When it comes to information, more is better To have a partner, you need to be a partner Every community is unique Tailor approach to your fit your own circumstances Replicate, adapt, modify, or reject Community ownership makes the whole thing organic
Lessons Learned Educate and inform, and educate some more Reframe the dialogue Be the best partner you can be in order to bring people together
More Lessons Learned Talk to the Uninitiated and Uninvolved Better yet, let your partners do the talking Keep up the dialogue with your partners, too Push ownership of refugee resettlement out of the resettlement system Let people do what they know how to do Help them to do it successfully with refugees The Result: Greater community ownership Show how capacity building benefits the entire community
Part II: Engaging Community Leaders Theresa McLeod Office of the Mayor, City of Boise 1. Mayor s Strategic Vision 2. Engagement of City and Community Partners
Tomorrow s Leaders
City Government Priorities Mayor Dave Bieter s strategic vision for Boise: Making Boise the most livable city in the country Ensure a safe, healthy, livable community Promote a strong and diverse local economy Foster an environment where learning, the arts, culture and recreation thrive This vision allows the City to evaluate how we are delivering services to all residents
Involvement of City Partners Initial engagement of Boise City staff IOR sponsored Community Coordination meeting (2008) Convened internal City team meeting with refugee agencies How do we deliver City services to our newest arrivals? Housing & Community Development, Library, Parks & Recreation, Public Safety, Arts and Culture
Community Partners At the same time that the City was evaluating its service delivery, community partners were concerned about their ability to provide services to refugees Many partners were unaware of the resettlement process and were eager to learn in the midst of the economic crisis Mayor needed to respond to community concerns (economy, homelessness, etc.) Plan also benefits other community populations City serves (seniors, youth)
Leadership Strong leadership needed to keep partners engaged over long term (professional facilitation, incorporate effort in speeches) Internal departments: Look at refugees as customers how can we best deliver services given barriers of language, transportation, employment limitations. External partners: What is their engagement? Capacity building?
Challenges How do you maintain momentum as other priorities emerge? How do you keep leaders at the table? When elected officials are not willing to step up, who will?
Leadership: Evolving Opportunities Mayor s Business Retention Visits Small businesses owned by immigrants and refugees Attend Partner Events Boise Example: META, CCG, ANA, Artisans4Hope Mayor may not know clients but likely knows board members and executive leadership Confirms community support and adds energy to mayoral leadership and the City s involvement. Celebrate Successes State of the City (refer to last webinar) Citizenship ceremonies
Boiseans at Work and Play
Part III: Refugee Leadership Engagement Kituta Asimba, El-Ada Community Action 1. Importance of refugee involvement 2. Benefits to refugees and to the entire community 3. Getting refugees engaged in the planning process and implementation
Involving Refugees Refugees must be part of the solution to their integration issues Being part of the conversation is the way to be part of the solution
Benefits to Refugees and Community Goal of the Plan is to improve the condition of resettled refugees Community has a vision and a compass to follow Refugees will be able to be more productive and contributing When refugees are successful, the entire community becomes healthier
How to Get Refugees Involved Mobilize ethnic community leaders Create an encouraging cultural climate Emphasize success in implementation so ethnic based organizations gain confidence in the Plan Having the Plan is not the end of the conversation; it s the beginning of the solution
Part IV: Initiating and Sustaining the Effort Sherry Dyer, Implementation Coordinator 1. What it Takes to Get Going 2. The Plan s in Place: What Now? 3. Expanding the Circle
Strong Resettlement is the Foundation Important to begin in an environment of collaboration among the resettlement organizations within the community. Develop involvement and commitments of the resettlement leaders as key contributors to the planning and execution process. Boise Example: Network Charter
Getting to Work Developing the Group Clearly define your process Seek widespread community involvement Engagement will nurture a sense of ownership Keep everyone fully informed Build in understanding/acceptance of continuous process
Laying the Groundwork for Success Begin with the End in Mind Engage a skilled facilitator Establish a Planning Team Encourage long term thinking & strategic focus Get organized for the work Meet with leaders in the community Select & invite participants Fully educate all involved Gain commitment
Keeping It Alive and Continuous Ongoing coordination of the process has to be someone s job Establish a regular meeting protocol Measure and document your progress Communicate clearly and maintain accountability Continuous process improvement
Expanding the Circle Pushing it Out to the Community Continuous outreach to engage new partners Release the reins Continuously responsive to community priorities Celebrate success!
Process to Outcome What Gets Planned Gets Done! Purpose, Process, People
For More Information Web City of Boise website www.cityofboise.org/departments/mayor/index.aspx Idaho Office for Refugees Website www.idahorefugees.org/home/community_plan/ Email Jan Reeves, Idaho State Refugee Coordinator jreeves@idahorefugees.org Theresa McLeod, Office of the Mayor, City of Boise tmcleod@cityofboise.org Sherry Dyer, Implementation Coordinator sherry@sherry-dyer.com
Boise Model Learning Circle Who: People interested in learning how to build a comprehensive city plan for welcoming refugees What: An opportunity to connect with a peer network When: Quarterly Where: Conference calls Why: To develop greater comprehensive planning expertise, capture the wisdom in the field and support each other s efforts
How to Join the Learning Circle Send us an email with the following: 1. The geographic reach of your work 2. Why you would like to join 3. Comprehensive planning topics of most interest. hannah@welcomingamerica.org Deadline: June 1, 2013
Upcoming Webinar Using Dialogue to Build Understanding and Welcoming for Refugees June 27 th 1:00 pm EST To register visit: https://welcomingamerica.webex.com/welcomingam erica/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=663981655
What s next? Apply to join the learning circle Send in comprehensive planning examples Share this webinar hannah@welcomingamerica.org www.welcomingamerica.org