OneAmerica is having an Immigrant Resource Fair this Saturday. I want to make sure that people know that this is going on, especially in light of the fact that it is getting harder and harder for communities in need to access services right now. This is a free and unique opportunity for immigrants and refugees to get valuable information as well as sign up for services on the spot. The fair is open to anyone but is especially geared towards low-income immigrants and refugees living in the city of Seattle. If you fit in this demographic or work in/with a community that does, please help me to spread the word. If you are interested in volunteering at the fair, it is also not too late to sign up.
DETAILS:
OneAmerica and the Washington New Americans Program will hold a Resource Fair for immigrants and refugees through funding from the City of Seattle’s Human Services and a partnership with the Parks Department. The primary focus of the event is to provide information on:
- The benefits of citizenship
- How to become a citizen
- Where to go to receive assistance with citizenship
- Information on how to access benefits and resources, such as child care, energy and utilities assistance, financial literacy, health care and services, senior services, tenants’ rights, etc.
- How to participate in civic life
There will be workshops and panel discussions on these topics throughout the day and numerous community organizations and city representatives will have informational booths.
The Fair will be held at Garfield Community Center from 10:00am to 3:00pm on Saturday, November 13th. Interpretation and food will be provided to attendees. The Fair will be FREE for all attendees. If you are interested in attending and would like more information, please call (206) 452-8425.
For more information and if you are interested in volunteering or participating in the Fair, please contact Jennifer Chan at Jennifer@weareoneamerica.org. Posters in multiple languages are available here.
WORKSHOPS:
http://www.wanewamericans.org/fair-workshops
TRACK ONE: CITIZENSHIP
CITIZENSHIP PANEL
11:00 AM TO 12:00 PM
Learn more about the process to become an American citizen, including information on where to access free services. Panelists include Christopher Helm of Davis Wright Tremaine and Chair of the AILA Citizenship Day Committee, Jeff Wendlend of Asian Counseling & Referral Service (moderator), and Natasha Wilson from Catholic Community Services of Western Washington.
HOW TO PAY FOR CITIZENSHIP & FINANCIAL LITERACY
1:00 PM TO 2:00 PM
This workshop includes panelists Audrey Hue of Bellevue College, Jennifer McAdam of Bank On Seattle-King County (moderator), and Martin Vallen of Express Credit Union. They will cover basic financial literacy, including an introduction to how credit works, and information on Citizenship Loans and how individuals can pay the fee for the application to become an American citizen.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
2:15 PM to 2:45 PM
Daniel Perez, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
Come learn about what your rights are when stopped by the authorities (ICE, local police, etc). This presentation will also include information about what to do if the authorities come to your house.
TRACK TWO: CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
ROAD MAP FOR EDUCATION: Community Discussion
12:30PM to 1:30PM
In this interactive workshop—think more of a community meeting—Pramila Jayapal of OneAmerica and staff from Community Center for Education Results (CCER) will be introducing participants to the Road Map for Education Results. The Road Map’s goal is to increase the number of students in Seattle and King County who go to college or earn a credential by 2020. But we need to hear from you today on your experiences and challenges with the public school system. Parents and youth are all invited for an open conversation on their experiences and challenges with education. We’ll also have the chance to THINK BIG about ideas for moving forward and improving education for all.
NOT JUST ANOTHER IMMIGRANT…
Part 1 of 2
2:00PM to 2:30PM
In this two-part workshop, people will hear from OneAmerica‘s Rahwa Habte on why it is important to be civically engaged and the importance of immigrant voices in civic life. The second part of this workshop, “Immigrant Voices in Action!” will follow directly after part one at 2:30PM.
IMMIGRANT VOICES IN ACTION!
Part 2 of 2
2:30PM to 3:00PM
This workshop is part two of a two-part series on civic engagement. At 2:00PM, the first part, “Not Just Another Immigrant…” will cover the importance of civic engagement and how immigrants can make a difference in their communities. Part two will be interactive and teach participants how they can tell their stories and be civically engaged.
TRACK THREE: ACCESS TO BENEFITS & RESOURCES
TENANTS RIGHTS
11:00 AM TO NOON
Edlira Kuka, Solid Ground
The presentation will provide tenants with basic information about their rights and responsibilities under the Washington State Landlord Tenant Act. Some of the topics that will be covered are repairs, deposits, and best practices when searching for housing and moving in, as well as best practices upon moving out.
HOUSING
12:15 PM TO 12:45 PM
Omar Barazza, King County Office of Civil Rights
The Fair Housing Workshop will explore the rights of persons to rent, buy, and live in live in housing free of discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender (sex), disability, or familial status. Additional protected classes, depending on the jurisdiction, include marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, military/veterans status, ancestry, and use of a Section 8 subsidy. The workshop is particularly important if you are a person whose household includes a person with a disability because the workshop will educate participants on requesting reasonable accommodations that enable disabled persons to access and enjoy housing opportunities.
ACCESS BENEFITSTO BENEFITS IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE
1:15 TO 2:15
Mario Rubio and Daphne Pie, PeoplePoint
The City of Seattle Human Services Department and Public Health-Seattle and King County provide one-stop access to several benefit programs for low-income to moderate income families and individuals through the PeoplePoint: Bridge to Benefits initiative (formerly Help for Working families). Come learn more about what resources are available to you including, childcare, food, healthcare, and utility/energy assistance.
RAHWA WORLD NEWS 