-----Original Message----- From: Tom Goodhue <tomgoodhue@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: tomgoodhue <tomgoodhue@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thu, May 22, 2014 3:39 pm Subject: Welcoming immigrants Here is some info on welcoming immigrants. Tom Goodhue Long Island Council of Churches One of the ways that the LICC helps Long Islanders to welcome immigrants and get along with them is through occasional workshops for various professions on understanding the faith and culture of their new neighbors. With our volunteers from the LI Multi-Faith Forum we’ve have done many presentations for medial professionals, for example. Next week we are offering a free workshop for financial professionals on understanding Muslims as customers. Come if you are interested and pass the word to anyone you know who might like to come. Muslim Americans are in important emerging market for financial institutions, often with considerable income and assets, but one with distinct needs. Due to religious sensibilities, for example, Muslims may prefer debit cards over credit cards, care about avoiding banking fees more than earning interest on bank accounts, prefer investments but not traditional mortgages, and help in purchasing a home that you may not be accustomed to providing. We all have much to learn about how to work with our neighbors! Several years ago the LICC offered a workshop at the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury for financial professionals on understanding Muslims as customers that many folks found very helpful, with one bank sending personal bankers all the way from Baltimore. Masjid Darul Quran, the big mosque in Bay Shore is hosting a similar workshop on Friday, May 30 at 2:30 in their community center. Please come if you would find such a program helpful and please pass the word to anyone else whom you think might like to attend. If you would like to join me in observing mid-day prayers at the mosque, please come at 1:00. Here are my etiquette tips for visiting the mosque: *How to dress: Both men and women should dress modestly. Men can wear suit/tie/jacket--business attire--but a dress shirt and slacks is fine, too. Most women wear full length dress or pants or long sleeved blouses and long skirts. Everyone should remove their shoes before entering the sanctuary. You will see shelves for this just inside the front doors. It is okay to wear shoes downstairs or in the building where we will have our workshop at 2:30 (across the parking lot from the sanctuary). Women usually wear a head scarf in the sanctuary, though this is a culturally-related custom, not a religious obligation. *Participation: Male visitors usually sit in the back of this mosque to observe and listen to the sermon, while women usually sit in the balcony upstairs. Gender separation is common in most mosques--as it is in many synagogues and some churches--but the exact form it takes varies from place to place. Visitors are encouraged to pray silently but generally do not join the prayer line unless they are able to recite the daily prayers in Arabic. You may choose to sit on a chair and observe, if you wish. In most mosques, people do not applaud speakers, though it is fine to quietly murmur appreciation or assent. *Physical contact: Muslims often embrace acquaintances of the same gender but not the opposite sex, though this, too, is rooted in culture rather than Islamic law (Sharia). If a Muslim of the opposite gender extends a hand, shake it; otherwise, hug only friends of your own gender. *Don’t sweat this stuff. Muslims are very hospitable. Far more than most Christians I know, they are used to dealing with differences of race, nationality, language, and cultural background. They are glad to have visitors, appreciate efforts to understand their traditions, and cut us a lot of slack whenever we commit a faux pas. I inadvertently violated several customs the first time I visited—and they still welcomed me graciously! Here is how to get there: Masjid Darul Quran 1514 East 3rd Avenue Bay Shore, NY 11706 631-665-9462 Take the Southern State Parkway to Exit 42 North (5th Avenue/County Road 13) Go north on Fifth Avenue Turn right at the second street, which is Farrington Avenue Turn left at the second street, which is East Third Avenue. The mosque is on the left. The LICC's Annual Meeting on May 27 in Smithtown will focus on how congregations must embrace diversity to survive and thrive. Come if you can! Dr. A. Brian Leander will share the results of his ground-breaking research on the ways embracing diversity and intercultural leadership can help congregations/parishes to grow and thrive, but Dr. Leander's work suggests that variety is indeed the spice of life--and esssential for congregations to survive in the world today. Dr. Leander is Assistant Director of the Center for Nonprofit Leadership at Adelphi University, where he recently guided the LICC Board through its first-ever strategic planning process. He also teaches leadership development and intercultural leadership at Goshen College and Evangelical Seminary. Come if you can! LONG ISLAND COUNCIL OF CHURCHES ANNUAL MEETING Tuesday, May 27, 2014 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SMITHTOWN 175 Main Street Smithtown, NY 11787 AGENDA Registration & Coffee 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM BUSINESS MEETING 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM PROGRAM 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM “How Diversity Promotes Thriving Congregations” SPEAKER: DR. A. BRIAN LEANDER, Assistant Director Long Island Center for Nonprofit Leadership at Adelphi University LUNCH & AWARDS 12:30 PM – 2 PM Price: $40 per person. For reservations, call Maria or Yolanda at 516-565-0290 between 9AM and 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. DIRECTIONS FROM THE WEST: Go East on the Northern Parkway past Sunken Meadow to the end of the Parkway. The road divides about 2 miles past the end of Parkway. At the divide, take Rt. 347 to the left; go to Highway #111. Get into the right lane, turn right at sign for Rt. #111, then take the immediate next left to traffic light at intersection of #347 & #111. Continue North on #111 about 2 miles to Rt. 25 (Main Street). At the intersection you will see the church-a stately white building ahead of you. Turn left, take the first right into the church driveway. FROM THE EAST: Take the LIE West to Exit 57. Go Northwest on Veteran’s Highway (#454), then turn right onto Rt. #111 and continue North about two miles to Route #25 (Main Street). At the intersection you will see the church-a stately white building ahead of you. Turn left, take the first right into the church driveway. REGISTRATION FORM Name _______________________________________ Number attending __________ Address ________________________________________________________________ City __________________________________ State_________ Zip ________________ Day-time telephone ______________________________________________________ E-mail address __________________________________________________________ Please complete and print out hard copy. Address check for $40 per person to: Long Island Council of Churches. Please write “Annual Meeting” in the memo section and mail to: Long Island Council of Churches 1644 Denton Green Hempstead, NY 11550 Attn: Yolanda Murray To charge your reservation to your credit card, please call 516-565-0290 between 9AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Previously Posted: NEW PILOT PROGRAM TO ASSIST IMMIGRANTS BECOME U.S. CITIZENS Secretary of State Cesar A. Perales and Citi Community Development HAVE announced the launch of “Pathway to Citizenship LI,” a pilot program that will help low-to-moderate income lawful permanent resident immigrants in Long Island apply for U.S. Citizenship. The program features access to a micro-loan and financial literacy training for those who do not qualify for a fee waiver and are unable to pay the $680 cost of the naturalization application. The micro loan may also cover the cost of evaluating foreign degrees and certifications for high-skilled immigrants. This unique public-private partnership is led by Citi Community Development, the New York State Office for New Americans, the New York State Department of Labor, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, the Central American Refugee Center (CARECEN), and the United Way of Long Island. The effort expands on the naturalization and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals assistance offered by the New York State Office for New Americans. Citi Community Development is investing $145,000 into the Pathway to Citizenship LI program to prepare lawful permanent resident immigrants on Long Island to become naturalized U.S. citizens. Through the program, community partner CARECEN will provide naturalization legal assistance and civics education. The federal government estimates that nearly one million lawful permanent resident in New York State are eligible but have not yet become U.S. citizens. According to the Migration Policy Institute, naturalized citizens earn between 50-70 percent more than non-citizens, have higher employment rates, and are less likely to live below the poverty line. Bethpage Federal Credit Union will provide bi-lingual financial literacy training (English and Spanish) to program participants. Program participants will be encouraged to enter the mainstream banking system; create asset building accounts for future savings; create and maintain a good credit history. Participants will be eligible to apply for consumer credit and micro-loans for naturalization with Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Loan interest rates will be set based on the individual’s credit history and offered as an unsecured credit facility. United Way of Long Island will assist in delivering the training and providing participant one-on-one personal finance coaching. Pathway to Citizenship LI also features assistance for high-skilled immigrants through the process of re-credentialing a foreign degree or certification that an immigrant may bring to this country. Not having a recognized degree or certificate prevents these professionals from successfully re-entering their prior career field in the U.S. Through its Immigrant Workforce Counselor program, the New York State Department of Labor will help navigate the re-credentialing process. Bethpage Federal Credit Union will extend its consumer credit and micro-loans for naturalization to also cover the costs of evaluating foreign degrees and certifications for high-skilled immigrants. In addition, the Oyster Bay-North Hempstead-Glen Cove Workforce Investment Board will use federal funds to cover the re-credentialing costs for those individuals who reside in the consortium area. The New York State Office for New Americans and other community partners will provide community outreach assistance and referrals to other immigrant integration and employment services. For more information about this program and to register, please visit the New York State Office for New Americans website at www.newamericans.ny.gov or call CARECEN at 516-489-8330. RECRUITING CANDIDATES FROM THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY Upwardly Global (UpGlo) works with skilled immigrants from a variety of professional backgrounds. Right now we are looking for motivated individuals specifically with a strong background in the financial services industry to be connected to our employer partners that currently have job opportunities in roles such Compliance Officer, Credit Analysts, and Anti Money Laundering (AML) and more! To work with Upwardly Global and our employer partners, you must meet the following eligibility requirements: • Minimum of 2 years related experience outside of the U.S.* • Must have background in the financial services industry • Working knowledge of applicable banking system • Able to remain calm and perform under pressure • Strong analytical thinking, problem solving, and communications skills • Superior writing and verbal communication skills • Superior attention to details • Must have permanent work authorization (Permanent Resident/Green Card, Refugee/Asylee status) • Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting • Recently moved to the U.S. (has not lived in the U.S. for more than 5 years) • Must participate and complete UpGlo’s Job Seeker Program and Training Required technical skills vary based on the specific position. These will be discussed after candidates are accepted into and complete UpGlo’s May Career Summit program. To be considered as a candidate, apply online now to secure a spot in our May Career Summit hosted by Standard Chartered Bank. Spaces are limited, apply today: http://www.upwardlyglobal.org/job-seekers/us-job-seeker-tips/us-job-search-assistance. For questions about our programs and services, please call 212-219-8828. Upwardly Global, founded in 2000, is a national, award-winning nonprofit organization with offices in San Francisco, New York, and Chicago. Upwardly Global helps work-authorized, skilled immigrants rebuild their professional careers in the U.S. by providing professional job-search training and access to employers with global talent needs. To date, the organization has coached more than 4,800 skilled immigrants and has assisted over 1,900 professionals back into their career field. We also partner with Fortune 1000 companies in various industries to help them recruit and hire the best candidates. For more information about the organization, please visit www.upwardlyglobal.org GET TO KNOW YOUR NEW NEIGHBORS At the Health & Welfare Council meeting on April 9 I learned that every town in Suffolk County now has at least 20% more Asian Americans than it did a decade ago. A recent Pew Report noted that more immigrants are coming to the U.S. in 2010 from Asia than from Latin America, which suggests that we may all need to get to know some new neighbors. The LICC’s Dialogue Committee wants to encourage inter-denominational and inter-religious visits to houses of worship, which is one way to create communities that welcome immigrants. When Christians meet local Sikhs, Bahais, and Jains, they are reminded that not all recent immigrants are from Latin America. And Latinos often find they need a little help in understanding Long Island’s astonishing religious diversity. If a picture is worth a thousand words, someone remarked once at a meeting of the Long Island Multi-Faith Forum, a visit is worth a thousand pictures. Would your church, synagogue, mosque, gurudwara, temple or fellowship welcome interfaith visitors? If so, what are good times to come and whom should we list as a contact for visits? Is there anything you would like visitors to know about where they should sit, what they should wear, and what you would prefer that they do or not do? The Forum has done more than 275 educational programs, mostly in English but also some in Spanish to help Latinas get to know people they are likely to encounter on Long Island. You might also consider hosting the Forum’s “Building Bridges” program or its “What’s My Faith?” game show. Both are great ways to help your congregation or community group to understand your immigrant neighbors. For more information, please visit www.liccny.org. To request a presentation, contact Narinder Kapoor at paljikapoor@xxxxxxxxx. Michael Fairchild, who produced the half-hour “Faiths of Long Island” video for the Long Island Multi-Faith Forum has loaded it onto YouTube. You can see the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncnn5pd6Gu4 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOsL0LaClgU HELP WITH IMMIGRATION LAW At the March 28 “Working but Still Poor” Conference at Touro Law Center in Central Islip, Jobs with Justice distributed a helpful list of resources for immigration law problems: *Catholic Charities has an immigration assistance office at 143 Schleigel Blvd. in Amityville (off Albany Ave.). Their legal clinics are Tuesdays from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. and Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. The charge for these is $30. Please call 631-789-5210 for further information. *Central American Refugee Center (CARECEN): Hempstead 516-489-8330 Brentwood 631-273-8721 *Long Island Jobs with Justice has an Equal Justice & Education Project that helps undocumented students: 631-348-1170, ext. 310/www.longislandjwj.org *Make the Road NY: Brentwood office, 631-231-2220 *Empire Justice Center: Jacqueline Saavedra, immigration attorney, 631-650-2318 Pat Young from CARECEN mentioned that they can provide free help with citizenship applications, for example, as does the Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County. You can reach EOC by calling 516-292-9710 Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. INTERRELIGIOUS VISITS A recent Pew Report noted that more immigrants came to the U.S. in 2010 from Asia than from Latin America, which suggests that we may all need to get to know some new neighbors. The LICC’s Dialogue Committee wants to encourage inter-denominational and inter-religious visits to houses of worship, which is one way to create communities that welcome immigrants. When Christians meet local Sikhs, Bahais, and Jains, they are reminded that not all recent immigrants are from Latin America. And Latinos often find they need a little help in understanding Long Island’s astonishing religious diversity. If a picture is worth a thousand words, someone remarked once at a meeting of the Long Island Multi-Faith Forum, a visit is worth a thousand pictures. Would your church, synagogue, mosque, gurudwara, temple or fellowship welcome interfaith visitors? If so, what are good times to come and whom should we list as a contact for visits? Is there anything you would like visitors to know about where they should sit, what they should wear, and what you would prefer that they do or not do? The Forum has done more than 275 educational programs, mostly in English but also some in Spanish to help Latinas get to know people they are likely to encounter on Long Island. You might also consider hosting the Forum’s “Building Bridges” program or its “What’s My Faith?” game show. Both are great ways to help your congregation or community group to understand your immigrant neighbors. For more information, please visit www.liccny.org. To request a presentation, contact Bernice Suplee at jbsuplee@xxxxxxx or (631) 665-7033. Michael Fairchild, who produced the half-hour “Faiths of Long Island” video for the Long Island Multi-Faith Forum has loaded it onto YouTube. You can see the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncnn5pd6Gu4 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOsL0LaClgU The Rev. Thomas W. Goodhue Executive Director Long Island Council of Churches 1644 Denton Green Hempstead, NY 11550 516-565-0290 ext. 206 (voice) 516-565-0291 (fax) tomgoodhue@xxxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.liccny.org http://www.liccdonate.org
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