Economic Success for Immigrant Youth and Adults   

 Track Description: Immigrant workers and business owners have great potential to fuel economic growth by effectively increasing and applying their human capital, by making smart savings and consumption decisions, and by contributing to local and regional economies by owning and growing their own businesses. An array of programs and supports exists to promote economic success, but too often these initiatives do not tailor their efforts to be relevant and accessible to newcomer populations and consequently fail to reach them. Amid high unemployment rates and budget austerity across the country, it is essential that economic success programs and initiatives reach immigrants and their children and are relevant to their needs and aspirations. This track will explore a range of approaches being taken to unleash the energy and economic potential of immigrants and their children. Diverse actors from the local government, nonprofit and private sectors will discuss strategies to assist newcomers in growing their skills, businesses, earnings and savings.

Economic Success sessions were organized by Margie McHugh of the Migration Policy Institute and Sheldon Caplis of Citi.

 

Pathways to Meaningful Workforce Skills and All Types of Workers

Workshop Date:       Sunday, Sept. 23
Workshop Time:      10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Workshop Description: Providing immigrants of all education and skill levels with avenues for participating in adult education and skill programs is critical. However, differences in English-language ability, socioeconomic status and technical skills mean that a range of approaches and program models are required to meet the diverse needs of immigrants seeking to advance in the workforce. This session will focus on programs that have been effective in meeting the needs of immigrant workers of different starting skill and education levels, helping them to obtain meaningful workforce credentials for jobs that pay a family-sustaining wage.

PANELIST

• Sonia Mora, Manager, Latino Health Initiative, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (Maryland)
• Allison Kokkoros, Chief Academic Officer, Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School

MODERATOR

• Margie McHugh, Co-Director, National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy, Migration Policy Institute

 

Taking Action to Improve Immigrants’ Wages and Working Conditions

Workshop Date:       Sunday, Sept. 23
Workshop Time:      1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Workshop Description: A number of community organizations and intermediaries have been created with and by immigrant workers to secure workplace protections, raise the wage floor in different occupations and industries, increase family income and assets, and increase immigrants’ access to information and services for workforce advancement. This session will present several models of replicable programs that are helping immigrant workers in traditionally low-wage jobs to earn more and improve their conditions of employment.

PANELISTS

• Hector Cordero Guzman, Professor, School of Public Affairs, Baruch College, City University of New York
• Diana Robinson, Campaign and Education Coordinator, Food Chain Workers Alliance
• Aida Cardenas, Executive Director, Building Skills Partnership
• Sarita Gupta, Executive Director, Jobs with Justice
• Laine Romero-Alston, Program Officer, Ford Foundation

MODERATOR

•  Virginia Kase, Director of Employment, Training, & Education Programs, CASA de Maryland

 

Preparing Youth for Economic Success

Workshop Date:       Monday, Sept. 24
Workshop Time:      10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Workshop Description: Many programs are pioneering new ways of helping immigrant youth get on a path toward economic success. Myriad programs and partnerships have been created to provide immigrant youth with tailored opportunities for personal exploration, work experience, career planning, money management and other skills that promote upward mobility. This session will explore some of these cutting-edge models as well as the activist roles that government agencies and community organizations can play to ensure that the particular needs of immigrant youth are reflected in programming in this area.

PANELISTS

• Irma Rodriguez, Executive Director, Queens Community House
• Amne Darwish Talab, Social Services Director, ACCESS
• Linda Stroman, Director of Financial Education Programs, Capital Area Asset Builders

MODERATOR

• Chhandasi Pandya, Policy Analyst, Migration Policy Institute, National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy

 

Helping Immigrants Keep and Grow the Money They Earn   

Workshop Date:       Monday, Sept. 24
Workshop Time:      1:50 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.

Workshop Description: This session will explore the ways in which organizations are improving workplace protections, financial literacy and financial services to help immigrants make the most of the money they earn — both for themselves and for their community. The session will provide practical knowledge and program and policy approaches ensuring that immigrant families can keep and grow the money they have earned.

PANELISTS

• Robin McKinney, Director, Maryland CASH (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) Campaign
• Luis Granados, Executive Director, Mission Economic Development Agency

MODERATOR

• Sheldon Caplis, Regional Director, North America Community Development, Citi Community Development

 

Immigrant-owned Small Businesses: Tools to Accelerate Their Success

Workshop Date:      Monday, Sept. 24
Workshop Time:      3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Workshop Description: Given high rates of unemployment in many regions of the country, starting a small business could provide a path to economic success for many immigrants. That path can be treacherous, however, so having the right road map and key supports is essential to succeeding. Some government and community programs that have traditionally provided information, loans and technical assistance to mainstream communities have begun to adapt their services for immigrant business owners, and other efforts specifically targeted to immigrant business owners exist in a number of communities across the United States. This session will present leaders in this field who will talk about the elements of successful efforts, and discuss policy and program administration changes that would result in more efforts that better meet the needs of immigrant entrepreneurs who are starting or running small- to medium-sized businesses.

PANELISTS

• Manny Hidalgo, Executive Director, Latino Economic Development Corporation
• Eva Millona, Executive Director, MIRA Coalition
• Robert Feldstein, Partnership for a New American Economy / Senior Advisor for Policy and Strategic Planning, New York City

MODERATOR

• Steve Tobocman, Director, Global Detroit