Tools for Spanish

Tools to Help Integrate Spanish Speaking Community Members into Rural NYS: 

Tools to Help Integrate Spanish Speaking Community Members into Rural NYS Elizabeth A. Claypoole, Executive Director and Ag Issues Leader, Cornell Cooperative Extension Wayne County With Input From: Multi-Cultural Task Force Max J. Pfeffer, CU Dept Sociology Pilar A. Parra, CU Dept Nutr Sci. Mary Jo Dudley, Cornell Farmworker Program

Background: 

Background 2000 Census 61% increase of “people who are of Hispanic origin” (n=3278 to n=5299) Finger Lakes region Full time residents Does not include 8000+ that are here during growing season

Background, con’t: 

Background, con’t Task Force formed Migrant Education Outreach Program Cornell Farmworker (Migrant) Program Cornell Nutritional Sciences Catholic Charities ABCD director Wayne County Literacy Program Pioneer Library Outreach Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension Finger Lakes Community College Workforce Investment Board

Challenge Identified: Community members need better access to services and resources for those who speak Spanish.: 

Challenge Identified: Community members need better access to services and resources for those who speak Spanish.

Audiences Identified: 

Audiences Identified Hispanic/Latino audience community Businesses that employ Spanish language employees Agencies that serve the Hispanic/Latino community

Projects Initiated: 

Projects Initiated Website with database of services Spanish language resources purchased for rotating library collection. Powerpoint presentation of NYS drinking and driving laws

Projects, con’t: 

Projects, con’t Survey of banking services for those who speak Spanish Increased access to ESL and Spanish classes Sent 9 agency representatives to “Opening Doors” workshop

MCR-Center.org(under modification) : 

MCR-Center.org (under modification) Research and enter current resources Create database Search service type or organization Develop website Database Background on translation and interpretation Agencies can self-enter data

Public Libraries: 

Public Libraries Success due to partners Open Houses Purchase Books ($3000)

Library Usage : 

Library Usage One on one explanation of computers Trust in access and applying for library card Collection of books rotated through the Pioneer Library System, serving Finger Lakes area

Library, con’t: 

Library, con’t Spanish circulation increased 60% Key, underutilized resource, more training needed Reach out to the one-on-one contacts

Drinking and Driving: 

Drinking and Driving Increase in Latino names in paper Report from employers of arrests Created powerpoint Shared in many fruit and vegetable meetings throughout winter First year downloaded more than 100 times

Drinking and Driving: 

Drinking and Driving Modified in 2007 General Driving Stop signs Speed limits Conditions of car Headlights Shaded driver’s window Seatbelts

Task Force Discussion and Forum: 

Task Force Discussion and Forum Open meeting of agencies to share resources available to those who speak Spanish More additions to MCR-Center website Presentation on new Publication of “Immigrants and the Community” – Max Pfeffer and Pilar Parra

Study Background : 

Study Background Rural communities loss of population and economic decline Increasing number of immigrants. What changes are needed in rural communities to increase economic development?

Conclusions: 

Conclusions Change in workforce from African American to Mexican Increasing number settling in communities in which they work Increased local economic development can occur as farmworkers gain personal economic success

Conclusions, con’t: 

Conclusions, con’t Foreign born farmworkers’ challenges: Learning English Gain access to healthcare, education and training Nonimmigrants’ challenges for communities: Jobs Housing Language

“New Yorkers are ambivalent about population growth, presence of newcomers and opportunities the latter represent for stimulating employment and economic growth.” 2004: 

“New Yorkers are ambivalent about population growth, presence of newcomers and opportunities the latter represent for stimulating employment and economic growth.” 2004

Want and Need for English: 

Want and Need for English Increases social and economic integration Increase ability to obtain a non-farm job, open a bank account and obtain driver’s license. Benefit workers and communities by helping the newcomers become self-reliant, productive and satisfied residents.

ESL - type Training: 

ESL - type Training Wayne County Literacy Program Learn to read and write English Summer interns through Cornell Farm worker program individual family and farm specific

Spanish Training: 

Spanish Training Four/Five years hosted Spanish for farm owners/managers 80 total people have attended one or more sessions Based on workable Spanish, not necessarily grammar Specific vocabulary for different types of farms: nurseries, dairy, fruit and veg

Simple Phrases: 

Simple Phrases Tengo que Tiene que plantar salir I have to You have to To plant To leave

Outcomes: 

Outcomes Ease of at least “trying” More communication between employers and employees, without “go between” Own learning

Banking for People who Speak Spanish: 

Banking for People who Speak Spanish What sources do people currently use? “friend” Convenience store Check cashing services Develop survey of banks Review with task force and pre-test to make modifications

Results of Survey: 

Results of Survey Bank employee training needs Individual banks had questionable requirements “Local” banks more flexible

Results of Survey, con’t: 

Results of Survey, con’t Banking Forum (5) Interest in “unbanked” Spanish speaking population Reach out to the Spanish speaking audience Train in house to deal with Spanish speaking customers Training needed for farmworkers about the US banking system

Spanish Resources Web Site: 

Spanish Resources Web Site One stop shop Add as needed Looking for more ideas Remind agriculture audience of availability each growing season