Immigrant integration meeting Thursday

Glenwood Springs residents can explore ways to build a stronger community through the integration of the valley's new immigrants Thursday evening at Glenwood Middle School.

"We want to hear from immigrants as well as people from the receiving community," said Tom Ziemann, one of the organizers of the community meeting. "Communities across the U.S. are addressing the issue of how to better help immigrants settle into their newly adopted home and fully participate in civic life. We are fortunate to have the assistance of the Colorado Trust."

In October, the Aspen-to-Parachute region was one of 10 communities in the state the Colorado Trust selected to participate in the $6.4 million, four-year effort. The Colorado Trust's integration of the immigrant initiative is the first in the nation to support multiple communities across one state.

"Increasingly, immigrant integration is being viewed as a two-way street that involves adaptation not only on the part of immigrants themselves, but also on the part of the community where they now live," said John R. Moran Jr., president and CEO of the Colorado Trust.

Group community meetings will take place in the region during February and March. The community integration committee invites anyone who wants more information, or who is interested in participating in the community collaborative process to contact Adriana Chavira, grant coordinator, 379-4507 or 945-1234.