It’s all about communication

By Kay Vasilakis
Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado
February 6, 2008

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Community Integration Initiative at a Glance

What is Community Integration Initiative? A project funded by the Colorado Trust’s Supporting Immigrant & Refugee Families Initiative. A Steering Committee of local citizens manages grant monies to encourage and benefit community integration activities in the Roaring Fork Valley. Project begun in Garfield County: 2006 Purpose: The purpose of the Initiative is to help both immigrants and long-term residents understand one another better and become more connected to their communities. Contact: Coordinator Hanya Gottardo, phone: 970-319-1677, fax: 970-928-8328, e-mail: info@communityintegration.net

You may have heard the name “Community Integration Initiative” and wondered what it’s all about. Well, here is a little start to get your thought processes flowing.

Immigrant integration is a two-way process in which members of immigrant and receiving communities work together to create a more cohesive community.

The focus of the Community Integration Initiative is communication, and the group is open to everyone in the community. The steering committee is comprised of community members who take the lead in carrying out the work of the initiative. All interested community members are invited to be involved in its various committees.

The primary goal of the initiative is to work with community members to ensure the Roaring Fork Valley is a welcoming place for everyone who comes here to live and work. Acceptance and support are a major component.

Through a community interview process, immigrant and established residents identified ways to strengthen community integration. Community goals were compiled based on suggestions of more than 1,000 community members.

The initiative provides small grants to fund projects to achieve the goals of communication. The purpose of the mini-grants is to encourage activities and/or events to bring together the different members of the communities.

The documentary series “Immigrant Stories” is an oral history project which is gathering the recollections of local immigrants past and present, created in cooperation with KDNK Carbondale Community Access Radio. Stories air at 5:45 p.m. Wednesdays on KDNK, 88.1 FM in Carbondale, Glenwood and Rifle; 88.3 FM in
Aspen and Snowmass Village; 88.5 FM in Basalt, El Jebel and Redstone; 94.9 FM in Thomasville; and 94.7 FM in Old Snowmass.

Learn more about the region and the Community Integration Initiative at www.communityintegration.net. The website provides practical information and orientation regarding the Aspen to Parachute communities.

Kay Vasilakis’ Nonprofit Spotlight” column” runs every other week in the Glenwood Springs Post Independent. She is the media coordinator for the Garfield County Human Services Commission. To contact her with a news tip, call 384-9118 or e-mail kvasilakis@postindependent.com.