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Karen Wishner,
executive director of International Services Center, said
refugees resettling in Cleveland breathe fresh life into the
city. ISC ensures they find housing, language translation
services, enroll children in schools and navigate health care.
“Giving someone hope is a very powerful thing, you never know
how it will impact their life,” she said.
Wishner said refugees have
an immediate impact on the economy, and their children regularly
contribute to increase in standardized test scores. “They grab
on to chances because they have nothing to lose,” she said.
ISC is facing financial
difficulty and Wishner requests support to continue existing
programs that impact the lives of many in the city.
Another newcomer on the
scene is Worldwide Intercultural Network, and Vice
President Harry Weller said organization’s approach is to
capitalize on the energy within the young and mobilize the
grassroots for economic development. “There is a lot of energy
in this town, and we can work hand-in-glove with Global
Cleveland to harness the economic power that already
exists,” said Weller.
WIN-Cleveland
hosted its second event at Cleveland City Hall with an
International Arts Show and Bazaar featuring 28 artists from 13
different countries, music and dance performances and tastes of
ethnic foods. It will be co-hosting a mixer with Society of
Urban Professionals in October and a holiday diversity
celebration with Mayor Frank G. Jackson in December.
The strength of the
organization is the diversity of its board, said Pierre Bejjami.
“It is very refreshing to see all of the cultures sitting
together at the table working together,” he said.
Ron Berger,
director of the Latino Initiative, said Global Cleveland
is an answer to his prayers; its mission is filling a void he
saw in the community for a long time. He is encouraged by the
approach Miller has taken in moving the organization forward and
said the Latino community must mobilize to help the organization
with its mission and address it own needs. The initiative is
focusing on getting voters registered to participate in the
upcoming November elections.
Miller said the Latino
community can be an active agent by spreading the word about
Cleveland with family and associates overseas; encourage
students to pursue in demand fields. He said it is important to
break the myths about Cleveland.
Global Cleveland next
seminar will be in December to educate employers on recruiting
and hiring international student, navigating work visa
sponsorships and more.
About Global Cleveland (www.globalcleveland.org)
Global Cleveland is a civic organization committed to regional
economic development by actively attracting newcomers, welcoming
and connecting them both economically and socially to the many
opportunities throughout Greater Cleveland. The initiative has
raised more than $1 million in funding from Huntington Bank,
Forest City Enterprises, The Cleveland Foundation, Jewish
Federation of Cleveland, The Maltz Foundation, and The George
Gund Foundation.
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