Are you interested in working with fellow New Hampshire residents to learn more about the barriers to opportunity in the Granite State? Join a team that will listen deeply to community members across the state and ensure that their voices are included in the Charitable Foundation’s next strategic plan.
BY KRISTEN OLIVERI, VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation (learn more about us) is developing its next strategic plan and is committed to learning from a diverse group of people, especially those who have faced barriers to opportunity and whose voices have been historically excluded from important conversations in our communities.
We’re looking for 15 New Hampshire residents from across the state to lead a community listening and research project beginning in April, 2021 and present findings to the Foundation in July, 2021. All of this work will be done remotely; no in-person sessions will be conducted. (Training and other supports will be provided.)
The community researchers will design the research project including what questions will be asked and how information will be gathered from community members. The project will be guided by the following question: “What barriers to opportunity exist for Granite Staters and what could be done to help lower or remove these barriers?”
Please read the announcement below from the USCIS Public Engagement Division:
USCIS Announces Plans to Revert to the 2008 Version of the Naturalization Civics Test
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today it is reverting to the 2008 version of the naturalization civics test.
On Dec. 1, 2020, we implemented a revised naturalization civics test (2020 civics test) as part of a decennial test review and update process. On March 1, 2021, we will revert to the 2008 version of the civics test.
We determined the 2020 civics test development process, content, testing procedures, and implementation schedule may inadvertently create potential barriers to the naturalization process. This action is consistent with the framework of the Executive Order on Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems, which directs a comprehensive review of the naturalization process to eliminate barriers and make the process more accessible to all eligible individuals.
Applicants who filed their naturalization applications on or after Dec. 1, 2020, but before March 1, 2021, with an initial examination (interview) before April 19, 2021, will have the choice to either take the 2008 civics test or the 2020 civics test. We will notify applicants who are affected by the change. If the initial interview is scheduled on or after April 19, 2021, applicants will take the 2008 civic test.
We will also host a public engagement and conduct other outreach activities to ensure applicants are familiar with the different features of each test and which version of the civics test an applicant will need to take, based on the filing date (also known as a received date) and initial examination.
Please refer to the links below for information and updates on vaccine allocation in New Hampshire. This information explains who can register to receive the vaccine, how to register, and the estimated time frame for each phase of vaccine allocation.
New Hampshire COVID-19 Vaccine Phases
Learn about the vaccine registration process, determine if you qualify, and register here:
The Governor has authorized the allocation of $500,000 in state’s CARES ACT Coronavirus Relief Funds to support the COVID-19 specific needs of communities of color and other historically marginalized communities in New Hampshire. The NH Community Support Program is administered by the Governor’s COVID-19 Equity Response Team.
Important Dates & Timelines:
Application will be reviewed and awarded in the two cycles:
All applications received by November 24, will be reviewed beginning on November 25, 2020. Award decisions will be made on an expedited basis.
Applications received November 25, 2020 through December 3, 2020 will be reviewed on a rolling basis and awarded until all funds are expended.
Funds must be utilized by December 30, 2020.
Eligibility Criteria:
These funds must be used for either:
A new COVID-10 specific project or a new expansion of an existing project that falls under one or more of the areas identified below (see bullets).
To support costs that were incurred providing COVID-19 specific services that fall under one or more of the identified areas below (see bullets). These expense must have been incurred between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020.
Funding is available for the following needs:
All proposed uses of the funds must be to support costs incurred providing COVID-19 services between the dates of March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020.
COVID specific education or messaging focused on Communities of Color and/or non-English speaking communities in NH.
Programs that promote connection and community-building in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic for Communities of Color in NH.
Increased access to technology that can support children and families during COVID-19.
Support for increasing environmental or structural modifications for increasing COVID-19 safety (such as plexi-glass, PPE, etc).
Support for funerary, burial costs for families in financial need that suffer a loss due to COVID-19.
Support for increasing access to food, housing, childcare, eldercare and supplies for Communities of Color and economically disadvantaged families in NH that have had a loss of household income, or increased expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Support for access to isolation and/or quarantine housing support necessary as a result of COVID-19.
Support for increased access to COVID testing for Communities of Color in NH.
Remote learning supports (technology, remote learning sites, tutoring, etc) needed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Increased support for Communication Access (interpretation and translation services including live, telephone, virtual and signage) related to COVID-19 services or needs.
Other needs not outlined above that are specific to COVID-19 impact of vulnerable communities in NH.
How to Apply:
The application below is a fillable form. Please complete and submit your application, electronically, to covidcommunitysupport@goferr.nh.gov.
The general election isn’t just about electing the next President and Vice-President of the United States. Voters will also be casting votes for their state’s Governor, US Senator, Representative in Congress, Executive Councilor, State Senator and State Representatives. Are you familiar with each of the names that will be on your ballot? Learn about the candidates in advance so you can vote with confidence!
Ballotready.org is a great resource for learning the background and opinions of each candidate, as well as other helpful tools and information for voters.
KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES! – Infographic created by Manchester Community Action Coalition
By: Eva Castillo, Director of Welcoming New Hampshire
As a naturalized citizen, I take my voting rights very seriously. Many of us come from places where the people cannot choose their country’s government, so I cannot take this privilege for granted. I remember when, as a foreign student in Michigan, I could not participate with my vote, so I volunteered my time to make sure those who could vote did not waste their chance. Today, I can proudly say I have not missed a single election since I became a citizen of this nation.
I still do electoral work with immigrants every election cycle; it is one of my favorite activities. The 2020 pandemic, however, has added an additional burden to this election season. We have been forced to adapt our Get Out The Vote efforts to the new norms of social interaction. Texting and social media messaging have supplanted the traditional door-to-door canvassing. Many people will vote by mail or absentee ballot, but there is still a lot of uncertainty about the process in general. We are trying our best to answer questions and motivate people to vote, but I must admit that I find it awkward to do this electronically and I miss the personal contact with the voters.
We have compiled and posted information in various languages on the Welcoming NH website and facebook page to make sure New Americans understand this election’s voting process. Please, feel free to share this info and message us if you need assistance.
A democracy is made stronger by the number of people that take part in the electoral process. Like they say, every vote counts, and the only vote wasted is the vote not cast.
I have my voting plan for November 3rd. How about you?
This is an urgent final reminder to complete the U.S. 2020 Census questionnaire. We have only until October 15 to complete the census. This can be done online at https://my2020census.gov/ or you can call 844-330-2020.
If you have not completed the census yet, it is likely that a census worker will come to your door soon.
Also, we are looking for VOLUNTEER translators to join the Mobile Questionnaire Assistance events happening on weekends and afternoons in Manchester. Please contact Bill Maddocks at billnhccc@gmail.com
Welcoming Week 2020 is September 12-20, and while festivals and other events might have been canceled, that doesn’t mean we can’t still connect and celebrate! This year’s Welcoming Week theme is Creating Home Together, so Welcoming NH and partners – including some of your favorite multicultural festivals! – are working together to create an online cookbook as an opportunity for New Hampshire residents to share food and culture despite these challenging times.
Through this virtual recipe exchange, we encourage you to share your favorite dish and a bit of your story (or your family’s story). Let this be an opportunity for us to come together and take pride in our different cultures, our unique experiences, and our shared love of food and community!
Please tell us about your recipe by using this form or by emailing us! ** The virtual cookbook will be published on the Welcoming NH website. Contact Welcoming NH with any questions: welcomingnh@gmail.com
** We are happy to assist with recipe submissions in any way we can. Please let us know if you or others need a paper copy of this form, translation assistance, or a phone number to reach us.
Second Start’s New American Driving School in Concord, NH will be starting another round of driver’s ed classes on August 17. Classes are held Mondays and Wednesdays, 6-8pm. To learn more or register, visit: www.second-start.org/new-american-driving-school
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Portable Document Format (.pdf) . Visit nh.gov for a 
