GSOP is seeking a Youth & Education Program Coordinator
The Granite State Organizing Project (GSOP) is an 18-year-old, broad-based community organization working for racial & economic justice in New Hampshire. The Youth & Education Program Coordinator oversees GSOP’s youth organizing wing, Young Organizers United (YOU), and facilitates the engagement of GSOP’s chapters in educational equity issues. The Coordinator designs YOU and parent leadership curricula, represents the organization in educational forums and builds ties with local schools and school districts of Manchester and Nashua. The organizer assists students of color and their families to devise strategies, implement issue campaigns and create models to increase the rate of high school graduation, college aspiration and attendance. The work will address systemic problems of access, opportunity and discrimination based upon race, national origin, economic status, or ethnicity and language.
JOB TITLE: Youth and Education Program Coordinator (BA required)
JOB DUTIES:
* Oversee the organizing of twice weekly meetings of the Manchester Young Organizers United (YOU) group
* Implement the startup of Nashua YOU group
* Coordinate outreach to religious congregations in Manchester and Nashua regarding youth and education issues
* Develop effective curriculum for YOU’s work including teaching life skills, public engagement, community organizing and civic participation skills.
* Organize parent and adult groups to support the YOU efforts in Manchester & Nashua
* Communicate effectively with young people, their parents and school personnel, including guidance counselors and principals
* Cultivate trusting connections with both youth and their families
* Engage children and young adults in conversation to determine their needs and interests
* Organize meetings with key elected officials, immigrant and refugee youth and their parents
* Participate in the Nellie Mae Education Foundation’s learning community regarding student centered learning; travel as needed to regional youth gatherings
* Facilitate all data collection and reporting required for the YOU project
* Preparation of written materials including agendas, meeting notes & memos
* Partner with community agencies on cultural competency & identity activities
* Other duties as assigned by the GSOP Executive Director
Hours and location of work:
GSOP’s primary office is in Manchester, NH and there is an active Nashua Chapter. Full time position is 40 hours per week. Some attendance at night or weekend meetings will be required. The organizer must have a car and auto insurance. Salary and benefits: $40,000 – $45,000 per year, plus health, dental and retirement benefits. Work related travel and expenses will be reimbursed.
“It was a mere state house race, below the radar, with fewer than 500 votes cast. But Safiya Wazir’s upset victory in New Hampshire on Sept. 11 is yet one more striking example of how nontraditional candidates are upending expectations in this extraordinary election season.
“Ms. Wazir, just 27 and a refugee from Afghanistan, toppled a four-term incumbent in the Democratic primary for state representative in a blue-collar neighborhood of Concord, the state capital.”
This is an excerpt from The New York Times article, “She Was a Refugee From Afghanistan. She May Soon Enter the New Hampshire Legislature,” written by Katharine Q. Seelye. Access the full article and interview here.
Welcoming Week is a national celebration coordinated by Welcoming America and partner organizations. During this annual series of events, communities across the nation bring together immigrants, refugees, and native-born residents to raise awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone. In 2017, there were more than 700 events around the country.
Welcoming Week in New Hampshire
New Hampshire communities participated in this national celebration last year, and we are doing it again this year! From festivals to storytelling to art-making and more, there are plenty of ways for you to join us in the Welcoming movement. Check out the list of upcoming events in each Welcoming City, and click on the links for full details:
Immigration has become one of the most contested topics in our nation. We are bombarded by the media with different, often polarized positions and countless conflicting statements, making it extremely difficult to know what to believe or where to find correct information.
Immigration is not a simple or straightforward process, meaning many Americans have been left with little to no understanding of the different visa categories and the process of immigrating to the US. We often hear comments such as “why don’t they get in line?,” or “why haven’t they become citizens yet or just get legal?” The answer is that obtaining papers is not as easy as going to the Post Office to change your address, and far too often, obtaining legal permanent residency and/or American citizenship is not even an option.
Immigration 101 explains the current immigration system and it explores facts vs. myths about the process of immigrating to the U.S. This informational program helps people begin to understand the complexities of our immigration system and the lives of our immigrant neighbors.
The presentation covers:
Brief history of immigration law in the United States
Current immigration law and policies
The role of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E) in NH
The stories of those affected here in New Hampshire
How to stay informed and active on immigration issues
Answers to questions you have about immigration policies
This informational program is being offered across the state of New Hampshire. It is sponsored by the NH Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees (NHAIR) and the Granite State Organizing Project (GSOP).
Immigration 101 can be scheduled as a public event or presented to closed groups. Churches, libraries and organizations across the state have already begun hosting Immigration 101 presentations. If you’d like to see an Immigration 101 presentation in your area, or if you’d like to schedule another one, we want to hear from you!
The following information has been shared from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) website:
“The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects Americans from random and arbitrary stops and searches. According to the government, however, these basic constitutional principles do not apply fully at our borders. For example, at border crossings (also called “ports of entry”), federal authorities do not need a warrant or even suspicion of wrongdoing to justify conducting what courts have called a “routine search,” such as searching luggage or a vehicle” (ACLU).
You SNAP. We MATCH:
A win for families, farmers & communities
About
Granite State Market Match doubles SNAP/EBT benefits for fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets, helping households purchase more fresh fruits and vegetables and support local farmers. Granite State Market Match is an incentive that is earned for SNAP purchases. It can be used to purchase fruits, vegetables, herbs, seeds, and seedlings. Read more
How It Works
When shoppers spend SNAP/EBT at participating markets, we double their purchasing power. It’s easy! Simply shop with SNAP/EBT and Granite State Market Match will double your money with tokens to spend on fruits, vegetables herbs, seeds or seedlings. Read more
The above information has been shared from the Granite State Market Match website. Please visit www.http://granitestatemarketmatch.org/ for more info on the Market Match program and to find a participating location near you!
Did You Know?
Fresh Start Farms, a refugee and immigrant farmer collective, sells fresh produce at multiple Granite State Market Match locations!
Destination NH,New Hampshire Magazine‘s “unofficial Guide to New Hampshire,” highlights the many reasons one might choose to visit, move to, and perhaps even put down roots in the Granite State. From good eats to outdoor feats, rich culture and history to unique opportunity, New Hampshire is truly a state with just about everything to offer.
In the 2018 edition, Destination NH features the story of how Mohammed Mustak and his family came to live in Nashua, NH after fleeing Myanmar (formerly Burma) and why the family plans to stay in the NH community they love.
A glimpse of the article:
“’From the first day I arrived in America, I was happy. My son Rabiul will have the opportunity to go to school. My daughter Alisha, born here four years ago, is the first official citizen of any country in my family,’ says Mustak” (Feeling Welcome, Destination NH 2018).
This post has been shared by Carolyn Muysimi-Kamau, Executive Director of New American Africans:
New American Africans is pleased to announce that we are hiring a full-time Youth Coordinator through AmeriCorps Multilingual Leadership Corps. Here is a link to the job posting: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do…
NAA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
The mission of New American Africans is to strengthen and sustain immigrants by gathering for mutual support and education, promoting leadership development and sharing values and culture that will enrich the broader community.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Title: AmeriCorps Multilingual Leadership Corps Youth Coordinator
Job Category: Non-exempt
Status: Full time
Supervisor: Director, New American Africans
Location: Concord, NH
Start Date: August 1, 2018
End Date: July 31, 2019
Application Deadline: July 10, 2018
Summary of Principal Responsibilities
The Youth Program Coordinator supports New American Africans to engage African middle and high school students in activities which support their school success, arts learning, leadership development and community engagement.
The Youth Program Coordinator will work with the NAA Director and Program Manager to develop a strong, dynamic program for African youth in the greater Concord community.
Essential Functions/Responsibilities
The key responsibilities of the Youth Program Coordinator include:
• Serve as a mentor for new American students, especially those in need of academic and social support.
• Develop and maintain contact with students’ parents, teachers and counselors; coordinate programming to inform and engage parents in the academic life of the student.
• Conduct regular meetings with students and track Social and Emotional Learning Practices;
• Engage community partners to provide students with mentoring, academic support and enrichment, service learning, employment, career exploration and community engagement opportunities. Organize career/job fairs, college info nights, SAT prep classes, etc.
• Oversee a free, school-based African dance class, schedule performances and participate in the supervision of the instructor.
• Assist new American students in the college search and application process.
• Plan and implement a project to support the literacy skills of new American students over summer vacation.
• Work in close collaboration with ESOL teachers and with social workers in the schools who serve new American families so as to promote collaboration and problem-solving.
• Recruit and supervise volunteers for various activities.
• Attend required weekly meetings with NAA site supervisor.
• Participate in Member Leadership Activities as part of Goodwill AmeriCorps Programs.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge/Experience:
1. Fluency in at least one Central African language.
2. Previous experience in community service and youth outreach.
3. Effective written and verbal communication skills.
4. Completion of high school.
5. Some college (preferred)
Other Required Skills and Abilities:
1. Commitment to academic success and integration for African youth in Concord.
2. Ability to remain organized while managing multiple priorities.
3. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
4. Ability to work cooperatively with a school system.
5. Good listening skills.
6. Computer literacy.
7. Willingness and ability to work evenings and possibly some weekends.
8. Must possess a valid driver’s license.
Compensation:
1. Full time, timesheet position.
2. Stipend: $12,630/year plus $5,815 in education support or student loan forgiveness, paid through a grant-funded position with Americorps’ Multilingual Leadership Corps program.
3. Training opportunities relevant to job requirements.
4. Mileage reimbursement (IRS rate).
To Apply:
Please send a resume and letter of interest to: Carolyn Muysimi-Kamau Executive Director NAA carolyn@newamericanafricans.org
MANCHESTER, NH – The Regional Economic Development Center (REDC) announced the creation of the state’s first micro-loan fund specifically for new Americans, also called first-generation immigrants, at an event held Friday May 18, attended by government officials and community members. The New Hampshire New Americans Loan Fund (NALF), which was created following a successful pilot program in partnership with the Welcoming Concord Initiative, will encourage business development and job creation for the state’s new Americans through micro-lending and technical assistance. Read the full article at Manchester Ink Link.
Welcoming New Hampshire Shares Lunch and Conversation with NH Legislators.
At lunchtime on Wednesday, March 21, the New Hampshire State House cafeteria was filled with welcoming faces and delicious foods from around the world. This Multicultural Lunch was organized by Welcoming NH and members of four Welcoming Cities – Concord, Laconia, Manchester, Nashua – to provide opportunity for NH Legislators to hear about the wonderful Welcoming work happening across the state and engage in conversation with NH residents.
NH’s Welcoming Cities are celebrating our state’s rich cultural diversity, improving community health and safety, and strengthening our state’s economic vitality by creating welcoming, accessible and supportive environments for all. From Conversation Cafes to Civics Academy to Cultural Navigators, from youth leadership programs to engagement of local Chambers of Commerce (and much more!), great work is happening to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to contribute and thrive in our state.
The cafeteria was filled with positive energy and curiosity as people shared their stories and opened themselves to the stories of neighbors. We strongly believe that conversation and understanding set the foundation for building bridges and strengthening communities, and there was a lot of meaningful conversation happening at the State House that day!
Thank you to the NH State Representative and Senators who sponsored this event:
Senator Martha Hennessey
Senator Bette Lasky
Senator John Reagan
Senator Jeff Woodburn
Representative Karen Ebel
Representative Patrick Long
Representative Latha Mangipudi
Representative Reed Panasiti
Representative Janice Schmidt
Thank you to local restaurants for providing a delicious lunch:
Consuelos Taqueria in Manchester
Ritu’s Spice Utsav in Manchester
Sabor Brasil in Nashua
GU-LA Haven in Nashua
Aissa Sweets in Concord
And thank you to everyone who joined in the conversation! We are all New Hampshire!
Thank you to the NH State Representative and Senators who sponsored this event:
Thank you to local restaurants for providing a delicious lunch: