Immigrant Integration

Promoting mutual benefits for immigrants and their receiving communities

In our region, one-third of our residents are immigrants, nearly half of our workforce is foreign-born and close to two-thirds of those under the age of 18 are children of immigrants. Given this demographic reality, a new social model of immigrant integration - one that promotes mutual benefits for immigrants and their receiving communities while allowing newcomers enhanced civic participation and improved economic mobility - is critical.

Research paper, "Bridging the Cultural Gap"

Bridging the Cultural Gap Strengthening the Legal Services Infrastructure Adult English Language Acquisition
RFP Release:  April 6, 2012
Proposals Due: May 4, 2012
Grantees Notified:  June 2012		 RFP Release:  March 7, 2012
Proposals Due: April 4, 2012
Grantees Notified:  June 2012		 RFP Release:  Sept. 17, 2012
Proposals Due: October 15, 2012
Grantees Notified:  Dec. 2012

Targets the establishment of two-way educational programs that allow non-immigrant communities and immigrants and their receiving communities to learn about the diverse immigrant populations in Silicon Valley.

Targets the need for affordable and reliable immigration legal services provided by nonprofit community organizations.

Targets the growing demand for high-quality English as a Second Language and Vocational English as a Second Language, or ESL and VESL instruction.

Grants will be provided to regional multi-faceted campaigns that:

  • Share accurate information about cultures and people, combined with frank discussions to eliminate misunderstandings and misperceptions that create barriers to integration and community building.
  • Raise questions, share concerns, and engage in a dialogue to create authentic relationships and raise concerns about immigration, race, education and other community issues.
  • Help participants identify shared interests and create shared experiences, with the willingness to constructively address differences that arise along the way.

Grants support legal service providers or collaboratives that:

  • Explore the prioritization of unmet immigrant legal needs and provide collaborative members the opportunity to build cross-county connections.
  • Assess legal staff capacities to meet difficult immigration matters.
  • Expand the number of BIA-accredited staff at legal organizations and/or legal service collaboratives.

Grants will be provided for region wide efforts that:

  • Coordinate community college, adult education and nonprofit ESL and VESL programs;
  • Target instruction in our region to immigrants from the top five sending countries;
  • Promote best practices and maximize funding resources.