LACK OF representation IN PLACES OF influence

What is the Lack of representation in places of influence Barrier?

A lack of representation in places of influence occurs when neighbors and sometimes entire communities, may have been overlooked or have gone unheard. These neighborhood leaders are neither sought after nor have the ability to affect the policies that impact their community. A place of influence refers to an organization or entity that holds the power to make decisions that ultimately impact the neighborhood.  This can be local government, police, city task forces and planning committees.  Academically a place of influence includes the school board, Department of Education, and Parent Teacher Associations (PTA). There are also places of influence within the state and federal levels where state assembly, state senators, state policies, as well as congressman/woman and senators all hold power over policy changes that can have both small and large scale impact on neighborhoods.

Solidarity has recently seen tremendous presence and intention by many local, state, and even federal representatives allowing them to sincerely listen and respond to neighbors’ concerns and suggestions.  Yet there are factors that inhibit many immigrant neighbors and families, within the Maple and Garnet neighborhoods, from moving beyond simply being heard to taking steps to sit in places of influence.  These factors include: language barrier, legal status, access to leadership development, and understanding of governing systems. Through various advocacy, neighborhood, and education initiatives, Solidarity aims to equip and empower individuals to step into places of influence and lead community transformation within Maple and Garnet.

 CAUSES

  • Language barrier.

  • Legal status.

  • Lack of diversity in local leadership.

  • Possible lack of presence from local representatives.

  • Lower voter registration within the neighborhoods.

  • Unfamiliarity with community organizing and its benefits.

  • Circumstances put neighbors in a state of survivalism.

  • Lack of free time to invest in committees, task forces, or attending city council meetings.

 

Main Ways we break this barrier

 

The main ways Solidarity aims to combat lack of representation in places of influence is by addressing the following issues:

  • Community Organizing: Creating an Ideal Environment for Gathering for the Sake of Community Organizing

  • Civic Leadership Roles: Providing Opportunities for Neighbors to take on Civic Leadership Roles (PTA, planning commission, housing project, school board, etc)

  • Face Time with Representatives: Providing Neighbor Access to get face time with Civic, State, and Federal Representatives

See how our neighborhood initiative programs specifically address and combat barriers that inhibit individuals from entering into places of influence.

 
 
 

NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVE

 

The main components of the Neighborhood Initiative are designed to break the Lack of Representation in Places of Influence barrier by providing the following within the Mamás Group & Teen Center/Tilt:

 

Mamás Groups

  • Gather moms and women in both neighborhoods to voice and discuss community issues

  • Increase access and understanding of civic leadership roles and encourage neighborhood representation on Civic Leadership Roles

  • Create neighborhood based cultural events to invite local leaders to, reinforce an understanding that the neighborhoods are an asset to the city, and train on public comments for city council

TEEN CENTER

  • Create a space for youth to dream about how to give back to their neighborhood

  • Create access between youth and civic leadership, encourage youth based solutions for neighborhood and civic issues, amplify youth’s voice input in city issues, train youth for engaging local district representatives

 
 
 
 

Stand With Us