ERIE Magazine | August 2011 by Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership

president’s perspective Barbara Chaffee

The definition of diversity : the condition of having or being composed of differing elements: variety; especially: the inclusion of different types of people (as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization : an instance of being composed of differing elements or qualities: an instance of being diverse <a diversity of opinion> I was raised in a great Erie neighborhood at 35th and Norman Way by two wonderful parents along with my five younger brothers. Growing up in America in the 1950s and 1960s we were not focused on the opportunities of globalization; there was no CNN with 24 hour news coverage or television programming that provided us with images or experiences of other nations, no Internet providing us with instant access or conversations about what life was like in Africa, Asia or Europe. In the Chaffee home we were blessed with a mother and father who raised us to be open to all possibilities and taught us to be tolerant of all. Throughout our childhood we had someone of different ethnicity, background or nation living with us, some were with us for 3 days to a week, others for a full year. They came from Nigeria, Ireland, India, Poland, France, Japan, and Norway, just to name a few; my brothers and I benefited from the revolving door of experiences. My high school years were spent at Academy, a public school that was truly diverse and although we did experience a few race riots like many other communities across the nation in 1967 and 1968 we had educators who provided the opportunity for dialogue; students to students and teachers with students. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, we were being taught that there is great value in looking beyond ethnicity, color, language, and religion; being open to different beliefs, thoughts, and cultures provided us a nurturing environment for education, creativity, and exploration.

We grow, learn, and achieve, through the people with whom we associate, with whom we have experiences. Today, we have a global economy and by being inclusive we remove limitations for solving problems, brainstorming new ideas, or growing our companies that must compete in the global marketplace. We all know that men and women often approach problems differently; neither approach is better than the other, just different and together the process of finding solutions or creating a new product is enriched when both men and women are on the team. There is a wealth of knowledge, creative solutions and stellar executions to gain as we include people of different races, ethnicity and cultures in our schools and work places. As a community we need to be aggressive in collaborating with all of our organizations and businesses that are reaching out to be more inclusive and diverse. It is critical to our health and welfare that we provide stellar educations for all of our young people; black, white, yellow, brown or red. It is vital to our economic success that we embrace New Americans into our region and include them with African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics and Caucasians within our workforce; making us world class competitors. Gratefully,

Board of Directors Peter Balmert John J. Barber Dr. Donald L. Birx John Bloomstine Carl Carlotti Terrence Cavanaugh Rosanne Cheeseman Gary L. Clark Joel Deuterman Mary L. Eckert Thomas C. Hoffman Timothy Hunter Thomas Kennedy Charles G. Knight John P. Leemhuis John T. Malone James W. Martin

James E. Martin Michael P. Martin Marlene D. Mosco Jack A. Munch David Poor James Rutkowski Jr. Matthew Schultz Nick Scott Jr. John Skory Ronald A. Steele Noreen A. Stegkamper David M. Tullio Russell S. Warner, Chair Michael Weber Thomas J. Wedzik Scott Whalen R. Jason Wieczorek

President/CEO Barbara C. Chaffee

Vice President, Chamber Claudia K. Thornburg

Vice President, Economic Development Jacob A. Rouch

Vice President, Growth Partnership Mary C. Bula

Staff Joelyn J. Bush, Director of Marketing & Communications Sara Galbreath, Sales Executive Julie B. Graff, Sales Executive Melanie A. Johnson, Erie Business Action Team Manager Doug M. Massey, Workforce Development Coordinator-Training Cathy Noble, Events Coordinator Benjamin C. Pratt, Director of Research Linda Robbins, Accountant Susan M. Ronto, Membership Coordinator

Editor Joelyn J. Bush

Contributing Writers John Chacona Gary Horton Susan M. Weiner Erika Howland

Photo Contributors

Barbara

Ferralli Studios

Design

If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place. ~Margaret Mead Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another’s uniqueness. ~Ola Joseph

Bensur Creative Marketing Group For Advertising Information: Julie Graff, Sales Executive (814) 454-7191 x 139 jgraff@eriepa.com

On Our Cover:

Diversity: the art of thinking independently together.

~Malcolm Stevenson Forbes

Marwah Ibrahim, A refugee from Iraq Story on page 15

14 Refugees Enhance Erie’s Economy and Quality of Life by Susan M. Weiner

ERIE Magazine August 2011

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New Investors

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Coming to the Table Interview with William Rolack, L.E.A.D.E.R program in Erie Refugees Enhance Erie’s Economy and Quality of Life Interview with John Flanagan, International Institute and Joel Tuzynski, Multicultural Resource Center

We look forward to seeing you at these networking events for Chamber investors.

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Diverse Projects Bring Diverse Workforce Interview with Dan Harmon, Great Lakes Building and Construction Trades Council and Matt McLaughlin, IBEW Local 56

Providing Adults with Disablities Opportunity to Thrive

August 18 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. The JET-TV 24 & FOX 66 Stations 8455 Peach Street

September 15 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Huntington Bank At the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel 55 West Bay Drive

24-25 4th Annual Beer on the Bay

October 20 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Quality Inn & Suites 8040 Perry Highway

Please RSVP to the Chamber at (814) 454-7191 x 146 or cnoble@eriepa.com

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welcome new investors Bronze Investors Bonnell’s Collision Specializing in auto collision repair. Working on all makes and models and with all insurance companies. No job too big or small. Two clean, stat- of-the- art facilities in Erie and Fairview with convenience, quality and lifetime warranty on all collision repairs.

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Mr. Scott Bonnell 2570 West 26th Street | Erie, PA 16506 | (814) 835-4351

Ridge Policy Group The Ridge Policy Group is a full-service federal and state bipartisan government affairs practice with offices in Washington, D.C. and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The members of the firm have developed unmatched experience at the federal and state levels of government, overseeing every aspect of government programs, policies and budgets. The partners of the Ridge Policy Group, Governor Tom Ridge, Mark Holman and Mark Campbell, offer unparalleled insight, knowledge, and understanding of the most effective ways to achieve positive solutions for their clients. Ms. Pamela Curtis 1140 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 510 Washington, DC 20036 | (202) 480-8093

Investors Advanced Welding Technologies Machine shop, all phases of metal fabrication, welding. Specializing in water, oil and air systems. Mr. John R. Stempka 3110 Pearl Avenue | Erie, PA 16510 | (814) 899-3584 Buffalo Biodiesel, Inc. In the business of purchasing waste cooking oils. Emphasizing strong customer service, local representation, supplying the biofuel industry such as the local Hero BX Plant. Pays top dollar and will guarantee your rate in writing for up to 4 years. Goal is to support local economies, support recycling, the environment and independence on foreign oil. Mr. David Durst 225 Sawyer Avenue | Tonawanda, NY 14150 | (800) 721-1427 CB Richard Ellis, Inc. A Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm (in terms of 2009 revenue). The Company has approximately 29,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 300 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CB Richard Ellis offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting. Ms. Sherry Bauer Bayview Office Park | 410 Cranberry Street, Suite 220 Erie, PA 16507 | (814) 453-2000 Clean Green Professional All natural residential and commercial cleaning.

Crime Victim Center of Erie County Inc. Reducing the impact of crime through counseling education. Mr. Paul Lukach 125 West 18th Street | Erie, PA 16501 | (814) 455-9414 Dale Carnegie Systems Founded in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has evolved from one man’s belief in the power of self-improvement to a performance based training company with offices worldwide. We focus on giving people in business the opportunity to sharpen their skills and improve their performance in order to build positive, steady and profitable results. Mr. Curt Frigon 20 Stanwix Street, Suite #503 | Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 471-3500 DRS of Erie County Inc. A full service 24/7 emergency contractor located in Erie PA. Services include emergency board-up, fire restoration, water extraction, mold remediation, carpentry service, content cleaning and storage and full re-build. Ms. Melissa Hart 3674 West Lake Road | Erie, PA 16505 | (814) 833-2000 Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. Hobby Lobby offers more than 60,000 crafting and home décor products. Departments include floral, fabric, needlework, picture framing, baskets, home accents, arts and crafts, wearable art, jewelry and scrapbooking supplies. Mr. Mark Coleman 1900 Keystone Drive | Erie, PA 16509 | (814) 868-8681

Ms. Tammy Jackson 6665 Old Ridge Road | Fairview, PA 16415 | (814) 504-9003

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Jim Brozell Construction Excavating, pipe pushing, directional boring, sewer lines, water lines and gas lines. Mr. Marvin P. Little 9298 Peach Street | Waterford, PA 16441 (814) 866-2075 JumpBunch ~ Sports & Fitness for Kids A mobile sports and fitness program for children ages 18 months through 12 years old. The main goal of the program is to develop healthy habits early on and to give the children an opportunity to experience a variety of sports/fitness activities. Ms. Jenny Kupczyk 3065 Hanna Drive | Fairview, PA 16415 (814) 450-4769 The Law Office of Adam J. Williams Law practice with focus on business and commercial matters. Emphasis on small businesses in Erie County, but with broad-based experience in many areas of the law. Mr. Adam J. Williams 305 West 6th Street | Erie, PA 16507 (814) 452-6800 Media One Group Radio Stations 5 in Ashtabula - WREO /WFUN/ WZOO/ WFXI/ WYBL and 5 in Jamestown NY. Ms. Patti Donato 3226 Jefferson Road | Ashtabula, OH 44004 (216) 990-8100 Multicultural Community Resource Center Founded in 1975 under the title of Hispanic American Council, the Multicultral Community Resource Center is a local nonprofit agency providing education and social services to Hispanic and refugee communities of Erie. Mr. Joel Tuzynski 554 East 10th Street | Erie, PA 16503 (814) 455-0212 Penn Beer Company Beer wholesale and retail. Mr. Scott Saber 1825 East 12th Street | Erie, PA 16511 (814) 454-1578

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Investors Rainbow International of Northwest PA Full service restoration company providing water, fire, smoke, mold and odor mitigation. Combining excellent customer service with industry leading technology.

T-Mobile America’s Largest 4G Network. Truly Unlimited rate plans, Affordable Smartphones. Monthly 4G – no contract plans. High-speed internet on the go.

Mr. Ben Sutton P.O. Box 9597 | Erie, PA 16505 | (814) 453-4930

Ms. Nicole Davis 7080 Peach Street | Erie, PA 16510 | (814) 868-6994

Sustainable Lifestyle Group Educates you on how to save time, money and resources by providing space, time, file and electronic organization. Also offering sustainability consulting to help transition your home or company from light to dark “GREEN” or anywhere in between. Ms. Honey Stempka 856 Richard Drive | Erie, PA 16509 | (814) 969-5402

T-Mobile America’s Largest 4G Network. Truly Unlimited rate plans, Affordable Smartphones. Monthly 4G – no contract plans. High-speed internet on the go. Mr. Jonathan Shutts 654 Millcreek Mall #165 | Erie, PA 16510 | (814) 868-2670

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Venango Steel, Inc. The single source solution for fabrication, machining and assembly of custom metal parts. Operations include laser cutting, high definition plasma cutting, fabrication, metal forming, machine services and finishing solutions. Entire operation is dedicated to producing only the finest parts for customers. Mr. Michael D. Ruhlman 1655 Pittsburgh Road | Franklin, PA 16323 | (814) 437-9353 Wheelchairs & More A locally owned company providing medical equipment of power wheelchairs, scooters, manual wheelchairs, bath aids, walking devices, hospital beds, specialty mattresses and seating lift chairs, ramps, stairglides and more. Ms. Lisa Haines 2620 Washington Avenue | Erie, PA 16508 | (814) 864-0000

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Coming to the Table Interview with William Rolack, L.E.A.D.E.R. program in Erie

The numbers couldn’t tell a more decisive story. In the ten years between the turn of the century and 2010 the proportion of Erie County residents identifying themselves as Caucasian has declined by almost four percent – in raw numbers, almost 14,000 fewer persons than in 2000. The proportion of persons identifying themselves as African-American, Asian, Hispanic or Native American increased by 30 percent, nearly 7,000 persons – this in a county that saw an overall population decline of 2,000 persons during the period in question. For Erie County employers, the implications are clear. Attracting and retaining non-Caucasians to the local workforce is no longer merely a symbolic act, nor one of legal compliance. It is a matter of necessity. But while the demographic argument for workplace diversity (to say nothing of the moral argument) is strong, the means of achieving this goal are not as obvious. If the planning process can be summarized by the three questions, Where are we now, where do we want to go and how do we get there, the third question has the least apparent answer. The search for that answer was the motivating force behind the creation of L.E.A.D.E.R., the Lake Erie Area Diversity Engagement Roundtable, a consortium of human resources professionals from Erie County and beyond, who are dedicated to, as the group’s mission statement puts it, “promoting diversity and inclusion within our community and business organizations, with the goal of attracting and retaining diverse talent.” Tesha Nesbit-Arrington, Director - Diversity & Inclusion at Erie Insurance, was one of these professionals present at the creation of the initiative, which grew out of an informal series of discussions among local members of the Human Resources Management Association.

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By John Chacona

“One of the members asked me if there was an opportunity to talk about other companies that were seeking resources that might be available considering that the minority community here is relatively small,” Nesbit-Arrington recalls. “It was a grassroots kind of thing, which is typically how a lot of diversity groups tend to start.”

But while the demographic argument for workplace diversity is strong, the means of achieving this goal are not as obvious. Those roots were planted in some of the area’s largest employers LORD Corporation, Gannon University, Mercyhurst College, Associated Springs Barnes Group – Corry, Presque Isle Downs and Casino – and critically – two units of the staffing firm Adecco. Stephen Buckel, branch manager of the local office of Adecco Engineering and Technical, was part of those original discussions, which included Nesbit-Arrington and Ann Scott, Vice President - Community Outreach at Erie Insurance. ”Stephen was so enthusiastic about it, and he said, ‘Why don’t we have a best-practices session with Erie Insurance around diversity and what they’re doing with Adecco?’” This is William T. Rolack, Director, Global/Marketplace Diversity and Inclusion at Adecco’s corporate offices on Long Island. Buckel called Rolack to bring the knowledge of Adecco to bear

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William Rolack, Director, Global/Marketplace Diversity and Inclusion at Adecco’s corporate offices on Long Island.

on the diversity discussion in Erie. Rolack was intrigued, and before long, he was making the trip to Erie every six weeks to sit in on the discussions that would be formalized into the L.E.A.D.E.R. initiative. His global (in the literal as well as metaphoric senses of the word) perspective was invaluable in bringing new pathways of thought to the challenge of diversity in the Erie area labor market.

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He defined that challenge as, ”Establishing a diversity culture in [the] area. Diversity is the mix [of people] and inclusion is what we do with the mix.” “Inclusion,” he observes, “is the true challenge that we have now. With issues around the brain drain and the number of engineers that we have to recruit externally – and by that I mean worldwide – our challenge is to create an atmosphere where inclusion is embraced.”

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Diversity and inclusion are terms that can mean different things to different people, and Rolack takes a very broad view. “When we’re talking about diversity, we’re talking about diversity beyond the EEO codes: veterans, LGBT, persons with disabilities.“ The most valuable role that L.E.A.D.E.R. can play, Rolack believes, is “how to be a thought leader on the issues of diversity and inclusion and social responsibility, and to put what we call ‘the diversity’ lens over decisions.”

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Critically, he feels that these decisions extend far beyond those made in the HR department of employers. “This includes sharing the events, activities, places to eat and shop – that will make a diverse workforce part of the community,” he explains. Like us on Facebook

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Coming to the Table continued.

“What we want to do in working with the Chamber – and the Chamber is just one of the entities that we want to work with in this effort – it to put a diversity lens on what is being done. We want to look at the things that have the Erie ‘brand’ on them, community festivals and the like.” Nesbit-Arrington sees this last effort as essential, not only to attracting a diverse workforce, but more crucially, as she puts it, “retaining them in terms of recreational, cultural and religious opportunities, because it can be a retention challenge if those resources are not available outside of the workplace. Cultural and entertainment opportunities need diversity in their programming. That is one aspect. Schools and integration in residential areas, religious opportunities, those are important. [Inclusion] is different things for different people.” Some of these things are systemic – hard to change but vitally important to attracting capable, qualified workers. And some of them are factors about which we may not be aware – or may prefer not to think about. “It’s an issue for all companies who try to attract talent when the community is not flourishing,” Nesbit-Arrington explained. “I think what’s important for the companies that are here, especially when we see a disproportionately high poverty rate, is how invested employers are in investing systemic change. Companies also attract locally, and most companies maybe should take a hard look [to] see what they can do to influence outcomes. It can be difficult to get people to come [to Erie] when they’re looking at that kind of publicity.” Nesbit-Arrington herself came to Erie to work, returning with her husband, an Erie native. The Pittsburgher knew a bit about the town from her time at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, and she’s sanguine about the future. “I think that kind of excitement can happen in Erie. It just might take a little longer.” <

Phil-ing the Need The Erie Philharmonic (Phil), an Investor with the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, has an established reputation as the region’s premiere performing arts organization. Historically attracting an affluent and influential core audience, its concerts are “must do” events for those who are civically engaged, socially connected and lead local businesses. Its primary audience carries considerable weight in the community and the Commonwealth. Understanding that music is an ageless equalizer, and that composers of symphonic works generally look to commonly shared human emotions as the premise for their works, the Erie Philharmonic will begin a new outreach and community education program, entitled Phil-ing the Need, specifically focused on showcasing a relevant community cause at each of its regular season symphonic concerts during the 2011-2012 Season. The Phil will be partnering with the United Way of Erie County, the Multicultural Resource Center, the Martin Luther King Jr. Center and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, providing each organization a no-cost way to jump-start fundraising efforts at each Symphonic Concert. The program’s goals include reaching out to the community’s underserved and those who typically do not attend Philharmonic concerts, expanding the Phil’s audience base beyond its typical demographic; and providing a unifying connection among all in the audience through the themes of the selected musical pieces. For a complete listing of upcoming concerts visit www.eriephil.org or call 814-455-1375.

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Refugees Enhance Erie’s Economy and Quality of Life Interview with John Flanagan, International Institute and Joel Tuzynski, Multicultural Resource Center

Erie area businesses, take note: if you hire refugees, your bottom line and your workplace will reap healthy benefits. When Lalit Rai (lah-LEET rye), 39, deals cards at Presque Isle Downs and Casino’s table games, he concentrates on the quick action, calculating payouts in seconds. There is no time for even flashes of memories of a happy childhood in Bhutan, teen years of persecution of his ethnic Nepali community and forced unpaid labor in Bhutan, 18 difficult years in a refugee camp in Nepal, and struggles over the past two years of working toward self-sufficiency in America.

3 Marwah Ibrahim (on the cover) Marwah was born on July 25, 1987 in Baghdad, Iraq. She graduated from All Mostaqhi High School in Baghdad, Iraq. Marwah is a refugee that fled from her homeland of Iraq during the War of 2003. Through the collaborative efforts of the United Nations High Council for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration, she was relocated to Syria. While in Syria, she received an Associate’s Degree in Special Needs Teaching from the Family Company Refugee Project. She was then relocated to Boston, MA during her first migration where she received an ESL Certificate. Marwah’s first language is Arabic of which she is obviously very fluent. Her second migration was to Erie, PA where she currently resides with her husband, Mohammed Mohammed and their 6 year old daughter, Noor. She and her family chose Erie to resettle in because of Erie’s reputation as being a good community to live and raise a family. Marwah works at the Multicultural Community Resource Center in the Daycare Center as a Child Care Provider and enjoys her work there.

By Susan M. Weiner

Unlike immigrants, refugees are forced to flee their country because of political, racial, religious and/or ethnic persecution. Like all refugees, Rai and his family members underwent a rigorous screening protocol: first, for eligibility, reasons for requesting resettlement, and health status by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; and second, for approval by three U.S. government departments – State, Health and Human Services and Homeland Security.

Erie is second only to Philadelphia in the number of refugees accepted each year in Pennsylvania. Erie is second only to Philadelphia in the number of refugees accepted each year in Pennsylvania. Approximately 700 arrive in Erie directly from overseas. The International Institute of Erie (IIE) provides resettlement services for about 70 percent of the new refugees and Catholic Charities Counseling and Adoption Services, for about 30 percent. For the past few years, the main countries of origin for new refugees coming to Erie have been Bhutan, Iraq, Myanmar (Burma) and Somalia. The immediate needs of food, clothing and shelter are met as soon as the refugees get off the plane in a place where everyone and everything is totally unfamiliar. Orientation to American life and job placement follow. Within a short time, they are expected to find work, enroll their children in school, and begin to adjust to a whole new way of life – all in a new language.

3Photo Courtesy of Ferralli Studios

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Refugees Enhance Erie’S Economy and Quality of Life

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Refugees Enhance Erie continued.

“Whatever their occupations in their native land, almost all newly arriving refugees start with entry level positions either in manufacturing areas – like assembly, plastics or metal shops, or in service areas – such as housekeeping, landscaping, child care, attendant care or restaurant work,” said Paul Jericho, Director of Refugee Services at the Multicultural Community Resource Center (MCRC), an ERCGP investor. “They may be qualified for other positions, but they need a work history in America.” Later they may enter a training program, start their own business or become caseworkers or translators for refugee agencies.

Why New Americans? |

By Gary Horton

Contributing Writer Mr. Gary Horton, President of the Urban Erie Community Development Corporation provides insight on the innovative term New American, a description that embraces refugees and empowers them to engage as members of their new communities. Why “New Americans” as opposed to “refugees”? That is a question I am happy to answer. And, when you’ve been as fortunate as myself to meet the various children of resettled families in our community, you will immediately see why “New American” is the natural term.

Rai’s first job in Erie was as a bin filler in a plastics company. He experienced the recession and was laid off after two and a half months. He then worked at another plastics factory, while attending dealer school 20 hours a week for 18 weeks and attending English classes four days a week.

These families are brought to the United States by the U.S. State Department, as part of American humanitarian missions around the world, so as to provide a new life and a safe haven for those who fear for their lives in their homelands. We soon discover that a safe place is not the only thing they seek once here.

John Flanagan, Director of the IIE, said, “These first jobs are a good indoctrination for refugees to the American way of life. Language barriers and not understanding how things are done in the American workplace are common obstacles to job placement.”

They want the same things we want: life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and they want a better life for their children; it’s the “American Story” all over again. Many display the ultimate courage and strength by packing up their life and coming here with little more than the clothes on their backs.

Real integration into American life comes after the resettlement period, which usually takes about six months. That’s when refugees go to the MCRC for long-term support as they work through the realities of becoming self-sufficient members of American society. The MCRC also provides resettlement services to about 200 “second migration” refugees, who arrive in Erie on their own from larger U.S. cities. “They choose to come here because the cost of living is lower, there is a better chance of finding a job and mid-sized cities have more of a welcoming spirit,” said Joel Tuzynski, MCRC’s Executive Director. Why hire refugees? “Refugees have a great work ethic and a dogged determination to succeed,” said Flanagan. “They don’t feel they are above doing jobs requiring no special skills and will often stay a couple of years in an entry-level job. For employers, this results in dramatic cost savings on turnover. ”Flanagan and Tuzynski agree that the main reasons for hesitation to hire refugees are a variety of fears and a lack of understanding of differences and nuances in cultures. “Accepting refugees is part of U.S. humanitarianism,” Tuzynski said. “They see America as a place for opportunity. They are resilient, motivated and appreciative. Employers we’ve worked with are glad we approached them.”

They want the same things we want: life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and they want a better life for their children; it’s the “American Story” all over again.

Gary Horton President at Urban Erie CDC

“Refugees” represent where they came from. To be a “New American”, however, represents the hope and aspiration that embodies the American spirit. Many are multi-lingual, talented and hard-working and exhibit the quintessential American ethos which drives them to reach for the fabled American dream. The term “New American” is an empowering description that represents hope, opportunity and freedom. The poem written by Emma Loganus is mounted inside the pedestal of the State of Liberty and is a fitting message: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

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Refugees Enhance Erie continued.

Both the IIE and the MCRC place refugees with employers directly and through temp agencies, and conduct regular follow up. Their temporary free or for-fee transportation to work and state licensed, subsidized or private-fee day care centers provide retention support. The MCRC also offers additional translation and interpreting services, which are free to clients of the MCRC’s own for-profit temp agency, MOSAICO.

Rai, who is president of the Bhutanese community in Erie, intends to preserve the language, traditions and customs of his ethnic Nepali heritage. Like other first generation arrivals over the centuries, he and his wife have dreams for their two young sons. “If they work hard, life will be good,” he said. “The new generation’s future is good in America.” <

How do refugees contribute to the Erie area? “Refugees contribute to the tax base as homeowners and small business owners,” Flanagan said. “They contribute to the local economy as wage earners and consumers. They add to the population of the city, which brings in more federal funding. And a diverse population makes Erie much more attractive to businesses considering a move.” “Refugees have a unique perspective of the world to share,” Tuzynski said. It is a perspective shaped by culture, adversity and a new start in a free country.

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Diverse Projects Bring Diverse Workforce Interview with Dan Harmon, Great Lakes Building and Construction Trades Council and Matt McLaughlin, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Over the past decade a great deal of progress has been made in the efforts to include minority workers in local projects. But community leaders agree there is still a great deal of work to be done. That’s why local unions are teaming up with area workforce development agencies to make sure the buildings we build in our community are representative of the people who will visit them. “I think it gets better all of the time,” says Matt McLaughlin, Business Manager of the IBEW Local Union 56 which represents area electricians. “The unions do better than anyone else but we still have to continue to push forward for more diversification. Right now our minority membership is still under 10 percent with a little over 300 members.” In recent years, some major construction and renovation projects including the Bayfront Convention Center, UPMC Hamot Women’s Hospital, Saint Vincent Health System, and Presque Isle Downs & Casino have generated a need for hundreds of workers in our community. Union leaders say they have worked closely with the Erie County Convention Center Authority and other businesses to make sure the workforce on those projects is open to everyone. “We aim for at least 10 percent of the workforce on these big projects to be minority workers,” according to McLaughlin. “On the Sheraton Hotel project for example, we maintained roughly 9.8 percent.” The bigger project remains finding the qualified workers to satisfy these standards. It’s a task the unions aren’t taking lightly. “The population of the workforce should reflect the general population,” says Dan Harmon, President & Business Manager of Great Lakes Building and Construction Trades

By Erika Howland

Council. “These are good jobs and good opportunities. Most people don’t realize the future they can have at this trade.” But union leaders recognize minority inclusion in the local workforce is a team effort. That’s why local organizations like the Urban Erie Community Development Corporation, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Preferred Systems, and the Erie Community Foundation are trying to spread the word about the benefits of getting into a construction trade apprentice program and its employment opportunities. “It’s difficult to find people to get involved and commit to five years of training,” explains McLaughlin. “We try to put our name out there and let people know we are looking for young people and motivated people willing to go to work. However, it seems people want to go to college and don’t see the benefits of our trade.” With the help of these various agencies, it has made these efforts a little easier. Job fairs have been held to recruit workers. Additionally, other agencies have stepped up and paid application fees and helped screen interested workers to ensure they meet the minimum requirements for the apprentice program or other employment. The apprentice program is for people interested in learning a trade, such as becoming an electrician. The five year commitment to the program offers more than 8,000 hours of on-the-job and classroom training. As union members, those workers who go through the apprentice program continue to receive additional training and education throughout their career keeping them at the top of their game.

3Photo Courtesy of G.L.B.T.

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Diverse P R O J E C T S B R I N G DIVERSE WORKFORCE

Gary Horton, of the UECDC is pleased progress is being made, but hopes to see more progress in the future. “Everyone needs to feel that inclusion is important,” explains Horton. “We have 25 percent minority population in the City of Erie. We are a better community when diversity is represented and everyone is included. ”With Horton’s help, union leaders have reached out to local community groups like the Martin Luther King Center and the Booker T. Washington Center as well the trade schools, church groups and PA Career Link. “You have to work with everybody to get your information out there,” says McLaughlin. “We can only do so much with the funding we have, so it takes a lot of self-promotion and community support.” According to the union leaders and local agencies a lot of help has come by way of the Erie County Convention Center Authority making a commitment towards inclusion. “It starts at the top with ownership and those people bidding out the projects,” says Horton. “If they all followed the Convention Center Authority’s model, we would have less minority unemployment.” Later this year, work is expected to begin on the $42 million Tullio Arena renovation project. Authority officials are already requesting at least a ten percent minority workforce rate as the project awaits new bids. “We’ve certainly come a long way in the past ten years,” remarks Harmon. “But what’s paralleled the success of this mission is the project labor agreements and the cooperation among all of the organizations involved.” Both Harmon and

Horton credit the ECCCA’s efforts in getting dozens of minority workers on the job site for both the Bayfront Convention Center and Sheraton Hotel projects. “There’s been no greater opportunity for minority inclusion than on these projects,” says Horton. “These projects employed 75 minority workers, helping them to earn over $900,000.”

“It only makes sense to change along with the world,” says McLaughlin. “It’s a good thing.” Union leaders are hoping in the coming years more community groups and organizations will come on board with minority recruitment as they remain committed to their cause. It’s an effort they say requires activity all year long if our community intends to stay in tune with an ever-changing society. “It only makes sense to change along with the world,” says McLaughlin.“It’s a good thing. You lose the stereotypes when you become more diverse and you gain so much more. You learn so much more. How can you move the community forward if the same group of people always have the good jobs? We must uplift the entire community not just a portion of it.” <

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Diverse Projects continued.

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Providing Adults with Disabilities Opportunity to Thrive Through the Supported Employment Program at the Barber National Institute, area businesses are able to hire adults with disabilities who become loyal, dependable employees for their companies. The Barber National Institute has been providing supported employment since 1986. Over the past 25 years, the Supported Employment Program has made more than 1,000 job placements for more than 600 people. Employees have been hired at more than 400 businesses in Erie County, ranging from food service, janitorial, housekeeping, child care, light manufacturing, and retail. Employment specialists, or job coaches, work alongside the new employee until all job skills are mastered. There is no â&#x20AC;&#x153;down timeâ&#x20AC;? for the employer. Supported employment assists adults who may have developmental or physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism, blindness & visual impairments or deafness & hearing impairments.

Contributed by the Barber National Institute

Katrice Fisher is an employee who is successfully working in the community through the Supported Employment program at the Barber National Institute. Katrice is employed as a sanitation assistant at UPMC Hamot, where she has been employed since November. Katrice enjoys talking to patients when she cleans their rooms and is hopeful she makes them feel better during their stay. She also likes having a lot of responsibility and being able to make many of her own decisions while on the job.

Are you looking for skilled employees you can really count on? Contact the Supported Employment Program at the Barber National Institute at 874-5517 or email MaggieDimitriadis@BarberInstitute.org

Supported employment provides assistance in filing for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for qualifying employers. All services are provided at NO COST to employers. The goal for each supported employee is that he or she will successfully and independently maintain employment in the community.

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Fourth Annual Beer on the Bay

…drew a record crowd Saturday, July 23rd at the Burger King Amphitheater. More than 1500 beer enthusiasts sampled offering more than 30 craft brewers from in and around the region. The hosts included representatives from the breweries as well as personnel from Edinboro Beverage, Erie Beer, Glenwood Beer and Penn Beer distributors who sell the products locally. Brewers and distributors delighted the crowds with more than 100 different pours being offered in the “big tent” and on stage in the VIP tent. The VIP tent, sponsored by Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel, offered rare brews and food pairings provided by Smith Provision and Giant Eagle. Congratulations to Erie Brewing Company and the Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership on a huge success!

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