Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)
Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)
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Every year, people around the globe celebrate World Refugee Day on June 20. This day is designated to raise awareness about refugees – people like myself who have fled their homes because of civil war or natural disasters. Being a refugee means you lost everything you had or that had been built for you. Imagine walking away with nothing from your life as you knew it, and your only priority is to save your loved ones and get them safely out of the conflict zone. Imagine striving to keep hope a...
At this month’s forum, speakers shared information and resources for immigrant and refugee community members. This included equity and inclusion efforts in state agencies, an overview of the Sustainable Development Goals Initiative, and information on Frontline Worker Pay applications. Enterprise-Wide Equity and Inclusion Efforts Chris Taylor, Assistant Commissioner and Chief Inclusion Officer for the State of Minnesota, shared some of the work being done to create more equitable cultures at Minnesota’s state agencies to better serve a mor...
In celebration of National Small Business Week, the Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED) Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Forum in May provided important information for small businesses. We heard from a variety of speakers who provided insight regarding contract opportunities, loan programs and more for our community members. MnDOT Contract Opportunities for Small Businesses The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) in partnership with Push Strategist, LLC is seeking to connect with immigrant, refugee and BIPOC s...
This month we covered the importance of attracting and retaining Minnesota’s BIPOC workforce for employers. We also shared transportation resources from Metro Transit and highlighted several workforce programs available here at the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Engaging with Minnesota’s BIPOC Workforce DEED’s Workforce Strategy Consultant, Adesewa Adeseji, shared employers’ best practices for attracting and retaining BIPOC talent. BIPOC engagement is important for all employers because the face of Minneso...
Our discussion this month covered programs available to under-utilized businesses looking to contract with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). We also highlighted Health Care Month by talking with health care employers currently hiring during this unprecedented health care workforce shortage. Achieving Equity in the Procurement Process Mary Schmidt from the Advancing Equity Office at the Minnesota Department of Transportation shared strategies their agency is using to open the door on government contracting for small...
This month’s forum shared a variety of great resources for community members regarding employment and health programs available to immigrant and refugee populations. We heard speakers from DEED as well as representatives from the Department of Health and The YMCA of the North. Vocational Rehabilitation Services Rehabilitation Area Manager Dawn Larue-Wittwer gave an overview on Vocational Rehabilitation Services at DEED. The Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division provides services to Minnesotans with disabilities to assist them in a...
This month’s forum shared a lot of great resources for community members regarding education programs and financial aid available to students and parents from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. We also learned about the RETAIN Program for ill or injured workers. Department of Education Resources for New-to-Country Parents and Students Michael Bowlus and Lee Her from the Minnesota Department of Education shared with us that Minnesota has robust education laws requiring equal educational o...
Housing Programs and Domestic Violence Awareness Month Were Focus of October’s Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Forum - Anisa Hajimumin, Assistant Commissioner for Immigrant and Refugee Affairs October’s Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Forum shared lots of great resources for community members on housing programs available from Minnesota Housing. We also discussed Domestic Violence Awareness Month and learned about a new Restaurant Outreach Program from the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Housing Program Opportunities Minnesota Housing is Min...
September’s Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Forum shared a lot of great information for community members regarding business certification and contracting opportunities for small businesses in the BIPOC community. Afterwards we heard from DEED's Office of Economic Opportunities on the Minnesota Main Street Relief Grant and CareerForce on services available to career seekers. Small Business Certification and Contracting Opportunities Aaron Anderson from the Office of Equity in Procurement at the Minnesota Department of Administration first s...
August’s Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Forum shared a lot of great information for community members regarding housing and eviction resources as well as upcoming programs aimed at small businesses and grant opportunities geared toward employment and training programs. Eviction Moratorium Off Ramp Alyssa Wetzel-Moore, director of Community Development for Minnesota Housing, kicked off our discussion with an overview of the Eviction Off-Ramp that was recently passed in the legislative session. Now that the eviction moratorium has ended, s...
July’s Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Forum shared a lot of great resources from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) regarding the rights of workers in Minnesota. We also received an update from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) regarding a new community reviewer process for DEED’s grant programs. John Stiffin from DLI’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs helped moderate the DLI presentations during the forum and he gave a quick overview of DLI. He explained that their agency’s mission...
At June’s Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Forum, community leaders, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations came together to talk about the economic opportunities and challenges in the agriculture industry for Minnesota’s Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) farmers. The forum also shared a range of resources from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and community-based organizations for BIPOC Minnesota farmers. Emerging Farmers Working Group To kick off...
May’s Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Forum explored ways to address the challenges immigrants and refugees face when reaching out and connecting with companies that are hiring now. While many employers in Minnesota continue to struggle to find job seekers, immigrant and refugee communities are also struggling with applying for positions they qualify for. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is working on strategies to help community members get connected with the right employers as well as prepare employers to b...
March’s Immigrant and Refugee Forum held a thoughtful discussion focused on safety and protection resources available to community members. The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) hosts these forums the first Tuesday of every month to bring together immigrant and refugee community advocates, business owners, elders and leaders. Participants listened to representatives from the Department of Public Safety, Minnesota law enforcement and the Minnesota National Guard g...
I’m really excited about the great exchange of ideas that took place during our second Immigrant and Refugee Forum earlier this month. The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) hosts these forums the first Tuesday of the month to bring together immigrant and refugee community advocates, business owners, elders and leaders. Topics discussed at January’s forum included civil rights, COVID-19 and disparities BIPOC communities are facing, small business registration, for...
In my first three months of work as the Assistant Commissioner for Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, I have been fortunate to meet with so many business owners and entrepreneurs who are shaping Minnesota's economy. My work is about better understanding the current conditions, especially the barriers to starting and growing a business in our state. Last week, I visited with two business owners, and I am so impressed with their success, even through hardships. Mirian owns El Callejon, a store at Merc...
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is proud to participate in Welcoming Week September 12-20, a national initiative to celebrate and affirm the importance of inclusivity and connections for immigrants, refugees and long-term residents of Minnesota. As an agency, we focus on workforce and economic development and know firsthand the positive impact of immigrants and refugees on our state’s community and economic development. My role as the Assistant Commissioner for Immigrant and Refugee Affairs is central t...
