Dubuque Multicultural Family Center

Problem:
The City of Dubuque is facing the opportunity of welcoming people from many cultures. Since 1998, there has been an increase of 250% of African American children attending Dubuque Community Schools, of which 88% receive free or reduced lunches. Sixty percent of the Hispanic, Asian, Marshallese, and multi-racial students receive free and reduce lunches.

Response:
In 2004, Dubuque County Extension developed an AmeriCorps/VISTA position to provide capacity building in diversity. This outreach effort created over 170 personal contacts. Activities included door knocking in the Washington Neighborhood, an African-American needs assessment and Dialogue Circles funded by the Community Foundation. This process lead to the creation of a core-planning group including members from the targeted populations for a multi-cultural center. By accessing expertise of neighborhood leaders, key agency staff, and Extension resources, additional partners came to the table: Community Development Commission, Dubuque County Extension Council, John Deere Multicultural Awareness Group, the NAACP, and St. John’s Church.

Tara Nelson, AmeriCorps/VISTA Member, worked with the various partners that successfully lead to an award of $43,371 from the City of Dubuque Community Partnership Program grant funds for one year of start-up funding for a multi-cultural family center in May of 2005. In addition, over $5,000 in in-kind donations have been received including computers, office equipment, and furniture.

Impact to Date:
The Grand Opening was held on July 9th with over 200 guests attending. The center’s new coordinator, Christopher Doyle, and his family were introduced at the opening. A wonderful mural was completed that is on permanent display at the center. The center is reaching out to all citizens in the neighborhood through diverse programming including: English as the Second Language classes, accessing internet and computers, comfortable conversation areas, family and youth activities, and enhancing learning, developing empowerment, and citizenship skills.

This center is an ongoing program. Our center is in Washington Neighborhood Revitalize area. This project is a 50 block area that has just started to encourage home ownership, renovation, and partner with organizations to assist renters, landlords, and home owners. Dubuque County Extension is a partner in this exciting project. Through both of these programs, our community continues to build capacity for all citizens, developing an infrastructure that is meeting the needs of our newest residents, and improving the well-being of children, youth and families.

Contact:
Nancy Everman
Dubuque County Extension Education Director
14858 W. Ridge Lane, Suite 2
Dubuque, IA 52003-8466
Phone 641-583-6496; Fax 641-583-4844
Email everman@iastate.edu