Enhancing Community Capacity in Perry, Iowa

Problem:
Perry has rapidly grown in the past decade with over 26% of its inhabitants Latino. Today, 40% of school children are Latino and this is continuing to increase. Perry’s leaders look for ways to effectively involve their new neighbors, encourage understanding between older and newer residents, assess and respond to emerging family and community needs and effectively respond to this rapid change.

Extension’s Response:
Extension, through Perry LINK, has worked extensively with Perry’s Hispanic residents and community groups to bring people together in order to create more understanding of different cultures and of the struggles, needs, and contributions of new immigrants. In 2004, Extension began to envision with staff from Perry Public Schools and Hometown Perry Iowa creative ways to learn, share and honor more of the rich Latino culture as a way to be more inclusive of Latino residents. Conversations were held with mainstreet businesses owners, church leaders, and agency personnel as well as representatives from HUP (Hispanics United for Perry). A travel seminar (March 17-24, 2006) was eventually designed as a way to allow a variety of Perry leaders to experience and learn about one immigrant-sending country firsthand. Michoacan, Mexico, home of many of Perry high school students, was selected as a visit site. Extension helped develop the educational materials and itinerary, solicit financial backing from community partners as a way to increase buy-in, develop outcome assessment tools, and help develop and implement a multimedia presentation to inform and further involve community members. The 22 travel seminar participants included: city mayor, 2 police, 2 school teachers, afterschool program coordinator, school board member, Tyson manager, banker, 2 small businessmen, 3 Hometown Perry Iowa staff, newspaper editor, 3 Extension staff and 3 youth representatives. With over $25,000 invested from a variety of community partners, the goal was to bring back learning, apply it to different roles and services represented by the group, present the community with new information and effect positive community change.

Outcome:
The positive effects of the Michoacan Travel Seminar are just beginning. The Perry Chief has begun a series on Michoacan by interviewing Perry’s mayor. The Tyson manager wrote letters to Iowa Senators concerning more humane immigation policy and challenged other participants to do the same. A student rep is involving Perry youth at an immigration rally at the capital. The aftercare program director surveyed her Mexican parents to be more responsive to their needs and find out about their past. Four participants are working on a youth, 1-week “culture” camp to be held in June and Hometown Perry Iowa will highlight the experience in the Museum in May and June. The local guitar store has its first shipment of Michoacan guitars to sell. A multimedia presentation is being developed which will share new information and insights with community partners. Participants will meet again and plan how they want to proceed with effecting community change in the future.

Contact:
Beth Fleming
Family Life Field Specialist
220 H Avenue, Nevada, IA 50201
Phone 515-382-6551
E-mail bflem@iastate.edu