Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
Hispanic families need to know about dominant culture and value it. Caucasian families need to increase awareness about diversity. Lack of knowledge about the other culture brings consequences: people from minorities do not ask for help and people from dominant culture, even though they want to serve, do not know which way is the best to work with minorities.

Response:
ISUE - Woodbury County , in partnership with Morningside College in Sioux City , decided to offer Our Families, Our Communities to give the opportunity to these two groups to learn about families who are different from theirs because they belong to a different ethnic group, traditions and memories. It was a bilingual program, and we reviewed materials from Home and Family (articles and publications). We had 10 participants, six Hispanic and four Caucasian coming from the college.

Impact:
Hispanic participants came to all sessions because they have 20 minutes of ESL classes, and then they took a lot of time reviewing the materials that are in English. Every session was two hours. Caucasian participants came to the last four sessions and reviewed the materials all together, made comments, and exchanged ideas. Hispanics will use the information at their children's school; Caucasians will use the information when they are working with Hispanic people.

Contact:
Nancy Nicho
Woodbury County Extension
4301 Sergeant Rd, Ste 213
Sioux City, IA 51106
712-255-0364
nicho@iastate.edu