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Running Head: Applying Cultural Knowledge

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Cultural Immersion: Applying Cultural Knowledge - Claymont Community Center Jasmine Ervin AHS 8100 Wilmington University, Graduate Studies

Submitted by Jasmine Ervin

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Populations Served by Claymont Community Center The populations served by the agency vary based upon the service being offered. The learning center targets students seeking to improve core curriculum courses. Services are also offered for ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) to help adults improve their proficiency in English if it is a secondary language. There are also healthcare and food services offered to those Delaware residents whose income and financial situation qualify them for the program. There is also a senior citizen center offered to those individuals 50 years of age and older to help them remain active with other members of the same age range. Lastly, to the masses of Delaware residents there is a thrift shop that they can utilize. Populations Selected for Cultural Immersion The population selected for the cultural immersion paper is Colombian Americans.

Populations History and Major Milestones The history of the majority of Colombian American people begin with a series of events that transpired in Colombia circa 1995. From 1995 to 1999 the GDP dropped from 5.8% to 4.05%, which was accompanied by an 18% unemployment rate in urban centers, where of the population lived below the poverty line (Brub, 2005). Also during this period the citizens of Colombia became bystanders and casualties of the war for drugs between guerrillas and the paramilitary established in the country (Brub, 2005). Potentially, as a result of this rising issues, the country saw nearly half of emigrated persons left the country between 1999 and 2001 (Brub, 2005).

The lives of Colombians in America suggest an improvement in lifestyle as opposed to other Hispanics and even in conjunction with the American population. Of the South American

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Hispanic population, individuals who identified themselves as of ancestral origins in Colombia were estimated to be at 909,000, up from 470000 in 2000 (Albert, Ennis & Rios-Vargas, 2011). This is suggestive of the increase of or advantages immigrants seek to obtain by journeying to America. This is supported by the following statistics from pewhispanic.org (Hispanics of Colombian Origin,2008): of Colombians in the US are foreign born; of these 58.7% arrived after 1990; Less than half them are US citizens 57.5% speak English proficiently Median age is 36 compared to 27 for the Hispanic population 50.4% of Colombians in America are married as opposed to 46.5% for the entire Hispanic population 21.6% of Colombian women (ages 15-44) were unmarried less than 38.8% for all Hispanics and 34.5% for the US population Of the Colombians in America approx 46.8% are located in the South with the highest concentration in FL and another 37.3% in the Northeast with the highest concentration in NY and NJ 30.3% of Colombians, versus 12.9% of the Hispanic population have obtained at least a Bachelors The average annual income for those individuals ages 16 and older was 25,460 in 2008 vs the average for the entire Hispanic population of 21,488 11% live in poverty as opposed to 12.7% of the US population and 20.7% for the Hispanic population that live in poverty

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26.4% have health insurance versus 31.7% of all Hispanics versus 15.4% of US citizens that have a Bachelor's degree Approximately 53% of Colombians own a home versus 49.1 % of the Hispanic population and 60.6% of the US population

Film Evaluation of Themes

Film Viewed: Paraiso Travel Director, Company, Year: Simon Brand, Paraiso Production , 2008 Major Themes: One of the primary themes of this movie was the attainment of the American Dream and the various means immigrants use to attain the dream. Of the few immigrants the movie focused on, paralleled to Americans, there are some unsavory, yet legal means individuals use to attain the American dream, 'good and honest' work, and last illegal work with much labor and little pay or pose high risk and/or deportation. Another theme highlighted in this movie is extended kinship because the main character was take in by and cared for by a Colombian family after attempting to steal food since he had not found work. The sympathy of the family is most likely the result of empathizing with others, perhaps family members, who had experienced the same twist of fate upon arrival or entry into the country. Had the restaurant not been a Colombian restaurant he may not have experienced the same grace offered by the owner. Enwrapped in the theme is the sympathy mother's often give to other persons who may be of the same age as their children, as this young man was, because the father of the family refused to assist him, initially, and even kicked him out of the restaurant.

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The last theme the fuelled the character throughout the movie was the love of his girlfriend, which the main character realized had disintegrated as a result of his and her attainment of the American Dream. The movie ended with a sort of reflective pause in which the character appeared to question whether the love or desire to achieve the American Dream was worth the lost of his love. Entangled in the elements is a representation of reformation of the self based upon the shift of attention when the main character attempts to find love in a new young woman, but was unable to do so until he let go of the girl of his past. This was a representation of the release of the self from the past to achieve new goals and/or dreams.

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Personal Interview Date of Interview: 11/27/2013 Name of Interviewee: Hector Major Themes (Q & A): Q: Have you ever been to Colombia? A: I was actually born in Colombia. We left when I was 9. I've been back periodically since then. Q: What was the scene in Colombia like as opposed to America? A: Awww man! It was a lot of poor people. I can't even complain after where I came from to where I am now. Even in the poorest parts of this country makes it seem like a lifestyle of luxury compared to Colombia. I remember my family having to fetch water from a well, though very few individuals had plumbing, or so my parents told me. In America, you have a whole bunch of places where you can get food if you don't make enough money or something, but when most of your country is like that, it seems like its hard for the government to be supportive of its people. And at night time, it is dangerous to the point where my parents didn't even want me to go to the city at night because lives were devalued-- not to say that this isn't the case in America, but the type of police patrol recognized here is not the same in Colombia, not to mention the corruption that negatively impacts the country. Q: What was your parents reason (s) for coming to America? Do you think your parents achieve what they were looking for in emigrating from Colombia to America? A: My parents left for a better life for my siblings and I. A sort of seeking of the American Dream. They believed they would be able to be more financially independent in America than in Colombia. My father was a hard worker and felt that the work he did in Colombia didn't amass to what he would be able to achieve in America. Though his English wasn't that great, he took an

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ESOL course to improve his fluency in the language which definitely opened up a lot of doors to him. Right now he owns his own auto mechanic shop. He even owns the house he currently lives in. Q: Would you have left Colombia under the same circumstances? A: Definitely would have left had the same circumstances presented itself to me. Considering my parents were married young and started a family young, being in America I can definitely say I'm not in a rush to follow the same path as I want to take advantage of the pleasures this country has to offer. Summary and Synthesis In short, as a result of this project, I have learned much about the Colombian culture that I was not privy to prior to this assignment. Though not noted in the interview, Hector described an event in which his father was robbed at knife-point in Colombia, which he expounded upon the violence that ran rampant in Colombia when he was a youth. Furthermore, it supported the information obtain from the history of Colombian people in Colombia that coerced people into migrating to other foreign countries. In addition, the statistics that were revealed in the information obtained from the Census.gov website and hewhispanic.org website supported the information presented in the movie and the information obtained from the interview. There was also a startling revelation discovered with the percentages of data from the Colombian population in comparison to the general Hispanic population because the Colombian population seemed to exceed the average in almost every category which is very suggestive of their culture of person's in America as whole. This definitely sparks interest and inquiry into the various persons that have potentially need assistance from the Field Placement Agent and what may be done to improve the quality of services offered to the various immigrant populations, perhaps

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even shedding some light on what can be done to improve the services offered to US born citizens. Assessing the Field Work Agency Name of Field Placement Agency: Claymont Community Center Address of Agency: 3301 Green street, Claymont, DE 19703 Agencys Community Considering the center's location is near a school and a development, the feeling of the area is community oriented. There are a number of local businesses, ranging from supermarkets, banks, fast food restaurants and a library in the immediate area suggesting easy accessibility to obtain or utilize services offered by the agency. Receptivity Upon entry into the center it is reminiscent of a high school and a conducive learning environment. The colors were bland and very light (white) with high ceilings which create a feeling of openness. The brochures were plenty and informative. Some brochures were offered into a translated format to be understood. The staff members were enthused for the most part. It seems inviting but no more inviting then I would expect at a center. A lot of female employees present. Other clients await services appear to be content with the services offered or anticipation of services. Self Sensitivity There is sometimes displayed in the interactions between staff and the serviced community that appears to be tactless seemingly stemming from a familiarity with the serviced community. It can be misinterpreted by onlookers or outside observers or even potential clients which can negatively impact that service being offered. In informal settings there aren't

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discussions of stereotypes or "They" language used to address the selected population or any others. Administration and Staff Training There aren't any training, workshops, retreats, or other forums for discussions of diversity issues available to staff. However there were a substantial part of the employee handbook that addressed remaining culturally sensitive to all businesses of the service being offered by the program. Funding This funding provider is not designated to enhance culturally sensitive services to the population discussed and investigated. The only cultural organization across programs is relative to the program provided such as the ESOL program which can only be provided with effectiveness from someone of the same and similar background. Agency Programs and Services Not applicable to the selected population. Quality Services are provided to all minorities of which this population may align with it, financial situation or language barriers present themselves as an effectual issue in achieving one's needs. Food services offered are not culturally discussed, however they do meet the need, not wants of individuals utilizing services. They can enhance services to take for consideration cultural variations by offering discounts to local supermarkets that offer more culture friendly foods or offer it as an option in the food closet. Have counselor who can be empathetic to clients by hiring individuals of ranging ethnicities. Effectiveness

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No specific data about population from study. The information presented would include them in the general Hispanic minority population. Efficiency Some of the organizations that the CCC has an affiliation with that addresses the needs of the selected population include: a) Provides services to gain access to Adopt-a-family which aids families in crisis (struggling with illness, homelessness, domestic violence, poverty or unemployment) whether through counseling or other mental health services. b) Brandywine Child Care and Pre-School Services offers before and after school program for children who may need either or both to support ease the burden encountered in single parent homes or those families who lack the familial support to have proper supervision of their children before or after school. This provides necessary support to the selected population especially if the children attending school are the first generation born in America. c) Brandywine Counseling and Community Services, Inc. is the parent company of the CCC which provides services for personal improvement, advancement and sustainability. This program outlet provides the tools and resources to help individuals flourish as productive citizens which would be most beneficial to the selected population if they aren't familiar with the details of American culture, job security, and other avenues for self-sustainment. In conjunction with these realization is an extend service offered by the Claymont State Service Center which would also be open to local members of the selected population if necessary. d) Claymont Library offers the services associated with traditional libraries to help grant students who lack the resources at home public access to the tools necessary for self-advancement.

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e) There are also credit counseling services offered to improve and/or secure financial success which would be beneficial to individuals of the selected population to better prepare them for American culture in which credit is a form of financial reputation. f) Through the Professional Staffing Associates Inc individuals are able get support and training to apply for employment, develop basic skills for employment, and obtain help to secure employment with local employers. With the skills or training acquired from this program, the selected population will better be able to achieve financial success and freedom through job acquisition and job security by acquiring the necessary skills. g) With the WIC (women, infants, & children) program basic nutritional needs are met for income qualifying women with children 5 or younger who may not be able to meet the nutritional requirements for their self and/or their children. As many families are torn apart by immigration for one reason or another, this program would be very beneficial to those individuals of the selected population where applicable.

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Work Cited Albert, Nora C., Ennis, Sharon R., Rios-Vargas Merarys. (2011, May). The Hispanic Population 2010. Retrieved November 26, 2013, from http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-04.pdf Brand, Simon (Director). (2008). Paraiso Travel [Drama]. Columbia: Paraiso Films. Pew Hispanic Center. (2010, April 22). Hispanics of Colombian Origin in the United States 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2013, from http://pewhispanic.org/files/factsheets/64.pdf Brub, Myriam. (2005, November). Colombia: In the Crossfire. Retrieved November 26, 2013, from http://www.migrationinformation.org/Profiles/display.cfm?ID=344

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