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The Immigrant Belonging Project
The County of Santa Clara values our immigrant communities and their experiences. Over the next two years, we will conduct a survey and community conversations to learn more about what is important to them. The findings will help with understanding our immigrant communities’ needs, contributions, and challenges in reaching full belonging. The recommendations will inform current and future policy, funding, and service delivery.
The Office of Immigrant Relations (OIR) is partnering with the Othering & Belonging Institute (OBI) at the University of California at Berkeley. The project includes gathering information shared by people living in Santa Clara County who are born outside of the US. To identify current priorities across immigrant communities, OBI will:
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Interview local experts, immigrant service providers, and community leaders.
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Implement a survey to reach immigrants living in the county.
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Hold community conversations with specific immigrant communities to further explore key issues.
A countywide immigrant belonging project like this has not been completed in over 20 years. This project may shape the experiences of immigrants in the county for many years to come. We hope you will consider joining us. For more information on the project, please contact the OIR team and Kevin Lee, DrPH, MPH, Senior Research and Evaluation Specialist, at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
Which communities will this project include?
OIR and OBI will reach out to immigrants who speak English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, Hindi, Farsi, Arabic, Russian, Korean, and Amharic to participate in the project. We will approach trusted community organizations to assist in this process.
How can immigrant communities share their opinions?
We will collect information through a survey and community conversations. A survey has the opportunity to reach diverse immigrant groups. Meeting with the community can help with understanding belonging, service delivery, and other important priorities.
Who will the survey reach?
We aim to reach up to 2,500 immigrants living in Santa Clara County of diverse ethnicities, languages, income levels, and cities of residence. We will work with local, trusted organizations to reach our largest ethnic groups.
Will qualitative experiences be considered?
Yes. We plan to conduct focused interviews with community leaders who work with immigrants. Additionally, we will conduct community conversations with different immigrant community groups.
How can I support this project?
Community-based partners can help by promoting the survey to their members, especially those who are hard to reach. Those from the immigrant community can help by taking the survey.
How will supporting this project benefit immigrant communities and local organizations?
Local organizations and decision makers can use project findings to inform policy, funding, and service priorities. High levels of survey participation will ensure local organizations, advocates, and public officials have the best information to support immigrant belonging in the county.
Why is OIR partnering with UC Berkeley’s Othering & Belonging Institute (OBI) for this project?
OIR is committed to fostering the full belonging of immigrant communities in the county. OBI has the expertise to identify challenges and gaps in experiences of belonging. They will be able to recommend how to improve policy, services, inclusion, and recognition of immigrants.