Our current project (Hatch NYC 2015-16-229) continues the study that examines the integration of immigrant populations in rural communities. The project build on findings of the completed Fund for Rural America project in five New York communities and the projects,  Community Response to Immigrant Settlement in Upstate New York (NYC-159441) and Context Matters: Institutions Working for Immigrant Integration Hatch 2012-13-170). Our past research results showed immigrant families will attend trusted sites and have interest in participating if some conditions are met: trusted sites, information in Spanish for parents, and content of programs offered. We continue our working links with churches, schools and organizations to examine the viability of programs to foster immigrant access to jobs, housing, English language technical training, schooling and health care. One general objective is the identification and development of community-based programs to foster social network formation and promote the integration of immigrants into the social and economic life of rural communities. We identified that a relevant mechanism that favors immigrant integration is the establishment of relationships with long term residents. However, to make possible the bridging of immigrants and long-term residents, communities need to facilitate immigrant access to local programming. These initiatives would promote the integration of immigrants into the social and economic life of their new destinations.

 Two related projects are active. 1) It follows up the general project of Immigrant Integration with a focus on children. This project examines the inclusion of immigrant children into local programs. I want to provide insights about how to link children of immigrant families to 4-H and other available extension programs. Our project also explored how to engage students in applied research where they will learn by doing, provide service and learn research skills. Our practical research objective is to provide insights about how to link Hispanic/Latino immigrant children and families to ongoing 4-H programming in Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE). CCE acknowledges the importance of inclusion of newcomers into the Extension programs to foster the participation and education of the newcomers living in rural towns and small cities. Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) has offices in every county in New York State, and as such, it provides local sustainable programming for immigrant families.

Our last year’s effort built on previous work. Participants and their parents of the past five summer’s workshops confirmed findings from our previous interviews and focus groups with immigrants. They expressed that activities in the church premises and in schools were trusted, they felt welcome to attend, and that more programs would be desirable. They were pleased to see community members interested in their wellbeing and the opportunity to learn about the American culture. During the summer of 2015 we examined the acceptability of 4-H by immigrant families. We worked with a church in Marion, NY and Middletown, NY and tested interest and viability of Extension programming with two Latino groups of mothers and children.

In 2016-2018, we carried 12 workshops during the summer, CCE staff from each county mentored Cornell students involved in 4-H programs, helped with the outreach efforts and provided support and guide to the student’s projects. This relationship turned into a valuable experience for students. 4-H team leaders and youth development educators provided on-site training, participated on the planning of student’s clubs and help with sessions. We are in preparation of a report to inform other agencies best practices on how to reach and work with the immigrant population in rural areas. In continuation with the 4-H Clubs during summer, three new clubs have been carried during the fall 2016 and continue into spring 2017 in Sullivan and Orange County. During the summer of 2017 four clubs were organized in Wayne and Orange County. Reports and guidelines for dissemination are currently under preparation/revision. The final product, currently being tested in two high schools, is a mentor program for first generation students, planned as a future 4-H program. The program includes guidelines, activities and sources to be applied in rural high schools to support conselors. The material wil be web based. This 4-H target audience is youth from immigrant families and any other student who has no member in the family with a college experience.

Current efforts to extend working relationships with additional counties that have a larger number of immigrant Latino population.

Pilot programs with three counties to test 4-H initiatives (Wayne, Orange and Sullivan) Hatch and Smith Lever (2015-16-229).

Development and testing of 4-H Mentorship program aimed to rural high school students applying first in their families to college. Ongoing testing of materials and activities in two high schools.