This past Thursday our
class had the opportunity to go on our first site visit to the American Civic
Association. I found our visit to be extremely informative and eye-opening.
Truth be told, I had very little expectations going into our first site visit.
I assumed we would just receive a tour and have a discussion with the Executive
Director. While we indeed had both of those elements, I was very impressed with
the level of professionalism delivered by the staff. For starters, I certainly
was not expecting breakfast, I found that to be a really thoughtful touch by
their staff. I also really enjoyed the presentation they provided. It was well
written and I appreciated the fact that they brought volunteers and board
members from varying departments to speak with us. By giving these various
individuals from their respective departments an opportunity to speak, I
believe it provided a better understanding of what their organization does on a
day to day basis. It really highlighted the broad range of services
they have to offer. You could tell from the way each volunteer talked about
their role how passionate they were about the organization. I also appreciated
the detailed responses to our class’ questions that they provided.
Specifically, the questions regarding the challenges that the immigrants and
refugees they service undergo when coming to America. There were certain
aspects of the responses that I had not considered previously. For example, their comment about immigrants driving
and being pulled over hit my heartstrings. For most, at least in my own
experience, getting pulled over feels more like a nuisance than a
nerve-wracking experience. It really stunned me to hear about all the thoughts
that go through an immigrant’s mind when they are pulled over, and all the
aspects of their life they have at stake including their family. I found this
portion of their presentation to be moving. Overall, the staff’s presentation
made me feel respected, their high level of professionalism showed me that they
respected us and valued our time and consideration.
Aside from the physical
presentation itself, I found some of the information to be rather striking. I
was astonished by the amount of traffic the American Civic Association receives
on a daily basis. To have on average about 80 people come into their office
highlights the importance and the need for the work that they do. In addition,
the classes that we had the opportunity to take a peak in, were full and seemed
very engaging. I was impressed by the attendance their classes receive and give
their teachers a lot of credit for providing these services on a voluntary
basis. Did anyone else find this to be impressive? Personally, I think it
speaks volumes about the organization's presence in the community that they are
able to provide a multitude of services with only volunteers. Furthermore, the
fact that a majority of their clients hear about their services through word of
mouth rather than promotional or community outreach programs shows the need for
it in the immigrant community. One thing I wish we had the opportunity to do
was to speak to a former client of one of their programs or a current client to
hear how the organization directly impacted them as an individual. After doing
some browsing on my own, I came across a video on the American Civic
Association’s website that shares the story of a woman who was directly
impacted by their services. I highly encourage each of you to watch this video,
I found it to be very moving and it really brings to life the services mentioned
throughout the presentation.
All in all, I think I speak
for everyone when I say, it is crazy to think about how we already in the final
phase of our decision-making process. This semester has been quite eye-opening.
The decisions we have been forced to make have been difficult, to say the
least. Personally, this class has challenged me to find a balance between my
heart and head and has put to test some of the initial values I spoke of at the
beginning of the semester. Has anyone else felt this way throughout the
process? I can only imagine these decisions getting harder to make as we all
become more connected to each finalist through our presentations and as we
continue with our site visits. I think that the site visits will be the most
convincing part of the final decision-making process as we will be seeing the
organizations first-hand and hear from their own staffers directly who know
more about the organization's themselves than we do. I am interested to see how
our class conversations and voting move forward as we all try to come to a
consensus of who we will select as our grant recipient(s).
Here is the video I mentioned earlier! Give it a watch!
Hey Francesca,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for starting this post. I think it's super smart to start the discussion of our impressions of each site visit on the blog because we might not have class right afterwards to discuss our initial reflections.
I was also very impressed by the tour and presentation at the ACA. Being there, it finally felt real the impact that we can have on the community. I thought it was really sweet that they offered food for us and their presentation of programs was very well put together. I really enjoyed how they had a variety of staff giving input on why they deserve and could really benefit from the grant. My favorite part was getting to see the basement where they were hosting their ESL classes for different levels. I peeked into one of the classrooms and one of the students waved at me and went back to his work. I think it’s so wonderful that the ACA gives the opportunity to non-English speaking immigrants access to these ESL classes. I can only imagine how difficult it is to learn English. My favorite story I heard was of the now-PhD BU student who walked in for a class project and was asked to move boxes and now he’s on the Board of Directors.
This organization pulls on the heart strings, especially as the daughter of an immigrant. The ACA is a community of workers that serves the community. The ACA has so many different types of people that they serve and that’s pretty difficult to compare to anything else. With that beautiful mural on the wall as soon as you walk in, you feel at home at the ACA. Approaching the 10 year point since the shooting makes a potential donation from our class especially poignant.
The only aspect current keeping me for jumping two feet in to a vote for the ACA is the news of the state of emergency in Broome County due to the 10 fentanyl overdoses which could be aided by the actions of STAP or Truth Pharm. I think the class is going to have a difficult choice deciding on a winner but I think each of these organizations each serve great purposes for the community.
I’m looking forward to hearing each student’s opinions on the different organizations. Again, thank you for using your blog post to talk about this organization.
Isabel
Francesca, I really appreciate that you started this conversation about our first site visit to the American Civic Association on the blog so those who don't like to talk in class can still share their opinions. I also appreciate your addition of the video because I was also a bit disappointed that we did not get to hear from someone who had recieved the services during our visit. And the fact that the video was so recent (they posted it on January 25, 2019) made it even more relevant to our class and our upcoming decision.
ReplyDeleteI personally enjoyed the site visit very much. I was so happy that we got to go and see the classes being taught because that gave us an inside look into all of the things we found on the website and all of the things they were saying to us in their presentation. It was so clear that they really put in a solid effort for our visit and that our money is very much needed. I think it is incredible that they have the five levels of classes with people who speak a variety of classes, and yet they are all there together learning English. This must be such a difficult task for the teacher, and they are just a volunteer, which I agree with you is amazing.
The only concern I had during the visit is that they would most likely want to use the grant to help fund their Girl Scout troop and start a Boy Scout one. Although I do think that it is a good program, I feel that there are other things that are more important. The issues with the bathrooms and how they want to make them handicap accesible, which they did state is another place they would like the funds to go, I think should be done before the Girl Scout troop. During our tour we were also shown the kitchen and some of the other amenities that are a bit outdated and in need of some renovation. With so many people coming in and out every day, the facility should be up to date.
From this visit I have realized how difficult the final decision is going to be. Before the visit I thought that the American Civic Association was an important organization that had many positive effects on the community, but now that I have visited and seen first-hand exactly what they do and the people that they help I feel more of a connection to it. And if I had to bet, the same thing is likely to happen at the other four organizations. The finalist presentations and an engaging class discussion I feel are going to be very important in helping me decide on who I think should recieve the grants. I don't know how I am going to decide which organization is more deserving of the money than another. I wish we could just give them all money. Luckily we don't have to make the decision yet so I still have time to think.
Jillian
Francesca,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't have said it any better myself. I really enjoyed reading your post, as you truly encapsulated the whole site visit to the American Civic Association. Similar to your impressions, I was truly astonished by the professionalism presented by the ACA staff. They didn’t treat us like middle schoolers on a class field trip like I thought they would. Everything was presented to us in an organized fashion. Between the detailed powerpoint, professional seating arrangements, and the simple yet touching breakfast arrangements, I was really impressed with ACA.
My biggest surprise however, was not the professionalism of ACA. I was pleasantly shocked at how busy that building was in terms of learning and maintenance. While the ACA executive board members were showing us their presentation, about around 100 immigrants were downstairs feverishly learning english from professional volunteer professors. As I peeked into the classes, I noticed all types of immigrants like asian, middle easterners, and russians all learning together in a healthy environment. In addition, since it was MLB Baseball opening day, all of the classes were reading stories about Jackie Robinson. After seeing these dedicated immigrants trying to learn my native language I immediately realized how much I take for granted by simply being a native born American. I then began to think about my grandparents who fled religious persecution in Morocco and how hard it must have been for them to learn english.
After visiting the American Civic Association I began to think about my career aspirations to become a lawyer. I wondered what it was be like to be an immigration lawyer in today's society. Families must be going through such difficult situations in order to fulfil the American Dream. I feel that becoming an immigration lawyer would be an interesting route for me as I speak Spanish fairly well and am fluent in Hebrew. The American Civic Association really opened my eyes to the severity of immigration into this country. America prides itself on opening its doors to people of all kind, but does not provide enough services to those who are in need. In conclusion, I believe that our class really need to take the ACA into a higher consideration. After such a beautiful presentation and welcoming tour, the ACA has moved up significantly on my list of prefered donations.
Sincerely yours,
Matt
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ReplyDeleteHey Francesa,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you verbalizing many of the sentiments that the class thought about the American Civic Association. After talking to others in the class, not only were we impressed with their professionalism in both presentation and treatment of us, but also with the humbleness they presented the ACA to us. They acknowledged the shortcomings of both their quantity of staffing and the facility itself. However that did not stop the passion for their work from shining through and really emphasizing the pride with which they do their job. The care into which they treat the people they serve is clearly seen through both the staffs anecdotes of immigration caseworks they handled but also the youtube video of Suzette that you kindly linked to your blog post.
Even though they stated that hundreds of people walk through their doors a day, I was a little skeptical seeing as that we had not seen too many people in the main lobby. I was shocked and happily surprised by the abundance of immigrants they had in their ESL programs below. Seeing the differing types of migrants from the Binghamton community all in one place learning the same language was a powerful sight. Not only did their tour of the facility highlight the programs that take place on site but also shows the power the ACA has in uniting the community.
So far we have visited the ACA and STAP; both organizations have had diverse staff which represent the communities they are helping. This is an important trend based on the readings of social justice and philanthropy we have read that I hope to keep seeing from the finalists we visit. In particular the reading from Dorian O. Burton & Brian C.B. Barnes listed various ways in which nonprofits can address the systemic issues that cause the problems the communities they help face. The ACA's lobbying against nationalist policies and STAP's destigmatization of both the LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDs community both fall in line with the social justice oriented philanthropy in both readings. I also hope that this focus on social justice is a pattern we see continued with the finalists we have chosen.
I don’t think twice as I jaywalk across the street passing a red light, even as I see a police car driving nearby. I don’t think twice as I enter a hospital or fear getting any medical attention. I will never have to worry about what will happen to me or my child if I ever get pregnant. As a U.S. Citizen, these problems seem so trivial, yet they can drastically change an immigrant’s life. When I first read up on the American Civic Association, it reminded me of my parents. Although they were fortunate enough to get citizenship, it was not all smooth sailing. Imagining the struggles that my own parents had to go through gave me a deeper connection with the ACA and what they do. Like many immigrants, my parents needed to learn a whole new culture (including the language). As our class went on the tour, I saw how many classes they held. The great turn out makes me believe that the classes are truly benefiting these people. To this day, my father still struggles with English and may benefit from taking some classes at the ACA.
ReplyDeleteMuch like you, it stunned me to hear about these fears that immigrants face every day. Even being pulled over can leave them in a disadvantageous position. This brought me to wonder about other fears immigrants may face, but instead, the search led me to the reason why that fear has intensified. According to the article linked below, when Trump was elected, he “ implemented policies to enhance immigration enforcement and restrict the entry of immigrants from selected countries.” Although many of these immigrants came to the U.S. to seek safety and improve opportunities for their families, they end up living in fear of being deported and sent back to their countries. Even one simple mistake can ruin their lives. The Trump administration is well known for their practice of separating children from migrant families entering the United States and having a “zero tolerance” policy for those illegally crossing the border. His administration has definitely caused many people residing in the U.S. to fear and hate immigrants, making it difficult for them to seek help.
Overall, I agree that the American Civic Association did an amazing job with this site visit. As you said, the breakfast was thoughtful, their presentation was well written, and the volunteers and board members seemed to truly believe in the organization. I believe that the fact ACA gets so many visitors just through word of mouth is amazing; however, I wish they spent more time and money on combating against the stigma surrounding immigrants.
https://www.kff.org/disparities-policy/issue-brief/living-in-an-immigrant-family-in-america-how-fear-and-toxic-stress-are-affecting-daily-life-well-being-health/
"The fact that a majority of their clients hear about their services through word of mouth rather than promotional or community outreach programs shows the need for it in the immigrant community"
ReplyDeleteThis quote from your post to me touches at the core of what is so incredible about the ACA. In my three years at Binghamton, I have heard so much about the ACA and the incredible work it does for the community that I just assumed they had a massive budget with state of the art facilities and a professional staff managing it all. Instead, what we find is an organization that is thriving despite the struggle for funds, especially in this era of anti-immigrant paranoia, as well as a passionate volunteer staff working for the ACA out of the kindness in their hearts and connection to their mission. It blew me away how incredible their reputation is despite the shortcomings they clearly have faced in recent years. It is not just the professionalism that captivated me, but the conviction on each and every face in that building we saw that day to improve the lives of those around them.
I am so glad we decided to make them our first site visit because it showed me what to expect from each organization in every category that I will use to make my decision on what organization to vote for. They set the bar very high, and I cannot wait to see what the remaining site visits look like.
Hey Francesca,
ReplyDeleteI love what you had to say about the American Civic Association. I barely knew anything about them before this class, and I now find myself a big supporter of them and everything they do for the local community.
I agree that the amount of respect and professionalism they treated us with should be noteworthy, as it felt less like we were a college class going for a field trip as much as it felt like we were vying for knowledge about their organization. What made it feel a little extra professional, as silly as it may sound, is the fact that they offered breakfast for us. It shows that they really do care about their audience and want to help people who might be helping them (and I also forgot to eat breakfast that day, so it definitely helped in that regard).
I thought their presentation was very powerful, in that it gave us an overall look into what they do and how much more they want to do. I love that they're trying to add a Boy Scouts Troop after just adding a Girl Scouts troop. Their perseverance in the community is really showing.
What you have to say about immigrants and the hardships they might have to go through was very eye-opening. They too, pulled my heartstrings when I heard how when they get pulled over by a police officer how it could be the scariest thing for them. What especially got me is when Myra Garcia told us how there will sometimes be ICE agents that follow suit during these pull-overs, and then families would be left with so many questions about their loved one(s), with no one to provide them answers. No one should have to worry if a loved one won't come home one day because of something like this.
I think the ACA is very well heard and necessary in the Greater Binghamton community, as you noted with most of the people who use their services hearing it from word-of-mouth. Imagine what they could do if they were able to reach out to more people through other ways like social media or flyers!
Lastly, I thought the tour was really powerful in the visit. Anyone can talk about what they do or how it's successful, but to be able to see it is something else. I consider us lucky that we were able to go down to the classrooms and see firsthand that these classes are going on, as well as all the people making progress in the classes. When I see those classrooms, I don't think that these people are disadvantaged for not having learned these materials earlier in their lives; I see people that have the drive to learn more and will not give up no matter what it takes.
My only minor criticism was that while I do like the idea of adding a Boy Scouts troop, I think they should take some more time to publicize the Girl Scout troop before they jump into the Boy Scout troop.
In a matter of a few weeks, I went from not knowing about the ACA, to not voting them as a finalist. Now, I find myself glad that they made it as a finalist, and a legitimate contender to receive a grant from our class.
- Matthew Sturm
Writing this comment after visiting both the American Civic Association and STAP's Identity Center, I appreciate even further how well the ACA treated us during our site visit. From having tables set up, breakfast for us, a presentation, and a thorough tour, I definitely got everything I could've hoped for out of this site visit. While the presentation repeated many of the same things the ACA group presented on in our class, it was still interesting to observe what they thought was most important for us to know in the limited time we had there. Furthermore, like many people above mentioned, I appreciated being able to hear from multiple different people who have different roles/experiences working with the immigrant community of Broome County.
ReplyDeleteWhile we still have three site visits to go, I think we may have been spoiled after the ACA gave us breakfast. On a more serious note, when I was driving back from the STAP visit yesterday, I found myself comparing the two visits we've done so far. While the ACA had a presentation ready-made for us, STAP didn't really have one (I know they weren't obligated to). In addition, STAP definitely did not anticipate hosting so many students; when my car arrived (the first to get there), the deputy director seemed to think there weren't many more of us coming. Plus, I felt like the site visit at the ACA flowed very smoothly and naturally--they gave a presentation, we asked a few questions, and then we finished with a tour (I also thought the class teaching English and baseball at the same time on Opening Day was cool; this is a great example of teaching both language and culture). Meanwhile, at STAP, it almost felt like we needed to carry the conversation for much of the visit, and if we stopped asking questions, we could've been done by 10:45. This is not to say that the staff at STAP is not passionate about their jobs and helping LGBTQ+ youth--I noticed that when talking about their experiences, some of them were visibly emotional and teared up (and this felt real to me).
Going into Tuesday's site visit, I expected STAP to have a more professional presentation compared to the ACA, but coming out, I felt the opposite. The ACA, despite their limited resources and funds, went out of their way to make the site visit educational and informative for us, while STAP expected us to do much of the work, in my opinion (of course, you may disagree with me).
Hi Francesca,
ReplyDeleteI think that it is a great idea that after each site visit we take some time to debrief and really discuss what we have seen. It is important that we share whether this site has had a strong impact on us and whether we have learned anything new. Throughout the semester, we have been inundated with a huge number of charities between selecting finalists from such a large field and hearing three charity pitches each week. For myself, and I would assume for many others, the details of some of them have become incredibly blurry. In particular, before the STAP site visit, I was having a hard time remembering which programs were theirs and which programs were TruthPharm's. I was really frustrated by this as they were two of our finalist organizations, but the site visit really helped me to begin to differentiate charities better. As it is so easy to forget or to get confused on some of the finer points of the organization, I think a post like this one is a great idea in terms of jogging our memories when we are ready to make a final decision.
The Girl Scout and Boy Scout programs that the American Civic Association was looking to fund and expand seemed like an amazing idea to serve the Binghamton Community in a new way. By providing this opportunity/experience free of charge, this makes it accessible to so many families who otherwise would not have the option to participate. I thought it was a great idea to target middle schoolers as this can be such a difficult time for so many children. When risk factors are present in these children, this is an important time to intervene before they have a chance to make destructive choices or fall in with the wrong crowd. Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts effectively teach important lifelong skills such as leadership, teamwork, financial sense, and communication skills. By giving these children somewhere to go where they can be a part of a community and participate in engaging activity, the entire Binghamton community can benefit.
I also agree that the ACA visit far surpassed my expectations. Their presentation was both professional and engaging. Additionally, I never could have imagined how much traffic the organization receives on a daily basis. I think that this is an important thing to note in our decision. ACA was serving many people early on a Thursday morning and I would assume their facility is even more active in the afternoon. It was so cool to see that there were so many students being served and learning language and communication skills. I learned a lot about the challenges immigrants face on a daily basis that I never would have even considered. The speakers struck a great balance between presenting facts and figures and telling personal stories. Furthermore, I was so happy to hear that one of their goals was improving the accessibility of their facility. This shows that their organization cares about expanding their scope as wide as possible. ACA proved that they were certainly worthy of our funding and set the bar high for our other finalist organizations.
-Mary Kate