November 13, 1996
State politicians matched with immigrants to gain greater understanding of low-income newcomers’ problems
Twenty-six officials Washington state public officials and an equal number of recent immigrants and refugees will begin a month- long journey this week to learn more about each other’s world and to promote greater understanding of the issues facing low-income newcomers to the United States.
The lawmakers will be paired up with immigrants from their home districts who have gone back to school to learn English as a second language. Called the literacy project, the pairing is part of the University of Washington’s Walk a Mile program and is sponsored by the Northwest Institute for Children and Families in the School of Social Work.
The literacy project is modeled after the highly successful 1994 Walk a Mile program which paired Washington legislators with welfare recipients. That program has since been repeated in a number of other states.
Recent federal welfare legislation specifically excludes non- citizens from receiving welfare aid.
“As the state legislature prepares to consider whether immigrants should continue to participate in social service programs, it is vital that lawmakers are informed about the realities, challenges and barriers faced by this population,” explained Vaughnetta Jenkins, literacy project coordinator.
“Walk a Mile does not endorse any specific legislative proposal, but is rooted in the idea that greater personal understanding of issues facing low-income immigrants will lead to the development of sound policy.”
To achieve this understanding, each politician-student pair has agreed to:
- Communicate once a week either in person or by telephone.
- Participate in one activity such as visiting an English as a second language class, going to the Immigration and Naturalization Service office or attending a medical clinic.
- Visit a place of worship, shop in an ethnic grocery store or dine in an ethnic restaurant where English is not spoken.
According to Jenkins, the literacy project is designed to allow immigrants to become more knowledgeable about state and local government, as well as to develop a relationship with one of their elected representatives. Lawmakers, in turn, will have the chance to get to know immigrants in their districts and learn first hand about the daily issues they face.
The literacy project began Monday (Nov. 11) and runs through Dec. 11.
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For additional information and details about specific lawmaker-student matches in your circulation or broadcast area, contact Jenkins or Marina Cole at (206) 543-3027.
PUBLIC OFFICIALS PARTICIPATING IN THE LITERACY PROJECT State Senators Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe (D), District 1 Sen. Harold Hochstatter (R), District 13
Sen. Marilynn Rasmussen (D), District 2 Sen. Jeanne Kohl (D), District 36
Sen. John Moyer (R), District 3 Sen. Pat Thibaudeau (D), District 43
Sen. Eugene Prince (R), District 9
State Representatives Rep. Cathy McMorris (R), District 7 Rep. Dawn Mason (D), District 37
Rep. Eileen Cody (D), District 11 Rep. Gene Goldsmith (R), District 42
Rep. Dave Mastin (R), District 16 Rep. Kelli Linville (D), District 42
Rep. Jerry Blanton (R), District 21 Rep. Ed Murray (D), District 43
Rep. Lynn Kessler (D), District 24 Rep. Bill Backlund (R), District 45
Rep. Debbie Regala (D), District 27 Rep. Ken Jacobsen (D), District 46
Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (D), District 36 Rep. Suzette Cooke (R), District 47
Other public officials
Phil Best, Kitsap County commissioner
Warren Van Zee, Port Orchard City Council
Vivian Luna, city of Seattle
former Rep. Shirley Galloway, District 17
former Rep. Georgette Valle, District 34
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