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THE NEW AMERICANS e-newsletter - December 2003
Coming to PBS's acclaimed series Independent Lens March 29-31 2004 at 9 pm THE NEW AMERICANS, a ground-breaking television series that follows the intimate stories of a diverse group of contemporary immigrants and refugees from their homelands to their first years in the United States. Welcome to THE NEW AMERICANS e-newsletter with the latest information on PBS broadcast updates, producer notes and details on outreach resources and community planning across the country. In this issue, you'll find: I. Outreach Tools and Resources Update II. What's Happening in Communities III. Partner Perspectives Subscribe to the email newsletter here. I. Outreach Tools and Resources Update Here are some updates on outreach resources that are available now or coming soon. To read more about THE NEW AMERICANS Community Engagement Resources or download our brochure, visit http://www.itvs.org/outreach/newamericans/resources.html ++ The New Americans Discussion and Activity Guide ++ This full series guide developed by ITVS's Community Connections Project has been reviewed and piloted by professionals in the fields of adult education, ESOL, literacy, multicultural education, immigrant services, healthcare, mental health and protective services. The guide contains thoughtful classroom and community activities prompted by scenes and quotes from the film. It will be available as a FREE downloadable document in January 2004 at www.itvs.org/outreach/newamericans/resources.html. ++ Purchase The Full Series ++ THE NEW AMERICANS will be available for purchase on videotape this spring following the PBS broadcast. Cost for the set of three video tapes (total running time: 7 hours) will be $79.95 plus shipping. Additional ordering details to come. ++ Publicity Photos and Press Releases ++ THE NEW AMERICANS press release and photos are available to national partners, community groups and press. You can download the press release from www.itvs.org/pressroom. If you need photos, send an email to Wilson_Ling@itvs.org and state your specific needs. II. What's Happening in Communities The NEW AMERICANS community and educational engagement online map is filling up at http://www.itvs.org/outreach/newamericans/map/. Read about the exciting outreach activities and add your own. Please let us know about opportunities to highlight THE NEW AMERICANS resources at conferences, meetings and workshops. ++ Massachusetts ++ At the MA state adult education conference, Andy Nash—Project Coordinator for New England Literacy Resource Center, presented the 24 minute preview tape and other selected scenes to a group of 80+ adult educators. Although the discussion materials for the film focus on ESL in particular, teachers of basic literacy (up through GED) felt that there was huge potential to use the film in their classes as well. They saw the opportunity to address myths about the intentions and experiences of immigrants and refugees, and to discuss the many commonalities of experience between immigrants and poor Americans. All of the educators were excited about using the film and about creating their own clip reels of key scenes. ++ Iowa and Nebraska ++ Center for New Community, has teamed up with the Immigrant Rights Network of Iowa and Nebraska, and The New Iowans Program to develop a range of programs and workshops using THE NEW AMERICANS. The partners hope to strengthen organizing and advocacy efforts of state and regional coalitions working to educate around immigration policy, respond to organized anti-immigrant campaigns; and increase public awareness of changing demographics and issues related to immigration. Regional network strategy sessions are already underway, and additional support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York will enable the creation of policy discussions to inform Iowa's 2004 legislative session and the Iowa caucuses. The Center will also use the film as a part of significant outreach efforts to encourage business, labor and faith communities to participate and advocate for policies and practices that support the communities' changing needs. Contact: Max Cardenas at 515-274-0442 or cardenas@newcomm.org. ++ Philadelphia ++ A one day "Teacher Training Workshop on Deliberative Dialogues: Learn How to Use Deliberative Forums in the Classroom" for high school teachers will include a two-hour forum on The New Challenges of American Immigration: What Should We Do? For more information on registration, ACT hours and reimbursement for substitute teachers, contact Ms. Judit Izinger at 412.648.7572; fax at 412.648-2199 or email pehsc@ucis.pitt.edu. III. Partner Perspectives Submitted by: Susan Baukhages, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) Director for Communications "Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service works through strategic partnerships with others across the country to serve and advocate on behalf of the most vulnerable newcomers to America. THE NEW AMERICANS television series and especially the training modules will be valuable tools for many of our partners to promote community engagement and foster meaningful discussion about the changing face of America. The stories of real people on the screen coupled with a safe environment for dialogue such as a Sunday school class at church or a volunteer meeting at a refugee resettlement office or immigrant education center can open doors and hearts to transforming new relationships. We intend to use our website, newsletters and group screenings to introduce these resources to Lutheran churches and our service and advocacy networks and encourage their widespread use in local communities." Please forward this newsletter to a colleague or community partner. If this issue of THE NEW AMERICANS e-newsletter has been forwarded to you, you can subscribe here. |
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