Immigration rights and social media strategy

This post was contributed by Micah Intern and LifeTogether blog coordinator Caroline Hunter.

Above is an interview with Dimple Rana, co-founder and co-director of nonprofit Deported Diaspora. Deported Diaspora works to support those under the threat of deportation both in the US and abroad.

I conducted the interview at an event through my internship called the 
BeTheMedia mini-conference. It was sponsored by Third Sector New England and Progressive Communicators Network, and offered a group of workshops focused on racial justice and using social media. As the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Coordinator at the Irish Immigration Center (IIC), I needed first to get the message out to the public that The Irish Immigration Center needs and has an ESL program because we serve 

more than just Irish Immigrants.

We currently serve learners from Colombia, Russia, China, Guatemala, Haiti and other countries. I also wanted to learn as much as possible about how to use social media to promote immigration rights equality. As I have learned since starting at the IIC this fall, even tax-paying, family-oriented U.S. immigrants often face large obstacles to receiving basic labor and healthcare rights. I listened at the conference for ways I could use social media to connect with others who want to promote immigrant rights equality; I learned about how to build relationships online, and to help those relationships evolve alongside one's nonprofit organization.

Some highlights from the social media tips:

1. Social media is a way to connect with others of a like mind. Talk (type) as if you were having a conversation with those people. If your colleagues would be bored or annoyed in person by what you say, they will be on the Web also.

2. Be consistent. A danger of using social media is the temptation to dabble in many different communication tools while evaluating the usefulness of none of them. If you're going to use a tool like Twitter or ConstantContact, keep a close eye on how it works. If it doesn't work, figure out why, so you can find something better!

3. What's the difference between social life and social media? It's different for each person, so definitely ask yourself this question. Informational boundaries will give your communication a sense of purpose.

If you're interested in learning more about the Irish Immigration Center ESL Program, email me at chunter@iicenter.org for volunteer opportunities and resources!

See LifeTogether Lead

Click the image below to see a full reel of Youth Programs pictures from St. Stephen's in the South End

Check out more on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44124971@N04/sets/72157622834109753/

Here are some pictures of St. Stephen's at the 7th Blackstone Community Meeting:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44124971@N04/4168439566/ and at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44124971@N04/4167676049/
St. Stephen's Chapel before going to Blackstone School.

 Below, see Relational Evangelist Waetie Kumahia (center) celebrating social justice in action at St. Mary's/St. Mark's in Dorchester:

 

 

Watch for more photos as we work to live into advent and the call to faith through service.

St. Stephen's South End kicks off Hope In Action Campaign, receives community recognition

Thanks to Micah Intern Kathryn Kendrick for contributing this post.

The past two weeks at St. Stephen's have been wonderful. I am the Christian Education Coordinator at this parish where kids come not only on Sundays, but 6 days a week.

Last week, St. Stephen's held its first Hope In Action Campaign event. We had over 50 people from St. Stephen's attend the meeting at Blackstone Elementary School, the second-worst performing school according to MCAS test scores. During the meeting, St. Stephen's was given recognition for being an organization that maximized the use of it's resources and was committed to strengthening the surrounding community. I was invited to design a t-shirt and a button for the event, so that we could be easily recognizable as a team and promote community organizing in the neighborhood.

Mary Oliver, a Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-Winning Poet visited St. Stephen's last Thursday with Bishop Tom Shaw. She was given a book of poems written by the children at the After School Program. Thursday night, she had a poetry reading at Coolidge Corner Theater and 100% of the proceeds went to St. Stephen's B-SAFE Summer Program.

Sunday School - I am the Sunday School coordinator for the three classes that meet Sunday. and every week I plan two classes and teach one. This past Sunday all groups participated in Las Posadas, an event that helps us better understand the experiences of Mary and Joseph while they were awaiting Jesus' birth.