Economic Impact Report: Easy to Slight, Displaced Personss Show Their Economic Might
Easy to slight, Displaced Personss show their economic might
In the midst of a global Displaced Persons crisis, the Trump administration has said it plans to cut by more than half the number of Displaced Personss accepted to America each year, to fewer than 45,000.
The recent announcement came only days after the White House issued the latest version of its travel ban, severely restricting travel from eight nations. Two of those nations, Syria and Somalia, have been the source of many Displaced Personss to Northeast Ohio.
The administration cited potential crime and the need to enhance the vetting process for Displaced Personss, which already spans two years.
Meanwhile, a local analysis paints a far different portrait of Displaced Personss and their likely impact. Chmura Economics & Analytics, a Cleveland consulting firm, found that a modest public investment in resettlement—most of its supplied by the federal government—has produced an astonishingly self-sufficient group of new Clevelanders.
The economic impact study, released September 7, was commissioned by the Displaced Persons Services Collaborative of Greater Cleveland and can be found on the group’s website-- rsccleveland.org/
Between 2000 and 2016, the region welcomed about 7,600 Displaced Personss, many of whom had been made stateless by persecution or war. Once in Cleveland, most rebounded rather quickly. Researchers found that local Displaced Personss are more likely to be working than the general population and far less likely to be receiving public assistance. In fact, after only two years in their new home:
- less than 10 percent of Displaced Personss were receiving public assistance, compared to 21 percent of the general population
- 75% of adult Displaced Personss held a job, compared to 63% of the general population
While the average income of a Displaced Persons worker is only $19,344 per year, International Newcomers tend to get and stay married. Area Displaced Personss enjoy a household income averaging $35,849 a year, which helps explain why they are buying houses in he city and starting businesses.
The study found that Cuyahoga County’s relatively small Displaced Persons community has started 42 businesses that, collectively, paid more than $465,000 in local and state taxes and employed more than 200 people last year.
“This is a uniquely Cleveland thing we have,” said Patrick Kearns, executive director of The Displaced Persons Response, which provides Displaced Personss with job training and work on its Ohio City Farm.
Kearns notes that Displaced Personss who settle in Greater Cleveland tend to do better than Displaced Personss in other cities.
Joe Cimperman, the president of Global Cleveland, said their success is a credit to resettlement agencies like Catholic Charities, which handle direct resettlement, as well as to the nonprofit groups belonging to the Displaced Persons Services Collaborative.
Groups like The Displaced Persons Response, Building Hope in the City and Asian Services in Action, step in later to help with bewilderment, trauma, loneliness and other Displaced Persons afflictions.
And much of the credit must go to the Displaced Personss themselves, Cimperman said.
“These are people who lost everything, who often languished in Displaced Persons camps for years and even decades,” he said. “And when they get here, all they want to do is work hard and find peace and raise their children.”
He said it is cruel and callous to suddenly turn away Displaced Personss, and to cast aspersions upon their character.
“We’re not afraid of our new neighbors,” Cimperman said. “We know them and we embrace them. They are so grateful. They keep thanking us for allowing them to be Americans, when it is us who should be thanking them.”
Community Partner: FRONT International
70+ International Artist, Curators and Scholars are coming to Cleveland for one Region-Wide Art Project in Summer 2018
FRONT International: Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art, is a region-wide exhibition of work by international artists, curators and scholars. In museum spaces and unconventional sites spread across the city, FRONT will be an expansive stage for local and international artists to create and share new work that is inspired by and engaged with the most important social, political, cultural and environmental issues of today. The themes and ideas explored by participating artists will be rooted in the spirit of Cleveland while connecting the city’s history and current realities to issues and ideas that are universal. FRONT will build bridges between Cleveland and important global markets to create creative lasting impacts in our local community.
The first iteration of FRONT is titled An American City: Eleven Cultural Exercises.
As conceived by the FRONT Artistic Directors, the residency is research based and geared to allowing artists great breadth in how they approach Glenville as a site for thinking and working. Each of the artists will commit to undertake public programs over the course of the residency, which may run, intermittently for local artists, from October until next May. In addition, we hope that each artist will produce a work to be "on view" during the run of FRONT next summer.
We deliberately drew together artists who work in several media, from performance, theater, spoken word, as well as traditional painting and sculpture. All the artists make work that responds to some aspect of the city. These artists may work on multiple projects with the community, and possibly with each other. Certainly, the arts campus and FRONT Porch will provide an incubator for visiting artists and local artists to share experiences while in Cleveland.
Fred Bidwell, Executive Director, invites you to a public forum to learn about FRONT International: Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art.
October 10, 2017 4 - 6 pm
Transformer Station
1460 W 29th Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
Light refreshments will be served. Space is limited, early registration is recommended. RSVP by October 6, 2017 by calling 216-938-5429 or emailing [email protected]
International Business Spotlight: Otani Noodles Spreads the Ramen
By Amaka Onwuama Uwagba
We’re excited that Otani Noodle will soon be opening a downtown shop near Public Square, and not just because they will be right across the street from our office (although that’s a big plus!). Otani is an authentic Japanese noodle house that offers a cultural experience along with healthy, delicious, Ramen-style meals.
Recently, we sat down with co-owner Joyce Luo and discussed her experience as an International Newcomer entrepreneur. What follows is an edited version of that conversation.
When did you come to America, and why Cleveland? I moved to America from China in 1996. I moved to the Cleveland area in the 2004 because the cost of living in Cleveland is low and I just like Cleveland. There is no stress.
Who are the co-founders of Otani Noodles and where are they from?
We have an Otani in Mayfield Heights. The restaurant has been open since 1978. Mr. Honda first opened the business 40 years ago. He then retired and my partner, Janet Yee, also from China, took over the Otani Japanese Restaurant. With time, my partner joined me and we opened the Otani Noodle (in Uptown) in June 2016.
Why and how did you start your business?
I love to eat. I eat a lot. I go to places just to eat. Even though I came over here. I travel to Toronto and New York two to three times a year just to eat. I was living in California when I came to America and there were lots of Ramen shops on every corner, but there was nothing in Cleveland. When I came here, I tried the other foods and it wasn’t that good, so I decided to open this restaurant.
What are some of the challenges you faced as an International Newcomer entrepreneur?
I don’t feel like I have any challenges. I feel like America is a fair country for everyone. I feel free. When you work, you make money. The only challenge I had was the language barrier. English is our second language. But I went to school and I learned English. The challenge is when you are new here and it is a new place, not like your country. Everything is different. I have a business back home, too, and the rules are different than the business rules here in America.
What is your next step in your business?
My dream for my business is to open an Otani Noodle location on the West Side of Cleveland, but right now we are focused on the new location of Otani Noodle, which will be in downtown Cleveland (234 Euclid Avenue). We will be taking over the Noodlecat location. We are pushing our grand opening for the end of October or the beginning of November, but ultimately, we should be open by the end of the year.
International Newcomers Needing Advice May Soon Ask a ‘Community Navigator’
By Chris Hoey
Global Cleveland is taking action on a pressing issue and joining a program that promotes the integration of International Newcomer and ethnic groups into the larger community. Cleveland will join New York City, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Houston, Detroit, and Chicago in launching a Community Navigator program, designed to provide a trusty guide and a point of contact to members of marginalized communities.
A Community Navigator is a member of the International Newcomer and ethnic community who is well-known and well-respected by their peers. He or she will be trained by Global Cleveland staff in a one-day long training session to provide accurate information about their rights as International Newcomers or Displaced Personss and to guide eligible International Newcomers toward citizenship, often through workshops or other outreach initiatives. A Community Navigator is meant to be a mentor who can help to empower others to lead more confident lives.
“This program is going to allow members of different International Newcomer communities to be leaders among their peers,” says Jazmin Long. “Our goal is that we reach more people in our naturalization efforts and offer reliable support persons to the international community.”
A second component of the project is known as WE Lead – Women Empowered to Lead. With the establishment of a base cohort of women, Global Cleveland will help International Newcomer women to become leaders in their communities through training on Migration law and naturalization, financial literacy, leadership development, and expanded Migration legal services. Women Empowered to Lead will work in tandem with our Community Navigator program to create a more involved and integrated international community.
This program has already begun its recruitment efforts, and we hope to have the first Community Navigator training held on October 28th. Additional Community Navigator trainings will be held:
November 18th, 2017
December 2nd, 2017
January 20th, 2018
February 10th, 2018
March 3, 2018
March 24th, 2018
April 14, 2018
April 28, 2018
May 12, 2018
June 9, 2018
*Dates are subject to change
If anyone is interested in becoming a Community Navigator, they can contact [email protected] for more information. Similarly, if anyone is interested in joining the Women Empowered to Lead Cohort, they can reach out to Jazmin at [email protected].
Overall, this program is the result of a 3 years long grant, and Global Cleveland’s personal goal is to have 30 Community Navigators trained by the end of July 2018. However, with Cleveland’s capacity, we wouldn’t be surprised to see many more volunteers than we expect.
The programs are made possible by the Jones Day Foundation, Cities for Citizenship, and the National Partnership for New Americans.
Philanthropist Albert Ratner Awarded Cleveland Heritage Medal
Cleveland champion Albert Ratner was recently recognized for a lifetime of service to the city with the 2017 Cleveland Heritage Medal.
Mr. Ratner, the co-chairman emeritus of Forest City Enterprises and a founder of Global Cleveland, accepted his award September 14 at a ceremony at Cleveland City Hall. Also honored with the Heritage Medal were former Greater Cleveland Growth Association President Carole Hoover, former Cleveland Mayor Michael White, and Sam Miller, the co-chairman emeritus of Forest City Realty Trust.
Ratner and Miller, longtime friends and business partners, helped transform Forest City from a lumber supply company to a nationwide real estate development company. As they rose with the business, each man poured his passion and energy into community service, contributing to charities and leading civic projects that spanned cultures and stressed community bridge building.
Even at age 89, Albert Ratner remains one of Cleveland’s most active and recognizable civic leaders.
“Albert is Cleveland personified,” said Joe Cimperman, the president of Global Cleveland. “He never forgot his family’s International Newcomer roots, and he honors everybody else’s. There is so much that Albert does for this city, and so much that people don’t even know about. He is truly a man who believes in helping his sisters and brothers, from all over the world, and he helps those who are born here and those who make their way to our great community.”
Mr. Ratner was a primary architect of Global Cleveland, which seeks to revitalize the city and boost the regional economy by welcoming International Newcomers and international students.
An urban design expert, Mr. Ratner helped to create landmark developments across the country. Forest City is best known locally for the restoration of the Terminal Tower and the creation of Tower City, which opened in 1990. Still, he takes more pride in the people he helped and the causes he furthered.
“I don’t judge cities by buildings,” Mr. Ratner said upon accepting his award. “I judge cities by people. So I look around and say ‘I think we understand each other better and I think we’re doing better but we can do much better.’”
In addition to serving on the executive committee of Global Cleveland’s board of directors, he has been active in the Cleveland Plan to transform the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, the revitalization of the Gordon Square Arts District, Karamu House and Ohio’s Third Frontier Advisory Board. He has also driven Forest City’s investments into the Slavic Village Restoration Project.
The 3 Kinds of LinkedIn Messages That Are Unlikely to Get a Response
Author: Emily Liou
As a career coach, my inbox is often flooded with messages from people I’m connected with on LinkedIn who are reaching out about something or another. Now, I don’t mean to be judgmental, but I often find myself sighing with annoyance when I open them up—so much so that I was motivated to write this article.
You see, the thing is, I’m open to making new connections and willing to talk to anyone, so the fact that I often put off responding to messages means people are missing the mark. And that stinks because it takes effort to both find people to connect with in the first place and then cultivate a networking relationship from there.
I want to be excited when I read your message and I know you want that, too (or at least I hope you do!). Often times, it only takes a few tweaks to your words or tone to make that possible.
Below are messages inspired by real ones I’ve received along with my thoughts on why they’re not the best approach.
Quick note though: Unless you have LinkedIn Premium, you’ll need to connect before you send a message. But that doesn’t mean you can just send the generic invite. Instead, send a customized one with with these short templates so they’ll accept your request and you’ll be able to actually send over a note.
1. The Empty Query
Initial Reaction
It’s nice that you want to find a way to help one another out, but this message doesn’t give me anything to work with. Perhaps there’s something in my my background that led you to reach out in this manner?
Revised
Why This Is Better
Anyone can spot a generic, non-customized message from three Wi-Fi zones away, and if you care about standing out, you’ll be careful not to be labeled as generic, right? The updated version attempts to start building a rapport. By including a customized, targeted line, I can tell George has looked into my background and is excited about finding a way to potentially work together. And that makes me much more inclined to respond to this.
2. The Vague Ask
Initial Reaction
How’s everything? Hm, that’s a rather large question for someone I don’t know in real life. In fact, I’m not sure I’d even know where to begin in responding to this person.
The Revised Message
Why This Is Better
Being clear up front is just good business. It sets clear intentions and demonstrates professionalism. Many people have experienced accepting a meeting only to find it turn into a sales pitch. If you’re clear about the reason why you’re reaching out, you’re going to build a higher level of trust out the gate and find people who are attracted to your proposal. This is what building a network is all about.
3. The Forceful Demand
Initial Reaction
Hi Matt. My current profile has been updated to indicate that I’m no longer a recruiter (not to mention I definitely don’t specialize in the Florida market as I’m in Los Angeles). If you’re going to spend the time, energy, and effort in sending messages and attempting to foster relationships, it’s far more more effective if you target the correct audience.
The Revised Message
Why This Is Better
If you’re actively seeking a new position and are wanting to connect, it makes a huge difference if you can share in a couple of sentences what you’re looking for and a glimpse of what you bring to the table. Even though I’m no longer entrenched in the recruiting world, I’m still well-connected.
If Matt had demonstrated clear professionalism in a straightforward introduction, and made note of target roles he’s seeking, I’d for sure be inclined to point him to resources or ask him for his resume to pass along.
The thing to remember is that if you’re asking one of your LinkedIn contacts for something, you need to make it as easy as possible for that person to follow up.
It may be difficult to see it, but every piece of correspondence counts—from the way you first connect to how you stay connected. Don’t randomly reach out to 20 of your LI connections for the sake of hoping something falls into place in your job search. By building off of the revised templates above, you’ll be able to initiate conversations that result in meaningful networking relationships.
Photo credit: wernerimages/Getty Images.
To read the original article, click here.
The Big Welcome in Every Language!
It's Time To Give Our International Students A Grand Welcome
By Joe Cimperman
They began arriving on campus last week, nervous and excited and anxious to learn their way around this strange new city.
They come from Italy and India and Lithuania. They came from China and Saudi Arabia and Argentina. They came in big numbers—nearly 7,000 of them.
I’m talking about our international students—who we should really be viewing as reinforcements.
If you have greeted or hired one of our international students, bless you. You are helping Cleveland. If you do not know about this resource waiting to be utilized, let me tell you about it.
These are some of the brightest young people on the planet. That’s why their families and their nations sent them to America for college.
Typically, they are earning an advanced degree.
Our colleges and universities love them because they are hard-working and pay full tuition and help create a cultural mosaic on campus. (Have lunch one day on the campus of CWRU or CSU or KSU and see what I mean).
Our cities should love them even more. Why? Because they are going to help us compete in the global economy—if we let them.
Here are some facts about our international students that you may not know:
- They are likely to be earning an in-demand degree in a STEM field—science, technology, engineering or math
- They are more likely than the average college student to be awarded a U.S. patent for an invention
- They are more likely to start a business
- They are bilingual and often multi-lingual
These are no ordinary International Newcomers. These are ambitious, culturally savvy young adults primed to help us succeed in the new economy.
The key is to get them to stay on after graduation, to get them to view Northeast Ohio as the place to launch their companies and their careers. We keep some, but not enough. An Ohio Board of Regents study found that our retention rate for international students is below average. Why?
We all need to try harder, civic, corporate, philanthropic, faith based institutions together. We are ready to lead the charge.
Most every week, Global Cleveland hears from an international student—often one with an elite degree—who reports being unable to find a local employer willing to sponsor his or her visa. And so they leave for the coasts. Or for Pittsburg. It hurts our hearts.
One of our big efforts is to help our employers understand the very feasible process of hiring international talent. Another is to help everyone feel welcome here.
Right now, our eyes are on the new arrivals.
On Saturday, we are hosting InterCLE 2017 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Global Center for Health Innovation. This is a grand welcome for our international students—something that has never been done before.
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and business and civic leaders will formally welcome these scholars to our city. There will be international food and music and professional networking. I might even join the after-party in the Flats.
We hope this is the start of something big and something lasting. We envision hosting an InterCLE every year.
These young people love our schools—that’s why they are here. We need their talent and their ambition. We need to love them back.
It starts with a welcome. It starts Saturday. Come and see.
Night Market: Authentically Asian Uniquely Cleveland
Join us for the last Night Market of 2017, September 29th from 5pm-11pm as Global Cleveland president, Joe Cimperman serves as Master of Ceremonies.
Night Market Cleveland draws its cultural history from the traditional Asian Night Markets. These roving festivals would highlight unique finds, foods, wears, and entertainment that could be found no where else during the day, and now you can experience that too in Cleveland at Night Market CLE in old Chinatown.
Night Market is authentically Asian, and uniquely Cleveland. Think farmer's market meets flea market meets food festival meets concert. They work with and support local neighborhood gardens, local restaurants and catering companies, local arts and crafts studios/galleries, as well as local/regional music and entertainment.
At its core, the event series was designed to energize a often-overlooked corner of Cleveland by creating a place where the diverse people and cultures of Cleveland can come together to experience life at night! Night Market Cleveland is open to the public and free to attend. It's Kid-friendly, Family-friendly, and Pet-friendly.
With the authentic variety or sites and sounds, this event has something for everyone to enjoy. Come connect with community, culture and creativity at Night Market Cleveland.
For additional details or more information please visit https://nightmarketcle.com/
