HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/02/2019 10 La Casa Hogar Citizenship Grant Application; Consideration of Letter of Support 1
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 10.
For Meeting of: July 2, 2019
ITEM TITLE: Consideration of a letter of support for La Casa Hogar Citizenship
Grant Application
SUBMITTED BY: Sonya Claar Tee, City Clerk
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
At the June 18, 2019 Council regular meeting, representatives from La Casa Hogar requested a
letter of support from the City for a citizenship grant application. Council unanimously agreed to
add this to the July 2, 2019 meeting agenda.Additional information and a draft letter of support is
included with this item.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
APPROVED FOR ry
SUBMITTAL: City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
ci daft!eller 0/19/2019 r Me
la ca a huger /19/2019 r Me
2
July 2nd, 2019
Cities for Citizenship Grant Review Committee
Address
City/State \\\\
Cities for Citizenship Grant Review Committee,
The Yakima City Council is pleased to provide this letter port o asa Hogar's
application for a Cities for Citizenship grant. La Casa is citizensh ram has
established itself as an extraordinary pathway to citi ip for more than community
members here in the Yakima Valley. Securing a for Citizenship grant ow La Casa
Hogar to build on the tremendous success its c' ship progr has already plished.
In summer 2018, the Yakima City Council authorize C' akima to become a member
of Cities for Citizenship. Additionally, t recognize the nce of citizenship, the Council
formally declared October 2', 2018 " izens Day" y to celebrate the many Yakima
Valley community members who have a time, a and effort to achieve their goal
of becoming U.S. citizens. ///
Today, more than 12,000 I ermane sid �unty are eligible to become
U.S. citizens. However riers m e diffic r those Yakima-area residents
to naturalize than thei terpa other f Washington State. By securing a Cities for
Citizenship grant, a Hogar a better to provide those Yakima-area community
members with the t hey need alize thei am of becoming U.S. citizens.
In direct sup ort of La , the City of Yakima will:
. citi for eligible, I, permanent Yakima-area community
ber
tilize City c nic platforms to share information about citizenship resources
vailable in the 'ma a
ually proclai w Citi s Day
rage City st nd volunteers to participate in Cities for Citizenship training
op ities
- Regu omm to with La Casa Hogar staff regarding the La Casa Hogar
Citizens and receive quarterly reports on its progress
The Yakima City Cou looks forward to continuing to grow its partnership with La Casa
Hogar. Thank you for your careful consideration of the La Casa Hogar application for a Cities
for Citizenship grant.
Sincerely,
Mayor Kathy Coffey
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� MEMO
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RE:Cities for Citize ns hip—Request for Uetterof Su ppo rt fro m City of YaWma
To:Yakima City Council&City Manager
From: Laura Armstrong, Executive Director ufLa Casa Hogar(tau raplacasahoaar.org/500-467-5058)&
Board mfLa Casa Hogar
i
Date: June10L 2019
La Casa Hogar respectfully requests Yakima City Council offer a letter of support to apply for a grant on
.
Juiv19^h for citizenship work.This letter of support will mark the next step of a collaboration La Casa initiated
' in June 2018. La Casa seeks this letter to reinforce public verbal support for this work,to strengthen the
proposal,and generate wider support for this important work.
LaKaoa's citizenship program was founded in 2010 when La Casa began offering classes in response to
community demand for citizenship support.Since 2O1O,thousands of community members have attended
classes atLa Casa and over 1,200 of our Yakima Valley neighbors are now US Citizens asm result.This program
relies on partnerships with other groups including Englewood Christian Church,St. Michael's Mission,and
several local organizations.
Cities for Citizenship is a program hosted by a national group: National Partnership for New Americans.
Cities for Citizenship is a national initiative aimed at increasing citizenship among eligible U.S. lawful
permanent residents and encouraging cities across the country to invest in citizenship programs. La Casa
began a conversation in June 2018 with the Partnership Committee regarding this opportunity. From there,the
full City Council approved a proclamation of"New Citizens Day"on October 2 nd, 2U18' The City also joined the
"Cities for Citizenship"program and is now publicly one ofthe 73 cities and counties that have adopted this
designation.(See here: ht%p-//wwvu.citiesfomcltizemship'comm&ities-counties). La Caso"s current request for a
letter of support is the next step in developing this partnership.
Cities for Citizenship offers two-year grants ranging from$25,000-40,000. La Casa wilt apply and if
awarded, receive the funds to support the citizenship program serving the City of Yakima and beyond.Aspart
mf this application, La Casa needs to demonstrate our partnership with the City. In the letter of support, La
Casa will ask for:verbal support,the city to share provided information flyers about citizenship resources in
town,annually proclaim New Citizens Day on or about October 2"u,and as available-ask City
volunteer/employee during webinars;or trainings with Cities for Citizenship.
Why does this matter?Research from USC Dornsife reveals that in Yakima County alone,over 12,100
people are currently eligible for citizenship.About 60%of those individuals have tow probability to naturalize
due to barriers such as language,transportation, little formal education,and intimidation. La Casa works with
those community members and offers case management from class registration to oath ceremony. Equipped
with legal expertise and accredited through the Department of Justice, La Casa maintains a 92-99%success
rate among those who apply and successfully become USCitizens.
What are next steps?La Casa respectfully reauests the Citv of Yakima to approve a letter of support on
Jub/2^«during the Citv Council meetinqand direct a city employee te work with La Casa to draft and finalize
the official letter.
Thank you for your consideration.
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