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GINI Initiative

Gainesville Immigrant Neighbor Inclusion Initiative

The GINI initiative is an advocacy group made up of (60+) mostly volunteers from a diversity of backgrounds, professions, countries, and cultures to push our community to become more welcoming and inclusive of immigrants. Our Steering Committee has members in five different Work Groups, each with a particular focus: Health, Education, Safety, Civic Inclusion, and Language Access.

Since our formation GINI has helped:

  • Get the County of Alachua to allocate $875,000 in funding for language access, the creation of an Immigrant Liaison position, and the funding for resource aids for immigrants
  • Get the City of Gainesville to allocate up to $500,000 in funding for language access, the creation of an Immigrant Liaison position, and the funding for a Community Guide and other resource aids for immigrants
  • Receive acceptance from local health care providers and law enforcement for the Human Rights Coalition's Community ID
  • Provide workshops to local organizations and agencies aimed at addressing Language Access
Background image
11.3%
Immigrants made up 11.3% of the total population in Gainesville in 2019*

14,800

immigrants lived in
Gainesville, Florida, in 2019*

24.4%
24.4% of the total population growth in the city was attributable to immigrants*
Here's a bit about the Work Groups:

Safety: This group discusses ways to ensure a safer community for immigrant neighbors. A couple of the strategies they have been working on are supporting the Community ID program and advocating for its use, increasing access to crime and safety resources, and coordinating Listening Sessions between Law Enforcement and the immigrant community.

Civic Inclusion: This group discusses how to get immigrants more involved in the community and increase inclusion. This group has recently been focused on helping coordinate immigrant-friendly and immigrant-focused events, and pushing for more better access to public resources. We are currently working on Welcoming Week, September 9-18

Language Access: This group focuses on increasing language access in our community. We, together with the leader of the group, Laura Gonzales, have helped to coordinate Language Access Institutes (workshops to teach agencies how to increase their language access and create Language Access Plans), a program that is planned to continue.

Health: This group discusses ways to increase access to health care for the immigrant community. This group has been especially focused on increasing language access and helping to increase awareness of its necessity among many different health care providers, many of whom attended the Language Access Institutes.

Education: This group strategize how to increase education access for immigrant neighbors. They are currently working on coordinating Parent Assemblies - opportunities for immigrant parents to speak with representatives of the Public School system and learn about their rights and best practices regarding education.

Free Language Access Materials
  • Language Identification Guides: A card organizations can use to find the primary language of patients/clientele who have limited English proficiency and also serves as a guide to effectively use an interpreter/interpretation services.
  • “I Speak” Cards: Free Informative pamphlets for Limited English Proficient speakers, with a removable “I Speak” card. The pamphlet provides the holder with critical phrases in English and includes the directions/reasons for using the detachable card. The “I Speak” card informs whoever the cardholder is communicating with what their primary language is and their need for an interpreter. The card also acknowledges their legal right to an interpreter at any organization receiving federal funds. These cards will be available in Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Arabic.
GINI in the News

January 2023

WUFT - Gainesville immigrants lean on community in the face of challenges.

December 2022

Noticias WUFT - Pasos Migrantes: Un trabajo investigativo sobre la immigracion a los Estados Unidos.

November 2022

Immigrantion Impact - Gainesville Takes Steps Toward Immigrant Inclusion With Gateways for Growth Program

WUFT - Interactive art exhibit brings Gainesville immigrant community together

October 2022

The Gainesville Iguana - GINI to provide free community resources, important updates on immigrant inclusion

September 2022

Gainesville Sun - Gainesville and Alachua County continue to make strides toward immigrant inclusion

ABC (WCJB) - The Gainesville Immigrant Neighbor Inclusion Initiative update their blueprint after 6 months

PBS (WUFT) - To become a welcoming city to immigrants, Gainesville agencies hire for new positions, pilot language line

CBS4 (WGFL) - GINI makes strides in the community six months after launching its blueprint

Mainstreet Daily News - GINI makes strides in Alachua County

April 2022

My CBS4 - Rural Women’s Health Project, City of Gainesville Work on Immigrant Inclusion Initiative

Alachua Chronicle - The Rural Women’s Health Project Selected for Gateways for Growth Challenge Implementation Cohort to Support GINI Immigrant Inclusion

Brazilian Times - Gainesville torna se primeira cidade na Florida a Lancar Plano Para Receber Imigrantes

March 2022

WUFT - Gainesville Becomes First Community in Florida to Publicly Launch Blueprint to Become a Certified Welcoming City to Immigrants

Gainesville Sun - Gainesville moves ahead with translation program to help non-English speaking locals

Gainesville Sun - Gainesville’s immigration inclusion blueprint unveiled to community on Tuesday

Gainesville Sun - Elected officials, community leaders to present 2022 Immigrant Inclusion Blueprint report

November 2021

The Alligator - Gainesville Celebrates Immigrants’ Day

October 2021

WUFT - Gainesville Immigrant Neighbor Inclusion Steering Committee Drives Policy Proposals Forward

The Gainesville Iguana - Immigrant Neighbor Initiative aims for Equity and Inclusion

April 2021

Gainesville Sun - Deborah Bowie – Making Everyone Feel They Belong

Upcoming Opportunities

Education Assemblies:
FREE

Aimed at bridging the information gap between Alachua County’s education system and immigrant families, providing guidance on how to navigate the requirements and expectations for both students and parents.
 

Language Access Institute:
FREE

Language Access Institutes will be free workshops available for agencies and government services on how to build a language access plan and integrate a language line.
 
 

Complex Journey Event:
FREE

This event will be an interactive experience, where participants can actively engage with Eugene Agyei's piece and share their experience of the exhibition as well as their personal stories and languages. Check our Upcoming Events page for more information.