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