| Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition | ||
| ^JavaScript("/extras//coolmenus/coolmenus4.js"); | ||
| Donate Now! | Home · Press Room | My Account |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Contact: Shuya Ohno, Dir of Communications, MIRA: (617) 821-8990
New English Works Campaign Launches with High-Profile Business, Union, Community, and Civic Leaders
Leaders Present a New and Innovative Solution to Address the Critical Need for English Programs in the Massachusetts Immigrant Workforce
When: Thursday, June 26th at 9:30 am
Where: Boston Medical Center, Menino Pavilion, 840 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA
Who: Speakers:
o Elaine Ullian, President and CEO of Boston Medical Center
o Mike Fadel, Exec VP of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
o Rocio Saenz, President of SEIU 615
o Carline Desire, Exec Dir of the Assoc of Haitian Women
o Ana Maria Gomez and Carmen Mercedes, immigrant workers currently enrolled in a partnership ESOL program
o The Office of the Mayor , City of Boston
Supporters:
o Paul Grogan, President & CEO of the Boston Foundation
o Robert Haynes, President of the MA AFL-CIO
o Ellen Zane, President and CEO of Tufts Medical Center
o Warren Pepicelli, President of NE Joint Board of UNITE-HERE
o Roger Berkowitz, Pres and CEO of Legal Sea Foods
(List developing)
What: High-profile business, labor, community, and civic leaders will kick-off the English Works Campaign. Speakers will outline the importance of immigrant workers in the MA workforce, the critical and growing need for English programs across industries throughout the Commonwealth, and present the novel solution to this problem that is the English Works Campaign.
Currently, one in five workers throughout MA, and one in three in Boston is an immigrant. About seven in ten of those workers, numbering close to half of a million, need increased availability of and access to English language programs.
The English Works Campaign is a unique coalition of community, labor, business, and civic leaders, working together to provide all residents in MA with a pathway to self-sufficiency, ensure a stable, skilled workforce, and integrate immigrants into the fabric of the MA economy, community, and civic life.
###
MIRA works to advocate for the rights and opportunities of immigrants and refugees. In partnership with its members, MIRA advances this mission through education, training, leadership development, organizing, policy analysis and advocacy.