A.F.Y.U.S.S.A Alliance, Family & Youth in U.S Society Action STRATEGIC PLAN

Youth Immigrants/Refugees in American Society

AFYUSSA Stakeholders The participants:  P P olice  S chool/ Church  C orrections Department  P robation Department  J uvenile Criminal Justice System The recipients:  Y Y outh, particularly Immigrants/Refugees  F amily  S ociety  C ommunity  O rganizations*

Strategic Plan of AFYUSSA Mission The Alliance, Family & Youth in U.S. Society Action (A.F.Y.U.S.S.A) will improve the integration of immigrants and refugees into New Hampshire life in particular and the US in general using new ideas and an innovative program so as to prevent criminal behavior in youths and misunderstandings between them and the police. Vision AFYUSSA would like to see harmony between immigrants/refugees and the police in NH (and later the country), in particular, and American communities, in general. Cultural differences would no longer be the reason for friction between these groups. Values Cooperation Respect Understanding Patience

Strategic Plan of AFYUSSA Goals 1. AFYUSSA will educate immigrant/refugee populations, particularly the youth or teenage population, about the role of the law enforcement agencies in American society and how to interact with them in New Hampshire and the U.S. 2. AFYUSSA will work with the New Hampshire Police to help them get a better understanding of diversity and cultural differences so they can work effectively and safely with members of immigrant/refugee groups. 3. AFYUSSA will work with and support groups within immigrant/refugee communities whose purpose it is to promote greater civic engagement and responsible participation in American life, and to help members of their community when they have issues with law enforcement agents. 4. AFYUSAA will engage in other creative and practical measures in order to facilitate harmony between new Americans and the police and other authorities.

Strategic Plan of AFYUSSA Objectives for First Goal  AFYUSSA will collaborate with different cultures in New Hampshire. Including: - Youth refugees and/or immigrants from all around of the world - American youth  AFYUSSA will help youth to realize the bad idea of criminal behavior and its negative effect on their future.  AFYUSSA will help youth to go back to school, if applicable.  AFYUSSA will teach classes on the material to immigrant/refugee youth as part of ESL classes and civic classes in secondary schools.  AFYUSSA will help immigrant/refugee youth to understand the beneficial role law enforcement plays in American society, which includes the protection of American citizens- and that means the immigrants and refugees, too.

Strategic Plan of AFYUSSA Objectives for Second Goal -AFYUSSA will work together with the New Hampshire Corrections department, Police, and Criminal Justice System regarding diversity and cultures from around the world represented in NH and the U.S. -AFYUSSA will organize and run workshops for police departments to teach their members about the diverse cultural differences.

Strategic Plan of AFYUSSA Objectives for Third Goal  AFYUSSA is in the process of creating a strong alliance between local police departments and the volunteer groups within refugee/immigrant communities.

Strategic Plan of AFYUSSA Objectives for Fourth Goal  AFYUSSA will create a network of volunteers within immigrant/refugee communities to encourage greater self-policing of the behavior of members of the community (especially the youth) by recruiting, training and dispatching volunteers to teach people how to get along with refugees and immigrants in New Hampshire and around of country.  Create a handbook or a “Know your Rights” manual (handbook).  AFYUSSA will encourage community involvement by immigrants and refugees through activities like Neighborhood Crime Watches.

Together support Youth! NH law enforcementOrganizations/Communities School/ChurchDHHS/DMC Youth

AFYUSSA Collaboration AFYUSSA POLICE & LAW ENFORCEMENT School Family/Commun ity & Society YOUTH/ Refugee & Immigrant

“ Know your Rights” Manual (Handbook) - It will describe the role of police in American society, what to expect and how to behave when approached by the police, and how to access police services. -It will be translated into French, Spanish, Portuguese, Kiswahili, Bhutanese, Nepalese, Arabic, and other languages as it becomes necessary. -It will be distributed to members of refugee/immigrant groups in the schools through ESL (English as a Second Language) classes and support organizations such as Lutheran Social Services (LSS), International Institute of New Hampshire, DMC, ORIS, and through the churches and other internal groups to which refugees and immigrants belong. -AFYUSSA will distribute the handbook to New Hampshire police departments, initially in the City of Manchester, Concord, Nashua and then in other urban areas that have large numbers of immigrants/refugees.

Strategic Plan of AFYUSSA WHY EDUCATION IN THIS AREA IS IMPORTANT  Integrating diverse populations into an established society/system is not easy.  Diversity often creates misunderstandings and friction.  The relations between youth immigrant/refugee and the police sometimes can be especially difficult.  Understanding differences is a key part of accepting and accommodating them.  Refugees and immigrants often have very negative attitudes about the police as a result of their experience in war-torn countries and refugee camps.  The police are frequently seen as part of the problem, not a solution to the problem. The main response of a refugee or immigrant to the police may be fear and suspicion.

Strategic Plan of AFYUSSA WHY EDUCATION IN THIS AREA IS IMPORTANT Continued  Immigrant/refugee preconceived views about law enforcement in the States can lead to them avoiding the police, not answering legitimate questions posed by the police and generally resisting any interaction with the police.  Refugees are also unlikely to initiate a call for help to the police, even if needed. All this can and needs to be changed with education.  New Hampshire law enforcement agencies must know the nature of the population that they are supposed to serve.

Strategic Plan of AFYUSSA Some Facts  Many young immigrants/refugees do not know how to behave when approached by the police in this country.  The young refugees may have been taught in their culture very different ways to interact with people in authority.  For example, in some African countries, it is disrespectful to look any person of authority in the eyes.  This may appear to be suspicious behavior to an American police officer who is not aware of this behavior trait.  There are other behavioral mannerisms that can also lead to misunderstanding.

 AFYUSSA hopes to create a new generation of refugee/immigrants  Create Youth center of activity and keeping families together with Youth  AFYUSSA are conducting an extensive research study in state of New Hampshire and around of country to explore whether providing Youth incarcerated to have more access for member visitation in Jail, Prison and that will improves the nature and frequency of prisoners' contact with their families.

“Together we can change our society and Community” Question?