RSS Channels IndexDiversity Institute Brings Multicultural Communities Together
Newswise — The Luzerne County Diversity Commission, coordinated by the Misericordia University Diversity Institute and co-chaired by Susan Shoval, president of Guard Insurance, and Arthur Breese, director of diversity at Geisinger Health Care System, unveiled its first executive summary report Wednesday, May 21 for the Luzerne County Commissioners and general public.
The county commissioners initially formed the diversity task force June 22, 2006. It is comprised of regional political, educational, religious, business and minority community leaders to constructively address and embrace diversity issues in Luzerne County's 76 communities. The task force was also embraced by the Council of Presidents (COPS), a partnership among King's College, Luzerne County Community College, Misericordia University, Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton, and Wilkes University. Together, the area's colleges and universities pooled their resources and provided additional leadership for the newly formed organization.
Luzerne County Commissioners Maryanne C. Petrilla, Gregory A. Skrepenak and Stephen A. Urban voted in March to create a permanent commission and to have the Misericordia University Diversity Institute manage it.
The Luzerne County Diversity Commission's mission is to bring together a cross section of diverse community leaders to develop a consensus on innovative ways to make our region more inclusive and make our community more aware of the opportunities to benefit from diversity. Members were charged with creating sub groups to formulate a strategic plan and provide recommendations to foster a climate in the community in which there is a proactive commitment to diversity as a basic value; to enhance the values and consciousness of community leaders so that diversity is a cherished ideal of our county, and coordinate education and training, and new staff orientation efforts related to diversity.
The seven-page executive summary report is a comprehensive examination of diversity issues germane to the region and its residents. The 34-member commission formed four specialized subcommittees to closely study multicultural issues in education, criminal justice, economic opportunity, and community spirit and immigration. For 12 months, commission members studied issues that were identified by the subcommittees and sought solutions. The collaborative report contains the findings and suggestions of each subcommittee and outlines how to implement programs or ideas that can build lasting relationships and harmony in our diverse communities.
The report suggests that a vibrant community in the 21st century will be a diverse one. Those areas that are welcoming to people of diverse backgrounds will attract the industry of tomorrow. Community volunteers of all ethnic, cultural, racial and educational backgrounds are members of the commission. Everyone involved in the commission genuinely wants Luzerne County to be successful in creating a vibrant local economy in which the sense of hospitality and cooperation is extended to our community's diverse population.
The Education Subcommittee, co-chaired by Dr. Janis Wilson-Seeley of Luzerne County Community College, and Dr. Ebrahem Almeky, recommends the Board of Commissioners ensures a commitment to diversity at Luzerne County Community College. The two-year institution of higher learning can serve as a model for other non-county funded educational institutions.
To achieve the recommendations, subcommittee members suggest the commissioners appoint trustees to LCCC that represent the region's diverse communities, support policies to recruit and retain diverse staff and students, and support initiatives to review and update academic programs, curricula and services to incorporate multiculturalism.
The subcommittee would also like to expand existing programs like the Kid's Café and McGlynn Learning Center that provide learning opportunities for area children, and provide resources and support for enriching curricula in county K-12 educational programs that foster cultural competency among students and educators alike.
The Criminal Justice Subcommittee, chaired by Teresa Tyler-Smith of the American Red Cross, recommends the county encourage, support and assist with the development of written policies for law enforcement agencies in the county that prohibit racial profiling. Subcommittee members further recommend law enforcement personnel receive increased education and training in racial diversity, cultural awareness and cultural competency.
This subcommittee also believes there is a need for greater representation of the minority community among law enforcement officials. It asks the county to educate local law enforcement agencies about the importance and advantages of a diverse police force.
The Economic Development Subcommittee, chaired by Kevin Salaway of PSU-Hazleton, recommends the county develop a Gold Standard model for area employers and contracting organizations that embrace and advance diversity in the workplace. Once developed, the subcommittee wants the county to support a communications effort to promote it among both existing and new organizations.
The Community Spirit and Immigration Subcommittee, chaired by Dr. Charles Davis of PSU-Wilkes-Barre, asks county leaders to adopt portions of the Zogby International report, which recommends constructive dialogue among the diverse communities in the city of Hazleton. This pilot program is dedicated to confronting racism and will act as a springboard for greater efforts throughout the Wyoming Valley.
The goal of the project is to bring about justice and community harmony in Hazleton, and other areas, and to decrease the number of racial incidents and eliminate structural racism in the region.
Luzerne County is in the unique position of taking advantage of its diverse population to develop a community that attracts new business and supports economic development for the region, the commission says in its report. A diverse and welcoming community, though, doesn't just happen. It is created by consorted efforts of community leaders and institutions.
The Luzerne County Board of Commissioners recognized the challenges of a diverse community and acted by organizing and supporting the county-wide diversity commission for the benefit of all residents.
Founded and Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy in 1924, Misericordia University is Luzerne County's first four-year college and offers 30 academic majors on the graduate and undergraduate levels in full and part-time formats.
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