By Kassidy Arena , Nebraska Public Media News
Lincoln, NE-A Lincoln-based group is asking new Americans how the capital city and Lancaster County can provide better support as they transition to life in Nebraska.
The Lincoln and Lancaster County Welcoming Plan includes a survey for immigrants and refugees to share their experiences and where there are potential gaps in services.
The survey topics include housing, health, education, civic engagement, economic development and community. Joy Oyebefun, the co-chair for the integration committee of the New Americans Task Force in Lincoln, is leading the initiative’s outreach. She also serves as the essential resources program manager for the Asian Community & Cultural Center.
Oyebefun said the project is meant to make the Lincoln area more inclusive and provide better services to immigrants and refugees.
“We want to hear the voices of the community, and you know, we want to make sure that they feel that their voices are heard as well, that they feel like their input matters,” she said.
The survey, which was experiencing technical difficulties this week but was expected to be back online by Friday, is anonymous. But those who want to be entered in the raffle for a $100 gift card can give their name and contact information. The questions are available in eight different languages. The online survey is available in English, Spanish, Ukrainian, Pashto, Vietnamese, Arabic and Mandarin.
There is also an option to send survey answers either in an email or to the Asian Community & Cultural Center. The PDF version is available in the same languages with the addition of Karen.
Answers will be accepted until the end of January. Participants must be at least 19 years old, living in Lincoln or frequently using Lincoln resources and a first-or-second-generation immigrant or refugee.
The first survey of this kind started in 2019 to gage how immigrant and refugee communities felt about the effectiveness of different services available in Lancaster County. 500 people participated in the survey, which led to grant money being used for a career ladder program. That program is still ongoing.
Oyebefun estimated the survey would take about 15-30 minutes to complete.
“It’s a little bit of a long survey….But it is worth it in the end, to be able to show our community and to show our funders and to show our organizations the areas that we need to grow,” she said.
Oyebefun added after this current survey, the committee wants to release another one every five years. The goal for this year is to reach 500 participants.
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