Affirming, supporting Whitewater’s Nicaraguan community is upcoming forum focus

The Whitewater Area League of Women Voters has announced that it will be sponsoring a community forum titled: “Affirming and Supporting Our Nicaraguan Community.” 

According to information released by the league, the event will provide a panel-led discussion which will engage with the public to determine ways in which community members can assist and support a growing Nicaraguan community which has arrived in Whitewater.  

The forum will be held Thursday, April 20, at 6:30 p.m., at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center, 341 S. Fremont St., Whitewater. 

Information provided within the release notes that panel members — including Whitewater City Manager John Weidl and Manager of the Whitewater Community Space Kay Robers, along with Whitewater Unified School District staff members Terilyn Robles, who serves as the multicultural services coordinator, and Jorge Islas-Martinez, a bilingual liaison, (asistente bilingüe), along with University of Wisconsin-Whitewater International Employment and Immigration Specialist Margaret Wheeler — will begin a discussion to identify and build upon professional and volunteer-based opportunities developed to assist in welcoming newly arrived neighbors within a range of topics, including alleviating language, economic, legal, housing, and employment barriers, along with providing food and healthcare needs. 

Forum attendees will be invited to participate by asking questions after the panelists make their presentation, according to the release. 

The forum will be moderated by Whitewater Unified School District Board of Education member Miguel Aranda, who also is the pre-college programs associate director at UW-Whitewater.

Spanish interpretation services will be provided by newly elected Whitewater Unified School District Board of Education member Lisa Huempfner. Elected earlier this month, Huempfner — along with new board members Stephanie Hicks and Christy Linse — is anticipated to begin serving her term on Monday, April 24. 

According to the release, the in-person only forum will not be videotaped. 

Unsplash.com/Clay Banks 

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