Family Resource Group

Background:

 At the beginning of 2010, a small number of G.L.I.P.’s met  to discuss the possibility of establishing a group whose task would be to focus upon making life easier for the families of new-to Louisville G.L.I.P. members. Often these families relocate to support the person who has a job here and can feel quite isolated.

The idea to establish such a group was welcomed and the G.L.I.P. Family Resource Group now intends to become a resource center for International Families, starting life in Louisville and to provide them with the tools and resources they need to succeed.

The main focus for our first piece of work was to provide a Directory which is an addition to Possibility City: The Guide to Greater Louisville, and will assist with home life. For example, inclusions such as where to buy fresh meat other than the supermarket, how exactly does the American healthcare and legal system work, what is ninth grade at school and why can’t I pay all my utility bills by direct debit from my bank account automatically? In other cases, it can be as simple as finding a store. There are things which established USA citizens take for granted and although these issues may appear quite trivial can be very frustrating for the person trying to manage a home and family under a system often quite alien to them.  This process will be available to everyone relocating to Louisville and will also serve as a resource to recruiters who bring new talent from around the world. 

Vision:

To become a resource center for International Families starting life in Louisville and to provide them with the tools and resources that they need to succeed.

Mission:

• To empower International Families in becoming informed, successful and engaged community members in Louisville
• To engage in community outreach and provide assistance with integration
• To connect similar talents and foster mentorship
• To provide socialization experiences

Initiatives:

• Relocation piece: provide a Directory which will be additional to Possibility City: The Guide to Greater Louisville and will assist with home life from an international's perspective. To view the Relocation Guide to Welcome International Families, click here.
• Create a one pager of Louisville's international volunteering opportunities which will be an insert to the Relocation Guide to Welcome International Families.

Upcoming Meeting:

2013 Programming:

February: Essay writing competition for children of G.L.I.P. members. Topic – A Notable Woman from my Home Country. (Age categories: under 9, 9-12, 12+). Goal: Raise awareness of Women from around the world in time for International Women’s Day.

 March 7: International Women's Day Celebration at Bristol Bar and Grille on Bardstown road. Special guest is Sonia Ruiz, a minority business owner.  Read blog

April 28: Looking for a fun activity to enjoy with the entire family? G.L.I.P. Family Resource Group invites you and your children to a fun afternoon at the circus to watch the show “Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey: Built to Amaze.” This event is for all ages.
 The show takes place on Sunday, April 28th,2 p.m.at the KFC Yum! Center. sign up here!

June 15: International Family Pot Luck Event. Goal: Welcome new families and integrate with existing GLIP families.  

Summer: Community Impact Day. Painting and /or decorating Women’s and Children Center. Goal: Bonding with new and existing GLIP families and help the ones who are in need

September: Bike and Walk the Cherokee Loop Picnic. Goal: Sports activity for family socialization. Exploration of a Louisville park.  

December:  Angel Tree. Goal: FRG Group bonding.

Past events

G.L.I.P. Family Resource Group Celebrates International Women's Day on 3/8/2012:

On March 8, 19 GLIPs, including 4 men, joined the University of Louisville’s International Women’s Day celebrations.The theme of the evening was sharing a dinner with famous women including Emily Dickinson, Amelia Earhart, Clara Barton, Georgia O’Keefe, Frida Kahlo and Mary Wollstonecroft.  We enjoyed music provided by ‘Antique TV’, shared stories about what has made us the women we are today and heard from speakers including Dr. Diane Pecknold from the Department of Women’s & Gender Studies, LTC Tina Gay Riddle of the Kentucky National Guard, Luz Rivera Martinez, a Mexican labor activist and Elmer Lucille Allen, social activist. Later, we participated in a women’s trivia quiz and wrote a postcard to a woman we admire. The evening provided us with the opportunity to reflect upon the positive impact women, locally, nationally and internationally, have had upon all our lives. Thanks to U of L for including us in the celebrations!

 

 G.L.I.P. Family Resource Group Trip to IKEA and Jungle Jim's: September 17, 2011

Silvia Sulfridge, Austria, writes of her experience with the G.L.I.P. Family Resource Group:

"Thank you for incorporating me in your group. I think what you're doing is really helpful for international people, especially for women! I felt kind of lost here, when I came to Louisville, but joining the group gave me more confidence and I see how great the other women are doing and how they support each other. Keep up the great work!"

If you are interested in joining G.L.I.P. Family Resource Group and contributing to the initiatives, please contact Jacki Westwell.

2013 Committee Members: