Multicultural
Coalition 
Odalys Perez, Executive Director
504 N. Elm
Grand Island, NE 68801
308-385-5242
Email: operez@gips.org
Web Site: www.grandislandmulticulturalcoalition.com
Joined the Heartland United Way in 2006
The Multicultural Coalition was formed in 2001 to respond
to the needs of Grand Island’s increasingly culturally
diverse community. It was formed as a result of research
and information gleaned from other communities that have
been successful in integrating minority newcomers into
the community. The Multicultural Coalition’s goal
is to provide a comprehensive service delivery center
or a “one stop” that serves new and established
immigrants.
The
Multicultural Coalition is located at the Old Walnut building
which is a rental housing development for low and moderate
income residents. The facility includes space for the
Multicultural Coalition Office as well as some of the
co-located service providers. This has allowed services
to be provided onsite for many of the residents who live
in the building and within walking distance of the facility.
Services
currently provided on site are:
Immigration
services by Lutheran Immigration Services staff, Spanish
Citizenship Classes, support services to children and
families who are in need of assistance in accessing educational
services and reducing barriers to such services by the
Grand Island Public Schools Outreach Center, monthly blood
pressure clinics, health fairs and education workshops
by the Parish Nurse Program staff and Summer Reading Program
for the Old Walnut children an close neighbors.
In
conjunction with services offered to the targeted population,
the Multicultural Coalition has and will continue to work
to enhance service delivery and cultural integration in
other ways. Initial efforts have been made to initiate
and facilitate a Latino Leadership group that meets monthly
and the purpose is to identify Latino men and women who
have demonstrated leadership qualities and/or are emerging
as community leaders and assist them in expanding their
roles in the community.
The
Multicultural Coalition also sponsors an annual conference
to increase awareness about diversity and multicultural
issues in our community.
