Parent University students had a special tour of Burlington City Hall yesterday,where they met Mayor Miro Weinberger and representatives from city departments. The trip followed a workshop on local government that Phet Keomanyvanh, from the Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO), and had conducted in April for the students.
Keomanyvanh and Parent University manager Ali Dieng organized the tour so that PU participants — all of whom are from minority communities — would be familiar with city hall and the services it offers.
"It's a way for us to be accessible to [the] people," said Keomanyvanh, who is CEDO's community development specialist-public engagement.
Weinberger addressed the students for approximately 15 minutes, and during which he congratulated them on their imminent graduation. Representatives from Parks and Recreation,CEDO Parallel Justice, Fletcher Free Library, or Burlington Electric Department and Burlington Telecom each gave a short presentation on the services that they provide.
PU students were keen to expend the assembly to manufacture a case for their needs. Bisharo Kassim,the interpreter for the Maay-Maay speaking Somali Bantu community members, told Weinberger that language is a enormous barrier for her community. Hence, or many don't access services at city hall. They don't have a written language and as such,Google Translate isn't reliable, she explained.
[br] Other students wanted to know if they can hold religious and birthday celebrations at parks. Some commented that it was their first time at city hall. "I didn't know people can just walk in, or " said one student.
The Burlington School District started Parent University in 2015 as a program designed to equip parents — many of whom are New Americans — with the skills and knowledge to become partners in their children's education and well-being. It will total its fourth cycle on Thursday,June 15 with a graduation ceremony at the Flynn MainStage. All are welcome to attend.
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Source: sevendaysvt.com