Programs and Initatives

How Do I Learn More About the Program and Possibly Request an Advocate?
Call MCDI at 612-298-5754 and leave a message including your name and phone number; and indicate that you are interested in the Advocacy Project, as well as the best time and way to reach you. You may also contact MCDI staff via email at info@midwestcommuntydevelopment.org

What Will Happen Next?
MCDI staff will contact you to answer any questions you have. If you are interested in working with a parent volunteer, she will ask for some information about your child, their specific needs and interests, and their current educational setting. Subsequently, a volunteer advocate will be recommended to you.

What Can I Expect From the Advocate?
A volunteer advocate will be available to talk with you via phone or email. This will be determined by the family and the advocate. Advocates will talk with you about the child's specific needs, interests and skills. They will also want to know about your child's previous educational experiences, past successes and difficulties in working with a school, information about the school and classroom, and goals you have for your child. Advocates will be able to suggest books, articles, websites and community resources which may assist you. They will also work with you to brainstorm possible educational alternatives and strategies. Obviously, there is a no assured outcome.

How Can I Be Assured of the Confidentiality of the Information I Share?
MCDI staff advocates have every expectation of keeping your information confidential. They might use the general subject matter of your situations to request assistance from others or to help others learn more – but we do not intend to release personally identifiable information.

Outreach Increases Community Capacity and Builds Cultural Awareness
MCDI has prepared a series of workshops and presentations as part of our community outreach program. Both workshops and presentations are intended for community groups and professionals including educators, health care providers and law enforcement personnel. Topics include working with East African populations to overcome cultural barriers. A full catalog will be presented here very soon. Please check back for more information, or contact us directly for more information.

MCDI Forums/Programs in the Future
For the past few years, MCDI has invested in building up the strengths and resources of the organization; building the capacities of its coordinators and volunteer staff; and also being involved in research and projects that have served as pilots for initiatives moving forward. MCDI is now ready to start assessing the extensive research that has been conducted both formally and informally, incorporating this knowledge into next steps, and moving forward on programs that have proven to have an impact on our communities. MCDI’s upcoming forum in August 2011, “Igniting the Flame II: A Forum to Engage Immature Somali Women’s Minds” aims to continue this community research and input, and will be a valuable resource in reporting back MCDI’s learning during the fall of 2011.

Blog
We invite all women and young girls who have something to say about Somali culture, tradition, fashion, religion (and just about anything they feel) to write for our blog. You don’t have to have experience, just something to say! We offer workshops on social media and will train you on how to become an effective blogger. Training dates are to be determined.

For more information please contact: info@midwestcommunitydevelopment.org