babson summit on immigrant entrepreneurship

8/7/2019 Babson Summit on Immigrant Entrepreneurship

1/8

A PublicAtion of the immigrAnt leArning center, in

Giving the Gi t o Languag

W i n t e r 2 0

t ilc hds Sawd c ia epsp

Immigrant Entrepreneurs Spur Economic Growth, Create Jobs

Te ILC, in collaboration with Babson College, hosted an inaugural conerence on immigrant entrepreneursh

on November 17, 2010. An audience o nearly 100 state and local policy makers and community econom

developers learned about the contributions o Massachusetts immigrant entrepreneurs. Coming rom a

corners o the globe, they start businesses rom neighborhood storeronts to science and technology rms.

wenty immigrant entrepreneurs and researchers presented extensive documentation showing how immigra

entrepreneurs bring billions o dollars worth o education and training as well as their talent, energ

risk taking and indomitable spirit that benet the Commonwealth and the nation. Presenters included D

Jan Vilcek, New York University proessor and co-developer o the breakthrough drug Remicade; Aliso

Moronta, Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation and Richard Herman, co-author

Immigrant, Inc.

Tese entrepreneurs provide crucial models, connections and cultural know-how or doing busine

internationally. Tey create new pathways or conducting business in the global marketplace that will brin

critical wealth creation and jobs to Massachusetts and the country, said Dr. Marcia Drew Hohn, ILC Direct

o Public Education and conerence organizer.

Te main message rom the conerence is that immigrant entrepreneurs provide a unique advantage or the sta

by bringing neighborhood revitalization, innovation in high tech and health science, and international busine

know-how. Tis competitive advantage needs to be protected, nurtured and enhanced by all stakeholders in t

economy, not just government.

Go to www.ilctr.org to view a summary of conference proceedings.

From Let: Keynote Speaker, Richard Herman, Esq.; panelists Sirdhar Iyengar (second generation rom

India), Alvaro de Castro e Lima (Brazil), Yumin Choi (Korea), Anne OCallaghan (Ireland), Rodrigo Cerveira

(Brazil), Saul Perlera (El Salvador)

CEO

Diane Portnoy

Co-Founders

Diane PortnoyJoan Broude

Board of Trustees

Arthur G. Koumantzelis,Chairman

Frank J. BaileyJoel G. BeckmanDaniel BridgesFatima Z. Chibane,

ILC Instructor

Richard A. Davey, Jr.Patrick DonelanPenny GarverRoger F. Harris, PhDMarcia Drew Hohn, EdD,

ILC Director o Public EducationHolly G. Jones,

Program Coordinator andILC Guidance Counselor

Esther N. KaringeJoseph F. LawlessChristy rang LeGerard M. MartinRichard M. OKeeeBarry M. PortnoyVincent J. RiversJohn Schneider

Jason SilvermanKathy G. Smith,

ILC Director o DevelopmentReena I. TadhaniStanley J. Usovicz, Jr.Anne L.Williams

Staff

Mehrnoush BakhshandehAlison DAmarioDaniel DohertyDoreen EramianLouise FassettEwa GoodmanSusan HaleyGedeus JeantilusKathleen Klose

Peggy LoudenAlan MayCathy NandhavanCarmen NistorKaren OakleyMarianne PesceNorma PortnoyDiana RajooCharles E. RiggsSusan RojasRita SavytskaLeonid SidorovJean SmithMarcia Spector

Te Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. | 442 Main Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148 | 781-322-9777 | www.ilctr.org


2/8

meSSAge from the ceo

Dear Friends,

Every session I visit each class to meet all the students. I was

interviewed recently by students in one class or a project they

were doing. Tey asked how the school was unded. I explained

that over 80 percent o the revenue comes rom individuals,

businesses and oundations. Tey also asked me how I get people

to support the school i so many Americans believe immigrants

are bad or the country. First, I told them that not all Americans

think immigrants are bad or the country.

Second, anti-immigrant sentiment is nothing new in American

history; only the victims have changed. At one time it was the

Irish, Italians, Greeks, Asians, Slavs, Catholics and Jews.

oday its Mexicans and Muslims. Te rhetoric has always been

the same.Immigrants are criminals and terrorists.

Tey bring diseases into the country.

Tey either take our jobs or live on welare.

Tey dont pay taxes.

Research shows this is not true. History is lled with the

contributions rom each immigrant group that make lie better

or each o us, that make the United States stronger. Immigrants

are dreamers and risk takers. Te list o great American immigrant

scientists, engineers, writers, scholars, business and labor leaders,

athletes, actors and artists is legion.

Tird, I tell our students personal stories. Teres the woman rom

Iran who had to leave her husband and amily with the clothes

on her back because she was picked up by the police or being

part o a government protest movement. Teres the gentleman

rom Haiti who was shot in ront o his wie and children as he

came home rom work. oday he owns a restaurant in Cambridge.

Tere are 6,300 stories like these. I see ormer students everywhere

I go. Tey are business owners, proessionals, health workers, care

givers, security personnel and garage attendants.

Just like my parents, many o our students experienced and

witnessed unspeakable horrors, heard anti-immigrant comments

and worked very hard to create a good lie or their children.

Seventy percent o our students achieve their goals o nding jobs,

starting businesses, entering training programs, going to college

and becoming citizens. Teir children are on the honor roll, win

awards and go to college. And just like my parents, they love this

country or what it represents: security, hope and reedom.

Lastly, I told the students that I ask potential donors to imagine

this nation without immigrants.

Te next time you are in a hospital, look around at whois taking care o the patients.

Over hal o all medical scientists in the state are immigrants.

28 percent o doctors are immigrants.

Immigrants take care o our children and our parents.

40 percent o the pharmacists in Massachusettsare immigrants.

An immigrant ounded Google; remember that the nexttime you go online.

In the present economic climate, Te ILC continues to work very

hard teaching immigrants English and educating the public that

immigrants are assets not decits.

Tank you or supporting Te ILCs work. Best wishes or a

healthy, happy, peaceul 2011.

Diane

The ILC is a not-for-prot learning center that provides free English classes for adult immigrants and refugees. The mission is to give immigrants and

s kwd es ps daa, py ad psa as ad sss wks, pas ad y

members. The ILC also educates the public about the positive impact immigrants have on our country, economy and communities.


3/8

focuS on funDerS

ty A, g ts DTravel Place Bethesda

Tony Abell has been a longtimesupporter o Te ILC. He has known

ILC teacher Susan Haley since

college. When Susan started Te ILC

Family Literacy Program in 1996,

ony thought it was an intriguing

concept and soon began to support

the program and Susans work. He

has played in the Annual Gol Classic

twice, once winning with Susan. He

was so impressed with the schools

work that he became an ESOL volunteer himsel at his church,

Our Lady o Lourdes, in Bethesda, Maryland. ony believes in the

mission o the school and knows rst hand how much students

benet rom dedicated teachers like Susan Haley in whose honor he

makes his contributions. Tanks to his long riendship with Susan

and Dianes inspiration, ony is one o Te ILCs most loyal ans.

David McKay, Ernst & Young LLP

David McKay, partner at Ernst & YoungLLP, believes the rms long involvement

with Te ILC was almost destined

to happen. Ernst & Young is committed

to engaging with organizations that

promote diversity, inclusiveness and

education so their support dovetails

seamlessly with Te ILCs mission.

While recognizing that there are a

number o people at Ernst & Young who

have worked with him to support and serve Te ILC, David says

that playing a small personal part in helping immigrants has been a

joy. Tank you, ILC, or giving us the opportunity to assist you inachieving your goals now and in the uture.

ea bak

Christine Falzarano, Vice President and Community Development

Ocer or Eagle Bank in Everett, MA, presented Diane Portnoy

with a check or $500 or continued support o ILC programs

during her visit to the school in November.

Vz

ILC Board Member Stan Usovicz, Regional Director o External

Aairs or Verizon, presented the school with a check or $10,000or continued support o Te ILCs echnology Program.

From let: Carmen Nistor, ILC echnology Director;

Diane Portnoy; Stan UsoviczandCathy Nandhavan, ILC

Computer Lab Director

Te ILC is deeply grateul to the law rm o Sullivan & Worcester LLP or its generous donation o oce and classroom urniture. Te sta an

students appreciate how the urniture makes the school look very attractive and inviting.


4/8

School neWS

rs up S

Music, poetry and memories made the August perormances o Te

Immigrant Teater Groups (IG) production o Rise Up Singin

irresistible. Te production was directed byKathleen Klose, IG

ounder and instructor, and perormed at the Malden Senior

Center. Audiences came away with tears in their eyes and proound

respect or the determination and optimism displayed by the cast.

Te song Summertimeembodied the theme o overcoming adversity.

Accompanied by student musicians playing piano, fute and guitar,

three perormers shared their stories: a amily torn apart in Vietnam,a Haitian student attacked in Florida and a amily removed rom

their land in the Philippines.

At the close o each perormance, the student actors stepped orward

to introduce themselves and thank their ILC teachers or the Git

o Language.

the 2011 ilc StAff

ILC teacher Karen Oakleyencourages sta to read and

add to the new ILC blog. Tis is the perect venue to ask a

question or raise a new topic and exchange ideas. Te blog

can be used or sta development and advice.

Former ILC student Iman Vasques rom Algeria has done so

well in the Year Up Program that she was invited to attend

the gubernatorial debates where she met the candidates.

Later she shookPresident Obamas hand.

Te Literacy Program, known as the One-Room School

House, has expanded. As o November, intermediate

Literacy students meet with Susan Rojas in her classroom

on the rst foor while very beginning and higher level

Literacy students meet with Kathleen Klose in the

One-Room School House on the second foor. Tis change

has allowed 13 more students to enter the program bringing

the total o Literacy students to 66.

nw cass

ILC instructor Susan Haley, at the suggestion o Diane Portnoy,

recently started a new high-level class that ocuses on job navigation.

Te class meets once a week and serves waitlisted applicants who

are looking or employment. Students tackle resume writing, health

care and business issues along with English pronunciation and

interview skills. ILC Guidance Counselor Holly Jones (above)

recently worked with the class in deciphering want ads.

ilc ViSitorSTe ILC hosted a luncheon in November or several Friends

Te ILC who want to become more involved with the schoo

Te guests toured the school, visited classes and had lunch wi

ILC students. In the ront row rom let to right are: Jennif

Clark, Norma Portnoy(ILC sta) and Phebe Goodman.

the back row rom let to right are: Priscilla Hundley, Dia

Portnoy, ILC students Zahra Haghighatjoo (Iran) an

Gulbahar Warap (China), ILC instructor Marcia Spect

and Tushara Canekeratne. Gulbahar and Zahra shared the

immigrant backgrounds, lie in America and their studies at T

ILC. More luncheons are planned or 2011.


5/8

VolunteerS

Sd ts

Tere are students at Te ILC who have risen rom Level 1 to Level

5 very rapidly. Tey enjoy acting as reading tutors or other ILC

students. Here are their success stories.

Dolores Aquero came rom Argentina nine years ago to live withher son and three grandchildren in Everett. She has been a student

at Te ILC or two years and during that time has become

procient enough in English to be part o Kathleen Kloses

Level 5 Teater class. She remembers how beautiul Buenos Aires

is but also how dangerous it has become. She believes it is very

important to continue studying and takes great pleasure tutoring

other students in reading and writing. Dolores is very grateul to be

able to take a 35-minute walk to Te ILC or class.

Ali Sertgrew up near Istanbul, urkey, and came to the U.S. in

2008 ater waiting nine years or a green card. He arrived in New

York knowing only computer English as he had worked in thateld at home. oday he delivers pizza or Dominos and occasionally

xes computers and is learning English as ast as he can so he can

get another job. He believes Te ILC is really, really good or

immigrant people. Helping other students is important to Ali,

and he is glad his prociency in English allows him to do that.

Yvonne Moliere came rom Haiti in 2008. Her sister told her

about a good school in Malden and so she came to Te ILC. In

Haiti, Yvonne taught French and worked as a stenographer in the

Haitian Parliament or six years. At Te ILC she moved to Level 5

quickly and enjoys helping other students. She is especially proud

o her daughter, Yoan, who speaks our languages and won a goldmedal in a Spanish exam. Yoan wants to go to college to become a

nurse anesthesiologist. Yvonne says she will never stop thanking

all the teachers at Te ILC.

g n: i ma

George Norton came to Te ILC as a volunteer in October 2001

bringing with him a deep understanding o people, a commitment

to help those who need it and fuency in several languages. George

died on October 22, 2010, and will be deeply missed by everyone

whose lives he touched at Te ILC. Tanh Lac spoke or all oGeorges students with these words, He helped me realize how

important study is and encouraged me to learn more when I

wanted to give up studying. I will never orget his advice.

fak Pasa

Frank Pascal, an instructor at Te National Saety Council

who also teaches English, writing and public speaking or ESOL

students at Bunker Hill Community College, has been working

with ILC instructors Marcia Spector and Kathleen Klose as a

volunteer. In Marcias class, Frank has conducted three workshops

ocusing on job opportunities, resume writing and interview

techniques. In Kathleens Teater Class, Frank held a ve-week

workshop on voice projection, eye contact, diction, body language

and pace.

rad rdas

For your inormation the ollowing titles provide important

background reading on the very controversial issue o immigration

in the United States today:

A Nation o Immigrants by John F. Kennedy

American Passage: A History o Ellis Island

by Vincent J. Cannato

Let Tem In: Te Case or Open Borders by Jason Riley

Empire o Wealth: Te Epic History o American Economic

Powerby John Steele Gordon

From let: Yvonne Moliere, Ali Sert and Dolores Aquero


6/8

SAVE THE DATE

For Te ILCs

13th Annual Gol Classic

Monday, June 6, 2011

Kernwood Country Club

Salem, Massachusetts

SPeciAl eVentS

ilc A ca

On Tursday, October 14, 2010, Te ILC hosted its Autumn Celebration at the

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Over 130 supporters and riends met

or a cocktail reception, concert by the Los Angeles Collaboration and dinner amid

the Museums priceless artwork and all exhibit o Japanese chrysanthemums.

From let: DianeandBarryPortnoy, JamilaandStuart BornsteinandNorma Portnoy

From let: Ann Sheehan, BarryandDiane Portnoy, Bill Sheehan,Vaia Koumantzelisand her husband, Arthur, ILC Board Chair

Alex RussellandDuane Funderburk,Te Los Angeles Collaboration

Te Courtyard at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum From let: Jennifer Clark, ILC Board membRich DaveyandTushara Canekeratne

From let: Frank Hundley, Diane Portnoy, Priscilla HundleyandBarry Portnoy

From let: ChuckandPeggy Louden,ILC Staf member withMarylyn andNeil Warren


7/8

ilc StuDentS

P lay

On November 12, Susan Rojas and Jean Smiths Family Literacy classes held Family Literacy Day as a way to promote literacy at an

early age by giving parents a chance to read to their children. Family Literacy Day, one o six held each year, is also a party. ables are

covered with drawing paper; there are crayons and, o course, there is pizza. Children and parents can enjoy each other and the pleasureo reading together.

Congratulations New Citizens!

Saddiqa Noor Abdulnabi, Aghanistan

Maria orodova, Brazil

Donka Petkova Kurteva, Bulgaria

Yin Yin Htwe, Burma

Weilun Guo, China

Li Fen Luo, China

Eveillard Cazeau, Haiti

Jeanette Cazeau, Haiti

Michel Ange Dascelin, Haiti

Donald Joseph, Haiti

Marie Lucienne Joseph, Haiti

Varinder Singh, India

Fatima Alla, Morocco

Fatima Benmenni, Morocco

Fatima El Kouram, Morocco

Mohammed Khallouki, Morocco

Mehar Ashan, Pakistan

Aurel iba, Romania

Olga iba, Romania

Liliya Chunyayeva, Russia

Eduard Kogan, Russia

Raissa Mounits, Russia

Yury Raevskiy, Russia

Vira Aleksandrova, Ukraine

Ha Chung, Vietnam

ILC students Teresa Condent (on let) and Jeanne Alceus are veryhappy rst-time voters. Both women are rom Haiti.

t ilc i nwsAs part o a month-long series on immigration, WBZ Radio reporter

Mary Blake interviewed Zahra Haghighatjoo rom Iran. Zahra,

a ormer university proessor and presently a student in Marcia

Spectors class, talked about the relie o nally eeling sae

compared to where I am rom.

WWW. ilctr .orgTe ILC website continues to grow. Be sure to visit oten or updated

inormation on immigrant issues and new research releases as well ascurrent events happening at the school.

The ILC is a not-for-prot corporation supported by tax-deductible charitable contributions and, in part, by funding from The Massachusetts Department

of Elementary and Secondary Education, Mystic Valley Elder Services, Inc., the Massachusetts Executive Ofces of Elder Affairs and the Federal Adminis -

a A, ad s mad ad mdd, massass. t ilc ads sds ay a, , aa ad dsay.


8/8

DonorS

It is with our deepest thanks that we recognize the ollowing individuals, community groups, corporations and oundations that made

nancial and in-kind contributions to Te ILC between July 26, 2010 and January 24, 2011.

inDiViDuAlS

Anthony F. Abell

Mr. and Mrs. Charles BadgettDr. Susan L. Cahill andHonorable Frank J. Bailey

Mr. and Mrs. Victor N. Baltera

Ms. Arlene L. Beck

Ms. Judith Bennett

Mr. and Mrs. David Blackman

Jamilla and Stuart Bornstein

Sandra and Ethan Bornstein

Daniel R. Bridges

Albert R. Broude, in memoryo Joseph Broude

Mr. and Mrs. Krishan Canekeratne

Mr. and Mrs. Leon M. Cangiano, Jr.Ms. Rosa Cappuccio

Gary J. Christenson

Jennier and Bill Clark

Mr. and Mrs. Oliver D. Curme

Ms. Jane Willis andMr. Richard A. Davey Jr.

Ms. Pamela DeGroot

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin S. Delbridge

imothy W. DeLessio

Petar Y. Dimitrov

Imelda and Patrick Donelan

Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Doyle Jr.

Ms. Yolanda M. Fatuma

Mr. and Mrs. Tomas J. Fitzgerald

Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. FournierMr. and Mrs. John Fraiche

Aleda M. Freeman

Friends o Te ILC

Dr. and Mrs. Bruce M. Gans

Penny and Richard Garver

Nhi Giech

Ms. Pauline Gregoire

Susan and Michael Haley

Maureen and John Harrington

Lynne and David Hegarty

Neil C. Higgins

Donna and John Hindelong

Mr. and Mrs. John E. HobbieMarcia D. Hohn

Miriam and David Horton

Mr. and Mrs. Richard F. Hughes

Reno R. James

Mrs. Lynne Kinder

Mr. and Mrs. Mark L. Kleiges

Elza Koin

Vaia I. and Arthur G. Koumantzelis

Sergiy Kurylo

Mr. Vern D. Larkin

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Lawless

Michelle and David Lepore

Shari and Michael Linskey

Mr. and Mrs. Jerey R. LynchJoanie and Bruce Mackey

Carmel Shields and John Mannix

Mr. and Mrs. Gerard M. Martin

Mrs. Maria McDermott

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Meehan

Mr. & Mrs. Tomas L. Michelman

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller

Mr. and Mrs. Owen Nichols

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew C. Nickas

Alexander A. Notopoulos

Tomas M. OBrien

Mr. and Mrs. Richard OKeee

Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. PayneMr. & Mrs. Nicholas Philopoulos

Michele and John Popeo

Diane and Barry Portnoy

Ms. Norma Portnoy

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Poulos

Ms. Anne . Pressman

Mr. and Mrs. Tomas L. Rand

Ms. Gilda J. Resnick

Ms. Joanne Seymourand Mr. Brian Ruh

Ms. Mary Gaynorand Mr. John R. Schneider

Mr. Joel Sigel

Ann and Bill Sheehan

Sonia and Jason SilvermanMs. Kathy G. Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Jerey P. Somers

Mr. and Mrs. Richard eller

Ms. Brenda Jovenichand Dr. Joseph erlato

Ms. Reena I. Tadhani

Mr. and Mrs. Nick Takore

Ms. Sakina Paigeand Mr. Jamal Tomas

Mr. and Mrs. George . Tompson

Ms. Jennier Tompson

Mr. Chris saganis

Mr. and Mrs. Davide D. ViscoDr. and Mrs. Amnon Wachman

Anne and Neil Walsh

Mr. and Mrs. Neil C. Warren

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wassall

Mr. Randy Welch

Mr. and Mrs. James B. White

Mrs. Dorothy L. Winer

Ms. Beth S. Witte

Mr. Christopher J. Woodard

Ms. Clotilde Zannetos

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Zubricki, III

COMMUNITY GROUPS, CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS

Adelaide Breed Bayrd Foundation

Bank o America

Barclays Wealth

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

Cooley Manion Jones LLP

Cypress Capital Management LLC

Eagle Bank

Eldredge & Lumpkin

Ernst & Young LLP

Gareld FoundationGood Shepherd United Methodist

Church o MaldenIBM

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

Kappys Liquors

Lawyers itle Insurance Corporation

Liberty Mutuals Give With Liberty

Malcolm Pirnie, Inc.

Massachusetts Department oElementary and SecondaryEducation

Massachusetts Saety Ocers

LeagueMayor Richard C. Howard,

City o Malden

Medech Risk Management, Inc.

Metro North RegionalEmployment Board

Metropolitan Planning Council

Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.

Mystic Valley Elder Services, Inc.and the Massachusetts ExecutiveOces o Elder Aairs

Mystic View Design, Inc.

Old Republic National Commercial

Pergola Construction, Inc.RBC Capital Markets

Reit Management & Research LLC

Ropes & Gray LLP

Sherin and Lodgen LLP

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher& Flom

Sovereign Bank

Stanhope Garage, Inc.

State Street Matching Git Program

Streetwear, Inc.

Sullivan & Worcester LLP

JX Foundation

VerizonWells Fargo

Yawkey Foundation

Special contributions have been made in memory or in honor of the following:

In memory o:

Mildred Berkman

Joseph Broude

Patricia Galvin Cox

Scott Guittarr

Faye Lauer

George Norton

Morris Watkins

The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. would like to thank Mystic View Design, Inc. for their generous donation of time, services and creativity in the design,

ay ad pd s ws.

In honor o:

Deborah Cicero

Gertrude Cohen

Susan Haley

Alan May

Rose Tompson

babson summit on immigrant entrepreneurship

Documents