From Project Handshake:

Jersey City’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, New Jersey City University, (NJCU) Starting Points and the Citi Foundation are conducting the first immigrant research study in Jersey City, Project Handshake.

According to the United States Census, between 2009-2013, the foreign-born population of Jersey City represented 39% or 98,153 people.  Over the years, there has been no research about this immigrant population and its needs. By conducting this research project in the six wards of the city, we will gain a good snapshot of the foreign-born population.

The City Council Members of Jersey City support this research and they have shared the names of some of the community leaders in each ward. We are looking for at least 6-10 volunteers to participate in a focus group in your ward.  This focus group is generally set up on Tuesday at 2-4 or 6-8 p.m.

The design for Project Handshake consists of two focus groups (FG) per ward, two hours per focus group.  City Corps (community interpreters and translators) will provide the translation and interpretation as requested. NJCU student volunteers have been trained to document the information by the International Institute for Community Building of Starting Points who will also lead the FG discussions.

I am asking for a diverse mix of immigrants (old, young, married, unmarried, newly settled in Jersey City or a longtime resident of the city) to participate in a focus group. After collecting the information from the focus groups, we will prepare a document which will be shared with the City Council of Jersey City, New Jersey City University and the Citi Community Development Fund.  No names will be mentioned in the report and comments will be made in confidence.

If you have any questions about this project, please contact  ctansey@startingpoints.edu.