Diversity and Inclusion
Latino Roundtable on Urban Agriculture
County Board Chair, J. Walter Tejada, hosts Latino Roundtable on Urban Agriculture (PDF flyer in Spanish and English). Presented by Joan Horwitt, Co-Chair, Urban Agriculture Task Force. Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 6:30-9:00 p.m at the Arlington Career Center, 816 South Walter Reed Dr., Arlington, VA 22204. FREE. On-site parking available. Should we plant more community and/or rooftop gardens? Should we allow backyard chickens? What are best practices for sustainable urban agriculture? Come add your voice to this important discussion. The forum will be in Spanish (simultaneous interpretation into English will be available).
Arlington: World-Class Community
What makes Arlington a world-class community? View this video highlighting Arlington, VA as a community of rich cultural diversity.
SAVE-THE-DATE:
2013 Latinoamerican Festival to be held Sunday, September 29, 2013!
2012 Festival Latinoamericano
During Hispanic Heritage Month, Kenmore Middle School hosted Arlington's Festival Latinoamericano. Dancers and musicians brought the exciting folk traditions of eleven Latinoamerican countries to Arlington. Read more on the Festival Latinoamericano page.
2012 Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute
Check out event highlights from the 2012 Tribute, compiled in this video by the Arlington Virginia Network (AVN).
Tell Arlington's Story Initiative: Celebrating Arlington's Rich Diversity by Listening to Many Voices
"Creating a great community is not only about buildings and streets, economics and regulation. It's about people and aspirations; collaborating, uniting, and forming a shared sense of identity. Cultivating that sense means understanding where we came from and who we are, collectively; it means listening to many voices, and different means of expression." - Arlington County Board Chairman, January 1, 2011
African-American History Month events
Festivities from past events included: hundreds of festival goers enjoyed great entertainment, delicious soul food, over 2 dozen vendors, community resource tables, an expansive Hall of History, and much more! We captured several neat stories for Tell Arlington's Story initiative and prizes were raffled off. One lucky winner took home a free round-trip ticket to any destination in Africa, compliments of Ethiopian Airlines!
Arlington Supports Newcomers
Read the immigration resolutions stating that Arlington values all of it's residents - 2009 Resolution (.pdf) | 2007 Resolution
Columbia Pike Documentary Project
The Columbia Pike Documentary Project is a multi-disciplinary history of Columbia Pike in Arlington, VA, one of America's most-ethnically diverse communities. Watch a video of the Columbia Pike Documentary Project.
Diversity Dialogue Conversations
Let's Talk! Arlington community members engaged in follow-up Diversity Dialogue conversations! Four small-scale conversation groups convened as part of a pilot project designed to bring our community together through the sharing of personal stories over a series of get-togethers. Using the power of story we are building deeper connections, and discovering just how much we have in common.
10-minute video on the history of Freedman's Village in Arlington
As you may know, one of the Diversity Dialogue recommendations was to Support programming that recognizes and nurtures Arlington’s history. For example, teach the history of Arlington as it relates to segregation, desegregation and the arrival of different immigrant groups.
You can help cultivate understanding of the rich history of our historical residential neighborhoods by showing this video to your Arlington circles. We encourage neighborhoods to develop their story to recognize the unique contributions to Arlington's diverse community.
For more information, visit our Diversity Dialogues page.
Free citizenship classes are provided by the Arlington County Community Outreach program for eligible legal residents who have applied for citizenship.
Citizenship classes prepare participants for their interview and exam with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). No prior registration is required, simply show up. Get the details!
Former County Manager Ron Carlee's Statement at the press conference for the release of the ICMA Report; Immigration Reform: An Intergovernmental Imperative
Arlington County Manager, Ron Carlee, along with experts at the helm of local governments nationwide participated in a telephonic press conference to discuss how the absence of comprehensive immigration reform impacts our nation’s cities, towns, villages, and counties. Read the full report En español
Arlington County’s ESOL Program at Work!
Michelle Crabtree, human resource director for Hyatt Regency in Arlington, Va., receives vouchers from Arlington County that allow workers to attend a 10-week series of evening English classes for $35 –about one-tenth the tuition elsewhere, she says. Employees pay the fee up front and get reimbursed by the hotel if they complete the classes.
Celebrate Our Cultural Heritage
Arlington encourages expression of our diverse cultural heritages through programming that increases awareness of Arlington's diversity and acquaints residents with the art, folklore, music, dance, food and stories of their neighbors, during heritage months as well as throughout the year.
Neighbors from 93 countries
Festivals, Concerts & Community EventsArlington Arts sponsors events, performances and festivals including heritage arts events. County-supported Cultural Events (PDF) Chinese Cultural Exchange Tuesdays 10-11:30am at Thomas Jefferson Community Center. Free. Bring your interest and your experience with things Chinese to exchange with others. Your story, your favorite topic, or even your question can be a great learning opportunity. We will meet with other people, perhaps learn some Chinese vocabulary and customs and enjoy whatever develops from that mysterious 5,000 year old Dragon (Chen)! No registration required. For more information, call Ginger (703)228-4403. Arlington's Arts al Fresco presents free outdoor performances throughout Arlington from May through September each year. The diverse expressions of art, music and performance include festivals and celebrations of countries around the world. Heritage MonthsArlington recognizes heritage months and other occasions with programs that educate and inform citizens about the diversity of our cultural communities. The County Board issues proclamations honoring special heritage days, weeks and months. The following sites include information about activities during selected months, and year round. February: African-American History MonthArlington County's African American History Brochure tells the untold story of thriving community that covers American history, from the early 1800's to present day. The tri-fold guide includes a map of historic locations within Arlington and descriptions of their significance. Up On The Hill, An Oral History of the Halls Hill Neighborhood in Arlington, VA. Written by folklorist Thomas D. Carroll, from interviews with residents. March: Women's History MonthThe Arlington Commission on the Status of Women seeks to continuously advance and inform women on legal and human rights, economic equality, equal employment, and state legislation. May: Asian-Pacific Heritage MonthSeptember 15-October 15: Hispanic Heritage MonthLanguageLearn English as a Second Language Arlington's Adult Education Program (703-228-7200) offers classes in over a dozen languages, including American Sign Language, French, Russian, Spanish, Latin, Arabic, Italian, German, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Korean.Population Diversity In ArlingtonData from the 2000 census shows that the County is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. Highlights from the 2000 census include Arlington statistics on Population, Race and Hispanic Origin, Age, Educational Attainment, Disability Status , Language Spoke at Home and Place of Birth, Income and Poverty Status, and more. | SchoolsArlington Public Schools educates one of the nation's most diverse and sophisticated student populations. As of 2009, our 20,000+ student body come from 127 countries and speak 105 different languages! We serve our students with a range of programs designed to meet individual student needs. ESOL/HILT Department - English for Speakers of Other Languages and High Intensity Language Training - helps students learn English and meet academic content standards. International Baccalaureate Program - Arlington Public Schools offers the IB program at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Office of Minority Achievement - Dedicated to helping students discover and utilize resources that will help them progress toward their personal goals. School population statistics (7KB PDF format) REEP- The Arlington Education & Employment Program Serving Persons With DisabilitiesDisability Topic Page - Features comprehensive references to resources for persons with disabilities. The Department of Human Services - Provides services to our diverse population. Clarendon House - A community-based rehabilitation program that promotes the highest level of community integration and independence for adults diagnosed with serious mental illness. Economic Independence Services - Programs promote self-sufficiency or promote maximum levels of independence for persons requiring ongoing care. Parks and Recreation Access - The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities upon request. Therapeutic Recreation Prevention Intervention Office - Provides Arlington residents who are at-risk, have a disability, special need, and/or activity restrictions the opportunity to increase their quality of life through recreation and leisure pursuits, thereby achieving a fulfilling leisure lifestyle. Sister City ProgramThe Arlington Sister City Association promotes a wide array of cultural, educational and recreational exchanges with three sister cities:
Workforce DiversityThe County Manager's Office supports diversity throughout government service and in the workplace. Arlington's statement on workplace diversity stresses that we believe true workplace diversity enables organizations to recruit, retain, and tap the full potential of all employees at all levels. |
ON THIS PAGE
• Festivals, Concerts and Community Events
• Heritage Months
• Language
• Population Diversity
• Schools
• Serving the Disabled
• Sister City Program
• Workforce Diversity
CUENTOS Y MÁS
The Arlington Public Library is very happy to present Cuentos y Más / Stories and More, a bilingual (English/Spanish) TV story time which promotes the joy of reading and libraries. The show also enables viewers to practice English and Spanish in a fun and interactive way through stories and visits to the community. Check it out online!