Ties that Bind Us:
The Ties that Bind Us initiative seeks to dramatically increase the level of philanthropy and advocacy among Latinos and Asians living in California with the aim of helping these immigrants give back to their native homeland communities. The overarching goal of the initiative is to encourage economic and social development in the immigrants' home countries to reduce poverty and lack of opportunities that influence migration to the United States or other parts of the developed world. Initially, the International Community Foundation's work has been focused on North San Diego County's migrant community from Oaxaca. Working in partnership since 2002 with the Carlsbad based Coalition of Indigenous Communities of Oaxaca (COCIO) and Zimatlan based Centeotl, the International Community Foundation has supported a total of 32 micro-credit loans in the village of El Trapiche. Based on the success of the micro-credit program in El Trapiche, work is now being expanded to Zaachila as well as 19 other communities in Oaxaca's Valle Central. Over the next three years, International Community Foundation's goal is to leverage its collaborative efforts with San Diego's Oaxacan migrant community and its relationships with Oaxacan based NGOs to expand diaspora giving outreach throughout Southern California and the Central Valley. In this context, through its Ties that Bind Us initiative International Community Foundation seeks to not only catalyze diaspora giving but also encourage potential donors throughout California (foundation, corporate, individual) to understand the ties that bind the State with its sender communities of origin from throughout the Pacific Rim and beyond. Related publications: Blurred Borders: Press: "Turning Greenbacks into Greenhouses--A matching grant program puts migrants' remittances to work," Business Week, November 21, 2001. "The Ties That Bind Us: California’s Transnational Community Development Initiative The El Trapiche, Oaxaca Case Study" |
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