Mohamed Ahmed s dream of being a construction manager in America was stalled on arrival.
The native of Sudan had the desire, but not the contacts in Iowa. And he was constantly running into hurdles caused by cultural differences.
For example: The difference between a comma and a period when looking at numbers. In Sudan, if you add one to one-half, a mathematician might record it as 1,5. In the United States, where the 25-year-old Ahmed has lived since November 2016, that s 1.5. In my home country, we study math differently, Ahmed said.
This is where people like Paul Iversen can help. Iversen is an educator at the University of Iowa Labor Center, which sponsors a pre-apprenticeship program. The goal is to get more women and minorities such as Ahmed employed in the trade professions.
Rockland Trust announces Racial Equity Grant Program
Community Content
Rockland Trust and its affiliated foundations have announced a Racial Equity Grant Program.
The program will provide local nonprofits with funding to support projects that advance racial equity within their organizations. This initiative furthers Rockland Trust’s commitment to diversity and inclusion to the communities it serves.
“At Rockland Trust, we are fortunate to be able to invest in resources to help us build a work environment where colleagues’ differences and similarities are recognized, valued and celebrated,” said Chris Oddleifson, CEO of Rockland Trust. “We recognize that not all organizations have the same opportunity. This program will assist nonprofits which, like us, are working toward a more fair and just future for their colleagues and our local communities.”
Rockland Trust charitable foundations launch racial equity grant program for nonprofits
Wicked Local
HANOVER – Rockland Trust and its affiliated foundations have announced a Racial Equity Grant Program. The program will provide local nonprofits with funding to support projects that advance racial equity within their organizations. This initiative furthers Rockland Trust’s commitment to diversity and inclusion to the communities it serves.
“At Rockland Trust, we are fortunate to be able to invest in resources to help us build a work environment where colleagues’ differences and similarities are recognized, valued, and celebrated,” said Chris Oddleifson, chief executive officer of Rockland Trust. “We recognize that not all organizations have the same opportunity. This program will assist nonprofits which, like us, are working toward a more fair and just future for their colleagues and our local communities.”