Skyline High School’s Aspen Challenge Team is working to design a program to support immigrants by gathering valuable resources in one place to welcome them into the community.
Their challenge is one of five they could choose in the eight-week competition, in which 20 Dallas ISD high schools are working to create real solutions to real problems. Later in March, the teams will present what they have done and vie for a spot in the finals in Aspen, Colo.
“Our goal is to empower immigrants by creating a One Stop Shop Community Resource Fair and Panel Discussion that will connect them to the people, places, and resources that enable them to build successful lives and enrich our community,” said Darion Walton, who coaches Skyline’s “Resilience” team.
The panel discussion in early March featured representatives from the Dallas Police Department, Workforce, Catholic Charities and others whose work touches on immigration-related topics. Afterward, a community fair at the school gathered many of the resources immigrants could find useful to find success in Dallas.
“Diversity is one of Dallas’ strengths,” Walton said. “We believe if all Dallas residents feel empowered and valued, it will result in more new businesses stabilizing our local economy, a flourishing arts community, new voices and leadership at community meetings, and creative approaches to addressing our city’s challenges.”
