Background: The Seattle public housing authority "garden" communities have become home to a diversity of ethnic and linguistic residents. Diversity has been an asset by providing enriching opportunities for cultural exchange; diversity has also been a barrier to community cohesiveness. Open conflicts between ethnic groups have lead to perceived discrimination and assaults. The Promoting Assets Across Cultures (PAAC) program has developed multi-ethnic community building projects to enhance inter-ethnic interactions and reduce tensions. The Seattle Partners for Healthy Communities, a CDC-funded urban research center is conducting an evaluation of this program. The formative phase will assess residents' perspectives on inter-ethnic tensions and community building activities, and the health impact of inter-ethnic tensions. Method: Focus group interviews are being conducted with members of the multi-ethnic youth leadership teams and adult groups at three garden community sites; Highpoint, Rainier Vista and Yesler Terrace. The groups are conducted in the primary language of participants. Results will be discussed among ethnic groups to ascertain validity of the researchers' interpretations. Results: We will present actual findings from the focus groups and describe how they are being used to shape the overall program implementation and evaluation. Conclusions: Common themes of concern among all groups and specific issues of each ethnic and age group are critical to developing effective approaches toward community cohesiveness. Understanding the nature of the concerns is a critical first step in developing trust to bridge cultural gaps.
Learning Objectives: 1.Participants will acquire better understanding of inter-ethnic tensions in public housing sites. 2.Particpants will learn ways to develope culturally competent qualitative evaluation tools
Keywords: Community Building, Ethnicity
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Seattle Partners for Healthy Community (SPHC)and Promoting Assets Across Cultures (PAAC)
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.