Crafting Erie's Inclusive Future
Erie County, Pennsylvania, has a proud legacy of welcoming immigrants and refugees. But recent cuts to resettlement funding have created critical gaps in services. As our community grows more diverse, barriers such as language access and fragmented systems continue to impact newcomers and other underserved groups. A strategic welcoming plan offers Erie the opportunity to proactively build long-term infrastructure for equity, inclusion, and belonging. Join JES Raimy Fellow Alivia Haibach, who has both extensive international experience, with residencies in China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, and local-level experience, developing inclusive policies and strategies to promote community belonging.
Location: Jefferson Educational Society - 3207 State St, Erie, PA 16508
Date/Time: Monday, July 21, 12pm to 1:30pm
Admission: Free; Lunch optional, $5/person (Vegetarian option available)
*If you do NOT receive a letter from gerlock@jeserie.org within 24-48 hours regarding your registration, please check your spam or junk folder. Thank you!
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Alivia Haibach, a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, is an alumna of Allegheny College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in International Relations with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa region in 2013. She furthered her education with a Master’s in Public Administration from Gannon University. Before becoming the CEO of MHEDS, Aliviawas a Regional Manager at Welcoming America, where she developed inclusive policies and strategies promoting community belonging. She also contributed as the Health Equity Coordinator at the Erie County Department of Health, prioritizing the reduction of health disparities in historically marginalized communities. Alivia’s extensive international experience, including residencies in China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, has enriched her perspective on the challenges of navigating systems in unfamiliar linguistic and cultural environments.
