News Updates
+ Let's celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month
 Hispanic Heritage Month began Wednesday, September 15 and ends on Friday, October 15. It recognizes and celebrates the achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture and achievements of the U.S.
Additionally, the day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively.
Source: https://cclou.org/celebrating-hispanic-heritage-month/
+ Meet the man who founded the Latin Music Awards in Kentucky
 
Story and photo by Sherlene Shanklin and Todd Prinz, WHAS
You can call Israel Cuenca the man behind the music.
For the past five years, he's highlighted Latin American artists who live in Kentucky by honoring them with an awards show -- the Latin Music Awards.
The awards show happens the day after Hispanic History Month kicks off. Hispanic History Month honors some of the diversity that is present within the Louisville community, and it runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
“It's been five years and it's continuing to grow from where we started with I think nine categories. Now we have 16," Cuenca said. "We started with a few artists, now we have more than 60 artists now nominated. We started with maybe 300 or 400 and now we are at almost 1,000 people, so it's continued growing.”
When you attend the awards show, Cuenca said you can expect a red carpet and more than 10 artists performing live.
+ Louisville will celebrate Certified Welcoming events the entire month of September
 In 2018, Louisville became the second city nationwide to be designated as a Certified Welcoming city. This designation was renewed in October 2022 after a rigorous review process of the city’s welcoming infrastructure. Louisville boasts a connected community that is welcoming to all to choose to make Louisville home, regardless of their place of origin. For this reason, the Office for Immigrant Affairs is dedicated to celebrating Louisville’s diversity through its programming. Every September, the Office for Immigrant Affairs hosts a series of inclusive events aimed at celebrating the city’s welcoming environment.
+ KRM spotlights Haitian arrivals in Louisville
 The newest humanitarian sponsorship program*, Process for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans (P4CHNV), aims to provide people seeking safety from these designated countries a pathway to protection and support in the United States through individual sponsorships.
This has begun to provide many people in crisis with long-awaited safety and resources. It also means that more Haitian newcomers are currently arriving to KRM!
KRM staff have been working to ensure that these new Haitian clients have the resources they need to make their new homes here in Kentucky. These resources include language support, immigration legal assistance, employment services, school registration, household donations, and more. KRM Cuban/Haitian Caseworker, Erica Joseph, held the first group intake orientation in Kreyòl for new Haitian arrivals in July (pictured above).
*The U.S. government has established two humanitarian sponsorship programs (Uniting For Ukraine/U4U and P4CHNV) that enable the individual sponsorship of people seeking safety from designated countries to enter the U.S. under a temporary two-year protected parole. During this parole period, they can apply for asylum, receive legal authorization for employment. As were Afghan evacuees admitted under humanitarian parole, Ukrainian, Cuban and Haitian humanitarian parolees are provided access to resettlement agency support and services, as well as government resources.
+ REACH Small Business Workshops return
 REACH is a program offered by the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Affairs, Louisville Metro Department of Economic Development and the Louisville Small Business Development Center to help immigrant small business owners prepare their business for growth.
There is no cost to participate in the program – just an investment of time and effort to connect learn and begin to create a solid plan for growth!
+ The New Little Havana: Why Cuban Migrants Are Moving to Kentucky
+ Applications for LIHEAP cooling and water assistance program now open
The Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services has begun accepting applications for the 2023 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer Subsidy Cooling Component and the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). These federally-funded programs are designed to help offset the cost of higher utility bills. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 22 or until funds are depleted.
Applicants for the LIHEAP Summer Subsidy and LIHWAP program must be residents of Jefferson County with a household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines (e.g. for a household of four, the gross monthly income cannot exceed $3,750). The LIHEAP Summer Subsidy component provides households a one-time benefit ranging from $50 to $250 depending on income levels and housing category. Residents can apply regardless of the status of their utility bills. The benefit amount is paid directly to the electric vendor (i.e. LG&E). The LIHWAP program also provides a one-time benefit ranging from $50 to $100 depending on income levels.
Jefferson County residents wishing to apply must schedule an appointment utilizing the automated appointment system. Appointments can be scheduled by phone by calling 502-991-8391 or online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com. The toll-free service is currently open and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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Policy Updates
+ USCIS has completed second random selection from prior submitted FY24 H-1B cap registrations
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has selected additional H-1B cap registrations from previously submitted electronic registrations (including for beneficiaries eligible for the advanced degree exemption) using a random selection process. They have notified the prospective petitioners with selected registrations that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named in the selected registration.
+ DHS announces family reunification parole processes for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras
The new school year for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) began on Wednesday, August 9, 2023. The calendar is downloadable for parents and guardians in many languages.
If you need more information, contact JCPS directly (502) 485-6250 or askstudentassignment@jefferson.kyschools.us
Nationals from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras with U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family members can be considered for parole on a case-by-case basis for up to three years while they wait to apply to become a lawful permanent resident. Qualifying beneficiaries must be outside the U.S., meet all requirements, including screening and vetting and medical requirements, and must not have already received an immigrant visa.
+ Temporary Protected Status designations for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua reinstated and extended for 18 months
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rescinded the 2017 and 2018 terminations of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua and extended these four reinstated TPS designations for 18 months.
TPS beneficiaries under the four designations must re-register to maintain their TPS during the 18-month extension. Eligible individuals are those who arrived in the U.S. before the following continuous residence dates: Feb. 13, 2001, for El Salvador; Dec. 30, 1998, for Honduras; June 24, 2015, for Nepal; and Dec. 30, 1998, for Nicaragua.
+ Redesign of Green Cards and Employment Authorization Document
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began issuing redesigned Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards) and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to improve security. The new Green Card and EAD designs contain improved technology and designs meant to further secure the documents. Current cards remain valid until their expiration date unless otherwise noted. Green card holders are encouraged to apply for the new cards.
+ Guidance for Adjustment of Status applications
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated their guidance in their policy manual to clarify that both asylees and refugees must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least one year when their Adjustment of Status is adjudicated. This new physical presence requirement supersedes the old rule which stated that asylees and refugees must have been physically present in the U.S. for one year at the time they file their adjustment of status application.
Events
+ Downtown Drive-In with the Cinebus
Select Fridays through October 20
The Downtown Drive-In is an outdoor movie night series, taking place at Brown-Forman Amphitheater on select Friday nights through October.
Movies will begin at sundown, with the amphitheater open an hour before to allow guests to grab their spot in the theater. The event will include snacks and beer for purchase from local brewer Ten20 Craft Brewery and lemonade by Amiracle Ade Company. Movie-goers are also welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs to the viewing.
In collaboration with Waterfront Development Corporation, the film series is hosted at Waterfront Park’s Brown-Forman Amphitheater, 1301 River Road. The event is free to the public with free parking available at Waterfront Park’s Tan and Turquoise lots.
The Downtown Drive-In schedule:
- September 22: Up (PG)
- October 20: Hocus Pocus (PG)
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+ Walk a Mile in my Shoes Migration Simulation
 Friday, September 22, 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Now more than ever students are needed who are culturally competent and globally engaged. Walk-A-Mile in My Shoes is designed to do just that.
What Happens During a Simulation:
Students playing the role of immigrants and refugees receive new cultural identities representing one of the region’s six main immigrant populations. These small family groups travel together through the simulation where they will encounter the hardships that are common to migrants and refugees.
The experience begins with participants fleeing their home country and encountering an obstacle course at their “national border." Those who successfully enter the new country will then proceed to a holding area, where they will be interviewed to determine their states or they will move directly into a Refugee Camp, where they will face the following challenges; registering their family as refugees at the UNHCR tent, getting a health examination at a medical tent, obtaining and purifying water, securing food at distribution area and learning a new language. For questions or more information, email angela@paths2peace.org
+ Free summer movie nights at Iroquois Amphitheater
 Select Wednesdays through September
Louisville Parks and Recreation has added 12 free movie nights to this year’s event calendar.
The Free Summer Movie Season includes the following titles and dates:.
- September 27: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (R) 7:30 p.m.
For a full list of events, visit www.iroquoisamphitheater.com.
+ Sign up for Violence Prevention Ambassador Training
 September 23 | 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The One Love Louisville Ambassador Training is free and in-person, and lunch will be served. Hear from experts as they cover a range of topics including Firearm Safety, Question Persuade Refer (QPR), Stop the Bleed, and The Public Health Approach to Violence. This training, which has been attended by over 900 people since its inception in 2017, aims to inform participants of individual and collective efforts to reduce violence in Louisville. For many of the participants, this is a gateway to get involved with the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods and wonderful partner organizations working to curb violence in our community. If you have ever wanted to get plugged in to this work, the Ambassador Training is a great place to start.
+ Get a free vision screening
 Sunday, September 24, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
There will be free vision screening test open to the public by the Guiding Light Islamic Center and the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation. Free reading glasses and eye doctor referrals will be provided.
Guiding Light Islamic Center, 6500 Six Mile Ln.
For more information email: akgebh01@louisville.edu
+ Come to ¡Afloramos! at the Speed Museum
 Sunday, September 24, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Join La Casita Center and the Speed Museum for their Community Day during their Aflora 2023 at the Speed Exhibit. There will be performances by Semillita Latina, salsa dancing, music, jewelry class and light refreshments.
¡Afloramos! Una exhibictión de artistas latinx | An exhibit of Latinx artists We are here and we FLOURISH! curated by Ada Asenjo also will be on view at the Speed Art Museum from Sept. 24 through Nov. 2. 9/24/23-11/2/23
For more information, go to speedmuseum.org
Speed Museum, 2035 S. 3rd. St.
+ Attend KRM's 22nd annual Global Gourmet fundraising dinner
 Friday, September 29, 2023 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
This September, KRM invites you to join them in honoring refugees and their contributions to our community at KRM’s 22nd Global Gourmet fundraising dinner. The celebratory evening will include an hour of access to the Speed Art Museum galleries, the elder and youth refugee photo project, live global music performances, dinner from Wiltshire Pantry and international restaurants and scholarship recognition for refugee students.
Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. 3rd St.
+ Shop Asian Night Market
 Saturday, September 30, 7:00 p.m.
Asia Institute – Crane House is proud to feature cuisine and entertainment from all over Asia; while highlighting the cultural aspect of the cuisine itself, it is also a prime opportunity to highlight the entrepreneurs and small business owners in the local community who are of Asian heritage. This event is free and open to the public.
This event will be located at 4th Street Live!
+ Join REACH Small Business Workshop Series
 REACH is a program offered by the Office of Immigrant Affairs, Economic Development and the Louisville Small Business Development Center to help immigrant small business owners prepare their business for growth. There is no cost to participate in the program – just an investment of time and effort to connect learn and begin to create a solid plan for growth!
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Saturday, September 30
10 am – 1 pm
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Business Health Check and Planning for Growth One-Page Business Plan
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Saturday, October 14
10 am – 1 pm
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Financial Tools You Need for Your Business
Financial Tools Checklist
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Saturday, October 28
10 am – 1 pm
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Tools for Effective Business Decision-Making
One-Page Financial Plan
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Saturday, November 11
10 am – 1 pm
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Effective Marketing Strategies One-Page Marketing Plan
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Saturday, December 30
10 am – 1 pm
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Final Session Funding Your Business
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* Additional dates and topics may be added according to participating business needs and interests.
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+ Join CycLOUvia in the Highlands
 Sunday, October 22, 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
The Office of Planning, District 8 Councilman Ben Reno-Weber, and Highland Commerce Guild are transforming one of Louisville’s great urban neighborhoods into a paved park! Come walk, bike, dance, skate or scoot down Bardstown Road from Grinstead Drive to Douglass Boulevard. This event is free, fun, and family-friendly!
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