HowardCounty?s foreign-born population has grown from just more than 6 percent in 1990 to more than 11 percent 10 years later.
By 2015, foreign-born residents are expected to account for 16.7 percent of Howard?s population, according to a study by the Association for the Study and Development of Community on behalf of Foreign-born Information and Referral Network Inc. and the county?s Department of Community Services.
FIRN, a nonprofit that provides resources for the county?s foreign-born residents, this month tapped Jennifer Blake as its executive director.
QBefore joining FIRN, you spent time as a community development consultant. How will that experience and your professional background help you in your role at FIRN?
AI had been working many, many years in the nonprofit sector, primarily in the affordable housing sector. On the national level, I ran a loan and grant program where we funded community organizations who were doing affordable housing projects.
When we moved out to Columbia [from Washington in 1994], I decided to become a consultant, so I have been working with organizations in my national network.
In the nonprofit sector … when you get to a certain level of upper management, there are other skills that are very transferable to other nonprofits.
Q Howard?s foreign-born population is growing. What are the population?s greatest needs or challenges?
A I think it?s important to know that some of the needs can be identified very precisely, like someone needs to learn English, and other needs are more across the board, like stress management. …
One of the challenges of the organization is to reach out to the foreign-born communities … and connect with those people.
Q FIRN just turned 25. How do you see FIRN changing to continue to meet the needs of the foreign-born population?
A There is a huge demand for services, which are beyond our capacity to provide. … I envision connecting with some of the evolving organizations and working with them to see how we can work together and make them grow.
I see some opportunity to do some leadership development to help the other foreign-born communities to establish leaders.
Q What are some of your plans for your new position?
A I see the opportunity for opening our arms even further and drawing in … individuals and corporations and foundations [who are feeling the effects of the changing populations and are supportive] to help us in this mission to welcome, acclimate and empower the foreign-born population.
