Mission Statement

 

The mission of World Communities is to eliminate the causes of discrimination; and empower immigrants and refugees in Louisville, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and nation; and celebrate and promote cultural diversity.

 

Economic Development

 

Encourage and support economic opportunities for immigrants and refugees which benefit the entire community

 

 

 

Education and Celebration

 

Educate and sensitize the community to the value of multiculturalism and the contributions made by immigrants and refugees.  Encourage the celebration of diversity in the Louisville area.

 

 

Justice and Empowerment

 

Work toward the elimination of the root causes of discrimination, both personal and systemic, based on culture, race, language and ethnicity.  Support and empower immigrants and refugees to become self-sufficient and adapted to the community at large.

 

 

Achievements

Special Events

Collaborations

Publications

For additional information about this site, contact: World Communities of Louisville or Webmaster
  Copyright © 2004, World Communities of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 
Pegasus Parade

Americana Heritage Festival

Naturalization Ceremony Program

WorldFest On The Belvedere

Louisville Zoo International Family Festival

Mayor's Community Conversations

City Fair International Tent

General Electric Multicultural Festival

Office for International Affairs

Leadership Louisville Foundation

Spalding University

Sister Cities of Louisville

Louisville International Cultural Center

U of L International Center

JCPS Multicultural Center

Hispanic/Latino Coalition

Americana Community Center

Jefferson Community College

Multicultural Program

NW AHEC/HETC

"Welcome To Louisville" brochure

"Orientation To Louisville Manual"

Introducing Your Neighbor

World Communities Newsletter

"Know Your Rights" English/Spanish

"TARC TIPS" Booklet In Spanish

A Non-Profit

Organization 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bringing the world

together in

Louisville

 

  World Communities Meetings

 

We invite you to participate in our activities.  We hold our monthly meeting every fourth Wednesday at noon at:

 

Jefferson Educational Building

200 West Broadway

Second Floor Conference Room

Louisville, Kentucky 40202

HISTORY

In the fall of 1992, Edgardo Mansilla approached the City of Louisville, requesting an internship to study the needs of immigrants in the Louisville area.

As part of his study, Mansilla convened a meet­ing of leaders from the various immigrant and refugee groups.  The group liked the exchange of ideas and asked to meet on a monthly basis, thus the Non English Speaking Ethnic Leaders (NESEL) was formed.  On January 23, 1995, they met the first time with Mayor Abramson to discuss their concerns.

The group soon changed its name to World Communities to reflect the involvement of heritage groups as well as groups begun by more recent immigrants and refugees.  In 1995 the group in­corporated and received 501©(3) status in 1997.

Proposition 187 in California blamed immigrants for many ills and politicians in other areas seemed to pick up on the anti-immigrant sentiment.  World Communities leaders met with representatives from Senator Ford and McConnell's offices as well as Congressman Ron Mazolli and later Mike Ward's representative.  The Louisville Board of Aldermen passed a resolution in support of "Louisville's Newest Citizens" in the fall of 1993.

In mid 1995 organized effort to develop an Inter­national Marketplace, looking at 4th Street and the Haymarket.  This continues to be a dream of the members as does the resurrection of regular Heritage Festivals in Louisville.

Accomplishments:

  • -  1994-95 Produced monthly Ethniscope with Lora Bradshaw of Channel 32

  • -  Fielded a multicultural marching unit in Pegasus Parade since May 1993

  • -  Published a monthly newsletter since and added a quarterly tabloid in fall 1998

  • -  Published "Orientation Guide to Louisville" in English, Spanish, Korean and Chinese

  • -  Published "Welcome to Louisville" brochure in Spanish, Korean and Chinese

  • -  Conducted an area wide Multicultural Photo Contest in the winter of 1996

  • -  Met with WAVE Listens team about immigrant issues

  • -  Assisted City of Louisville in adding interna­tional flavor to CityFair, Light Up Louisville, World Cafes, and the Sister Cities International

  •    Conference in 1994

  • -  Published "TARC TIPS" Booklet in Spanish in 2000

  • -  Published "Know Your Rights" Booklet in English/Spanish 2001

  • -  Developed Immigrant Leadership Initiative Program with Americana Community Center and Leadership Louisville in 2004