Immigration

moving next door.

Eleven percent disagreed or strongly disagreed that they would support a foreign-born family moving

in. The survey’s findings on attitudes toward immigrants remains virtually unchanged from last year.

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley said she’s pleased that most Dayton residents have embraced the idea of being a welcoming community and only a small share seem to have negative views.

Whaley said she’s not surprised or disappointed that one-third of residents said “it depends” whether they would support an immigrant neighbor. She said many peo- ple likely would support their neighbors — immigrants or not — if they are responsible.

“I think if you’d ask anybody about supporting some- one next door to them, they’d say ‘it depends,’” she said. “I think that’s pretty typi- cal response because the questions people really have about who lives next door depends on if they take good care of their property.”

City of Dayton officials have repeatedly argued that the city’s immigrant-friendly policies are a smart strategy for economic growth and reinvention.

The city of Dayton has made some of the greatest gains to become a welcoming place through more thoughtful and deliberate outreach and education involving diverse commu- nities, said Bertolo.

The city has improved lan- guage access by translating

more documents and connecting people who strug-

gle with English with trans- lators or translation services, she said.

Significant progress has been made in the private sector, since businesses and employers increasingly are reaching out to the city to learn how they can market job openings to and hire foreign-born workers, she said.

The city assisted in developing a “natural helper” program that connects immigrants and refugees with volunteer mentors and “moti- vators” who can assist them integrate and navigate what can be confusing systems, such as applying for jobs or training or enrolling in school, Bertolo said.

Immigrants have dramatically changed some Dayton neighborhoods.

Starting about a decade ago, Ahiska Turks fleeing violence and oppression in their homeland began relocating to Dayton.

Originally, six families were placed here by the U.S. State Department. Now, about 400 families — representing 2,000 to 3,000 Turkish people — now live in the Gem City.

Attitudes about the prospects of immigrants moving next door vary by regions in Dayton.

Some residents may need more information about what it means to be a welcoming community and why peo

ple who speak other languages and dress differently are moving into local neigh- borhoods, said Bertolo. She is leaving her position with the city to work for Welcoming America, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping communities become more inclusive toward immigrants. Welcome Dayton partners

with local groups to put on a community dialogue series to share information about the immigrant experience

and personal stories from local transplants to promote cultural learning and understanding, she said.