41503117 Intercultural Communication Annotated Resource List

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
ANNOTATED RESOURCE LIST

Ann Wennerstrom, University of Washington
with Gillian Dutton, Northwest Justice Project

June 16, 2006

Table of Contents

1. Culture and Communication in General
2. Resources for Specific Professions
3. Web Resources
4. Organizations that Conduct Cross-Cultural Training

Topic Codes:

DV = Culture and domestic violence
ET = Information on specific ethnic groups
G = General information on cross-cultural communication
H = Culture and healthcare fields
L = Culture and law-related fields
O = Resources from other fields (i.e., business, workplace)
R/I = Awareness of the refugee / immigrant experience
TR = Designed for trainers
** = Reviewer's choice

1. Culture and Communication in General

Dane Archer, “A World of Differences: Understanding Cross-Cultural Communication,”
[video], Berkeley: University of California Extension, Center for Media and
Independent Learning (1997).

This is a very light-hearted video that could be used to introduce the idea of cross-cultural
communication to the uninitiated. People from a variety nationalities are shown telling
stories of how culture-based miscommunications resulted in embarrassing or humorous
situations. Topics cover gestures, personal space, courtship, rituals of courtesy, the
expression of emotion, language (including sign language), and others. On the minus
side, the focus is mainly on travel encounters and a bit superficial. On the plus side, the
video is highly engaging and entertaining and the message is sincere: everyone has
culture so don’t be too hasty in judging another’s behavior. G, O

1

Milton J. Bennett (Ed.), Basic Concepts of Intercultural Communication: Selected
Readings, Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press (1998).

This collection of essays builds a foundation for readers to better understand issues of
intercultural communication. It includes classic writings on language, culture, and
communication with the goal of helping professionals interact with people from other
cultures with more understanding and sensitivity. The editor is director of the
Intercultural Communication Institute in Portland, Oregon. G

Nakiye Avdan Boyacigiller, Richard Alan Goodman & Margaret E. Phillips, Crossing
Cultures: Insights from Master Teachers, New York: Routledge (2004).

The goal of this anthology of cross-cultural training lessons is to create successful
working relationships across cultures. Each chapter outlines a detailed teaching plan for a
cross-cultural training session. Although no chapter relates directly to law-related fields,
many lessons aim to increase intercultural awareness in general. For example, a chapter
on "teaching mindful intercultural conflict management" presents a simulation activity in
which two groups of participants are assigned a set of values and goals and asked to
negotiate a contract. Debriefing questions accompany each lesson plan to help
participants discuss and understand what they have learned. G, TR

Richard Brislin and Tomoko Yoshida, Intercultural Communication Training: An
Introduction, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage (1990).

** This is a guidebook on how to design and administer intercultural communication
training programs. The authors envision a broad range of possible settings in which to
implement such programs, from the tourist industry to social work to public diplomacy to
education. Legal and health services certainly fit within their framework. The authors
outline the following steps to develop trainings:
1) Assess the needs and goals of the groups involved, using informants from their
cultures.
2) Develop training content based on
a) awareness of cultural patterns;
b) knowledge of customs and values;
c) emotions associated with cultural adjustment;
d) skills to cope and adapt to a new culture.
3) Evaluate the program in order to improve it.
The authors use Milton Bennett’s LEARN model to teach intercultural communication.
G, H, L, O, TR

2

Gert Jan Hofstede, Paul B. Pedersen & Geert Hofstede, Exploring Culture: Exercises,
Stories and Synthetics Cultures, Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press (2002).

This is a textbook to stimulate discussion and tolerance of cultural differences. It is filled
with folktales, dialogues, and anecdotes that illustrate culture-based misunderstandings.
Each of these is followed by exercises, discussion activities, and analysis to help
readers/learners interpret these cultural illustrations. The authors then introduce activities
based on “synthetic cultures” (fictitious cultures with exaggerated characteristics) to
illustrate how an understanding of underlying cultural values can lead to better
communication. G

Margaret K. Nydell, Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times, (4th ed.),
Intercultural Press (2004).

This accessible handbook is designed to help non-specialists understand Arab culture. It
traces Arabic history and explains modern-day perspectives on family, male-female
relationships, Islam, and attitudes toward Americans. The author directed Arabic
language training at the Foreign Service and has lectured on Arab culture for over thirty
years. G, ET

Michael Paige (Ed.), Education for the International Experience, Yarmouth, ME:

This collection of articles is written for those who conduct intercultural trainings. The
articles cover a range of topics: goals of inter-cultural training, issues of identity in an
intercultural training class, understanding the stress of cultural adjustment, stages of
cultural adaptation for those who come to a new country, and intercultural trainer
competencies. Some articles use the “iceberg” analogy as a model of cultural patterns
hidden below the surface. This book is good food for thought for anyone doing
intercultural training or designing materials for intercultural awareness. G, TR

Sara Reynolds & Deborah Valentine, Guide to Cross-Cultural Communication, Upper
Saddle River, NY: Pearson Education (2004).

Although this book was developed for business managers, it is so simple and well-
presented with charts, bullet points, and summaries, that it could be adapted to other
settings. The authors outline certain contrasts between value systems common in the U.S.
and those of other cultures. In Part I, the main topics are:
1) whether a culture emphasizes collectivism or individualism;
2) whether communication is more linear and direct or more indirect;
3) whether power tends to be distributed hierarchically or democratically.
Part II offers suggestions for oral and written communication, nonverbal communication,
and negotiation across cultures. G, TR, O

3

H. Ned Seelye (Ed.), Experiential Activities for Intercultural Learning, Yarmouth, ME:

The editor has collected a variety of hands-on cross-cultural training activities for
facilitators to use in workshops and classes. The emphasis is on encouraging Americans
to gain awareness of their own cultural biases and to become more sensitive to alternative
cultural perspectives. Activities are short and simple and include youth issues, women’s
issues, and a section on analyzing cross-cultural miscommunications. G, TR

Edward C. Stewart & Milton J. Bennett, American Cultural Patterns: A Cross-Cultural
Perspective, Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press (1991).

The authors argue that miscommunication often occurs when American middle class
values and world views are taken as “normal” in cross-cultural interactions. Yet, social
interactions are all influenced by culture-based attitudes on all sides. The authors discuss
how attitudes toward progress, property, time, health, and perceptions of others and the
self vary from culture to culture. The concluding chapter suggests ways for Americans to
foster more tolerant attitudes toward other cultures. The book is written in simple,
accessible language. G

Craig Storti, Cross-Cultural Dialogues: 74 Brief Encounters with Cultural Difference,
Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press (1994).

This book contains a collection of short conversations between Anglo-Americans and
others from various nationalities. The conversations reveal culturally based differences in
values and attitudes which are explained in accompanying paragraphs. An introductory
section explains how we become conditioned to behave culturally; therefore, what is
"normal" varies from culture to culture. The conversations are presented in three
categories: social settings, workplace settings, and the world of business. Some of the
dialogues seem a little artificial, but others would be illustrative in the context of training
workshops. G, TR, O

Donna M. Stringer & Patricia A. Cassiday, 52 Activities for Exploring Values
Differences, Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press (2003).

This series of small group activities on values clarification is designed for use in cross-
cultural communication workshops. The exercises are broadly relevant to individuals or
organizations that interact with people from diverse cultures. They include activities to
explore one’s own cultural values and to raise awareness of how these values effect
behavior in interactions. Worksheets and step-by-step instructions are included for all
activities. G, TR

4

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), "To Be a Refugee”
[videotape], (1998).

In this fifteen minute video, refugee children from Bosnia, Kenya, Cambodia, and
Afghanistan tell the story of their flight and resettlement. The emphasis is on difficulties
of resettlement, with a central theme of the need for tolerance and acceptance in the host
country. Topics of homesickness, poverty, cultural difficulties, and teasing from peer
children are raised, using actual footage from children’s lives. The video is aimed at those
with little knowledge of refugees. G, R/I

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), "Working with Refugees”
[videotape], (1998).

This videotape provides an overview of what UNHCR does in its refugee resettlement
and repatriation efforts. The intended audience is those who are unfamiliar with UNHRC,
and as such, the film gives only a very general overview of some of the problems
refugees face. These problems include safety, skill building, health, and the unpredictable
emergencies that often occur in refugees’ lives. Because 70-80% of refugees are women
and children, a special section is devoted to their particular problems, such as schooling
and changing family roles and responsibilities. The film-makers’ goal is more to
emphasize the work of UNHCR than to go into depth on refugees’ culture. Still, for the
uninitiated, this film could serve as an introductory overview. G, R/I

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Passages: An Awareness
Game Confronting the Plight of Refugees, (1995).

This booklet has all the materials for playing a board game to better understand the plight
of refugees. The game is a simulation of refugee life designed to create better
understanding of the problems facing refugees. From the fly leaf: “Participants go
through a number of steps which attempt to simulate the refugee experience, from flight
to arrival in the refugee camp, as well as the difficulties of integration and repatriation of
refugees. The game can be played in full or broken into shorter segments.” Designed for
middle school children, it could provide a light-hearted approach to cross-cultural
awareness, even for adults. G, R/I

5

Gary R. Weaver (Ed.), Culture, Communication and Conflict: Readings in Intercultural
Relations (2d Ed.), Boston, MA: Pearson Publishing (2000).

** This anthology contains an impressive 69 articles on cross-cultural communication by
authors from many fields. Articles focus on cultural issues resulting from immigration
and travel, as well as interracial and intergenerational communication. Some articles
present opposing points of view on the same topic. The book is divided into six sections
by topic:
1) Culture and communication (general);
2) Managing diversity (business, the workplace, meetings)
3) Cross-Cultural adaptation (culture shock, identity, adjustment)
4) Education and counseling (for U.S. teachers and service providers working with
immigrants)
5) Mass media, conflict and national images (medial stereotyping, global marketing,
national image)
6) Intercultural aspects of conflict and negotiation (general)
G, O, R/I

2. Resources for Specific Professions

Sharifa Alkhateeb, “Understanding Muslim and Middle Eastern Women in Domestic
Violence Work,” P.O. Box 942, Great Falls, VA 22066. Tel: (703)-641-8451,
Fax: (703) 641-8452.

The author of this handout adapts the “Power and Control” wheel, a common teaching
tool for those working with victims of domestic violence, to Muslim women. The
handout shows how special circumstances of Muslim religious, legal, and familial
traditions pressure Muslim women to stay in abusive relationships. DV, ET, L, H

David W. Augsburger, Conflict Mediation Across Cultures: Pathways and Patterns,
Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press (1992).

** This insightful discussion of conflict resolution starts with a refreshing premise: all
cultures have ways of mediating conflict and our western adversarial legal system may
not be the most effective. The author draws from traditional cultures to present a
community-based model of mediation. Other cultures’ folktales and anecdotes of dispute
resolution are interspersed to illustrate the concepts. Topics include forgiveness, gender
differences, identity and group affiliation, emotions, and the influence of power in
conflict. The book does not attempt step-by-step “instructions” to cross-cultural
mediation but it does have thoughtful discussions with useful diagrams and charts. L

6

Kim Barrett & William George, Race, Culture, Psychology and Law, Sage Publications
(2005).

** This anthology of articles aims to encourage “cultural competence” in those who
provide services to racial, ethnic, and cultural minorities. Topics include race and justice,
immigration, psychological assessment, working with children and families, juvenile
justice, and violence. Contributors span several fields: law, psychology, social work,
medicine, clinical education, counseling, and family therapy. ET, L, R/I

Wendy L. Brandes, et al., Literacy, Health, and the Law: An Exploration of the Law and
the Plight of Marginal Readers Within the Health Care System: Advocating for
Patients and Providers. Philadelphia: Health Promotion Council of Southeastern
Pennsylvania, Inc., (1996). Available from: Health Literacy Project; Health
Promotion Council; 311 S. Juniper Street, Suite 308; Philadelphia, PA 19107;
phone (215) 546-1276; fax (215) 545-1395; $20.

The author discusses ramifications for health care providers serving low literate
populations, offers suggestions on how to make changes in patient/provider
communication patterns. The book includes issues of understanding consent forms,
taking prescription drugs, and other risks that low-literacy patients face. H

Sue Bryant & Jean Koh Peters, “Five Habits for Cross-Cultural Lawyering,” in Kim
Barrett & William George, Race, Culture, Psychology and Law (47-62), Sage
Publications (2005).

This is a practical article with five “habits” that lawyers should develop for working
effectively with immigrant clients. The author gives specific examples and concrete
suggestions for being a more culturally sensitive lawyer. The five habits are:
1. Identify and analyze the cultural distance between self and client.
2. Analyze how these similarities and differences influence interactions.
3. Explore alternative interpretations for unusual behaviors.
4. “Red flag” aspects of the communication that may be difficult and try to simplify
them.
5. Be proactive to correct breakdowns in the relationship.
L

7

Center for Applied Linguistics. "Cultural Profiles" [Series], available at calstore.cal.org.
Refugee Resources.

** This series is designed to help service providers better understand the cultures of their
refugee clients. Each booklet is 40-60 pages long and can be purchased on-line for a
minimal price ($6-8). The booklets provide the history of each culture’s immigration to
the United States, an analysis of the needs of that group in interactions with American
institutions, and challenges faced by special subgroups within the culture (women,
children, the elderly, men, etc.). Case studies, discussion questions, and a glossary of
cultural terms are also provided. The series includes:
- Afghans
- Bosnians
- Haitians
- Hmong
- Iraquis
- Iraqui Kurds
- Liberians
- Muslims
- Somalis
- Somali Bantu
- (Others)
ET, L, H, R/I

Anne Fadiman, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her
American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures, New York: Farrar, Straus
and Giroux (1997).

** This book describes a tragic cultural clash between Hmong parents of an epileptic
baby and the United States medical and welfare institutions. Readers gain an in-depth
understanding of how complex cultural differences in world view may play out to the
determinant of immigrants. The author is even-handed in presenting the Hmong and U.S.
cultures. The book reads like a novel. H, R/I

8

Family Violence Prevention Fund, San Francisco, CA, Cultural Considerations in
Domestic Violence Cases: A National Judges Benchbook, Maria D. Ramos
(1999).

** From the flyleaf: "This benchbook can help state court judges and other professionals
approach and resolve cultural issues in a number of domestic violence case contexts,
including (1) qualifications and testimony of a "culture expert" in a criminal case; (2)
allegations that a criminal defendant’s actions were reasonable according to cultural
beliefs; (3) sentencing of a domestic violence perpetrator; (4) child custody and visitation
decisions; (5) state or tribal court jurisdictional issues under the Indian Child Welfare
Act; (6) immigration implications for victims and perpetrators in state court proceedings;
and (7) language and other barriers that inhibit equal access to the courts." DV, L, R/I

Family Violence Prevention Fund, San Francisco, CA, Cultural Considerations in
Domestic Violence Cases: A National Judicial Education Curriculum (2001)

This curriculum is a companion to Cultural Considerations in Domestic Violence Cases:
A National Judges Benchbook listed above. It incorporates the book into a curriculum to
encourage cultural competence in judges who work with domestic violence cases. Funded
by the State Justice Institute, the goal of the book is to help judges understand the role of
culture in domestic violence. It also stresses the interface between immigration status and
court decisions. DV, L, R/I

Patricia S. Maloof & Fariyal Ross-Sheriff, Muslim Refugees in the United States: A
Guide for Service Providers, Cultural Profile No. 17. Washington, D.C.: Center
for Applied Linguistics. Cultural Orientation and Resource Center (2003).

** As an example of the Center for Applied Linguistics Cultural Profiles series, this 50-
page informational booklet provides an orientation to Muslim cultures in the United
States. The booklet provides a brief history of Muslim immigration, an overview of
Islamic religion, an analysis of the needs of Muslims in their interactions with American
institutions, and challenges faced by special groups (women, children, the elderly, and
men). While explaining common cultural needs and preferences of Muslims, the authors
also emphasize the diversity of Muslims in the U.S. The booklet includes case studies
with questions for discussion and a glossary of cultural terms. ET, H, L, R/I

9

Joanne Moore (Ed.), Immigrants in Courts, Seattle: University of Washington Press
(1999).

** This book helps legal professionals understand the problems faced by immigrants in
the courts. At every stage of the legal process, from arrest and interrogation to courtroom
interactions, immigrants’ cultural and linguistic behaviors may be misinterpreted for the
worse. Their own cultural expectations of law based on their home countries may lead
them to act in ways that hurt their chances in the United States legal system. Articles by
several authors discuss cultural differences in general, while special chapters cover
Chinese, Mexican, Islamic, Middle Eastern, and former Soviet cultures in particular. ET,
L, R/I

Selma Myers & Barbara Filner, Mediation Across Cultures: A Handbook About Conflict
and Culture, Amherst, MA: Amherst Educational Publications (1994).

This short, practical guidebook begins with a background on what mediation is and then
outlines the steps to mediation across cultures. The authors explain how approaches to
conflict are often culturally influenced and suggests how mediation can proceed if
participants keep an open mind toward differing cultural orientations. The book includes
discussion activities, values clarification exercises, and useful diagrams and checklists to
explain the concepts. L

10

National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, The BRIDGE Project (Building a
Race and Immigration Dialogue in the Global Economy): Popular Education
Resources for Immigrant and Refugee Community Organizers, Oakland, CA
(2004).

** (from the website) The BRIDGE Project supports the work of community organizers
and activists in using popular education and community dialogue to discuss and tackle
critical issues related to immigrant and refugee rights. Building on the work of our new
and exciting BRIDGE curriculum, which is based on two years of community input and
testing, the BRIDGE Project provides opportunities for training, leadership development,
and community education. Also includes an extensive bibliography and resource section
with materials related to cross cultural communication, multicultural education, and anti-
racist organizing. Topics covered in BRIDGE include:

• The History of Immigration 101
• Migration, Globalization, and Workers’ Rights
• Introduction to Race, Migration, and Multiple Oppression
• Migrant Rights are Human Rights
LGBT Rights and Immigrant Rights
• Immigrant Women’s Leadership
• Building Common Ground with Other Communities: Migration, Race and
Demographic Change
• Conflict Transformation Within Community Organizing

L, R/I, TR

Loraine A. West, Color: Latino Voices in the Pacific Northwest, Washington State
University Press (2004).

This author, a Spanish interpreter in a medical setting, presents an English version of
personal narratives of Latino clients she has served over the years. The stories are brief
and touching, conveying cultural values surrounding family, health, work, love, birth and
death as the clients interact with the powerful institutions of the United States. ET, H

Jeanette Zanipatin, Stacy Shaw Welch, Jean Yi, and Patty Bardina, “Immigrant Women
and Domestic Violence,” in Kim Barrett & William George. Race, Culture,
Psychology and Law, (375-390), Sage Publications (2005).

This article provides an overview of cultural issues of domestic violence that especially
effect immigrant women. After a general overview, short sections describe issues for
particular cultures: Asian Americans, Koreans, Vietnamese, Indians, and Latinas. DV,
ET, L

11

3. Web Resources

Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence, San Francisco, CA.
http://www.apiahf.org/apidvinstitute/default.htm

** This excellent website has a wealth of useful information on how culture interacts
with gender and violence and resources for victims of domestic violence. The
organization, Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence, is very broad-
based with links to information on trafficking, domestic violence, gay and lesbian issues,
forced marriages, sexual violence, mental health, and other related topics. Links to
ethnic-specific information on several Asian and Pacific Island cultures track statistics on
violence in those cultures and provide ethnic-specific resources. Links to research articles
and other resources for community organizers, mediators, and service providers are also
provided, and there are many materials in translation. A particularly insightful discussion
of what culture is and how it may be wrongly used to justify male violence is given by
Sujata Warrier on the site (see
http://www.apiahf.org/apidvinstitute/CriticalIssues/warrier.htm)
DV, ET, H, L

Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, Duluth, MN, “Power and Control Wheel,”
http://www.duluth-model.org/.

** The Domestic Abuse Intervention Project in Duluth is the organization that developed
the “Power and Control Wheel,” a device widely used to teach about the dynamics of
domestic violence. The wheel provides a graphic display of how abusers use emotional
and economic abuse, isolation, intimidation, threats and coercion, male privilege, and
control of children. Their website includes several downloadable versions of the wheel in
English and Spanish, as well as a version on domestic abuse of children, a creator wheel
for Native Americans, and an Equality wheel. DV, ET, H, L

Ethnomed, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, http://www.ethnomed.org/

** This website, “Ethnomed,” is a joint project of University of Washington Health
Sciences Library and the Harborview Medical Center's Community House Calls
Program. It provides medical and cultural information on immigrant and refugee groups
commonly in the Seattle area. The site has links to dozens of other resources on
intercultural training. A useful feature on the home page (left side) called “Culture
Specific Pages” provides links to a list of cultures. Each of these describes the history and
geography of the country, with extensive cultural information on family and community
relationships, issues of etiquette and respect, religious beliefs, and traditional approaches
to medicine, birth, and death. Although this is a medical website, people in law-related
fields can also find useful information on immigrant cultures. DV, ET, H, R/I

12

Family Violence Prevention Fund, "Immigrant Toolbox," San Francisco, CA,
http://endabuse.org/programs/immigrant/

** This website has extensive links to resources for advocates, healthcare workers, and
community leaders working with victims of domestic violence in immigrant
communities. It includes links to translated informational brochures, legal and cultural
advice and resources, fact sheets, VAWA updates, methods of community outreach and
education, roles of workplace and healthcare providers, and many other options for ways
to participate. Specific resources on this site are listed separately below. DV, ET, H, L,
R/I

Family Violence Prevention Fund, Breaking the Silence: A Training Manual for Activists,
Advocates and Latina Organizers, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Boston.
Downloadable version (available in English and Spanish) at
http://www.endabuse.org/programs/immigrant/BreakSilenceManualEnglish.pdf

** This 115-page manual includes information for organizing advocacy groups, knowing
the law, and generally working with immigrant victims of domestic violence. A special
section covers sensitivity in communication, especially with Latina clients. It includes the
“Power and Control Wheel,” a device widely used to teach about the dynamics of
domestic violence. DV, ET, L

Family Violence Prevention Fund, "(Un)Heard Voices: Domestic Violence in the Asian
American Community," Sujata Warrier, San Francisco, CA
http://www.endabuse.org/programs/immigrant/files/UnheardVoices.pdf

This 32-page report provides results of a study of domestic violence in Asian American
communities. Focus groups of Asian American women survivors, advocates and
community leaders provided information on the needs of their communities and the
barriers (both cultural and institutional) faced in accessing services and assistance. They
also filled out a survey on domestic violence issues. As a result of the study, the authors
recommend funding for programs that meet the special needs of Asian American
communities, trainings for social service and law enforcement to work against racism and
increase cultural awareness, further research to documents problems, better access to
interpreters, and increased networks for advocacy and legislative action. DV, ET, L
.
Indiana Department of Education, Language Minority and Migrant Programs, “The
Iceberg Concept of Culture,”
http://www.doe.state.in.us/lmmp/pdf/iceburgofculture.pdf.

** The metaphor of an iceberg is used as a visual model to teach intercultural tolerance
and understanding. Like an iceberg, many of our cultural values and thought patterns are
hidden below the conscious surface; likewise, our reactions to others may be based on a
superficial understanding of the “surface” cultural behavior we observe. This
downloadable visual aid is an engaging teaching tool to stimulate discussion and provide
insights into new ways of looking at “foreign” behaviors. G, TR

13

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, "Outreach to Underserved
Communities. A Curriculum in Five Modules," Sujata Warrier,
http://www.vawnet.org/NRCDVPublications/BCSDV/OtherPubs/BCS_UnSer_ap
pC.pdf

This website has a downloadable 27-slide power point presentation on domestic violence
which the author, Sujata Warrier, wishes others to use. The presentation emphasizes
sensitivity of service providers in communication with underserved minority groups. It
explains how to develop short- and long-term strategies for community outreach and
build collaborative relationships with minority communities. Several slides address
solving common communication problems such as defensiveness, withdrawal,
overpersonalization, and resentment. DV, TR

4. Organizations that Conduct Cross-Cultural Training

Command Spanish, Dr. Maryjane Dunn, Director of Training.
http://www.commandspanish.com/contactus.html or call 936-637-7873.

This organization creates customized, individualized workshops for English-dominant
organizations that interact with Spanish speakers. Workshops include basic Spanish
language skills and cultural sensitivity training. Each workshop also provides participants
with an individually tailored manual. What is noteworthy about the organization is that
they have designed a series of workshops specifically for those who work in public safety
and service, including: police, jailers, corrections officers, probation officers, 911
dispatchers, highway drug enforcement officers, court clerks, and shelter workers. The
Texas law enforcement organization, Texas Community Law Enforcement Officers’
Standards in Education (TCLEOSE) recently approved Command Spanish to do all of
their trainings. ET, L

Cross Cultural Health Care Program, 270 So. Hanford St., Suite 208, Seattle, WA 98134,
Phone 206-860-0329 or 206-860-0331
http://www.xculture.org/training/overview/cultural/index.html

This organization offers cultural competency trainings as well as interpreter training for
health care professionals. From their mission statement: "Since 1992, the CCHCP has
been addressing broad cultural issues that impact the health of individuals and families in
ethnic minority communities in Seattle and nationwide." CCHCP also has a library with
resources on culture and health care, including many hard-to-find, unpublished reports.
Librarian is Alissa Sampson. H

14

Minority Executive Directors Coalition, "Cultural Competency Trainings," Seattle, WA
http://www.medcofkc.org/Webpages-current/trainings1.htm

This organization offers a series of training workshops in cultural competency for service
providers, ranging from a 1-hour introductory workshop to a 2-day planning and
development workshop for agencies. From their mission statement, "MEDC is a coalition
of people of color dedicated to achieving equity and social justice in partnership with
communities of color through advocacy, education and membership development." The
organization stresses collaboration and cooperation among communities of color and
undoing institutional racism. G, L, O

Refugee Women's Alliance (REWA), Seattle, WA, http://www.rewa.org/default.asp

From their mission statement: "Refugee Women's Alliance is a nonprofit, multi-ethnic
organization that promotes inclusion, independence, personal leadership and strong
communities by providing refugee and immigrant women and families with culturally
and linguistically appropriate services. ReWA advocates for social justice, public policy
changes, and equal access to services while respecting cultural values and the right to self
determination." H, L, O, R/I

Tacoma Community House, Tacoma, WA, http://www.tchonline.org

Tacoma Community House is a local organization that has worked with refugees and
immigrants in this state since the 1970’s. Although their primary focus is on promoting
literacy and language skills for immigrants and refugees, they also offer trainings to
facilitate cross-cultural communication between employers and immigrants in the
workplace. Thus, they design cross-cultural communication workshops that are tailored
to particular workplaces (for example, they designed one especially for the Seattle Public
Library). The director, Marilyn Bentson, seems open to the idea of developing trainings
for legal professionals and service providers who work with immigrant victims of
domestic violence. However they do not have specific trainings in these areas currently.
O, R/I

15

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