OUR COUNTY
D. Gary Davis

Between 1892 and 1954 the portal of Ellis Island welcomed over twelve million immigrants to the United States. It has been estimated that nearly half of all Americans today can trace their family history to at least one person who passed through the Port of New York at Ellis Island.

I guess you are wondering why the Bradley County Mayor is talking about New York City. It may be surprising to find out that Bradley County and the surrounding area is currently home to immigrants from 62 different countries. It appears the rest of the world is finding out what those of us have known for years….Bradley County is a world class place to live.

Through the years many in our community have expressed a desire to assist immigrants coming to our area. This desire has been spearheaded by Daniel Sylverston, pastor of All Nations Worship Center and current president of The Cleveland Bradley Ministerial Association. Thanks to the diligence of Pastor Sylverston, along with many different organizations and businesses, a center providing services to immigrants is opening later this month.

The mission of the Ocoee Regional Multicultural Services (ORMS) Center is to promote community awareness and acceptance of diversity among its citizens through a harmonious, safe and healthy environment. The ORMS has the following beliefs: 1. Support of legal citizenship, 2. Encourage respect for individual differences, 3. Promote the understanding of different values, beliefs and traditions, and 4. Value the capabilities of each individual.

The ORMS center will provide services in areas including housing, healthcare, education, employment and language. This will include listing affordable housing depending on different needs; listing of clinics, hospitals, gyms and recreation centers; listing of schools, colleges and universities and the programs each offers; the listing of job opportunities and training; the listing of opportunities for English-as-a-second-language classes and for translations services. There will also be assistance with the naturalization process and Visa/green card issues.

With the unprecedented growth of diversity within our community, immigrants need easy access to a broad array of high-quality and effective workforce development services. Legal immigrants today, just as in the past, have much to contribute to the culture and economic success of the United States.

The center will be located in the Family Support Center located in the old Blythe Avenue School. A grand opening celebration is tentatively planned for September 21^st. If you would like to assist ORMS or would like additional information, contact contacting Daniel Sylverston at 715-7049 or email danmilsylver@wingnet.net.

On a different note, I want to congratulate the 11/12 year old Cleveland All Stars from Bradley County Sports for Youth on winning the Dixie Youth Baseball Tennessee State Tournament. This outstanding team won the title on August 1^st in a championship game with a 2-0 win over Goodlettsvlille. This team won the right to represent the State of Tennessee in the Dixie Youth Baseball World Series, the first time since 1993 that a Bradley County team has won this right. Congratulations to the players and their family and supporters and good luck to the Cleveland All Stars in the World Series.