The post below is authored by Sarah Letson, Best Practices Manager, New Americans Campaign
Sarah Letson
I’m writing from my new office at the ILRC; I recently joined the New Americans Campaign as the new Best Practices Manager. This position is key to improving efficiency and driving innovation among naturalization work across the country. I’m excited to bring my experience in data analysis and regional/national collaboration to the important work of the NAC.
While at the University of Chicago, I worked for a non-profit agency, helping resettle refugees from eastern Africa into Chicago apartments. I know that those of us who are deep in the work– filling out N-400 forms or explaining the citizenship process to clients—often do not have the luxury to reflect on how we operate. Through my previous work with a national campaign to increase housing placement rates for homeless people, I’ve seen that the way to improve how we work is to learn from others. That’s why the core work of the Best Practices Manager is extracting innovative best practices in naturalization through data analysis, and then highlighting those practices through webinars, conference call meetings, printed materials, and in-person convenings.
To the partners in the NAC: we will be working together quite closely, and I will be in regular contact with you or your site leader. If I haven’t had a chance to greet you, please feel free to contact me at any time. I can be reached at 415-255-9499 ext. 538, or sletson(at)ilrc.org.