Engage Residents
Effective outreach to Persian Americans requires cultural competency, community trust, and persistent, multilingual communication. Engagement is not a one-time event — it is an ongoing relationship.
Culturally Competent Outreach
Partner with organizations already trusted by the Persian-American community: cultural centers, mosques, churches, synagogues (Persian Jewish and Armenian-Iranian communities are significant), Nowruz (Persian New Year) events, and community associations. Outreach should be conducted by Persian-speaking community members whenever possible — familiar faces and voices dramatically increase trust.
Use multiple channels: Persian-language media (TV, radio, online), Persian-language community Facebook and Telegram groups, community newsletters, and in-person events at established gathering places. Do not rely solely on digital outreach; many elderly Persian Americans are not active on social media.
Language Access
All program materials — applications, enrollment guides, payment instructions, privacy policies, and FAQs — should be available in Farsi (Persian). Materials should be reviewed by native Farsi speakers and cultural insiders, not just translated by software tools. Pay particular attention to formal vs. colloquial Farsi, as the Persian-American diaspora community has developed its own register that differs from contemporary Iranian Farsi.
Offer interpretation services for enrollment meetings, intake calls, and follow-up check-ins. Video interpretation services can help where in-person interpreters are not available.
Trust-Building Strategies
Trust is built through consistency, transparency, and community voice. Involve Persian-American community members in program design from the beginning — not just as recipients but as advisors, navigators, and staff. Host listening sessions before launch and share what you learned and how it shaped the program.
Peer navigators — trusted community members who are trained to guide others through the program — are among the most effective trust-building tools. Peer navigators can address cultural hesitations in ways that outsider staff cannot.
Proactively address data privacy in every public communication. Hold a dedicated Q&A session on what data is collected, who has access to it, and what happens to it. Provide a written privacy commitment signed by program leadership.
Addressing Stigma
Frame guaranteed income as a community investment, not charity. Emphasize that the program is available to all qualifying members, not just those in the most severe need — this reduces stigma by universalizing participation. Testimonials from respected community members who have participated can powerfully normalize the program. Ensure testimonials are in Farsi where possible.