Cross-Cultural Sharing Circles

The Faribault Diversity Coalition would like to invite you to a conversation …

Here in Faribault we have a wonderful diversity of peoples, representing many countries and cultures. We often look at one another from a distance, curious but not connecting. We sometimes simply remain strangers.

Community happens when we begin to listen to another’s stories, share our own, and start to see our human connectedness. For the newcomer, it means feeling welcomed. For those with deeper roots, it means the newcomer is now a neighbor.

Cross-Cultural Sharing Circles Fridays (Apr 11, 18, 25, May 2)
9:00-10:30 am Senior Center (19 W. Division)
6:00-7:30 pm Community Center (15 E. Division)

Small Groups representing the community’s diversity gather weekly. We talk about our family memories and traditions, about our stories and experiences, about what we value, hope for, and wonder. While a facilitator and interpreters help the conversation begin, the discovery of our common ground takes place as we respectfully listen and share our lives.

Please consider joining us…all are welcome to join the circles as you can.

For more information, please contact the Welcome Center, 333-5036.
Sponsored by the Blue Cross Foundation

Building Communities

This presentation and discussion explores the role of stories in our lives as individuals and communities. There are stories of all kinds: personal narratives, jokes, rumors, myths and legends. We will explore how stories shape our thoughts, feelings and actions, and how stories build or destroy communities. We will talk about stories we need for the future of our communities and global village.

For Mbele's previous presentation please click on the above title and it will take you to "When Africa Meets Faribault".

Joseph L. Mbele, who teaches in the English Department at St. Olaf College, is the author of the book, Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences, available online at http://www.lulu.com/content/105001 or by sending an email to info@africonexion.com

Welcome Center Holds March Food Campaign

Welcome Center Holds March Food Campaign


Together with most food shelves in the state, the Welcome Center is participating this year in the annual March Campaign of Minnesota Food Share. The state-wide campaign seeks to raise 9 million pounds and dollars to help meet the needs of hungry families.

“The advantage of participating, other than raising hunger awareness and collecting local contributions, is that it enables us to share in match funds generated by the State Campaign and offered by the Feinstein Foundation,” says Bob Kell, Welcome Center director. “Whatever we can raise this month in donations of product or cash will bring additional match dollars to the community.”

The Welcome Center food shelf began in May 2007 and in 10 months has served 499 families with 13875 lbs of food. It has focused on culturally-appropriate foods used by the immigrant families it serves. Any low-income family is welcome. Its goal is to provide adequate food resources to families in need.

Some facts to consider:
Half of all food shelf users in Minnesota are children.
20% of all food shelf users in Minnesota are seniors.
Each dollar a food shelf receives can turn into four pounds of food.
Need is growing as more families struggle to find steady employment.

The Welcome Center asks your help. “There are several food shelves or organizations in town who use the food services of the Channel-One Food Bank: the Faribault Food Shelf at the West Mall, A Child’s Delight, SEMCAC Senior Dining, Ruth’s House of Hope, Free Pops, and the Welcome Center. Many residents, young and old, depend on these food resources,” says Kell. “Please consider how you might contribute to the Campaign. Businesses, churches, and families are encouraged to use creative ideas to organize collections. The Jennie-O Turkey Store, for example, held a competition among departments and raised over $1100 and nearly 1000 lbs of food. Such efforts go a long way to help maintain food shelf supplies.”

Contributions to the Welcome Center Food Shelf can be dropped off at the Center, 24 W. Division St., (side entrance) M-F, 8:30-4:30 or at the Faribault Print Shop. Monetary donations or non-perishable items welcome. For more information, call 333-5036. Thank you for your support!