Spring has finally passed (thankfully) and is giving way to summer...a good time to update everyone on what is "growing" with the coalition.
• The Community Garden is "in the ground" after a wet spring. We have 31 active plots, with a good mix of gardeners and a little more experience after last year. Our Savior's Lutheran invited us back and Christ Lutheran Church offered another 6 plots up the hill. Again, Donahue's Greenhouse and Farm and Seed generously helped us with plants and seeds. We have Somali, Guatemalan, Mexican, El Salvadoran, and "American" gardeners • growing an even more diverse variety of vegetables. People have worked • together on some of the tasks and Omar H. has painted a beautiful sign (complete with chili peppers with "attitude") to name the garden. More gardeners speak of joining the farmer's market and some are interested in the offer to join a larger Rice County market farming project next year. A get together is planned for July to get to know one another better and to celebrate everyone's efforts. We look forward to a bountiful harvest. Anyone interested in buying garden fresh vegetables may contact the Welcome Center.
• ESL Classes continue through the efforts of our volunteer teachers. Ruthann, Nancy, Kathy, Marta, and Mary are working with a group of faithful students to teach and learn. We admire them all for their efforts.
Several grant proposals have been submitted and are pending. The United Way generously funded us with $16,500 to support Immigrant Resettlement Services and our Healthy Together project. We are waiting to hear from some other proposals that would strengthen our employment and health care support services.
• International Market Day (Saturday,August 30) is in the planning stage. We seek vendors who would like to sell cultural foods or items and non-profit agencies who would like to use the occasion for outreach to the community regarding their programs. We continue to look for musicians and dance groups to share their gifts with others that day and for soccer teams interested in a morning tournament. Please consider stopping in for the day at Faribault's Central Park. Hours are tentatively 9 AM -4 PM. Hope to see you there.
• The Welcome Center Food Shelf needs your support. When we started last May, we had about 30 families a month who came seeking food support. That number is now 100. We stretch funding as far as we can through Channel One Food Bank, but we are not able to meet the need. Donations of cash or food items, garden produce, or plans for organized food drives in your church, group, or business would be most appreciated. The summer months are especially tough for families who now have children home all day.
• Diversity Coalition Meetings have been scaled back to quarterly, to recognize everyone's time constraints and to try to include some more in-depth content each meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 4, 12-1:30 pm at SCC.
• We are also considering other summer offerings to continue to promote community connections and personal capacity building. Possibilities include a cross-cultural women's sharing group, youth activities, and a second carpentry class.
For questions, donations, or to volunteer, contact the Welcome Center, 333-5036, 24 W. Division.St., Faribault, MN 55021
Have a good summer! --Bob Kell, Director
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