Talking Circle Series

In many cultures, the respectful listening to the wisdom and experience of one another is a sacred moment. By listening to one another’s stories, we learn to see ourselves differently, to see the connections, to become a community…

The Welcome Center is sponsoring a 6-week series of conversations between members of the Faribault Spanish-speaking community and long-term residents to encourage exchange and understanding.

A bilingual facilitator will guide the group. We seek 14-16 interested persons who would be willing to commit to attending the majority of the sessions. We believe that consistency is important to reach a level of trust and of sharing.

Our goal is to create a space for conversation, where people have a chance to speak what is on their mind, to share perspectives, to respectfully seek to understand what is common and what is unique about our experiences. Much of the conversation will arise from the interests and questions of the group members as the series progresses. We will begin with our immigration stories, our family stories, and discover what new questions emerge.

If you would like to participate, please contact Teresa or Bob at the Welcome Center, 333-5036.


Spanish-English Talking Circle
Wednesdays, 11:30-1 p.m.
March 29-May 3, 2006
Buckham Memorial Library


The Circle Series is part of the Healthy Together Initiative of the Faribault Diversity Coalition.
"Sponsored by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation"

The Immigrant Family

The Immigrant Family was carved by Bob Kell and these are his thoughts.

When we reflect upon the immigrant family, what do we see?

Strength, determination, walking into the unknown but walking together, carrying the future in one's arms and all that one owns on their backs. Within that bag (and in their hearts) they carry dreams, hopes, memories, culture, riches, uniqueness, history, talents, and desire. To work, to survive, to prosper, to see a better life for these children.

They are us.

Bob Kell

The Somali Community Resettlement Services/Welcome Center Community Meeting

"Members of the Faribault Somali community invited community organizations to join them at the Buckham Library on Saturday to get to know one another better. It was an opportunity to speak about the new partnership between the Welcome Center and Somali Community Resettlement Service.

Residents expressed the need for increased funding for their office and shared their perspectives on needs that still remain to be addressed. They spoke of medical interpreters, more accessible transportation, and the need to learn English. Mention was also made of the great progress the children are making in school.

The orientation and interpretation support that the SCRS and Welcome Center offer are quite similar. The hope is that the collaboration will make both more effective.

Representatives from the Fire Dept. were on hand to answer questions and express their availability. Smoke detectors were provided to those who needed them. Mary Ho from Public Health, Nalani McCutcheon from River Bend Nature Center, and Kelly Frankenfield (ESL teacher) from Jefferson school were also present to participate. It was a good chance to knit closer bonds."

Immigration Forum—Feb. 23, 2006

Immigration Forum

Sponsored by “Healthy Together” Initiative, Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation

This Week’s Forum

Jack Geller, from the Center for Rural Policy and Development, St. Peter, presented demographic information that provided a broader context for a discussion on immigration. Southern MN has experienced a significant increase in the number of people of color and Latinos in recent years. Especially in towns with food processing industries, that influx has been notable. Immigrants tend to be younger and of child-bearing age, in contrast to an aging mainstream in many rural communities. Immigration has brought a stronger workforce, new demands on school districts to meet the challenge of educating children with limited English proficiency, increased economic value ($484 million in the Reg. 9 study of Latino residents), a lesser strain on added public services ($48 million in the Reg. 9 study), and also contributed $121 million in taxes ($45 million state and local—Reg 9 study). Mr. Geller made the point that regardless of how one feels about immigration, we all have a vested interest in the education and success of the children (immigrant and non). In a not too distant future, it is they who will be the workforce that defines our communities, our communities’ ability to draw business investment, and the security of social systems that support us, such as social security. If we withhold support and allow struggling children to emerge as an unskilled, uneducated workforce, the face of our communities will reflect that choice.

Patti Fritz, representative for the Faribault area, added remarks about the importance of seeking positive and humane solutions to the challenges facing us. She invited people’s input and ongoing dialogue. Gwen Jackson, school superintendent, and Deb Wall, ESL programs, shared about efforts in the Faribault schools to embrace diversity and work with the families and children to promote integration and success.

Participants were then invited to talk in small groups about the issues and concerns that they wish to see addressed as the dialogue continues in the future.

(See summary)

The background information did not directly lead to a discussion of undocumented immigrants. They form a smaller part of a larger demographic change that in itself has called southern MN communities like Faribault to adapt. We felt that it was important to present that picture as well and perhaps distinguish it from the more limited discussion of how we are to address the tensions the issue of undocumented presence raises.
QUESTIONS/CONCERNS/ISSUES

• Undocumented persons in community and current proposal % of undocumented in Rice County


• Assimilation/Balkanization


• Bring full participation into community


• Cost of failure to educate


• Barriers – How to remove them


• Concern over economy – globalization – why is it happening


• Cost of undocumented health, education, social, legal, (social services might be being accessed


• Find solutions talk to each other – need to get to know each other to find solutions. (Cultural diversity base)

A Perspective on the Issue of Undocumented Presence

(This statement of the issue is presented by Bob Kell, Catholic Charities, coordinator of theDiversity Coalition’s Healthy Together Initiative. It is not intended as an official position of the Diversity Coalition or its Board.)

The Faribault Diversity Coalition and Faribault Chamber of Commerce co-sponsored a public forum Thursday evening to begin to promote dialogue around issues of immigration affecting southern MN and the Faribault community. The forum was planned in light of recent legislative proposals on both the federal and state levels that have clearly marked the issue of undocumented presence as a key issue in the coming year.

At issue is the fact that as many as 11 million persons are living in the U.S. without documented status. These are persons who either entered the U.S. without papers or who overstayed a visa that permitted their entry. The other 70% of immigrants in the country have permission to be here, either as naturalized citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or workers and students with visas. Because current immigration limits, quotas, and laws do not provide for a road to legalization for many of those who are undocumented, these men, women, and sometimes children live in the shadows, unable to settle and often with nowhere to return to. Even those who are here as documented persons and who have a possibility to petition for their spouse, children or parents, face waiting times of years before their families can be united. And while it is often thought that economic reasons are the main motive for immigration, nearly 70% of all immigrants between 1995 and 2001 came for the reason of family reunification. A documented permanent resident from Mexico, for example, who wishes today to bring a spouse or child will have to wait: immigration is now processing only such petitions filed before April 15, 1999.

The situation is made more complex as new persons, faced with the obstacles to legal means of immigration, choose to cross the border without documents. Attempts to enforce border patrol have driven people further into remote desert and mountain areas, tripling the death rate at the border in recent years. Yet the migration doesn’t stop. People still choose to risk the crossing in the hope of finding a life they do not see possible where they are. And as with any risky behavior, there are always those who take advantage of people’s fear and vulnerability.

The situation raises questions. How can some order be brought to bear? Do we resort to stricter enforcement or do we look to some comprehensive reform of the immigration system? Looking the other way for economic reasons has been the practice. Immigrants have been the workforce in many less desirable, low-paying jobs, and the lack of a work permit has often kept undocumented workers there. Without the permission to live and work openly, lives have remained vulnerable and a stable future elusive. Will the discussion focus on laws that are broken or on these human persons who regardless of their immigration status retain membership in the “common, world-wide fellowship of women and men.” (John XXIII, 1963)?

New legislative proposals have taken both roads. The Sensenbrenner house bill (H.R. 4437 proposed strong border enforcement and would make undocumented presence a felony. The proposed McCain-Kennedy Secure American and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 (S. 1033 and HR. 2330) calls for comprehensive immigration reform which would design a path to lawful permanent residence for the undocumented, provide additional visas for family reunification, and legal avenues for migrant workers to enter the U.S.

Somehow we will all be part of this political debate. Many lives depend on how this discussion is resolved. As a Diversity Coalition with a mission to promote respect and understanding of all residents of Faribault, we feel this is a critical issue for all of us to grabble with and contribute to.

Undocumented Presence—

For The Children

Another beautiful day at the Bus Shelter and a great turnout.
Fr. Thomas Joseph, Pastor Keith Homstad and Zulema Nieves did a beautiful job blessing the shelter.

The sun shone brightly through the windows on faces of the children coming home from school and members from the community. You can read more on an article from the Faribault Daily News, Sat. Jan. 28. http://www.faribault.com/. If you can't get in to read it on the website or don't get the paper let me know and I'll email you the article at fpsm@rconnect.com

Thanks to all attending, helping, and Brushwork for donating the beautiful sign, (For The Children), a nice touch, and Jason for putting it up and doing some more work on and around the shelter.

Thanks also to Julie Fox for doing a video for F.C.T.V. and Faribault Daily News for publicity.

Have a gentle day, Milo












Faribault Diversity Coalition

Bus Shelter, a Community Project, by Bob Kell

Faribault Diversity Coalition: January 2006

Dedication and Blessing of New Bus Shelter

Dedicación y Bendición de la Nueva Parada de Autobus

Cannon River Mobile Home Community
January 27, 2006 3 p.m.

A Community Project

As members of one Faribault community, we are all connected to one another. We are neighbors.

That makes us interested in one another’s well-being and in the common good. We think about the children among us, the sick, the elders, the families, the workers. We want a community of respect and justice for all.

When we ask, our neighbors can tell us what they are thinking, what they see, what they feel. When we listen, we understand how to join hands.

This bus shelter was born of a conversation between neighbors. It speaks of parents’ concern for their children, of the interest of neighbors to help, of a spirit of community generosity.

May it always be more than a roof and four walls. May this shelter be a symbol of our bond as neighbors. May we work together to be a community of caring, respect, and understanding for all among us.

Un Proyecto de una Comunidad

Como miembros de una sola comunidad de Faribault, somos todos conectados uno a otro. Somos vecinos.

Esto nos hace interestados en el bien-estar de cada uno y en el bien común. Pensamos en los niños entre nosotros, en los enfermos, los ancianos, las familias, los trabajadores. Queremos una comunidad de respeto y justicia para todos.

Cuando preguntamos, nuestros vecinos pueden decirnos lo que piensan, veen, y sienten. Cuando escuchamos, entendemos como juntar nuestras manos.

Esta parada de bus empezó con una conversación entre vecinos. Expresa el cuidado de padres para sus niños, el deseo de vecinos de ayudar, y un espíritu de generosidad comunitaria.

Que se ve siempre como más de un techo y cuatro paredes. Que esta parada sea un símbolo de nuestros lazos como vecinos. Trabajemos juntos para ser una comunidad de cuidado, respeto, y entendimiento para todos entre nosotros.
Gracias…..Thank You
Queremos expresar nuestra gratitud a los que han ayudado a llevar este proyecto a cabo.
We want to express our gratitude to those who have helped to make this project a reality.
--The Faribault Transportation Co. (Tom Merrill)
--Dan Buuck, architect and city inspector
--Tom’s Pro Glass
--Cedar Lake Electric, por los hoyos
--Hilary Caron, por su permiso y contribución
--Julie Trnka, por su apoyo
--Gwen Jackson, School Superintendent
--Greg Kruschke and Al Ernste, city inspectors
--Jason Quast, South Central College student/foreman
--Greg Caron, carpintero
--Milo Larson, carpintero/communicator
--The Blue Cross Foundation, por los fondos
--personas que contribuyeron dinero: Dolores Proa, Diana Garza, Kathy Fennelly, un bibliotecaria, los feligreses de Divina Misericordia, otros…
--Jorge Diaz y su papa
--Roberto, por su ayuda
--Irma Mendoza y familia, por compartir la luz
--Margarita Mendoza, por pan y café
--las mujeres anónimas que compartieron comida
--los niños quienes nos animaron con su interés
--South Central College, por todo su apoyo
--Ron Holmblad, por preparar el terreno
--I & S Engineering, por su ayuda con el diseño
--Met-Con, por su ayuda con los materiales
--Richard Larson, Faribault Police, por su ayuda
--Mike Meillier, Dan Burns, Larry Lundblad, Bob Kell

Blessing of the bus shelter

Faribault Diversity Coalition
Greg Caron had an accident while finishing the trim on the shelter, his step ladder broke and he landed on the ice breaking his collarbone. He'll be laid up for awhile, please send him your good wishes. His email is: gcaron@netscape.com


There will be a blessing of the Bus Shelter, this Friday, Jan. 27th, at 3 p.m., as kids are getting off the bus.

Refreshments will be served. Please join us for this wonderful occasion.


Thanks, Milo

It's a Bus Shelter

Happy New Year,

We finally did it! Greg Caron, Bob Kell, Dan Burns, and myself really had fun today. 35 degrees and each window we put up made the shelter warmer.

This was one day where everything we did showed. The paneling around the windows look great and shuts out the wind and weather.

At the end of this blog are pictures starting Dec. 8th, 2005 - Jan. 7th, 2006.

We just have some finishing touches to do, close in the open spaces between the rafters, and some roof trim. We'll get that finished up this coming week. The kids will finally get to use it starting Monday.

It was quite a ride with the different temperatures. Starting the first two weeks of construction it was below 0 and windy and ending in the 20's and 30's the last two weeks.

I wish to thank all helped with the physical work and those who gave donations to this project, it was a work of love by all.

A big thank you to South Central College for their help and use of their facilities for cutting, storing and construction help and to Jason Quast, S.C.C. student who led the way with his expertise and was our fearless leader.

I will have pictures for anybody that wants them at our next Diversity Coaliton meeting.

Below is a list of doners, and a journal of the past weeks.

Kathy Fennelly - Professor, Humphrey Institute,
Nalani McCutcheon
Tom & Danalee Merrill
Hillary Caron
Anonymous Donor
Blue Cross Foundation
Shari L. Ober,Librarian, St. Paul
Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Spanish 2nd Collection
Linda Letts, Rochester
Tom'’s Pro Glass
DJ - MetCon
Ron Holmbladd
Cedar Lake Electric
Some residents from the park brought food and drink each time we worked.

Total Donations $4053.24

Workers on site:
Jason Quast, Bob Kell, Dan Burns, Greg Caron, Larry Lundblad, Mike Meillier, Richard Larson, Dan Zielske, Jorge Diaz, Jairo Diaz, and Milo Larson.

Dec. Planning: Bob Kell, Mike Monge, Dan Buuck - City of Faribault, I & S Engineering who checked plans over, Greg Kruschke - Zoning Administrator, Al Ernste City - Building Inspector, Julie Trnka and Tom Merrill for assistance in determining the site.

If anybody has been left out, please let me know.

Thanks again for all your support, this has indeed been a labor of love for all of us.

Have a gentle day, Milo




























12-8-05 Dan Burns, Cedar Lake Electric, dug holes for post

12-9-05: Greg Caron, Bob Kell, Milo Larson, mix and poor cement in post holes.

12-10-05: Larry Lundblad, Dan Burns and Jason Quast, a student at South Central that's leading us with his expertise in our endeavor. Greg Caron, Richard Larson, Dan Zielske, Bob Kell, Mike Meillier, Milo Larson, Jorge Diaz, Karie Tobin taking pictures. - aligning post

12-14-05: Jason Quast, Greg Caron, Bob Kell, cut boards, started roof.

12-17-05: Dan Burns, Bob Kell, Mike Miellier, Jason Quast, Jorge and his dad, Jairo Diaz, and Milo Larson - put on side boards for windows, continued on roof braces.

12-18-05: Dan Burns talked at Divine Mercy Catholic Church Mass about the Bus Shelter and the Diversity Coalition, 2nd collection was made.

12-20-05: Bob Kell, Jason Quast, & Greg Caron worked on Roof, worked on roof beams

12-21-05: Bob Kell, Jason Quast, & Greg Caron worked on roof, finished roof beams, and side boards for windows.

12-28/29-05: Bob Kell, Jason Quast, & Greg Caron worked on roof

12-31-05: Richard Larson, Larry Lundblad, Greg Caron, Dan Burns, Jason Quest, and myself, worked on Roof, readying for shingles.

1-4-06: Bob, Jason & Greg put on drip caps, Fascia boards and shingles on one side. (Bad news, Jason received notice that his Grandfather died.)

1-5-06: Bob, Jason & Greg finished shingling.

1-6-06: Bob & Greg started windows.

1-7-06: Bob, Dan, Greg and Milo finished windows, and panels around windows. Cleaned up site.

1-21-06: Greg and Bob worked on trim

1-21-06: Greg and Milo worked on trim. Greg fell off small wooden ladder when leg broke on ladder. Greg broke his collarbone and a few cuts and bruises, will be out of commission for awhile.