International Market 2008

The Ollin Ayacaxtly Aztec dancers was the hit of the day for the 2008 International Market Day at Central Park in Faribault.

The weather was a perfect 80 degrees, the smell of many different cultural foods permeated the air, and musicians, and the Aztec dancers entertained the crowd while several non-profit organizations answered questions.

Vicky & Eddie Carrillo led the Faribault Diversity Coalition in our 3rd annual International Market Day to a fun and successful day.

We thank BlueCross/BlueShield Foundation of MN, Hy-VEE, The Minnesota Correctional Facility-Faribault, Southern Heights Dental Group, Faribault Print Shop, and all who contributed to this great experience.

To see all pictures click on Video above and watch the Aztec Dancers below.

Have a gentle day, Milo

September Commemorations

Submitted by Ricki Walters,

In September, we commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15, Mexican Independence Day on September 16, and Grito de Lares on September 23. These commemorations celebrate the victories of the indigenous peoples of several Hispanic countries over their Spanish conquerors that eventually resulted in their independence from Spain. You can find more information about these celebrations at:

http://www.factmonster.com/spot/hhm1.html
http://www.mexonline.com/mexican-independence.htm
http://nylatinojournal.com/home/history/americas/el_grito_de_lares.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ramadan is also commemorated in September this year. It begins on September 1st and continues through September 30th. Observing Muslims begin their Ramadan commemorations at sunset of the previous day, so this year, they will celebrate beginning at sunset on August 31st. In North America, Ramadan will begin one day later because of sight ability.
Ramadan always begins on the same day of the Islamic calendar, but the date on the Gregorian calendar changes from year to year. This happens because the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar and the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. The date of Ramadan may also fluctuate from country to country depending on whether the moon has been sighted or not.
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Muslim calendar. It is a time of sharing, solidarity and remembering; a time to get closer to God. It is commemorated by fasting during daylight hours. Observing Muslims do not eat, drink, swear or fight during daylight hours during Ramadan. Beginning at the age of 12, Muslims eat a light meal before sunrise, and then a second, more sumptuous meal, after sunset.

Faribault International Market 08'

To save for a poster, double click on the picture and drag to desktop.

Have a gentle day, Milo

"Once Again, It's the Simple Things" Update on Healthy Together Activities at the Welcome Center

Update from Bob Kell:

Community building, like home construction, can be described in terms of the “larger” components or the more “minute” details. One can talk of laying foundations, framing walls, and putting on the roof…or one can talk about how to lay a block, nail a 2x6, and how many nails you put in each shingle. Building community has its moments when groups gather and learn. Sharing circles, community festivals, and community gardens can try to make that happen. But much of what happens, even there, happens on the level of the individual.

Much of the work we do takes place by facilitating individual encounters within the community or around rather focused issues. Nothing grandiose, just day to day interaction. Slowly, the integration takes place, usually in small steps rather than giant leaps.

This past week, we dealt with some of those issues. A county attorney contacted us about how to help immigrant residents understand how to accurately report information on a marriage license. A mobile home park resident asked assistance in contacting officials to resolve issues about a purchased home. A temp agency employee and the agency staff again called upon us to facilitate their mutual questions about schedules and availability. Welcome Center staff was invited to a local dental office to talk with dental providers about cultural issues and education that could improve their understanding with the Somali community. It seems like much confusion could be resolved with some community education regarding how dental insurance works and why patients should have regular preventive care. (We even were asked why people remove their shoes before sitting in the dental chair…a sign of respect for the office).

We regularly help people call or check online sites for immigration or unemployment, look for housing or a job, and fill out the forms our agencies require. Several times a week, generous volunteers give their time to teach ESL to very willing learners. People learn a little more from each conversation about how things work, about where to call, about why people do what they do…and a community is built brick by brick.

That same process happens in many lunchrooms, reception desks, and classrooms every day. Ordinary people in their curiosity and interest for the other find ways to build their bridges and grow in understanding. The important thing is the attitude in the community that embraces all among us.

The Community Garden is Growing

Coalition Happenings, Summer 2008

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

“The Immigrant and Refugee Story from a Human Rights Perspective” an Update

A beautifully written story was in the Faribault Daily News written by Pauline Schreiber entitled "Fair takes close look at refugee issues" can be seen at the Faribault Daily News Website --Click on Title above or go to --
HTTP://faribault.com/main.asp?SectionID=21&subsectionID=44&articleID=44291

The Faribault Diversity Coalition, in partnership with The Advocates for Human Rights (http://www.energyofanation.org/ and other agencies sponsored a fact and resource fair entitled “The Immigrant and Refugee Story from a Human Rights Perspective” last Saturday, April 26, in the Great Hall of Buckham Library.

The purpose of this event was to help shed light on the facts surrounding immigration to the U.S. and Minnesota, as well as provide information about the rights of immigrants and refugees who reside in our community. Through this event, we hoped to better understand why and how people become immigrants and refugees, as well as how they interact economically and in other ways with their new communities following immigration. We also provided immigrants and refugees with community resources, as well as information about their basic human rights, including housing and medical services. Throughout this event, we used videos to help provide a window into the lived experiences of immigrants and refugees, as well as help explore Minnesota’s past to learn about the common ground that most of us – as immigrants – share.

We hoped to provide a positive environment for our community to learn more about the realities of so many of our immigrant and refugee residents here in Faribault, as well as provide our immigrant and refugee residents with a place to learn of services available to them as they become part of our community.

The event was part of the Healthy Together Initiative supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MN Foundation.

Thanks for all who participated, The Advocates For Human Rights, The Rice County Attorney's office, Centro Campesno, Marta & Hashi for bringing the great Spanish & Somali food and Buckham Library for the use of their facilities. Thanks to Bob Kell and Aysem Senyurekli for coordinating this event. We hope we could make life a little better for our new friends.

Have a gentle day, Milo

“The Immigrant and Refugee Story from a Human Rights Perspective”

The Faribault Diversity Coalition, in partnership with The Advocates for Human Rights and other agencies, is sponsoring a fact and resource fair titled “The Immigrant and Refugee Story from a Human Rights Perspective” on Saturday, April 26, from 10 am to 2 pm in the Great Hall of Buckham Library.

The purpose of this event is to help shed light on the facts surrounding immigration to the U.S. and Minnesota, as well as provide information about the rights of immigrants and refugees who reside in our community. Through this event, we hope to better understand why and how people become immigrants and refugees, as well as how they interact economically and in other ways with their new communities following immigration. We also aim to provide immigrants and refugees with community resources, as well as information about their basic human rights, including housing and medical services. Throughout this event, we will use videos to help provide a window into the lived experiences of immigrants and refugees, as well as help explore Minnesota’s past to learn about the common ground that most of us – as immigrants – share.

The Coalition hopes that this event can provide a positive environment for our community to learn more about the realities of so many of our immigrant and refugee residents here in Faribault, as well as provide our immigrant and refugee residents with a place to learn of services available to them as they become part of our community.

Free food will be available. The event is open to the public and all are warmly invited to attend. The event is part of the Healthy Together Initiative supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MN Foundation.

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!

I'm Sick and I'm Tired.............

She's ILLEGAL......nobody knows who she is....... PROSECUTE HER.....SEND HER TO JAIL.....THEN SEND HER BACK WHERE SHE BELONGS........ While we're at it send THEM all back to Mexico.

That's all I've heard on all the local TV newscast. I woke up this a.m. and turned on Channel 5 news and that was the first thing I heard, I almost vomited right then and there. I feel so bad for the kids and families from Cottonwood, it is the most tragic school bus accidents in MN. history but enough is enough.

Granted what Ms. Morales hitting the bus was a terrible thing and I don't know the details but I firmly believe if she would have been white I don't think we would have heard anything past the 1st day other then a followup. There has been many bus accidents and I've never heard as much about them as this one especially about her immigration status.

What does her immigration status have to do with the fact that she may have run a stop sign and rammed into a bus? To keep bringing this up hour after hour for 4 days and how many more seems like a little overkill.

I find it hard to swallow that when something like this happens involving an immigrant there is such an outcry for truth and justice. "Let's get rid of all those "Illegals" and while we're at it just about any immigrant who is trying to find a better life here".

I can't believe what I'm seeing and hearing. I thought MN. Nice was still around but I'm finding it harder and harder to find. I'm finding that if someone makes a mistake let's kick them while we're down.

This is the first time since the Presidential Elections four years ago that I've been so disgusted with TV news and the newspapers in the cities with their front page bashing for days with anything Immigration.

In this Easter Season I'm finding it very disheartening that we can't treat ALL people as equals. What right do we Americans have when many of our grandparents were Immigrants. Who are we to say that this country is strictly ours. What is happening? I'm worried for our children who are witnessing the hate. I thought I left that all behind in the 60's but it's days like this I feel that hate is alive and well. Where is the "Treat others as you want to be Treated"?

As disheartened as I am today and "Sick and Tired", I will continue to put this in the past and be positive with my colleagues and try to make Faribault and Minnesota a gentler place for ALL of us to live and grow.

While I'm at it how about changing "Illegal" to "Undocumented", I think it wouldn't be so harsh.

This are my thoughts, not necessarily those of the Faribault Diversity Coalition.

Have a gentle day,

Milo Larson
Faribault, MN

"Carpentry Classes, A little help, a little guidance"

The Welcome Center is collaborating with the Northfield Community Action Center over the next few weeks to offer carpentry classes in Spanish. The project's purpose is to provide an opportunity for Spanish-speaking community residents to learn basic carpentry and house construction skills, useful both in the upkeep of their own homes and as a potential job skill. As dreams go, it could also be the beginning of a future self-built housing project, where the skills learned translate into sweat equity for those wishing to support one another in home ownership.

But for now, the focus is on learning how "16 inches on center" lays out and how to frame in a window or door according to code. Participants will also learn thebasics of roofing and siding, become informed about new energy-efficient alternatives, and walk away with some new skills. Volunteer instructors bring qualified experience: Bill Sartor has supervised the construction of nine Habitat for Humanity homes; Omar Herrejon works as a roofer; Greg Caron has many years of hands-on experience to share...This effort, like most we do, seeks to strengthen the community connection as well, bringing people together. Already some of the participants have offered their assistance with the construction of this summer's Habitat for Humanity house...an opportunity to learn while they also contribute to a community need.

While this is a first effort, we do not see it as the last. We continue to seek volunteer instructors and learning opportunities so that people may develop their skills further. It would be great if it could open the way for some to join the carpentry training at South Central or find their way into a union apprenticeship. But for now, we see it as part of "Minnesota inculturation". Coming from lands where construction commonly uses other materials, learning to drive nails into studs is a new and valuable lesson.

Our thanks goes out to the Northfield CAC's Newcomer Project, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MN Foundation, and the Foldcraft Foundation for their generous support of the project and our program. We couldn't do it without them.

For more information, please contact us at the Welcome Center, 333-5036. Bob Kell--Welcome Center Director

Welcome Center
24 W. Division St., Ste B
Faribault, MN 55021
507-333-5036
FAX 507-333-5037

MLK - Bridges Community School Presentation/Black History Month

Submitted by Jane Lebert - Human Resources
South Central College

Bridges Community School (http://yoda.isd77.k12.mn.us/bridges/) is a K-6 grade and part of District 77 in Mankato. It is unique in the fact that each year they hold a lottery and fill only a specific number of seats K-6. The school just expanded this year and now enroll 150 kids. Both of our boys go here and have since Kindergarten. When we were in one of our meetings I asked if they considered opening it up to the elementary schools. I am a firm believer that prejudice reduction and diversity starts with our youth. And we were missing a great opportunity to here to hear from some young people whom are exposed to many difference cultures and ethnic groups everyday.

Student Presentation on their thoughts about Martin Luther King Jr. and his dream, Click on title of this blog, or paste the following on your browser:
http://mediabarn.southcentral.edu/archive/mlk

Mission
Bridges Community School's mission is to
provide an innovative educational choice
for K-6 grade students and families that promotes
and nurtures lifelong-learning and engaged
citizenship in a safe and supportive environment.

Vision
We will engage in continuous improvement of
The Bridges program by examining current
Scientific research on learning by collaborating with
Others in the community to provide the highest
Quality education for K-6 students.

Our program will support student success through:
•individual learning plans designed for each child
•high personal and academic standards in an open, continuous-progress, multi-age setting
•project-based, hands-on learning experiences
•active participation by parents and intereste community members in the school environment

Black History Month

Submitted by Ricki Walters, Regional Diversity Trainer/Investigator
Riverland Community College

February is African American/Black History Month. It’s a time to commemorate the many significant contributions African Americans have made to our country. African Americans have participated fully in this country’s development since colonial days, but often, their contributions were not included in our history books.

Dr. Carter Woodson, a Harvard scholar and son of former slaves, introduced Negro History Week on February 19, 1926. He chose the second week of February because the birthdays of Fredrick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln are observed then. His hope was that the important contributions of black Americans to our history would be recognized. He dedicated his life to this idea.

In 1976, Negro History Week was expanded into Black History Month. Today, it is celebrated in communities across the country with programs and activities that recall and honor the history and accomplishments of African Americans.

At South Central College we will be celebrating Black History Month with Soul Food. On February 12, 2008, Chef C. Maxille Moultrie will spend the day working with our culinary students. A “Soul Food” dinner in the SCC cafeteria will begin at 6:00 p.m. and include a short presentation by Chef Moultrie and music from local talent. This event is open to South Central College students and employees, as well as the general public. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors, preschool children are free. Tickets are available at SCC’s Bookstore. This event is co-sponsored by SCC’s Diversity Committee and the Greater Mankato Area Diversity Council.

You can find more information about Black History Month and distinguished African Americans at: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhm1.html or http://www.biography.com/blackhistory/.

Welcome Center/Faribault Diversity Coalition Update 2008

A new year has begun and with it some new projects within the Diversity Coalition. We would like to update you on what is “on the stove”…

ESL Classes: Interest from within the Sharing Circles this fall led to the development of volunteer-taught ESL classes that began during January at the Welcome Center. Morning and evening classes are being offered and so far 18 students have been participating. We welcome volunteers who would be willing to make a 6-week commitment to help team teach. A lot of support is available! Please contact the Welcome Center (333-5036).

Food Coop: A group of families have formed a food cooperative through the Welcome Center. They purchase food once monthly at bulk prices and share the work of repackaging, buying the reduced-price food at cost. Items include rice, sugar, beans, flour, pasta, and oil. Others are most welcome to join and help expand the effort. Contact the Welcome Center for more information.

Food Shelf: The Welcome Center Food Shelf, which opened in May, distributed 7995 lbs of food to 1431 persons during those 7 months in 2007. We operate as an emergency food shelf, providing support to those families whose needs are not fully met through other food resources (county food support, the Faribault Food Shelf at the West Mall, etc.). We see increasing numbers of families who need more help or help that provides for their cultural food needs. We are most thankful to the Jennie-O Turkey Store employees, who donated nearly $2000 in food and money during a recent food drive. We will be participating in the March MN Food Share Campaign and are looking for school classes, churches, businesses, or others who might be willing to organize a drive on our behalf. All that is collected will be matched by additional funds to bring more resources to the community. Please contact Bob at the Welcome Center for more information. We would also welcome volunteers who wish to help with the food shelf.

Carpentry Classes in Spanish: Classes begin Feb. 5 at the Welcome Center to provide a basic construction overview for Spanish-speaking persons interested in learning new skills or exploring career possibilities. We are still seeking several mentors willing to teach specific skills. There are also a few openings for participants. Call the Welcome Center for more information.

Community Garden: It is time to start thinking SPRING! Workgroups will be meeting to plan soon. If you would like to participate this year, contact the Welcome Center by March 15. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church has again offered a large plot. If anyone knows of other possible garden plots, please contact us, as we have more families who have expressed interest in gardening this year.

Community Forum: Plans are beginning for a community forum to examine issues related to immigration. Please watch for coming announcements. We believe that a collective conversation is needed to seek solutions to this complex reality.

Sharing Circles: Another round of circles will begin the week of March 24. Please consider participating or inviting others to join in this wonderful way of building community among us.

As we work to build a welcoming community environment where basic needs are met and all can participate, everyone’s gifts and wisdom are important. Please consider how you might share in the exciting work this year. WE NEED YOU!!

Bob Kell, Welcome Center

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Click on Title to download 11 x 17 Poster

Ten Myths About Immigration

For selected writings on Immigration and slideshow on "Ten Myths About Immigration" by Kathy Fennelly, Professor at Humphrey Institute click on the title.

Click on pdf below to enlarge.

Do You Have an Accent?

Prof. Joseph L. Mbele
St. Olaf College

If you are like me, with deep roots in Africa, you probably have heard Americans say you have an accent. You might feel that having an accent is not a good thing. Many new immigrants in America are embarrassed about their foreign accents and struggle to learn to speak like Americans. I met a Somali youth in Faribault, Minnesota, who felt that way. I think all this is rather unfortunate. I teach English at college level in America. With apologies to no one, I speak English with my distinctive Tanzanian accent.

An accent is an intrinsic aspect of spoken language. Nobody can say a word, let alone speak a language, without an accent. Basically, an accent is one’s distinctive way of speaking. Though an accent is an individual characteristic, it is also a collective one. Despite their individual differences, people from a given country or region tend to speak with a recognizable accent. I can tell a South African from a Nigerian, or an American from an Indian, based on the way they speak English. Those who know Americans say that Texans, for example, have their own accent, so do Californians, and Americans from other regions.

The accent we grew up with sounds normal to us. We might not even notice it. That we notice the accents of foreigners doesn’t mean that they alone have accents. American English sounds normal to Americans, but it is not a universal norm. English is an international language, with different varieties. With the world getting increasingly interconnected, people who ignore those varieties do so at their own peril, just as those who think they don’t need other languages. Our best option is to learn to hear and understand as many varieties and accents as possible.

Unfortunately, most people have not thought about the issue in this way. Immigrants who struggle to change their accents in order to “fit in” should think about this, so should those who complain about immigrants who speak with foreign accents. Why should someone with a proper Nigerian or Ugandan accent be pressured to speak like an American? Why should someone with a proper Jamaican or British accent be pressured to speak like an American? In Africa, no one asks foreigners to speak English like Africans: the British speak with their own accent; so do the Indians, the Australians and others. That, I think, is the way to go.
------------------------
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

As 2007 draws to a close… A Message by Bob Kell

This past year has been a unique year for the Faribault Diversity Coalition. The support of the Blue Cross/ Blue Shield and Foldcraft foundations, added to the support from the United Way, the City of Faribault, and generous donors, made it possible for us to expand our services in the community. With the Somali Community Resettlement Service as a partner, the Welcome Center and Coalition have worked to invite Faribault residents of all cultures to join in the effort to build community among us.

What is different? Many residents who needed assistance with communication or information solved problems, found employment, and met needs with the help of Welcome Center staff. People from the Somali, Latino, and mainstream community spent time together in Sharing Circles where they shared experience and perspectives that helped us know one another better. Immigrant and established families planted and harvested gardens in a shared plot, growing more aware of one another in the process. Women from different cultures spent some summer mornings together, learning how their experiences differ but how much their concerns are the same. The need for food support expressed by many led to a newly flourishing food shelf and plans for a mini-coop. People with coats came to share with those in need and many are warmer, both inside and out, because of it.

It was a good year. One was reminded of the common ground we share as human beings. The generosity and desire of people to extend a hand to one another warmed the heart. Of late, that generosity has been so apparent: a $2000 gift from a local donor, an anonymous contribution of $100 “to help people out”, $500 from an organization choosing us as the recipient of their annual Christmas donation…It all makes such a difference.

Where to from here? We head into a new year with more work ahead. The City gave us the opportunity to enlarge our space at the Welcome Center, so our creativity has expanded to fill it! Volunteers from the Sharing Circles have offered to start ESL support classes and teach sewing. We are looking for new ways to help families meet their food need through coop buying. And we are gearing up for a bigger garden.

But the real work is that of continuing to bring people together. We have learned that real community can only exist where there is respect for each one’s truth, a “roll-up-the-sleeves” willingness to find solutions, and a belief in our shared humanity. We invite all who wish to join us this coming year in building that community together.

May you and your family find inspiration in these days, however you celebrate them, as we focus on religious events and year’s end. Peace to you all.

With Best Wishes,
Bob Kell, Welcome Center

A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Wish to all

As I reflect on this past year a lot of wonderful things have happened with the Faribault Diversity Coalition and all people in Faribault. This past week talking to several people have renewed my faith in what we are doing and what we are about.

This week I asked Abdullah Anhared from the Somali Community Resettlement Service how we fared with Owatonna, Rochester and other cities in the area. While stating that there still needs to be more education with service providers dealing with the immigrant population he feels that Faribault is more accepting and friendlier towards the newcomers. Abdullah feels that this city is far ahead of some of our sister cities in our attitude and acceptance towards the rising immigrant population.

Friday night I was talking to a gentleman from Montgomery who came to town for the first time in quite a while and noticed a large population of new immigrants and how friendly everyone was while walking down the street and entering the shops. He said the immigrants and local townspeople were very cordial and greeted him with a smile as they met him on the street.

It was especially heartwarming last week when I sent out an emergency email asking for clothes for a new refuge family that just came to town and had no warm clothes. Some Angels from South Central College went out and immediately bought brand new clothes and dropped them off at the print shop and within two hours the family had warm bodies and warmer hearts. Several people have been dropping off more clothes for kids and they have been warming kids all over town thanks to the generosity and kind souls of this community.

These are three examples along with the success this year of the Garden Project, International Market, Talking Circles, Warm Clothing Drive, When Africa meets Faribault forum, Welcome Center outreach efforts, emergency food shelf and great dialogue on the blog from a story I wrote sparking some thoughts about immigration issues.

Most of these things are due in part to Bob Kell being full time as Director of the Welcome Center thanks to a Grant from Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation, Foldcraft, and other help from local organizations, United Way of Faribault, business’s, Church’s, the City of Faribault, and all the great volunteers. Bob has been able to coordinate all the projects thrown at him by a great Board of Directors, Luis Aguila, Kymn Anderson, Vicky Carrillo, Shirley Drentlaw, Delane James, Milo Larson, Joseph L. Mbele, Lou Stender and Pat Wieseler. Thanks to the Board for taking on many of the projects

I thank each and every one of you for all your support and contributions these past several years. The great thing about this very passionate Diversity Coalition is it’s not just the holiday season that these great and generous things happen but it’s year around. 24/7 you are all making this city a healthier, harmonious, and gentler place.

I wish to also thank the Faribault Daily News and all of you for taking the positive roll in reporting, talking and setting a good example for our children and the rest of the world. Let us be an example of love for all human beings.

We have a lot of work left to do, there is still mistrust, fear of the unknown and lack of education for all so my hope for the coming year is to continue setting a good example and continue doing the simple things and reaching out to all people.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Milo

Rehus-Beal-Ledeats, Feliz Navidad, Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny, Novy Rok, Glædelig Jul, Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!or Zalig Kerstfeast, Mele Kalikimaka, Froehliche Weihnachten, Nollaig Shona Dhuit or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat, Buone Feste Natalizie, Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson honungradon nagwutut. Ojenyunyat osrasay, Nollaig Shona Dhuit or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat, God Jul or Gledelig Jul, Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Boze Narodzenie, Chung Mung Giang Sinh, Cestitamo Bozic, God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt År, La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou, Feliz Natal, Maligayan Pasko!, Merry Keshmish, Natale hilare et Annum Faustum!, Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah, Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto, Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova, Kala Christouyenna!, Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo, Gesëende Kersfees. and many more around the world wishes.

Winter Clothing Drive, The Spirit of Giving and Asking.

Once again another successful Winter Clothing Drive. The weather was frightful, but the Library was delightful.

A lot of faith, big hearts and a little asking is a great recipe for a wonderful Christmas season on a cold snowy day and happy people leaving with many warm smiles and bodies.

A lot of faith:
1. That people would come through by bringing in warm clothes through the month of November.
2. That the word would get out to the people, (200+) that needed some warmth for their bodies, souls and hearts.

Big Hearts:
1. Again in time of need the Faribault Daily News came through with very timely stories asking for clothes and letting people know that it was time to pick up the warm clothes.
2. South Central College Students, Hagre Lutheran Church, and many of the same people that gave last year came in with big smiles and warm clothes.
3. People brought in families to pick up clothes when their cars wouldn’t start or didn’t have transportation and too far to walk.
4. Church’s, companies, schools and organizations spread the word of the needs and to the needy.

A Little Asking:
1. I called Divine Mercy Catholic Church and asked Fr. Thomas Joseph if the Net Team could help sort the mountain of clothes and 6 angels spent 3 hours getting everything just right. Thank you Emily, Chris, Angelle, Freddy, Danielle, and Claudia.
2. The day before distribution of the clothes I asked Paulene Schrieber to do a little splash in the Daily News to remind people to come and pick up warm clothes and she did a lovely piece and pictures on the front and second page. People who saw it brought in more clothes and many that read it left a little warmer because of the article.
3. Thanks again to Buckham Library and wonderful staff for allowing us to use their site and letting us in early on Friday and Saturday and graciously showing the people where to go.

Big Hearts are plentiful in this city and with everyone that we associate with. Once again life around here is a little more harmonious for everyone and a little warmer for others.

Thanks everyone and have a gentle day, Milo