Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2009

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all of you wonderful people.

Once again for the 9th year in a row so many of you have been on board to help the disadvantaged people trying to live a normal life. Your work and concern has been so needed especially this year with the economy on the down side.

We are in the midst of moving in the St. Vincent dePaul Center for Charitable Services, hopefully by the middle of Jan. . The Welcome Center's food pantry, clothes give-away, and some furniture have outgrown our building and is taking a lot of time away from the other needs of our immigrant friends. St. Vincent dePaul and the Welcome Center will be sharing those needs.

Bob Kell and his group of volunteers have done a wonderful job keeping everything together in feeding, clothing, teaching building skills, translating, helping with documents, teaching ESL, befriending, and so much more. Our annual clothing drive was able to warm between 300-400 people this year thanks to your generosity. Many people came in several times with more coats, mittens & hats, many straight out of a store. For many heartwarming pictures you can it on the blog.

There are so many people to thank once again like BlueCross/BlueShield Foundation of MN., Foldcraft, the City of Faribault, and many other foundations & individuals, the Daily News, KDHL for reaching everyone with their positive stories, and all of you for keeping this wonderful program together for the betterment of not only the disadvantaged, but the community who are being enriched by the many cultures that have adorned our town. I wish I could name all of you angels.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to be president of the Diversity Coalition this past 9 years and privileged to help with this new venture, St. Vincent dePaul for Charitable Services. Bill Lewis has been able to get this organization going with quite a few road blocks, but thanks to Church of Divine Mercy, State Bank of Faribault, 1st United Bank, Premier Bank, C&S Vending for like new refrigerators & freezers for the food pantry and 100+ volunteers and concerned citizens have been able to help so many disadvantaged people with food, clothing and money for the homeless and in some cases that are being displaced if they can't pay all of their rent.

I can't reiterate enough how thankful I am to all of you that read my blogs, read these emails, and respond to so many needs of many this past 9 years and especially this year. We are all children of God, not only you but those you are helping and befriending. If we help just one person or family from suffering from hunger, cold or hopelessness I think our life here on earth will have been a good one.

May you all have a sincere Merry Christmas & Happy New year and will be looking forward to seeing and working with each and everyone of you this coming year. As I listen to "Silent Night" & "O Holy Night" I think of each and everyone of you.

Have a gentle day, Milo

Christmas/New Years message from Bob Kell

The advantage of snowfalls is that it slows life's flow and leaves a few moments for reflection and gratitude. Another year is coming to an end, giving occasion to voice a thank you to so many that have supported the Welcome Center and the people with whom we work. We realize that there are so many in this community and beyond that are committed to creating a welcoming world, and they have done so much toward that end by their actions and their words. Volunteer teachers, those assisting to provide food, funders who believe in the work we do, mentors and partners that teach and strengthen, others in the community who do their own work to build community and celebrate diversity...we all need to thank them for what their input means. We have reason to celebrate too the beauty that immigrants and refugees bring to the community, as they support one another, struggle for their families, and work to become part of this one life we share. It has been a difficult year for many, as unemployment has taken its toll. But the perseverance is strong. We look forward to the New Year and to the promise it holds. As long as people are working together to make sure no one is left behind, we will find a way.

With gratitude,

Bob Kell, Welcome Center Director

News from St. Vincent de Paul & Faribault Diversity Coalition

To all our friends:

Well we're good to go, the city has signed off, the old Sacred Heart School is being cleaned and painted, C & S Vending & Bethlehem Academy have given freezers & refrigerators for the Food Pantry that the F.D.C is turning over to St. Vincent de Paul. Many volunteers have been working on the building, people have been giving food, clothes, and furniture for the free store as well as furniture, computers and needed equipment for the building. Once again a big thank you to Divine Mercy for letting us use the building. 

Bill Lewis has done a wonderful job putting this all together in just 3 months realizing that these are desperate times for the homeless, out of work families, families losing their homes or being evicted, inadequate or no food, clothing and furniture. 

In the past month as many as 10 to 20 calls per day has been coming in looking for food, clothing, & money from desperate people. In this economy as you all know more people are losing their jobs, or can't find a job after they have been laid off. We are called to be angels of mercy for those in need.

I thank you for all you have done the past 10 years for the Faribault Diversity Coalition and as we move into the St. Vincent de Paul Center for Charitable Services we will be able to help even more people with all of their needs and services. 

With extreme cold temperatures & snow life for the unfortunate can be very long and dark, lets make these days a little brighter for all of God's Children and it just may make our hearts a little warmer and a better Christmas for everyone. 

We are in desperate need of 150 linear feet of grocery shelves for the food pantry, more food, warm winter clothing, furniture and more donations. Please email back, or call 507-334-2100.

Have a gentle day, Milo

Faribault Diversity Coalition 2009 Clothes Drive

Once again the great people came through with three times more clothes than last year. For the last month the wonderful citizens came in with slightly used and brand new clothes to warm those in need. Many families brought in their little children carrying big coats that was bigger then they were teaching them the art of giving.
A big thanks to Buckham library for the use of their facilities that held the 300+ people that came in to warm their bodies and hearts. Thank you also to different organizations that held separate drives and brought them in on the last day. Thank you Faribault Daily News and especially Paulene Schrieber for starting the drive off with a wonderful story, and for all her stories through the past years with her timely and positive stories to make this a more equal and cohesive city. Thanks to my wife Margaret who spent 4 days sorting all the clothes and daughter Sarah, son-in-law Terry, and Margaret spending the day unpacking and setting up all the tables and spending the day handing out clothes at the Library and Greg Caron for helping deliver clothes to the library.
This was once again another labor of love on everyones part. Seeing so many coming without warm clothes and leaving with warm bodies and warmer hearts makes this all worthwhile.
Thanks again to all of you for all you do to make this city and everyone in it a better place.
Have a gentle day, Milo

Signs of Growth in our Community of Faribault

Someone once said of growth that on a hot day in the South you can sit on the porch and hear the cotton pop. The heat accelerates the growth so much that it happens right in front of you in an observable way. But most growth is more subtle than that. (Granted my son is something like the cotton…I swear that some mornings he is taller than he was the night before!) Most often the changes happen incrementally, almost unnoticeably. It is in the moments of learning, of insight, of resolution of conflicts, of risk-taking that we become different. We grow as persons and as communities. It is that growth we need to celebrate.

I would like to share with you some of the signs I see of the growth in our community of Faribault.

o Last week a local employer called to ask a question about understanding the cultural issues that may be related to an employee’s behavior. The company wanted to accommodate religious practices but also had its requirements it had to ask of all employees. The conversation showed a way of operating amidst diversity that had come a long way toward seeking dialogue rather than simply imposing the majority culture. It was good to witness.

o Within the community, many new programs have emerged to help new immigrants learn English. The established community wants to help and the newcomers are hungry to learn. The waiting list is long for Adult Basic Education classes. Volunteers are stepping forward both at the Welcome Center and at a new program run by a Somali liaison at the school. Others are teaching English while teaching sewing or wanting to do so as they teach health and parenting. It is a community that is responding.

o The Welcome Center is partnering with Blue Earth County Employment Services in an Office of Refugee Resettlement program for refugee employment and social services support. It is a potential 5-year partnership helping those most recently arrived. As we went to the training, Hashi was among the majority. Nearly 90% of the participants in the training were immigrants themselves. The assets in the immigrant communities are strong. That strength is evident.

o Yesterday representatives from the Census Bureau came to town to begin the campaign to get a complete count of everyone in the new census April 1. The City, the Chamber, and the Welcome Center were present and came up with a list of 20 more that could have been in the room. We talked of snowbirds and immigrants and churches and seniors…wanting to reach everyone, to ease fears or confusion, to help everyone see how important this is for funding and representation for the town and the State. Inclusion was not an add-on—It was the center of the conversation.

o Last week at a meeting organized by the MN Advocates for Human Rights the concern was how different organization working with immigrants might better work together and work for the people they serve. A main topic of concern was the urgency of movement on comprehensive immigration reform. Advocates say the country has a 6-month window to act on this before the issue goes back into the shadows for another four years, lost in election campaigns where controversial issues are unwelcome. Current laws leave many people vulnerable and trapped. Hope is guarded but hope is there that if enough people choose to get involved with this issue, maybe this time things can change. It is something that needs to be addressed. Can we resolve it this time?

And so it goes, day in and day out. Individual immigrants become more independent and self-sufficient. Mainstream agencies get better at their mission, seeing immigrants as an integral part of who they serve. Immigrant faces show up in striking numbers among those who are serving their communities. The issues that face the community rise to the top politically, even when the economy and so many other issues would suggest waiting for more favorable winds. Life cannot wait.

We are only a small player on this stage which is our community. There are so many more. But as things “grow” around us, we consider ourselves fortunate to be close enough to witness the change…and to celebrate with others. Grow well.

Bob Kell—Director, Welcome Center

Winter Clothing Collection and Distribution

Faribault International Market 2009

Once again under the bright blue skies people were drawn in by the smells of the great food and sounds of the drums driving the Aztec dancers. The food was tasty, people friendly and music filled the air.

A big thank you to Eddie and Vicky Carrillo and her committee for putting on a wonderful event, we are looking forward to next year to a ever growing market. Thank you to BlueCross/BlueShield Foundation of Minnesota, Faribault Print Shop, Non-profits, exhibitors and all who contributed to this event.

For all the pictures go to my Facebook page: Click on the Faribault International Market 2009 title above.

4th Annual International Market Day Festival

To: Faribault Area Non-profits
From: Faribault Diversity Coalition/ Welcome Center

RE: 4th Annual International Market Day Festival

Again this year, the Faribault Diversity Coalition is organizing the International Market Day Festival in Central Park. Due to the lateness of Labor Day, we have moved the date this year to the Saturday prior to Labor Day weekend. The event will take place on Saturday, August 29, from 10 am to 6 pm, in Central Park.

The purpose of the event is to celebrate the diversity of our community. We will celebrate with ethnic foods, music, dance, and the opportunity to spend time as a community with rich gifts to share.

We would like to invite you and your non-profit organization to take part in the event with us. Room is available to set up a table for outreach, information sharing, children’s activities, etc. There is no cost to non-profits to participate. It is a good way to reach the community with information about your programs.

We would ask that you bring your own table this year. You are free to set up anytime after 9:30 am. If you cannot stay all day, whatever time you can be present is appreciated.

If you are interested in participating, please call the Welcome Center (507-333-5036). For planning reasons, we would like to know by August 25th at the latest.

Thank you. Hope to see you there!


Vicky Carrillo, Coordinator
Milo Larson
Bob Kell

A Message from John Keller, Director of the Immigration Law Center in St. Paul

Dear Friend,

I write to thank you for signing up to receive these alerts, for following through on the actions we suggest, and to encourage your on-going and even increased participation over the next six to nine months as this movement and struggle defines itself. Your actions and voices are absolutely critical to keep this issue moving.

Yesterday, as many of you know, President Obama began to publicly lead on immigration. He and a bipartisan group of over 20 Senators and Congressmen committed themselves to passing comprehensive immigration reform bill in the next year. President Obama announced a working group headed by Secretary Janet Napolitano and stated in no uncertain terms that he wanted a bill that creates a functional path to legalization for the 12 million immigrants currently in the country.

Progress on this issue requires a broad base of support, including the cooperation of both parties and groups from many sectors. It is an excellent sign, then, that Senator McCain was firmly and visibly behind the President on Thursday, stating that he favored both the details and the timetable laid out. Senator Schumer (replacing Senator Kennedy as the Democratic lead on this issue) and Representative Conyers have accepted the mantle of leadership on this issue and both houses of Congress have now committed to putting a bill before President Obama either late this year or at the start of 2010.

We have our work cut out for us. We know that the other side on this issue is well-organized and active, even though they represent the "vocal minority" and not the strong majority of Americans on this issue. This vocal minority was crucial to killing this bill last time. Now they claim to have sent, in June alone, nearly 700,000 faxes opposing any positive immigration reform. Yet in just the past few days, you and others supporting pragmatic, solution-based reforms made over 26,000 calls to the White House and sent at least 11,000 faxes to your representatives urging reform. Because of your work and dedication we now have a fighting chance to pass the most sweeping immigration reform in a generation.

We cannot afford to let this opportunity slip away from us. We can do this, but we can only suceed if we work together and commit to taking action each and every time it is required. This will be a long fight, but one that we can win when we work and act together.

Thank you so much to all of you,

John C. Keller
Executive Director

One Voice Minnesota Newsletter 5/09

Here's a newsletter from One Voice Minnesota: http://sites.google.com/site/onevoiceminnesota/Home If you're interested in this and would like more newsletters and information please check out this website. Thanks, Milo

Thank you for being a part of the One Voice Minnesota (OVM) Network! The OVM network is a networking tool for individuals and organizations across Minnesota working to combat bias, promote education, and create welcoming communities. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact Becca Riedell atonevoiceminnesota@gmail.com or 612.341.3302 x119. Keep your eyes on your mailbox for a copy of this newsletter.

In this addition of the monthly newsletter you will find:

1. Mark your Calendars: World Refugee Day is June 20th
2. Upcoming Events
3. Successful Event: Cake Decorating at LSS-Minneapolis
4. Take Action: The Faribault Welcome Center Seeks Your Help
_________
1. Mark your Calendars: World Refugee Day is June 20th
Submitted by Alexis Walstad

Come celebrate the nearly 90,000 refugees that have made Minnesota their home since 1976. In 2000, the United Nations General Assembly established June 20 as World Refugee Day. Since 2001, people around the world have celebrated the day with events that honor the world’s 31.7 million refugees and others in comparable situations and raise awareness about refugee issues.

This is the third annual large-scale World Refugee Day event in the Twin Cities. Last year's event at Minnehaha Park drew about 2,000 participants, double the previous year's celebration, and this year's event will build on that success. Staff of local refugee- and immigrant-serving organizations have come together to plan for June 20, 2009, which will feature an immigrant resource fair, a variety of cultural music and dance performances, ethnic foods and vendors, children’s activities and speakers from different refugee groups.

For more information, visit: www.tcworldrefugeeday.org
_____

2. Upcoming Events

May 13th 6:30pm-8pm- State of Students of Color & American Indian Students Forum

What:
Minnesota Minority Education Partnership Inc (MMEP) will convene a research-based forum centered on the academic achievement of students of color and American Indian students. Components of the evening will include highlights from MMEP’s 2009 State of Students of Color & American Indian Students Executive Summary, an interactive discussion amongst attendees, and an introduction of the “Minnesota Covenant for Education Equity with Excellence”

Where:
Willmar Arts Education Center
611 5th Street SW
Willmar, Minnesota

Free and open to the public.
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May 20th 7pm-9pm- Spice and Slice of Asia: Looking for Asian America

What:
Get a glimpse of how cultural heritage influences the daily living and work of Asians and Asian Americans. Celebrated photographer and author Wing Young Huie will present images an stories that both mirror and contradict popular stereotypes of Asian Americans

Photo exhibit runs May 4-31

Where:
Ridgedale Library
12601 Ridgedale Drive
Minnetonka, Minnesota

Free and open to the public.
____
May 27th 6pm-8pm- Cultural Orientation through the Eyes of a Refugee in Dadaab

What:
Presented by the International Institute of Minnesota’s Refugee Mentoring Program. What do you know about the U.S.? What do refugees know about the U.S. before coming here? What are their hopes and fears? What do they expect when they get here? A presentation by Robinson Cook will attempt to answer these questions.

Where:
International Institute of Minnesota
Hall of Nations
1694 Como Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota

Free and open to the public, however pre-registration is required. Contact Sarah Lazarewicz at slazarewicz@iimn.org
____
May 28th 6:30pm-9pm- Spice and Slice of Asia: Looking for Asian America

What:
Get a glimpse of how cultural heritage influences the daily living and work of Asians and Asian Americans. Local Hmong artist and authors will show slides and discuss how their bicultural experience plays a part in their work and lives.

Art exhibit runs May 4-31

Where:
Brookdale Library
6125 Shingle Creek Parkway
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota

Free and open to the public.
_____
3. Successful Event: Cake Decorating at LSS-Minneapolis
Submitted by Elizabeth Lock
Lutheran Social Service- Minneapolis

LSS had its third successful cake decorating training in connection with Hockenberg Newburgh during the last week of April. This training combines 3 days of customer service soft skills training at LSS with five days of cake decorating training at the Hockenberg Newburgh training facilities in Eden Prairie. During the training clients learn both the basics of how to ice a cake, as well as slightly more difficult decorating techniques such as bordering and creating a variety of flowers. Although it is too soon to determine for our most recent class, historically we have had a placement rating of approximately 1/3 of the clients who completed the class in a position with Cub Foods. We finished up on May 7th with a graduation ceremony where clients received a certificate of completion and got to look at all of the photos that were taken over the course of the week at class. Over all it was a very fun training to take part in and all of the participants learned a lot.
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4. Take Action: The Faribault Welcome Center Seeks Your Help
Submitted by Bob Kell
Faribault Welcome Center

Immigrant and refugee residents of Faribault have come to find the Welcome Center as a resource for resettlement. Whether they need assistance with a form or with food, with ESL or employment, with contact with immigration or unemployment, the Center has tried to assist. Other efforts such as the Community Garden and Sharing Circles have promoted integration and inclusion, calling upon everyone to work together to
build a respectful, welcoming community. Yet, as with many non-profits, the funding to provide such services has become harder to find. We were able to delay a crisis by donor generosity and advances on expected funding, but a challenge faces us in these coming months. If anyone has ideas for possible foundation or government grant support, or if anyone would like to share personally in our mission, please contact us at welcome@hickorytech.net or 507-333-5036. Good luck with your work and thanks for your support!

A real live Easter Story in Northfield

At a weekly group meeting this morning Pastor Keith Holmstad told us story that happened this week at a grocery store in Northfield, I asked him to send it to me so I could share a real live Easter Story.

Happy Easter, Milo

I had an early lunch, so by 3:00 p.m. I needed a pick up. Couple of ‘end of the day’ Danish and a coffee – only the super duper mega market was out of hot coffee! And not a clerk in sight! Bummer. So I grabbed the rolls and a pint of milk and headed for the check out, thinking unkind thoughts about store clerks.

The short line had a young woman ahead of me, and an old woman ahead of her. The young woman had already put all of her stuff on the belt and had her coupons at the ready. The old woman was just getting checked out as I walked up. Then, something happened. She leaned over slightly and said something to the clerk, who nodded and took back a loaf of white bread. The scanner bleeped and he said something to her. It was noisy in the line and I couldn’t hear any of the conversation.

She was tall, snow white hair, pretty pink complexion, blue eyes that seemed rather tired and sad. There were some dollar bills in her left hand. She leaned toward the clerk once again. The conversation continued. He was ethnic Chinese and young enough to be her grandson. His face was a model of courtesy as he nodded, took back another item, the scanner bleeped again and he said something to her. Her face fell as the conversation continued. He then took back a small bag of green onions, undid the twister, took out one of the bunches of onions, redid the twister, scanned it once again, and spoke to the old woman.

Her face lit up! She handed him her money, he punched a few buttons, handed her the change and her receipt, and gave her a slight bow as the transaction was completed.

The young woman swept through the scanner in a matter of less than three minutes. Dozens of items, a small handful of coupons, all of it moved like a mountain stream flowing downhill through the scanner. As he worked I glanced down at the small pile of items the store clerk had removed from the old woman’s purchases – a loaf of white bread, a small package of luncheon meat, and a half bunch of green onions.

I felt like a fool that I had had the nerve to grumble to myself when I couldn’t find a store clerk to complain about an empty coffee urn. In retrospect my complaint looked very small and self serving. For all I knew the guy that takes care of the coffee urn was the young Chinese clerk who was helping an old woman preserve some small shred of dignity in her poverty as he treated her with courtesy and professionalism, even as he removed from her bill the simple items she couldn’t afford. And his small bow showed his respect.

“Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you, homeless and give you a place to stay, or sick and come and visit you?” And Jesus said, “I tell you, when you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.”

I have no idea whether or not that was on the mind of the clerk – or the old woman. But it’s sure been on my mind. And now, maybe it’s on yours too.

--
Peace,

Keith

Rev. Keith E.O. Homstad

Parents: The Anti-Drug Conservation

Thoughts about Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2009

Thoughts from Bob Kell,

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, 2009

It was beautiful to watch the pre-inauguration celebration on the Washington Mall. The beauty of our country’s diversity was so apparent. People there believe the promise that this country has a place for all. While much work remains to be done, there are signs of hope, reminding us of what we can be as a country.

At the same time, we hear stories of youth that continue to be the victims of racial slurs, of dreams that are extinguished by a system that still has no place for young people who grew up with no papers. We see a faltering economy that is finding many victims, not least among the working poor where many immigrants number themselves. The work is not yet done.

The Welcome Center and Faribault Diversity Coalition have made such work its mission. It has worked to remind us all of our call to be a community of respect, of compassion, and of empowerment. It has tried to be a place where food, clothing, assistance, and learning are offered to all who find themselves in need.

But like many in this economy, it too is struggling. Grants have been difficult to come by. Fundraising attempts have fallen short. We are facing some difficult decisions in the months ahead. The challenge is to sustain what has begun.

Looking back on 2008, what has the Welcome Center accomplished? Its Food Shelf provided 36,387 lbs of food to 1237 families in the Faribault community. It provided orientation and communication support in response to over 1200 immigrant requests for assistance. The Welcome Center organized the Community Garden where 25 families came together to grow food. International Market Day brought our community together for the third year to celebrate its diversity over Labor Day weekend, with over 400 visitors to Central Park. Sharing Circles brought people together to learn of each other as neighbors. Carpentry classes joined community mentors with new learners to pass on skills for life and work.

Telling for the coming months has been the caseload in the last month and a half. Since December 1, the Welcome Center has handled 165 appointments for assistance with forms or information. 80 of them had to do with applications for unemployment.
December was also our heaviest month for Food Shelf usage, serving 161 households with 4750 lbs of food. The Welcome Center is meeting a clear need.

We are seeking your support for 2009. We continue to seek alternative funding, but we are in urgent need of financial and volunteer help at this time. We believe we are meeting a need in the community and look for ideas and assistance that may enable us to continue our work into the future. Please consider how you may be able to help. This plea is not just for the Welcome Center, but for all the people who turn to it for help.

We’ve Made It Around the Sun Again—2008 Comes to an End

We have different ways to mark the passage of time. For many of us, it is the simple turning of a calendar page and watching what people in New York do at midnight in Times Square. On another level, it means that the earth has now completed another year’s journey around the sun, coming full circle. It is a time to reflect on what happened during the last year’s journey and what hopes we carry as we begin again.

When we as the Faribault Diversity Coalition look back, we have much to be thankful for…

o We saw people becoming neighbors. Longtime residents stepped forward as volunteers to teach English to those who are new. Those same students warmed them with their greetings of “Hello,Teacher!” when they saw them on the streets. Others shared a garden plot, exchanging smiles and greetings amid the produce.


o We saw people caring. More people dug into their closets and their pockets to help provide warm clothes to those in need. Preschool children walked in the cold with rosy cheeks to deliver gifts of food to the Welcome Center. Teens raised funds to buy and wrap Christmas gifts for children who may not otherwise get any…People who themselves needed food stayed to help unload trucks and distribute food to others. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Donahue’s Greenhouse, and Farmer Seed again made land and plants available to a community garden.


o We saw people wanting to build bridges between cultures. Hospice, dentists, county attorneys, Habitat for Humanity, downtown store owners, schools, youth programs, parent support groups, and immigrant parents all made efforts during the year to “do more” to understand or engage one another so that services or concerns could be made clear. The openness did much to build community.


o We saw people growing. Immigrant students who started ESL classes with only a few words learned to hold a conversation. Adult learners invested themselves in classes of carpentry, welding, and nursing and gained new skills to better their lives. People continued to learn more about how things work and how to “fish” in this lake.


We want to thank the many people of Faribault who have this year shared their generosity, their compassion, their warmth, their culture, their friendship, and their dreams with the community and with us here at the Welcome Center. We thank the City, United Way, the Initiative Foundation, Foldcraft, the Senior Center, the Jennie-O Turkey Store, Divine Mercy Church, individual donors, and especially BlueCross/BlueShield Foundation of MN. for the generous support that paved the way for what we could do. We feel blessed to have encountered so many from the Latino, Somali, and Sudanese communities who have shared with us their lives. We feel blessed to have met so many of those “already here” for a long time who have so generously reached out.

The task of becoming a community is never really finished. Though the earth has finished this year’s journey, it begins another. Let’s all make it our new year’s resolution to make the planet a friendly, welcoming place this next time around, beginning right here at home in Faribault.

Bob Kell
Director of the Welcome Center

A Christmas & New Year's Message 2008

Many little things thrown together made an impact on a lot of people in Faribault with help from many Angels.

Many times this year when one person or organization asking for some clothing or food for someone in need I send out a plea on a large email list. The Faribault Daily News, KDHL radio and many Church's then put out the plea either in a story or an announcement about these needs. The residents of this community comes to the aid in a big way and while helping one person or family we are able to help many more in need.

All of you on my email list have been so generous and supportive to the needs of others by giving, supporting, understanding, showing hospitality and learning about the newcomers. You are also showing the young people of this community the act of giving. Children brought in by their parents bringing in warm clothes or food to the Faribault Print Shop or Welcome Center come in bearing big smiles. This act of giving is warming the givers as much as the ones getting the clothes.

There has been a few surprises after sending out the email last week about the Foldcraft matching grant and needing more clothes. A few Angels have brought in money and checks so their gift will be doubled. Members of the Sunrise Exchange Club that I belong to have been bringing many clothes, Girl Scout Troop# 22222 brought in a bag of clothes with a signed poster, many people brought in brand new clothes with the tags still on. Others asking what they can give or volunteer to do at the Welcome Center. It goes on and on.

There are so many people to thank and it's getting more each year. The grant from BlueCross/BlueShield Foundation of MN., Foldcraft, the City of Faribault for providing the building for the Welcome Center. The positive news from the Faribault Daily News, Gordy Kosfeld from KDHL, the many Church's for services, announcements and land for Community Gardens, Buckham Library for use of their facilities, Julie Fox for video, South Central College for their facility, 1st United Bank for helping with the clothing drive, and especially to the hundreds of people donating clothes, food and money for those in need, Thank you also to Hashie Geedi, part-time Center staff and coordinator of the Somali Immigrant Resettlement office and the many volunteers at the Welcome Center, The Turkey Store, Vicky Carrillo again for leading the International Market, and the wonderful F.D.C. Board of Directors. I am also thankful to Divine Mercy and Oblates of St. John's Abbey for spiritual support when I need a little lift ;) and I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be part of and president of the Faribault Diversity Coalition the past 9 years. I'm sorry for anyone I've missed.

This message could be written any time of the year, it's not just the Spirit of Christmas that this happens it's the Spirit of this community that shines all year. Like I said this city is full of Angels with big hearts.

May you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Milo

Faribault Diversity Coalition: The Welcome Center Healthy Together Case Study 2008

By Nan Kari with Rose Hamerlinck and David Scheie
Touchstone Center for Collaborative Inquiry
December 18, 2008


Faribault, the Rice County seat, has a population of about 30,000 residents, which represents a growth of 5.7% since the 2000 census. The majority of its residents are of German and Norwegian heritage (89% are non-Hispanic white). Recent years have seen a growing number of immigrants from many places in the world. Latin Americans, Somalis, and Sudanese are among the most recent arrivals. Faribault is attractive to immigrants in part because of employment opportunities particularly in food processing industries.

This report on the Faribault Welcome Center is based on data gathered from two site visits on March 21, 2007 and November 7, 2008. In total, we conducted 13 interviews and convened two immigrant focus groups – a Somali speaking group of nine participants and a Spanish-speaking group of five participants. The Somali Immigrant Resettlement program and the Welcome Center recruited focus group participants, all residents of Faribault for varying lengths of time (15 years to a few weeks). We also reviewed related articles published in the Faribault Daily News and the Faribault Diversity Coalition blog, edited by Milo Larson.


I. Project History and Description: The Welcome Center

Faribault’s Welcome Center began as an information and referral center intended to help new immigrants and other residents in the area to connect with resources for basic needs. As the work has evolved, the Center also aims to develop immigrant leadership in the community, to provide education and outreach to established residents as well as immigrants, and to foster opportunities for cross-cultural relationship building through public work.

The Welcome Center opened in May 2001, as a project of the Faribault Diversity Coalition. Faribault's Future Leaders class of 1999-2000 conceived the idea for a multicultural resource center, and the Diversity Coalition put the plan into action with support from the City of Faribault, which offered space at low rent and several small grants for operations. The Diversity Coalition continues to serve as an advisory board for the Center. This relationship is significant in that it has helped bring visibility and validity to the work; it bolsters the infrastructure and helps broker connections through businesses and government; and it helps find funding sources. “The Diversity Coalition is like an incubator.”
The Welcome Center supports one full-time director/organizer, and two part-time employees – a native Spanish-speaker and a Somali speaker. Their presence has helped build stronger connections with respective immigrant communities.
In addition to individual assistance and referral services, the Welcome Center also creates opportunities developed in direct response to interests identified by immigrant and established Faribault community members. Programs seem to emerge in an “organic” fashion, often led by volunteers from the community. In this way the Welcome Center provides a venue for civic engagement by community residents. One important outcome has been expanded and deepened relationships across cultures.

The major programs/activities of the Welcome Center over the last two years include:

Community-wide events
• Winter clothing drive (Two successful events were organized in 2007 and a third in 2008)
• Thanksgiving food drive in 2007.

Cross-cultural exchanges and public work projects
• Building project – bus shelter at the trailer park
• Community garden (currently planning for a third year)
• A food cooperative for bulk purchase organized through the Welcome Center
• Two series of talking circles in 2007 (spring session included three groups meeting four times with 8-10 people in each; fall session included two groups meeting four times with 23 people in one and seven in the other)
• Annual International Market Day [3] held on Labor Day.

Education and outreach
• Winter energy fair in 2007 (with South Central College)
• Immigration forums (2)
• “When Africa Meets Faribault” (presentation by Joseph Mbele from St. Olaf College)
• Community meeting co-sponsored with Somali Community Resettlement
• English language classes led by volunteers who had participated in the talking circles
• Carpentry class for Spanish-speakers
• A growing food shelf (it initially served about 30 immigrant families per month and now serves 109 families each month)



II. Innovative elements: What works

The model
The Welcome Center bears some similarity to the early settlement model seen at the turn of the 20th century. Settlement houses were gathering places in immigrant communities that provided a range of programs and services to new immigrants. At the same time, immigrants were able to tap into the broader networks affiliated with the settlements to address issues that affected their lives. Sometimes called mediating institutions, settlements were locally rooted and shaped in part by immigrants’ agendas. Drawing a comparison with the Welcome Center, when Spanish-speaking Faribault residents expressed a desire to learn carpentry skills taught in Spanish, the Welcome Center partnered with Northfield Community Action Center to organize a short course. A local resident and construction supervisor for Habitat for Humanity helped teach, along with one of the Spanish-speaking students, who had experience with roofing. The result: new relationships formed, practical skills developed, and people volunteered to help with Habitat home construction. A second class is now in the works.

With the largest goal to promote a welcoming, healthy community, the model that shapes the work of the Welcome Center combines referral and assistance with basic living needs with opportunities for public work that engages a mix of people. The latter implies a reciprocal dynamic, where talents of all participants – newcomers and established residents -- can be tapped to create something useful to the community. The community garden is one example of a public work project facilitated by the Welcome Center. The model recognizes that people must first address basic needs like housing, clothing, and food before they become involved in community activities – but they can grow into larger community roles as they adjust and become more settled.

The Welcome Center provides many different kinds of individual assistance. Bob Kell describes activities of a typical week in his July 8, 2008 entry on the Diversity Blog.∗

This past week…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).

Catalyzing function
The Welcome Center appears to be a catalyzing organization rather than a program provider. It is small in staffing, physical space, and budget. These limitations, while constraining, also have positive implications. They lead to organizational adaptability and innovative problem solving. According to interviewees, the Welcome Center has become a kind of “community connector,” not only linking individuals with resources, but also helping to build networks and organizational partnerships. We heard many examples. For instance, when the community garden idea was proposed, the Welcome Center helped create a partnership among Our Saviors Lutheran Church (which contributed the land), a local greenhouse and seed company. After two successful years, some of the gardeners are looking to join the farmers’ market.

In another example, several immigrant and English-speaking women who had participated in the sharing circles wanted to continue conversation through a language class with the explicit goal to improve English skills. Bob Kell worked with Pat Weiseler, the Adult Basic Education director to help organize classes at the Welcome Center. Pat explained that her programs have long waiting lists, so supplemental help is appreciated. Her program assists with volunteer training and consults with the Welcome Center as needed. In return, the Welcome Center provides interpretation for students registering for ELL classes and holds regular language learning classes led by volunteers.

Informal, simple access
The Welcome Center is a readily accessible place in contrast with social service and other big institutions, which require paper work and procedures often unfamiliar to immigrants. Thus the Welcome Center, complements those larger bureaucracies that most immigrants must learn to navigate. Immigrants we talked with did not identify any structural barriers associated with the Welcome Center. We also learned that professionals in schools, businesses, and other nonprofit organizations appreciate its easy access and responsiveness to them. They make frequent referrals.

Cultural learning and mediation
The Welcome Center and its director are looked to as a source of cultural education and sometimes mediation. Kymn Anderson, president of the Faribault Chamber of Commerce shared a recent example when community concern about Somali men gathering on the street reemerged.
There remain some concerns with the Somali restaurant, which seems to be the primary gathering place for Somali men. It threatens some, even though I don’t think it is warranted. Some are afraid to walk on that side of the street when people gather. Bob [Kell] attended one of our meetings when it bubbled up a while ago. He explained the cultural expectation of gathering in public and about men not deferring to women like they might in our dominant culture. One man in the meeting said, “A man should always step aside for a lady.” Bob explained that is true in our culture but not in that culture a woman is expected to move out of the way. He was great in helping to build understanding. I don’t think it eases the discomfort, but at least people understand better. The issue has been around for a while.
Recently a young Somali mother was killed in an auto accident in the cities. That week there were large gatherings at the restaurant, and it spurred a whole new wave of letters to the editor, with complaints about loitering and intimidation. Because it was such a public conversation, we invited Bob to come to the meeting. He explained that many in the Somali community knew this woman and they were gathering to comfort each other. It was like their visitation. This sparked some understanding on part of established residents.
Anderson pointed out that to be successful in this kind of role requires a skilled person who demonstrates respect for diverse people, holds specific cultural knowledge, and has the ability to understand multiple points of view. Part of the success of the Welcome Center rests on its leadership.

Intentional spaces for relationship building – a first step Gathering space is a prerequisite for exchange among people who don’t know each other. Because the physical space at the Welcome Center is relatively small, Welcome Center sponsored activities take place in multiple places throughout the city – the senior center, library, parks, churches, and businesses. Perhaps these multi-site locations help the work to become more visible and diffused. It requires more sponsorship and thus grows participation.

To build relationships across cultures requires familiarity and practice. Bob Kell, Milo Larson, and other interviewees have stressed the importance of hospitality and attention to the simple things as components of spaces that help facilitate conversation in ordinary, non-professionalized ways.

The sharing circles have proved an effective format to help people begin to make friends across language and cultural differences. Reflecting on the value of this simple format, Pastor Craig Breimhorst of Christ on the Hill Lutheran Church recalled a recent conversation with a parishioner whose wife had participated in the sharing circles and later helped create an English language class at the Welcome Center. “When her Somali students see her in the grocery store they come over and tell others with pride, ‘This is my teacher’” said Pastor Breimhorst. “Changing attitudes is slow work, but it is these kinds of experiences that help change people.” The experience of the sharing circles has shown that when people know each other better, they can generate new possibilities and ideas for shared activities.

Visibility through print media and Internet blog

Milo Larson, president of the Diversity Coalition and co-founder of the Welcome Center, has helped implement two important media strategies to communicate with the larger community. First, he has developed a strong relationship with Faribault’s local newspaper, The Faribault Daily News. The paper has covered many stories related to the activities of the Welcome Center: International Market Day, the community garden, workforce issues, clothing drive and others. Frequent editorials are written to surface community issues and (it appears) to encourage citizens to think critically about Faribault as a welcoming community. For example, on July 18, 2008 the following editorial was published.
We’ve more than once in this space lauded Faribault’s diversity and the efforts of those in our community who reach out to cultures very different from their own for increased understanding and better relationships. Much of Faribault’s diversity looks very different from “typical” diversity, as seen in the colorful and ornate hijabs worn by native Somali women now making their homes here, and such obvious differences often scare us away from seeking out that understanding. That’s why we’re so proud of the efforts taken by Lynn Cook, co-owner of the Nook & Cranny gift shop on Central Avenue. She heard about Somali women who wanted to learn how to sew and did something about it. In case you hadn’t noticed, there aren’t too many hijab stores around here, and learning how to sew would allow these women to make their own clothes, which are vital to their religion and culture. Cook and a group of volunteers meet with a growing number of Somali women on Saturdays in the basement of her store, overcoming a language barrier through hard work to pass on a skill that will become an important part of these women’s lives.

This all comes at a time when a debate is playing out in our letters to the editor and comments on our Web site, faribault.com, about the group of Somali men who tend to hang out on nice days in front of Banadir Restaurant and Grocery, 211 Central Ave. Some have called it loitering. Others have called it a group of friends who gather to talk. We call it a misunderstanding on cultural differences. Simply put, America is a back-porch society. We tend to hang out in the backyards of our homes, if we go outside at all. Worldwide, that’s a cultural rarity. Go just about anywhere else and you’ll see people hanging out in front of homes and businesses, talking and laughing. Neither is wrong. They’re just different.

A second innovative media strategy is the Diversity blog, edited by Milo Larson. The blog provides an excellent chronicle of the diversity-related work in Faribault with photographs, video, stories, announcements of events and summaries after they have taken place. It also includes links to immigration literature, research, and demographics.
In three years the blog has had about 5,500 visits from Internet users throughout the United States, and in foreign countries like Russia, and Iraq.

Both strategies help educate a broad audience, including people not directly involved with Welcome Center activities. They provide a venue for written interaction and offer a “mirror” for the community to view itself.


III. What has resulted?

Examples of reported changes at the individual level
Both long time residents who have had experience working with or interacting with newcomers and immigrants that we interviewed reported several kinds of personal change they had experienced through involvement with Welcome Center-linked activities. Some described gains in cultural knowledge and improved skills for communication across cultures. Others pointed to new insights that came through personal relationships with newcomers. New knowledge has also been gained about how to work together. The following excerpts give a flavor of what has people feel they have learned.

Judy Covert, Director of Early Childhood Programs in the Faribault Public Schools, reflected on what has helped her develop cross-cultural relationships in her work setting.

Learning about other cultures is part of the answer. There are so many different dialects and cultural groups, just like in our [dominant] culture. We [school personnel] are beginning to understand how to work with communities to address what they care about. We’ve tried things in the past that haven’t worked well. The way we can best meet needs is to find out from families rather than assume that we as white middle class professionals know what is best, because we don’t….I’ve learned through participation in Growing up Healthy workshops that include immigrant neighbors. I’ve also learned that mutual respect and the ability to see things from another perspective are key. I have found that to address barriers of language and cultural difference, we need to treat all families respectfully and understand that we bring different things to the table.

Hashie Geedi, part-time Center staff and coordinator of the Somali Immigrant Resettlement office in Faribault shared:
There were many things I had to learn about working in a new community. I needed to learn how to talk with people, show respect, how to explain an idea, how to listen to people. There are differences in cultural practices. In Somali culture, there is no touching women who are not in your family. Religion is closely tied to everyday life. Creating relationships across cultures has to begin with an understanding of other’s traditions and values.
Milo Larson explained that he has learned to think differently about the planning process when people of mixed cultural groups work together. “I’ve learned it’s important to let things happen rather than insist that things are all lined up. This is a shift for me. But people have different ways of going about things. This is good.”


Examples of changes at the organization level
Several institutions and businesses have adapted in recent years to better respond to a more diverse community. Judy Covert (early childhood education) and Mary Ho (county public health) both talked about the slow but steady process of organizational learning, which often involves learning from what does not work. Interviewees pointed to examples like: inclusion of informational materials written in multiple languages, multi-lingual options on voice mail, and an increased number of bi-lingual staff and interpreters in human service settings. Kymn Anderson spoke of the expressed goal of government agencies, especially the fire and police departments, to increase diversity of agency personnel.
Shirley Drentlaw, who leads the human resource department at the Jenny-O Turkey Store, described some of the changes her business has made.
We have done many things to accommodate Muslim traditions – places for prayer, bathroom accommodations for ritual washings. We have employee teams that bring issues forward to management and help make decisions that represent employees’ points of view. For example, when the company needed to cut back on work hours, employees on team helped make decision about how best to organize shifts to spread the work out evenly rather than asking temp people to not work…This management approach has been highly successful for Jenny-O-Turkey. It helps us address issues before they become problems.
She explained that some of the Jenny-O Turkey employees have been very active in the business community to help other groups adjust to new levels of diversity in Faribault. For example, her business helped staff the Welcome Center on a very part time basis (two people working 4 hours per week each) when it first opened. Before the hospital and schools hired their own translators, her employees helped out in emergency situations.
While there are many positive changes people point to, interviewees agreed it is only a beginning step and that with each new immigrant group, the learning starts again. Somali men who participated in the focus group pointed to difficulties they have experienced with the Department of Motor Vehicles in passing their driver’s test and their frustrations in navigating the county social service agency. In both cases they expressed strong consensus that changes should be made to open lines of communication. Another, larger scale and perhaps more difficult challenge to address is the process by which immigrant children are assigned school grade level by their age. Several Somali men shared their worry and frustration that their children, with no prior formal education, were essentially being left behind in the learning process.

Examples of impact on the community

Has Faribault become a more welcoming community? Is there evidence that newcomers and established residents are beginning to build relationships with each other? If so, to what degree? These are difficult questions to answer definitively. Communities are fluid, and people view the whole through different lenses. Most of those we spoke with have had some involvement or concern for diversity work in Faribault. Based on our interviews, focus groups, and observations over two years, we would highlight the following indicators of community impact.

• All participants in the Somali focus group reported they experienced Faribault as a good and safe place to live. At the same time, they reported that their interactions and relationships were primarily with members of their cultural community. As more Somalis move to town, those who are already settled provide extended assistance to the newcomers.

• Among the Latinas we talked with, all three women said they were generally very happy living in Faribault; they felt welcomed by established residents; they believe their children are safe. The women said that although they are not surrounded by other Hispanic people as they might be living in the Twin Cities, they would not trade places. There are enough Hispanics in Faribault that they do not feel alone. Of the two men, one had just arrived and the other had experienced frustration with work permits. Both expressed some unease.

• Although other non-immigrant interviewees saw the Faribault community through different eyes, everyone pointed to positive changes. “Step by step, relationship by relationship,” said one person. Another said, “It’s slow work, but there are a significant number of leaders working on it.” People pointed to the sharing circles as an important way to begin to know each other. These occasions provided a dedicated space for cross-cultural interactions and sometimes led to creative spin-off activities, like the language classes held at the Welcome Center.

• In the past several years a free health clinic for low income, un-insured residents of Rice County that is open to everyone in need has been established.

• Visible, annual public events like the International Market, the clothing and food drives, and public contributions such as the community garden, food cooperative and building the bus shelter where people work together for the common good help shape attitudes and engage people across cultures.

• The Faribault Daily News coverage of immigrant-themed news raises the visibility of immigrant integration for the entire community – surfacing issues and sometimes challenging negative attitudes. It gives frequent coverage to diversity related work in the town.

• There appears to be a wide range of leaders in Faribault interested in and committed to building a strong community. All interviewees identified the Welcome Center and Diversity Coalition as visible and valued community resources for the entire community – immigrants and established people alike.

IV. Reflections and lessons learned

1) Effective diversity work requires among other things: sustained commitment, innovation, pooling of resources, and engagement of many individuals and organizations. It is slow work, and even talented, public-spirited leaders encounter setbacks and problems beyond local control. The way in which Faribault organizes its diversity work with the Diversity Coalition as the umbrella organization and advisory group for the Welcome Center -- a real place that links people with resources -- appears an effective structure. The Faribault Chamber of Commerce launched the Diversity Coalition, whose membership includes city leaders from businesses, government, and local schools. This insures broad based support. Although Coalition membership changes, support of the Welcome Center is sustained.

2) Most interviewees agreed that integrating newcomers in a small town works best through a coordinated effort sustained by a network of organizations and individuals who share a vision about what the community can be. The Welcome Center model, which combines individual assistance and referral, partnership building, and public work has proved successful. Not least, the leadership of the Welcome Center also contributes to its successes. Bob Kell is highly respected for his commitment and organizing skills.

3) Among the many challenges, communication and language learning rank high. Many new immigrants stay separated from the established community because they do not speak English. Language learning especially among older persons is often very difficult. Several Somali elders told us they believed their lack of English was the cause of their isolation. Although translators are more available now then five years ago in Faribault, more are needed. English language learning classes are offered through Adult Basic Education programs, but a waiting list exists. One interviewee reflected that becoming integrated into a new community is more a function of communication than length of time. She may be correct in this assessment.

A second barrier noted by many interviewees is that bridging cultural differences between the white established community and Somalis, who now number about 900, is more difficult to achieve than with other newcomer groups that are culturally more similar. For example, another African group, the Sudanese, have recently settled in Faribault. Because the Sudanese are Christian rather than Muslim, their traditions are more familiar to the majority residents and several churches have reached out to assist them.

A third barrier we heard from immigrants and established residents relates to employment – finding jobs and hiring workers. In a recent survey done by the Faribault Chamber of Commerce in affiliation with GROW MINNESOTA!, Faribault businesses with culturally diverse workers gave mostly positive responses about their experience. Other businesses expressed an interest in diversifying their workforce but identified the lack of appropriate job training and language skills as the biggest barriers to hiring. While the Welcome Center tries to address workforce development and provide assistance with job seeking on small scale -- through partnership with South Central College and in hosting a carpentry workshop – workforce development is a large issue that will need significant resources to accomplish.

On a positive note Kymn Anderson, President of the Faribault Chamber of Commerce reported that at a statewide GROW MINNESOTA! conference reported she heard for the first time large employers talk about the need for immigration reform. “They know that in spite of the current economy and lay-offs, businesses will face a shortage of workers down the road.”

4) What do people recommend as the next steps for Faribault? Those we interviewed firmly believed the Welcome Center is key to changes in the community and has already proved its potential. With additional resources it could strengthen its convening role. Said one person, “Too often we do not reflect on our work. I would appreciate this opportunity.” The importance of opportunities to reflect on collective work, including naming new skills and capacities developed, cannot be overstated. The Welcome Center could promote this opportunity. Others felt that the Welcome Center could become a “hub,” drawing different agencies together to coordinate work related to immigrant integration.
Interviewees also named the importance of engaging immigrant leaders in discussions about the community and its future. Recognizing some of the reasons this has been difficult, some felt there are signs that this may be more possible in the near future: the city council and chamber include people who are open to this; some immigrant groups are now well settled in Faribault and leaders are emerging; projects/events that encourage engagement of cross-cultural groups are more common and visible.
Interviewees also pointed to the success of public projects. “Faribault is a blue collar community. This is why I think building something together, pounding nails together is the best way to get more involved…A key thing [to facilitate change] is connecting people.” Others pointed to the International Market as a new and important Faribault tradition that people have “built.” These public work strategies not only provide a venue for more people to build relationships across cultures, they also lead to community improvement whether producing new public “things” or creating new annual traditions and events, more reflective of the members of a changing community.

Diversity Coalition receives Grant/General Fundraising Campaign

Diversity Coalition receives Challenge Grant

The Foldcraft Foundation of Kenyon, MN has again generously provided the Welcome Center with a grant to support immigrant empowerment. The grant assists efforts to build workplace and life skills while also encouraging immigrant leadership in programs to meet basic needs. This year’s grant, however, comes with a challenge. While Foldcraft will provide $3000 directly, it also offers another $3000 as a matching grant, motivating new Faribault area businesses or individuals to support the Center’s efforts as well.

This past year, the Foldcraft grant supported basic carpentry skill classes in Spanish, the community garden, ESL classes, and food support programs. This coming year, the assistance will help the Welcome Center strengthen its skill building and food support offerings, while inviting greater engagement of immigrant participants in both the Center and the community.

We seek your support. A donation to support this project now means twice as much…not only is your contribution doubled, it also bears ongoing fruit by giving people the skills and opportunities they need to build their own capacity for success.

As you consider options for your holiday or year-end giving, please consider this cause. We will work hard to make your gift keep giving. If you are a new Faribault contributor, please identify your contribution as “Foldcraft Match” if you so choose. Thank you!

General Fundraising Campaign

The Faribault Diversity Coalition and Welcome Center have also set a $10,000 goal for program contributions during the next six months. Several promising grant proposals did not materialize, so we find ourselves in need of additional funding to continue our work as we seek new funding. Our program has strengthened with the support of the Blue Cross Foundation over these last two years. The United Way, Foldcraft Foundation, City of Faribault, and the Southern MN Initiative Foundation have generously supported programs in support of our immigrant communities. We believe we are making an impact and increasing numbers are turning to us for help.

Welcome Center Food Shelf served 139 families in Nov. 2008. From Jan-Nov, we have assisted 1070 families with 31,467 lbs of food. As new lay-offs loom in the community, we expect greater demand in coming months.

The Welcome Center assisted 1257 additional immigrant individuals during 2008 to understand and communicate with agencies, employers, and others in the community.

The Diversity Coalition brought mainstream and immigrant residents together to build understanding and celebrate their richness.

Please consider a contribution to support the Coalition’s mission. Be part of building a community where all find a home.

Sincere thanks,
Faribault Diversity Coalition Board and Welcome Center staff

Tax deductible contributions can be sent to: Welcome Center, 24 W. Division St., Faribault MN 55021.
For more information,
call: 507-333-5036, email: welcome@hickorytech.net, or visit http://faribodiversity.blogspot.com to learn more.

Warm Clothes Drive #3 2008

Once again the kind and generous people of Faribault came through. Last week after seeing we were about a third of the clothing we had last year I emailed Pauline Schrieber a reporter at the Faribault Daily News for a little help.

Pauline came over the next day and interviewed me why we thought the clothing was down. I gave a few thoughts and when people saw the story this great community came in steady for the next 4 days putting us well over last years drive.

Besides bringing in slightly used clothes many went to the stores and bought new coats, gloves, boots, hats and warm clothes.

Saturday morning came and 1/2 hour before we were to give away the clothes Buckham Library was full of people. While smiling faces looked over the clothes Peace Lutheran Church had a several kids help sort and straighten out clothes, paint faces on little children and helped greet the throngs of people.

Jim Hammerand from Daily News followed up with a great story on Sunday leading to more clothes and awareness to the needs of the many.

Many thanks to the Daily News, KDHL, Buckham LIbrary, BlueCross/BlueShield Foundation of MN for helping to sponsor this project, people who helped sort and set-up and especially the many people who brought in clothes and money. This is truly a very caring community.

Have a gentle day, Milo

A response from anti-immigrant emails.

This is a response I received from Eric Ward from Center for New Community. I enlisted his help after receiving several anti-immigrant emails that I know are untrue but wanted some facts to help stop some of these lies. I won't send these emails on because of the disturbing nature.

We as a Diversity Coalition try to do positive things for all newcomers and not judge people as a group but help each individual to have a better life and to help all of us understand and learn from our newcomer friends. Newcomers have hearts and feelings like you and I and feel hurt and anger when put in a group. Please consider this when listening to and reading all the anti-racist and anti-immigrant stories around the net and TV.

Please read the following response closely from Eric. Thank you very much for your understanding and helping our newcomers have a happier and more enriching life.

Have a gentle day, Milo

I just received your email "Just One State" sent to you:

Like you I believe that immigration is a critical issue that must be discussed around every dinner table and lunch counter in America. It is a discussion that concerns who we are and who we will be as a nation. It is a discussion that must be based in truth, fact, and honesty.

Sadly the "Just One State" email does the opposite.

The email is a hoax that is not based on information taken from the L.A. Times. While some information is based on true sources, the email was scripted in an attempt to hijack a honest discussion on immigration. Simply the emails goal is to dehumanize those in our country simply because of their immigration status.

I know that you are an individual who understands the importance of solving immigration. More importantly I know you as an individual who believes in honesty and fairness. Because of the beliefs that you hold I'm asking you to send this email to everyone who received "Just One State" from you. I'm also asking you to send this email to the individuals who emailed "Just One State" to you originally.

Let everyone know that they can find the facts regarding the email "Just One State" at http://www.snopes.com/politics/immigration/taxes.asp

If you want to rise above the name-calling and mudslinging, now is the crucial time to stand up with the truth. If you think the national conversation on immigration must be honest and sensible, your voice now necessary in responding to the hoax email that you sent to me. The email does nothing to solve the one of the most important issues facing our country.

Warm regards,

Eric Ward
National Field Director
Center for New Community
www.campaignforaunitedamerica.org
www.imagine2050.net

Winter Clothes Drive 08' "What One Person Can Do Without Knowing"

The other day Mary Ann Charlton, taking care of seven families, came into the Print Shop and wondered if we were starting the clothing drive yet and had any clothes for a six year old boy and his younger sisters that have just started school.

A few minutes later had a note from Bob at the Welcome Center requesting some baby clothes for a new born baby girl that just came in that Marta is working with.

I immediately sent out the request to 100+ of you on the email list and within 2 hours had many calls and emails requesting the sizes of the girls and clothes came in for that family, and the baby along with a car seat, diapers, and toys.

Within the hour another request from Hope Center came in for another family of various size clothing for a family of 4. Next morning that was filled.

Many called including the Advocates for Human Rights, http://www.energyofanation.org/ about the Welcome Center Food Shelf on what and where to send goods and money to when I included that request in the email. They are another wonderful group just trying to what's right for our fellow human beings. Please check out their website and see the good they are doing.

It warms my heart that when one person ask for help that so many of you are there for them. In one day at the request of one person so many of you responded and are still responding. This morning Keith Homstad from Northfield gave me a beautiful blue knitted baby hat that his wife Torel knitted last night after reading the email, and the story goes on. Next week a baby will have a warm head ;)

Since the call first went out there has been many more request for babies, young children, and school children not to mention many hungry people out there. As clothing and food are coming in, it's going out just as fast.

This is the reason we are moving our clothing drive up a month to accommodate the cold and hungry people. There seems to be a bigger need this year then ever before. Besides the clothing please consider food or a donation to the Welcome Center Food Shelf we are having to turn away many families.

A big thank you to all of you with a BIG Heart. The warm clothing not only warms the people receiving them but warms the hearts of those giving, reading about, and especially me telling you about the kindness and generosity of this great community.

To download Poster drag it on your desktop.


Have a very gentle day, Milo