Faribault Diversity Coalition

St. Vincent dePaul Clothing Drive

2011-09-21T18:45:00.000-07:00

St. Vincent dePaul Annual Clothing Drive, formerly Faribault Diversity Coalition Clothing Drive is taking place at the Center for Charitable Services, Former Sacred Heart School 617 3rd Ave. NW Faribault, MN 55021 Mon., Wed. & Fri. from 10 a.m to 3 p.m.They are already giving out clothes and food as needed.

We especially need clothes for children 12 and under and babies.

Exploring New Approaches to Immigration and Diversity in Faribault

2011-05-03T17:44:00.001-07:00

Exploring New Approaches to Immigration and Diversity in Faribault

Monday, May 16, 7:00- 8:15 pm

Welcome Reception from 6:30 pm

Faribault Senior Center

You're invited!

Students from an advanced political science class at St. Olaf College interviewed over 30 community leaders in March and April 2011. Join us, with our partners at the United Way of Faribault, to hear what they learned from their conversations with local government & school officials, non-profit agencies and local churches about the challenges and opportunities related to immigration and diversity in Faribault. The evening will include:

Brief presentations on the issues Faribault leaders identified as most important:

Education
Communication
Networking
Economic Concerns
Programming

Open discussion forum between student researchers and Faribault residents & community leaders

Please share this invitation broadly - print and post, forward the email, call a friend!

The students hope to facilitate the sharing of information and ideas among those who so kindly made themselves available for interviews with their presentations. They look forward to your feedback and questions as an invaluable step in developing a final report for our partners at the United Way and the people of Faribault.

Katherine Tegtmeyer Pak
Associate Professor
Departments of Asian Studies and Political Science
St. Olaf College
1520 St. Olaf Avenue
Northfield, Minnesota, 55057
Office tel: 507-786-3655

City Leaders believe Faribault is ahead in integration.

2011-04-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

Please go to http://www.faribault.com/content/city-leaders-believe-faribault-ahead-integration for a great story on immigrants living in Faribault.

Welcome Center Open House

2010-11-02T18:56:00.000-07:00

A very nice open house with some very wonderful supporters showed up to express their gratitude to Bob kell and the wonderful job he's done for so many years to help hundreds of newcomers. I'm afraid I got so busy talking I didn't get to take to many pictures.

Joseph Mbele our dear friend and board member came up with a great idea. He thought Bob and I and some of the original members should draw on the past 10 years and write a story on the ups and downs, what went well and not, and our thoughts about our work. As he said a little folklore.

I appreciate all who came and sent regrets and emails with kind words. Thanks especially to Bob Kell for all his great work through the years making this city a welcome city for everyone.

Have a gentle day, Milo

St. Vincent dePaul Clothing Drive

2010-11-02T18:34:00.000-07:00

St. Vincent dePaul Annual Clothing Drive, formerly Faribault Diversity Coalition Clothing Drive is taking place at the Center for Charitable Services, Former Sacred Heart School 617 3rd Ave. NW Faribault, MN 55021 Mon., Wed. & Fri. from 9 a.m to 3 p.m.They are already giving out clothes and food as needed.

We especially need clothes for children 12 and under and babies.

Welcome Center Open House

2010-10-18T18:47:00.000-07:00

Open House

The Welcome Center will be closing by year’s end.

You are invited to join us to celebrate the work and life of

The Welcome Center

and the Faribault Diversity Coalition

Tuesday, November 2

4-6 pm

St. Vincent de Paul Center

617 Third Avenue NW

(corner of 3^rd Ave and 6^th St NW)

Faribault

As a client, supporter, collaborator, former member, friend or neighbor, you too have been part of the Coalition and Center’s life. Let’s Celebrate!

Snacks and Refreshments Served

___________________________________________

Recepción

El Centro de Bienvenida va a cerrar antes del fin del año.

Esta invitado a reunirse con nosotros para celebrar el trabajo y la vida del

Centro de Bienvenida y

la Coalición para la Diversidad en Faribault.

El Martes, 2 de Noviembre

De 4 a 6 de la tarde

Centro San Vicente de Pablo

617 Third Avenue NW

(esquina de Avenida 3 y Calle 6 NW)

Faribault

Como cliente, colaborador, miembro de la coalición, amigo o vecino, Usted también ha sido parte de la vida de la Coalición y del Centro. Celebremos!

Se sirve pastel y bocadillos

2nd Thoughts about the Faribault Diversity Coalition

2010-10-16T20:25:00.000-07:00

As (Charles Kuralt) once coined, "There is melancholy in the wind and sorrow in the grass"

I've been contemplating this saying the past month as we decided to close the Welcome Center due to lack of funds and dissolve the Faribault Diversity Coalition. I was going to write a history and share some feelings about the last 10 years that I've been involved and thank a page full of people then something occurred.

I've been feeling a little down since the decision but had mixed feelings also. The past year I haven't had much time to be of service to the Faribault Diversity Coalition, Welcome Center and especially to the people that are in need of help, both the immigrants and the kind citizens of Faribault.

With the economy being what it is when one of our staff retired at the Faribault Print Shop, we couldn't afford to replace her so it put more work on the three of us left. With that I haven't had the time to devote to this 10 year passion of mine the F.D.C.

When Bob Kell and I were having coffee at the Coffee Shop this week we were talking about the past, present and the future. With the economy not looking up in the near future we were concerned what is going to happen between the immigrants and the natives of Faribault.

We, (Diversity Coalition,Welcome Center) have spent the last 10+plus years not only helping the immigrants with their needs but to integrate into the Faribault population. We've held forums, workshops, spoke at community service clubs, schools, monthly meetings, and diffuse tensions when the need arose. These and the whole history plus all the people that have helped physically and financially can be found in the stories at: http://faribodiversity.blogspot.com/

As we were talking I felt I couldn't drop the ball and call it quits so we decided to just dissolve the Welcome Center and keep the Diversity Coalition going. It won't be as strong as it has been but we may have to start over from scratch.

Bob's situation is fluid, he's looking for a job and don't know if he'll be able to find one close by or the cities. As for me, due to circumstances I'm very fortunate to remain busy with my business and will be getting busier these coming months. Until I decide what to do with my business, either invest in more equipment, and, or hire more help I still can't be as involved in this endeavor yet as I would like to be. I plan on keeping the blog going and report on the positive things happening in this fair city and be as I've been most of my time with the F.D.C. "The Communicator".

There are many people that don't want to see this end, so, be it two, 6 mo. or a year down the line we will once again take up the charge with renewed energy and continue to make Faribault the friendly and welcoming city that we all know and love.

The more of you that would like to help, become involved, energize, and take charge we can start sooner. We can start our monthly meetings again and dissolve the tension that is rising all over the world. There is more need now more then ever to keep our town, state and world a more harmonious and informed place.

As I've said so many times the past 10 years we are communicating with real people, with hearts, souls and feelings. Just because some are from different cultures, different color skin, different religions, doesn't mean they are numbers on a sheet of paper. They've all had child hoods, most have had problems with bullies in school, abused by parents, gone hungry, homeless, not wanted in the country they were born in or this country because they are different.

We must find compassion & respect in working and living with these newcomers as well as with ourselves. We are not asking for money, just your heart and time. Surprising what a smile and hi will do to everyone you meet on the street, I don't care what culture or if they understand you or not. That my friend don't cost a dime.

I thank you all for all you've done the past 15 years for the Faribault Diversity Coalition, people of Faribault and especially welcoming the newcomers. Just think…….. most of our grandparents were newcomers, my grandparents came over from Norway & Denmark…. ya sure, you betcha I'm grateful that my grandparents were welcomed and became Americans and allowed me to be born to repay what they received.

Please if you would like to show we still have "Minnesota Nice" please call me at 507-334-4448 - 8-5 - Mon. - Fri. or email at fpsmster@gmail.com

Have a gentle day, Milo

P.S. We'll be having a Open House at the Welcome Center, in the (St. Vincent dePaul building) 617 3rd Ave. NW, Nov. 2nd - 4 -6 p.m. Please come so we can thank you all for your help and encouragement through the years.

http://faribodiversity.blogspot.com/
www.faribaultprintshop.com

A Setting Sun, Decision Made Regarding Future of Faribault Diversity Coalition

2010-10-04T18:29:00.000-07:00

Hello Faribault Diversity Coalition members & friends,

For some time now, we have recognized that funding issues would change the face of our work. We had enjoyed the significant support of some steady partners over the past few years that had helped us develop our Welcome Center services and initiate new programs. Those funders have been most generous and have renewed that support several times over. But we were not able to discover the new partners that could help us sustain our work into the coming years. It is not to say that it could not be done…simply that we did not succeed.

There is much we could second-guess. We maybe could have set aside more time to write grants or held some fund-raisers or established a fee for service scale. But the one thing that shaped our decisions at the time was the person standing at the door, the one who needed our help that day. We did what we could and believe that we made a slight difference in helping people find some steadier ground upon which to build their lives. I am not sure if we would do it differently.

The decision has been made to close the Welcome Center by the end of the year. Along with that decision comes another. It also seems the appropriate time to bring closure to the Faribault Diversity Coalition. The Coalition is where all of this began back in 1995. It was the heart and soul out of which the Welcome Center grew. In time the focus became the work of the Center and the work to support community welcome. The Coalition, as that monthly meeting of the minds, slipped away in the busyness. The members continue to work, only they do so in other circles. It seems more appropriate to recognize that evolution than to try to revive it.

So, in December, the journey will end for the Diversity Coalition and its Welcome Center. But this journey of the community will not. The people of Faribault are still here—the immigrants and refugees who are building their lives, the neighbors who have welcomed them, the organizations and agencies who help when there is need, the employers who look for workers, the schools who see the promise in the youth. We have only been a small part of that bigger world. The journey will go on.

Over the next months we will continue to provide services as we work to bring closure. We will hold an Open House to celebrate what has been and to say goodbye. But above all, we wish to thank those who made this possible: the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MN Foundation, the Foldcraft Foundation, the City of Faribault, the Faribault Area United Way, the Southern MN Initiative Foundation, El Fondo, the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce, South Central College, the wonderful members of the Diversity Coalition, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Donahue’s Greenhouse, Farmers Seed, Divine Mercy Church, St. Vincent de Paul Center for Charitable Services, Walmart, the members of the Faribault Diversity Coalition Board with a special thanks to Milo Larson for his leadership over all these years, our donors, and the people who have graced our office with their lives. The Latino, Somali, and Sudanese residents of Faribault have brought beautiful diversity, solidarity, and gifts to those of us who arrived here first. May we never close the door.

Sincerely,

Bob Kell

Welcome Center Director

P.S.

From the Faribault Diversity Coalition Board a sincere thank you to Bob Kell who with his expertise run the Welcome Center with spirit and grace. Bob helped many immigrants coming to town from filling out papers, translating, helping to find jobs, food, clothing, easing tensions between cultures, and being a friend to everyone.

Bob with the help of his board helped make Faribault a truly better city, one that we can be proud to be part of.

Thank you Bob and the Faribault Diversity Coalition members from the Board, Milo Larson, Kymn Anderson, Delane James, Hashi, Joseph Mbele, Pat Wieseler, Shirley Drentlaw, & Vicky Carrillo.

Faribault Diversity Coalition International Market 2010

2010-08-28T19:55:00.000-07:00

Well, the International Market 2010 is here and gone and with the great weather, delicious food, wonderful entertainment, and all the kind people that stopped by to help make this another great event.

Thanks to Vicky Carrillo and her crew for making this another success. Thank you to all the vendors, non-profits, Target for donating the bike to give away, Gran Plaza for gift certificate, Electronic Brush's from Southern Heights Dental and other donators.

Thanks to the Aztec Dancers who made this day extra special.

Matching Grant & New Water Tank for Community Garden

2010-07-18T19:24:00.000-07:00

The Welcome Center has received a $2500 match contribution from Jim and Missy O'Shaughnessy to support our fundraising campaign for the Welcome Center. The contribution provides a dollar for dollar match for contributions up to $2500. Please consider a donation today. Your contribution will provide services to immigrant and refugee residents of Faribault and support efforts for community inclusion. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to: The Welcome Center, 617 Third Avenue NW, Faribault MN 55021. Thank you for your generosity!

Thanks to Carolyn Treadway and funds provided by "S.H.I.P. State Health Improvement Project", the Welcome Center Community Garden has a new water tank. It is part of a S.H.A.C program at the garden to introduce Somali women and children to gardening as a resource to healthy eating. The garden is doing great and vegetables are already being picked.

The End of the line for the Welcome Center and helping newcomers.

2010-06-13T20:07:00.000-07:00

We received word (June 10th) that our collaborative grant proposal to the MN Dept. of Health has been denied. It was a grant the Welcome Center submitted together with Growing Up Healthy which could have funded work over several years to eliminate health disparities for our immigrant and refugee communities by improving the conditions of the environment in which they live.

While there are several small grants pending, this denial means that we are once again facing difficult decisions. Unless other funding can be found quickly, we are potentially looking at closing our doors September 1. The crisis we faced last April was averted with positive results regarding several grants that we were awaiting at that time, but we have not been as successful this year.

We have been working on other funding streams and ways to improve sustainability, but it may be too little too late. We welcome any ideas.

This situation has led us to reflect on what has been and what could well end. The Welcome Center in Faribault has:
--Served 8900 clients with problem-solving and assistance since it began in 2002.
--Developed a Community Garden that has for 5 years provided a yearly opportunity for 30 families to grow healthy food while also getting to know neighbors of other cultures.
--Facilitated Sharing Circles, diversity education, sidewalk discussions, and other forums that have brought cultures together to build bridges and understanding.
--Started a food shelf for its clients that in 2009 distributed 71,000 lbs of food.
--Helped sponsor International Market Day, which has celebrated the community’s diversity with food, music, and dance over the last 5 years.
--Spoken with numerous groups to promote awareness and understanding of the issues facing the immigrant communities among us
--Helped people resolve issues with USCIS, Social Security, IRS, Unemployment and Social Services; filled out thousands of forms; helped people find housing and jobs; taught English and carpentry; gathered coats and mittens and hats…
--Interpreted for many, many people to help them connect with the community, with the government, with services needed for their families.

We believe that our work has mattered. We believe that it has reduced tensions and needs, maybe even lessened frustrations and hunger and crime. We do not believe the work is done, but we may not be the ones to continue it.

What happens never happens in a vacuum. The Northfield Welcome Center is closing July 1, due to budget cuts. If we too close, it will mean that assistance resources for the immigrant communities in Rice County will be greatly reduced, increasing obstacles for families to get the help that they need. It will be harder to find someone who can explain or advocate or make the call.

Regardless of what happens to us, the Latino, Somali, Sudanese, and other families in Faribault will continue to need your support. They are beautiful people who bring so much to our community. Let’s continue to make them welcome.

Bob Kell

How Does Your Garden Grow? By Bob Kell

2010-06-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

The weather has been kind to the Community Garden this year. Plants are off to a good start and the garden looks to become very productive. People will be eating well in a couple months. Much of the success is due to the hard work of the gardeners, who are about as varied as the vegetables! We have gardeners from Honduras and Guatemala, from Mexico and Somalia, born here and born elsewhere, from mobile homes, apartments, and houses. But all share the excitement of awaiting the gifts of Mother Earth.

We want to thank those who have helped make this garden grow….Donahue’s Greenhouse and Farmer Seed for the generous donation of plants and seeds, Heselton Construction for the load of black dirt, the State Health Improvement Project for its support of a water tank, the anonymous woman who donated the sweet corn and pea seeds, and Dan Zielske for all his hard work.

But we also want to thank some unexpected supporters. The children of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church just sent us a check for $1648.54 that they collected for their mission project this year. The Faribault Diversity Coalition was chosen as the recipient. We are so grateful for their support. But the beauty of this goes even further.

One of the goals of our work is to encourage others to join in creating a welcoming community. We do what we can to create welcoming spaces, but the reach of the welcome is so much greater when it is extended in the daily lives of the many who partner with us. The gift of the children is just that…a symbol of their desire as members of this community to make Faribault a place where everybody can feel at home, where they are glad that others have chosen to live here, where they say “welcome” to the immigrant and refugee children who share their schools and their streets. That is what makes this work so fulfilling. That is the real fruit of the garden.

The children are giving all of us a beautiful example. Again, the heart of the child shows us the way. Whatever your contacts with people of other cultures, of other conditions, of other language and customs, you can be the one who makes the difference. You are the one who communicates respect, who helps people feel they belong. Thank you too for the good you do. Our garden is growing well.

Changes and a beneficial dialogue at the Welcome Center by Bob Kell

2010-05-07T19:37:00.000-07:00

May is bringing some changes for the Welcome Center. We would like to share some of what has been and will be happening...

--The Community Garden is in full swing with 30 families anxious to get something in the ground. The warm spring has prepared things for an early planting, so we look forward to a good harvest. Some other options are still being explored to see if we can't increase the amount of land and produce for participating families and the community.

--A very beneficial dialogue was held April 15 between downtown business owners and members of the Somali community. The Welcome Center and the Faribault Chamber of Commerce worked together to facilitate the gathering. The cultural behavior of Somali men gathering in groups outside the Banadir Restaurant to share news and visit had become a concern to neighboring business owners. The hesitancy of customers to pass through a large group of unknown people had meant that some customers simply chose to stay away--which presented another challenge to already struggling businesses. Joseph Mbele, a St. Olaf College professor and Diversity Coalition Board Member, started the dialogue with an explanation of the cultural factors at work. He explained that Somalia did not have a written language until just recently, and that they behaved as an oral culture. Those gatherings on the street corner were their newspaper and their books, their way of being community and sharing what was going on. They gather almost as a cultural imperative, being "good people" by socializing with others as they are expected to do. The shop owners shared very honestly and respectfully how their clients at times reacted to those gatherings, not just because they were African men, but because they were a large group. There is an element of intimidation. The elders present were very apologetic, making it clear that their community had no intention of causing any harm to anyone, and that they would pass the word to their community to be attentive to how their behavior could be perceived. The beauty of the dialogue was the atmosphere of respect and good will that everyone showed.

--A former pillar of the Diversity Coalition is again showing the value of community connection. Several members of the Sudanese community have been working at passing their driving test and looking for some help at tuning up their skills. Dan Burns, a part time driving instructor, has generously made himself available to them to give some pointe sand some extra time behind the wheel. He has also offered to teach a class for a wider audience on safety and driving. Thanks, Dan!

--The Immigrant Energy Project is again moving ahead with plans to help immigrant workers and entrepreneurs interested in the field of energy conservation. A Core Four business training is planned for June 5-6 (16 hrs) to lay out the basics for beginning a business. Jose Mendoza will be presenting the class in Spanish/English. Interested persons are invited to call the Welcome Center at 507-333-5036. Community is built in many ways by the many people who reach out, who participate in dialogue, who join the garden, who teach others.This is not just our work, but the work of the community. Thanks to all of you for the part you play.

Bob Kell, Welcome Center Director

New home for the Welcome Center & Somali Community Resettlement

2010-02-25T19:39:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our new home at St. Vincent dePaul for Charitable Services. Along with our new home is a reorganized program. The Welcome Center food shelf and clothing has been transferred to to SVDP giving Bob & Hashi more time for helping newcomers, organizing and working on programs as well as helping translating, filling out forms and finding services for their needs. There is also a common room for meetings, forums and workshops. Below are some pictures of the new offices, food pantry, clothing, furniture and a meeting in the common room put on by Advocates for Human Rights and the Faribault Diversity Coalition.

We thank you for your past and continued support in helping our refugees and immigrants become a part of our commnunity. Have a gentle day, Milo

Please stop by anytime at 617 3rd Ave. NW • Faribault, MN 55021

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2009

2009-12-25T19:18:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-22T19:44:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-15T08:57:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-14T19:11:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-19T08:43:00.000-07:00

Faribault International Market 2009

2009-08-30T08:45:00.001-07:00

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

2009-07-29T19:17:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-29T19:39:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-12T18:34:00.000-07:00

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.
____
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.
_____
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

2009-04-11T20:00:00.000-07:00

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