Building Communities
Building Communities programs and services provide opportunities for meaningful interaction between diverse groups of refugees, immigrants and established residents. These interactions promote cultural sharing and increased understanding. As a result, refugees and immigrants gain important connections and the entire community becomes more welcoming and inclusive.
Current Building Communities Offerings Include:
Current Building Communities Offerings Include:
Welcoming Table
Welcoming Table provides opportunities for the community to come together to share a meal and build cross-cultural relationships. Beginning in March 2018, Welcoming Table gatherings will be held each month (see Calendar of Events for details). These gatherings will provide food for our bodies and food for thought, as we share a meal and get to know our neighbors. Each month will have a short presentation and conversation starters to spark table conversation.
Click here for more Welcoming Table info, including online registration links.
The Welcoming Table is funded through an Intercultural Harmony grant from the Laura Jane Musser Fund.
Click here for more Welcoming Table info, including online registration links.
The Welcoming Table is funded through an Intercultural Harmony grant from the Laura Jane Musser Fund.
Healthy Connections
The goal of the Healthy Connections project is to create a community that is more safe, inclusive and welcoming for refugees, immigrants and all residents. Project activities include informational sessions, community conversations, an expansion of Welcoming Table gatherings into rural areas and engaging with community partners to pursue equity in policies and practices.
Healthy Connections is a two-year project beginning in July 2019 and is funded by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MInnesota Foundation.
Healthy Connections is a two-year project beginning in July 2019 and is funded by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MInnesota Foundation.
Conneting Cultures
Through Connecting Cultures, community members have an opportunity to learn about different cultures and traditions from around the world. Sessions are held monthly are taught by local refugees and immigrants. Each session includes an educational presentation and fun activities that incorporate language, art, storytelling, music and food. (Beginning January 2021, see Winona Area Public Schools Community Education Catalog or contact Project FINE for more information.)
Kuv Caaj Ceg Hmoob (My Hmong Roots)
This program provides an opportunity for Hmong community members to improve their Hmong language skills and deepen their cultural knowledge. The course will cover spoken and written language skills and will be taught by Project FINE staff members who have extensive experience interpreting and writing in Hmong. Individuals of all ages and language abilities are welcome. (Starting in January 2021, contact Project FINE for more information.)
Diversity Training
Employers and service providers in Winona County and the surrounding area are experiencing an increasingly diverse workforce and client base. Hosting diversity training for staff and leadership is a positive to build understanding and increase effectiveness. Topics include best practices for working with refugees and immigrants, specific cultural information, and how to build an inclusive environment. Diversity training sessions are flexible and designed to meet the specific needs of each requesting agency.
For further information or to request Diversity Training, please click here
Project FINE's Building a Cultural Competency Video: An introduction to building understanding and providing culturally-appropriate services.
For further information or to request Diversity Training, please click here
Project FINE's Building a Cultural Competency Video: An introduction to building understanding and providing culturally-appropriate services.
