My name is Marlon Lopez. I am from Guatemala.  One of the most important things in my life is to be a part of positive change in the community.  I believe in unity as the force that drives change in society.  I have worked as a health promoter in rural Minnesota for three years.  I believe in the freedom of expression. Being part of this project is a privilege.  United we can achieve a higher quality of life for all both in the present and in the future.  Cultural diversity is the the richness and legacy that we all have as human beings. Thank you. M-Jos.

From January to May of 2007, the Rice County Growing Up Healthy Campaign conducted twenty-two community dialogs with 161 participants.  Twelve of the 90-minute dialogs were in English, seven were in Spanish, and three were in Somali. Participants were asked to identify what they worry about most with regards to the health and safety of their children, what they would like to see changed to alleviate these worries, and asked to give feedback on specific existing programs and services within the county that serve families with young children.  During the summer of 2008, the Rice County Growing Up Healthy Community Leaders and service providers participated in similar conversations.

Over the course of these community dialogs many diverse issues were raised, but a number of common themes emerged.  Topics that were discussed most frequently included:

Ø    Health: Specifically the barriers that come when one lacks insurance

Ø    Safety: Community members are concerned about youth having safe places to play, child abduction, and traffic safety

Ø    Access to resources and services: Many participants expressed a lack of knowledge of what services and resources are available, difficulty navigating services/resources, lack of transportation to services, the need for more activities for children, and the problem of stigmatization of those who do access resources

Other topics that were brought up at multiple meetings included the lack of affordable housing and affordable childcare, as well as issues immigrants face including fear of deportation and accessing resources. Multiple groups mentioned a need for better understanding among diverse groups and cultural trainings.

Group participants also discussed solutions to community issues, including more safety education, a greater police presence, childcare co-ops, indoor space for recreation in the winter months, and many other suggestions.

Growing Up Healthy is now looking at ways to bring the community together to address these issues.  As we move through the fall and winter months, opportunities to take action and make positive community change will be identified. Please stay posted!

I am a single mother of a teenager, a preteen, and a toddler. I am a Lightworker looking for peace by raising awareness. I work as a certified nursing assistant enjoying assisting seniors with their daily activities.  Thinking with positive goals I seek to better people’s perspectives of themselves, others, and life ahead of them.  I wish to live greener - becoming more conscious of others’ needs in a global village sense.  I am working toward becoming a midwife so that I may be able to better educate women about such a natural, natural miracle and all that it entails.  I love the outdoors!

My name is Siyat Guhad. I am from Somalia.  I came to Faribault 5 years ago as a refugee.  Faribault is a great city and has great people.  I am a neighborhood leader and like helping my community in integrating or assimilating with the greater Rice County community.  I also like educating my community about where they can get access to various resources that are available in Rice County.