The work of Growing Up Healthy is in the community.

Below are some examples of how our three strategies of grassroots organizing, community education, and systems level change are intricately linked and complement each other.

Club Cuisine – this multicultural cooking club takes place in the kitchen at First UCC, Northfield and is generously supported by a WINGS grant and by First UCC’s donation of the space.  All are invited to come share in the experience.  The program was started when a group of Mexican women wanted to teach a group of non-Mexican women how to make tamales.  Since then we have shared lots of laughs and good food together (and it isn’t just women!).  Past menus include: homemade pizza, enchiladas, lasagna, zucchini bread, pozole, and tostadas.  All the dates are on our calendar – so come join us if you can!!

Dia Familiar – started during the 2009-10 school year, Dia Familiar is a weekly gathering for Latino families at Greenvale Park Elementary school in Northfield.  Each Thursday evening we provide parent education, cultural sharing, conversations about pertinent issues,  access to computer space and/or assistance with translation issues, filling out forms, etc.  Carleton College students volunteer to provide activities for the children so parents can participate fully.  The linked slideshow is from a celebration of the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in October 2010.

Community Garden – in the summer of 2009, residents of the Cannon River Mobile Home Park in Faribault expressed an interest in having their own community garden.  The land owner generously agreed to let some field space be transformed into a community garden.  The first season we had plots for 10 families; in 2010 we had 16 plots.  Many community members, both residents of the neighborhood as well as others, have contributed to the success of this endeavor!