Photovoice

Growing Up Healthy in the Red River Valley used Photovoice as a research tool to document the concerns women in the area have about chemicals used in their homes and communities. This photo shows the chemical fog left behind after spraying for mosquitos. By documenting their own worlds and discussing with policy makers the images they produce, community people can initiate grassroots social change. Photo by LT

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Participants from White Earth

Women from the White Earth Reservation begin their photo journey. Photo by PM

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Spawning ammonia tanks

This mom and photographer expressed concern about how anhydrous ammonia tanks were being stored and how easily they could be stolen for making methamphetamine. Photo by PH

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Safer cleaning

Mothers and grandmothers participating in the Photovoice project shared their concerns about what kinds of cleaning products are used in homes and how they are used. They also learned about safer alternative products. Photo by SH

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Eating healthier

These berries were grown with no fertilizers or other chemicals. The Growing Up Healthy project emphasizes the health benefits of reducing chemical use in foods, especially for children. Photo by SH

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Growing your own

The mom that took this photo shared that her children are much more likely to eat vegetables when they grow their own. Photo by FA

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Read Aloud Program

Parents and children gather for the "Read Aloud" program in Windom. Through the program, families learn from each other and get to know others in the community.

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Circle of Parents

Intercultural Communities Uniting builds stronger communities in southwest Minnesota by bringing together new immigrants and the broader community through crafts and other "Circle of Parents" activities.

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World Market

The World Market in Springfield brings together the community's new and long-time residents to promote understanding of, and appreciation for, many cultures. Photo by Terri Holman

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World Market Dancers

A group of Hmong girls await their turn to dance at the World Market in Springfield. Photo by Terri Holman

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Multicultural Booths

World Market Day in Springfield featured booths of crafts and foods from many countries. Photo by Terri Holman

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Market's Youngest Dancers

The World Market Day in Springfield featured dancers from many countries. Photo by Terri Holman

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2nd Annual Multicultural Festival

More than 350 people enjoyed the 2nd Annual Multicultural Festival in Windom.

Multicultural activities

The festival featured food and multicultural activities from around the world.

Learning about laws and protections

The Diversity Youth Quest program is designed for Hmong and Latino youth, to help them become accustomed to American culture through role models, activities and presentations.

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Latinas participating in Diversity Youth Quest

Newcomers make up 6.3% of Winona County's population, including 2,000-3,000 Latino, 400-500 Hmong, 60 Laotian, 25-30 Russian and 70-90 Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Bosnian and Somali individuals and families.

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Working with mentors

Youth Quest is a year-round program with a structured timeline and activities for mentors and youth which include monthly presentations by local health professionals who cover a range of topics.

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Participating in group activities

Diversity Youth Quest participants in Saint Charles answer questions during the icebreaker activity at the Self-Esteem & Motivation presentation.

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Learning from each other

University Mentors in Winona learn more about the Hmong culture during a home visit with a Hmong family they visited as part of their mentor training process.

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Healthy Homes - Healthy Kids project

Native American Community Clinic, Preventing Harm Minnesota and Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center have partnered to implement the Healthy Homes-Healthy Kids project in the Phillips neighborhood.

Participatory Learning and Action (PLA)

This project used PLA, which allows for full participation of people in the processes of learning about their needs and opportunities, and in the action required to address them.

Particpant posters

Environmental health problems are prevalent in the Phillips community. Health conditions, such as asthma hospitalization rates, elevated blood and arsenic levels, have been documented through quantitative and qualitative data.

Mapping Phillips Neighborhood

Local experts and community members document their knowledge and understanding of the neighborhood's health issues.

Family involvement

American Indian women and their families were involved in identifying children's environmental health problems through drawings, discussions and written surveys.

Create CommUNITY

Since 2003, Create CommUNITY has been a driving force toward creating a more welcoming, non-discriminatory environment for everyone in the St. Cloud-area community. Today, the organization is focused on taking strategic, measurable steps to dismantling racism through systemic change.

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Dismantling racism through systemic change

Originally known as the Mayor's Racial Harmony Team, this community movement started through the office of the Mayor in St. Cloud. It has grown to include other cities and counties, a broad base of area businesses and organizations, and many interested individuals.

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Omeka!

Omeka! launched in November, is making those connections for African and African-American women in Central Minnesota, featuring monthly gatherings in homes. "Omeka!" is a Swahili word meaning to display; to speak out; to spread out.

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Celebrating many cultures

The gatherings connect African immigrant women from Somalia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, French Guinea, Liberia, Congo, Cameroon and Jamaica who share their journeys, cultures and ideas, and they learn from one another.

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Children connecting

Childcare is provided for all Omeka gatherings, giving children the opportunity to connect and learn about other cultures. Here the children are beading pretty bracelets to take home.

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