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A Word from the President by Carleen Rhodes Refugee Resettlement continued from page 1 bummer is a particularly inspiring time for our community, as lifelong residents and new Hmong. Since their arrival,these families arrivals alike celebrate the benefits of living in a 1 have accomplished a great deal: 63 percent country founded on the promise of freedom. own their own homes and 45 percent of The Grand Excursion gave us a wonderful look adults are high school graduates or are at improvements to the riverfront, and Greater pursuing higher education. Hmong- Saint Paul's communities,at various stages in Minnesotans have seized the opportunity to their lifecycles, are working to maximize the ease the transition for relatives arriving opportunities made available in this country. from Thailand, and community-based In June, the first Hmong families from the Wat Tham Hmong organizations stand ready to Krabok refugee support new refugees. camp in Thailand arrived in Saint Paul(see cover story). In the coming months, these new arrivals will grieve for a homeland left behind and But the opportunity lies not just with the pursue their hopes for a bright future. The experiences of families coming Hmong community anxiously awaiting from a distant shore remind many of us of our ancestors'stories—or our long-lost family and friends. We are all own memories—of arriving in the United States from a different shore. being given a chance to create a new reality The Foundation supports the Hmong and other immigrant-refugee for immigrant-refugees now and in the communities in this difficult transition by funding programs such as future. There are certainly challenges in emergency aid,English classes,job-skills training, and health screening. accommodating the simultaneous arrival of so many new citizens in Minnesota. Yet As the country gears up for national elections in November, Minnesota's immigration has been and will continue to Hispanic community is gearing up for increased civic engagement. As one be crucial in keeping Minnesota's economy 4nly a few remaining groups viewed as undecided, Latinos are moving,as evidenced by the recent ing significant attention from both major parties. The Foundation is renaissance of several areas of Saint Paul. proud to foster civic engagement through initiatives like El Fondo de The estimated 250 Hmong-owned Nuestra Comunidad's Latino Voter Participation Summit(see story on businesses in the Metro area are widely page 6). credited with revitalizing the University A different journey came to an end on the banks of the Mississippi with Avenue,Frogtown,North End,and East the arrival of the Grand Excursion's Grand Flotilla. Nearly 200 of our Side neighborhoods. donors, advisory boards,community partners, and members of From grants in the mid 1980's to support SpectrumTrust waved flags on the Betsey Northrup in the formal flotilla the first Hmong social service providers in arriving from the Quad Cities. The event was a celebration of the river: as Minnesota to recent grants for a fact-fording a source of spiritual strength for its original Dakota inhabitants, as a central mission to Thailand,the Foundation has shipping route, and now again as a treasured natural resource for the urban been a leader in helping Saint Paul and communities on its banks. The view of the Mississippi is vastly different surrounding communities foster the than it was 10 years ago. Our guests took in the sights of myriad potential of the Hmong. The Foundation environmental and economic improvements to the Saint Paul riverfront, is exploring additional ways to support the attributed in part to their hard work and financial support. newly arriving refugees in the areas of The Grand Excursion gave us a chance to see the culmination of 10 years mental health,adult literacy, and emergency of a community pulling together to improve a vital natural resource. Our assistance through the Community focused attention and stewardship will continue—I look forward to Sharing Fund. working with all of you on initiatives that will make a difference in the Our community is on a journey—to a future decades to come. where refugees and lifelong Minnesotans are welcomed,supported, and valued. For additional resources and information about volunteer opportunities,go to www.saintpaulfoundation.org. 2