Tea Time with Khenda

A quarterly newsletter celebrating Welcoming and Inclusive communities across the state of Nebraska

My name is Khenda Mustafa, Welcoming Coordinator with Nebraska Is Home. Even as the Coronavirus pandemic brings uncertainty for us all, we can come together to support one another in continuing to build a welcoming and inclusive culture across our state.

This is the first issue of a quarterly newsletter called Tea Time with Khenda, where we will share resources, stories, and events to celebrate and build welcoming communities together.

Why Tea Time?

Growing up, I was taught the importance – and joy – of welcoming others and making them feel comfortable, safe, and valued. With hospitality playing a major role in Kurdish culture, our family entertained guests quite a lot. I remember being younger and helping my mother brew a large pot of ceylon tea whenever we had company over. When the tea was ready, I would pour the piping hot liquid into glass cups and serve it along with sugar in its various forms — sometimes dates, sugar cubes, and even toffee. As the conversations flowed, so did the tea.

It seems that all around the world, people have great conversations over hot beverages, and it is in this spirit of hospitality and communion that Nebraska is Home brings you Tea Time

Grab a Cup of Your Favorite Brew and Have a Seat…

Turkish tea

We’re All In This Together… Separately

As we adapt to the new environment brought about by this pandemic, here are some questions that we can be asking ourselves in the process:

  1. How are we including the whole community in our efforts today?
  2. In what ways are we thinking about coming together as a community after collectively getting through this?

We might not have the answers right away, but we should keep asking ourselves these questions and discussing together what kind of community we want to be, coming out of this.

Resources

Now more than ever, it is important to remember to take care of ourselves. Have a look at these tools for self-care and community wellbeing:

  • Tired of only bad news? Check out this heartwarming news story from right here in the state
  • #StayAtHome. This is the single most effective thing we can do to stop the spread of Coronavirus. Here are activities for health, wellness, and connectedness that you can do to care for yourself and others from home
  • How is your breathing? Here is a helpful short talk and guided meditation for coping with fear in times of pandemic
  • What’s going on in your town? This is a Restaurant guide for delivery, curbside, and drive-through services in Lincoln. Send us other local business guides from your community!
  • You can find more useful tools for communities and inspiring stories of neighbors coming together to help each other – while staying apart – on Welcoming America
  • Check out Nebraska Appleseed’s blog for policy updates and actions you can take to promote inclusive solutions for the health and wellbeing of all community members

Upcoming (Virtual) Events

This year’s Statewide Welcoming Convening is going online! Over the next few months, we’ll be exploring new ways to hold local community conversations, particularly around race equity using the video series Cracking The Codes. – Stay tuned, we’ll be reaching out soon.

Have an event? Send us information on your virtual events and we’ll share them! We’ll be glad to share your in-person events too, once we are able to get together again, so keep us informed!

What Can I Do?

  • Find local COVID-19 response efforts and get involved. For example:
    • Support the work of schools, faith groups, and local organizations 
    • Check in on friends and neighbors – see ideas here!
  • Complete and share the Census – Every individual in our community counts! All you need is your address to help ensure Nebraska receives accurate representation and resources for our growing communities! Complete the Census TODAY and encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to complete theirs too! You can complete the Census:

Send us your stories and events to share in a future issue of Tea Time!

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