Tea Time with Khenda
The quarterly newsletter where we share Updates & Opportunities for Inclusive Communities
Now that the leaves are changing color and autumn has arrived, I hope you are warming up with a steaming cup of your favorite tea or coffee. I am glad you’re here, so let’s share some feel-good stories.
Recently I sat down with Hope Dunbar on the CASATalk Podcast to talk about Nebraska Is Home and the growing Welcoming movement in our state. Listen to the episode!
Welcoming Week 2021 across Nebraska
This year, Nebraskans hosted nearly 30 Welcoming Week events across at least eight communities, joining the growing movement to create more welcoming communities through intentional actions, practices, and policies. Immigrants, refugees, long-time residents, and community members of all backgrounds found imaginative ways to bring people together across lines of difference to affirm that Belonging Begins With Us!
Check out these recaps of some of the awesome events during Welcoming Week
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- United By Culture – a celebration of the diverse cultures in Lexington and surrounding communities
- Connecting through food – video tutorials and recipes shared by Nebraskan neighbors
- Celebrate Siouxland 2021 parade and fiesta – watch the recap!
- Celebracion de Independencia – Omaha celebrated Mexican Independence Day
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Did you attend a Welcoming Week event this year? Share your photos!
Annual Welcoming Convening
We were happy to see many of you at our virtual convening series, “Creating Communities of Belonging.” This year, instead of a single event, we hosted 4 virtual events from June to September. The convening featured interactive and inspiring workshops led by Nebraskan leaders and national partners sharing successes and challenges in building inclusive communities.
Watch for an exciting announcement soon about a winter event that you can join from the warmth of your home!
Tools for Welcomers
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- More than one story is a card game designed to build bridges between people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures. It is now available in digital format, for easy use in your virtual meetings!
- Information on bullying and hate incidents in multiple languages – One of the prerequisites of belonging is safety. These materials are free for you to use and share, and they’re available in Vietnamese, Spanish, Somali, Karen, English, Chinese, and Arabic.
- Native Land map – November is Native American Heritage Month. Use this map to learn and share about the people who are indigenous the place you call home. Continue the conversation by watching and sharing this video: Welcome to Nebraska (Indigenous Introduction)
- How to best support refugee resettlement – ways to lend hand and support new neighbors, including those from Afghanistan.
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Do you have a great story, resource, or upcoming event that I should include in the next newsletter? Share it with me.
Thank you for spending part of your day with me. See you next time!