Welcome to Waseca
In the wake of Blandin Community Investment Partnership (BCIP) funding approval, over 100 Waseca residents discussed how they could meet goals vital to the health of their community. “We are really picking up momentum,” said Julie Linnihan of the City of Waseca. Care for community-the people and the land-is behind the energy of this southern Minnesota town. Precious lake water needs to be monitored and kept clean. Citizens need a place to play and learn together.
A Gathering Place
Waseca would like to be known as both welcoming and fun. People in a community need a place to meet, learn, and play together and the residents are going to examine ways a gathering center may be created. They are initiating an in-depth feasibility study to answer questions such as:
- Who are the financial partners?
- How can we ensure this center will not compete with existing services?
- How can we operate and maintain this facility?
- How can we serve all generations and many purposes?
Answering these questions may be challenging, but there is tremendous excitement among Waseca residents to do it.
Community Connection
If you are new to Waseca you won’t be a stranger for long. Wondering where to find a doctor? Need to enroll your child in school? Someone will reach out to connect you with information and options. Increasing immigration has caused Waseca residents to develop resources to welcome people new to this country and culture.
In an effort to address issues of diversity in Waseca, progress and education have “come to life,” according to Julie. Two “community connector” positions have been created and filled by people from the largest growing ethnic groups in the area: Somali and Hispanic. Both positions are working out of the Neighborhood Service Center as resources for people new to the local organizations, language, and culture.
As a result of the community connectors’ work a multi-lingual resource guide to Waseca will be developed to assist people making the transition into a new place and hopefully create a welcoming atmosphere. Public forums will be held featuring more in-depth and individualized conversations.
“We know that in order for the forums to be a success we have to hold them in people’s native languages and we need to find a way to go to the people,” says Julie. The forums will cover such things as how to get basic services for the home, access medical care, participate in a parent /teacher conference, and enjoy local recreational opportunities-aspects of life that are vital to adjusting well to a new home.
Education is the Key
In conjunction with the local school, a diverse curriculum will be developed. This effort is intended to shed light on complex community issues and assist teachers and administrators in working with students, parents, and fellow employees. Hopefully, the curriculum will be adopted by many local businesses as well as the school and will lead to increased understanding and ultimately an environment free from prejudice.
An ethnic celebration is also a part of this priority area identified by Waseca residents. The goal is to hold a community-wide celebration that includes everyone’s heritage. Food, music, dancing, and fun will build connections between cultures. The people of Waseca will learn about each other- whether their traditions originate from Mexico, Germany, or Africa- and know their own community more deeply.
Water Watch
Along with taking care of their people, Waseca residents are looking out for their lakes. Concern for lake ecosystems and general water quality has fired up a group of people 75 members strong to create an independent lakes association. This association is developing a water testing program, as well as examining other natural resource issues.
Overcoming Obstacles
Successful grant development and sound plans for community investment do not come without challenges. Maintaining a large volunteer force is a consistent problem. What starts as an excited group of 50, dwindles to a few individuals who ultimately do much of the work. It is a common difficulty, and steps such as the arrival of a grant award fuel more involvement. According to Julie Linnihan, part of the challenge is that “it is difficult to understand the process, meaning the exercised principles of everyone’s voice being included and careful examination of alternatives to plans. Many people want to know ‘when are we going to build something?’ when it takes a long time to figure out whether or not building something is the right solution to our needs.”
Devoted to the Cause
Community development is a time-consuming process, but worth it. “I truly believe what we are doing is going to be a legacy for Waseca,” says Julie. She has found that many of the people working within the BCIP groups are “truly devoted to the concept of public service.” This devotion helps keep momentum alive. Through tough spots and triumphs, “you have to believe it is the right thing to do.” There are so many issues facing communities today and it is important to continue to address them. The most important part, says Julie, “is maintaining the big picture of wanting to have a healthy community.” As Waseca implements the crucial goals they have set for their community, “unsung heroes will make a huge impact.”