Don't Make Assumptions
The South Central MN Housing Coalition hosted the first of a three-part “Don’t Make Assumptions” series of meetings to help people understand and overcome cultural barriers on Wednesday, Aug. 17th at The Village in Waterville. During the meeting, business and community leaders, housing professionals and service providers discuss barriers to integration and housing within local communities.
The first meeting focused on the Somali population. Sabah Omar, a Somali woman who resides in Faribault, shared a story about an encounter she had while recently viewing a home that was for sale in Faribault. A neighbor to the home she was looking at made it quite clear that he didn’t want her there or exploring living in “his” neighborhood. Omar expressed that while she was initially quite upset, she was reminded that he was only one person and that there are many other people in the community who are encouraging and supportive.
“The challenges exist on both sides. The new immigrant and the people who are existing community members. You should be skeptical, but have an open heart,” stated Faysel Ali of Workforce Development, Inc., a non-profit that serves the needs of job seekers and employers in southeast Minnesota.
The rest of the story can be found in the Aug. 25, 2016, LIFE and Enterprise.
