A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of     South Wood County

Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News May 8, 2004 - Minorities eager to help: non-caucasian residents say ethnicity no factor in community building By Colin Atagi, Daily Tribune Staff Wisconsin Rapids-area minority residents say organizers of the three-year Community Progress Initiative should reach out to people of all ethnic backgrounds, as long as they reach back. Meera Deshpande regularly volunteers her time with the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance and attended the seventh Community Progress Initiative rally, held Thursday in Rome. Along with other non-Caucasian residents, she said she's ready to help improve the economy. "We want to make it clear we are harmonious people," said Deshpande, of Rome. "I volunteer for the community and we want people to know we're here to help. "There's a lot of opportunity. I think people know we have lots of resources, and there's a lot of things people can do to work with you." The initiative, intended not only to improve the local economy but to encourage community activism, can be adjusted for specific audiences, said Connie Loden, executive director of the Heart of Wisconsin and one of the lead organizers of the initiative launched in April. "Certainly there is intent to include everyone, and our invitation is communitywide," she said. "We'd like to have everyone involved - that includes representation from minority groups for sure, and we invite them to get in touch so we can find the best avenue to reach out to them." Deshpande expressed similar sentiments. "It doesn't matter what race you are or how young you are - everyone should be part of the community," she said. "It starts with the home and then goes into the community." The initiative could do that by giving business owners the chance to brainstorm with each other, said Jesse Austin, an African-American resident and communications manager for Stora Enso North America. The Community Progress Initiative "can attract companies and they can share ideas of how to take advantage of people's skills, regardless of their background," he said. "It's all about overcoming traditional views of how you're supposed to go about hiring and promoting people, and looking at their talent instead of their ethnic background." Vesper resident Alfredo Hernandez thinks people of all cultures need to take the time to learn how to adapt to the American system, though. The more someone is able to work in the system, the sooner he will be accepted, he said. "You have to get everyone mixed together, and that's the hard part - getting them together," Hernandez said. "People have to make the effort to get involved instead of waiting for people to come out and help." Hernandez said he learned from his parents it takes work to make a change and no one should expect special treatment just for being a minority. "My parents realized, in order to get somewhere, you have to get an education first," he said. "In order to get an education, you have to accept the system. You can't change it just because you're a minority. You're an American now, so you have got to get into the American way." Deshpande agreed it requires effort to make a change. "They'll (help) you through the process if you're willing to start a business," she said. "Communication is a must with any race. With anyone, communication is the number one issue to begin with."
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