Newcomers to area neighborhoods, especially those coming from other countries, sometimes need help becoming familiar with the expectations associated with occupying a residence. Just as majority community neighborhoods need education in cultural differences and other diversity issues, so do newcomers to those neighborhoods need education about the majority culture. As a community, we need to respect the board range of cultural traditions that our residents represent. We also need to be aware of the differences among us and to be clear on the rules that regulate our behavior.

The 21st Century Partnership Task Force on Diversity called for improving the internal diversity performance of community institutions and ensuring that institutions in the community include diversity as a priority in their own planning and programming. The network of relationships that knit the majority community together should be made accessible to the minority communities in the community as well. Strategies to extend opportunities for greater civic involvement to minorities could include:

• involvement in neighborhood groups,
• appointment to citizen committees serving local government
• recruitment by service clubs
• involvement in non-profit board
• involvement in interest groups such as the League of Women Voters, and
• involvement in committees advising business organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce

English language training is critical for the job success and community participation of non-native English speakers. As a community, we need to continue to support programs such as those offered in adult literacy though the Rochester Public Schools. In addition to adult basic education for native speakers of English, G.E.D. preparation, and diploma opportunities for adults, a variety of English language training classes are available. 

     The English program provides seven sequential levels of instruction in the English language and U.S. Culture. The classes are open to all non-native speakers of English in the Rochester area. In addition, the following programs are also available: 

• Assistance for foreign-born residents preparing for the U.S. Citizenship Exam, 
• Refugee tutoring assistance
• Work skills program
• Parenting classes and preschool education for speakers of other languages. 

Classes are offered in several locations, including the Rochester Community and Technical College Heintz Center, Ability Building Center, Corrections Department and on-site employer customized educational assistance through the Work Skills Project. 

Olmsted County is a diverse community made up of many cultural groups bound together by common life experiences, traditions, behaviors, and values.  Health care institutions should provide education programs for all staff members regarding cultural and cross-cultural health care traditions to ensure effective outreach and provide equal access to services. Education programs for health care employees should include background regarding the differences in customs, traditions, language and history as well as the positive health care practices that exist within cultures.

     Many refugees who come to this region in search of safety and a new life have experienced overwhelming suffering and loss as a result of war, torture and the hardship of life in refugee camps. Differences in language, income, education and access to appropriate health care may also compromise the physical and mental health of residents. It is important for health care providers to support community education and outreach programs beyond the mainstream or majority culture to meet the needs of all residents, including those in the immigrant and newcomer population.

The following goals and objectives will ensure that the health care needs of all residents are met: :

• Ensure that the employees of health care institutions have the opportunity to learn the health care traditions of the community members they serve
• Improve access to health care by providing education and outreach to all cultural and cross-cultural communities with Olmsted County.
• Ensure appropriate and timely interpreter staff in health care systems for English language learners and non-native speakers.

Some of the youth in our community cannot afford to participate in youth sports and other community activities. While scholarship programs are available through some youth organizations, many still have fewer lower income participants than would be expected based on community population characteristics. It is not enough merely to passively accommodate minority and low income youth participation. To increase the level of participation on the part of lower income youth and the minorities:

• Youth oriented organizations should make a deliberate, proactive effort to involve lower income and minority youth in their programs. Such efforts should include waiving fess, assisting with the purchase of equipment, providing assistance with transportation when necessary, and active recruitment efforts. 
• Youth oriented organizations should also make an effort to attract minority adult leaders to their boards and youth contact positions
• Public entities should establish as a condition for the use of public facilities (meeting rooms, sports fields, and gymnasiums) that the organization using the facility has established efforts to increase participation among low income and minority youth.

All of the public school systems in the Rochester Olmsted community should have completed state required diversity plans and placed them on file with the Minnesota Department of Children Families and Learning.

School districts should also provide staff development programming and resources to ensure that teachers and other staff members understand the value of integrating diversity education strategies into all aspects of K-12 curriculum.

As a suggestion for private school systems or for public school systems considering revisions, the 21st Century Partnership, in consultation with Diversity Council Education Committee and Rochester Public Schools offer the following curriculum suggestions intended to:

(1) Create a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students, and

(2) Support an environment that nurtures diversity and strives to eliminate name-calling, racism, gender bias and other forms of discrimination.

In Phase 1 of the 21st Century Partnership process, a broad cross-section of Olmsted County residents identified diversity as a "make or break" issue on which the social and economic health of this region depends. This report details the findings, objectives, and goals that the Task Force on Diversity has determined are critical first steps on our journey to a community-wide commitment promoting unity and respect for all people.  Members of the Task Force agree, that by not addressing these changes and issues, we put our collective future at risk.

     Olmsted County has maintained a leadership role in health care, technology, education and business. We believe that our community must add diversity to our list of positive accomplishments. By doing so, we will step forward as leaders for the nation in the 21st century, pledging to oppose discrimination in any form.  The Olmsted County will blend talent, culture, abilities and race to create a music in which all people are respected and welcome.

     The responsibility for change is proportional to the power the individuals and groups hold in society.  It is therefore, the responsibility of the majority population to provide vision, leadership and strategies to stop discrimination.

      It is against this background that the 21st Century Partnership Steering Committee identifies the following issues as the focus areas for the Diversity Task Force:

• eliminate racism
• create a welcoming environment for all cultures and abilities
• promote the positive values of diversity

Eliminating Racism

Racism exists in Olmsted County and the community has found this issue difficult to confront. There is a definite need for a more coordinated, community wide emphasis and increase focus on diversity by elected bodies and business groups. There have been many diversity initiatives in the community; the activity has been directed at the cultural aspects, pointed short-term education, and board awareness programs such as the "Not in Our Town" project. These have all been positive efforts, however, the Olmsted community has not yet reached the core or root of the problem.

     While the goal to "eliminate racism" is unrealistic in the near term, a community that works well must promote a "zero tolerance" approach to discriminatory behavior

Creating a Welcoming Environment for all Cultures and Abilities

The current environment is not accepting of diversity in race, abilities, lifestyles or sexual orientation. We have made some progress over the years. More must be done to create an open and welcoming community if we are going to minimize future problems and maximize the strengths of our diverse population. A major step in this direction would be to extend the Human Rights Ordinance to the balance of the county and to amend it to address sexual orientation, age and disability.  The current lack of a county-wise structure with the authority in grievance resolution is a significant inhibitor to progress.

Promoting the Positive Values of Diversity

Of the three areas of the Diversity Task Force reviewed, promoting the positive aspects of diversity has received the most attention in the community. There are programs events and educational sessions that emphasize other cultures and beliefs. It is clear that the community is not leveraging the value that a diverse population brings to its culture, government, education, businesses and citizens. It is imperative that we look forward to our future, recognizing that the economic educational and social success the county are at stake. 

The Diversity Task Force has identified the following vision statement for the Olmsted community related to diversity:

Our community will provide a safe, non-discriminating environment with respect and opportunity for all.

This statement embodies the concept that diversity involves the entire community and has elements that include race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation and age.

To achieve this vision, we have defined three objectives that must be met:

1. Focus the community's attention on diversity
2. Eliminate the suspicion and fear resulting from negative stereotypes and promote positive inter-racial awareness.
3. Provide increase opportunities for everyone and enable all people to fully participate in the social, educational, economic and civic life of the community.

A long-range strategic plan is needed in Olmsted County to provide a more focused approach to the increasing diversity of the region.

Diversity is an integral component of all 21st Century Partnership task forces. The recommendations outlined by the task forces on Crime, Education and Workforce Readiness, Jobs and the Economy, Neighborhoods, Rural and Small City Vitality and Youth, Families and the Elderly provide additional framework to support our vision.

The population of Olmsted County is becoming increasing more diverse. There is a need for more analytical data to measure the impact of this diversity.

Governing bodies, civic organizations and community programs do not represent the diversity of the community.

Negative stereotyping of our changed community has and will continue to adversely affect our local businesses and community economics.

A common perception in the majority community maintains that minority groups have created an unsafe, rapidly deteriorating environment in this community.

The majority population has a significant role and responsibility in address the issues of racism and discrimination.

Partnerships are needed between the majority and minority to identify and solve problems together.

It is imperative to educate our children/youth on the values of diversity: they are our future.

The former volunteer-run Rochester Human Rights Commission in the City of Rochester did not have the authority or resources to meet this community's (city and county) needs.

The Human Rights Ordinance adopted by the City of Rochester did not include all of the protected classes identified in Minnesota Statutes.

There is no systematic way to identify and reach out to new people in the community.

The media (newspaper, TV, radio, etc) has a significant impact on thne community's percept of diverse groups.

The supply of low and moderate income housing does not meet the demand the community needs to integrate low and moderate income housing throughout all neighborhoods.