In Oct., Winona State University welcomed the author of the book A Backpack, A Bear, and Eight Crates of Vodka which was the common book for the 2023-2024 school year. Now, in Baldwin Lounge on March 19, 2024. Winona State welcomed a panel of people who are helping immigrants and refugees in Winona and surrounding areas. This panel was to spark a conversation about the themes of the common book, but also to highlight those doing similar work in Winona to help people just like others did in A Backpack, A Bear, and Eight Crates of Vodka.
The members of this panel who work with immigrants and refugees in Winona County include Kathy Florin, Pr. Michael Short, Dwayne Voegeli, and Fatima Said. Each of these individuals got into their work because of different reasons, but they all have the common goal of helping people and truly allowing America to live up to the idea that it is the land of opportunity.
One of the most notable panelists was Fatima Said. She is the Executive Director of Project FINE. Project FINE is an organization that is focused on integrating people through education. Said’s passion for this work came about through her personal experience as a Refugee from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On the Project FINE website welcome page there is more information on how and why Project FINE serves Winona County.
“As of the 2020 Census, the only population increase in our community was among diverse individuals. This growth is expected to continue, as will the challenges of cultural and language barriers that prevent newcomers from accessing services, gaining employment and building a new like in our community,” the Project FINE website read.
Project FINE is one of many organizations of its kind and this organization is connected to the common book this year because the author of the book, Lev Golinkin, went to an organization that was similar when his family emigrated to the US. Not only this, but in his book, Golinkin describes the network of support that he had when his family came to the US.
The Director of the Common Book program, Dr. Andrew Higl, describes how this panel relates so heavily to the book A Backpack, A Bear, and Eight Crates of Vodka.
“Lev Golinkin’s book abounds with gratitude for those people and those organizations. He seems very aware in the book that he would not be where he is today without their support. We wanted to give a voice to the organizations and people in our community who are doing that work today for refugees and immigrants who arrive in the Winona community.” Higl said.
In his book, Golinkin states his gratitude to the people who helped him, and for many at Winona State it may be hard to put themselves into the shoes of Golinkin and others who share similar stories. It is easy to say that the topics and conversations that Golinkins’ book brings up are important, but that it doesn’t affect Winona. However, this panel put immigration and refugees into a close-to-home perspective for people who go to Winona State.
“I think it is also great to see that what you read about in the book has a life right here and right now. It also might encourage others to get involved,” Higl said. “Our panelists did not have any special academic expertise that helped them make a difference. They had the will and the passion to help others.”
This panel and the common book program have brought to light important conversations that need to be had even in a relatively small town like Winona. Helping immigrants and refugees is important everywhere, and this panel helped to show both students and community members just how important it is to welcome people to the community with open arms.
