PRogREss ALBERT LEA TRiBunE
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CommuniTy PAssion
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FEBRuARy 28, 2016
People & Demographics
A journey to safety Refugees find a haven in albeRt lea Story and photos by Colleen Harrison
W
hen looking for a new place to live, safety is almost always expected to come with the territory for most people. For Pal Deng and other South Sudanese refugees, it’s something they’ve only managed to find since coming to the U.S. after fleeing their native country — currently torn apart by war, civil unrest and an unstable government, to name a few. See REFUGEES Page 2
What’s inside this section:
3
4
5
A community advocate
A fight against cancer
The asset in the library
Mary Goetz has served as the executive director of The Arc of Freeborn County for about a year.
Albert Lea man raises awareness of cancer by embroidering towels.
Meet the Freeborn County Historical Museum’s librarian of 25 years.
Page 2 | AlbertleAtribune.com | Progress 2016 | PeOPLe & DeMOgRaPHICS | sundAy, FebruAry 28, 2016
Refugees Continued from Front Page
Deng, 46, grew up in southern sudan — which in 2011 became the country of south sudan. Due to a civil war within his home country, Deng fled to an ethiopian refugee camp when he was a teenager, getting separated from his family in the process. He stayed there until around 1995, when he fled to Kenya after the government in ethiopia started to become unstable. It took Deng six months to get to Kenya, during which time he was imprisoned twice for his efforts. He was told by others that going near the country was a dangerous risk, as somali bandits were known for raping, kidnapping or killing those they came across. “You could be killed and nobody would ask nobody about it,” he said. “It’s a generation of struggling to survive.” As he and others were leaving ethiopia, Deng said they were detained at the ethiopia-somalia border. The group was rounded up one night at their campsite and held to verify that they weren’t somali bandits. Deng said they were held for over a month. After being released, the group hired a local somali to smuggle them to the Kenyan border. The refugees were then held by Kenyan officials for a week before being let go. from the Kenyan detention center, Deng and others were turned over to the united Nations, given a refugee ID and placed in a refugee camp. Deng stayed at the camp until 1999, when he came to the u.s. as a refugee after being granted asylum by the u.N. He said he narrowly missed the deadly bombing of the u.s. embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, by days. Deng eventually settled into Des Moines, Iowa, for about a year, before moving to Omaha, Nebraska, where he said the majority of south sudanese refugees live in the u.s. At one point, Deng lived in Nashville, Tennessee, to help his cousin acclimate to life in the united
Martha Gony is a South Sudanese refugee that has lived in Albert Lea since 2011. She speaks English, but is looking to become more fluent so she can apply for U.S. citizenship. colleen HArrison/Albert leA tribune
states, before returning to Iowa in 2003. Deng said he returned to Africa for the first time in 2004, during which time he got married. His parents set up an arranged marriage, which he said is typically the custom in his culture. He spent three months in his homeland before returning without his new wife, as he had to be in the country to start the process of bringing her to the u.s. Deng said the sponsoring process became even more complicated after the terrorist attacks on u.s. soil on sept. 11, 2001. After becoming a u.s. citizen in 2006, Deng was able to start the process of bringing over his wife and their 1-year-old son she had given birth to. In order to sponsor someone, Deng said he had to be a taxpayer, had to have a certain amount of money in his bank account and had to have lived in the u.s. for at least five years — which is also a requirement to apply for u.s. citizenship. In 2008, Deng was reunited with his wife, Anna Wakow, and their son in Nebraska. They stayed in Lincoln, Nebraska, before moving to Minnesota in 2011, when Deng started going to school. Deng got his associate degree in liberal arts from
south Central College in North Mankato, before moving to Marshall to attend southwest Minnesota state university. There, Deng went to school during the day and worked at night, while his wife stayed at home to take care of their children since they didn’t have access to day care at the time. Deng got his bachelor’s degree in political science, and the family moved to Albert Lea in 2014. Deng said he and his wife are both looking for work, as he was recently laid off from his job at streater. He said whoever finds a job first will work, and the other will take care of their six children. Martha gony, also 46, is another south sudanese refugee living in Albert Lea. she hails from Nasir, south sudan, as does Deng. gony’s journey to the u.s. is somewhat similar to Deng’s, in that she also fled to ethiopia as a teenager. gony was then married in ethiopia, where she stayed for about eight years. for sometime she went back and forth between ethiopia and sudan, depending on which areas were more stable at the time. Her husband eventually became ill and died. In 2006, gony came to the u.s. as a refugee with her children and lived in grand
Why do they live in Albert Lea? Both Deng and Gony, as well as other refugees, consider Albert Lea to be a safe, quiet community that’s a good place to raise children in. Rapids, Michigan, until moving to Albert Lea in 2011. she currently works part time cleaning through King Maintenance, but said she is looking for full-time work. she has seven children, three of which live with her. gony is currently going to classes at Brookside education Center to improve her english, as she hopes it’ll help her in applying for u.s. citizenship. Deng and gony have both faced workforce challenges in Albert Lea, saying they and other refugees have struggled at times to find work, housing and day care services. Both said despite the challenges they’ve faced, they’re happy to be in Albert Lea. The quiet community and safety they’ve found here makes it a good place to live. Through the interpretation of Chang Ruach, gony said bigger cities with more going on aren’t always good
The majority of church-going South Sudanese refugees in Albert Lea attend services led by the Rev. Simon Dhol at First Presbyterian Church. for the children of refugees. she has heard that in places like Omaha, children don’t listen to their parents as much and tend to get into more trouble with drugs and crime. “she doesn’t want her kids there,” Ruach interpreted for gony. “she wants them to succeed in America.” Ruach, a success coach for Albert Lea Area schools, works as a liaison between parents, students and teachers at sibley elementary school, southwest Middle school and Albert Lea High school. He said there are some cases where children may take advantage of the language barrier some of their parents face when it comes to disciplinary discussions, and that is sometimes where Ruach comes in as a facilitator. Deng and gony consider Albert Lea to be a clean, safe place to live, and hope to be able to stay in the area. A stronger resource center that helps address the challenges they’ve discussed with others could
By the numbers 350 Estimated number of refugees living in Albert Lea
5
Combined countries Deng and Gony have lived in
8 months to 1 year
Estimated time Ruach said it takes to obtain U.S. citizenship, depending on how prepared the applicant is for the process
go a long way with making that happen, they said. They hope to build and strengthen a community here in Albert Lea where they, as well as other refugees, can flourish and contribute. “It’s really a beautiful place, in many ways,” Deng said. “Albert Lea is a good place to live.”
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Sunday, February 28, 2016 | PEOPLE & DEMOGRAPHICS | ProgreSS 2016 | albertleatribune.com | PAGE 3
Being an advocate for a good cause By Kelly Wassenberg
kelly.wassenberg@albertleatribune.com
People are like puzzle pieces; they all have their place. Few may understand that as well as Mary Goetz who works as the executive director of The Arc of Freeborn County. The Arc is a nonprofit organization which not only advocates for the rights of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but also encourages their inclusion and participation in the communities these individuals call home. “I think it comes back to the basic needs of humans,” Goetz said. “We need to know that we are loved, that we are part of a community, that we can give something back to the community and that feeling of acceptance and value.” Goetz, who resides in Austin, was inspired to pursue a job with the organization after hearing Jo Lowe, director of The Arc, speak at a multi-agency meeting. At the time, Goetz worked for a different nonprofit. “Having listed to Jo talk about the work that she does made me want to come and experience what she was working on,” Goetz said of her decision to come work for the organization a little over a year ago. Lowe’s work and volunteerism at The Arc has spanned over two decades. She said the organization offers supports to families, so their children with a disabilities can have the same hopes and dreams as children without disabilities. “It is looking at and trying to find and help people realize that we can throw away the old models of, ‘They can only do that,’ or ‘They should only do this.’ But to say, ‘Let them do what makes them happy,’” Goetz said. The Arc’s role in opening doors to those with disabilities continues to
Mary Goetz has many responsibilities at The Arc including arranging speakers and special events. Kelly WaSSenberg/albert lea tribune
By the numbers 1 Year Goetz has worked at The Arc of Freeborn County evolve with the needs of the people it serves. The Arc works to bring together resources to help support and enrich the lives of those with disabilities, including providing opportunities for social interaction and training for either the person themselves or their caregiver. “My goal is to bring more awareness of what The Arc does for the whole county, The Arc hosts many activities to allow those with intel- not just Albert Lea proper lectual and developmental disabilities to have a place to but the Glenvilles, the Aldens,” Goetz said. socialize with others.
23 Years Goetz has worked with nonprofits
In addition, Goetz works on funding the programs, training and opportunities that The Arc makes possible. She does so through grant writing and fundraisers, but also noted that she takes her lead from the community. She invites community members to see what specific topics they would like from speakers or training. “I don’t think I ever realized the impact of nonprofits,” Goetz said of her 23 years working with the
40 Free classes available to families of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities through The Arc
American Red Cross, Girl Scouts and now The Arc. “It’s very fulfilling to help others.” Goetz invited others to do the same by volunteering.
Why did Goetz choose to be in Albert Lea? Goetz works in Albert Lea because she wanted to work at The Arc of Freeborn County.
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Page 4 | AlbertleAtribune.com | Progress 2016 | PeOPLe & DeMOgRaPHICS | sundAy, FebruAry 28, 2016
Albert Lea resident Scott Stolaas displays one of his embroidered breast cancer awareness towels. sAm Wilmes/Albert leA tribune
One SMILe at a tIMe mAn mAkes toWels to rAise cAncer AWAreness By Sam Wilmes
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An Albert Lea man is raising awareness for breast cancer — on his own dime and time. Scott Stolaas, 51, has embroidered 435 towels, many of them for breast cancer awareness, since September. Stolaas also embroiders towels for family and friends. “That’s 435 smiles that make me feel good,” said Stolaas, a postal carrier. “I created that. That’s what life’s all about.” Stolaas said he and his wife, Tammy, received a $200 gift from Randy and Helen Mickelson years ago with no strings attached. Stolaas said the event changed his life by showing him that the greatest things you can give in life are your time and money without expecting anything back. Stolaas said, while embroidering the towels takes up most of his spare time, he still gains satisfaction from it. “It just made me feel good, making them and handing them out,” Stolaas said. “I couldn’t quit. There were smiles.” He said one situation illustrated why he does what he does. Stolaas said he was asked once by a woman to make a towel for surviving cancer. He made her a few towels and shipped them to her. “I’m sure she got them,” he said. “I’m sure she smiled. That’s all it’s about.” Stolaas has been helping raise cancer awareness for a long time. Dating back to his childhood, he participated in cancer awareness events in Albert Lea. Each year, Stolaas and his youngest daughter, Amanda, now 26, would do something to raise breast cancer awareness. Stolaas
Stolaas has created more than 435 towels, many of them for breast cancer awareness. Shown here are dozens of towels in Stolaas’ home. said they would focus on breast cancer awareness because she liked the color pink and breast cancer awareness was common. Once she left home, Stolaas continued the tradition by buying and donating 1,000 pink pens. Stolaas also bought more than 50 co-workers a pink pen and an emergency light to raise awareness. He has first-hand experience with the effects cancer can have on a person and a family. His mother, Betty Stolaas, was diagnosed with cancer and given six months to live in 1987. She’s still alive today. He calls it a miracle. His best friend, Shawn Harriman, died from cancer in 2000. Stolaas said the events raised his awareness of the disease. Stolaas joined the Marine Corps in 1982 and was stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego. After leaving the Marines, he worked for Possehl Construction for a couple years, before moving on
By the numbers 435 Embroidered towels Stolaas has made through Jan. 8
4 Children of Scott Stolaas and his wife, Tammy
2015 Year Stolaas began embroidering towels
to ABC Seamless for approximately 10 years. Stolaas then worked for Edwards Manufacturing, before transitioning to the U.S. Postal Service. Stolaas has been married to his wife, Tammy, for 33 years. He has four children: Amber, 34; Scotty, 33; Seth, 28; and Amanda, 26. Tammy assists him in the day-to-day creation of the embroidered towels.
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Stolaas has an upstairs room dedicated solely to his effort. Shown here is the sewing machine Stolaas uses to make the embroidered towels.
Sunday, February 28, 2016 | PEOPLE & DEMOGRAPHICS | ProgreSS 2016 | albertleatribune.com | PAGE 5
A sampling of the reference materials available at the Freeborn County Historical Museum Library & Village. colleen HarriSon/albert lea tribune
The main asset of the F.C. museum’s library By Ed Shannon
news@albertleatribune.com
“She’s a very valuable resource for the museum” is how Pat Mulso, recently retired executive director of the Freeborn County Historical Museum, Library & Village, describes the role Linda Evenson has as the organization’s librarian. Evenson became a part of the museum’s operations in 1991. At that time, the library was located on the upper level of the main building at the south end near what was then the main entry. Now, since 2012, the museum’s expanded library has been relocated to the lower level at the north end of the newer part of the building near the Freeborn County Fairground’s main entry arch. “I enjoy getting a question or problem from someone and doing the research for the answer,” Evenson said. Asked what she likes about the new museum library area, she replied, “More space and a more open area.” Regarding the main focus for inquiries from visitors to the library, she commented, “It seems to be ancestry for people from elsewhere and ancestry and past history by local folks.” Which is used the most by visitors to the library — microfilm readers or computers? Her answer: “I’ve thought it out, and it’s still a hard one. It seems to be computers for ancestry research and microfilm readers for older newspapers and historical documents.” The last part, she added, could include visitors from elsewhere, who can’t easily access the information desired from other places. Evenson’s duties as the museum’s librarian certainly reflect her community passion. Within the library is evidence of the community passion of two other people for their contributions to city and county history. Within the library is a large section consisting of 184 notebooks designated as the Kevin Savick Business History Research Area. In those notebooks are photocopies of area newspaper
By the numbers 25
Years Linda Evenson has been the librarian at the Freeborn County Museum
1959 Year the Freeborn County Historical Society was incorporated
1968 Year the museum’s main building on North Bridge Avenue was dedicated articles and business advertisements, plus photos that were collected and compiled through the years by Savick. He used the microfilm readers at the museum and at the Albert Lea Public Library to do his historical research. Savick died in 2011. He donated $140,000 for the museum’s new expansion, along with over 100 framed photographs based on the area’s past, which are now on display elsewhere within the museum. The other person who contributed a good portion of the museum’s collection of photographs from the past is Bidney Bergie, who died in 2002. He lived in Albert Lea for about six decades and was deeply involved with the museum’s operations. He was also well known for his slide show presentations for many organizations and community events. Among the archives in the museum’s library are microfilm copies of older Freeborn County newspapers published in Albert Lea, Alden, Bancroft, Emmons, Freeborn, Hartland and Glenville. One newspaper, the Albert Lea Posten, was a Norwegian language publication that existed from 1883 to 1885. An even more obscure publication in the files is the Bancroft Pioneer. The weekly newspaper was published from 1857 to 1858 and owned by David Blakey, an early Freeborn County resident. He moved to Austin, Rochester, St. Paul and New
York City. He gained fame as the man who persuaded John Philip Sousa to leave the leadership of the U.S. Marine Band and provided the financial support to start the world famous Sousa Band in 1892. Other items available for people interested in city and county history, and especially ancestry, are area cemetery records; obituaries; directories; plat maps; census records; city and county directories of the past; older yearbooks for Albert Lea, Alden, AldenConger, Emmons, Freeborn and Glenville high schools; marriage records; property records; a multitude of older photographs and church and family histories. There is still another aspect of the museum’s archives that actually goes beyond county lines. The museum’s library has microfilm copies of older newspapers published in Blooming Prairie, Bricelyn, Ellendale, Kiester, Lyle, New Richland; an Owatonna weekly (1881 to 1921); and six weekly newspapers that were a part of Wells’ history from 1870 to 2007. In her Tribune column published in the Dec. 27, 2015, issue, Mulso wrote that a grant had been received for shelving in the museum’s new archives room, scheduled to be completed this fall. Evenson explained that the original archives room is still in the south end of the museum’s main building. The historical materials, like old highway road maps for example, are stored in boxes on shelving. They will be moved later into a room located in the museum’s new addition that will not be open to the public. She explained that the new storage area is based on mobile shelving on tracks and the materials will be available to visitors as requested. Hours for the museum’s library are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. During the half hour for the librarian’s lunch time, visitors can enjoy looking at nearby exhibits based on Marion Ross and Eddie Cochran before doing their research.
The new library area in the Freeborn County Historical Museum’s main building now has more room for visitors to do research on various topics, such as family and local history.
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