Progress 2020 People & Demographics

Progress

People & Demographics

Albert Lea Tribune

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Stacie Warner demonstrates one of her jobs through Cedar Valley Services. Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

Albert Lea nonprofit plays a

VITAL PART Cedar Valley Services provides vocational training for about 150 people with disabilities in Freeborn County

By Sarah Stultz

sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com

Tribune Albert Lea

One of the products Cedar Valley Services employees work on is putting together a warranty pack for a business that makes doors.

F

or 20 years, Albert Services for transportation to and Lean Stacie Warner has from work. worked through Cedar Warner is one of about 150 people Valley Services. in Freeborn County who benefit When from Cedar Valley Services, which she started, she could only work at provides vocational the organization’s training for people on-site facility, but ages 18 and over over time has had with disabilities. training and she “Our main goal can now work offis employment for site with a crew and people with disabilieven independently ties at a long-term inon some days, said dependent job site or Garry Hart, division a supported job site,” director.

Hart said.

She works about 28 Hart said Cedar — Garry Hart to 30 hours a week, Valley Services has mainly cleaning at been in Freeborn various locations, she said. She County for over 50 years and has lives on her own in an apartment locations in Austin, Owatonna and but because she does not have a Albert Lea. driver’s license she relies on taxis, SMART Transit and Cedar Valley See NONPROFIT, Page 2

“If they did not have that service, they would not be able to work or be gainfully employed.”

What’s inside?

Meet the management team: Crystal Miller: Publisher 379-3420 | crystal.miller@albertleatribune.com Sarah Stultz: Editor 379-3433 | sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com Melissa Goodwin: Circulation Manager 379-3421 | melissa.goodwin@albertleatribune.com Lisa Foley: Business Manager 379-4324 | lisa.foley@albertleatribune.com Terry Thissen: Pressroom Manager 379-9854 | terry.thissen@albertleatribune.com Offices: 808 W. Front St. Albert Lea, MN 56007 Phone: 507-373-1411 Fax: 507-373-0333 Website: albertleatribune.com Want to subscribe or moving?

Call 507-379-3421 or send email to circulation@ albertleatribune.com.

Postmaster: Send address changes changes to Albert Lea Tribune, 808 W. Front St., Albert Lea, MN 56007.

Improving communication

Our favorite things

Kids say

Language line helps officers talk with residents who speak other languages. Page 2

Tribune staff members share what they love about Albert Lea. Page 3

Southwest Middle School students share what they want in A.L. in future. Page 4

Page 2 | AlbertLeaTribune.com | Progress 2020 | PEOPLE & DEMOGRAPHICS | saturday, February 29, 2020

A tool to improve communication language line helps officers talk with residents who speak other languages

By Tyler Julson

tyler.julson@albertleatribune.com

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With an always changing and diversifying population, many important services can be hindered by a language barrier.

One way the Albert Lea Police Department is trying to break that barrier is through the use of a language line. With the language line, officers, dispatchers, jail employees and some other county shops are able to connect with translators who can speak hundreds of different languages and dialects to be able to communicate with citizens unable to speak English.

In use for about 10 years in Albert Lea, the language line sees a good amount of use by the department, and according to Albert Lea’s director of public safety, J.D. Carlson, both the Police Department and the citizens have been grateful for the service.

“Everyone is extremely grateful,” Carlson said.

“They’re going through the same difficulty we are. To be able to get their point across, whatever that may be, there’s a lot of gratitude there. It’s at no cost to them. It’s a service we provide. I think, for the most part, if you don’t have something like that, as painful as it can be trying to get your point across to someone that’s clearly not understanding you, it’s got to be equally as painful for anyone on the receiving end. It’s a benefit to all.”

Diane Lenway, the administrative assistant for Albert Lea’s Department of Public Safety, said the line gets used about three hours a month, but it depends a lot on the scenarios. Sometimes the calls only take a few minutes, consisting of citizens asking for a lawyer or family member to come

Nonprofit Continued from Front Page

“We’re the only program that works with people with significant disabilities in Freeborn County,” Hart said. “If they did not have that service, they would not be able to work or be gainfully employed.”

The organization relies on state and county funding for it to be a reality. He said people who benefit from the state-funded program typically live in group homes, while the people in the county-funded program live on their own but need support with transportation, job coaching or other skills.

Employees with various job opportunities.

Hart said the organization has about 30 contracts, including janitorial work

and communicate for them; other times the line gets used for hours at a time during an interview or investigation.

Carlson said in most cases, officers are able to detect what language the other party is speaking before calling the language line, but the language line can help with that aspect as well.

In Albert Lea, some of the most widely spoken non-English languages include Karen, Burmese, Hmong and Spanish.

While the language line can be used out in the field and on traffic stops, Carlson said the line gets used a majority of the time during in-depth investigations.

“We manage most of the time through traffic stops pretty easily,” Carlson said. “It’s probably going to be the more in-depth investigations that you’re going to need somebody to translate through. Most times, traffic stops can be fairly minimal. If I pull you over for a taillight out, we don’t have to do much talking to get the point across. It’s amazing how you can learn different ways to communicate other than language.”

Carlson said when he

started on the force, the Albert Lea Police Department would use citizens within the community to come in and act as translators. While the city does still have relationships with community members who come in to translate, the language line has taken on the role of translating.

According to Lenway, another benefit to the line is that it might provide a sense of security and it might encourage non-English speakers to make a call.

“I think it gives a sense of security on the citizens’ end,” Lenway said. “You can trust that the person on the language line isn’t connected to law enforcement or our law enforcement. So they may feel more trust and confidence in that translator.”

Especially in a place with as diverse a population as Albert Lea, Carlson said being able to communicate effectively with the citizens is key.

“It’s a necessity,” Carlson said. “In order to do a proper investigation, communication is a big piece. There’s a resource out there. We can make things happen. It just might take some time to coordinate it.”

through Motor Inn Co., LouRich, the Vitality Center, Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, Godfather’s Pizza and the Village Cooperative, to name a few.

Employees also do some subcontract work for Interstate Packaging, Minnesota Corrugated Box, Larson Manufacturing and Hormel Foods. In addition, they have commercial laundry capabilities and do laundry for Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea, Thorne Crest Senior Living Community and a few other smaller contracts, he said.

Hart said Cedar Valley Services plays a vital part in the area.

“It’s very important for us to have them be a part of the community,” he said of the people the organization employs.

If people have a loved one who they think could benefit from the organization, he encouraged them to get a county referral. He noted many people with a disability are already receiving support from the county in other ways.

Cedar Valley Services also provides transportation for the community — not only the people it is working with, but others, including seniors and preschools.

“For Cedar Valley, our biggest barrier for people was public transportation,” Hart said. “We knew that was a need, and we figured we could help other people.”

Hart encouraged people to contact him if they have questions about the organization or getting a loved one involved at 377-2893.

saturday, February 29, 2020 | PEOPLE & DEMOGRAPHICS | Progress 2020 | AlbertLeaTribune.com | Page 3

These are a few of our

favorite things

Clockwise from top left are Fountain Lake with Katherine Island, downtown Albert Lea after the completion of the streetscape, children on a ride at the Freeborn County Fair and the sign at the entrance to Myre-Big Island State Park. Tribune file photos

Tribune staff members share what they love about the Albert Lea area

“I enjoy taking my dogs for a walk on the trails, and everyone is so friendly and respectful. Plus, I love all the outside events Albert Lea has downtown. It’s fun to see all the people and children get excited and partake.”

— Renee Citsay, account executive

“My favorite thing about Albert Lea is when the community gathers together for events like the county fair, Wind Down Wednesdays, Thursdays on Fountain, Big Freeze, etc. I love seeing the community get together to support one another. There is always something going on in Albert Lea!” — Chelsey Bellrichard, account executive

“I would say my favorite thing about the Albert Lea area is Fountain Lake. My grandparents have a home overlooking the lake, and I have a lot of great memories spending time there.

My family still gets together at their home every year to watch the fireworks on the Fourth of July.”

— Karlee Steffanni, news clerk

“My favorite thing about the Albert Lea area is the architectural character, not just in our historic downtown district, but all over the community, and residentially, too. The curious tiny white structures, the round school building, and of course, the old homes — both the stately and the small — keep a bit of magic alive in our town.”

— Ashley Ladlie, news clerk

“Whether I’m walking or driving through downtown, a neighborhood or one of the surrounding areas, I am always impressed by picturesque scenery, no matter the season.”

— Terri Green, bookkeeping assistant

“What I love about Albert Lea is the people — the way they come together to do great things and the way they support each other when in need.”

— Crystal Miller, publisher

“My favorite thing about Albert Lea is going to the state park and the county fair.”

— Daniel Gullickson, account executive

“My favorite things about Albert Lea are Myre-Big Island State Park and the bike trails.”

— Bo David, lead press operator

“Since I moved here I have always enjoyed just the beauty of the lakes and parks.”

— Donna Werner, inside sales representative

“The landscape. I love having the lakes right here in town, and how they’re used year-round in different capacities. I love going to Myre-Big Island State Park just about all year, too, whether it’s to walk, ride my bike or go for a stroll with my camera.”

— Colleen Harrison, photo editor

“My favorite thing about Albert Lea is the amount of opportunities for outside activities during the summers.”

— Melissa Goodwin, circulation manager

“My favorite thing about Albert Lea is walking in the state park and down and around Edgewater.”

— Tyler Julson, sports writer

“Though there are many things I enjoy about living in Albert Lea, my favorite aspect, by far, is the people who live here. I have never lived in a community where people care for their friends and neighbors as much as the people do here. It is inspiring and makes me proud to call this place my home.”

— Sarah Stultz, managing editor

“Although I do not live in Albert Lea (or even in Minnesota), I have always considered it ‘one of my towns.’ Above all, I love the kindness and the friendliness of the people. I also love how pretty Fountain Lake is in both the summer and the winter and the beautiful sunsets that I have enjoyed from Katherine Island.”

— Michelle Rasmussen, classified advertising manager

“I love the lakes and downtown area. The state park is nice also!”

— Lisa Foley, accountant

Page 4 | AlbertLeaTribune.com | Progress 2020 | PEOPLE & DEMOGRAPHICS | saturday, February 29, 2020

KIDS SAY Middle school students weigh in on what they want to see in the future

“More fun, active things to do, like a waterpark and other outside activities to have less time with electronics and more time with family.”

— Anastasia Esparza

“Bring the bowling alley back because I didn’t get to play when it was here. Also, more parks with bigger equipment.”

Inspired by our Progress 2020 theme of “Community with Vision,” we asked sixth graders from Southwest Middle School what they envision for the future of Albert Lea and the surrounding area.

Students broke into groups to brainstorm together, and then shared their ideas individually while getting their photo taken in the hallway.

The students interviewed were from the advisory (homeroom) classes of Cathy Baumann and Jackie Cromwell-Olson, both science teachers at Southwest Middle School.

“Historical tours of Hollandale, where I live.”

— Ethan Ferns

— Gaige Michaelis

“I would like to see new buildings and improvements downtown.

Everything neat and new. Maybe destroy some old buildings and use better materials.”

“More spaces in between buildings for nature. Also, more art studios because I want people to be more creative.”

— Grace Nelson

— Cooper Kermes

“In the future, more indoor things to do in winter, like indoor parks, so instead of being cold, being warm. And faster travel around town.”

— Hsa Taw

“Indoor activities, like a trampoline park, for winter.”

— Ximena Andrade

“Mostly people being nicer to pets, treating them more kindly and with more respect.”

— Haley Dennard

“Shopping places like Target so you don’t have to go out of town.

And more fun stuff in the mall, like a bowling alley.”

“Better sports programs and money for new uniforms.”

— Noah Teeter

— Laynee Musick

“More tech. Better internet service. More tech in general and gaming.”

“More clothing stores and places for kids to go and hang out.”

— Alecia Abrego

“An indoor water park, a big one.”

“More shopping, Buffalo Wild Wings and dirt track racing.”

— Brian Lopez

— Nikolas Lehman

— Christian Suniga

One student group suggested adopting a siesta schedule that allows for a daily afternoon nap with later work hours in the evening.

“Definitely better hospital services. I don’t think people should have to drive to Austin to have kids. Also, more places for kids to hang out with friends.”

— Brooke Tufte

Cromwell-Olson told the class about her desire as a young student for cleaner drinking and swimming water in Albert Lea, and how that vision is becoming reality.

saturday, February 29, 2020 | PEOPLE & DEMOGRAPHICS | Progress 2020 | AlbertLeaTribune.com | Page 5

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Page 6 | AlbertLeaTribune.com | Progress 2020 | PEOPLE & DEMOGRAPHICS | saturday, February 29, 2020

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