A fall full of engagement opportunities in Kalamazoo
So many updates to share and opportunities to engage! Starting with a film and followed by so much more…
Meet the director of Oscar-nominated film "Stranger at the Gate"
We hope you’ll join us on Wednesday for a virtual film screening and discussion of the film “Stranger at the Gate” co-hosted by the Global Ties Network and its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Working Group, of which our own Executive Director, Jodi Michaels is part.
The online event, slated for 1 pm EST Wednesday, Sept. 13, will include a screening of the 29-minute-long, Oscar-nominated documentary from Executive Producer Malala and director Joshua Seftel. Stranger At The Gate is a story of grace, transformation, hope, and of the power of community inclusion whose premise involves a U.S. Marine plotting a terrorist attack on a mosque in a small town in Indiana whose plan takes an unexpected turn when he comes face-to-face with the people he sets out to kill.
Following the screening, Global Ties U.S. President & CEO Katherine Brown will talk with its director about what inspired him to tell this story, about the documentary's core themes, and about how it’s been received across the country. They will be joined by Bibi Bahrami from the documentary, who will share her perspective. The discussion will then open to members of the Global Ties Network and to questions from the audience.
Learn more and RSVP at https://shorturl.at/dsSX3
We welcome CIP social workers from Germany
Shortly after our return from Vermont, we welcomed a cohort of social workers from Germany participating in a long-term job shadow experience in partnership with CIPUSA, one of our longest-running exchange programs - more than 50 years. We welcomed Sabine, Ulrich, Wirginia and Viktoria at the Kalamazoo train station on the long weekend and took advantage of the warm weather to offer their orientation meeting outside. They already participated in a volunteer activity at Open Roads Bike where they had lively conversations with Program Manager Ian and Shop Manager Phillip, discussing how Open Roads teaches youth life skills and how to navigate their mental health, in addition to teaching them how to repair and maintain bikes as well as many discussions about the similarities and differences of life in the U.S. and in Germany.
They are participating in a 7-week-long job shadow experience in our community, and we're always seeking additional hosts. Home hosting opportunities for these guests range from a few days to a few weeks. It’s a great way to get involved as much as your schedule permits, and to develop lifelong friendships.
They're pictured here enjoying a warm welcome from their host families (thank you Mary, Phil, Tom, Jean, Leeanne and Marci for opening your hearts and homes), enjoying the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, and volunteering at Open Roads. We are excited and thankful for their placements with KCDHHS, CASA, Tri County Head Start and Family and Children's Services.
To see more of their adventures (or stroll down memory lane through images from past programs), visit our Flickr page.
Many IVLP delegations, as well as Central American youth ambassadors, here in October
We’re welcoming a group of Central American Youth Ambassadors from Oct. 22 - Nov. 1. Would your family enjoy sharing your favorite fall traditions with one (or two) of these teens? We’d love to hear from you. Do you know someone who's mentioned they might be interested in hosting? This is a great time to reach out to them as we'll need more host families than ever for this large group!
Dinner hospitality opportunities with IVLP visitors are also available all throughout the fall. We invite you to consider sharing these opportunities with your networks.
Here are a few upcoming IVLP groups, with dates in Kalamazoo:
Community Policing - Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay. September 20-26
Advancing the Integration of Foreign Unaccompanied Minors - Spain, October 5-11
Women in Manufacturing: Building Back Better - Canada, Mexico - October 10-12
Combating Propaganda and Censorship - Burma - October 13 -18
Promoting Diversity in Workplaces and Leadership - Japan - October 15-18
Accountability for Non-Profits in the U.S. - Dominican Republic - October 18-22
Global Public Health Challenges - Benin, DR Congo, Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria - October 25-28
WMUK story showcases Kalamazoo StoryCorps conversations, including two featuring Global Ties Kalamazoo people
Jodi Michaels and Global Ties Kalamazoo board member and longtime hospitality host Leeanne Seaver recorded our community’s first StoryCorps interview. Jodi and Channon also had a conversation. These stories and many more Kalamazoo conversations are featured in a story by WMUK. Read more about StoryCorps' time in our community and get links to listen to the conversations HERE.
The insights shared in these conversations are so powerful and profound. We encourage you to give them all a listen to learn more about connection, community, and the "Kalamazoo-glue" that binds us all together!
Global Ties Kalamazoo connections celebrated in Second Wave SW Michigan article
Screenshot of the Second Wave Southwest Michigan article featuring interviews with Global Ties Kalamazoo staff, hospitality hosts, board members, and international visitors who've made connections here in Kalamazoo.
Global Ties Kalamazoo was also recently featured in a Second Wave Magazine article written by Zinta Aistars.
Second Wave journalist Zinta Aistars interviewed Global Ties Kalamazoo staff, board members, hospitality hosts and an Open World program participant from Moldova, who like so many of our guests maintains bonds with Kalamazoo and Kalamazooans after returning home.
Read the full story here
The story captures the international cooperation, collaboration, and friendship at the heart of citizen diplomacy, and Global Ties Kalamazoo’s focus on ensuring that exchange is for everybody.
Inaugural Canadiana Fest is less than a month away!
If you love celebrating cultural exchange like we do, we'd love to see you at the inaugural Canadiana Festival, which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Arcadia Creek Festival Site. Activities include a parade, live music performances, poutine contest, Canadian celebrity cosplay contest, and more. Get all the details and secure your ticket at the festival website. Canadiana Fest was founded by Global Ties Kalamazoo collaborator and host Channon Mondoux, a local journalist and chef.
Reflections on Inclusive Climate Movement DBH summit
Our Program Manager Emma Baratta and Executive Director Jodi Michaels welcomed the opportunity to reflect, learn and act with peers from across the Global Ties Network in Burlington, Vermont in late August at the Diplomacy Begins Here Summit with the theme of 'Building an Inclusive Climate Movement', hosted by the Vermont Council on World Affairs. They were able to gain insights into the IVLP resources their city has to offer, particularly around the climate crisis and clean energy, while enjoying time networking with colleagues from near and far.
They participated in a Learning Lab, which offered the opportunity to collaborate and solve problems with other members of the Global Ties Network and come away with new ideas about organizational capacity building and how to engage youth in citizen diplomacy. Their last day was spent hiking at Smugglers Notch for some more adventurous networking. They enjoyed the fresh air and beautiful views there before heading to the Ben and Jerry’s Factory to sample some ice cream. "It was great to spend this informal time with long time colleagues and new connections before heading back home," Michaels said.
Photos from their experience are above and include (from top left): Emma and Jodi on a hike, members of the Global Ties Network enjoying the outdoors, and two summit sessions.
If ensuring that #ExchangeIsForEverybody matters to you, we invite you to consider supporting our work. Click the button below to donate, or text GTKZOO to 44321.
Thank you for your support,
Jodi Hope Michaels and the Global Ties Kalamazoo Team
*This blog post was originally sent as an email newsletter Sept. 12, 2023
