Wen Li
I am from China. Marriage moved to me to the United States and my husband 's job brought us to Cleveland. I was grew up in the city. We love Cleveland because of seasons. There are beautiful seasons throughout the year. Migrating from another country is not easy and I believe many people have the same thought as me. I am very glad be here enjoying life with my husband and our child. We continue following Chinese and an American traditions.
Rev. Max Rodas
Where are you from?
I am from Guatemala, Central America.
What was it like growing up?
Growing up in Guatemala was a lot of fun. We did not have a lot of money but we were wealthy as it relates to family, friends and a rich culture.
What brought you to Cleveland?
I was brought to Cleveland by my uncle and his wife because my mother became ill and my father was not around much. I was 12 years old when that happened. I went back to Guatemala after a year in Cleveland and came back for good when I was 18 years old.
What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?
I thought that coming to the USA would be fun and had some misconceptions of this country. After over 35 years in this country, I have learned to love and respect this country but I am puzzled with all the anti-immigrant rhetoric we hear today.
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?
The biggest challenge I had to overcome when I was young was learning the English language and the culture of this country. With time I have acculturated and now I practice much of these cultural norms. My English has improved as well but my accent is still there.The sheer individualism of this country is always a concern for me because Latinos/a are more group oriented and have a high propensity toward being gregarious and experience collective reality.
What is your occupation?
I am a Clergyman and the Executive Director of a local non- profit -- Nueva Luz Urban Resource Center.
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
Clevelanders have always being welcoming and accepting to me and my family.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
I am still big as it relates to family, faith and friends -- a description of the values I received from my cultural experience. I understand that these values also describe other cultures as well. I still love black beans, white rice, tortillas and hot peppers.
What do you love about Cleveland?
I love everything about Cleveland especially the blue collar mentality of the folks that have live here for many years. I like all the cultural influences that I encounter and experience in CLE. Cleveland to me is the center of the universe -- the best place to live and raise families. It's a city of Champions and my home!
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
It is of paramount importance to welcome immigrants and refugees because of many reasons. From a social justice perspective is the right thing to do and from an economic growth angle, you cannot afford not to be welcoming to these folks. Just look at the progress of the cities that have been openly and concretely welcoming and those that have not. Given the growth that is expected in the Great Lakes Super Region in the next 20 years we should make this welcoming strategy front and center. I can say so much here but suffice it to say that " to be welcoming should be part of the DNA of this city, region and nation."
What suggestions do you have to make Cleveland a more welcoming Community?
There should be more conversation about this with community stakeholders. Also, there should be a target conversation with African Americans and Latinos/as so that there would be no misunderstanding or a sense of competition but rather a commitment to inclusion which will benefit all of us -- even the dominant culture.
Tania Menesee
Where are you from?
Goa, India but I was born in Bombay
What was it like growing up?
We moved to Shaker Heights when I was four so for the most part, I’ve felt like a Clevelander first and an Indian second.
What brought you to Cleveland?
My father had a green card through Diamond Shamrock’s chemical division
What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?
I don’t remember as I was just four when we moved here
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?
I didn’t face too many challenges. My mom tells a story about me coming home from school in Kindergarten declaring that we either needed to be White or Jewish and she had to patiently explain to me that that wasn’t in the cards for a Catholic Indian family. My brother who was 11 when we arrived in Cleveland had more issues assimilating but we always felt welcome in Shaker Heights because even in the 70’s, it was a pretty diverse community.
What is your occupation?
Director of Economic Development, City of Shaker Heights
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
Cleveland has felt welcoming to me because I grew up in a diverse community where my differences were largely celebrated or at the very least accepted. It is important that we grow our immigrant population so that native Clevelanders continue to come in contact with people from all over the world and don’t become insular in their thinking.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
We are Catholic, not Hindu, so I’ve honestly never felt too tied to the Indian Community in Cleveland. We travel to Goa every three years and I cook a lot of Indian food.
What do you love about Cleveland?
I love Cleveland’s east coast sophistication, culture and architecture combined with Midwest manners and hospitality. I love the neighborhoods of Cleveland and the first suburbs and all the cultural and community festivals and celebrations that have cropped up over the years
What is your favorite thing to do in Cleveland?
One of my favorite events is Larchmere Porchfest. I love walking to the Shaker Square Market on Saturday morning and bumping into neighbors and friends. Cycling to University Circle for an event or just to get ice cream is also a summer highlight.
What is the best thing about living in Cleveland?
Small town friendliness with all the amenities of a big City.
Why is Global Cleveland a great resource?
We need students and professionals who are here for a job to experience how friendly and open the community is and all it has to offer. It is their families that will decide if they stay in the region or move onto the next job opportunity. If they are connected to cultural communities that feel like home and put down roots in the community, they are more likely to stay. On the flip side, we need to help small and medium sized companies navigate the cultural and bureaucratic barriers involved in hiring immigrants and refugees. If they get through the process and have a support system for cultural or linguistic challenges, they will hire more immigrants – absent the help, their jobs remain unfilled.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
There are few issues in Cleveland and NEO that wouldn’t be alleviated with a growing population. Refugees are ready and willing to rehabilitate houses in our most disadvantaged communities. More specifically, research shows that immigrants bring new ideas, energy and perspectives that are critical to communities that have seen little population churn. The innovation, new businesses and capital are critical to sustainable growth in Greater Cleveland.
What suggestions do you have to make Cleveland a more welcoming community?
Multilingual signage in the airport and along the RTA rapid routes would be a small but important gesture. Seeing the Global Cleveland agenda carried through GCP, the County, City and Team NEO.
Maureen Dee
Where are you from?
I am from Montevideo, Uruguay. I actually moved to the United States as an undergraduate student. Upon graduation, I received a training visa to practice bilingual social work in New York City. I worked at Catholic Guardian Society as a foster care case manager, working with children who were placed in foster care. My caseload was with children and parents who were Spanish-speaking. I worked with their parents to help them improve their situation so that they could once again care for their child. I also helped arrange visits between the children and their parents.
What was it like growing up?
I grew up in Montevideo, Uruguay. My father was an exporter of raw sheep’s wool. He worked as a broker between the farmers and the wool buyers overseas. He arranged for the shipment of the wool they purchased in large bales. He would classify the wool according to quality and send samples out before the buyer would decide on purchasing a specific large quantity. My mother was a stay-at-home mother. She did some work with local artists on the side. I am the oldest of three. I was fortunate to have a stable upbringing.
What brought you to Cleveland?
I actually moved to Cleveland when I decided to attend graduate school in social work. I was hoping to stay in New York City, but Case Western Reserve University made an offer I could not refuse, so I relocated to Cleveland, Ohio.
What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?
When I first moved to the United States as an 18 year old I was very nervous, as I came here on my own. I was really homesick at first and communication was a lot more challenging. We did not have the conveniences of today’s electronic and digital systems. I had to write letters. I could not afford to call my family by telephone. It was terribly expensive. I felt like an outsider as the fashions for clothing were different, meal planning was different, and my accent always caused people to ask where I was from. My parents would try to find people in Uruguay who might be travelling to the United States and would send me small packages or letters through them. I would try to travel back to my country for the winter holidays – because it would be summer time there. I also had difficulty at first sorting out the educational system. I was used to essay tests and did not have experience with multiple choice tests. I was also apprehensive about the sexual and social freedom of young people in the United States. The norms for behavior in my home country were specific and defined and the power of gossip and family honor was more controlling. As with many new experiences, the initial fears are often overcome by the building of relationships. It took time for me to understand that in many ways, the fears, worries and anxiety related to change and new environments or people is shared. The power of connection is what helps us overcome these changes.
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?
Because I came as a college student from another country, I was only able to come with a suitcase of belongings. However, I soon learned that the other students were also leaving their families for the first time. The main challenge was getting used to the educational system, the culture and the differences in habits and idioms. I had to get “adopted” by local families in between the academic sessions. I did work on the college campus and this, too, was a connection to other working students.
What is your occupation?
I am a social worker by training. I started out providing direct services in mental health and substance abuse treatment as a bilingual social worker. Then I became a supervisor and eventually I became a director.
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
When I first moved to Cleveland I was a student at Case Western Reserve’s School of Applied Social Sciences. My first encounter was with the students and professors in that venue. I was really fortunate in that I had a really good experience. I met some wonderful people and I received a lot of educational and moral support. I had to always find work on the side. At first I had a difficult time getting around the city on public transportation, especially after work hours. However, with time, I learned my way around and became more familiar with the city and the different neighborhoods. Through waitressing, working at the school library and working out at the gym, I got to know people from several interesting walks of life. The best part for me was exposure to so many different people with different backgrounds. I really enjoyed finding fellow South Americans or Central Americans as well as people from so many other cultures, races and ethnicities. It did not take long before I realized that Cleveland was where I was going to become established. Through an involved process I became a registered alien and began my career. I also did get married, had children, and finally became a citizen of the United States in Cleveland’s Federal building, in 2008.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
My culture shares several aspects of Cleveland’s culture; in particular the similarities in the holiday traditions. I have also enjoyed my active and ongoing connection with the Hispanic community. The common language and heritage feels very familiar to me and I have joined various boards and committees with the purpose of reaching out and serving the Hispanic community in our area. I am energized through collaborating with leaders of the Hispanic community to bring light to the heritage that we share in common. Each Spanish-speaking country, however, has its own food and traditions and sharing these with my Hispanic colleagues and friends is also enriching. The difference is the weather is the opposite from my home country’s seasons. The winter here is summer in Uruguay and vice versa. We are on the ocean in Uruguay; we are on the lake in Cleveland. The winters in Cleveland are a lot colder! We don’t get snow in Uruguay… The biggest adaptation that I still have a hard time with is how early people have their dinner. In Uruguay we eat after 9 p.m. at night. The social gatherings start after 11 p.m. at night and go well into dawn. I am still a night owl.
What do you love about Cleveland?
I have now raised my own two children in Cleveland and I am thankful that we have a rich circle of friends who have an international perspective and flair. Whereas I used to miss that in Cleveland after living in New York, I now feel Cleveland is on the map. In New York I enjoyed staying in contact with friends from my homeland who would travel through and I would wish that they would also come through Cleveland. Now I see that my homeland visitors, family and friends, actually schedule Cleveland as a stop on their trip – and come back because they enjoy it so. I love the arts in Cleveland, the excellent music venues and the diversity of artistic talent within the various races and cultures. I also love the food choices, the great restaurants and so many food-related events! Of course I love the cultural festivals and the great activities, outdoors and indoors that occur in Cleveland. I am glad we have weekly lists of everything going on so that we can pick and choose things to do with friends and family. I love that we can interact with our elected officials and feel heard. I also love that we can be active with the community in so many ways. And I love the excellent healthcare that we have in Cleveland and the good work being done to improve public and population health and behavioral health for all. We have a long way to go, but I am thrilled to see how people care and how many people work really, really hard because they want to make life better for everyone who lives in the greater Cleveland area.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
I believe that each person’s life experience is extremely valuable in helping another with appreciating and valuing human qualities and the purpose of life. I also believe that learning and understanding what is important to different people make for a better experience for everyone. Understanding is connecting and through connecting we build self confidence, acceptance and a spirit of contribution to a greater good. I am a strong believer of the value of contribution. I believe that we have more to gain from giving than receiving. I am not focusing on material wealth, but on spiritual wealth. I believe that our immigrants and refugees have so many challenges that are different from ours. Their perspectives and appreciations are also for things that may be different from ours. Whereas I gravitate to, and feel comforted by that which is familiar, I also enjoy the exchange of ideas and perspectives that make me think and grow. I believe that the interaction with different cultures and practices help us both appreciate our own, as well as develop a new sense of purpose through growth and understanding. We have an opportunity to build economic synergy through expanding our community with new residents. New ideas, innovation and new consumer markets are what our city is built on. Hope and opportunity seeking are a common human thread.
What suggestions do you have to make Cleveland a more welcoming community?
I think we should continue our course to open up the water front. Water is a unifying force for all. I also think we should continue to make our arts and cultural opportunities relevant for our different racial, ethnic and cultural groups. We should seek to build representation of our racial and ethnic groups in our administration, governance and decision-making forums. We should invite diverse thought and incorporate such thought as we evolve our traditions and practices as a community. We should make an effort to attend each other’s cultural events and get to know more about these rituals and practices.
Yury
I was born and raised in city call Leningrad in old days. Now it has a different name St Petersburg. We decided to change location and move to country name America. We (me, my wife and two kids) first arrived to Youngstown where the Jewish community welcomed us and provide us with a lot of help. The biggest challenge for me was english. While I was working as truck driver my wife was finishing at Youngstown State University to become a chemist. After she found job we changed location and moved to Cleveland. Cleveland is a very unique city. It has pretty much everything that a big city has, theaters, museums, restaurants and at the same time not to crowded, very affordable and friendly to people from other countries. Every person that comes to America needs help to adapt and learn language, culture and it take so much time and effort.
Monica Olivera
Where are you from?
I was born in Lima, Peru.
What was it like growing up?
I lived with my parents, my brothers and my maternal grandmother. My parents are teachers, and both of them are now retired. I grew up seeing them teach and tutor students after school. Now they tutor the children of the students they had years ago. Even though their income was really low and we didn’t have the latest things others had I never felt like I was missing something. My parents always told us to never stop or give up. At home birthday parties, special occasions and Christmas turned into great celebrations with food and lots of dancing. My family was really close, and still is. This is one of the things I miss the most.
What brought you to Cleveland?
When I was studying Psychology a professor told me about an international program that brought professionals to the United States to work/practice for a period of time in their field. CIP, Cleveland International Program accepted me in this program for 1 year. I was placed to work in the former Cuyahoga County Nursing Home.
What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?
At first I didn’t think I would be accepted into the program, and I didn’t have it in my mind to ever moving from Peru. I liked the idea of one day coming and touring the country, but I became more interested in the idea of learning about my profession here and working with the elderly population. My idea was to learn as much as possible and be able to bring all that experience back to Peru. Yes, my plans changed. I met my now husband a month after I arrived here and we became instantly great friends, our friendship grew stronger and we got married a week before I was to go back to Peru.
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?
One of the biggest challenges is still being away from my family. My parents and brothers are in Peru. Most of my family is there and whenever there is a reunion, a celebration, a life event, a birth, a death, it is really painful to not be there physically. I feel like I am missing so much by not being around them all the time. It’s been almost 20 years and the feeling has not changed. Don’t get me wrong, there are amazing things in Cleveland that can make up for some of it, it’s just not the same.
What is your occupation?
I am a Psychologist and completed all my studies in Peru. I have always worked with the elderly population. Right now I am the Hispanic Services Specialist and Care Consultant for the Alzheimer’s Association. It will be 5 years with them this September. I am also part of the ensemble for Teatro Público de Cleveland, under the wings of Cleveland Public Theater. I am a ZUMBA instructor and the dance instructor for Mi Pueblo Culture Camp.
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
I have felt welcomed since the beginning. From the family I spent my first months with here in Cleveland to new friends and community. I will never forget getting a big hug and kiss on the cheek from my host family the very first day I arrived at their house. It felt good. There were also rules. I was to let them know at all times where I would be and I was supposed to give them a call If I ever needed them for anything. At first I thought it was a bit too much, but at the same time I felt protected. Even though they had just met me, they already cared for me. They are one of the most beautiful people I have met here. Now my Detroit Shoreway neighbors and community are amazing.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
My children speak Spanish, I regularly prepare Peruvian food and we listen to Peruvian music at home and in the car. My husband and I have been honored to dance the Marinera Norteña at the Señor de los Milagros (Lord of the Miracles) procession every October for over 10 years. The Marinera Norteña is consider that national dance of Peru. We attend Sagrada Familia Church on Sundays. Even though we have slowed down with the Peruvian parties at home, whenever there is a get together, there is food, music and lots of dancing. My Peruvian flag is also displayed proudly on my front porch.
What do you love about Cleveland?
Its diversity, culture and pride. I feel that the arts and culture program bring so much diversity to the city. The residents can be impacted by amazing experiences through music concerts, theater, festivals, visits to museums like the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Zoo, and the libraries that offer so many programs for children and adults all year long. There are also educational opportunities for young adults. You can find so many ethnicities in Cleveland, foods and festivals. You experience so many traditions and cultures in just one city. This is a wonderful city to have your family grow up in.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
I believe in universal equality and the importance of respect for each other, no matter where you come from. We are all different and unique, and we are learning from each other all the time. Acceptance of diversity and respect for each other can only can make you a better person, a stronger community, a greater city. You can always help someone in need, someone that wants to overcome obstacles, someone that is looking for a brighter future. What could be wrong with that? Immigrants want the opportunity to come out of a difficult situation, they want respect, they want to work, they want to provide to their families, they want to contribute to the community and be part of it.
What suggestions do you have to make Cleveland a more welcoming community?
Block parties where minorities and people that have just moved to Cleveland can feel comfortable and can get to know their neighbors.
For immigrants, to encourage them and help them share their cultural traditions.
Coordinate more events where the community works together to assist a neighbor in need.
Zulayka Ruiz-Nieves
Where are you from?
I am proudly from Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico.
What was it like growing up?
I have great memories about my childhood! I grew up in a place called La Plena and Sabana Llana. I spent most of my life in the southern coast of the island. I enjoyed my life surrounded by my family, friends, pets, and beautiful natural views and environments. I used to go to bed to the “coqui” (puertorican frog) song and woke up with the “gallos” (roosters) crowing. For me Puerto Rico is full of my most beautiful memories. I went to school, college, got married and a lot of other good things happen there for me. Remembering my life in Puerto Rico makes me very happy and proud!
What brought you to Cleveland?
My husband and I made the decision to move to Cleveland 5 years ago when we were looking for better work opportunities. My husband holds a BA in Civil Engineering and I hold a Masters in Special Education. I don’t regret my decision because a lot of good things happened and still happen for us here in this amazing city. We love Ohio and it is our second home!
What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?
It was very hard. I was leaving behind my loves ones and my country. I left behind part of my heart and learned how to be strong and more positive. When we moved here we were very clear that we want to succeed and make this hard move worth it. I still miss my family, friends and the island I left dearly. I am blessed knowing that I can travel and spend time with friends and family.
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?
My biggest challenge was the language and how to find a job based on my qualifications. My other challenge was the process of acculturation and get used to the seasons.
What is your occupation?
I work as the Assistant Director of Programs at Esperanza, Inc. I support the Director of Programs in overseeing Esperanza’s educational programming to ensure top quality execution and best practices in program design.
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
I am blessed because of the time I have been in Cleveland I have known great people that have supported me and helped me to get to where I am now. I like to focus on the good experiences.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
We keep our traditions no matter where we move. In my family we cook the same things that we used to eat in Puerto Rico. We celebrate Three Kings Day, or Epiphany, which is one of the most important holidays in Puerto Rico. On that day we exchange presents and cut grass for the camels.
What do you love about Cleveland?
Cleveland has a lot to offer. There are a lot of things that I love about Cleveland. In this city you can find beautiful places to enjoy a quiet time with your family. I enjoy going downtown, parks and lakes and to enjoying a beautiful day or night with my family. Cleveland is a city full of great people where you can achieve your dreams.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
It is important to welcome immigrants and refugees because that’s what makes the United States rich in diversity. We have people coming from all over the world to contribute in the medical, financial, education, other fields.
What suggestions do you have to make Cleveland a more welcoming community?
My suggestion for Cleveland to be more welcoming is that we need a Welcoming Center where people can go and learn about the services available. We also need a place that provides orientation regarding degree validations because sometimes people have the perception that immigrants are not educated and I have news we have people that are very well educated in their countries and come here to contribute to the city.
Vinko Lipovec
After being held in a concentration camp, I came to Cleveland in 1949 because there was a big Slovenian community. There was a total of about 100,000 Slovenians in all of Greater Cleveland, with about 20,000 of them living in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood.
Where are you from?
I am from Slovenia. I came to the United States in September 1949. A few years prior to this, I was held at Dachau [concentration camp], then liberated by the Americans.
What was it like growing up?
When I grew up in Slovenia, the country was about 84% farmland. Now, it is largely industrial. I graduated from the university in the capital of Slovenia, where I studied history and geography. Then, I taught at a junior college.
What brought you to Cleveland?
There was a big Slovenian community. There was a total of about 100,000 Slovenians in all of Greater Cleveland, with about 20,000 of them living in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood. Later, most Slovenians in the region moved east to Mentor and Geneva. At one point, there were four Slovenian parishes in the area. Today, just two remain: St. Vitus and St. Mary’s.
What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?
I knew America quite well, because I had studied history and geography. It was not something new to me.
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?
The politics of the United States differed from Slovenia. Slovenia was communistic. The United States was not.
What is your occupation?
I am retired now, but from 1950 to 1980, I was the editor of Ameriska Domovina (or American Home), a conservative Catholic Slovenian daily newspaper. Today, I am still somewhat active in the Slovenian community and stay informed of current events.
What do you love about Cleveland?
It’s a nice place to live. The climate is okay, and the people are nice. Cleveland, Ohio is surely a good place.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
That’s the way the United States began. This is a country of immigrants. This is tradition.
Ingrida Bublys
Where are you from?
I was born in Siauliai, Lithuania
What was it like growing up?
Due to Soviet occupation my parents had to flee their beloved homeland to escape being deported to Siberia. Since I was a very young girl I do not recall the horror of war and fleeing ones homeland. My parent’s settled in a Displaced Persons camp in Diepholz, Germany. We lived in army barracks. Thus fortunate to have private rooms for my father was a principal of the school that was established for the refugees. United States had a program for accepting refugees from Eastern and Central Europe. My parents decided to immigrate to the States. A US sponsor was required. Our family was sponsored by a Catholic priest from Pittsburgh ,PA./ He was not a relative nor we knew of him before he provided the sponsorship. Our first USA home was Pittsburgh, PA.
What brought you to Cleveland?
There was a shortage of jobs in Pittsburgh plus we learned that there was a larger Lithuanian community in Cleveland. My family moved to Cleveland for job opportunities and to have their children be part of a Lithuanian Community where Saturday Schools, folk dancing and ensembles provided integration into the community as well as upkeep of language and traditions.
What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?
I thought I was coming to a country where the streets were paved in gold. Getting off the boat in New York we saw that the streets were just full of papers flying around, but still it was a promise land full of opportunities.
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?
I had to learn the language in order to go to school.. It was a very interesting experience. Started in the first grade being third grade level. Classmates would bring me candy and popcorn.
What is your occupation?
I run my own company, IB International and serve as the Honorary General Consul of the Republic of Lithuania in, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
Growing up in a Lithuanian- American community it was like home away from home. It was very different for both of my parents who were college educated teachers and they could not have jobs in their profession. Until they learned the language they had to do menial jobs.. Even later they never obtained jobs equivalent to their education. They were determined enough to make a good living and educate all four daughters through college. Had time for their children and the kept up with the Lithuanian traditions. Our neighbors respected that we spoke another language and in some cases learned a few Lithuanian words.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
All Lithuanian traditions are kept up in our household. Most interesting ones are Christmas Eve dinner, Easter, Various customs like St Johns Day, Velines “Remembering the Dead”, Uzgavienes, before Lent. Etc.
What do you love about Cleveland?
I lived here for the larger part of my life. Have been educated here , started my carrier here and got married and raised 5 children, whom are all bilingual. It is my second homeland. Cleveland has so much to offer and so much to enjoy.
Many great educational institutions, museums, and Erie shores. A city with all seasons and many opportunities.
What is your favorite thing to do in Cleveland?
My favorite thing is Cleveland Orchestra concerts, Blossom in the Summer, various cultural events and fine restaurants.
What is the best thing about living in Cleveland?
Cleveland is a very economical town a great place to raise a family. Outstanding educational institutions as well as cultural; Great communities with many trees. No wonder it is called the Emerald Necklace.
Why is Global Cleveland a great resource?
Cleveland being a ethnic mosaic with various nationality centers and organizations but it always lacked a center were immigrants that were settling in Cleveland could get assistance which their communities may not have the resources.
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
USA is a country of immigrants they came from various countries of the world since the country was founded and the tradition continues even today, A welcome is always the first impression of a city and a attraction to settle.
What suggestions do you have to make Cleveland a more welcoming community?
Global Cleveland should hold open houses and others activities which would translate into a very welcoming Center. Most importantly to be a Cent
Helen Qin
Where are you from?
Chengdu, China
What was it like growing up?
Chengdu is known for its very spicy Sichuan style of cooking. I moved to the United States at the age of 6 with my family, but still recall my parents rinsing off spicy dumplings and noodles in water for me so that I could eat them as a child. The food was my favorite part of growing up in China.
What brought you to Cleveland?
I was living on the West Coast and took a job offer in Cleveland within my former company, partly because my husband is from here and partly because we were tired of paying half our paychecks to rent.
What were your first thoughts about coming to America? Did those change?
I remember thinking how wide open and spacious everything is in America. China is very densely populated and there's not a lot of nature and green spaces in the cities. As a kid here, I loved chasing after squirrels in the park and feeding ducks in the ponds. I still appreciate the open space, and try to make it out to the Metroparks when I can. I don't like the squirrels as much anymore, because they drive our dog crazy!
What challenges did you face as an immigrant transitioning here?
I didn't speak English, but luckily it's fairly easy to pick up when you're that young. Mostly I just stayed very quiet and tried to not look as out of place as I felt. My parents faced much bigger challenges though, like raising a family on my dad's student stipend as a grad student and my mom's waitressing tips.
What is your occupation?
I co-own an ice cream shop called Mason's Creamery with my husband, and also work for Associated Bank in their commercial real estate financing group.
How have other Clevelanders made you feel welcomed?
Yes! My husband and I have lived in 8 cities between the two of us, and Cleveland is hands-down the most welcoming city we've lived in. When we first started our ice cream business, total strangers would give us their phone numbers, just in case we needed anything.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
Mostly eating lots of Chinese food. We eat at a lot of the restaurants in Asiatown, and are always happy to see something new pop up.
What do you love about Cleveland?
I love the people!
Why is it so important to welcome immigrants and refugees?
While immigration has become a political hot-button these days, it's good to remember that the United States was built by immigrants seeking a better life, and ended up creating a beautiful country to grow up in. Immigrants have contributed so much to this country, and most of us hope to be able to keep contributing to it for our children to have better lives here too.
What suggestions do you have to make Cleveland a more welcoming community?
Access and education about resources like Global Cleveland is a great place to start, and meeting people who understand what you might be going through a good way to make the unfamiliar less scary.
