Published September 14 2016
Bellevue's Cultural Conversations women's group will launch its sixth season with a program focused on Welcoming America Week, a national celebration of inclusive communities. The meeting will be Sept. 20, 1-2:30 p.m., at the Crossroads Community Center, 16000 NE 10th St.
Since the city's Neighborhood Outreach team started Cultural Conversations in 2010, the program has transformed relationships and perspectives among hundreds of diverse women in our community through education and storytelling.
In this month's program, two women -- the founder of the English Language Learners Alliance (ELLA) and a culture coach -- will discuss how they help welcome newcomers and how valuable the gift of friendship is for those coming to the United States.
Suzanne Sievert, who started ELLA as an informal, weekly coffee and lunch where people learning English could practice the language, will talk about how the program has grown to include field trips to local attractions, fun seasonal activities and play groups where women and their young children can connect.
Larissa Chuprina, the culture coach, has taught college classes and helps business people, teachers and students develop cultural awareness. She will tell her story about moving to Tennessee from Ukraine, then on to Washington state.
Following our storytellers, participants will share their own welcome stories over tea. Women of all ages, faiths and cultures are welcome.
To fully participate in the sharing, attendees are encouraged to make arrangements for child care. Please RSVP with Carol Ross (cross@bellevuewa.gov or 425-452-7917).