The Mission of the Winchester Multicultural Network is to:
- Promote the recognition, understanding, and appreciation of diversity;
- Advocate for each and every person’s civil rights;
- Confront intolerance.
The International Connections Group plans activities and events designed to foster community connections and help our international residents feel welcome in Winchester.
An open house is offered every fall at the Winchester Public Library where international residents, especially newcomers, can sign up for conversation groups, activities such as a Winchester Center tour, or special interest groups. (See Calendar for upcoming dates) We hold a yearly international potluck supper and other events.
The WMCN has a site license for The Newcomers Almanac, a monthly e-newsletter for newcomers to the United States that is distributed through the Network to Winchester residents who are tutoring those learning English. Let us know if you would like to receive this helpful resource. (Click on www.interchangeinstitute.org for more information on other resources offered by the Interchange Institute.)
The Winchester Public Library has materials for library patrons who are learning English. Through its membership in the Minuteman Library Network, Winchester makes available books, music, and films in other languages. Be sure to ask the Reference Librarians for help in finding the materials you want. Click on www.winpublib.org/esolclasses.htm for more information about what the library has to offer.
Ongoing activities include:
English Conversation Groups
English conversation groups are offered on Monday or Tuesday mornings, or Wednesday evenings with priority given to Winchester residents. For questions or more information call Liz Sayre at 781-729-9242.
Drop-in Coffee
Anyone is welcome to stop in at Café Dolce, 831 Main St., on Thursday mornings between 8:30 and 9:30 or 10:00 a.m. for informal coffee and conversation.
Eating Out
Join us for monthly lunches at ethnic restaurants in the area. Just email office@wmcn.org or call 781-729-7100 and let us know if you would like to be included. We’ll email you with the date and place where we’ll meet next. We hope to alternate between lunch and dinner to include those who can’t participate during the day.
Note: This might be the beginnings of something that will grow like the thriving dinner club started by the daughter of Ugandan refugees in Toronto, Canada. She launched the Toronto food Luck Club six years ago by getting some friends together to try different ethnic restaurants. According to an interview in Canadian Living Magazine, “TFLC’s philosophy is to think globally by acting and eating locally.”