The face of the Fox Cities has changed.  People of many cultures, including Hmong, African American, Native American, gay/lesbian and Hispanic, have enriched our community.

Change is not always easy or comfortable.  Toward Community: Unity in Diversity was orgnized in 1993 to promote appreciation for the growing diversity in our community an dto advocate justice for people of all cultures and ethnic backgrounds.

We are a volunteer, nonprofit organization which meets the third Wednesday of each month.  We welcome new members.  Contact us for more information.
 
 

If you believe in our mission and wish to help, please join us! Click here for a membership application.
 
 

• Chair: Kamal Varma
• Vice-chair: Scott Peeples
• Corresponding Secretary: Connie Raether
• Recording Secretary: Ellie Olson
• Treasurer: John Gosling
• Members at large: Kathy Flores, Jeff Kuepper, Henry Golde, Tony Gonzalez, Terry Dawson
• Ex-officio: Rebecca Sgarlotti, FCRMCC

• Accomplishments 2000
• Accomplishments 2001
• Advocacy (review of advocacy activities in 2000)
• Center for New Community article (confronting Christian Identity and Scriptures for America)
• Forgiveness (thoughts about and by Henry Golde, Holocaust survivor).
• Unity in Diversity Award presentation to Scott Peeples, 2001

Toward Community: Unity in Diversity started in 1993 with a dream of a multicultural Fox Valley with citizens committed to interethnic understanding and all diversity.  This dream started with the vision of a small group of individuals led by Reverend Roger Bertschausen, the original chair of Toward Community.  Combined with his leadership was the dedication and tenacity of Scott Peeples, who tirelessly led this organization for the next five years.  Today, Kathy J Fredericks presides as president.  The qualities and passions of these individuals helped forge Toward Community into what it is today.

And what is Toward Community today?  We are a growing Fox Valley membership of 100 strong, comprised of caring and committed individuals.  Our mission is to promote unity through a sharing of cultural values, an appreciation of the richness of diversity and a commitment to justice through education, advocacy, and service.  We are committed to interethnic understanding and cooperation.

We accomplish this through our work as volunteers.  We have conducted panel discussions and workshops about our work, race relations in the Fox Cities and various cultures at schools, churches, and businesses.

We also accomplish our goals by planning various events in the Fox Cities.  Events such as the Martin Luther King Interfaith celebration.  In 2000 we had over 300 people in attendance. 

There, our "Unity in Diversity" award is presented annually to a person in the Fox Valley who most exemplifies the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King.  The part of the evening that most touches our hearts is the reading of the award-winning essays written by students in the Fox Valley 

Each year, in the summer, we hold the "Celebrate Diversity" picnic that brings people of all ages and backgrounds together for food, games, music, and fun.

Last October, we had over 400 people attend our second annual "Foods of All Nations".  This ethnic festival promotes community, understanding, and respect by bringing people together from numerous countries and backgrounds through the sampling of authentic dishes typical of various cultures..

We worked  in conjunction with other area organizations to bring “Diversity Week” to the Fox Valley.  The highlight of “Diversity Week” was the presentation by Morris Dees, Southern Poverty Law Center, on October 25 at Appleton West High School.  Mr. Dees delivered a message entitled ‘Hope and Tolerance for the New Millinium’.

We serve as advocates for diversity by public awareness and educational programs to shed light on multicultural celebrations and issues of discrimination.  We have been a voice/presence in court when hate crimes happen in the valley and we have been strong protesters against the message of hate brought to the valley by the white supremacist movement.

We support like-minded agencies like African Heritage, Inc., The Hmong American Partnership, Fair Housing Council, United Migrant Opportunity Services, and various other organizations.