“It is difficult to imagine how our office would manage the health needs of newcomers if Project FINE were not here to help them integrate into our community. The uncertainties of relying on children or relatives with little English can make health care delivery dicey. The confidence and uncertainty that comes with qualified interpretation is imperative to proper health care.”

-Dr. Chris Carroll,  Pediatric Dental Care

“Working in collaboration with Project FINE to offer Spanish interpreted childbirth classes has been a huge success for both patients and staff at the Family Birth Center. Patients are more informed about the labor and delivery process and staff are better prepared to meet the cultural needs of this population.”

-Robin Hoeg, Director of Inpatient Services, Winona Health

"The staff at Project FINE is invaluable when I have persons requesting or receiving assistance that do not speak English. All members of the staff that I have contact with have been professional and efficient. They are always willing to help me understand what someone is trying to convey to me or help a member of the public understand and access our services.”

-Karen Moore, Financial Assistant Specialist, Department of Human Services

“Project FINE has helped me tremendously to express myself in a language completely different than mine and communicate my needs as resident of this county. If Project FINE did not exist I would never be able to express and communicate what I am thinking and feeling; basically we wouldn’t be able to communicate our needs as people.”

-Diana Flores Rodriguez, Project FINE client

“I know lots of things now, where to go and what to do to see that my kids are healthy. I’m learning English. We have a better life. Everything I’ve learned and accomplished has been with the help of Project FINE.”

 -Irma Garcia, Project FINE client

 “Project FINE professionally and skillfully conducted [diversity training] three times for us for a very reasonable fee. A diverse group taught the employees cultural awareness through facts, activities, and personal stories. We are grateful that Project FINE was so willing and able to bring this important training and awareness to the employees of the courts, so they are better equipped to serve the public.”

-Sara Daley, Human Resources Coordinator, Third Judicial District, Winona County

 “They assist us with interpreting interviews, translating letters to be sent out to clients and making phone contacts with clients to clarify a question we or the client may have. Project FINE has been very timely in scheduling interviews or client follow-up. The staff has been very helpful and pleasant to work with.”

 -Chris Rickoff, Financial Worker, Department of Human Services

“I came to Winona in 1991 with little English skills. When Project FINE came into the picture, everything was easier. Project FINE provided interpreters to make sure we completely understood everything. They helped me to look for a job, with English classes, information on benefits and many other programs. With Project FINE’s help, I’m looking forward to becoming a U.S. Citizen this summer or fall. I’m also looking forward to buying a house. Project FINE has been a great asset to me and my family.”

 -Yer Xiong, Project FINE client

 “As an organization, we enjoyed the learning we received from Project FINE. The information was helpful in our journey to learning more about diversity and striving to improve our cultural competency.”

 -Dennis Theede, Executive Director, Home and Community Options

 “When we felt we needed to reach out to an underserved portion of our community, we turned to Project FINE for help. They provided excellent cultural awareness training for all of our coworkers and were invaluable in building bridges to and with the Hispanic communities in our county. They have been an outstanding partner this past year and will continue to be into the future.”

 -Jack Richter, President, Winona National Bank

 “Their wealth, enthusiasm and professionalism make it real joy to work with Project FINE’s team. They understand the challenges faced by the immigrants and know how to reach out to them, as well as how to reach into the non-immigrant community to open hearts and minds. I have been extremely impressed with Project FINE’s effectiveness and will not tire of praising their work!”

 -Heather Bach, Vice President, Microfinance International Corporation

 “…Because of Project FINE and its staff or professional interpreters, the City of St. Charles was not only able to provide effective relief services to flood and fire victims, but we were also able to truly understand the needs of our residents. Project FINE continues to serve as an invaluable organization within Winona County by helping to connect residents to services and people dedicated to providing the quality of life that we all have come to expect.”

 -Nick Koverman, City Administrator, City of St. Charles

 “I personally thought that banking classes were really good; I learned a lot. Thank you for orienting us. Thank you to Project FINE for helping us. I opened an account with the bank. The gathering was really nice, it made us feel like a family.”

 -Guillermina Sandoval, Project FINE client

 “We really appreciate the work Project FINE does with newcomers to our community. They have significantly enhanced our ability to make programs we administer accessible.”

 -Craig Brooks, Director, Winona County Department of Human Services

 “Project FINE interpreters are the BEST; they assist Winona County Financial Workers with coordinating and communicating with non-English speaking individuals regarding public assistance programs. Without the interpreters’ valuable skills, we would not be able to meet the needs of our clients.”

 -Jacki, Peggy, Cindy and Christi, Winona County Department of Human Services

“Project FINE is… a fine organization with a big heart. They were there for the fire victims from the get go. They saw to it that the victims had a place to go and all the essentials that they needed. A big thank you to Project FINE – I am glad and we’re very fortunate to have an organization like this in our community.”

 -Mark A

 “Project FINE did a great job during the flood. They really acted quickly and wasted no time at all. I’m really happy with their efforts and results.”

 -Federico Perez, Project FINE client

 “Project FINE was helpful in getting information about the Healthy Kids Club to their clients…they participated in our Healthy Kids Club kick-off event and continue to serve on committees ensuring success of the program. Project FINE also continues to be our partner when we need interpreters to communicate with our non-English speaking patients and their families. We are grateful to have an organization like Project FINE in our community.

 -Jennifer Olson, Winona Health

 “Project FINE has helped me get my citizenship by helping me study at their office. Citizenship means that I’m American and that’s good! I have prayed for my citizenship, so I can be a missionary and help other people.”

 -Nou Hang, Project FINE client

 “I am really grateful for all the help that has been given to me (by Project FINE) … I don’t have the words; only thank you.”

 - Project FINE client

 “Winona Head Start and Project FINE work closely together with Hmong and Spanish-speaking families. We make home visits together and the interpreters help with building relationships. Project FINE’s services are valuable in helping with our recruitment and enrollment process.”

 -Betty Kriesel, Winona Head Start

 “Project FINE is a priceless service for Winona Health. The interpreters make themselves available to our patients 24 hours a day and they are there when seconds count.”

 -Rebecca Lamberty, RN, Winona Health

 “Project FINE has continued to be a valuable resource for the courts in 2008. We are able to get competent interpreters quickly. Project FINE also now provides interpreter services for the Department of Corrections-Courthouse units. Director Fatima Said has served as a member of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) and contributed greatly to the ongoing goals of the CJCC’s Community and Outreach Committee. I participated in an educational training of the criminal justice system that she and her staff recently organized. It was well attended by the Hmong and Hispanic Communities. It was time we all spent for both presenters and the audience members.”

 -Sally Cumiskey, Court Administrator, Winona County Court

 “Project FINE is our catalyst in Winona County for building an inclusive community instead of just talking about it. Our community belongs to all its citizens; Project FINE and its tireless director Fatima Said makes us sure we never lose sight of that immutable truth.”

 -Charles MacLean, Attorney, Winona County Attorney’s Office

 “I appreciate the partnership with Project FINE and the Saint Charles Public Schools. Goals are same to help newcomers in community to be successful, and it’s an excellent partnership that will be really beneficial to the future successes of the St. Charles community.”

 -Allen Rasmussen, Principal, Saint Charles Elementary School

“We in Winona sometimes wonder where the next generation of entrepreneurs will come from. Throughout this area’s history, immigrants have been an important source of entrepreneurial initiative and we can remain hopeful that such a tradition will continue. The work of Project FINE in fostering entrepreneurship with Winona-area businesses and organizations will pay significant dividends in the future. We can count on that as we have counted on the contribution of immigrants to this area for more than a hundred years.”

 -Dr. Gabriel Manrique, Professor of Economics and Finance, Winona State University

 “The ability to communicate with people who don’t speak English is critical to comprehending program guidelines, job search activity and work duties. We are pleased that Project FINE has provided translation and interpreter services to the Winona Workforce Center for years. Interpreters readily come to our office or community sites to aid in job search efforts and on the job training assistance for non-English speaking participants. Project FINE is a valuable resource in our community.”

 -Ann Nelson, M.S.LSW, PHR, Winona Workforce Center

 “Project FINE is our local bridge to welcome, acclimate, advocate for, and provide the necessary tools to help immigrants succeed in their new environment. From work issues to healthcare concerns and from language barriers to diversity training, Project FINE has helped all of us understand the strength of diversity as we weave together all cultures into the fabric of America.”

 -Robert Reinert, County Administrator, Winona County

“The work that Project FINE accomplishes in our diocese under the direction of Fatima Said is a real blessing for our Hispanic Community. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Fatima. She is for us a heavenly gift like her name indicates recalling the great apparitions of the Mother of God in the city of Fatima, Portugal. A great name for a great person.”

 -Mr. Eduardo Fortini, Diocese of Winona

“Partnering with Project FINE is always such a pleasurable experience. The staff members are extremely knowledgeable and resourceful and the quality of their work is unsurpassed. The entire region benefits from having such a vital resource in the Winona Area.”

 -Connie J. Gores, Vice President for Student Life and Development, Winona State University

 “It has been wonderful working with Fatima and the incredible staff at Project FINE – they are clearly passionate about the students and families they serve. Winona is fortunate to have an organization that understands the needs of its community and provides services to address the needs.”

 -Hannah Chan, MN Outreach Consultant, Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation

 “The experience of being a newcomer to a community can for many be very stressful. Feelings of isolation and uncertainty can be magnified for those who are dealing with cultural and language barriers. The Project FINE staffs understand these stressors and have worked with our students, families and staff to make Winona a better place to learn and live. They definitely are strong and welcome advocates for our newest residents!”

 -Paul D. Durand, Superintendent of Schools, District #861, Winona Area Public Schools

 “Project FINE has worked to meet a defined and important need in our community. We are fortunate to have a strong partnership with Project FINE that assists our clients and patients to ensure a specific healthcare needs are met. This is a value for all involved.”

 -Rachelle Schultz, President and CEO, Winona Health

 “Project FINE has worked to strengthen the cultural understanding within our faculty, staff and students at Southeast Tech. Fatima and her staff have been committed to helping us learn as much as we can about the people in our communities. By learning more about each other, we all gain a better understanding and become more inclusive.”

 -Nate Emerson, Vice President, MN State College-Southeast Technical

 “Staff in the Family, Adult and Children’s units at the Winona County Department of Human Services comment often about the professional, approachable staff of Project FINE. This agency is very dependent on the services of Project FINE. Thank you for another year of being there for us.”

 -Julie A. Thompson, Social Services Manager, Winona County Department of Human Services

 “Our community suffered a major loss when North Star Foods was destroyed by fire, but the damages went much further than the loss of buildings. We truly lost one of our greatest assets, the employees of the plant. Many of these employees were fortunate to have received the assistance of Project FINE. A building can be rebuilt, but the loss for the community will take years to replace.”

 -Bill Spitzer, Mayor, City of St. Charles

 “As a result of our Council’s ongoing collaborative partnership with Project FINE, the residents of Winona County have been provided with several unique and wonderful opportunities to learn more about the justice system. We look forward to working on many more successful projects with Project FINE in the future!”

 -Kalene Engel, Executive Director, Winona County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

 “We are proud to support Project FINE’s College Education Connection program that helps students and families learn about post-secondary options. Project FINE truly understands that a college education provides students with more options and opportunities in life and is the key to building an educated workforce in our communities.”

 -Hannah Chan, MN Outreach Consultant, Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation

 “Students struggle between their own identity and that of their families no matter where they are from as they go through adolescence. Empowering the students that come to Diversity Youth Quest to learn about their world can make an exciting difference in their lives. I am grateful to be introduced to such a progressive program with people who are really passionate about its success.”

 -Miranda Peterson, Mentor

 “As someone who professionally runs a museum depicting 18th and 19th century immigration, I am well aware of the many challenges and barriers that immigrants face beginning a new life in America. Project FINE is doing amazing things to help today’s immigrants find their place within the American dream. Their outreach through education, direct services, and networking is often unsung and nothing short of heroic!”

 -Kevin Wester, Director, Luxembourg American Cultural Center

 “Project FINE’s work of integrating newcomers benefits all of us. Understanding each other and giving all of us skills to work with people from different backgrounds provides a healthy foundation for the entire community.”

 -Beth Forkner Moe, Executive Director, United Way of Greater Winona Area

 “Through Project FINE, AmeriCorps *VISTA members have improved the lives of many throughout Winona County. We are honored to be a partner as Project FINE continues to grow and prosper.”

 -Sam Schuth, Minnesota State Director, Corporation for National and Community Service

 “Project FINE is an asset to the community. With a diligent and passionate staff, they continually bring a beneficial resource to all of Winona.”

 -Katie Simota, Project FINE Volunteer

“Project FINE continues to do exceptional work in the community and make our growing diversity an asset, not a liability.”

 -Eric Sorensen, City Manager, City of Winona