Thirteen youth and three staff members from the Haus der Begegnung in the Marzahn neighborhood of East Berlin visited Minneapolis in the U.S. from October 22 – November 2. As part of the Minneapolis – Berlin exchange program that was established nearly five years ago through a connection made by IFS members, the visitors stayed at Pillsbury United Communities’ Brian Coyle Center.
The German students and staff developed close relationships with youth participants and youth workers from all over Pillsbury United Communities, helping out with service projects at each of the agency’s four locations – including playing with kids in the daycare center at Pillsbury House, working in the community garden at Oak Center, and helping to prepare for Halloween parties at Waite House and the Brian Coyle Center. They also had the opportunity to attend a Timberwolves basketball game at the Target Center, attend the “Trail of Terror” in Shakopee, and go shopping at the Mall of America! Youth Manager Nancy Seger says of the trip, “It was a wonderful experience for both the Berlin students and the Minneapolis youth – we’re looking forward to our next exchange!”
For more information about how these exchanges have been set up, please contact Nancy Seger at 612-377-7000 or segern@puc-mn.org.