SCSU Exhibit Highlights Stories of Immigrants through Video

ST. CLOUD -- There is a new interactive exhibit in town that ties technology with the stories of immigrants.

Green Card Voices is a non-profit from the Twin Cities area that has their exhibit on display in the Riverview building at St. Cloud State University. The exhibit is free and open to everyone for the month of February.

Co-founder Tea-Rozman Clark came up with the idea to use digital storytelling when she was first introduced to the emerging field of Digital Humanities. She says the first step is to get a QR scanner app on your phone.

"Once you have that [the scanner app] on your smart phone you just hover over to QR code and it takes you straight to the individual's video. Then you can watch the video as you're walking through the exhibit."

Using QR codes on each banner displayed, immigrants can now relay their story through the touch of a button.

BOOK PROJECT

Last summer, the non-profit recorded 20 stories of immigrants living in Central Minnesota. The videos were shared on their website to promote the diversity in St. Cloud.

Green Card Voices has since been asked by community members to write one of their Green Card Youth Voices books about immigrants attending St. Cloud schools and are looking for a way to fund the project.

"I know we actually did apply for some funding and like I said we have 20 stories already. We would love to do a St. Cloud addition of the book and are working toward that."

Green Card Voices has been working closely with St. Cloud immigrants on a Green Card Youth Voices St. Cloud book.

The St. Cloud version of the book would be similar to their books on Minneapolis, St. Paul and Fargo immigrants.

Author: Jacob Lundy, WJON Intern