By Sharon Salyer
Herald Writer
South Everett’s diverse ethnic communities are symbolically opening their doors Wednesday for a holiday party, a family event open to all neighborhood residents.
"What we want very much is a home atmosphere as if you’re going to a family celebration," said Winnie Corral, program manager for Familias Unidas and the South Everett Neighborhood Center, event organizers.
"We want to have a place in the community for people to get together, talk and give their children a chance to play with children of other groups" that they might not otherwise meet, she said.
This is the second annual celebration where both centers are coming together to sponsor the party, Corral said.
Community members with Slavic heritage, as well as Ukrainians, Russian-speakers and Hispanics, are expected to attend.
Anyone who lives in the south Everett area is welcome "but we ask that they let us know that they’re coming," she said. "Last year, we had about three times as many people show up as responded."
The free event will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Horizon Elementary School, 222 W. Casino Road. Snacks will be provided.
Local banks, churches and businesses made donations to pay for the event.
The South Everett Community Center and Familias Unidas are both housed in a small white house at 6315 Flemming St.
They are two of seven family support centers in Snohomish County. Other centers are located in Sultan, Darrington, Lake Stevens Lynnwood and Stanwood.
Each have programs to respond to specific needs of their areas.
In South Everett, volunteers teach classes or lead groups in topics such as: single parenting, women’s support groups, parents’ night out, crafts for kids, English lessons for Russian and Spanish speakers, and anger management.
For more information, call the center. English or Slavic speakers should call 425-355-6005. A dedicated line for Spanish speakers is 425-513-2880.
You can call Herald Writer Sharon Salyer at 425-339-3486
or send e-mail to salyer@heraldnet.com.
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