Conexiones

Conexiones is a registered nonprofit serving Stevens and Swift Counties. We work alongside families to help them understand local systems, build connections, and feel a sense of belonging in their new communities. 

We appreciate the community support. Our work would not be possible without donors like you.

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2026 Building Belonging, Looking Ahead

As 2026 comes to a close, we are grateful for another year of connection and collaboration across Stevens and Swift Counties. At Conexiones, we work to help immigrant families feel at home in their communities. This year, we continued that work by bringing neighbors together, helping families navigate local systems, and creating opportunities to learn from one another.

We’d like to take this opportunity to reflect on the past year and highlight some of our accomplishments. As we celebrate how far we’ve come, we are excited for what 2027 holds and the next chapter for Conexiones.

Opening Doors to Opportunity

For families who did not grow up in the US, navigating schools, healthcare, and other community services can be difficult. Conexiones helps by connecting immigrants with information and people who can guide them as they learn new systems.

We continue to partner with area schools to help ensure Spanish-speaking parents stay connected with their children's education. In 2026, we partnered with local health and emergency service providers to host Community Night Out, which reached more than 260 people. We worked with a local veterinarian to help families learn about veterinary care in the United States and shared voting information to help newly naturalized citizens participate in this year's elections.

This year, we expanded the Conexiones Scholarship to offer up to five $500 scholarships to graduating seniors in Stevens and Swift Counties. By investing in the next generation and supporting students who value bilingualism and community service, we hope to encourage future leaders who will help our region thrive.

Growing our Impact

Our work is possible because of the people and organizations who believe in our mission. In 2026, Conexiones was awarded over $87,000 in grants from the Blandin Foundation and West Central Initiative. This support creates opportunities to strengthen our organization and expand our impact in the years ahead.

Creating a Sense of  Belonging

Belonging can grow from a large community celebration or a simple opportunity to learn something new together. Throughout the year, Conexiones created spaces for neighbors to connect and learn from one another.

In January, we partnered with Swift County 4-H for an evening of making Mexican tortillas and Norwegian lefse. Participants shared food traditions and discovered the connections between cultures. That same appreciation for sharing cultures and bringing people together was on full display at our annual Connections Day festival, the largest event of the year, which featured music, dance, food, and family activities.

We continued that spirit into the summer through Verano en Acción. Now in its second year, the program gave mothers and children opportunities to spend meaningful time together and build friendships with other families. To finish out the summer, we partnered with the Minnesota DNR, to help families explore Minnesota's outdoors at Sibley and Glacial Lakes State Parks. For many, these experiences offered a first opportunity to camp, fish, or canoe. Each of these activities helped strengthen relationships and create a greater sense of belonging in our community. 

Looking Ahead: Ten Years of  Conexiones

In 2027, Conexiones will celebrate 10 years as a nonprofit organization. This milestone is an opportunity to recognize how far we have come and look ahead to what our communities need next.

We are preparing for an exciting year of growth. We are developing a refreshed brand that better communicates who we are and the impact we have. We are also preparing to expand our team with plans to hire a third staff member. These steps will help us build our capacity and strengthen our work for the future.

As we approach our tenth anniversary, our mission remains the same: connecting immigrants with the community. We believe that when people feel welcomed, supported, and connected, our entire region becomes stronger.

Thank you to our community partners, donors, volunteers, and families for being part of this work. Your support makes these connections possible, and we look forward to building on them together in the year ahead.

With gratitude,

The Conexiones Leadership Team