This web site is the result of a group project as part of Leadership Bartholomew County (LBC)-class of 2001. LBC is a Columbus based organization that exposes participants into all facets of the community in which we live. Each year, small groups form within the LBC enrollment and select a project to propose, develop, and implement.

The site was created due to the changing ethnic make-up of our community. There have recently been a great many new residents to Columbus that do not speak English, understand American customs, nor have the resources to make their transition easy. Our object in creating this site was to have, in effect, a clearinghouse of information on various cultures, religions, and countries for both our new and old residents. This site would be a "one stop shop" where one could find out about the "immigrants" that are now living as neighbors and realize that maybe they're not as different as they were first thought.

Living in the United States should have the connotation that we're all immigrants. There are very few Native Americans who make up our population. Most of us (or at least our ancestors) settled in the United States from all over the world. They came for different reasons, and found a country where they could live with, and in, freedom.

As the information age progresses and matures, we find that our world is suddenly shrinking. Travel to most places in the world in merely a ticket away (be sure to book at least two weeks in advance for better prices). News breaking events are old if they are not downloaded or broadcast within 5 minutes of happening. In this age of information, there is much that we don't know. This site is designed to help answer some questions, educate the curious, and promote a tolerance for others who don't exactly fit in.

Support provided by: Heritage Fund of Bartholomew County, the Clarence E. and Inez R. Custer Foundation, and TLS