The Housing Authority built a new, larger building this year, which provides more space for participants, but limits participants to Housing Authority residents. Computers were procured by Project FINE from St. Mary's University for the study labs. Three study lab aides were recently hired on stipends and college students are used as study lab volunteers. An integration program was recently started by the project's legal committee to help participants in the process of obtaining U.S. citizenship. Another new program is the summer outreach program, which provides week-long camps for youth in Winona and St. Charles.
Participants play ethnic games, and receive assistance with reading and English skills.
A program is planned to maintain language and cultural literacy among Hmong youth, using elders from the community. The project is awaiting funding from Target for this program. Project FINE was selected as one of four Minnesota projects to participate in a week-long convention in March on intergenerational relations. Youth will conduct interviews with elders and artist Larry Long will write songs. To help new minority families adapt to a new culture while maintaining pride in their ethnic heritage.