In the heart of Long Prairie, Minnesota, where rolling farmland meets the rhythm of small-town life, a colorful hub quietly hums with energy and purpose. Tucked within the community, the WAVE Saludos Welcome Center offers more than just information; it offers a sense of belonging.

Here, doors open to warm voices and guidance that help newcomers navigate unfamiliar systems, from finding a home, accessing culturally appropriate food, to understanding a doctor’s note. It’s a place where cultures blend and resilience grows, where each conversation helps turn uncertainty into opportunity.

“Queen of Long Prairie,” and rightfully so, Luan Thomas-Brunkhorst reigns not with a crown, but with a fierce devotion to her town’s heartbeat. Alongside champions like her close friend of 25 years, Elizabeth Quillo, who had jointly dreamed of starting a welcoming liaison-type center for many years, Luan helped ignite the WAVE Saludos initiative, a movement that blossomed from community dreams into real impact. Luan, alongside Elizabeth Quillo, co-founded the welcome center in 2021 and it’s needs have grown exponentially over the past 4 years along with its impact.

With the backing of local heroes, 4-H mentors, public health advocates, and leaders like Ruben Dedone, and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid Deputy Director and experienced immigration lawyer, Yasin Alsaidi, who brought not only legal expertise but deep-rooted cultural wisdom, the initiative became a lifeline. Grisia Rodriguez, Elizabeth A-Wood, Lituania Alicea Bernard, Kimberly Santana, Danje-Marline Jn-Baptiste are bilingual, along with others, interpreters and bilingual advocates, are the cornerstones of providing these vital connections.

It reached families through garden soil and health checkups, through youth programs and neighborhood gatherings. From SNAP-Ed BIENESTAR garden classes lead by Elizabeth Quillo to the steady support of WIC nurses and county health services, this patchwork of partnerships, including 4-H group leader Mayte Albino Orengo, 4-H Extension Educator Heidi Igo, and Todd County Master Gardener Lorilie Zellman, weaved a resilient net under the community.

More recently, there have been an increase in needs due to changes in immigration status which has lead to many more coming into our office to connect to vital resources. Please empower us to continue this important work through your donation.