Yvonne Wolf came to the US from Taiwan when she was eight years old, and later settled in the Glenview area with her family in 2011. Soon after moving to Glenview, she began volunteering for Glenview TV, becoming the host of the local author program called Off the Shelf. This volunteer position helped her learn and connect with numerous stories about Glenview and the people that live here.
This spring at the Library, Yvonne will be hosting Community Connections: An Asian American Conversation. We talked to Yvonne about her time in Glenview, and what she hopes to accomplish during the upcoming conversation.
What is your connection to the Glenview Public Library?
When my family moved to the area, the Glenview Library became a destination for our daily adventures. We enjoyed activities and programs for children and met other families that have become lifelong friends. As an active community member, I quickly saw opportunities to give back by contributing to cross cultural programming that integrates and celebrates the diversity that we found here.
Tell us a little about the upcoming panel discussion.
The 2020 Census tells us that Asian Americans are the fastest growing demographic in our area. Whereas European and American cultures share many commonalities, I found that I could help our community to learn more about East Asian cultures. For many years, I have hosted experienced-based learning opportunities to help stimulate conversation and build community. I invited a few local residents of Korean, Mongolian, and Filipino heritages to answer some basic questions and share their experiences so people can get familiar with East Asian cultures.
What kind of impact do you hope this discussion will have?
As an intercultural consultant, I have found that interpersonal exchanges often communicate goodwill and can make unfamiliar cultures seem less puzzling. There is no surprise that there are cultural misunderstandings and misinformation. In 2021, I was invited to a library panel to discuss Asian American experiences, and I’m delighted to be invited back this year. I realize that we can use this opportunity to start a positive cross-cultural conversation and build community connections.
Learn more about Community Connections: An Asian American Conversation, opens a new window.
