WRITER & STORYTELLERAndrea V.
Duarte-Alonso
I am a bridge builder. Connecting ancestral knowledge with contemporary voice. My work lives at the intersections of story, place, and collective care.
-
![]()
Writing & Storytelling Focus
The work spans poetry, freelance journalism, and creative nonfiction, with future focus on children’s and young adult literature. As an oral historian, the work centers on documenting stories and lived experiences from immigrant communities in the region.
-
![]()
Community Care & Facilitation
Facilitating workshops, story circles, and public humanities projects are facilitated through deep listening, shared learning, and collaborative reflection. Each space is designed to support meaningful dialogue and strengthen connections across communities.
-
![]()
Mentorship for Emerging Writers & Educators
Relationship-based mentorship supports youth, first-generation writers, and emerging educators through consistent guidance and encouragement. The approach focuses on building trust, strengthening confidence, and supporting long-term creative and personal growth.
Stories from Unheard Voices
An online storytelling platform of histories and experiences from immigrants and children of immigrants in Greater Minnesota.
Kendra Jean, Haitian
I’m from Thomassique, a small town located in central Haiti, where I lived until I was about 12. I mostly lived with my grandma, aunts and uncles while my mom traveled for work. I was the only niece around, so I felt very loved and valued. School was a 15-minute walk, and I had the same teacher for almost six years, which was great, he really understood…
Anonymous, Ethiopia
To me, I would call America my home. I have a house and a family here. I live in Worthington, MN. Also, I have worked at JBS for a long time. I have lived in Worthington, MN for 24/25 years. Before that, I was in Washington DC for 1 year. I was in Saudi Arabia before that and I loved it. I had many different occupations such as being…
“What is home?” That is a question I've been thinking about a lot lately. At first, I thought home was the place that was most comfortable. Recently since graduating, I believe that home is where my family is. A lot of the things that I know and do now, I’d like to thank my parents for. I identify as a second-generation Mexican Immigrant and…
Albert Martinez-Castro
Fellowships & Partnerships
Writing, Teaching, &
Community-Based Practice
As a creative writer, poet, essayist, and freelance journalist, my work is rooted in rural memory and cultural survival. I write to honor the complexity of lived experience, particularly as a rural person of color, and explore themes of identity, land, and resilience. My practice centers relational work, slow building, and deep listening as tools for visibility, change, and collective memory.
Stories From
Unheard Voices
Stories from Unheard Voices is an online storytelling platform sharing the histories and lived experiences of immigrants and children of immigrants across Greater Minnesota, amplifying voices and preserving stories that shape our communities.
Soy La Misma
Newsletter
In the Soy la Misma newsletter, Andrea reflects on her upbringing in the rural Midwest as the daughter of Mexican immigrants, sharing stories about education, culture, identity, and the experiences shaping her life.
Connect
With Me
Have a question, idea, or collaboration in mind? Reach out to connect about writing, storytelling projects, speaking opportunities, or creative partnerships. I’d love to hear from you and explore ways we can work together.