SENDING LOVE. The Chippewa Valley's new Postcard Project aims to cross racial divides through postcards, which will be displayed around area churches and businesses beginning June 1. (Submitted photos)

Sending postcards is a way to build connections across the country and around the globe. And now it’s a way to build bridges across racial divides with the new Chippewa Valley Postcard Project.

“We’re encouraging families and friends to have conversations about how the Chippewa Valley can become more welcoming to people of all races,” said Amy Renshaw, project co- founder, “and then take action. The arts are a fun way to engage the community and create something inspiring.”

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The arts are a fun way to engage the community and create something inspiring. 

Amy hahn

local art therapist

The project was organized by the Interfaith Action for Racial Justice organization, comprising a group of friends involved in the Interfaith Prayer Services in Eau Claire, who partnered with Uniting Bridges of Eau Claire, JONAH, the Black & Brown Womyn Power Coalition, Chippewa Valley Equality Initiative, and Bared Feet Co.

The mission is simple, and it’s easy to get involved: Pick up a blank postcard from a number of local businesses (or email cvpostcard@gmail.com) and choose one of the following prompts to respond to:

• What can I do to make the Chippewa Valley a place where people of color feel more appreciated
• What can I do to connect with someone from a race or culture other than mine?
• How can I overcome prejudices I have about people of a certain group?
• What skills or strengths can I use or develop to help create racial justice?
• What would the Chippewa Valley look like if people of all races and cultures were welcomed with justice, compassion, and appreciation?

The project is intended to be collaborative, so don’t be shy and involve your friends, family, and neighbors. Work together, or ask them to add onto what you started!Once finished, mail it to 930 Galloway St. Mailbox #4, Eau Claire, WI 54703 or drop it off for JONAH at 505 S. Dewey St. Suite 204, Eau Claire, by June 1.Collages of the postcards will be displayed in windows of local churches and businesses starting in June. They’ll also be displayed at the Juneteenth celebration in Carson Park. Check out photos of the postcards on the Facebook and Instagram pages at tinyurl.com/CVpostcard and @cvpostcard respectively.

“We hope the project will spark conversations and action among friends, family, and neighbors about how we can all make the Chippewa Valley more welcoming and appreciative of people of all races,” Hahn said. “Our hope is that the collages will lead to more conversations and concrete actions to promote racial justice, inclusion, and true friendships across races.”