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<p>HAZLETON &#8212; Ingrid Howells said that when she came to America from Germany in 1971 even the birds sang differently.</p><p>On Friday night, more than 40 years later, Howells attended a diversity night at the Community One Center, which she hoped provided an opportunity for fellowship and improved understanding between people with different backgrounds.</p><p>As she looked around at more than 250 people who filled the bottom floor of the center, she noted that there was a variety of food, music and clothing.</p><p>The key she said was people actually taking time to get to know each other.</p><p>Ben Medina, Community One Center director, said the event provided an opportunity to start a dialogue between those of different cultures.</p><p>The center, he said, provides a hub of activity which serves both to unite and educate city residents.</p><p>&#8220;We&#8217;re here from early morning until evening, receiving and assisting people, offering computer classes, ESL classes and directing people to other resources,&#8221; she said.</p><p>The event was sponsored by Cargill and the Hazleton Area School District, partnering to bring people, young and old, together to build neighborhoods, forge friendships and build a brighter future.</p><p>Phillip Latella, principal at Hazle Township Early Learning Center and Arthur Street School, said the event provided a sense of diversity and unity.</p><p>Andy Twitt, representing Restored Church, served refreshments to attendees, accompanied by a smile and words of encouragement.</p><p>Twitt, who also works in Hazleton Area schools in his job as a behavioral specialist consultant, said the city&#8217;s children are a big part of bringing people together.</p><p>&#8220;Schools provide a chance for the kids to get to know each other,&#8221; he said, looking around as many of the younger set played together, racing around the room until there parents warned them to calm down.</p><p>Terry Moran Bauder, downtown Hazleton&#8217;s LCCC Center Director, said 58 percent of those served at the campus were Hispanic.</p><p>&#8220;This is what the future looks like,&#8221; she said, referring to the diversity of foods, music and cultures that filled the room.</p><p>She also emphasized the importance of meeting the needs of those in the community.</p><p>&#8220;As a community college, we can do that,&#8221; she said. &#8220;We can offer ESL classes and pre-engineering classes at the same time.&#8221;</p><p>Modesto Hernandez said he was impressed with the attitude and atmosphere of the event.</p><p>&#8220;Someone said to me &#8216;my brother, God made only one race, the human race&#8217;,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Outside the building, Gilbert Cain took a moment to retreat from the heat and noise of the evening.</p><p>Looking back on his life, however, he seemed to fixate on the sense of diversity and adventure that brought him to the area.</p><p>Cain said he had moved away from family on the West Coast, willing to embrace new people with respect and value.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Hosanna Tritt, 3, of Hazleton, poses for a picture in front of her sister Eliana, 5, at the Hazleton One Community Center during a social event celebrating the diversity of the community on Friday night. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL040216DiversityNight-1-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Hosanna Tritt, 3, of Hazleton, poses for a picture in front of her sister Eliana, 5, at the Hazleton One Community Center during a social event celebrating the diversity of the community on Friday night. </caption0><photoCredit0>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL040216DiversityNight-2-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Jubilee Velez, 3, of Hazleton, gets ready to enjoy a bite to eat during the community event at the Hazleton One Community Center on Friday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL040216DiversityNight-2-1.jpg</photo1><caption1>Jubilee Velez, 3, of Hazleton, gets ready to enjoy a bite to eat during the community event at the Hazleton One Community Center on Friday. </caption1><photoCredit1>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL040216DiversityNight-3-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Tessa Perchansky, 17, of McAdoo, and Sarah Habel, 15, of Hazleton, perform with their band during the community event at Hazleton One Community Center on Friday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL040216DiversityNight-3-1.jpg</photo2><caption2>Tessa Perchansky, 17, of McAdoo, and Sarah Habel, 15, of Hazleton, perform with their band during the community event at Hazleton One Community Center on Friday. </caption2><photoCredit2>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL040216DiversityNight-4-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Yamil Santana, 3, of Hazleton, keeps her attention to the front room while volunteers Carmen Munoz, left, and Olga Lantigua have a conversation at the Hazleton One Community Center on Friday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL040216DiversityNight-4-1.jpg</photo3><caption3>Yamil Santana, 3, of Hazleton, keeps her attention to the front room while volunteers Carmen Munoz, left, and Olga Lantigua have a conversation at the Hazleton One Community Center on Friday. </caption3><photoCredit3>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit3></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL040216DiversityNight-6.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Dancers from Hazleton Area High School entertain the people during the event at the Hazleton One Community Center on Friday. 4/1/16. Sean McKeag | Times Leader</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo4>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL040216DiversityNight-6.jpg</photo4><caption4>Dancers from Hazleton Area High School entertain the people during the event at the Hazleton One Community Center on Friday. 4/1/16. Sean McKeag | Times Leader</caption4><photoCredit4>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit4></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL040216DiversityNight-5.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">People line up for the variety of food that is served during the event at the Hazleton One Community Center on Friday. 4/1/16. Sean McKeag | Times Leader</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo5>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL040216DiversityNight-5.jpg</photo5><caption5>People line up for the variety of food that is served during the event at the Hazleton One Community Center on Friday. 4/1/16. Sean McKeag | Times Leader</caption5><photoCredit5>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit5></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Diversity event brings 250 Hazleton residents out to socialize and dialogue