Our Story
Journey to Belonging grew from a simple idea: understanding one another should be something we experience, not just something we talk about.
What began with immersive programming designed to help people encounter perspectives beyond their own has grown into a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for curiosity, empathy, connection, and action.
We are continuing to grow that work through new programs, partnerships, cultural experiences, and opportunities for people of all ages to discover more about the world and one another.
What is Journey to Belonging?
Journey to Belonging is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Findlay, Ohio. We create immersive experiences that help people explore cultures, identities, traditions, and lived experiences while building empathy, understanding, connection, and belonging.
Our programs include interactive workshops, cultural experiences, family programs, storytelling, educational resources, and community collaborations.
What is your mission?
Our mission is simple: Journey to Belonging creates immersive experiences that foster empathy and inspire meaningful action.
We want learning to lead somewhere, from experience to reflection, from reflection to understanding, and from understanding to actions that help create stronger, more welcoming communities.
What does “Empathy is the bridge; belonging is the destination” mean?
Empathy lets us see beyond our own experiences. It encourages us to listen, think about other points of view, and realize that others may go through things very different from what we know. Still, understanding is just the first step.
Belonging goes a step further.
Belonging is about building communities where everyone feels valued, connected, and welcome, and can take part fully. It’s more than just being invited in; it’s knowing your voice counts once you’re there. It means you can be yourself, join in, make connections, and feel like you truly belong.
We think of empathy as a bridge between learning about someone and truly making space for them. When empathy pushes us to question our assumptions, talk with others, build connections, remove obstacles, or change how we welcome people, understanding turns into action.
This is the path we aim for: Experience, Reflection, Understanding, Action, and finally, Belonging.
Our goal isn’t just to understand each other better. It’s to use that understanding to help create communities where more people can say, “I belong here.”
What makes Journey to Belonging different?
We believe in learning by experiencing.
Rather than relying only on presentations or information, our programs may incorporate storytelling, simulations, food, art, language, movement, games, personal experiences, reflection, and conversation.
The goal isn't simply to leave knowing more facts. We want participants to leave seeing something, or someone, from a new perspective.
Who are Journey to Belonging programs for?
Our programs are designed for people of many ages and backgrounds.
We work with families, adults, schools, universities, libraries, workplaces, nonprofits, civic organizations, community groups, and others interested in creating opportunities for learning and connection.
You don't need to be an expert in another culture or already know the “right” things to say. Curiosity is a good place to begin.
What kinds of programs do you offer?
Our programming includes immersive workshops, cultural learning experiences, family events, community programs, storytelling, educational resources, and collaborative experiences.
Programs such as The Journey Workshop and Global Adventures offer different ways to encounter new perspectives, from stepping into an immersive simulation to spending a day exploring another country's culture and everyday life.
How can I be part of Journey to Belonging?
There are lots of ways to join the journey.
You can attend an event, participate in a program, volunteer, share your culture or story, become a community partner, bring a program to your organization, sponsor an experience, or support our work with a donation.
However you choose to participate, you are helping create more opportunities for curiosity to become connection and connection to become belonging.
Do you speak for the cultures represented in your programs?
No, and we don't believe we should.
At Journey to Belonging, we approach cultural learning with curiosity, respect, and an open mind. We work with people who have personal or cultural ties to the countries, traditions, and experiences we explore whenever we can. Their voices, stories, knowledge, and lived experiences shape our programs.
We also know that no one person can speak for an entire country, culture, or community. Cultures are diverse, always changing, and everyone experiences them in their own way.
Our role isn't to speak for others. Instead, we aim to create opportunities for people to learn from each other, ask good questions, discover new perspectives, and build real connections.
We aren't here to tell the world's stories for others. We're here to help create space for people to share their own stories.