Reaching out to the German Community

By Manuela Blankinship

Dearborn Press & Guide - January 16, 2003

It took two intercontinental moves, one garage sale, and a phone call for Jutta Weidenaar and Manuela Blankinship to find each other and become friends.

"We really chose the scenic route," says Blankinship. "After all, we grew up in the same small town in Germany, attended the same community college, and received identical degrees. Despite all of this, we never met until just a few weeks ago."

The two German women share similarities that seem to go beyond mere coincidence. "Not only are we from the same town in Germany and took classes from the same professors, we both fell in love and married American men, moved to Dearborn, and ended up living just a couple of blocks from each other!" explains Weidenaar. "We managed to live in the same neighborhood for three years without ever meeting. It's amazing!"

Blankinship who is an international relocation consultant says that this scenario is not as uncommon as it may seem.

"Jutta and I met through a garage sale," says Blankinship. "My other friendships are based on similar coincidences. Many Germans live in this area for years without ever meeting anybody who shares their language and cultural background."

Based on their personal experiences, Weidenaar and Blankinship founded the German Women's Community Club - Wayne County (GWCC) in October of this year (2002). At its inaugural meeting on November 14, 2002 the club already counted 17 members and is expected to grow rapidly. The club meets at a local area restaurant on every third Wednesday of each month.

The GWCC has primarily been designed as a support group for recent arrivals and short-term delegates from Germany. However, all German-speaking women regardless of nationality are welcome to join. If you are interested in learning more about the GWCC, please contact Jutta Weidenaar (313-277-5716) or Manuela Blankinship (313-562-8169) for more information.