Some of you are hearing buzzwords around town like “community concierge” and “Awesome Austin.” Here’s a bit of information to help explain one of our newer programs here in Austin.

Both professionals and employers in town saw a need to provide a way to help new people learn about the community and connect with others here in Austin. This led to the creation of the Community Concierge program.

Kristen Olson has been serving as our community concierge for just under a year, ever since this welcoming service was created last February through Vision 2020’s Business Friendly Environment with support from Hormel Foods Corp., the Hormel Foundation, Mayo Clinic Health Systems and the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce.

Developed to assist area employers with the recruitment and retention of skilled, professional staff, the program has seen some early success. Newcomers who receive concierge help with school enrollment and daycare, rental housing, and community connections find the transition here to be easier than anticipated. More than one hundred professionals were served in the past year, and newcomers are grateful to have this additional help and also someone to call upon when questions about the community arise. It is not uncommon to hear how the concierge program has helped people feel “at home” here in Austin!

Trailing spouses are finding a place here, also. By helping to connect them to businesses in town, the concierge program has assisted in the placement of ten trailing spouses.

Have you heard about the Awesome Austin events organized to welcome newcomers? This is another part of the concierge program.  Three events will be held this month and early next month to showcase some of Austin’s attractions and introduce people to each other and to city and community leaders.

Attendees will tour the new ArtWorks Center and the Paramount Theatre, attend a Bruins game, and be treated to a city bus tour with lunch and commentary. Ana Li Zhong, a new teacher with Austin Public Schools, attended last September’s Awesome Austin events, along with 29 other newcomers, and shared her thoughts: “It is a great way to introduce new people to the town. It makes us feel more welcome and a part of the town.”

Olson, the community concierge, can be reached at the chamber, at kristen@austincoc.com or by calling 507-437-4562.

Reminder: Eastwood Bank of Austin and Vision 2020 Community Pride & Spirit are collaborating on the Keep the Spirit Alive volunteer service challenge in 2015. To find out more, go to at www.vision2020austin.com/spirit or find us on Facebook at “Spread the Spirit in Austin MN.”