From Malaysia to Moorhead: Bridging Culture and Community Across Our Region

Yoke-Sim Gunaratne is a familiar face in the Fargo-Moorhead area. She’s the Executive Director of Cultural Diversity Resources and received a 2024 Virginia McKnight Binger Heart of Community Honor award for her tireless work in the community. Yoke-Sim’s journey to becoming a trusted community leader in Fargo-Moorhead began in Malaysia. She was raised in Kuala Lumpur and received her undergraduate degree in Social Science while living in Penang. It was there that she met and married her husband, Shelton Gunaratne, a professor of communications.

After a stint in Queensland, Australia, where Yoke-Sim worked as a Community Development Officer and earned a Master of Arts in Sociology. One final move and new jobs landed them in the United States in 1986.

Strengthening Bonds in the Fargo-Moorhead Area

Holding positions at North Dakota State University in the International Office and Lutheran Social Services in Refugee Resettlement, Yoke-Sim has led Cultural Diversity Resources as the Executive Director since its founding in 1994. Cultural Diversity Resources aims to be an intercultural bridge between diverse communities in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

“Even 31 years ago, Moorhead saw Cultural Diversity Resources as really bridging and strengthening bonds between people of different cultures,” she said.

The organization brings people of different cultures together and educates and empowers ethnically diverse populations in the Fargo-Moorhead area. It provides many services, including diversity education for educators, financial literacy classes, job development, certified bilingual interpreter services, and entrepreneurship training. 

Cultural Diversity Resources also sponsors AmeriCorps VISTA, where members work to address poverty. Through community partnerships, Cultural Diversity Resources collaborates on building the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of grassroots nonprofits serving low-income communities.

Creating Space for Collaboration and Equity

Through her work with Cultural Diversity Resources, Yoke-Sim provides services to immigrants, New Americans, and other diverse populations. The organization also works to connect and uplift other small nonprofit organizations in the Fargo-Moorhead area. She started the Multicultural Alliance, a coalition of grassroots nonprofit organizations led by people who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color. The Alliance fosters communication and collaboration among organizations so they can work together and avoid duplicating services.

In her 31 years working at Cultural Diversity Resources, Yoke-Sim has seen issues cycle back around, including employment, youth issues, and diversity. She’s also seen the community change. Today, Yoke-Sim says that organizations are more open to providing community engagement opportunities and including a more diverse group of leaders in decisions.

“I think there is more emphasis on partnership and collaboration now,” Yoke-Sim said.

Yoke-Sim’s vision is to create financial resources for small nonprofit organizations, such as a donor fund or community foundation. While small organizations can be more adept at reaching low-income people and those with cultural or language barriers than large organizations, they don’t always have the funding.

“My dream is to have some long-term financial sustainability and alleviate poverty for the long run,” Yoke-Sim said.

Connecting with West Central Initiative’s Mission

Yoke-Sim has been deeply engaged in West Central Initiative’s work for years. She served on our board from 2018 to 2024. As a board member, she played an active role in our commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and embracing a holistic approach to problem-solving in partnership with communities. This includes championing initiatives such as providing loans to small businesses, which not only help entrepreneurs start and grow but also generate jobs, strengthen the local economy, and improve quality of life.

Her connection to West Central Initiative as a donor is rooted in lived experience. She knows what it’s like to face poverty and values West Central Initiative’s understanding of community needs. Yoke-Sim recognizes that while West Central Initiative is rooted locally and regionally, we address the interconnection of local and global challenges and solutions, and is quick to highlight the staff and leadership who make our work possible.

A Legacy of Empowerment and Global Perspective

As a mother and grandmother, she continues to model the importance of giving back. She appreciates West Central Initiative’s unique role as a community foundation, where pooling resources can lead to transformational change.

 “One person can make a big impact,” Yoke-Sim said. “When we pool our dollars, collectively we can do big things.”

Yoke-Sim has empowered countless individuals, strengthened communities, and inspired people to embrace diversity and equity across the globe. Colleagues say that her personal journey from Malaysia to Australia to Minnesota has affirmed her understanding of the interconnectedness of global, national, and local issues and the value of giving back to communities wherever you are.

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