Austin residents have the chance to get out and learn about the modern immigrant experience.

The community is hosting 21 life-size posters at various spots until Sept.16 through Green Card Voices, a program intended to share stories about the nation’s 40 million immigrants.

The program aims to put a human face to the current immigration debate in an attempt to introduce immigrants to their neighbors.

“Their stories are very very similar to people who live in our community,” said Stacy Mason, a navigator with Austin Adult Learning.

The idea to bring the program to Austin sparked when Austin Adult learning took adult English language learner students to the Festival of Nations in May.

A teacher wanted to bring the program to Austin because immigrants here are often hesitant to share their own stories

Mason said the hope is that sharing stories through Green Card Voices will inspire others to share their stories.

Green Card Voices is a nonprofit based in the Twin Cities aiming to spread information and prevent stereotypes about immigrants, especially in Minnesota, by collecting and sharing their stories.

The public is invited to get out and visit all 21 posters. Passports are available for people to checkoff as they visit each, and a prize of $25 in Chamber Bucks will be given to someone who visits all of the posters.

Mason said they wanted to make it family-friendly so people could go and checkout each of the stories as a family.

Mason praised the Austin businesses for being open and willing to share the immigrants’ stories.

“They were very helpful and willing to share and help spread this,” she said.

A Green Card Voices book is also for sale at Sweet Reads.

Each of the Green Card Voices posters comes with a QR code leading to a website that features a short video on the individual.

For more, visit the Green Card Voices website at www.greencardvoices.com.

Green Card Voices Poster locations

Austin Artworks Center

Austin City Office

Austin Public Library

B & J

Chamber of Commerce

Coffee House on Main

El Mariachi

Evenson’s Hallmark

Hastings Shoes

InnoVision

Lou’s Forever Framing

Paramount Theatre

South Central Athlete

St. Olaf Church

Sweet Reads

Videyo Arts

Welcome Center

Willow Cove

YMCA

Austin Artworks Center

Austin City Office