It's estimated that more than 10 languages and dozens of countries are represented at the Minnetonka Heights apartment complex -- from Somalia to Mexico and Belarus to Kenya.

"They're from all over," said JoAnne Robinson as she surveyed the crowd during a Thanksgiving dinner at the complex.

Robinson is the Ridgedale YMCA's on-site outreach coordinator. She and the Y work with the Minnetonka School District, the city of Minnetonka and others to provide Minnetonka Heights families with after-school programs, youth summer camps and referrals to area food banks and energy assistance programs.

The complex is a magnet for immigrants because it offers Section 42, or low-income, housing units.

Robinson has worked at the complex full time for more than five years. "One-hundred percent of her time is invested in making this program work," Ridgedale YMCA Executive Director Brian Kirk said.

Minnetonka Mayor Jan Callison visited with residents during the Thanksgiving dinner and praised the work the program has been doing. "It's always fun to see what's happening," she said.

The community room at the complex buzzed with activity during the event. Seven-year-old Lyuba Manulik, who moved to the United States with her mother, Svetlana Manulik, more than three years ago, sat quietly and tasted a small forkful of pumpkin pie. She liked it and ate more.

The meal is a big event for the complex -- more than a quarter of the 450 residents attended -- but it's just one aspect of the Ridgedale Y's on-site approach to serving the needs of the immigrant and low-income families that have moved there in recent years.

Robinson said the diversity of the complex's residents is reflected in the stories she has heard from residents during the years.

Sado Ibrahim moved to Minnesota from Somalia about six years ago. The single mother of five children said Robinson's support has been invaluable.

"She always helps out," Ibrahim said. "JoAnne is wonderful and does a lot for us."

Ibrahim and Manulik both work full time and said it's helpful for their children to be able to attend after-school and other programs Ridgedale YMCA offers on site.

Minnetonka Heights property manager Folunda Woods said the Y's presence has increased family involvement in the multi-building complex.

"All summer long our older kids were gone," Woods said. "It's good for them."

Eleven-year-old Yasmin Muhamed, Ibrahim's oldest daughter, attends YMCA programs and wants to find ways to help others when she's older. She has written poetry about her goals at YMCA programs.

"My dream is to help the poor kids around the world," Muhamed said. "I've thought about it since I was 7."

Muhamed said community events like the dinner are important because it's not always easy to find time to spend with your family and friends.

Carol Sandtorf, of Minnetonka, also attended the dinner and recently moved into Minnetonka Heights to be closer to her mother, who also lives there.