In the Community from ACEH June 6

 

From the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony

In the Community: June 6, 2011

 

"For as long as the power of America's diversity is diminished by acts of discrimination and violence against people just because they are black, Hispanic, Asian, Jewish, Muslim or gay, we still must overcome."  …Politician Ron Kind, who has represented western Wisconsin's Third Congressional District since 1996.

Herb and Ann

This information is provided by the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony; Events list is also posted on the website www.harmonyalliance.org  If you do not wish to receive it in the future, please notify hpweller@comcast.net or editann@aol.com

Note: The Holland City Council is expected to vote June 15 on whether to amend the city's Fair Housing Ordinance and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy to include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" in its list of protected classes.  The proposed change has the unanimous backing of the Holland Human Relations Commission. If you support this, Holland Is Ready has an online petition you can sign:   

http://www.change.org/petitions/support-non-discrimination-ordinance-in-holland-michigan

 

 

Tues, June 7, 7 pm: "Many Faces": Community Forum on Islam.  Educational presentation on topics such as jihad and women's rights; screening of a video that dispels Muslim stereotypes; a panel of local Muslims sharing their experiences in the community; question and answer session.  Free.  Sponsored by Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance and co-sponsored by Hope College; collaborating organizations include the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony.  www.ethnicdiversity.org  At Knickerbocker Theatre, 86 East 8^th St, Holland.

 

Fri, June 10, 7 pm: General meeting of Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH); everyone is welcome.  Diversity advocate Tedi Parsons of Grand Rapids speaks on "YIMBY: Social Justice in West Michigan."  YIMBY, or Yes, in My Backyard, advocates personal and community responsibility for justice and diversity issues, in contrast to NIMBY ("Not in My Backyard").  392-5086 or www.harmonyalliance.org   At Center for Women in Transition, 411 Butternut, Holland.

 

Fri, June 10: Deadline for youth in grades 9-12 (going into 9^th and those just graduating from high school) to apply for Grand Valley State University's Teen Summer Entrepreneurship Academy (to be held July 11-15) and gain experience in product design, create an idea pitch, and compete for cash prizes.  $50 fee, but scholarships are available.  Contact Lisa Miller at milllisa@gvsu.edu or (616) 331-3910.  To download application, go to http://www.gvsu.edu/cei/teen-entrepreneur-summer-academy-5.htm  At GVSU Holland campus, South Waverly Rd, Holland.

 

Sat, June 11, 9 am: 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament.  Part of Juneteenth Celebration events. (616) 546-9448. www.juneteenthofholland.org.  At Matt Urban Sports Complex, Holland.

 

Mon, June 13, 6:30 pm: Start of six-week class in Spanish for Holland-area Hispanic residents who have a chronic illness to develop self-management skills in relation to their illness.  Free, including books and other materials.  Supported by Senior Resources in Michigan and the Holland/Zeeland Community Foundation.  Offered by Lakeshore Latino Outreach Center and taught by Poema Weller and Lu Reyes.  For information or to enroll, call (616) 499-4872 or email poema.weller@latinooutreach.org  At LLOC office, 162 East 19^th St, Holland.

 

Thurs, June 16, 7 pm:  "Slavery's Chill" exhibit of 12 paintings. Lecture and question-and-answer discussion by artist Jon McDonald, who teaches at Kendall in Grand Rapids, followed by self-guided tour of exhibit.  Exhibit, which is open now and runs through June 30, tells the "true chilling accounts of slavery and connects its effects on the Black community today." Free. (616) 546-9448.  www.juneteenthofholland.org.  Sponsored by Juneteenth Organization of Holland.  At Holland Area Arts Council, 150 East 8^th St, Holland.

 

Fri, June 17: Juneteenth Pageant and Holland's Next Top Model program.  Part of Juneteenth Celebration events.  (616) 546-9448.  www.juneteenthofholland.org  At Christ Memorial Church,  Graschaap Road between South Shore and 32^nd, Holland.

 

Sat, June 18, noon: Annual Juneteenth Festival.  (616) 546-9448. www.juneteenthofholland.org.  At Kollen Park, Van Raalte Ave at 10^th St, Holland.

 

Wed, June 22, 7 pm:  Presentation by diversity trainer Alan Headbloom: "Birds of a Feather: Risks of Flocking Together."   "Together, as presenter and audience, we will look at ways we unconsciously seek out our 'own kind' and then look at ways to undo that bias."  Includes color slides, interactive exercises, discussion, questions and answers.  Free. Sponsored by Lakeshore Women for Peace, with collaborating organizations including ACEH.

At Herrick District Library, 300 South River, Holland.

 

Thurs, June 23, 7 pm: Award-winning film, "Prayers for Bobby," starring Sigourney Weaver.  Adam Taylor, founder of Michiganians against Bullying in Schools, will lead a question-and-answer session.  Dessert served; refreshments available. Part of 7^th annual LBGTQ Pride event, sponsored by PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and Holland Is Ready.  At Park Theater, 248 South River, Holland.

 

 

 

LOOKING AHEAD

Sun, July 10, 1 pm: Annual Potluck in the Park of the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony, featuring ethnic foods, children's activities, music, more. Everyone is welcome! Invites friends, neighbors, co-workers. Bring a dish to share, from your own ethnic culture if possible.  ACEH provides beverages and  table service.  (616) 392-5086.  At Ransom Park on Holland's north side (16500 Ransom Ave between 160^th and 168^th; north of Quincy and south of New Holland).

 

 

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

Be a Literacy Hero: Volunteers are needed to help kids in Holland by reading to children in doctors' offices and health clinics as part of the Reach Out and Read program (other volunteer opportunities will be available in the future).  Three-part training series will take place June 7, 14, and 28, from 7 to 8:30 pm at Herrick District Library North Side Branch, 155 Riley St, Holland.  Sponsored by Herrick District Library and Great Start Collaborative of Ottawa County.  For information or to register for training, contact Stephanie Smallwood at ssmallwood@herrickdl.org or (616) 355-3711.

 

JOB OPENING

The Phelps Scholars Program of Hope College has a full-time opening for a program coordinator, working with Dr. Charles Green to help run the program, organize events, and more.  www.hope.edu/admin/hr/employment/jobs/phelps.html 

 

SPANISH LANGUAGE CAMPS

The Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance is holding two Spanish-language-learning camps:

·          Beginner's Spanish, 4-day intensive camp from June 20-24, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, including dinner.  $150.  Holland location to be announced. www.ethnicdiversity.org

 

·          Advanced Spanish, 4-weeks, maximum of 5 students: Wednesdays, July 13-August 3, 6 pm to 8 pm.  $150.  At Macatawa Resource Center, 665 136^th Ave, Holland.