ACEH In the Community September 14, 2011

 

From the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony

In the Community: September 14, 2011

 

"Peace is not won by those who fiercely guard their differences but by those who, with open minds and hearts, seek out connections."

 

Herb and Ann Weller

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: To learn more about ACEH, see our Facebook group: ACEH- Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony or website or call 392-5086.

Thurs, Sept 15, 8 am-11:30 am: "Let's Talk Health," community conversation.  Seeks input from African American community on key health issues and concerns.  Includes faith-based organizations, nonprofits, businesses, individuals, and health care providers.  Panel, breakout sessions.  At Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Center, 2500 South Division Ave SW, Grand Rapids.

Fri, Sept 16: Deadline to register for 2011 Statewide Immigrant Rights Summit, organized by the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, which will be held in Lansing Fri, Sept 23, 8:30 am to 4 pm, at Lansing Community College.  No charge.  Information and registration at www.michiganimmigrant.org

Fri, Sept 16-Sun, Sept 18, noon to 9 pm: Fiesta Mexicana 2011.  Information at www.Mexican-heritage.org  At Calder Plaza, downtown Grand Rapids.

Sept 17-18, Tulipanes Latino Art and Film Festival in Holland:  Centennial Park, Holland Museum, Knickerbocker Theatre, and Holland Armory for celebrations of music, films, art, dance, children's activities, giant piñata, worship service, food for purchase, more.  Salsa Night is Sept 17, 9 pm to midnight, with Concepto Latino.  See the Tulipanes website for schedule and events: www.tulipanes.org

Mon, Sept 19, 5:30 pm: Women of Sister Circle Roundtable and potluck supper, a part of Hearts in Harmony program, open to all women interested in racial reconciliation; facilitated by Rev. Angela Taylor Perry.  Please bring a dish to pass.  At Faith Christian Reformed Church, 85 West 26^th St, Holland.

Tues, Sept 20, 11:30 am: "Attracting and Retaining Persons of Color to Your Organization," with guest speaker Faye Richardson Green.  Sponsored by Partners for a Racism-Free Community.  $25, includes lunch; send check to PRFC, 250 Commerce Ave, SW, Grand Rapids 49503.  At Dominican Center, 2025 East Fulton, Grand Rapids.

Tues, Sept 20, 7 pm: League of Women Voters-Holland Area forum "The New Election Maps: Will They Change the Impact of Your Vote?"  Free, open to public.  Speakers: Prof. David Ryden, Hope College Department of Political Science; State Rep. Amanda Price (R), and Liddy Olszewski, chair, Ottawa County Democrats.  At Graves Hall, Hope College, College Ave at 11^th St,, Holland.

Thurs, Sept 22, 7 pm: "Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" by Harvard professor Michael Sandel, author of  best-selling book by the same name that relates "questions of political philosophy to vexing issues: bank bailouts, equality and inequality, same sex marriage, taxes, immigration, affirmative action, role of markets, national service, the place of religion in politics, ethical questions of everyday life."  Free, open to  public; free parking in Fulton St lot.  Part of GVSU Fall Arts Celebration.  At Eberhard Center 2^nd floor, Pew Grand Rapids Campus, downtown Grand Rapids.

ESL CLASSES

(1) Free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are being offered by Sparta/Zeeland Adult Education:  Three levels of instruction; classes on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 8:30-11:30 am. Advanced afternoon class is available to study for GED and National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). Call 494-8803 for information, registration. At Engedi Church in the former K-Mart Plaza, Waverly Road and Chicago Drive, Holland.

(2) Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) ESL classes begin the week of Sept. 12 and will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Martha Miller Center, Hope College, Columbia Ave and 10^th St, Holland.  People interested in classes must attend an orientation to discuss the class, gather information, and take a placement test .  Call (616) 392-5058.  At LAUP office, Midtown Center, 16^th St between River and Pine, Holland.

(3) Holland Public Schools ESL classes:  Classes begin Mon, Sept 12, with 12 hours per week (4 days), flexible schedule (mornings and evenings), four levels of English.  $20.  Must be 18 years of age or older; picture ID required at registration; registration/testing takes 1 ½ hours.  Registration date: Thurs, Sept 8, 9 am–4 pm.  Call 494-2618.  Registration and classes held at Van Raalte Tech School, 461 Van Raalte Ave, Holland.  (Para información en español, por favor llame al 494-2639.)

GED and COMPUTER CLASSES

The Steps to Success Program of Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) is offering these free classes, taught in a bilingual setting; both meet at the LAUP Computer Lab, Midtown Center, 16^th between River and Pine, Holland.  Call (616) 594-7109 for information. 

·          GED classes: Wednesday (5 – 8 pm) and Thursday (5 – 6:30 pm), starting the week of Sept. 5.

·          Computer classes: Once a week for six weeks, starting Sept. 19: Mondays, 9 am – noon and 6 – 8:30 pm. 

INSTITUTES FOR HEALING RACISM

Two eight-week Institutes begin Tues, Sept 20, through Nov. 8: (1) Introductory course, 3 to 5 pm; (2) Multi-racial families, 6 to 8 pm (childcare available). A two-day Institute, "Continuing the Conversation" for previous participants in an Institute, will be Sept 21 and 22, from 8 am to 5 pm. Contact Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance at www.ethnicdiversity.org for locations, registration, cost and financial hardship scholarships.