In the Community April 16, 2012

 

In the Community April 16, 2012

A Weekly Calendar of Diversity Events

from The Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony

 

"If you think you can't make a difference, you are wrong. If you think you are too old or too young to make change happen, you are wrong. If you think that somebody else will do it first, you are wrong." … Blogger Dan Pearce

ACEH was founded in Holland in 1999 and is committed to justice, equal opportunity, cross-cultural understanding, and appreciation for diversity.  Members and friends work together through programs, advocacy, and social events to make West Michigan a place where all people are welcomed and respected.  "In the Community" is also on the ACEH website: www.harmonyalliance.org/Events

Please help support ACEH.  Dues are $20 a year ($35/two years) for an individual; $30 a year ($50/two years) for a family; $40 for nonprofits; $75 for businesses. You can pay at the website www.harmonyalliance.org/Join with PayPal, or send a check to ACEH, c/o Treasurer Bin Lim, Box 3007, Holland 49422-3007, or sign up at any ACEH meeting or social event. THANKS! ¡GRACIAS!

 

Tues, Apr 17, 7 pm: Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series of Hope College, featuring award-winning poet Susanna Childress, who lives in Holland, and Bich Minh Nguyen, who was born in Vietnam and lived for a time in Grand Rapids; she teaches creative nonfiction and Asian American literature at Purdue University. Nguyen's book, "Stealing Buddha's Dinner," was a Read Along the Lakeshore selection.  At Knickerbocker Theatre, 86 East 8^th St, Holland.

--At 3:30 pm, both authors will take part in a question-and-answer session in the Herrick Room, DeWitt Center, on campus.

 

Wed, Apr 18, 10 am: Quarterly meeting of the Michigan Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (MCIRR), with the Multiracial Association of Professionals.  Coffee, breakfast snacks; free parking.  At Diocese of Grand Rapids, 360 Division Ave South, Grand Rapids.

 

Fri, Apr 20, 7 pm: PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) meeting, with representatives from Arbor Circle who will talk about their work with runaway and homeless youth and provide information on community resources.  Open to all.  At Grace Episcopal Church, 555 Michigan Ave, Holland.

 

Fri, Apr 20, 7:30 pm: 10^th anniversary Nobel Public Address "Voices on the Margins," by Nobel Peace Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum of Guatemala.  "She found power in words, with words she builds peace."  $20 suggested donation at the door ($15 students; $10 per person for groups of 10 or more), at the website www.greatlakespeacejam.org or by calling (269) 492-7750.   Proceeds benefit the Great Lakes Peace Jam, which is also sponsoring a youth conference April 21-22.   At Bernhard Center, East Ballroom, Western Michigan University, 1903 West Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo.

 

Sat, Apr 21, 8 am to 5 pm: Ready to Run conference, a bipartisan program for women who want to run for office, work on a campaign, get appointed to office, or learn more about the political system; facilitated by elected leaders, campaign consultants, and political experts.  Keynote speaker is Shirley Franklin, first African American mayor of Birmingham; trainer and consultant ACEH member Shannon Garrett is a presenter.  Cost is $125 until Wed, Apr 18; some partial scholarships available.  To register, go to http://gvsu.edu/women_cen/  For more information, contact Jo Ann Wassenaar at wassenaj@gvsu.edu  Hosted by Grand Valley State University Women's Center.  At GVSU, 2250 Kirkhof Center, Allendale.

 

Mon, Apr 23, 7 pm: Facilitated book discussion: "The Warmth of Other Suns," by Isabelle Wilkerson: the story of three people who were part of the Great Migration of black Americans from the South to the North and West between World War I and the 1970s.  Partners for a Racism-Free Community (PFRC) Reads the Book, in support of the YWCA's Stand Against Racism.  At YWCA of West Central Michigan, 25 Sheldon Blvd SE, Grand Rapids.

 

Tues, Apr 24, noon: Book discussion: "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down," by Anne Fadiman; chronicles the struggles of a Hmong refugee family from Laos and their interactions with the health care system in Merced, California.  YWCA Reads the Book program in support of the Y's Stand Against Racism.  At YWCA of West Central Michigan, 25 Sheldon Blvd, SE, Grand Rapids.

 

Wed, Apr 25: Deadline for tickets and for applications for recognition for a May 4 fundraising program "Sons and Daughters of Africa in the Civil War," sponsored by the Grand Rapids Sister Cities International – GA District Committee.  Individuals whose ancestors served in the 102^nd Colored Troop of Michigan or other troops are encouraged to nominate their ancestors for recognition.  Celebration will include fine African cuisine, speakers, singing, a dramatic re-enactment, and a "Forgiveness Ceremony" for the role Africans played in the slave trade.  $30 per person or $220 per table.  Contact Mary Edmond at (616) 245-3815 or Benjamin Amponsah at (616) 4500-2337 (after 5:30 pm).  Event will be May 4, 6 to 8 pm, at the Airport Hilton Hotel, 4747 28^th St SE, Grand Rapids.

 

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL RIGHTS: New Service

The Michigan Department of Civil Rights has a new web portal that allows anyone access online to file a discrimination complaint, report an incident of bias or hate, request training, or ask for information. The service is available from 5 am to midnight, Monday through Saturday.  Visit www.michigan.gov/mdcr and click on "Get the Help You Need" link and follow the instructions there.  You can also contact the department by phone at 1-800-482-3604.

 

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY

A youth dance group from the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, is coming to Holland to perform at Fiesta May 5.  The 13 teens, accompanied by 3 adults, need places to stay and some meals during the week they will be in town, May 3 -9.  (They do not need to all stay together at one location.) For more information, or to offer your help in any way, please contact Pastor Hugo Vásquez at 834-1584 or hugovasquez@beechwoodchurch.org or Maria Hernandez at (616) 212-8130 or luppitahdz@hotmail.com

 

INTERNSHIPS and JOBS

www.InterninMichigan.com is a statewide website helping to match students seeking internships with employers looking for interns.  Internships may be paid or unpaid, depending on the nature of the company or agency.

 

Telamon Corporation lists jobs in Michigan and 10 other states; Openings include education and family support specialists.  Telamon also administers the National Farmworker Jobs Program of employment, training, and support services for seasonal and migrant farmworkers. www.telamon.org   In Holland, call (616) 396-5160.

 

Michigan Works! offers services for employers and job hunters, including the Michigan Talent Bank and links to other job listings and resources.  Holland service center: 121 Clover St; (616) 396-2154.  Grand Haven service center: 1830 172^nd St, Suite G; (616) 296-0818.  http://www.mi.ottawa.org/michiganworks

 

Pure Botanical LLC, manufacturers of all-natural and organic spa products, is looking for a part-time, in-home seamstress to make the fabric outer covers for its products.  Must have own sewing machine; home and work must be smoke-free.  Paid on a per piece basis; company delivers the fabric and picks up the finished products.  Contact Christine Mackie at (616) 499-7700; Pure Botanical LLC, 7150 Lakeshore Dr, West Olive.

 

 

PAY LESS FOR PRESCRIPTIONS

A prescription discount card is available free as a service of FamilyWize Community Service Partnership, Inc. and participating United Way organizations nationwide.  Open to anyone, with or without insurance; covers FDA-approved prescription medications.  Honored at most area pharmacies.  To see terms and conditions and a list of participating pharmacies, or to print a discount card, go to www.familywize.org or call 866-810-3784 to ask to have a card sent to you or a family member or friend.