In the Community August 13

In the Community August 13, 2012

A Weekly Calendar of Diversity Events

from The Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony

 

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."  …William James, pioneering American psychologist, philosopher, and author.

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, Aug 14, 1:30 pm: Presentation class by Japanese students in a Hope College English Language Acquisition Program, speaking about themselves, families, hobbies, goals, and hopes for the future, followed by questions from the audience.  (Second class on Tues, Aug. 21, same time and place).  Contact information: Duck Becker (616) 283-6223 or cheongd@mail.gvsu.edu At Martha Miller Center Room 244, Columbia Ave at 10^th St, Holland

 

Tues, Aug 14: Registration deadline for competitors in the Salsa Showdown.  See information at Sat, Aug 18.

 

Thurs, Aug 16, 10 am volunteer orientation/breakfast; event takes place from 11 am to 3 pm: Project Homeless Connect offers individuals and families who are homeless or in housing crisis a central resource for services and information from local providers.  Volunteers are needed as greeters and guides.  Sponsored by Ottawa Area Housing Coalition. To volunteer, contact Lyn Raymond at (616) 738-1170, ext. 133 or oahccoord@gmail.com  At Midtown Center, 96 West 15^th St, Holland.

 

Fri, Aug 17, 7 pm: Meeting of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). Scot Miller, adult ministries coordinator at Georgetown Methodist Church, will describe an experience during Quaker worship that caused him to change his attitude about people who are transgender, and what he believes is necessary in the Christian community to welcome all and to reconcile.  At Grace Episcopal Church, 555 Michigan Ave, Holland.

 

Sat, Aug 18, 11 am (registration deadline is Tues, Aug 14): Salsa Showdown.  Competition by individuals, teams, and professional chefs to create salsa with ingredients from Holland Farmers Market.  Varying fees for competitors; $3 for public to taste salsas and vote for their favorites. Includes Jalapeno Eating Contest.  info@salsashowdown.org or call (616) 796-1210.

 

Sat. Aug 18, 5:30-8:30 pm: Family Hope Foundation free event for families who have children with special needs; includes dinner, swimming, other activities.  The foundation serves the greater Holland/Grand Rapids area and assists families with costs of therapy and other health care needs. www.thefamilyhopefoundation.org Register by Tues, Aug 14, at (616) 530-9199.  At Visser YA, 3540 Fairlanes SW, Grandville.

 

Sat, Aug 18, 6 pm:  "Growing Change in Holland: A Grassroots Garden Party" fundraiser for Holland Is Ready.  Hosted by Jonker's Gardens.  Hors d'oeuvres, garden-inspired games and activities.  $15 general admission; $65 for "Growing Change Package" that includes swag bag with custom party favor.  If unable to attend, you can make a gift in honor of LGBT equality champions.  Contact CristiEllen Zarvas at cristiellenz@gmail.com or (616) 848-9546.  To sponsor, contact Karis Granberg-Michaelson, development@hollandisready.org or (616) 446-8057.  At Jonker's Gardens, 897 Lincoln Ave, Holland.

 

Sun, Aug 19, noon to 4:30 pm: Retreat "Creating Awareness for Peace," through mindfulness; facilitated by Paulette Grotrian.  Sponsored by Lakeshore Women for Peace.  Limited to 20 participants.  Suggested donation $40 (sliding scale available); includes light lunch.  Reserve at grotrian@wccnet.edu or (734) 276-7707. At Hemlock Crossing Nature Education Center, 8115 West Olive Rd, West Olive.

 

Thurs, Aug 23, 5:30 to 7:30 pm:  Free community preview of exhibit "Tenemos Una Voz/We Have a Voice" showcasing works by teens in the Mas Adelante program of Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP); topics include heritage, culture, ancestry, and the communities to which the youth belong.  Exhibit will run from Aug 24-Dec 31; museum entry fees charged after Aug 23.  At Holland Museum, 31 West 10^th St, Holland.

 

Sat, Aug 25, noon until 3 pm: Mixing Pot 2012; 4^th annual multicultural family fun festival celebrating the diversity of Grand Rapids, where people from 140 cultures live.  Free.  Includes pizza party, ice cream social, ethnic food sampling, entertainment, dancing in the Circle, BMX show, kid's foam party and expo area, butterfly release, petting zoo, more.  At Rock the Rapids, downtown Grand Rapids.

 

 

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES:

Voter Registration Volunteers

 Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) has a grant from the Michigan Nonprofit Association to promote voter registration in the area.  LAUP will make phone calls and do some canvassing of potential and registered voters, helping with questions or concerns they may have about voting. A post-election survey and evaluation also will take place.  A LAUP intern will lead the project but can use volunteers to help with phone calls and data entry. Contact Juan Alfaro at juan.alfaro@laup.org or call (616) 594-7109 or 312-5162.

 

Free ESL Classes

Zeeland/Holland Adult Education will offer free ESL (English as a Second Language) classes at three Holland locations beginning the week of Sept 4, after Labor Day.

Open Registration is as follows:

--- Mon, Aug 27, and Tues, Aug 28 from 9 to 10:30 am and 5:30 to 7:30 pm at VR Tech School, 461 Van Raalte (corner of Van Raalte and 20^th), and

--- Wed, Aug 29, from 9 to 10:30 am at Engedi Church, 710 Chicago Dr (corner of Waverly and Chicago Dr).

After the Open Registration dates, call 494-8803 for details.  See below for class hours and locations.

 

--- ESL classes are 9 am to noon Tues, Wed, Thurs at Engedi Church, and 9 am to noon Mon, Tues, Wed and 5:30 – 8:30 pm at VR Tech School.

--- Math Club* is 12:30 – 3:30 pm Tues and Thurs at Lakeshore Adult Learning Center, 115 Clover Ave (by Michigan Works).

--- Work Keys Prep* is 12:30 – 3:30 pm Wed at VR Tech School.

*Math Club and Work Keys Prep are open to both ESL and non-ESL students.

 

New Racial Equity Institute

 Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance has announced a new, 8-week Racial Equity Institute on Wednesdays 3 to 5 pm from Oct 10 through Dec 5, at Grand Valley State University Meijer Campus, 515 Waverly, Holland.  Cost is $100, with some financial hardship scholarships available.  The Institute will feature a new curriculum in which participants of varying backgrounds will "examine the internalized, interpersonal, institutional and structural levels of racial equity" through dialogue, discussion, and materials.  For information, or to register, see  the website www.ethnicdiversity.org or call (616) 846-9074.