In the Community August 20: Poverty Workshop, Festivals, More

In the Community August 20, 2012

A Weekly Calendar of Diversity Events

from The Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony

 

"Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor." … James A. Baldwin  (1924-87), novelist, playwright, poet, social critic.
 

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!

 

TODAY: Mon, Aug 20, 10:30 am (rescheduled from Aug 21):   Presentation class by Japanese students in a Hope College English Language Acquisition Program, speaking about themselves, families, hobbies, goals, hopes, followed by questions from the audience.  Contact Duck Becker (616) 283-6223 or cheongd@mail.gvsu.edu At Martha Miller Center Room 242, Columbia Ave at 10^th St, Holland

 

Thurs, Aug 23, 5:30 to 7:30 pm:  Free 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); covers heritage, culture, ancestry, communities to which the youth belong.  Exhibit runs Aug 24-Dec 31; entry fees charged after Aug 23.  At Holland Museum, 31 West 10^th St, Holland.

 

Fri, Aug 24-Sun, Aug 26: Dozynki (Polish) Festival.  www.polishheritagesociety.com  At Rosa Parks Circle, Monroe Center and Monroe Ave, downtown Grand Rapids.

 

Fri, Aug 24-Sun, Aug 26: Yassou! Greek Cultural Festival.  www.yassoufest.com  At Holy Trinityh Greek Orthodox Church, 330 Lakeside Dr, NE, Grand Rapids.

 

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.

 

Thurs, Sept 13, 11:30 am: "Race, Culture, and Power," by Sean Huddleston, GVSU.  Lunch and Learn series, sponsored by Partners for a Racism-Free Community: Expect Equality.  $25.   Register at (616) 466-6187 or contact staff@prfc-gr.org  At Dominican Center at Marywood, 2025 Fulton St East, Grand Rapids.

 

Thurs, Sept 13, 6 to 10 pm: Tulipanes Gala and Premier Musical Event, part of annual Tulipanes Latino Art and Film Festival; also with Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) and Holland Area Arts Council. Includes concert, El Ritmo Llego/The Rhythm has Arrived, with Diego.  $75 individual, $125 couple.  (616) 394-0000 or 800-506-1299. At Park Theater and Holland Area Arts Council.  For more information on Salsa Night (Sept 15), films, and other Tulipanes events, go to www.tulipanes.org

 

 

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES:

Poverty Simulation

Ottawa Co. Great Start Collaborative/Great Start Parent Coalition and Community Action House present Poverty Simulation, "an opportunity to understand what those living in poverty might experience each day."  Takes place Fri, Sept 14, from 8:30 am to noon. Must  Register NOW at (616) 738-8940, ext 4478 or by email to Zahabia Ahmed-Usmani at aanyaatif@hotmail.com or Jan Shangle at jshangle@oaisd.org  Volunteers are also needed, to staff tables representing local agencies and resources; contact Rachel Ahee at (616) 392-2368.  At Ottawa County Department of Human Services Macatawa Meeting Room, lower level, 12185 James St, Holland.

 

Financial Money Management Classes

Community Action House is holding a 6-week workshop on Financial Management on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 pm, Aug 29-Oct 3.  Photo ID and income verification required to register; participants must attend all 6 sessions to earn a certificate.  Fulfills education requirements for MSHDA Key-To-Own and Family Self-Sufficiency Programs.  Topics: Mastering money management, developing a spending plan, credit & consumer protection, debt reduction, savings and banking basics, insurance & long-term planning, living in a happy, healthy home.  Contact Gwen Robles at (616) 738-1170, ext 123 or email grobles@communityactionhouse.org  At Macatawa Resource Center, 665 136^th Ave, Holland.

 

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.  Class hours/locations are:

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

--- Work Keys Prep*: 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, Oct 10 - Dec 5, at GVSU Meijer Campus, 515 Waverly, Holland.  Cost is $100, with some scholarships available.  The Institute features 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 website www.ethnicdiversity.org or call (616) 846-9074.