In the Community: July 15, 2013
A Weekly Listing of Diversity and Multicultural Events
From the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony
Do you use "In the Community" to find out about or publicize diversity and multicultural events in West Michigan? If you do, ACEH can use your support.
Please consider joining ACEH or renewing your membership. Your dues help pay for this email and all the other Alliance activities: $20 a year ($35/two years) for an individual; $30 a year ($50/two years) for a family; $40 for nonprofits; $75 for businesses.
It's easy--here's how:
--You can pay through the secure Pay Pal system at this updated link http://www.harmonyalliance.org/join.html
--Or you can send a check to ACEH, c/o Treasurer Bin Lim, Box 3007, Holland 49422-3007,
--Or you can sign up any ACEH meeting or social event. THANK YOU!
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, outreach, 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 Check us out on Facebook at ACEH - Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony.
To the Community:
Three African American men have had their vehicles damaged in Holland—one on Thursday night and two in the early hours of Sunday morning. At 3 a.m. Sunday, Wayne Coleman heard noise outside his house, saw a white male smashing windows of the Colemans' new truck, and heard the man say "F-ing niggers." A police officer parked in the area witnessed a car speeding away and later apprehended two men who are now are in custody.
On Thursday, Marvin Younger's car, in his driveway, was keyed. On Saturday, a Texan visiting this area for a wedding, and staying at Marvin's, had his new car scratched and damaged. A tree in the yard was damaged. No suspects have been caught as yet.
Sunday night unknown persons yelled at Marvin's house as they drove by.
All these matters are in the hands of the police; Holland city officials are following up.
Several groups, including ACEH, work hard to create a community where ALL people can feel safe and respected. Just a few years ago, racial slurs were written on the driveway of a Jamaican family on the north side of Holland. The community responded with a pledge: "Not Here. Not Now. Not Ever Again," and some 3,000 people signed it. And yet here we are again with a hate crime and two possibly related incidents, intended by perpetrators to harass and intimidate their victims. This can't continue. And it can't be ignored.
We will keep you posted through "In the Community" about what happens next.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Fri, July 19, 6:45 pm: PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Potluck Picnic. Hot dogs, beverages, tableware provided; bring vegetarian casserole, salad, snack or dessert. Business and support meeting at 7:30 pm, including discussion and evaluation of June 29 PRIDE Festival. At Grace Episcopal Church, 555 Michigan Ave, Holland.
Tues, July 23, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Summer Park Party, sponsored by Holland's Commission on Police Community Relations. Public is invited. Entertainment, games, foods, drinks, prizes. At Moran Park, between 21st and 22nd Sts and Maple and Pine Aves, Holland.
Tues, July 23, 6:30 pm (reception), 7:30 pm (show): "The Marvelous Wonderettes" musical revue, celebration and fundraiser sponsored by Partners for a Racism-Free Community. $25 includes wine, appetizers, and the musical. Register at www.prfc-gr.org At Circle Theatre, Aquinas College, 1703 Robinson Rd, SE, Grand Rapids.
Wed, July 24, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm: 2nd annual Young Professionals of Color Conference "Defining Your Success," with speaker Jullien Gordon, CEO and founder, New Higher consulting company; afternoon panel "Reflecting on Success"; vision mapping; action plans. Presented by Cascade Consulting Group; BL2END is Young Professionals Partner. $100 (some scholarships available). For information, contact Mercedes Barragan at mercedes.barragan@cascadeng.com or (616) 254-4180. At Gordon Food Service home office, 1300 Gezon Parkway, SW, Grand Rapids.
Thurs, July 25, 7 pm: Holland Is Ready. Gathering to celebrate Holland PRIDE, several court victories, and local pro-equality businesses. Everyone is welcome. http://hollandisready.org
At CitySēn Lounge, City Vu Hotel, 7th St at College Ave, Holland.
Fri, Aug 2, 7:45 am check in; 8:30 am shotgun start; 12:30 lunch/prizes: "Drive for Education" LAUP golf outing, supporting adult and youth programs of Latin Americans United for Progress.
$85 per golfer; $300 team of 4 registering before July 26; $340 for team of 4 after July 26. Checks payable to LAUP, 96 West 15th St, Suite 101, Holland 49423, or fax to (616) 392-4372, or online at www.laup.org Sponsorship opportunities available. Information from Heather Dreyer at (616) 796-0121 or heather.dreyer@kenowa.com At Winding Creek, 4514 Ottogan St, Holland.
Fri, Aug 2 – Sun, Aug 4: 15th annual National Korean American Adoptee/Adoptive Family Conference. Youth and childcare programs available for ages 2-17. Details about the conference on the website www.KAANet.org At Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, downtown Grand Rapids.
Sun, Aug 4, 1 pm to 4 pm: The 15th Annual Potluck in the Park of the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH) in Dunton Park, north of the River Ave. Bridge on Howard Ave. in Holland. Please bring a dish to share; ACEH provides table services and beverages. Entertainment, music, games, crafts, prizes—fun for the whole family. www.harmonyalliance.org or 392-5086 or 396-2201.
Tues, Aug 6, 5 pm: National Night Out. Event bringing together residents and neighborhood groups to facilitate cooperation and take a stand against crime. Music, entertainment, kids' games, pie-eating contest, child ID program, bingo, vintage car show, dunk tank, hot dogs and ice cream. American Legion Band (7:30 pm). At Kollen Park, Lake Macatawa and Van Raalte Ave, Holland.
Community Opportunities
To promote homeownership, the City of Holland has established a Down Payment Assistance Program to provide low- to moderate-income buyers with a grant of 50 percent of reasonable closing costs or down payment assistance, up to $3,000. Various eligibility requirements. For more information, contact Sue Harder at (616) 355-3139.
Job Openings
Community Action House: Project manager (program development, public relations, database management, facilitating classroom curriculum). Bachelor's degree required; social services experience a plus. Must work effectively with diverse populations. Send letter of interest and resume by July 19 to Shelley Shanafelt, CFO, at sshanafelt@communityactionhouse.org
Grand Valley State University: Faculty and staff openings. Go to https://www.gvsujobs.org and click on Search Postings.
Holland Charter Township: Meter reader and maintenance assistant. Application form online at www.hct.holland.mi.us and may be sent by email to tomy@hct.holland.mi.us or mailed to Holland Charter Township; attn.: Director of Public Works, 353 North 120th Ave, Holland 49422-8217.
Hope College: Staff positions, including Program Director of Professional Career Development, Chaplain of Worship Music, Computing and Information Technology System Manager, Health Center Mid-level Provider. For position descriptions, deadlines, and application procedures, go to www.hope.edu/admin/hr/employment/jobs/posting.html
Michigan Works in Ottawa County has compiled a list of Michigan-specific job search sites and other information for job-seekers: www.miottawa.org/Community/MichiganWorks/search_assist.htm
Ottawa County: Various positions: Corrections Officer (part-time), Elections Internship, Fiscal Services Director, Legal Self-Help Center (volunteer), Mental Health Specialist, Mounted Reserve Deputy, Park Attendant (deadline today), Program Coordinator (family services, Community Mental Health; deadline today), Road Patrol Deputy (part-time), and Soil Erosion Agent (deadline 7/19). Go to https://www.miottawa.org/ and click on Employment Opportunities.
Ottawa County Road Commission: Positions in Commission's various garages; all require a valid Michigan CDL, class A license; an N endorsement is required, or ability to acquire it. Common Laborer II, Mechanic I, Mechanic III (2nd shift). Must complete an application in person, Mon-Fri between 7:30 am and 4 pm, at 14110 Lakeshore Dr, Grand Haven. Applications accepted until Fri, July 19.
Exhibits
Now through August 11: National traveling exhibit: Race: Are we so different? "tells the stories of race from biological, cultural, and historical points of view, offering an unprecedented look at race and racism in the United States. More resources at www.understandingrace.org Visitor info:
http://www.lsa.umich.edu/ummnh/exhibits/racearewesodifferent Mon-Sat, 9 am-5 pm, Sun noon-5 pm. At University of Michigan Museum of Natural History, 1109 Geddes Ave, Ann Arbor.
Now through August 25: Looking East, Facing West: The World of Zhang Huan. Works of sculpture, paintings, and photographs by contemporary Chinese artist Zhang Huan; he is also a performance and installation artist. www.meijergardens.org At Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 East Beltline, NE, Grand Rapids.
