The Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony
Weekly Listing of Events in Holland and West Michigan
December 2, 2013
Tues, Dec 3, 4 pm to 5:30 pm: Research posters by Hope College Phelps Scholars; topics reflect First-Year Seminar themes of culture, control, and/or community. Presented in fair/expo format to encourage interaction of visitors and students "who appreciate the opportunity to explore and share about a topic of interest through a global lens." At Maas Auditorium, Columbia Ave at 11th St, Holland.
Wed, Dec 4, 1 pm: "Voices from Contemporary China": First-Year Seminar students of Prof. Gloria Tseng "explore various issues of concern to Chinese citizens, including prosperity, modernization, freedom, religious faith." At Hope College Martha Miller Center, first floor Rotunda, 10th St at Columbia Ave, Holland.
Sat, Dec 7, 5 pm to 8:30 pm: 13th annual Holiday Potluck and Cultural Sharing Party of the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH). Please bring a dish to share from your cultural heritage and nonperishable items for the Community Action House food bank. Music, performances, children's activities, silent auction of goods and services from local individuals, organizations, and businesses (payment in cash or checks only; no credit cards). For information, call (616) 401-3856 or 396-2201 or email aceh@harmonyalliance.org. At First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 57 West 10th St (use 9th St entrance), Holland.
Wed, Dec 11, 10 am to 4 pm: Healthcare Open Enrollment Drop-in Day. See details below under Helping Hands.
Wed, Dec 11, 11:30 am: "What Every Organization Needs to Know...from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights." Interactive program on civil rights laws, discrimination/harassment complaints, contract review, meditation, and statewide initiatives. $30 includes lunch catered by XO Cuisine. Register and pay at www.prfc-gr.org/events Hosted by Partners for a Racism-Free Community. At Bethlehem Church, 250 Commerce Ave, SW, Grand Rapids.
Wed, Dec 11, 6 pm to 8 pm: Community course "Talking to Kids About Race" workshop. Interactive, research-based program for parents, childcare providers, educators of young children. $15. Participants also will receive a Talking to Kids About Race toolkit. Sponsored by Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance, with financial assistance from Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland. Register at www.ethnicdiversity.org Contact Khayree Williams at youth@ethnicdiversity.org At LEDA offices, Macatawa Resource Center, 665 136th Ave, Holland.
Sat, Dec 14, 8 pm: Holiday concert by West Michigan Gay Men's Chorus ("creating change one voice at a time"), with handbell choir of Park Church. Tickets $20 at the door; online www.wmgmc.org; by phone (616) 319-1221. At First (Park) Congregational Church, 10 East Park Place NE, Grand Rapids.
Mon, Dec 18, 7 pm: Regular meeting of the Board of Education of Holland Public Schools. Open to the public. At East School cafeteria, 373 East 24th St, Holland.
HELPING HANDS
Help enrolling in the Health Care Marketplace (Affordable Care Act): Herrick District Library is hosting a Healthcare Open Enrollment Drop-in Day from 10 am to 4 pm on Wednesday, Dec. 11. A health care specialist from Intercare Community Health Network will show people how to enroll for insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Anyone who plans to attend should review the two-page application checklist online at www.1.usa.gov/19bQzUS to find out what information is needed to apply for the insurance. Phone Intercare at (855) 405-0182 if you have questions or need more information about the event; assistance is available in English and in Spanish. At Herrick District Library lower-level auditorium, 300 South River, Holland.
Help learning English as a second language: Neighbors Plus is offering free Adult English as a Second Language classes (high beginner to low advanced) beginning January 8, 2014, for people who want to practice spoken English in a variety of situations, interacting with native speakers and each other. All instruction is in English and speakers of all languages are welcome. Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:45 pm to 8:30 pm in Harbor Lights Middle School library, 1024 136th Ave at Riley, Holland. Free child care is provided. Register for class on the first night you attend. For more information, email Linda Masopust at bmasopust@comcast.net or call (269) 857-2599.
Help paying for prescriptions: You can get a free prescription discount card that will provide savings at more than 60,000 pharmacies nationwide. Available if you have no insurance or to lower the amount you pay. Go to www.familywize.org (Pague menos por recetas médicas. Si no tiene seguro médico, o para pagar menos. En todas partes, en más de 60.000 farmacias. www.familywize.org)
Help finding peaceful solutions to conflicts: At Mediation Services in Holland, trained and neutral mediators help people in Allegan and Ottawa Counties solve many kinds of conflicts on their own, outside of the courts. These might include family and domestic relations, business issues, problems in the community, and legal disputes. Mediation Services is "affordable and fair, neutral and confidential." (616) 399-1600. At 68 West 8th St, Suite 220, Holland. (The service, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit charitable organization, welcomes donations to help keep its fees affordable or, in some cases, to provide mediation to families in need without cost.)
Help locating employment or employees: The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has a website—Pure Michigan/Talent Connect--for job-seekers and employers, with a variety of links covering Michigan Works! agencies, featured jobs, career explorer and skills assessment and development, tutorials on job searching, calendar of job and career fairs, internships, resources for veterans, career matchmaker and career transition programs, GED testing, and more. Go to www.mitalent.org
