IN THE COMMUNITY FROM THE ALLIANCE FOR CULTURAL AND ETHNIC HARMONY (ACEH)
February 10, 2014
Mon, Feb 10, 6:30 pm: Hate Crime 101. Training by the Michigan Department of Civil Rights to assist crime victim service providers and law enforcement "to better understand how to define and respond to bias incidents." Sponsored by the City of Holland Human Relations Commission. Reservations at (616) 355-1328 or email hrc@cityofholland.com At Herrick District Library auditorium, 300 S. River, Holland.
Tues, Feb 11, 6 pm to 7:30 pm: "Justice for Some or Justice for All" Community Forum: Racial Profiling. Open forum on ways to "speak up and speak out" against racial profiling and injustice in our community." At Imagine Fellowship, 167 West 20th, Holland.
Wed, Feb 12, 7 pm: GRCC Diversity Lecture Series: "Youth Revolt: The Future of the Middle East," by author Reza Aslan, on Islam, complexities of the new Middle East, the young generation of Muslims "clamoring for their rights and freedoms." Free; ASL interpreted. (616) 234-3390. At Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St, Grand Rapids.
Fri, Feb 14, noon: West Michigan RISES! To raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence, in conjunction with international One Billion Rising for Justice campaign. All are invited to gather and dance in unison in support. Sponsors include Center for Women in Transition, GVSU Women's Center. See facebook.com/WestMIRISES or contact Lesley Coghill, CWIT, at (616) 494-1741 or Lesleyc@cwitmi.org At GVSU, 1110 Kirkhof Center Lobby, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale.
Sat, Feb 15, noon to 4 pm: Black History Month: "Celebrating Our Youth," with CJ Kingdom Grier teaching musical instruments as related to African history and a performance by Core City Youth Choir. Free; snacks. At the Center of African American Art and History, 21 West 16th St, Holland.
Mon, Feb 17, 6 pm: Building Cultural Competence. Presented by Michigan Department of Civil Rights to "enhance understanding of African American, American Indian, Arab American, Asian American, and Latino Americans," including cultural protocols, cross-cultural communication, dispelling myths and stereotypes, more. Sponsored by City of Holland Human Relations Commission. Free. Reservations at (616) 355-1328 or email hrc@cityofholland.com At Herrick District Library auditorium, 300 S. River, Holland.
Tues, Feb 18, 3 pm: "Ready for Reform": Lakeshore Roundtable on Immigration Reform. Panel of faith, business, education, police, local civic leaders on "how the broken immigration system is impacting our community and what we might do to strengthen a unified voice calling for reform." Roundtable dialogue. All are welcome. Contact katekooyman@gmail.com At City on a Hill Ministry Center, 100 Pine St, Zeeland (former Zeeland Hospital).
Fri, Feb 21, 8 am to 3 pm: Forum 2014: The Power of Economic Opportunity, with Dr. Maggie Anderson, author of "Our Black Year," and businessman Bing Goei; breakouts on Courageous Conversations, Best Practices, Unintentional Bias, Economic Empowerment in the Latino Community, others. Sponsored by Partners for a Racism-Free Community. $55 includes lunch. Pre-register at www.prfc-gr.org or Eventbrite.com. At Eberhard Center, GVSU, 301 Fulton St West, Grand Rapids.
Fri, Feb 21, 7 pm (support group), 8 pm (film): PFLAG meeting, including 26-minute documentary "All God's Children," about the Black Church's "embracement of African American lesbians and gay men as dedicated members of its spiritual family"; includes religious, intellectual, and political leaders, family members, and activists on the role of the church "and the importance of a commitment to equal rights and social justice for all." At Grace Episcopal Church, 555 Michigan Ave, Holland.
Fri, Feb 21, 7 to 10 pm, and Sat, Feb 22, 9:30 am to 10:15 pm: The 2014 Justice Conference Holland "to promote dialogue on human trafficking, slavery, poverty, HIV/AIDS, and human rights" and to "connect West Michigan residents around a shared concern for the vulnerable and oppressed." Holland event is a live simulcast of the conference in Los Angeles with Dr. Bernice King, Rich Stearns, Eugene Cho, Rev. Gabriel Salguero, Jim Wallis, musical groups and artists. Cost is $34; register at www.thejusticeconferenceholland.com At Engedi Church, 710 Chicago Dr, Holland.
Sat, Feb 22, 6 pm to 8:30 pm: Black History Month event: "Saturday Night Live," with open mic, gospel rappers, spoken word, comedy, r&b, and other musical performances. Soul food dinner. Tickets $12 adults; $6 ages 18 and under. Tickets at the door or contact wayne465@yahoo.com
At Imagine Fellowship, 167 West 20th, Holland.
Sat, Feb 22, 6 pm to 8 pm: International Food Fair. Dishes prepared by Hope College international students. Admission is $5 for 5 tickets; additional tickets 50 cents; most dishes cost 1 or 2 tickets. At Maas Center, Columbia Ave at 11th St, Holland.
Wed, Feb 26, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm: Soul Food Festival. Open to the public; $6 for community members. At Hope College Phelps and Cook Dining Halls, 10th St, Holland.
Thurs, Feb 27, 7 pm: Black History Celebration. Sponsored by Hope College Office of Multicultural Education, with Black Student Union. At Maas Auditorium, Columbia Ave at 11th St, Holland.
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
Able Bodies, Read and Learn: Five capable persons with disabilities—visible and/or hidden--have created a great new blog to express their thoughts and experiences; participants include Lucia Rios and Roel Garcia. Go to http://ablebodies.typepad.com/ or find them on Facebook at Able Bodies. Email ablebody4@gmail.com
Neighborhood Leadership Academy 2014: Seven-week, free, interactive program "to educate, enhance, and empower" Holland city residents and equip them with skills and knowledge to become more active in their neighborhoods and to make a difference in the community. Curriculum includes leadership characteristics and styles, communication skills, building inclusive neighborhoods, more. Classes meet Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, preceded by dinner (free) at 6 pm; first class is Thurs, March 6, in Holland City Hall. For information, contact Sue Harder, program coordinator, (616) 355-3139 or s.harder@cityofholland.com
Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance Spanish classes: 10-week courses: Beginner's course meets Tuesdays, Feb 25-May 6, from 6 to 8 pm; Intermediate course meets Mondays Feb 24-May 5, from 6 to 8 pm. $100 per 10-week course; financial hardship scholarships available. Register by phone at (616) 846-9074 or online at www.ethnicdiversity.org/getinvolved. At Diversity Alliance offices, 665 136th Ave, Holland.
Minority Business and Advocate Award Nominations: The West Coast Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for 2014 Minority Business of the Year and Outstanding Advocate for Minority-Owned Businesses. Deadline for nominations is Thurs, Feb 21. Awards will be made April 23 at the annual luncheon. For information, contact Jim Schoettle at (616) 928-9105.
JOB OPENINGS
MOKA openings in Ottawa County area: Residential Support Staff, Community Support Staff, Mentors. Full time, part time, and on-call openings; various shifts. MOKA supports individuals with developmental and other disabilities and their families in six West Michigan counties. Go to www.moka.org, select the Careers tab, and apply online.
Holland Public Schools, Building Secretary: Part-time (7:45 am-12:15 pm) Mon-Fri during school year. Bilingual (Spanish) written and oral skills preferred but not required. For job duties and qualifications, go to www.hollandpublicschools.org, Job ID 981. Apply online by Fri, Feb 14.
Michigan United, Northern Borders Coordinator: Part-time contract position, funded for one year. Manage coalition of organizing and legal partners in northern border states "to address...civil rights issues affecting immigrants and New Americans there: racial profiling, Border Patrol enforcements, religious discrimination and persecution, detentions of US citizens and green card holders, inhumane treatment of detainees." Must have car, cell phone, computer; know modern office software; comfortable working with culturally, religiously, economically diverse partners and staff. Proficiency with Spanish or Arabic helpful. Prior community or political organizing experience. www.miunited.org for more information. Send resume, cover letter to ryan@miunited.org with subject line: Northern Borders Organizer. Deadline is Mon, Feb 17.
Ottawa Area Intermediate School District, Receptionist (Job Share): 20 hours/week; $13.61 per hour. Minimum of high school education; experience in secretarial or clerical work. Answer phones, assist building guests, provide support for events, word processing and data entry. Flexibility in schedule is needed. For information and to apply, go to www.oaisd.org Deadline is Fri, Feb 21.
City of Holland, Tree Trimmer: Full-time, $17.45-$20.95/hour with fringe benefit package. Plants, trims, removes trees and shrubs; two or more years' experience trimming trees at high altitude within a bucket truck; knowledge of industrial safety standards; ability to lead a crew. Send resume with cover letter to City of Holland, Human Resources Dept/Tree Trimmer 1, City Hall, 270 S. River Ave, Holland 49423; or by email to hr@cityofholland.com. Deadline is Fri, Feb 21.
