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 Holland Human Relations Commission. Free. Reserve at (616) 355-1328 or hrc@cityofholland.com At Herrick District Library, 300 S. River, Holland.
Tues, Feb 18, 10 am and 7 pm: Autism Society of the West Shore (ASWS) Parent Support Group. Two opportunities for parents, care providers, and family members of children with autism to find out about available support services and to share what their needs are. No child care. Spanish interpreter available. Contact jenniferr.aswa@gmail.com or www.aswa.org At Herrick District Library, 300 S. River, Holland.
Tues, Feb 18, 3 pm: "Ready for Reform": Lakeshore Roundtable on Immigration Reform. 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).
Tues, Feb 18, 4 pm: Pause Café. French conversation group; open to all levels of the language. guernsey@hope.edu or 395-7933. At Lemonjello's Coffee, 9th St at College Ave, Holland.
Fri, Feb 21, 7 pm (support group), 8 pm (film): PFLAG meeting; 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. Cost is $34; register at www.thejusticeconferenceholland.com At Engedi Church, 710 Chicago Dr, Holland.
Sat, Feb 22, noon to 4 pm: Black History Month event: Native rhythms and dance "Mulato Vibes": Art, dance, drumming project "to develop and showcase diverse forms of creativity in West Michigan." Contact Ruth Coleman at ruthcoleman1221@gmail.com or Lori Shaw at d082165@yahoo.com At The Center of African American Art and History, 21 West 16th St, Holland.
Sat, Feb 22, 6 pm to 8 pm: International Food Fair. Celebration of cuisines and cultures of nations represented by Hope College community. Foods prepared by students; educational displays. Admission is $5 for 5 tickets; additional tickets 50 cents; most dishes cost 1 or 2 tickets. At Maas Auditorium, Columbia Ave at 11th St, 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. Free admission. Soul food dinner available for $12, adults; $6, ages 18 and under. Contact wayne465@yahoo.com
At Imagine Fellowship, 167 West 20th 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.
Thurs, Feb 27, 8 pm (doors open 7 pm): Benefit for Songs against Slavery, featuring Andrew Ripp and Judah & the Lion, with testimony from a survivor of human trafficking. $20 general public. Songs against Slavery, a Hope student-created organization, will donate the proceeds to The Hope Project, a safe house in Grand Rapids for victims of trafficking. At Dimnent Memorial Chapel, College Ave at 12th St, Holland.
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
Able Bodies, Read and Learn: Five capable West Michigan 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 to become more active in their neighborhoods and to make a difference in the community. Curriculum includes leadership, communication skills, building inclusive neighborhoods, more. Classes meet Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm; dinner (free) at 6 pm; first class is Thurs, March 6, in Holland City Hall, 270 S. River Ave. Contact Sue Harder, program coordinator, at (616) 355-3139 or s.harder@cityofholland.com
Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance Spanish classes: 10-week courses: Beginner's course Tues, Feb 25-May 6, from 6 to 8 pm; Intermediate course Mon, Feb 24-May 5, from 6 to 8 pm. $100 per 10-week course; financial hardship scholarships available. Register at (616) 846-9074 or 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 Feb 21. Awards made April 23 at annual luncheon. Contact Jim Schoettle at (616) 928-9105.
2014 Summit on Race and Inclusion: Dismantling Unintentional Bias: Registration is open for this day-long event May 21 at Hope College, presented by Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance. $45 includes lunch, refreshments. To register, go to www.ethnicdiversity.org and click on Eventbrite. There will be no-site registration the day of the event.
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, Substitute Food Service Employees and Bus Drivers: Part-time, M-F. Apply online at www.hollandpublicschools.org and click on HR-Employment. Job ID numbers are #589 (food service) and #591 (bus drivers).
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, Department of Public Safety, Police Division: Police Desk Assistant. Full-time, 11 pm to 7 am Sunday-Thursday. Salary range $34,923 - $41,954; cafeteria-style benefit and pension package. Assist at front desk, relay information, assist officers with LEIN requests, transcribe reports, assist with processing of prisoners. One to two years' experience in administrative support and/or law enforcement. Cover letter and resume to City of Holland, 270 S. River Ave, Holland 49423 or email hr@cityofholland.com 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. Cover letter and resume 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.
City of Holland, Department of Public Safety, Police Division: Police Officer: Pay range $48,800 - $62,400 annually. Applicants must be MCOLES Certifiable, with an associate's degree (bachelor's degree preferred). Must pass a physical and psychological exam and a thorough background investigation. Resume to City of Holland, Police Division, attn.: Capt. Dykstra, 89 West 8th St, Holland 49423. Deadline is Fri, Feb 28.
