Tues, Mar 18, 5:30 pm: Debate: "Affirmative Action in Higher Education," with John J. Bursch, former Michigan solicitor general, and Mark Fancher, ACLU of Michigan Racial Justice Project attorney. Hosted by American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan-Western Branch and The Federalist Society. Free. Info at www.aclu.org/secure/western-branch-race-conscious-admissions-discussion. At Room 406, Cooley Law School, 111 Commerce Ave, Grand Rapids.
Wed, Mar 19, 9 am–2 pm: Career and Education Expo, and Virtual Career Fair (Mar 20-26). See information under Jobs, below.
Wed, Mar 19, noon: Workshop: "Culture and Trauma: The Impacts, The Elements, and the Interplay," presented by George Tyndall, LMSW, regional director of operations, Bethany Christian Services. Sponsored by Partners for a Racism-Free Community. $30, includes lunch. Register at www.prfc-gr.org or through eventbrite.com. At Dominican Center at Marywood, 2025 East Fulton, Grand Rapids (parking and entrance off Lakeside).
Wed, Mar 19, 5:30 pm: Diversity Visionary Award Celebration of Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. $60 per person or $750 for corporate table of 10. RSVP (616) 771-0303. Info at www.grandrapids.org/visionaryaward At Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, 1000 East Beltline, Grand Rapids.
Thurs, Mar 20, various times: César E. Chavez Social Justice Events. Honoring retired Grand Rapids police chief Kevin R. Belk. 11 am: Social Justice March, at Hispanic Center of Western Michigan and Cesar E. Chavez Elementary, Hall St SW and Grandville Ave SW; 11:30 am: Community Gathering, at Roosevelt Park Community Christian Reformed Church, 811 Chicago Dr, SW, Wyoming, followed by Unity Luncheon at same location ($10 donation).
Mon, Mar 24, 5:30 pm: West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet celebrating accomplishments of Hispanic entrepreneurs, professionals, and business leaders. Keynote speaker Dr. Robert Rodriguez of DRR Advisors, LLC. $60 per person. RSVP through
eventbrite.com. Information: (616) 458-9360. At Pinnacle Center, 3330 Highland Dr, Hudsonville.
Mon, Mar 24, 7 pm: Award-winning Latina author Reyna Grande speaks about her memoir, "The Distance Between Us," which tells about the impact of poverty and immigration on a family and about her childhood moving between Mexico and the U.S. Presentation in English, with Q&A in Spanish and English. Part of GVSU Community Reading Project in partnership with Herrick District Library. (616) 355-3100. At Herrick District Library, 300 S. River, Holland.
Thurs, Mar 27, and Fri, Mar 28, 8 am to 4:30 pm each day: Two-day Racial Equity Institute. Facilitated discussion, exercises. $130 includes materials, morning refreshments and lunch each day. Presented by Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance. Call (616) 846-9074 or register at www.ethnicdiversity.org. At Diversity Alliance offices, 665 136th Ave, Holland.
Fri, Mar 28, 7 pm: West Michigan premiere of film, "Cesar Chavez," and Scholarship Fundraiser. Presented by the Committee to Honor Cesar E. Chavez and Celebration Cinema. Rated PG-13; 98 minutes. Tickets $20 (includes movie ticket, unlimited popcorn, pop, and door prizes). Buy tickets online at https://celebrationcinema.com/location/RiverTown/3-28-2014 A portion of each ticket will be donated to the Cesar E. Chavez Scholarship Fund to assist Hispanic students pursuing a college education. At Celebration Cinema Rivertown, in Rivertown Mall, Grandville.
Sat, Mar 29, 9 am–4:30 pm: Civilian First Responder (CFR) Training: "Seeing the Unseen."
Will give people in the community (bus drivers, hotel managers, gas station operators, maintenance workers, teachers, neighbors, friends, etc.) information on how to recognize and respond to human trafficking; what should be done and not done. $30 includes lunch and materials. Register at www.warinternational.org (click on CFR button) or call (616) 855-0796. Organized by Women at Risk International. At Engedi Church, 710 Chicago Dr, #100, Holland.
Mon, Mar 31, 6 pm: Workshop (rescheduled): "Understanding Unconscious Bias," presented by the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and sponsored by Holland Human Relations Commission. Facilitated dialogue re the identification of bias and the impact of thinking styles; explores ways to meet the needs of a more diverse workforce, client base, and community. Free; reservations at (616) 355-1328 or email hrc@cityofholland.com At City Council chambers, 270 South River, Holland.
Mon, Mar 31, 7 pm: César Chavez Lecture. Presented by Hope College Office of Multicultural Education and other campus offices. At Maas Auditorium, Columbia Ave at 11th St, Holland.
Tues, April 1, 7 pm: Immigration panel. Holland-area residents share their stories of life before and after immigrating and becoming U.S. citizens; plus attorney Liz Balck of Justice for Our Neighbors-West Michigan presents information about current immigration laws and process. At Herrick District Library, 300 S. River, Holland.
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
Community Foundation's Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is seeking new member applications from 9th and 10th grade students who want "to give back and grow as a leader." 10 openings available. Application deadline is April 1. Go to http://cfhz.org and scroll to bottom of page. For more information, email ekidd@cfhz.org
Migrant Mentoring Program: Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance is seeking community volunteers to match with a child from a migrant family to meet weekly during the family's seasonal residence in this area, "improving academic achievement, developing cross-cultural connections, and reducing the isolation of the migrant community." www.ethnicdiversity.org/whatwedo/migrantprograms.
JOBS
Career & Education Expo, Wed, March 19, 9 am – 2 pm: Area companies and colleges on site. Sponsored by Holland Sentinel and Monster. At Holland Civic Center, 150 East 8th St, Holland.
--Thurs, Mar 20-Wed, Mar 26: Virtual Career Fair Online at www.hollandsentinel.com
Hope College CASA (Children's After-School Achievement) Program: Part-time, summer positions for Summer Teacher ($18 per hour) and Summer Teaching Assistant ($9 per hour). Teacher must have valid State of Michigan teacher certification; both positions need valid driver's license held for at least two years and ability to communicate in Spanish. Responsibilities, requirements, and applications at www.hope.edu/employment Click on Staff positions. Deadline to apply is Friday, March 21.
City of Holland Parks, Cemetery, and Recreation Division: Seasonal pesticide applicator position, April - November. $11-$12 per hour, 40-hour week; no benefits. Must have a commercial applicators license in Core, 3A, 3B, and 6. Job applications at www.cityofholland.com or from City of Holland Human Resources Dept, 270 South River, Holland. Return by email to hr@cityofholland.com or to City Hall at address above. Applications accepted until Friday, March 21.
City of Holland Sustainability Committee: Three-month internship for qualified social media/clerical support person. Flexible 5-10 hours per week, $9 to $12 per hour; no benefits. Take meeting minutes, assist in developing/posting/monitoring information on the Sustainability portion of the city's website. Job description and qualifications can be viewed at www.cityofholland.com
Send resume and cover letter to City of Holland Human Resources Dept./Sustainability Intern, 270 South River Ave, Holland 49423 or hr@cityofholland.com Applications due by Friday, March 21.
