In the Community from ACEH March 15

 "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.  If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality."  … Bishop Desmond Tutu, African spiritual leader and novelist.

 

Herb and Ann

This information is provided by the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH).  If you do not wish to receive it in the future, please contact hpweller@comcast.net or editann@aol.com.  Events List is also posted on the ACEH website, www.harmonyalliance.org.

 

TODAY, Mon, Mar 15: Deadline for people to submit suggestions and make comments on the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, developed by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.  The plan must be delivered to Congress by May 20, 2010.  Go to the new interactive website: www.fsp.uservoice.com

 

Tues, Mar 16, 6 pm: Housing Workshop Series 2010: Foreclosure Issues for Owners and Renters.  To register, call (616) 355-1321.  At Holland City Hall, 270 South River, Holland.

 

Wed, Mar 17, noon: Great Decisions Series: "Russia and the 'Near Abroad': Relations with Former Soviet Republics."  Presented by Curtis Kamman, U.S. ambassador formerly stationed in Moscow.  Free light lunch provided.  At Herrick District Library Auditorium, 300 South River, Holland.

 

Wed, Mar 17, 12:30 pm: Second of three-part video series "Race—The Power of An Illusion," a PBS documentary that looks at the myth of race and the power it has on our society.  Free.  Bring your lunch.  Next one is March 24, also at 12:30 pm.  www.christmemorial.org  At Christ Memorial Church, Jerusalem Room, 595 Graafschap Road, Holland

 

Wed, Mar 17, 4:30 pm: "The Blueberry Children." Discussion of the ABCNews.com investigation of migrant farms and child labor in Michigan and the nation; video followed by interactive discussion presented by Melissa Arreguin. www.gvsu.edu/oma

At 2263 Kirkhof Center, Grand Valley State University, Allendale.

 

Thurs, Mar 18, 11:45 am: Fair Housing Book Club: Discussion of "One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd," by Jim Fergus. Bring a lunch. At Fair Housing Center of West Michigan, 20 Hall St SE, Grand Rapids.

 

Thurs, Mar 18, 6:10 pm: Public hearing for City Neighborhood Improvement Strategy, drafted by the (Holland) City Housing Task Force; will include small group discussions.  For a copy of the draft, go to www.cityofholland.cm/Brix?pageID=35

At Holland City Hall, 270 South River, Holland.

 

Thurs, Mar 18, 7 pm: BaFa BaFa Community Reading Project: BaFa BaFa is "an experimental game that gives participants an opportunity to experience life in another culture"; suitable for ages 14 and older.  Registration required at www.gvsu.edu/holland or call 331-3910.  Hosted by Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance.  At Grand Valley's Meijer Campus, 515 South Waverly, Holland.

 

Mon, Mar 22, 5:30 pm: Public forum on disparities in access to quality health care created by barriers related to race, religion, sex, age, physical and mental disabilities, color, national origin, or marital status.  Hosted by Michigan Civil Rights Commission.  (517) 241-3986. At Capital Area Michigan Works Building, 2110 South Cedar, Lansing.

 

Thurs, Mar 25, 1 pm: "Healing the Heart of Justice"—a workshop for professional counselors, social workers, educators, corporate diversity leaders, and dedicated anti-racism facilitators. Led by Victor Lewis and Ken Taber. $35. Register now at www.prfc-gr.org  At Dominican Center/Marywood, 2025 Fulton Street East, Grand Rapids.

 

Fri, Mar 26, 8 am: Partners for a Racism-Free Community annual forum.  Speaker is Victor Lewis: "Lessons Learned from The Color of Fear."  $25.  Register now at www.prfc-gr.org  At Kentwood Community Church, 1200 60^th St, SE, Kentwood. 

 

                                                                                        COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

  

(1) Do you speak some French but want to move ahead in your language skills?  Wanted: Person(s) interested in receiving intermediate/advanced level French language instruction from French exchange student at Hope College one hour per week. Call Greg at

(616) 566-1030.

(2) Are you a minority student (or do you know someone) pursuing a degree in nursing or rehabilitation therapy?  Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital is offering a one-year scholarship for education-related expenses; the amount varies depending on individual need.  Applications due April 15.  For details, go to scholarship@maryfreebed.com or call (616) 242-9206; (800) 528-8989, ext. 4404.

 

(3) 2010 Census forms are arriving in mailboxes starting this week!  Make sure to fill yours out and return by April 1.  It benefits your neighborhood, city, and state.

 

In the Community from ACEH March 8

"With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble.  Courage is the foundation of integrity."  …Keshavan Nair

 

 

Herb and Ann

This information is provided by the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH).  If you do not wish to receive it in the future, please contact hpweller@comcast.net or editann@aol.com.  Events List is also posted on the ACEH website, www.harmonyalliance.org.

 

TONIGHT, Mar 8, 7 pm: Film, "The Color of Fear," award-winning race relations documentary.  Wine and cheese bar at 7 pm; film begins at 7:30 pm.  Tickets $10 at the door, with proceeds going to support the Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism (GRACE) Racial Justice Institute.  At UICA Theatre, 41 Sheldon Blvd, SE, Grand Rapids.

 

Tues, Mar 9, 6 pm: Housing Workshop Series 2010: "Green Your Home" tips for saving energy and promoting sustainability.  Call to register at 355-1321.  At Herrick District Library, 300 South River, Holland.

 

Tues, Mar 9, 7 pm (Jazz Ensemble at 6:30 pm): Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series: Award-winning poet Terrance Hayes, author of "Wind in a Box," "Muscular Music," and "Hip Logic."  At Knickerbocker Theatre, 86 East 8^th St, Holland.

 

Wed, Mar 10, 12:30 pm: First of three-part video series "Race—The Power of An Illusion," a PBS documentary that looks at the myth of race and the power it has on our society.  Free.  Bring your lunch.  Next two are March 17 and March 24, also at 12:30 pm.  www.christmemorial.org  At Christ Memorial Church, Jerusalem Room, 595 Graafschap Road, Holland.

 

Wed, Mar 10, noon: Great Decisions Series: "The Dark Side of Globalization," presented by Dr. Glenda Quarnstrom, adjunct professor of Asian Studies at Grand Valley State University.  Free light lunch provided.  At Herrick District Library auditorium, 300 South River, Holland.

 

Fri, Mar 12, 7 pm: General meeting of Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony, focusing on poverty and homelessness.  The public is invited.  Includes multi-media presentation by photographer Dr. Greg Lawson and local perspective by Lyn Raymond of Community Action House, who is coordinator of the Ottawa Area Housing Coalition. For info, call 392-5086. www.harmonyalliance.org  At Center for Women in Transition, 411 Butternut, Holland.

 

Sat, Mar 13, noon:  St. Patrick's Day parade begins at 8^th Street Marketplace and continues east on 8^th Street to the intersection of College and 8^th in downtown Holland.  Wear something green and get in the Irish spirit.

 

Mon, Mar 15: Deadline for people to submit suggestions and make comments on the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, developed by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.  The plan must be delivered to Congress by May 20, 2010.  Go to the new interactive website: www.fsp.uservoice.com

 

 

 

The U. S. Census: What's Important to Know

by League of Women Voters of Holland

 

The Census takes place every 10 years.  This year's Census forms will arrive in March, asking 10 questions, including number of people in your household by age, race, and gender.  There are no questions about immigration status.  The Census form has to be mailed back by April 1 (mailing info included on the form).  If you don't send it back, a Census worker will call or visit you.  An individual's information is confidential and, by law, can't be shared with any other government agency.  Census workers can face jail time if the information is misused. 

 

The Census is important because $400 billion dollars goes to states, local governments, and tribal communities based on the information in the Census forms, helping schools, hospitals, and job training.  Businesses and organizations rely on overall Census data for their work, too.

 

El Censo

 

Los formularios del Censo de los Estados Unidos se enviarán por correo en marzo y se han de devolver para el 1^o de abril.  Hay diez preguntas, que incluyen el número de personas que vivan en su hogar en cuanto a edad, raza, y sexo;  el formulario no pregunta nada sobre el estado de inmigración.  La información personal es confidencial y no se puede compartir con ninguna otra agencia del gobierno.

 

Si necesita ayuda para llenar el formulario, favor de comunicarse con Latinoamericanos Unidos para el Progreso [Latin Americans United for Progress] (LAUP) al (616) 392-5058 para asistencia con la traducción al español.

 

 

 

 

In the Community from ACEH March 1

"In the end, anti-black, anti-female, and all forms of discrimination are equivalent to the same thing—anti-humanism."  … Shirley Chisholm (1924-2005), American politician, educator, and author and the first black woman elected to Congress (in 1968).

 

Herb and Ann

This information is provided by the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH).  If you do not wish to receive it in the future, please contact hpweller@comcast.net or editann@aol.com.  Events List is also posted on the ACEH website, www.harmonyalliance.org.

 

March is Women's History Month

 

Tues, Mar 2, 6 pm: Opening event of free Housing Workshop Series 2010: "The Home Buying Process: Find Your Home, Finance Your Home."  Other workshops are Mar 9: "Green Your Home"; Mar 16: "Foreclosure Issues"; and Mar 23: "Attention Landlords and Tenants: Housing Code Requirements and Fair Housing Law."  Register online at www.humanrelations.cityofholland.com, in person at Human Relations Office, City Hall, 270 S. River; fax to (616) 355-1490, attn: Erin Nyholt; or call (616) 355-1321.

 

Wed, Mar 3, noon: Great Decisions Series: "An Army of Special Envoys" presented by Dr. Glenda Quarnstrom, adjunct professor of Asian Studies at Grand Valley State University.  Light luncheon provided.  At Herrick District Library auditorium, 300 South River, Holland.

 

Thurs, Mar 4, 5 pm: Ticket purchase deadline for annual Women of Color and Senior Recognition Dinner at Hope College, to be held Wed, March 10, at 6 pm. at Maas Center on campus.  Event features testimonials by senior women and honors all graduating seniors of color.  Hosted by Office of Multicultural Education and Dean for International and Multicultural Education and co-sponsored by Varnum Attorneys at Law.  Tickets $7 for community members, $5 Hope faculty and staff; may be purchased at Office of Multicultural Education, 107 Martha Miller Center, 395-7867 or email at ome@hope.edu

 

Fri, Mar 5, 6 pm: Craft event: weaving, part of the Celebration of the Asian New Year, the Year of the Tiger.  Free admission.  (616) 396-3278.  At Holland Area Arts Council, 150 East 8^th St, Holland.

 

Mon, Mar 8, 7 pm: Film, "The Color of Fear," award-winning race relations documentary.  Wine and cheese bar at 7 pm; film begins at 7:30 pm.  Tickets $10 at the door, with proceeds going to support the Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism (GRACE) Racial Justice Institute.  At UICA Theatre, 41 Sheldon Blvd, SE, Grand Rapids.

 

Fri, Mar 12, 7 pm: General meeting of Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony focusing on poverty and homelessness.  The public is invited.  Call 392-5086 for information.  At Center for Women in Transition, 411 Butternut, Holland.

 

Sat, Mar 13, noon:  St. Patrick's Day parade begins at 8^th Street Marketplace and continues east on 8^th Street to the intersection of College and 8^th in downtown Holland.  Wear something green and get in the Irish spirit.

 

 

Community Opportunities

 

1) Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP) is offering a new round of computer classes starting March 8.  Three-hour classes meet weekly for six weeks, and include Basic Computer Skills (Monday 9 am to noon or 6 pm to 9 pm); Advanced (Tuesday 9 am to noon or 6 pm to 9 pm).  A donation of $10 is requested at registration but not required to enroll.  Call (616) 392-5058 to register.  At LAUP Computer Lab, corner of 16^th St and Pine Ave, Holland.

 

2) The Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance (LEDA) needs volunteers to help facilitate a dialogue on diversity and race issues with a small group of high school students at the spring Calling All Colors conference at Grand Valley State University on Friday, March 12. The dialogue will examine stereotypes surrounding people of Middle Eastern descent and promote greater understanding of people of diverse ethnic backgrounds. The time commitment for the dialogue is Friday, March 12, from 10:00-11:40 am at GVSU, Allendale campus (please arrive by 9:45 am; you are welcome to stay for lunch following the simulation).  It will also be necessary to attend a training to learn your role in the facilitation. Two training times are offered:  Holland on Tuesday, March 9 from 4:00-5:30 pm OR Grand Haven on Wednesday, March 10 from 3:30-5:00 pm.  Contact Sarah Salguera at (616) 846-9074 or program@ethnicdiversity.org