Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

---

Mass Mailing Project
November 19, 20, 21 ... 9:00am to 5:00pm

The Diversity Alliance will be sending out its annual mass mailing letter asking for support to continue the value programs it provides. Several volunteers are needed to aide in assembling the letters for the mailing. 

If you can contribute any amount of time please contact Raechel, the Operations Director, at (616) 846-9074 or email admin@ethnicdiversity.org.

Calling All Colors Conference
December 16 ... 8:00am to 2:30pm

Cultural Activities Facilitators (1/2 day, afternoon)
Present an activity from their cultural to approximately fifteen middle school students during the conference. Past activities have been dances, crafts, and songs.

Event Logistics (all day, or portions of the day) 
Serve in many capacities to ensure the event runs safely, smoothly, and on time. There are a variety of positions available, depending on the volunteer's availability.

If interested, please contact Sarah, the Program Director at (616) 846-9074 or email program@ethnicdiversity.org.

---

Gail's Corner

---

In a few short months, the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity
Alliance will reach the pinnacle of being a staffed, non-
profit organization for ten years. Although the organization 
began as a group of eighteen concerned citizens 
grappling with the issue of racial inclusion in 1996, we 
secured non-profit status and hired staff in January 1999. 

We are asking each of you to take a few minutes to share 
with us your thoughts about our work. What do you 
believe to be our greatest accomplishments? How 
has the Diversity Alliance impacted you the most? 

I would like to share my own response to this question:
The Diversity Alliance has provided me with a bastion of
kindred spirits - people who care deeply and passionately
about healing the racial divide in our society. It has been, 
and continues to be, a remarkable opportunity to meet 
people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, all ages and 
genders, and all religious backgrounds, who have chosen 
to stand together and work for equality. It is my profound 
honor and pleasure to be a part of this effort. 

Please take a moment and share your thoughts. We are 
most interested in hearing your perspectives. Thanks for 
taking the time to let us know what is important to you. 

With warmest regards, Gail Harrison, Executive Director

Impact

Where Does It Stop? A Community Forum on Hate and Hate Crimes.

---

Almost one hundred community members gathered on

October 30th for a forum on hate and hate crimes. 

A panel of six individuals shared personal and painful

experiences of racial intimidation and discrimination.

Roberto Jara, Executive Director of Latin Americans

United for Progress (LAUP), shared numerous names 

he was called as a child, such as "wetback", "spic" 

and "beaner." The panelists each also shared acts 
of hate their children have, and continue to experience.

The daughter of Vanessa Green, Director of Multicultural

Education at Hope College, was told shortly after moving

to Grandville to "go live on the other side of town where

the brown people live."

This forum was part of a continuing community response

to the August racial incident in which the word "nigger"

and a caricature face was spray painted on the Robinson

family's driveway. The response has included a campaign

that resulted in 3,000 people signing an anti-racism

pledge which was published in local newspapers and a

Community Unity Picnic attended by hundreds. In 

response to the community forum on hate and hate 

crimes, Avelock and Darla Robinson reflected on how 

people have rallied to support them, more than two 

months after the racial incident. "I am glad people are 

interested in learning how we can change the community 

together," Darla Robinson said.

Hate crimes, what they are and the consequences, was

presented by Mark Bishop from the Michigan Department 
of Civil Rights. Bishop stated he travels the state providing 
presentations on hate crimes, but he has never seen 
such a strong community response before. "This 
gathering is unique," stated Mr. Bishop, "community 
members have pulled together to address this problem
almost two months after the incident."

Nancy Haynes, Executive Director of the Fair Housing 
Center of West Michigan, shared that many acts of racial 
intimidation occur to people of color in their own home – a 
place where someone should feel most safe. Haynes 
stated fair housing laws are a progressive movement 
towards change and a proper outlet to address and report 
hate crimes.

During question and answer, Panelists Rev. Ron and Lisa 
James reflected on education: "Children need to see 
people of color in leadership and educational positions. 
We need educators to teach our children about the world 
and its cultures."

Avelock Robinson stuck a cord when he stated, "We 
recognize we are different, and we want to use that 
difference to make a positive impact." 

In closing, when answering the question "What can we 
do?" Jara said, "We need allies. When I get fed up and 
make a scene, I am labeled as 'just an angry Mexican 
man'. But when someone else takes a stand beside me, 
people start to listen."

[read more]


Newly Established Endowment Fund

---

Building our Endowment is critically important to our future stability and growth.

At the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance, we are committed to promoting the understanding and elimination of racism. By supporting our Endowment Fund, you can impact the future of our organization and the community we serve.


 Our Endowment Fund is a component Fund of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation. For more information about planning giving, [click here] to visit their website.