Gail's Corner
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New Summer Reading Program
Since 1998, the Migrant Mentoring Program has been a unique
program bringing together children of migrant farm workers and
community volunteers.
However, children under the age of six have previously not been
reached. To address this, the Diversity Alliance is introducing a Reading Readiness
component. It will focus on
ages zero to five; however, all will be welcome to attend.
This component also builds on one of the ongoing goals of the Migrant Mentoring
Program - to provide cross-cultural experiences for kids and
volunteers in order to reduce segregation between the migrant
and larger local communities.
The launch will begin in May; more updates to come soon.
My gratitude is extended to the following organizations for their generous donations that made this program possible:
Frey Foundation, Greater Ottawa County United Way, Springview Foundation, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Outstate MI.
Gail Harrison, Executive Director
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Get Involved
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Stay connected
 Do you know a family member, friend, or co- worker that might be interested in us?
Provide support
The demand for our programs far exceeds our capacity.
Significant
expansion is possible with modest community support. We must, and can,
reach more people in the next years - a time
of dramatic community
change.
[learn more]
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| News & Resources
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"The Year in Hate" Report
By the Southern Poverty Law Center
"2008 U.S. hate group activity was disturbing and widespread, as numbers of groups continue to rise. In 2008, 926 groups
were active - more
than a 50% increase since 2000, when there were 602 groups."
[read more]
Fair Housing Luncheon
Wednesday April 22 8:30-1:30
Crowne Plaza Hotel &
Conference Center in Grand Rapids
(map)
Workshops 8:45-11:45am
Foreclosure in Our Neighborhoods: A Revitalizing Community Response
Hate Crimes in Our Neighborhoods: Enhancing Awareness and
Prevention Strategies
Accessible Housing: Building New Opportunities
Luncheon Keynote 11:45-1:30pm
Dr. Nandinee Kutty, editor and contributor of Segregation: The Rising Costs for America.
[visit website]
[download brochure]
[download registration form]
Fiesta - A Celebration of Latino Culture for All!
Friday May 01 & Saturday May 02
One of the longest running events of its kind in West Michigan, Fiesta
now draws over 20,000 participants every year.
Fiesta
features the
Annual Fiesta Queen and King Contest, the Lowrider Car Show,
entertainment, a carnival, various exhibitors, and everyone's favorite:
lots of food!
Fiesta begins Friday at 6pm and continues on Saturday morning.
This
year, thousands of books will be passed out to adults, parents,
grandparents and children at the festival, with the message of
empowering children to read.
This year's slogan is "Educate Now for a Better Tomorrow."
[read more]
[read holland sentinel article]
"Nation of Cowards?"
By Charles Blow, New York Times
"Most whites harbor a hidden racial bias that many are unaware of
and don't consciously agree with. And getting them to talk frankly
about race is still hard."
[read more]
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What We Do (Program Updates)
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80% of goal - we need you to make 100%
Migrant Mentoring Program
 We have reached 80% of our goal to match seventy
children with mentors this season!
However, to reach 100%, we need more community members, just like you,
to engage in this unique opportunity to provide academic and social
supports for children of migrant farm workers.
There
are many children, just like Alejandro (below) waiting for a mentor.
The Migrant Mentoring Program fosters opportunities for meaningful
cultural exchanges between volunteers and migrant
families. It builds bridges. And changes lives. Join us - today.
[learn more about this program]
Volunteers needed for upcoming conference
Calling All Colors Middle School Conference
White people
are given more space and resources; people of color are given less. White
people get perks in the ways they are treated in the community; people of color
experience discrimination ... welcome to Archie Bunker's Neighborhood!
For the conference on Tuesday April 28, we are seeking volunteers who
are
interested in facilitating a simulation in which groups of
students are put in the mock community described above. Attendance at
one of the following trainings is required to prepare for the dialogue:
Tuesday, April 21, 4:00-5:30 in Holland or
Wednesday, April 22, 3:00-4:30 in Grand Haven.
If interested, please contact Sarah Salguera at
(616) 846-9074 or program@ethnicdiversity.org.
Housing discrimination highlighted at
high school spring conference
Calling All Colors High School Conference
[view conference pictures]
The exciting day kicked off with a welcoming from Michael Lopez,
Associate Director of Admissions. This was followed by keynote speakers Nancy Haynes and
Liz Keegan from the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan who shared
real-life stories of housing discrimination their clients face.
Then, the
students shared action plans which they created and implemented in their schools to foster
a greater appreciation for diversity.
During
the morning session, students participated in the diversity dialogue,
"Archie Bunker's Neighborhood". This interactive simulation gave
students the opportunity to learn about economic disparities and
housing discrimination. Following the simulation, students shared what
they learned.
One
student reflected, "This simulation was eye-opening because when you
experience the life of a person of another race, you realize what is
happening."
In the afternoon, students participated in cooperative games in which they interacted
with peers from other schools and racial and ethnic backgrounds, creating an opportunity to work together and make
new friends.
As one student said, "Working with the groups was great and makes everyone feel strong."
Special thanks to:
- Emcee: Sally Woods
- Key Note Speakers: Nancy Haynes and Liz Keegan Fair Housing Center of West Michigan
- Volunteers: Zahabia Ahmed-Usmani, Cindy
Brown, Jack Dykstra, Kelly Garcia, Cary Hirdes, Lyza Ingrham, Simone
Jonaitis, Holly Kriger, Marty Litherland, Eleanor Lopez, Tedd Parsons,
Darla Robinson, Eryn Sluiter, Lyn Stubbs, Robika L. Sturdivant, Tony
VanDerArk, Kate VanderKolk, Carola Vanheukelom, John Vega, Meghan Wahl,
Shawn Watson, and Melanie Wiemer
Actualización de clases de español.
Beginner's Conversational Spanish Class
With only three more classes left, participants are busy learning numbers, dates, and time.
They are also surprising themselves with their new skills when trying out reading
comprehension exercises.
As one class comes to a close, another begins ...
On March 19, a six week course began for employees of Ottawa County. It reached full capacity with staff members representing many
different branches - from the Mental Health Department
to the Drain Commissioner's office.
The Diversity
Alliance applauds Ottawa County for understanding and addressing the need to increase
their ability to serve diverse populations in our area.
There has been much interest from the community to offer
additional and advanced courses. Please continue to read our
newsletters or visit our [website] for future information.
[learn more about this program]
Exploring history to heal the present
Institute for Racial Healing
A new session of the Lakeshore Institute for Racial Healing, sponsored by the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance and the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce began March 12 and will continue until the April 23.
Co-facilitation is provided by Gail Harrison, Executive
Director of Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance, and Fred Johnson III,
Associate Professor of History, Hope College.
Through facilitated dialogues and activities, the group will participate in a cognitive and affective program of learning,
sharing, and processing in a multi-cultural setting.
Participants
have completed sessions that focused on the history and pathology of
institutionalized racism, and are now moving into exploring
concepts such as white privilege, contemporary bias, and ways to
combat racism.
[learn more about this program] |
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