Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance: e-Newsletter 2009-06

e-Newsletter 2009-06

Diversity Alliance e-Newsletter

June 2009

The Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance seeks to dismantle racial, socioeconomic, and institutional barriers to ensure that people of all ethnic backgrounds have equal access and opportunity to participate fully in the life of the community.

This Summer: Sharing the Wonder of Reading

Summer Reading Program Continues

The Summer Migrant Reading Program launched May 05 with a group of volunteers who headed out to the migrant camps armed with books, blankets and a desire to read with a child.

The first day, more than 25 children read with volunteers. After reading, everyone participated in a spirited game of "Duck Duck Goose." The volunteers were touched by how the children, from a wide range of ages, were very caring and careful to help even the smallest of the group with the game.

If you would like to participate in the Summer Migrant Reading Program, arrive at our offices located at 665 136th Ave, Holland, any Tuesday or Thursday at 6:00pm (weather permitting).

For more information, please contact Sarah Salguera at program@ethnicdiversity.org.

In Case You Missed It ...
[click here] to read the May 17 Grand Rapids Press article that featured the reading program.

Last Chance to Become a Mentor this Season

Migrant Mentoring Program

The Migrant Mentoring Program provides
academic and social supports for children of
migrant farm workers and their families, and
creates opportunities for cultural exchange
between volunteers and migrant families.

Two months ago, we were at 80% of our goal of children to be matched with mentors this season.

Our April e-Newsletter featured Alejandro Rangel,
a child waiting to be matched. We are happy to
announce Alejandro, and his sister, have been
matched with Nika Phandanouvong and Russell
Israels (see pictures above and right).

We're now at 87% of our goal - just ten more children! If you have been considering mentoring, now is the time - join us today!

For more information, please contact Sarah
Salguera at program@ethnicdiversity.org.

The Migrant Mentoring Program provides social supports for children of migrant farm
workers and their families, and creates opportunities for cultural exchange between
volunteers and migrant families.
[learn more]

Students Learn about Building Communities

Spring Middle School Conference

On April 28, 160 middle school students representing 13 area middle schools traveled to Grand Valley State University to participate in the Spring Calling All Colors conference.

The day was opened with a welcoming by Ken James, the Assistant Vice President for Affirmative Action at GVSU. Following the welcoming was a Keynote Address presented by Nancy Haynes and Liz Keegan with the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan who shared real life experiences of housing discrimination in west Michigan.

Then, the students shared action plans which they created and implemented in their schools to create 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 their reflections.

As one student said, "I learned that something I used to do was actually racist. This experience has helped me to see through other people's eyes. This has taught me to think before I say things."

In the afternoon, students participated in cooperative games in which they interacted with peers from other schools and racial and ethnic backgrounds, working together and making new friends.

One student commented, "I really like the games. It is a great chance to meet students from other schools and make new friends."

Calling All Colors will resume once the 2009/2010 school year begins in September.

Calling All Colors is a diversity awareness program for middle and high school students in
which students attend conferences, learn tools for increasing appreciation of diversity in their
schools, and creatively collaborate to implement action plans all year.
[learn more]

Actualizacion de clases de espanol

Business Conversational Class (Ottawa County)

The second Conversational Spanish Class for Ottawa County employees is now half way complete.
The students are perfecting their pronunciation and learning basic words and phrases that will help them better communicate with their Spanish speaking clients.

For more information regarding these tailored business courses, for both the public and private sector, please contact Sarah at program@ethnicdiversity.org.

Upcoming Children's Spanish Class

The Diversity Alliance is offering a Children's Spanish course. It will run every Tuesday from 9:00-10:00am for six weeks starting on July 14 and ending August 18. The cost per child is $40.

For questions or to register, contact Sarah Salguera at program@ethnicdiversity.org.

Upcoming Intermediate Spanish Class

The Diversity Alliance is also offering an Intermediate Spanish course. It will run every Tuesday from 3:00-5:00pm for six weeks starting on July 14 and ending August 18. The cost per adult is $50.

If you are interested in finding out if the Intermediate class would be a good fit for you, [click here] to take the Placement Test.

The textbook used is Easy Spanish Step-By-Step by Barbara Bregstein. Students must purchase their own book. [click here] for information on amazon.com.

For questions or to register, contact Sarah Salguera at program@ethnicdiversity.org.

Conversational Spanish Program provides courses for adults, youth, and businesses
interested in learning and practicing the Spanish language.

[learn more]

Gail's Corner

The end of this month marks nearly half way through 2009.

Programmatically, the first half of 2009 featured many significant expansions and new projects:

- The Migrant Mentoring program increased its goal of matched children from 70 to 80, while adding a new summer reading component for children ages 0-5 and hiring Jessenia Martinez-Olmeda as the new reading program caseworker.

- The Conversational Spanish program has greatly expanded - now offering intermediate, youth, and tailored business courses.

- Calling All Colors launched
a Facebook and two new Hope College interns were recruited to aide schools in developing and implementing actions plans; they will begin this fall.

- Work will soon begin on the 2010 Summit on Racism.

Organizationally, there are also many exciting expansions and new projects:

- Our News Archive and Resources continue to grow as we convert hardcopy articles into digital format for our website.

- A Facebook page and Picasa account were created.

- A Sustainability Initiative is nearly complete, ensuring each position and program is equip with all the materials and procedures required for success.

- A CEO Advisory Council, chaired by James Brooks and Robert Woodrick, was established. The first meeting
was held on May 27. This council, comprised of chief executives and community leaders, helps establish leadership consensus regarding key priorities, action strategies and performance measures.

- And finally, an improved e-marketing campaign was developed, connecting the readership with important events, publications (2008 Annual Report), and our monthly e-newsletters.

If you have a few moments, please consider sharing your thoughts regarding our e-newsletters:

[click here] to view the survey.

Thank you to all who have made these expansions and new projects possible.

I look forward to remaining partners in the critical work of promoting diversity and inclusion.

[image]

Gail Harrison, Executive Director

Did You Miss This?

In last month's e-newsletter, we featured the 2009 Diversity Alliance Business Toolkit.

[download]

News & Resources

Applied Research Center
"Race and Recession: How Inequity Rigged the Economy and How to Change the Rules."

While all Americans worry about economic insecurity during this crisis, its most damaging effects have been unevenly distributed.

People of color are unemployed, hungry, homeless and without healthcare at alarming rates. Many have already fallen through the widening cracks in the social safety net, and countless more are about to go under. This amounts to a state of emergency.

Examining the disparities reveals patterns that are not simply coincidental. Indeed, people of color face barriers to opportunity at every turn, and the impact is devastating, not just to them, but also to struggling white people.

Ultimately, to ensure a stable and growing economy for all will require solutions that directly address these disparities.

[download executive summary]
[download full report]

New York Times
"Voices Reflecting Rising Sense of Racial Optimism"

More Americans indicate optimism about race relations, yet no one claims racial prejudice has disappeared.

[read more]

National Women's Law Center
"Gender Wage Gap Still Persists in Michigan"

In 2007, women in Michigan working full-time, year-round earned 72% of what men working full-time, year-round earned.
This is 6% below the nationwide average of 78%.

The gap is even more substantial when race and gender are considered together. Black women working full-time, year-round in Michigan earned 64%, and Hispanic women 56% of the wages of White, non-Hispanic men.

[read more]
[state-by-state comparison]

Juneteenth Community Celebration

Juneteenth is the oldest national celebration of the ending of slavery in the United States. The ninth annual City of Holland Juneteenth Celebration is Saturday June 20, from 1-7pm in Kollen Park (map). Highlights include basketball tournaments, Miss Juneteenth Beauty Pageant, dinner, and retail and food vendors.

[visit website]

Support the Diversity Alliance

The demand for our programs far exceeds our capacity.
We must, and can, reach more people in the next years -
a time of dramatic community change.

[learn more]