Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance: e-Newsletter 2009-08

e-Newsletter 2009-08

Diversity Alliance e-Newsletter

August 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.

Official Launch of Local Voices ... Join the Movement!

"I want to stand and be known as a person that does not tolerate racism in my community."

"I like to connect with other people and talk about issues that I encounter or read about."

"It's critical my company acts as a role model - when leadership commits, change happens."

"Feeling like we're part a movement is important. United, we are strong."

One Month Left of Reading; Rediscovering Simple Joys

Volunteer Katie Miller and migrant child Rosalia Guerrero Nieto

Summer Migrant Reading Program
"This program is very beneficial to children at this age because they are still open to reading and show a great interest in learning."
Volunteer Haley Schurman

There is approximately one month left of the reading program, coming to a close August 20. Join us in this unique cross-cultural experience to share the wonder of reading with a child. To participate, arrive at our offices located at 665 136th Ave, Holland, any Monday or Thursday at 6:00pm.

For more information, please contact Jessenia at read@ethnicdiversity.org

Mentor Millicent and mentee Ramiro

Migrant Mentoring Program
"The reason for my interest with the migrant mentor program was to develop a relationship with a young person that would allow me to cross cultural lines. Time spent with Ramiro has allowed me to develop a lasting friendship and rediscover the simple joys of life through the eyes of a young person."
Mentor Millicent Lory

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]

Summer Spanish Classes Off to Great Start

Students of the Summer Intermediate Adult Conversational Spanish Class

Intermediate Adult Conversational Spanish Class
Already in their third week, this energetic group of students is furthering their language skills. The class began with a review of regular verbs and quickly moved into irregular verb conjugations. Focus has been on solidifying the fundamentals of Spanish grammar and putting that foundation into practice with an emphasis on conversation. Students were also encouraged to get out into the Spanish speaking corners of our community to listen to and interact with native Spanish speakers.

[image]

Students review body part names after practicing their vocabulary with a game of "Simon Dice/Simon Says"

Children's Spanish Class
Now completing their third week, students have learned how to introduce themselves, numbers up to one hundred, and the days of the week. In addition to verbalizing this new knowledge, students can also write much of it. Instructor Jessenia Martinez-Olmeda states, "Each child brings their own unique expertise in learning a second language that helps others learn and enjoy Spanish."

Business Conversational Spanish Class

The Holland Sentinel recently published an article titled "Ottawa employees connect in Spanish" which highlighted our conversational Spanish class customized for Ottawa County employees.
[read more]

For more information regarding tailored business conversational Spanish classes, please contact Sarah at program@ethnicdiversity.org.

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

Cultural Responsiveness Assessment

Flowing with the current of global trends, our community is changing.
As a member of in this community, how well will you be able to adjust to the rapidly changing demographics? How will you fair when being introduced to new cultures, perspectives, and people?
[take the assessment]

Gail's Corner

This month, I am excited to announce the launch of Local Voices. I encourage you to to learn more and sign up.

For some, taking the step of self-identifying as a person who promotes inclusion is a large step.

I hope Local Voices will be a community of knowledge, experience, and resources - one in which fellow members will support and inspire each other.

For others, the step of self-identifying was taken long ago. Some may be targets of discrimination themselves, or may be well educated on inclusion and diversity. For these folks, they may act as mentors, guiding and encouraging further discussion, exploration, and understanding.

While Local Voices will consist of a variety of people, interests, and commitment levels, its biggest potential lies in the ability to mobilize people of our community.

This will take place in many forms - but no matter the form, small or large, we are mobilizing.

Mobilizing toward a community of inclusion - where all people have equal access and opportunity to participate fully in the life of the community.

Join us,

[image]

Gail Harrison
Executive Director

Notice

Repairs due to summer flooding have been made to the Diversity Alliance offices. Normal business hours have resumed.

Support Our Work

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]

News, Events & Resources

2009-07 Sun Magazine "By The Color Of Their Skin"
Tim Wise On The Myth Of A Postracial America: "I refer to today's racism as 'Racism 2.0.' It's the kind that says we like black and brown people - if they are enough like us. This is a much more subtle kind of racism."
[read more]

2009-07-07 The New York Times "Interracial Roommates Can Reduce Prejudice"
Recent studies found having a roommate of a different race reduces prejudice, but relationships are more stressful.
[read more]

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission to Collect Testimony on Migrant/Seasonal Farmworkers
After July 15, testimony will be accepted.
[read more]

Disease Management Class for Spanish Speakers

PATH is an interactive workshop on chronic disease management for people 50 or older.

[read more]

Bilingual Computer Classes
Offered by Latin Americans United for Progress, the Basic Classes are on Mondays starting August 03 at 9am-12pm and 6-9pm for 6 weeks and the Advanced Classes on Thursdays starting August 06 at 9am-12pm and 6-9pm for 6 weeks. For more information, contact Leroy Hernandez at leroy.hernandez@laup.org

Employment Opportunities

Good Samaritan Ministries is seeking candidates for a Grants and Administration Director.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Holland are seeking candidates for a Director Human Resource/Grant Writer.

National Resource Center for the Healing of Racism is seeking for a Program Director.

[click here] to learn more about the above opportunities.