Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance: e-Newsletter 2009-09

e-Newsletter 2009-09

Diversity Alliance e-Newsletter

September 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.

Tailored Conversational Spanish business course for Ottawa County employees

Summer Classes Update

The Summer Adult Level 2 Conversational Spanish class recently finished their six week course. Students were very excited to have improved their understandings of grammatical structures such as regular and irregular verbs. They also improved reading comprehension and conversation skills. Many have expressed an interest in deepening their understandings by attending future classes.

Business Conversational Spanish: The Diversity Alliance just completed a third Level 1 Conversational Spanish class for Ottawa County employees. Students learned basic oral and written communication that will help them better serve their Spanish speaking clients.

Upcoming Fall Classes

Sept 14-Dec 07, Mondays 6:30-8:30pm Adult Level 1 Spanish $100
Sept 17-Dec 10, Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm Adult Level 2 Spanish $100

If you are interested in finding out if the Level 2 class would be a good fit for you, [click here] to take the Placement Test. Please complete the entire test. If you score less than 30%, this class may be too hard. If you score more than 85%, this class may be too easy.

For questions regarding fall courses, please contact admin@ethnicdiversity.org

How to Register

1) [click here] to download the application.

2) Once completed, print and sent your application (with check or money order) to the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance, PO Box 2945, Holland, MI 49422

The Language Academy provides courses for adults, youth, and businesses
interested in learning and practicing a new language.
[learn more]

Summer Ending, New Friendships just Beginning

Participants at a summer migrant reading program event

Summer Migrant Reading Program Comes to a Close
We are proud to announce the Migrant Summer Reading Program has completed it's first year!

Throughout 16 weeks, the program engaged 346 children and 130 volunteers in reading and socializing activities. The program was specifically designed to target children ages 0-5. Pre/post tests were conducted on each participant in this age group and 100% of the children showed improvements in their reading abilities. Thank you to all who helped make this program a success.

Two children become instant friends at the 2009 Migrant Mentoring Program Family Picnic

Migrant Mentoring Program Family Picnic

On August 12, mentors and their families united with mentees and their families for a potluck picnic at Wendt Park. Children enjoyed a bright candy-filled pinata and balloon races. The evening reflected a sharing and coming together of different cultures and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Special thanks to The Milagro Six, Inc./McDonalds for supporting this event.

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]

In Case You Missed It ... Local Voices Launched Last Month

Gail's Corner

This month, the Diversity Alliance officially launches its Language Academy, currently offering conversational Spanish courses in beginner and advanced levels of instruction.

Classes have been offered for several years now, but increased demand has now merited expansion of our offerings.

Community classes are provided for individuals interested in meeting at the Diversity Alliance offices in Holland. As you will see in this newsletter, two fall courses will be open to the community. I hope you will review the classes and consider this opportunity. We welcome all new and returning students.

Several businesses have already committed or expressed interest in developing their employee's language skills. These classes, provided on-site, are tailored to the needs of the specific businesses' audience in order to provide the employees with the ability to communicate with their clients and business colleagues in town and around the globe. If you feel your business or organization would benefit from language classes, let us know. Together we will prepare a class to meet your needs!

It is no secret our world is changing. Shifting to a global community is well underway.
According to the Census, of the total U.S. population age five and over, 18% speak a language other than English - almost 1 out of every 5 people. And Spanish is one of the fastest growing languages in the world.

Whether you are interested in traveling to another country or improving your ability to speak in the native language of some of our community members, learning a second language can provide rich cultural insights and long-lasting interpersonal rewards.

Sincerely,

[image]

Gail Harrison, Executive Director

Notice: Staffing

Sarah Salguera, Program Director, begins maternity leave August 28.

Jessenia Martinez-Olmeda has expanded her role to include responsibilities of the 2009 Migrant Mentoring Program.

Zahabia Ahmed-Usmani has been hired as the Calling All Colors Coordinator.

We welcome Yadira Martinez and Alain Galindo, who will be teaching fall Spanish courses.

Condolences

Our sincere condolences extend to the family and friends of Steven Fortnam who passed away late June. Steve and his company, 3RD Coast Technologies, generously supported the Diversity Alliance for many years. He will be missed.

Job Opportunity

The Homeless Youth Council Steering Committee is seeking candidates for a Homeless Youth Coordinator position.

[learn more]

News, Events & Resources

Michigan Department of Civil Rights Urges Action in Wake of Recent Bias Incidents

Director, Kelvin W. Scott released a statement following recent alleged bias incidents in Portage and Independence Township.

[learn more]

Registration for Holland Public Schools English as a Second Language Courses
September 08, 9am-3pm
September 10, 9am-7pm
September 15, 1pm-7pm
Must be resident of Holland Public Schools District an at least 20 years old by September 01. Classes offered mornings and evenings; 12 hours/week; $20/year. Registration takes 1.5 hours held at Van Raalte School, 461 Van Raalte Ave, Holland
Call 494-2166 for additional information.

Tulipanes: Latino Art & Film Festival
September 12 & 13
Annual festival celebrating Latino culture, music, art and film.
[visit website]

West Michigan Strategic Alliance Regional Indicators Initiative - Social Indicators Meetings
September 10, 12pm-2pm, Muskegon Chamber
September 14, 10am-12pm, Holland - Midtown Center
September 15, 12pm-2pm, Grand Rapids Chamber
This Initiative will conduct a stakeholder involvement process to evaluate the current suite of indicators and to set achievement targets for where West Michigan should be in each indicator by 2015. If interested in participating, contact Connie Bellows at (616) 261-1823 or connie.bellows@gmail.com.

Fifth Third Bank Seeking Relationships with Minority and Women Owned Businesses

September 16 & 30
Informational meetings about their Supplier Diversity Program.
[learn more]

Ramadan: August 22 - On/Around September 20
Rosh Hashanah: September 18-20
International Peace Week: September 21-27

International Day of Peace: September 21

Africa in Contemporary International Relations
Conference at Grand Valley State University
September 21-22
[visit website]

Luna Negra Dance Performance
Knickerbocker Theatre
September 24 & 25, 7:30pm
[visit website]
[ticket information]

Our Community Events Calendar highlights various diversity-related events and educational programs in our community.
[view calendar]
Share your events with admin@ethnicdiversity.org

Pivotal Civil Rights Events Photos

A Montgomery, Alabama bus is nearly empty during a black boycott of bus companies in 1956.

[view gallery ]

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]

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