Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance: e-Newsletter 2009-12

e-Newsletter 2009-12

Diversity Alliance e-Newsletter

December 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.

Upcoming Winter Spanish Courses; Sign Up Now!

Partcipants of the Community Level One Conversational Spanish course

Language Academy
Two 12 Week Conversational Spanish courses will be offered this winter. Both courses will be held at the Macatawa Resource Center, located at 665 136th Ave, in Holland between James and Riley. The textbook used is Easy Spanish Step-By-Step by Barbara Bregstein. Students must purchase their own book, available at Barnes & Noble for $12.95. The cost of the class is $100.

Level One Conversational Spanish
Tuesdays, Jan 12 - March 30, 3:00-5:00pm

Level Two Conversational Spanish
Mondays, Jan 11 - March 29, 6:30-8:30pm

To see which this class is right for you, please [click here] to take our Placement Test. Please complete the entire quiz, even if you do not know the answers. If your score is above 90, you will need to wait for an advanced class. If between 75-89: Level 2 may act as a review to you. If between 50-75: Level 2 would be a good choice. If between 40-49: Level 1 may be review to you. If Between 0-39: Level 1 would be a good choice.

How to Register
1) [download] the application. Be sure to specify what course you would like to take.
2) Once completed, print and send your application (with check or money order) to the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance, PO Box 2945, Holland, MI 49422.
3) You will receive a confirmation of payment received and a slot in the class will be reserved for you.

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

Beverly Daniel Tatum Secured as Keynote

2010 Summit on Racism
Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, widely recognized as a scholar, teacher, race relations expert and leader in higher education, has confirmed as our morning keynote speaker at the 2010 Summit on Racism schedule for May 20 at Hope College.

A clinical psychologist by training, her areas of research include racial identity development, and the role of race in the classroom. The recipient of numerous honorary degrees, in 2005 Dr. Tatum was awarded the prestigious Brock International Prize in Education for her innovative leadership in the field.

[image]

Her best-selling titles include Can We Talk About Race? (2007), Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? (1997) and Assimilation Blues: Black Families in a White Community (1987).

Formerly a member of the President's Advisory Board for the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Dr. Tatum also serves on national boards including the Institute for International Education, the Council of Independent Colleges, and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. She has served as a faculty member at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Westfield State College, and Mount Holyoke College. She is currently President at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA.

Dr. Tatum earned a B.A. degree in psychology from Wesleyan University, and M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from University of Michigan and a M.A. in Religious Studies from Hartford Seminary.

Help spread the word and build momentum by distributing the our new informational handout to any individuals or groups that may be interested in the Summit. (Click the thumbnail to the left to begin the download).

As of the end of November, twenty-three organizations have confirmed their support and participation as Collaborators. [click here] to view the list.
These organizations commit to informing and/or engaging their constituents in the work of the Summit. In return they are recognized in on Summit registration materials, letterhead, and on our website. For more information, please contact admin@ethnicdiversity.org.

2010 Summit on Racism Supported By*
*as of 12/01/09. Deadline for underwriters is 02/19/10. Deadline for all other sponsorship levels is 01/01/10. For more information, contact admin@ethnicdiversity.org.

Underwriters
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Supporters
Bank of Holland

The Lakeshore Region Summit on Racism gathers hundreds of individuals of the community
to a conference focused on the effects of racism and is designed to stimulate a year of action.
[learn more]

Surveyors Hit the Streets; Identify Needs

Great Start Project
Surveyors were trained in November and will soon be conducting interviews throughout Ottawa County. In December, surveying will take place in the City of Holland, Grand Haven and Georgetown/Allendale Township.

In addition to face-to-face interviewing, a teen mothers focus group will be conducted this month.

The Great Start Program of the Ottawa Area ISD has partnered with the Diversity Alliance to conduct a research project to answer this question: "What are the barriers to success for youth of color and "at-risk" children ages zero to five?"

A Familiar Face from Years Past

Mentor Ortencia Bos and mentee Liliana Gutierrez

Migrant Mentoring

During the late 90s, Liliana Gutierrez was a matched child in the Migrant Mentoring program. Now a graduate student at Michigan State University, she tells a bit of her story.

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. Additionally, a summer reading program serves children ages 0-5.
[learn more]

Students Promoting Diversity in Their Schools

Calling All Colors

Since the two fall conferences in October, Calling All Colors school groups have been working on action plans to foster a greater appreciation for diversity in their schools. Here are updates on their progress:

Black River Middle School are broadcasting cultural music and facts during announcements. With the help of United Way, they are also planning a diversity awareness night.
Creekside Middle School is holding a Book Fair as a fundraiser. They are also creating a Native American totem pole which involves each of the students decorating their own totem face.
Holland Christian Middle School is holding a Mix-It-Up Lunch and teaching a cultural craft to elementary students.
Holland Christian High School students wrote "Who Am I" poems to self-reflect on what influences (race, age, gender, religion, etc) who they are. They then wrote a poem about someone else in the group and concluded many of the things listed were superficial. Therefor, students committed to getting to know one or two others on a deeper level. Throughout the weeks, they will write journal entries to discuss their experiences with the larger group.
Holland High School (8th Graders) have recently distributed a Mix-It-Up Survey to classmates. Results from the survey will help create a video about diversity and inclusion.
Holland High School is planning a Unity week; a different culture is highlighted each day.
Lakeshore Middle School is holding a school-wide Mix It-Up Lunch.
Macatawa Bay/Harbor Lights Middle Schools will be holding events during Black History month, Chinese New Year, Women's History month, and Cinco de Mayo.
Muskegon Community Education (MCEC) is designing a new unity banner and also recruiting new members to the group.
Wavecrest Career Academy is planning a Heritage Week. They will also have a speaker who is a member of the armed forces present on experiences living in another country.
West Ottawa High School is working on getting a speaker to address their group and other interested students. They are also planning a Mix It Up Lunch and a school-wide Unity Week.
White Pines Middle School has been designing their new unity banner; the theme is "Tolerance - Believe In It". Students have also been presenting school-challenges to foster a more accepting environment.
Zeeland East/West High Schools are pursuing mini-grants for funding. They also established a "social contract", which places emphasis on respect, being open-minded, and listening.

Other Participating Schools: Corpus Christi Catholic School, Holland Christian High School, Muskegon High School, St. Mary's Catholic School, Spring Lake High School, and Steele Middle School.

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]

Gail's Corner

As 2009 comes to a close, let us:

Reflect

on the need to foster appreciation for diversity and inclusion in our world, our nation, and our community - how we must strive to ...

Embrace
our shared humanity, which moves us beyond barriers of intolerance and toward peace and understanding.

We kindly ask you to ...

Support
part of the solution with a tax-deductable donation to the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance. Amidst these difficult economic times, we thank you for continuing to value our work.

The next few years will be critical to our future, and only together, can we build a community that is welcoming to all.

On behalf of our Staff, Board and Advisory Council, thank you.

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Gail Harrison, Executive Director

Please consider donating online with:

Or mail a check/money order to:
The Lakehshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance
PO Box 2945
Holland, MI 49422

Diversity Champions
& Diversity Partners

For more information about how to become a Diversity Champion or Partner, please contact Raechel at admin@ethnicdiversity.org.

Stand Up. Sign Up. Be part of the movement.

Local Voices are individuals, businesses, and organizations committed to promoting, supporting, and affirming the value of diversity and inclusion. Let your local voice be heard.

[learn more]

2009-11-25 ColorLines "Sesame Street Got It Right on Race"
It's incredible that Sesame Street has made it for 40 years, not only because of the sheer number of episodes that have aired during that time, but also because of the multicultural world that it has maintained from the beginning.
[read more]

2009-10-30 MI Dept of Civil Rights "Civil Rights Statement On Passing of Federal Hate Crimes Legislation"
The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was signed into law on October 31.
[read more]

Holland Human Relations Commission Vacancies
Currently one vacancy on the Commission.
[visit website]

The National Organization of Professional Hispanic NRCS Employees (NOPHNRCSE) is proud to present the 2010 scholarship program which will award two $1,000.00 academic scholarships to deserving students that are pursuing a degree in an Agriculture, Natural Resources, or Natural Resources Conservation related field of study at an accredited school of higher education.
[visit website]

Universal Human Rights Month: December
World AIDS Day: December 01
Bodhi Day: December 08
Human Rights Day:December 10
Hanukkah:December 11-19
Muharram: December 18
Christmas:December 25
Kwanzaa:December 26 - January 01
Global Family Day (One Day of Peace): January 01
National Mentoring Month: January

Latin Americans United for Progress Annual Dinner
December 04, 7:00pm
Jubilee Midtown Center, 96 W Fifteenth Street, Holland
Call (616) 392-5058 for details or to register.

[visit website]

Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony Annual Potluck
December 05, 5:30-7:30pm
First United Methodist Church, 57 West 10th St, Holland
[visit website]

GRCC Lecture: Morris Dees, "With Justice for All"
December 09, 7:00-9:00pm
Fountain Street Church, Grand Rapids
[download flier]

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