Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance: e-Newsletter 2010-02

e-Newsletter 2010-02

Diversity Alliance e-Newsletter

February 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.

Mentoring Program Honored; 2010 Recruitment Begins

Mentor Heather Medina Sauceda, Mentees Alberto and Denisse Hernandez, and Program Director Sarah Salguera

Migrant Mentoring Program

City of Holland Social Justice Award
The City of Holland Human Relations Commission selected five recipients for its annual Human Relations Social Justice Awards for 2009. Selected for the Education award was the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance Migrant Mentoring Program that matches community volunteers with about 70 children from local migrant camps to build cross cultural bridges and enhance cultural understanding in the larger Holland community while addressing the needs of migrant children.

2010 Mentors Needed - Recruitment Begins Now
The Migrant Mentoring Program is now actively seeking caring, passionate individuals who would like to expand their cultural horizons and create a lasting friendship with a migrant farmworker child.

By becoming a social mentor, you would help fulfill the program's mission to build cultural bridges to the farmworker community and provide farmworker children with new friendships and experiences.

As a mentor, you would commit to meeting with your mentee once a week for the duration of their family's seasonal residence in the lakeshore area. Due to geographical and cultural isolation, many of the farmworker children do not have the opportunity to experience many activities that our community provides. Outings such as going to the beach or visiting the library may be new exciting experiences for the migrant children. By sharing with your mentee, you will foster a valuable friendship and sense of community and acceptance for the migrant children and their families.

To apply, [click here] to download the application. Please complete, save, then e-mail the application to: program@ethnicdiversity.org.

For any questions, contact Sarah at program@ethnicdiversity.org or at (616) 846-9074.

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]

Collaborating Organizations Increase 2010 Summit Reach

2010 Summit Collaborators

As of the end of this month, twenty-eight organizations/businesses have confirmed as Collaborators.

Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony ... All for One Dance Program ... Calvary Reformed Church
Christ Memorial Church ... City of Holland, Human Relations Commission
Crossroads Chapel Reformed Church ... Crosswinds Community Church
Global Concepts Enterprise, Inc. ... Good Samaritan Ministries
Fair Housing Center of West Michigan ... Faith Christian Reformed Church
First United Methodist Church of Holland ... Grand Valley State University, Office of Multicultural Affairs
Headbloom Cross-Cultural Communication ... Holland Area Chamber of Commerce
Holland Classis RCA ... Holland First Assembly of God ... Hope Church RCA
Hope College, Office of Multicultural Education ... Hope College, Fried International Center
Hope College, Phelps Scholars ... Holland Public Schools ... Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance
Latin Americans United for Progress ... Mothers Trust, Mothers Place/Lakeshore Interfaith Community
Our Lady of the Lake Parish ... West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
West Michigan Strategic Alliance

What Do Collaborators Do?
Collaborators commit to informing and/or engaging their constituents in the work of the Summit. The Diversity Alliance asks collaborators to spread information through their networks: newsletters, bulletin boards, putting up a poster, sending emails to their constituents, etc. We also expect that at least one representative will attend the Summit, but hopefully many, depending on organization size. Also, if a volunteer need arises, we call upon Collaborators to assist in fulfilling that need.
In return Collaborators are recognized in on Summit registration materials, letterhead, and our website.

Sign up as a collaborator by contacting Raechel at admin@ethnicdiversity.org

2010 Summit Keynotes

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum - widely recognized as a scholar, teacher, race relations expert, leader in higher education, and author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? - will be providing the morning keynote address.
Joining Dr. Tatum, to provide the lunch keynote address is Dr. Tony Campolo - author, minister, and national media commentator on religious, social, and political matters.
[read more]

2010 Summit Supported By*
*as of 01/21/10. Deadline for underwriters is 02/19/10. Deadline for all other sponsorship levels is 04/01/10.

Underwriters
[image]

Supporters
Bank of Holland ... Gentex Corporation ... Louis Padnos Iron & Metal Company ...
St. Patrick's Church ... West Michigan Lakeshore Association of Realtors

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]

The 2010 Summit on Racism is scheduled for May 20, 2010 at Hope College.
Registration will begin in April.

Conversational Spanish Classes Reach Level 3

Ottawa County employees participating in Spanish language class

Language Academy
The Diversity Alliance is very excited to be beginning our first Level 3 Spanish Class for Ottawa County employees. The students are a very dedicated group and are passionate about improving their Spanish abilities. The class will focus on vocab, reading and conversation.

In addition, a third Level 2 Spanish Class for Ottawa County is also underway. The class will challenge the students to move into looking at the core issues of the language such as verb conjugations.

The Diversity Alliance continues to applaud Ottawa County for providing the opportunity to it's employees to enhance their skills and better serve the Spanish speaking population.

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

Waiting for Spring

The Great Start Collaborative Project
Surveys and focus group meetings will resume this spring due to the onset of winter weather conditions.

Haiti Earthquake

Holland City Council Declares January 26, 2010, "A Day for Haiti in Holland, Michigan" and encourages residents of this community to actively participate in the local relief efforts for the millions of people harmed by this tragedy.
[read more]

Charter for Compassion

The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the center of our world and put another there, and to honor the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.
[visit website]

Wear Your Support

Thanks to our Diversity Champions & Partners

Diversity Champions

Diversity Partners

Consider supporting the Diversity Alliance.
[learn more]

Stand Up. Sign Up.

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]

Job Opportunities

Disability Network Lakeshore is accepting applicants for a Nursing Facility Transition Coordinator position and an Accountant position.

Muskegon CALL 2-1-1 accepting applicants for a Call Specialist position that provides telephone Information and Referral regarding community health and human services.

U.S. Census Bureau is accepting applications for temporary, part-time Census Takers. Bi-lingual individuals are encouraged to apply.

Miami Workers Center (in Florida) is accepting applications for a Communications Associate and an Online Organizer positions.

[learn more]

2010-01-19 Holland Sentinel "Candlelight civil rights march celebrates King's call"
Holland, MI -

The refrain from "This Little Light of Mine" echoed off the streets of Holland Monday evening as about 20 people carrying lit candles celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a march from Rosa Parks Green to Imagine Fellowship.
[read more]

2010-01-08 The Holland Sentinel "2010 Summit on Racism bringing Tatum, Campolo"
Organizers are hoping the 2010 Summit on Racism will bring people together - and not just for one day.
[read more]

2010-01-07 New York Times "The Messiah Complex"
Director James Cameron takes an old formula to a new level in "Avatar." But is it offensive?
[read more]

2009-12-11 State of Michigan "Michigan Environmental Justice Plan"
On November 21, 2007, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm issued Executive Directive No. 2007-23 charging the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) with developing and implementing a state environmental justice plan to promote environmental justice in Michigan. This document is intended to satisfy the requirement of this executive directive, both by providing general guidance and recommendations for all state departments and by providing a specific plan for the DEQ.
[download]

[view more] news and resources

Black History Month: February
Chinese New Year: February 14
Mardi Gras: February 16
World Day of Social Justice: February 20
Women's History Month: March

Community Reading Project: Three Cups of Tea

The GVSU Meijer Campus in Holland is pleased to be participating in the 5th annual Community Reading Project. This year's book selection, Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson, tells the story of Mortenson's adventure and commitment to building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Listen to the Wind: Weaving Cultural Understanding

February 13, 10:00am at Holland Area Arts Council

BaFa BaFa: A Cross-Cultural Simulation Game, presented by the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance

March 18, 7:00pm at GVSU Meijer Campus

Interdisciplinary Panel Discussion

March 25, 7:00pm at GVSU Meijer Campus

Community Discussion Groups

April 01, 7:00pm at GVSU Meijer Campus

Author Visit: Greg Mortenson

April 06, 2:30pm at Herrick District Library

April 06th, 7:00pm at GVSU Allendale Campus

[view flier]
[visit website]

Latin Americans United for Progress 2010 Classes
January-April

English as a Second Language
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm
Basic Computer Classes (Bi-Lingual in Spanish)
Mondays, 9:00am-12:00pm and 6:00-9:00pm
Advanced Computer Classes (Bi-Lingual in Spanish)
Tuesdays, 9:00am-12:00pm and 6:00-9:00pm
Spanish GED Prep Class
Thursdays, Fridays, 6:00-9:00pm

To register, contact Leroy at (616) 393-5058.

All For One Dance Program Free 1-Day Sign Up
January 30, 8:45am
Holland Area Arts Council
Zumba, Hip-Hop/Modern and Mexican Folklorico
Email moonchild1993@yahoo.com or call (616) 298-8895

Belhar Confession Presentation
February 01, 4:00-5:00pm at Mass Conference Room, Hope College, Holland
Chris Rice, Co-Director of The Center for Reconciliation, Duke Divinity School, will present, "Racial Reconciliation in Christian Organizations".
The Belhar Confession is an "outcry of faith" because, in our racial separation, "the truth of the gospel is at stake." Written in South African under apartheid, the confession also speaks prophetically about the American church.

Diversity Lecture Series XV - Angela Davis "Frameworks for Social Justice"
February 10, 7:00-9:00pm at Fountain Street Church
[view flier]

Soul Food Festival
February 24, 4:30-6:30pm at Hope College, Phelps and Cook Dining Halls

[view more] events in our community.