The Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity
Alliance works to dismantle barriers to ensure people of all ethnic
background have equal access and opportunity to participate fully in the
life of the community. view expanded mission statement...
Mailing | P.O. Box 2945, Holland, MI 49422 Phone | (616) 846-9074 Office | 665 136th Ave, Holland, MI 49424 map...    
In 1996, the knowledge that an African-American family had moved out of the community because they were not welcome or accepted spurred 18 concerned lakeshore residents to meet for the first time, determined to transform acceptance of racial and ethnic diversity into effective action for racial harmony. With the intent to address racial intolerance, dismantle racial barriers, celebrate diversity, and empower residents already accepting of diversity, they founded the North Ottawa Ethnic Diversity Alliance, a grassroots, volunteer-driven non-profit organization based in the Tri-Cities area of Grand Haven, Ferrysburg and Spring Lake. Within two years, programming expanded to meet identified needs in other communities along the Ottawa County lakeshore, including Holland, Muskegon and rural areas where the 12,000 migrant farm workers work and live experience cultural isolation every year. In 1999, renamed the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance to reflect its broader focus, the organization hired an Executive Director and program staff. Today, the Diversity Alliance represents a broad cross-section of interests and cultures, with hundreds of volunteers working on racial healing initiatives throughout the lakeshore region, thousands of residents receiving the organization’s monthly e-newsletter, and dozens of area CEOs and stakeholders engaged in moving the community's vision forward. Unique as a grassroots organization promoting ethnic harmony in a predominately white, non-urban setting, the Diversity Alliance serves as a model for communities nationwide.
We work closely with many organizations to disseminate programs, share resources and collaborate on various projects to promote inclusion, including: · The Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony · City of Holland · City of Grand Haven · Fair Housing Center of Western Michigan · Good Samaritan Ministries · Grand Valley State University · Great Start of Ottawa County · Hello West Michigan · Hispanic Center of Western Michigan · Holland Area Chamber of Commerce · Hope College · Latin Americans United For Progress · Macatawa Resource Center · Michigan Department of Civil Rights · MSU College Assistance for Migrant Scholars Program · MSU High School Equivalency Program (HEP) · Ottawa/Allegan Migrant Resource Council · Ottawa County Mentoring Collaborative · Pathways, MI · Public School Systems of Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon, Zeeland, and West Ottawa · Private Schools: Holland Christian, Corpus Christi, and St. Mary’s Catholic · West Michigan Strategic Alliance To view complete lists of Collaborating Organizations, please visit each program's page here...
The Diversity Alliance, as part of the Holland [Hate Crimes] Community Response System, was recently honored with a 2010 Michigan Alliance Against Hate Crimes Award. view all awards... |
· Gail Harrison, Executive Director leda@ethnicdiversity.org · Saleena Alauddin, Administrative Assistant office@ethnicdiversity.org · Raechel Haller, Operations Director admin@ethnicdiversity.org · Eunice Ruiz, Migrant Programs Caseworker migrant@ethnicdiversity.org · Sarah Salguera, Program Director program@ethnicdiversity.org · Teresa Van Oosterhout, Grant Writer
The Board of Directors, comprised of individuals deeply committed to promoting the understanding an elimination of racism, develops the strategic direction and manages the business and affairs of the organization. · Nancy Haynes, Board President Fair Housing Center of West Michigan · Amy Otis-De Grau, Board Vice President Hope College · Simone Jonaitis, Board Treasurer Grand Valley State University · Zahabia Ahmed-Usmani, Board Secretary · Nancy Collins · Carolina Contreras-Hernandez, Hope College · Rodrigo De Grau, Holland Christian Schools · Jack Dykstra, Holland Police Department · Ruth Hawley-Lowry · Jennifer Legatz · Sharron Netto-Lipsky, Haworth, Inc. · Daina Robinson · Darla Robinson · Luis Ruiz, Christ Memorial Church · Joseph Saenz · Diane Talo, Delton Kellogg Middle School · Aimee Vanden Elzen, Johnson Controls, Inc. · Quincy Williams, Grand Valley State University · Tonia Williams, Priority Health
The CEO Advisory Council, comprised of chief executives and community leaders, helps establish leadership consensus regarding key priorities, action strategies and performance measures that will have the greatest impact on achieving community and organization cultures that are genuinely welcoming and inclusive to all. learn more... · James W.F. Brooks, Board Chair Managing Partner at Brooks Capital Management · Franco Bianchi, President/CEO Haworth, Inc. · Dr. James Bultman, President Hope College · Tony Castillo, Owner Milagro Six, Inc · Noel Cuellar, CEO Primera Plastics · Mayor Kurt Dykstra of Holland · William Fettis, Partner Investment Property Associates, LLC · Thomas Haas, President Grand Valley State University · Nelson Jacobson, President/CEO JSJ Corporation · Dorothy A. Johnson, Trustee W.K. Kellogg Foundation · Larry Koops, Senior Vice President Fifth Third Bank · Rodney Martin, Diversity Partner Warner Norcross & Judd, LLP · Lawrence J. Murphy, Partner Varnum Law, LLP · Dale Nesbary, President Muskegon Community College · Jeffrey Padnos, President Louis Padnos Iron & Metal · Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D., President Davenport University · Lynne Sherwood, Trustee JSJ Corporation Foundation · Dale Sowders, President/CEO Holland Hospital · Alan G. Vanderberg, County Administrator Ottawa County · Brian Walker, President/CEO Herman Miller |
| Publications |
Agency Brochure '09 Annual Report '10 Annual Report Expanded Mission
