SEPTEMBER 2007

SEPTEMBER 2007: INTERPRETERS NEEDED!

The Bright Stars Program at Greer Elementary School provides a full-day preschool program for 32 four-year-old children. The mission of the program is to increase the opportunities for our children and their families by promoting family involvement and addressing risk factors that affect school performance. There are two classrooms with 16 children in each, along with a teacher and assistant teacher. Jan Pandy and Ilene Railton, from Albemarle Social Services, are the Family Coordinators who do home visits and work together with the families to help them meet their personal, economic, medical and social needs. The Latino population in our Bright Stars Program is growing: last year we had one Spanish speaking family, this year we have eleven!! We are looking for members of the community who can provide interpreting services to our Latino parents when we do home visits. In September and October we will be visiting all our families to do a Family Needs Assessment. Other visits will be done on at least a quarterly basis. The Program has funding to pay for interpreters. For more information please call Ilene Railton, Bright Stars Family Coordinator at Greer School, 973-8371, x157.

SEPTEMBER 2007: PVCC CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY – SPANISH LANGUAGE LIST OF CLASSES

The Construction Academy at PVCC offers training programs in the construction trades, preparing students to enter the industry at the "helper level". Through this program, students are able to learn basic carpentry and masonry skills, improve their math skills, learn the basics of print reading, and receive OSHA-10 certification. All this useful knowledge will prepare them for jobs with local contractors. The Construction Academy also offers contractor licensing and management preparation courses. For more information, contact Caitilin Mohr at (434) 961-6523 or cmohr@pvcc.edu The Construction Academy fall offerings are now available in Spanish (and English) at: http://www.pvcc.edu/WorkforceServices/programs/construction.htm

SEPTEMBER 2007: TIME FOR LATINOS TO SIGN UP FOR LIBRARY CARDS

The Jefferson Madison Regional Library has declared September as the month for signing up for library cards and has prepared a press release and flyers for this initiative. To view and print out these Spanish language materials visit the Library Cards & Use section of Printed Materials in Spanish at http://www.cj-network.org/resource_sp.html For more information contact Jacqueline Lichtman at jlichtma@jmrl.org

SEPTEMBER 2007: CVILLE FIRE CORPS SEEKING LATINO TO JOIN ITS COUNCIL

The Charlottesville Fire Corps is looking for a representative from the Hispanic community to serve on its council. The council's mission is To enhance the Charlottesville Fire Department effectiveness with non- operational activities by providing outreach, education and communication to the Charlottesville community and support for the City's firefighters. Council members will be expected to: attend regularly scheduled meetings, lead and/or serve on Corps activity teams, be a positive voice for the Charlottesville Fire Department in the community and volunteer their time, skills, and knowledge. If you, or someone you know, would like to serve on the council, or if you would like more info, please contact Linda Seaman at linda_seaman@hotmail.com

SEPTEMBER 7, 2007: LUNCH IN SPANISH

Were you one of the people who enjoyed Lunching in Spanish at United Way? The lunches will start again on Friday, September 7. Bring your friends or work colleagues or meet new folks and don’t forget to bring your lunch too. Native speakers, persons learning Spanish or just wanting to practice it, are all welcomed. The lunches will be held on the first Friday of every month for an hour starting at noon (so please be punctual). As before, they will be held at United Way (downtown close to Court Square). To make sure there is a space, contact: Martha Trujillo at mtrujillo@unitedwaytja.org For other opportunities to practice or learn Spanish, visit http://www.cj-network.org/learn_sp.html

SEPTEMBER 10, 2007: TWENTY YEARS ON THE FRONTLINES OF IMMIGRANT ADVOCACY

Debi Sanders graduated from UVa Law in 1978 and founded and directed for 20 years the Capital Area Immigrants' Rights [CAIR] Coalition. CAIR is a partner with UVa Law's Immigration Program in the Immigrant Jail Outreach Program [training forthcoming later in September]. She has been a leader in not only advocating for disempowered immigrants, but in partnering with the private bar on pro bono programs and creating forums for dialog with federal immigration agencies. Sander’s talk on her immigrant advocacy experience will take place in the Law School on Monday, September 10, at noon in WB 126. It is Sponsored by the Immigration Law Program and the Mortimer Caplin Public Service Center. For more information contact Doug Ford at doug@justice4all.org or Kimberly Emery at lawprobono@virginia.edu

SEPTEMBER 14 – OCTOBER 13, 2007: CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH A GREAT PLAY

As the first production of its 17th Season, Live Arts proudly presents Sarah Ruhl’s The Clean House, directed by Amanda McRaven. The Clean House will run in the two-story DownStage Theater September 14 through October 13, 2007. Lane, a successful upper middle-class woman, hires a Brazilian maid, Matilde, to clean her house. But Matilde would much rather tell jokes instead. The situation grows more complicated when Lane’s sister Virginia gets involved. Lane’s surgeon husband Charles and a charming patient further stoke the fire. In the end, the quirky yet endearing cast of characters finds a place in each other’s hearts and is sure to do so in those of the audience as well. The Clean House offers a reinvigorated look at the notion that houses and housekeeping provide a window into a person’s soul. Lane, a busy doctor, sees her life become cluttered and disheveled. Matilde and Virginia try to help, though their own lives are hardly models. When Charles brings a mysterious stranger into the picture, the new woman infuses her charisma and her free spirited outlook into the lives of everyone around her. Amanda McRaven is directing the Live Arts production of The Clean House. McRaven has a long history with Live Arts, and was Assistant Director for the Lincoln Center production of this play. For more information: 434/977-4177, education@livearts.org or www.livearts.org

SEPTEMBER 14, 2007: CLVAS IS HIRING FOR A BILINGUAL POSITION

Central Virginia Legal Aid Society seeks a Bilingual (English/Spanish) Receptionist/Intake/Legal Assistant for the Charlottesville office. Hours 8:30 - 5:00 weekdays; salary $23,000 per year plus excellent benefits. Please send resume and list of references to CVLAS Hiring, 1000 Preston Avenue, Suite B, Charlottesville, VA 22903. CVLAS is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Minorities, women, disabled persons and older adults are encouraged to apply. Resumes will be accepted until position is filled. For additional information contact Maria (Charo) Mina-Rojas (charo@vlas.org or 296-8851) or Victoria Burnley-Rush (Victoria@cvlas.org or 296-8851)

SEPTEMBER 15, 2007: CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE DAY AT SOUTHWOOD

The 15th of September marks the day of independence from Spain for Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. This year on Saturday, September 15, 2007, CJ’s Health Promoter Working Group is hosting a Hispanic Heritage Help Fair in Southwood to celebrate diversity and to provide Latinos in Southwood with community resources and opportunities to interact with a variety of local service providers.

The Fair will be held in the Southwood parking lot (in front of the store and the Boys & Girls Club). Exhibit “set up” will begin at 9 am, the fair will open at 10 am and end at 2 pm.

Participation in this celebration is limited because of space. To ensure your agency a spot contact Lindsey Holcomb at lindseyh@ntelos.net or (434) 295-7273 for a registration form. Offers to volunteer to coordinate an activity for children or to donate raffle prizes or food can also be directed to Lindsey.

A flyer for the fair is located at http://www.cj-network.org/cjcomm_ann/SWfairflyer.doc

SEPTEMBER 15, 2007: ¿QUÉ PASA? LATIN AMERICAN FESTIVAL IN RICHMOND

The Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is holding its 6th annual ¿Qué Pasa? Festival on Saturday, September 15, 2007 from 12:00 pm to 8:00pm. The ¿Qué Pasa? Festival is held in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. (September 15 – October 15) The Hispanic culture will be celebrated through music, food, arts, crafts and dance. The Festival includes: headliner musical talent; folkloric dancing performances; arts and activities; authentic food vendors showcasing various types of Hispanic foods from several regions; a kid’s area and much more. For more information go to www.quepasafestival.com

SEPTEMBER 16, 2007: IMMIGRANT SOLIDARITY CARAVAN COMES TO CHARLOTTESVILLE

Last week, almost 10,000 immigrants marched for their rights in Prince William County, VA. They acted to overturn a resolution by the county board of supervisors that would deny public services to undocumented immigrants, legalize racial profiling and require local officers to enforce federal immigration law. Come to hear their stories and to talk about how we can organize our own immigrant solidarity community here locally. A traditional Latin-American meal will be offered free of charge after the discussion. The activity is on Sunday, September 16 at 3:00 pm, at the Church of the Incarnation (behind Toys R Us on 29N). For more information contact Jeff Winder (434) 906-0421 or info@thepeopleunited.org

SEPTEMBER 18, 2007: SUPPORT SERVICES FOR VETERANS – GET THE WORD OUT TO LATINO VETS

The Thomas Jefferson Area Veterans Council, with the help of Ray Patterson, will provide a talk on Support Services for Veterans at the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, from 12:34 – 4 pm. For an hour, beginning at l:00, the keynote speaker, Ray Patterson, will discuss the emerging needs of today’s veterans, the demands on family, service providers, homeless veterans, and where to seek help. Mr. Patterson is a LCSW who works for the Hunter Holmes McGuire Medical Center as its program coordinator for health care for homeless veterans. There will be a Service Provider’s Informational Health Fair from 2:50 – 4 pm. To register and reserve a table for your display, contact Pedro.Ortiz@VEC.Virginia.Gov (Setups should be completed before 1 pm).

Pedro Ortiz has been doing job services for the Virginia Employment Commission (McIntyre & Preston), helping people find jobs, for four years. He wants to do more outreach to the Latino vets population “since they seem to be invisible in my daily work with veterans.” Everyone is encouraged to advise Latino vets about this event.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2007: FORUM – THE HEALTH PROMOTER MODEL

The health promoter (promotor de salud) model has been used successfully in Latin America to enhance health services to underserved populations. The model utilizes informal support systems in communities, typically training several members as “promotores” who, in turn, engage and inform their neighbors on important health issues and connect them to medical services. On Friday, September 21, 2007, the CJ Health Promoter Working Group will provide a forum on this model. Speakers will include coordinators of Virginia organizations that have experience training and deploying “promotores”, including Karen Bunn, from Richmond’s Cross Over Ministries Hispanic Health Education Program; Joyce Sanchez from Harrisonburg’s Promotoras de Salud, Blue Ridge AHEC; and Jan Wolfe, CJ member from the Rural Health Outreach Program/RHOP. Other speakers include Lindsey Holscomb who will talk about the new promoter program that the Sexual Assault Resource Agency plans to implement, and Dilcia Colindres, from the Shelter for Help in Emergencies, who, several years ago, was trained by RHOP as a promoter. The forum will end with a question and answer period. The event is free, open to the public, and will be held from 10 to noon in Room A of the Albemarle County Office Building on 5th Street Extended (exit 120 off of 64). For more information, contact Lindsey Holcomb at lindseyh@ntelos.net

SEPTEMBER 28 – OCTOBER 17, 2007: TALKING PHOTOGRAPHS - STUDENTS SHARE LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES IN EL SALVADOR

In May 2007, seven U.Va. students traveled to El Salvador to learn from Salvadoran women, men, and youth working for social justice through the course “Women in Central America: Local Activism in Global Perspective.” These students will describe their experiences and impressions at the opening of their collaborative photographic exhibit of images taken during their course on September 28, 2007 from 4 – 6pm at Kaleidoscope Center, Newcomb Hall. The exhibit will continue until October 17. Sponsored by the UVa Women's Center. Contact: cnk2r@virginia.edu

SEPTEMBER 28, 2007: FIESTA DE HERENCIA HISPANA

To commemorate Hispanic heritage month, Incarnation will have its annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Friday, Sept 28. Doors open at 5:30, a traditional Latin American dinner is served from 6-7, followed by music and dance performances by local Latino youth and adults. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children 3-12 years old. The event is located at the parish hall at Incarnation (29N, behind Toys R Us). For tickets, contact the Incarnation parish office at 973-4381.