MARCH 2008

BEFORE MARCH 1, 2008: CONTRIBUTE TO SUMMER CAMP FOR POOR ESL STUDENTS

A local non-profit seeks a critical $3,000 in donations to fund a successful Summer Camp for poor ESL students, ages 5-10, left at home in Albemarle County. $1,000 pays for the Albemarle County school bus transportation at 8:30am and 4:30pm for three weeks; $600 for the insurance; $1,400 for the two directors. These necessary funds, received by March 1, allow volunteer counselor recruitment to happen from the local high schools as well as securing a place where the campers can work on reading, writing and language skills. For more information and/or to contribute, please contact Frances Lee-Vandell (434) 293-9893 or f.lee-vandell@juno.com Donations are tax deductible to ESL Day Camp of the Blue Ridge, a 501(c)(3) organization.

MARCH 5, 2008: ELEVENTH ANNUAL HISPANIC LAW CONFERENCE AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY: LATINO PERSPECTIVES ON THE 2008 ELECTION

American University Washington College of Law provides through its annual Hispanic Law Conference a forum for the promotion of issues that affect the Latino community, both nationally and internationally. The conference is held annually in the spring as part of WCL's Founders' Celebration, and is the most important event for the WCL Latino community, bringing together a unique mix of personalities devoted to the progress of Latinos/as in the U.S. and in the region. SOCIAL MENTORING (10 am – 12:15 pm): The focus of these sessions is to expose high school and junior college Latino/a students to a wide range of higher education alternatives and opportunities. It is conducted by members of the American University community and the Hispanic College Fund. CAREER FORUM (3:30 – 5 pm): This will offer JD and LL.M. students from the Washington College of Law and other law schools an opportunity to interact and exchange information with representatives of organizations in the private, public, and non-profit sectors during the table-talk career forum. LATINO PERSPECTIVES ON THE 2008 ELECTION (5 – 6:30 pm): The debate will be among representatives of the major political parties interactively addressing the questions raised by law students from the U.S. and Latin America. For more information, visit http://www.wcl.american.edu/hispanic/

MARCH 11, 2008: FREE CARPENTRY CLASSES AT PVCC

The Construction Academy is offering the following free classes for Spanish speakers: First Aid/CPR/AED, OSHA 10, Blueprint reading, Communication Skills, Employability, Hand and Power Tools, Construction Math & Basic Carpentry. This series runs from March 11 to June 22, Tuesday and Thursday, 6-9pm at PVCC. A Spanish flyer is available on the CJ website at http://www.cj-network.org/comm_ann.htmlContact Caitilin Mohr for registration information (English and Spanish) 434 961-6523, cmohr@pvcc.edu

MARCH 12, 2008: IMMIGRATION AND HEALTH CARE: WHAT ARE THE POLICY CHOICES?

Immigration and health care rank among the top issues for voters in the 2008 presidential election. On Wednesday, March 12, at 3 p.m., the Kaiser Family Foundation's live, interactive webcast http://www.kaisernetwork.org/todaystopics/12mar08 series, Today's Topics In Health Disparities, will explore "Immigration and Health Care: What are the Policy Choices?"

The webcast will examine the influence that immigration policies have on federal and state decisions about access to health care and coverage. The panel will focus on questions such as: How is the immigrant population defined in the U.S.? What are the health coverage and access to care challenges facing legal and undocumented immigrants? How have states, local governments and health providers differed in their approaches to addressing the health care needs of recent immigrants? What impact will these decisions have on racial/ethnic health disparities? PANELISTS: * Tom Perez, M.P.P., J.D., secretary, Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, former director of Office for Civil Rights * Leighton Ku, M.P.H., Ph.D., professor of Health Policy, George Washington University School of Public Health & Health Services * Steven Camarota, Ph.D., director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies
The discussion will be moderated by Marsha Lillie-Blanton, Dr.P.H., senior advisor on race, ethnicity and health care for the Kaiser Family Foundation. When: March 12, 2008, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Event details http://www.kff.org/outlook/TodayTopics121407.vcs

MARCH 13, 2008: CJ PLENARY - ROUNDTABLE

Every month, Creciendo Juntos (CJ) organizes a plenary session open to the public. The plenaries are typically 90 minutes long, include a speaker and related question and answer or discussion period, and end with announcements. The plenaries are an important communication and training tool, providing useful information about the Latino community and the issues they confront and about programs, events, policy, and resources related to it. Every three or four months, the CJ plenary is a roundtable where service providers and others take turns describing new and ongoing services being provided to area Latinos, share resources, and network. The March plenary will include an overview of February’s plenary helping participants to increase their knowledge about and pull resources to enhance their agency’s outreach efforts. It will also contain a roundtable, allowing participants to describe their Latino oriented programs or ask other service providers about there. There will also be a quick tour of the CJ website to enhance service provider’s use and benefit from it. Plenaries begin at 10 am in Room A of the Albemarle County Office Building on 5th Street Extended (exit 120 off of 64). For more information, contact Peter Loach at peterl@piedmonthousing.org

THRU MARCH 15, 2008: UVA STUDENT LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Third-year UVA Spanish and Anthropology double-major seeks volunteer opportunities working with Latinos.  She prefers social work related experience in which she can use her Spanish.  For more information, contact Reisha R. Carter at rrc6d@virginia.edu or (804)450-0325

THRU MARCH 15, 2008: MACAA NEEDS REPRESENTATION FROM CLIENTS - REFER YOUR LATINO CLIENTS

MACAA (Monticello Area Community Action Agency) needs low-income residents to join its Board of Directors. Representatives will attend meetings on the last Tuesday of the month to help set policy and represent the needs of MACAA clients! If you have Latino clients who could represent this community or need more information, call Rudy Beverly at 295-3171, ext. 3026.

BEFORE MARCH 15, 2008: THE BRIDGE PROGRESSIVE ARTS INITIATIVE SEEKING 3 PARTICIPANTS FOR A WORKSHOP : REFER YOUR LATINO YOUTH!

The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative ( www.thebridgepai.com) is seeking three Latino-Hispanic youth between the ages of 12-17 to take part in a 3 day writing and painting workshop at The Bridge in Charlottesville. The workshop centers around the themes of personal identity and our relationship to the natural world. Participants will be asked to contribute their vision to the completion of a collaborative mural painting which will be on display to the public as part of the exhibition Recent Paintings: New work by Steve Kelly, this April at The Bridge (next to Spudnuts). The workshop is comprised of two separate sessions: A/ Tuesday, March 25th, 2008: An afternoon Writing Workshop for Youth w/ poet John Casteen. 3:30-5:30 p.m.  Students will explore themes of identity and the natural world through select writings and resources. B/ Wednesday, April 2nd & Thursday, April 3rd, 2008: 2 day Painting Workshop for Youth with visiting artist Steve Kelly. 3:30-5:30 p.m. both days. Students will work to complete a collaborative mural-size painting based upon images and symbols discovered in their work the week before. For further details please contact: Greg Kelly   greg@thebridgepai.com 434.242.0905 

MARCH 15, 2008: APPLICATIONS DUE FOR PRESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR FOUR-YEAR OLD CHILDREN IN THE CITY

The Preschool Program of the Charlottesville City Schools is now accepting applications for their 3 and 4 year-old classes for the upcoming 2008-2009 school year. The Preschool Program is open to City residents – including Latinos -  who may qualify based on financial or educational need. Applications will be accepted through March 15, 2008. Applications for 4-yr-old preschool are due on March 15, 2008. Applications for 3-yr-old preschool are due on March 28, 2008.

Visit http://www.ccs.k12.va.us/programs/preschool.html  for more information or an English application or contact Eursaline Inge at 245-2813 or Eleanor.Barrese@ccs.k12.va.us Also contact Eursaline or Eleanor if you require a Spanish language application.

MARCH 19, 2008: BLACK BEANS AND FRIED RICE: CULTURAL COMPETENCE FOR SOCIAL WORK PROFESSIONALS

This is a continuing education activity presented by the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work, designed for social workers and their community partners.

With the increasing diversity in our communities, social workers and other helping professionals are responding to situations that challenge us to engage with individuals whose world views may be very different from our own. How will we develop the extensive knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to intervene in ways that are appropriate and effective? Dr. Humberto Fabelo, Dr. Peter Nguyen, and Dr. Tatyana Thweatt will draw upon their extensive experience as clinicians and educators to share strategies for working with Asian, Asian American, and Latino/Hispanic populations, as well as principles of cultural competence and communication that must guide our work with all culturally different individuals.

Date/Time: March 19, 2008 · 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. / Location: Virginia Commonwealth University, University Student Commons - Virginia Rooms C & D, 907 Floyd Ave. Richmond, VA 23284-2032. To register and for more information: http://www.vcu.edu/slwweb/ceprogram/upcoming.html

MARCH 24, 2008: IMMIGRANTS' RIGHTS PANEL DISCUSSION

Over one hundred bills introduced in Virginia's General Assembly this year unfairly targeted illegal immigrants. If passed, many would increase discrimination against all immigrants regardless of legal status, as well as violate the civil liberties of Virginia residents. This legislation is clearly indicative of nation-wide immigration issues. Come hear Hope Amezquita, Legislative Counsel of the ACLU of Virginia, Prof. Richard Barnett, Expert Witness in political asylum cases, and Prof. Doug Ford,Immigration Attorney at the Charlottesville Legal Aid Justice Center speak on the importance of upholding civil liberties while reforming immigration law. Question and answer session to follow.Sponsored by ACLU at UVA, the Minority Rights Coalition and La Alianza. Snacks will be provided. Monday, March 24th at 8pm in the Newcomb Commonwealth Room.  Contact carla@virginia.edu for more information.

MARCH 25, 2008: HISPANIC CULTURE NIGHT AT BLUE RIDGE COMMONS

On Tuesday March 25th, Charlottesville Abundant Life Ministries and Blue Ridge Commons will be holding an Hispanic Culture Night. The evening will be an opportunity for all residents, Spanish-speakers and non-Spanish speakers alike, to enjoy food and music and learn from the culture of their neighbors. Participants are asked to bring something from their background to share, such as food, artwork, clothing, music, etc. The celebration will run from 6:30 - 8:00 pm in the Neighborhood Network Center of Blue Ridge Commons. We are now especially looking for contributions of food from local restaurants (and any individuals!) who would like to join us in our festivities. We invite anyone to come who would like to meet the residents that we serve in the Prospect Avenue community! Please contact Samantha Ley at samjley@gmail.com or 970-2016 with any questions.

MARCH 26, 2008: THE ART OF POLITICAL MURDER: WHO KILLED THE BISHOP

This Virginia Festival of the Book presentation will feature novelist Francisco Goldman, who will discuss his non-fiction book on the political murder of Guatemalan Bishop Msgr. Juan Gerardi. Hosted by UVa Spanish Department, UVa History Department. Location: UVA Bookstore, 400 Emmet Street S (924-3721). At 6:00 pm. Event details at: http://www.vabook.org/site08/program/details.php?eventID=179

MARCH 28, 2008: APPLICATIONS DUE FOR PRESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR THREE YEAR OLD CHILDREN IN THE CITY

The Preschool Program of the Charlottesville City Schools is now accepting applications for their 3 and 4 year-old classes for the upcoming 2008-2009 school year. The Preschool Program is open to City residents – including Latinos -  who may qualify based on financial or educational need. Applications will be accepted through March 15, 2008. Applications for 4-yr-old preschool are due on March 15, 2008. Applications for 3-yr-old preschool are due on March 28, 2008.

Visit http://www.ccs.k12.va.us/programs/preschool.html  for more information or an English application or contact Eursaline Inge at 245-2813 or Eleanor.Barrese@ccs.k12.va.us Also contact Eursaline or Eleanor if you need a Spanish language application.

MARCH 28, 2008: BENEFIT DINNER FOR THE PEOPLE UNITED'S BORDER CROSSING ACTION

On Friday, March 28, 2008, at 7:00 pm, at the Sojourners United Church of Christ, 1017 Elliott Avenue, Charlottesville, VA (Corner of Elliott and Monticello), the Virginia pro-immigrant group People United will sponsor a benefit dinner for their Boarder Crossing Action. There will be traditional Latin American food, songs of struggle by Grupo sin Fronteras, and original art work for sale. Admission by Donation. For more information: (434) 906-0421, info@thepeopleunited.org , www.thepeopleunited.org

MARCH 28, 2008: IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION: STORIES

During this Virginia Festival of the Book encounter, William Poy Lee ( The Eighth Promise), H.G. Carrillo ( Loosing My Espanish), Marsha Mehran ( Pomegranate Soup), and Nahid Rachlin ( Persian Girls: A Memoir) share their stories. Location: UVA Bookstore, 400 Emmet Street S (924-3721). At 6:00 pm. Event details at: http://www.vabook.org/site08/program/details.php?eventID=124

MARCH 28, 2008: APPLICATIONS DUE FOR PRESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR THREE YEAR OLD CHILDREN IN THE CITY

The Preschool Program of the Charlottesville City Schools is now accepting applications for their 3 and 4 year-old classes for the upcoming 2008-2009 school year. The Preschool Program is open to City residents – including Latinos - who may qualify based on financial or educational need. Applications will be accepted through March 15, 2008. Applications for 4-yr-old preschool are due on March 15, 2008. Applications for 3-yr-old preschool are due on March 28, 2008.

Visit http://www.ccs.k12.va.us/programs/preschool.html for more information or an English application or contact Eursaline Inge at 245-2813 or Eleanor.Barrese@ccs.k12.va.us Also contact Eursaline or Eleanor if you need a Spanish language application.

MARCH 29, 2008: HOW I LEARNED ENGLISH

This Virginia Festival of the Book presentation features Salvadoran performance poet and artist Quique Aviles, Cuban-born novelist H.G. Carrillo, and Tom Miller, who discuss the anthology How I Learned English -- and Latino experiences in the United States. Location: Carver Recreation Center, 223 4 th Street NW (293-2259). At 12:00 p.m. Event details at: http://www.vabook.org/site08/program/details.php?eventID=122

MARCH 29, 2008: ROSA MONTERO: AN AFTERNOON WITH THE SPANISH JOURNALIST AND NOVELIST

This Virginia Festival of the Book reading in Spanish and English is with Rose Montero, one of Spain's best-known contemporary writers. Sponsored by UVa Spanish Department. Location: UVA Culbreth Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd (924-3376). At 4:00 p.m. Event details at: http://www.vabook.org/site08/program/details.php?eventID=33

MARCH 29, 2008: SMART BEGINNINGS EXPO

The local Smart Beginnings Initiative is sponsoring an Expo with the Virginia Festival of the Book on this Saturday between 10 am and Noon. The event will be in the Carver Recreation Center, 223 4 th Street, downtown (opposite Staples). There will be entertainment, storytellers, prizes, and other activities. For more information call 972-1702 or visit http://www.unitedwaytja.org/SmartBeginnings.shtml For a Spanish language flyer: http://www.unitedwaytja.org/Smart%20Beginnings/ExpoFlyer_Spanish.pdf

MARCH 31, 2008: ARLINGTON DIVERSITY CAREER FAIR: "PROMOTING DIVERSITY & CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WORKFORCE"

Attention Hispanics, Women and Other Minorities! Employers are seeking entry level individuals and experienced personnel in Engineering (systems, network, software, sales, process, electronic, & IT), Web & Business Developers, Intelligence/Signal/Crypt Analysts, Operations, and Financial Analysts, Accounting, Banking Tellers, Law Enforcement, Firefighters, Police/Security, FBI Agents, Linguists, Health Care (Nurses, VN/RN, Radiology, Surgical, OR, Public Health, Pharmacists, SocialWorker), Store Managers, Cashiers, Grocery, Produce, Training & Human Resources, Educators/Teachers, SalesExecutives, Marketing/Hotel Mgmt, & others. 12 pm - 5 pm Career Fair Opens. Location: Holiday Inn (Rosslyn Metro Station) 1900 N. Fort Meyer Dr., Arlington, VA 22209. Hotel Phone: 703-807-2000 (directions only/free parking)

All Applicants Welcomed - FREE ADMISSION*BRING RESUMES - For more information, write or call: The National Hispanic Reporter, P.O. Box 70901, Washington, DC 20024, Ph. 202-489-9317, Fax 208-978-8600, e-mail: nhrdc@aol.com . Booths are still available

MARCH 31 – APRIL 4, 2008: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SEEKING COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES WITH LATINO COMMUNITY

Six Tandem Friends high school students, all with some level of Spanish, seek service opportunities in the Latino community during the week of March 31 – April 4. Contact Rhonda Miska at rmm@incarnationparish.org