SEPTEMBER 2008

NOW: VOLUNTEER TO BE A MENTOR TO A DESERVING CHILD

The most well-known names in children’s programs - the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Boys & Girls Club - would like to expand their efforts into the Cville Latino community. To do so, they need adult mentors (Latino or bilingual preferred but sometimes not necessary) and referrals of Latino children. Time commitments are very compatible with work or study schedules since they are flexible and require only a few hours each week.

Representatives from these groups, as well as from Computers4Kids and Camping for All, were introduced at last week’s CJ Plenary. Computers4Kids indicated they have several limited English speaking students but not enough mentors. For a brief overview of the plenary and contact information for all of these groups, please visit http://www.cj-network.org/cjplmin/2008/CJPlenary091008.doc

Think about helping a child who could greatly benefit from a few hours of your time. Sign up as a mentor and also talk to your colleagues, church and other community groups about doing so.

NOW: VOLUNTEER TO REGISTER LATINOS TO VOTE

In Virginia, roughly 149,000 Hispanics are citizens of voting age, making up nearly 3 percent of the state's eligible voters. That makes it the 28th-largest Hispanic voter population in the U.S. (Pew Hispanic Center, 9/2008).

Join the local Obama campaign, registering Latinos to vote and talking with them about Obama. Our next door to door canvassing effort in Latino neighborhoods will be Saturday, September 20, from 10 am – the afternoon. For information or to volunteer to help out some of all of Saturday, contact Toby Lyons, Latino Outreach Coordinator for Obama in Charlottesville, at (434) 760-0604 or toblerkl@yahoo.com

NOW: BILINGUAL LAWYERS NEEDED TO HELP OUT ON ELECTION DAY The VA Promote the Vote Program is seeking bilingual lawyers and law students to help protect and promote the vote at polling places on Election Day (and will consider non-lawyers able to provide language assistance). If you are a bilingual lawyer and/or if you have contacts of bilingual lawyers and law students that would be able to help on E-Day please sign up online at: http://my.barackobama.com/counselforchange and contact Rita Aguilar at raguilar@vaobamaforchange.com

NOW: VOLUNTEER TO SURVEY LATINO NEIGHBORHOODS

As part of a state-wide effort, the American Red Cross and Creciendo Juntos are seeking proficient Spanish speakers to serve as community volunteers to conduct a two-part survey in Charlottesville addressing both fire safety and motives behind Latino immigration. Canvassing will occur throughout the fall, and locations include local Charlottesville Latino neighborhoods and community events. In addition to conducting the survey, volunteers will be asked to briefly educate residents on fire safety and to hand out information on community resources that are available to local Latinos. UVA Students and other interested in participating in this effort should contact Amy Frazier Yoder, frazieryoder@virginia.edu or visit http://cville-survey.wikispaces.com The results of the survey, being conducted in Cville, Richmond and elsewhere, will be presented at an all day forum in Richmond on December 5.

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 17, 2008: EL SALVADOR : A TRAVELING EXHIBIT OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND INTERVIEWS

Local photographer Peggy Harrison is exhibiting compelling images about the lives of Salvadoran women and their families at UVA’s Newcomb Hall Art Gallery. Cosponsored by Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, the Parents Program, the Office of Diversity and Equity, and the AKC Fund. For more information, contact Peggy Harrison at (434) 963-7852 or p@peggyharrison.com

BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER - SATURDAY MORNINGS: FREE SPANISH CONVERSATION CLASS

Spain on Main is offering free Sat chat classes in Spanish, every Saturday morning at 9am-10am in its classroom at the Pink Building.

Spain on Main offers many Spanish classes, from beginners to advance, and offers a 15% discount to CJ members. Check out the list of classes at: http://www.spainonmain.com If you don’t see anything there you like or need, as a group or individual, contact Christina Ball at 825-4390

SEPTEMBER 9, 2008: ENGLISH CLASSES BEGIN AT SOUTHWOOD

Albemarle County Schools will be starting up English classes for adults in Southwood on 9/9/08. Classes, for beginners and advanced learners, will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, in the Habitat building (store). They cost $25 a semestre. Classes will run the course of the school year. For more information, contact Paula Mehring at (434) 295-7936. A Spanish language flyer is at: http://www.cj-network.org/cjcomm_ann/docs_2008/FlyerEngClasses.doc

SEPTEMBER 9, 2008: WE HAVE TO DREAM WHILE AWAKE - COURAGE AND CHANGE IN EL SALVADOR

Panel discussion and reception with: Tico Braun (History), Rae Blumberg (Sociology), Linda Hemby (U.S./El Salvador human rights activist), Sharon Davie, Women’s Center Executive Director, Roberta A. Culbertson, Director, Research and Education, and others. The Art Gallery, Newcomb Hall. Tuesday, September 9, 7:00–8:30 p.m. Cosponsored by Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. Free and all are welcome. For more information: cle9y@eservices.virginia.edu A flyer is available at: http://www.cj-network.org/cjcomm_ann/docs_2008/ESPanelFlyer.pdf

SEPTEMBER 10, 2008: CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN SYSTEMS OF CARE CONFERENCE

. The 2008 Cultural & Linguistic Competency Conference will be held Wednesday, September 10, 2008, to Friday, September 12, 2008, in Portsmouth, Virginia at the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel & Waterfront Conference Center. This year's conference is sponsored by the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, the Workforce Advisory Council, and Cultural Competency Steering Committee.

This conference will focus on cultural and linguistic competence in systems of care. As individuals and organizations in Virginia continue their journey to strive to implement cultural and linguistic competence, the conference brings many exciting opportunities for growth and learning to create a roadmap for the next leg of our trip. Sessions conducted by presenters recognized at the national and state level will challenge participants to learn the impact of public policy and ethical issues among linguistic & culturally diverse populations; adaptation of evidence based practices in culturally diverse populations; the importance of linguistics, "color blind to color rich"; and to hear from a multicultural consumer panel as well as a multicultural nursing workforce. An integral part of our journey is to develop culturally and linguistically competent, community-based systems of care across Virginia.

For a conference schedule, registration form, or other information, please contact Cecily.Rodriguez@co.dmhmrsas.virginia.gov or 804/786-5872

SEPTEMBER 10, 2008: ROUNDTABLE – LEARNING FROM, CONTRIBUTING TO, AND NETWORKING WITH THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS AND THE GIRL SCOUTS

The Boys and Girls Club strive to “enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is known as the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States, helping children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors.

The Girl Scouts help girls build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives, like leadership, strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.

What do these organizations have in common? Among other things, all are present in the greater Charlottesville community and have an interest in expanding their services to the Latino community.

During this Creciendo Juntos panel, leaders of each organization will describe their local work and their interest in both recruiting more Latina children and Latino adult volunteers and partnering with service providers already working with the Latino community. They will also identify resources they need (contacts, bilingual volunteers, outreach opportunities, etc.) and welcome feedback from service providers and individuals attending the plenary.

This will be a great opportunity to learn from, contribute to, and network with these three organizations.

Registration will begin at the door at 9:45 am. This event is free, open to the public, and in English (interpreters are available to translate into Spanish or English). Time: 10 am – 11:30 am, Place: Albemarle County Office Building (COB), 1600 5th Street Extended, Meeting Room A, Interstate 64, Exit 120, or from the downtown COB, take McIntyre for 4 miles (the street changes names several times), the 5th Street Office is ½ mile from Interstate 64, on the left. From UVA, the 5th street COB is 5 minutes from the stadium via JPA and Old Lynchburg Road (across the street from College Park Apartments). For more information about this plenary, contact Linda Hemby at lhemby@albemarle.org A flyer is available at: http://www.cj-network.org/cjcomm_ann/docs_2008/FlyerSeptPlenary.doc

SEPTEMBER 13, 2008: 7TH ANNUAL ¿QUÉ PASA? FESTIVAL

The Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is holding its 7th annual ¿Qué Pasa? Festival on Saturday, September 13, 2008 from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. Once again, the Festival will be held at the Science Museum of Virginia, in Richmond.

The Festival is held in celebration of The Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th - October 15th.)

The ¿Qué Pasa? Festival includes: headliner musical talent; folkloric dancing performances; arts and crafts; authentic food vendors - showcasing various types of Hispanic foods from several regions; a kid's area and much more. Last year, we had over 4,000 attendees, and this year, we are expecting more.

Participants of the Festival will be able to tour the museum galleries, many of which will offer Spanish translation by area high school students from noon to 4 PM. However a separate ticket must be purchase to see the IMAX film. For more information visit http://quepasafestival.com

SEPTEMBER 15, 2008: CHURCH OF THE POOR

Join Rhonda Miska, Social Justice Minister for Incarnation Church, for a presentation and informal discussion about the connection between faith and work for justice. Rhonda had the wonderful opportunity to study with Gustavo Gutierrez (Peruvian priest and theologian) this summer at Boston College. He taught a course entitled "Church of the Poor" about liberation theology, social justice, and the preferential option for the poor. ** Date: Monday, September 15 ** Time: 7 – 8:30 pm ** Location: Incarnation Church, Room 7 (Behind Toys R Us) For more information, please contact Rhonda at: rmm@incarnationparish.org

SEPTEMBER 19, 2008: GOVERNOR’S LATINO SUMMIT 2008

This year’s event, sponsored by the Governor’s Virginia Latino Advisory Board, will highlight the Governor’s major initiatives in the Latino community in the areas of education, health, economic development and public safety. The event is open to the public and will be held from 9 am – 4:00 pm, at John Tyler Community College in Chester. There will be a networking session following the summit. There is a $10 fee for lunch. More information, including registration requirements, will be forthcoming in August. For more information, contact the Virginia Latino Advisory Board at VLAB@governor.virginia.gov or visit http://www.vlab.virginia.gov

SEPTEMBER 23, 2008: COMMUNITY INVITED TO SPEAK ON IMMIGRATION ISSUES

The Governor's Commission on Immigration will hold its final public hearing in Richmond. Area residents are invited to present comments to the Commission on Tuesday, Sept. 23 from 6-9 p.m. in House Room D of the General Assembly Building, 900 E. Broad Street in Richmond. The Commission is seeking public input on how immigration issues are affecting Virginia. The public is encouraged to comment on immigration issues specifically related to Central Virginia. The Richmond public hearing is the only one scheduled for the area and the final of five around the Commonwealth. Hearings have already been held in Fairfax, Norfolk, Roanoke and Harrisonburg. Public comment will be limited to three minutes per person. Sign up for public comment will begin onsite at 5:30 p.m. Written comments also can be submitted to the Commission through Sept. 30 via e-mail at immigration.commission@governor.virginia.gov

Prior to the public hearing, the Commission will hold its regular meeting from 2-5 p.m. The meeting is open to the public; however, public comment will not begin until 6 p.m. The Governor's Commission on Immigration is charged with studying, reporting and making recommendations to address the costs and benefits of immigration on the Commonwealth related to education, health care, law enforcement, local demands for services, the economy and the effects of federal immigration and funding policies. The Commission is chaired by Senator John Watkins (R-Powhatan). For more information, contact Matt Gross at (804) 726-7087, or matt.gross@dss.virginia.gov or visit http://www.hhr.virginia.gov/Initiatives/ImmigrationCommission

SEPTEMBER 30 – NOVEMBER 13, 2008: LOOKING FOR A WAY TO HELP YOUR COMMUNITY? BECOME A BILINGUAL ADVOCATE WITH SARA!

WHAT: The Sexual Assault Resource Agency will provide a 40-hour training this fall for community volunteers who want to serve on our 24-hour hotline.

WHEN: September 30th through November 13th

CONTACT: Laurie Jean at LaurieJean@Ntelos.net or 434.295.7273

HOTLINE: The SARA Hotline offers free, confidential, 24-hour support to sexual assault survivors, their friends and families, professionals, and the general public. As a trained Advocate, you will go on to serve callers of all backgrounds, some who are in crisis, and some who simply need more information.