MARCH 2009

I. Volunteer Opportunities

2. Volunteers Looking for Opportunities

3. Seeking Employment

4. Employment Vacancies

5. Events

6. Other

Bilingual Volunteer Opportunities

NOW THRU APRIL 2009: BILINGUAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP WITH 2009 INCOME TAX RETURNS

Martha Trujillo, United Way, will be volunteering again this year to help Latinos file their income taxes.

Martha would like to coordinate a group of volunteers to participate in this important effort.

Persons interested in being trained or who have questions about this initiative should contact Martha at 972-1701 or mtrujillo@UnitedWayTJA.org

VOLUNTEER FOR THE STUDY CLUB AT SOUTHWOOD

The Study Club at Southwood is looking for volunteers to help neighborhood middle and high school students study. The objective of this project is to model the love of learning and consequently to create a culture of life- long learners. There are over 175 children in this neighborhood who are enrolled in Albemarle County Schools.

The Study Club meets Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays from 5-6:30 pm at the Southwood Community Center Conference room. We would like to have at least 5 volunteer tutors there every day in order to provide one on one help as well as group study opportunities. Note, the time commitment is onlny 1 1/5 hours a week.

If you are interested please contact Ms. Gloria Maria Rockhold, Coordinator, Latino Career & Community Relations Albemarle County Schools; 434-296-5803

BILINGUAL VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT

Creciendo Juntos (CJ) is a network of groups and organizations working with Charlottesville’s Latino population. We are seeking one to three volunteers who can donate 2 to 5 hours weekly to help keep our website updated. Duties include making contacts and preparing “blurbs” and other additions to the website for our webmaster to upload. Bilingual skills preferred but not necessary. Please contact lhemby@albemarle.org

Bilinguial Volunteers Looking for Opportunities

TEACHING HANDICRAFTS TO PRODUCE INCOME

Aquilina Sorq is an Italian artisan who speaks English and Spanish and is interested in volunteering her talents to the Latino community. She would like to help area Latinos earn an income to improve their economic security, control of their livelihoods, and self-reliance, by teaching them how to make and sell handicrafts. Aquilina is prepared to offer free classes, preferably in a setting close to Latino neighborhoods, and to provide materials to students. Ideally, she would begin with a class of 5 – 15 Latinos.

If your agency has an ongoing program that can facilitate this service or infrastructure (community room, classroom) to help it begin, or if you know of Latinos who would be interested in taking such classes, please contact Aquilina at 540/456-6272 or aqui-naif@peoplepc.com

GROUP OF BILINGUAL VOLUNTEERS SEEKING WORK

A small group of volunteers is looking for an opportunity to use their (mostly intermediate) Spanish skills and get involved in the Latino community. We encompass a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and speaking abilities, but we have in common the desire to practice Spanish and help out in a way that is truly useful in the Latino community. We’re looking for opportunities to get involved about once a month on a weekend day or evening. Particular areas of interest are: helping people find and connect to the resources they need, interpreting, and almost anything that would involve interaction with and support for the Latino population in Charlottesville. Our preference is to work together as volunteers while interacting directly with the community.

If you have an opportunity like this and could use volunteers, please contact Erin at erinhc@gmail.com

UVA MEDICAL STUDENT VOLUNTEERS AVAILABLE FOR 30 HOURS

UVA’s Social Issues in Medicine course seeks to sensitize medical students to the poor and to different cultures through volunteer activities with community organizations. During their first or second semester, medical students are placed for 30 hours (over 10 weeks) of service learning with a community organization as part of this required class. Many of the students are bilingual and have worked in Latin America and/or with Latino populations in the US. These volunteers prefer to work in medical settings but can also devote time to non-medical initiatives. For more information on how to recruit these volunteers, contact Dela Alexander at da7r@virginia.edu

Bilingual Professionals Seeking Employment

SEEKING “BILINGUAL” EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Hannah Walker has an interest in the health care industry and/or working for a non-profit organization - focusing on public relations/community outreach or marketing. Although she is not fluent in Spanish, she has a strong understanding of the language and would like an opportunity to work on her language skills. “I would truly enjoy any position in which I can use my abilities to help others while developing new skills and gaining additional knowledge,” said Hannah. To request her resume or explore working with Hannah, please write her at hrwalker@ymail.com

DOMESTIC ASSAULT ATTORNEY SEEKING EMPLOYMENT

Juan Vega, a prosecutor in the Domestic Assault Unit in Saint Paul, Minnesota, will be moving to the Charlottesville area in August and is looking to use his legal and Spanish-speaking skills as an advocate for female victims of domestic abuse. In addition to his legal responsibilities, he gives presentations to immigrants on the topic of Minnesota laws, and includes in his presentations information on domestic abuse laws, the legal consequences of their breach, and victims' resources.

Juan would be a super asset to our community. If you know of any job leads, please contact him at 612-366-3711 or VegaLaw@gmail.com

VACANCY: PART TIME BILINGUAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Nuevas Raíces has an opening for a part-time sales representative to work in the Cville area, contacting government agencies, businesses, non-profits, and others that would be interested in advertising in the weekly Spanish language paper. Communications skills are a must. Good salary. Contact: Gerardo Pandolfi, editor, 1-877-551-1903 or info@nuevasraices.com

Employment Vacancies

VACANCY: BILINGUAL OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Western State Hospital is seeking an individual to plan and to provide occupational therapy treatment in our psychosocial treatment program utilizing comprehensive and specialized approaches.

Must have knowledge of principles and practices of occupational therapy and ability to assess needs of clients, develop individualized treatment plans; plan occupational therapy; supervise programs; and, evaluate their effectiveness. Ability to relate to adult psychiatric patients. Performing the essential functions of this position requires repetitious walking, sitting, and/or standing as part of routine work; visual acuity to observe and report changes in patients' behaviors on a continuous basis; bending, lifting and reaching overhead to position, restrain, transfer, transport or escort patients; and, to assist patients to perform activities. Bi-lingual Spanish and English are highly desired.

Graduation from a program in occupational therapy that is accredited by the American Medical Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association. Certification by Board of Medicine to practice occupational therapy. Must be certified by the National Board for Certification for Occupational Therapy as an Occupational Therapist registered (OTR) or eligible. Experience as staff occupational therapist preferred. A criminal history background; employment; and, drug check will be required on the successful applicant. Salary: Pay Band 5 (minimum $40,959 annually) Shift: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Excellent state benefits. submit a completed state application for this Occupational Therapist- #197 (Therapist III) to Human Resources Management and Development, P. O. Box 2500, Staunton, Virginia 24402-2500. Position is OPEN UNTIL FILLED. For current vacancy listings call 540-332-8315 or visit the web at www.wsh.dmhmrsas.virginia.gov

BILINGUAL CHILD AND FAMILY THERAPISTS WANTED

The League of Therapists provides intensive in-home and outpatient psychotherapy services. We are looking for Bilingual (Spanish and English speaking) clinicians for our Charlottesville and Harrisonburg locations. The League provides excellent training and opportunities for growth. Candidates will have energy, a desire to learn, and relational and organizational skills. Applicants must have or be in pursuit of a relevant Masters or PhD degree and at least one year of experience. If interested, fax resume to Victoria Gibson at (434)984-4852 or go to www.leagueoftherapists.com

BUSCANDO PSICOTERAPEUTAS BILINGǕES (espaňol/ingles) especialistas en niňos y familias. The League of Therapists (La Alianza de Terapeutas) provee los servicios de psicoterapia intensiva a domicilio y de paciente externo. Se necesitan terapeutas en Charlottesville y Harrisonburg. La Alianza (The League) provee formacíon excelente y oportunidades para avanzarse profesionalmente. Se requieren energía, voluntad de aprender, y habilidades relacionales y organizativas. Los candidatos deben estar en busca de o ya tener maestría o doctorado pertinente, y deben tener por lo menos un aňo de experiencia. Si está interesado, mande el currículum vitae por fax a Victoria Gibson a (434) 984-4852 o visite a www.leagueoftherapists.com

BEFORE MARCH 4, 2009: VACANCY - DIRECTOR OF MENTAL HEALTH, MENTAL RETARDATION AND SUBSTANCE

Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

Facility Director (General Admin Manager III). The Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (DMHMRSAS) is seeking an accomplished professional to effectively lead Southside Virginia Training Center (SVTC) and Hiram Davis Medical Center (HDMC) in historic Petersburg, Virginia. SVTC is a progressive Medicaid accredited facility which provides comprehensive services to a residential consumer population of 297 with intellectual disabilities (ID); an annual operating budget of $74 million; and a 1,375 diverse employee population. It also is actively involved in the ongoing development and operation of progressive service delivery programs which includes medical care/clinical treatment, habilitation, rehabilitation and educational services. HDMC is a Joint Commission accredited hospital which has 44 patients, 180 employees and an annual operating budget of $13.4 million. An essential function of this position is maintaining effective working relationships with all system stakeholders including consumers, families, local community providers and advocates involved in quality services provided to the population of persons with intellectual disabilities. This position has leadership responsibilities for all of SVTC and HDMC operations and staff including administrative, finance, client care and treatment, human resources and training, quality assurance, human rights compliance, legal affairs, public relations as well as collaboration with community based service contract providers and advocacy groups. The position requires active participation in all aspects of regional planning for the delivery of publicly funded intellectual disability services.

Qualifications: The successful candidate must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to lead and manage all operations and programs of a large & complex disability health care organization, preferably in intellectual disabilities. Considerable knowledge of strategic planning & development to improve quality and services is required. Knowledge of ICF-MR Regulations and Joint Commission's long term care standards is preferred. Demonstrated ability to lead, guide and mentor clinical and administrative professionals; collaborate and partner with a network of multidisciplinary and diverse network of public and private providers, families, human right advocates, and others is needed. Candidates must demonstrate effective communication & interdisciplinary skills in dealing with multiple internal and external customers. A graduate degree from an accredited college or university in a discipline related to management/ administration of a health care organization is preferred. Progressive leadership experience in the management and administration of a comprehensive disability health care organization is required.

Position #00668 / Hiring Range: Salary negotiable (Pay Band 7)

Please apply online with the Recruitment Management System at http://jobs.virginia.gov Only accepting online applications. Please attach a resume describing your knowledge, skills and abilities as it relates to the position. Close date for this position is March 4, 2009. Contact: Stacy Pendleton, Human Resources Manager at 804-786-6326. Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services. (804) 786-1078, www.dmhmrsas.virginia.gov

BEFORE MARCH 15, 2009: VACANCY - PART TIME BILINGUAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Nuevas Raíces has an opening for a part-time sales representative to work in the Cville area, contacting government agencies, businesses, non-profits, and others that would be interested in advertising in the weekly Spanish language paper. Communications skills are a must. Good salary. Contact: Gerardo Pandolfi, editor, 1-877-551-1903 or info@nuevasraices.com

Events

MARCH 3, 2009: CJ HEALTH PROMOTER WORK GROUP MEETING

The CJ Health Promoter Work Group graduated Latino health promoters in December 2008 and is now providing them with reinforcement training and outreach opportunities, and planning new activities. To learn more about or to contribute to this initiative, join the group for its monthly meeting on the first Tuesday of the month, at 9:00 am at the office of SHE (by Albemarle High School); contact Jan Wolfe at jan@rhop-brmc.org or wlfwmn@gmail.com ; and visit the group’s webpage at: http://www.cj-network.org/cjwgm/health.html

MARCH 6, 2009: BENEFIT TO STOP FARMVILLE DETENTION CENTER

Come to this benefit at 6:00 pm at the Friends Meeting House, 1104 Forest St., Charlottesville to raise funds for People United’s campaign to stop the planned Farmville Immigrant Detention Center (a 1,000 prisoner jail for immigrants).

Dinner at 6:00 pm, followed by music and conversation. Performers will be Here’s to the Long Haul, Barling and Collins, and Alison Self. Suggested Donation $10. For more information contact Luis Oyola at hackrawlin@gmail.com or 804-787-3367

NOTE: For an interesting bilingual blog on the Farmville issue, visit http://iglesiadescalza.blogspot.com/2009/02/stop-farmville-detention-center.html

MARCH 7, 2009: PROTEST RALLY IN FARMVILLE

At Riverside Park, 517 N. Main St., Farmville, VA 23219

12:00 PM, Rally with speakers

2:30 PM, March to Chamber of Commerce, Federal Building, and Town Hal

4:00 PM Closing Rally

Come join immigrant organizations in Northern Virginia and Harrisonburg, members of the Virginia Immigrant People’s Coalition and Mexicans Without Borders, as well as groups from Charlottesville, Winchester, Tidewater, Lynchburg and Fredericksburg, to protest the proposal for a new 1000 bed immigrant detention center to be constructed in Farmville VA. For more information contact Jeff Winder (434) 906-0421 or jeff@thepeopleunited.org or Luis Oyola at hackrawlin@gmail.com or 804-787-3367

MARCH 7, 2009: CJ HEALTH PROMOTERS EXTENDED TRAINING

The CJ Health Promoter Work Group graduated Latino health promoters in December 2008 and is now providing them with reinforcement training and outreach opportunities, and planning new activities.

On Saturday, March 7, 2009, from 9 am – 5 pm, in Room B, Albemarle County Office on 5th Street, the health promoters will receive a State Certification training for blood pressure measurement. Lunch will be provided.

To learn more about or to contribute to this initiative, join the group for its monthly meeting on the first Tuesday of the month, at 9:00 am at the office of SHE (by Albemarle High School); contact Jan Wolfe at jan@rhop-brmc.org or wlfwmn@gmail.com ; and visit the group’s webpage at: http://www.cj-network.org/cjwgm/health.html

MARCH 9, 2009: CJ MONTHLY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

Interested in helping Creciendo Juntos (CJ) continue its ongoing work or coordinating a new CJ initiative? Come to a monthly CJ Executive Committee Meeting to observe or commit to a specific task. The meeting for one hour begins at noon, lunch provided, at the office of Piedmont Housing Alliance, in ACAC’s downtown building. For more information visit http://www.cj-network.org/exec_cmtee.html or contact Dilcia Colindres at dilciacolindres@msn.com

MARCH 12, 2009: CJ PLENARY – LEARNING FROM THE CJ HEALTH PROMOTER EXPERIENCE

The CJ Plenary for the month of March should be of interest to any agency, group or individual interested in training Latino volunteers to respond to needs in their communities. It will focus on the experience of CJ’s Health Promoter program that trained twelve area Latinos to help meet the health needs of their communities.

Come listen to some of the health promoters, to Jan Wolfe (RN, MS, Family Nurse Practitioner for over 25 years, who is the Clinical Director of the Rural Health Outreach Program/RHOP), Ivonne López (Colombia doctor who has been working with RHOP and overseeing the health promoters’ training), Katie Burke (Planned Parenthood Health Systems), and others involved with this program.

Registration, Coffee & Donuts begin at 9:45 am. The Roundtable will begin promptly at 10:00 am and will be adjourned at 11:30 am to allow attendees time to network. As always, this CJ event will be held in Room A of the Albemarle County Building on 5th Street Extd. Free – Public Invited. For more information contact Jan Wolfe at: jan@rhop-brmc.org, wlfwmn@gmail.com or 434/409-1636 or visit the CJ Health Promoter Work Group’s web page at http://www.cj-network.org/cjwgm/health.html

MARCH 18, 2009: BROTHER TOWNS/PUEBLOS HERMANOS

Film Showing & Discussion w/Tim Freilich, immigration lawyer & advocate. Time: 7:15 pm. Location: Sojourners United Church of Christ - 1017 Elliott Ave. For more info, 977-1481

MARCH 18, 2009: FESTIVAL OF THE BOOK - "TELLING TO LIVE": WOMEN'S STORIES

Co-creators of "We have to dream while awake: Courage and Change in El Salvador," Sharon Davie (My Sister's Hair, produced by Ki Theatre) and documentary photographer Peggy Harrison will discuss storytelling as survival. Hosted by Jefferson-Madison Regional Library and UVa Women's Center. Sponsored by Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. Moderator: Roberta Culbertson. 4:00 PM - Central JMRL Library

MARCH 19TH, 2009: POLITICAL ASYLUM

Law professor Philip Schrag and David Ngaruri Kenney (Asylum Denied: A Refugee's Struggle for Safety in America) discuss Kenney's quest for political asylum in the USA. Time: 5:00 pm. Location: UVa School of Law, 580 Massie Road - Caplin Pavilion. Hosted by UVA School of Law. Sponsored by Amnesty International Chapter 157.  For more info:cal7y@virginia.edu

MARCH 21, 2009: LATIN AMERICAN SPANISH PRONUNCIATION WORKSHOP

Saturday, March 21
10am – Noon
$35 (includes materials)
$25 for currently enrolled students

Speak Spanish with more confidence by improving your pronunciation! Join us at our beautiful new space in the Glass Building for our newest offering: a 2 hour pronunciation workshop with Spanish instructor and linguistics expert Maria Schwedhelm, native of Mexico City. Through numerous fun and effective pronunciation and conversation exercises, you will increase your confidence level and make yourself better understood in Spanish. All levels are welcome - we can all use help perfecting our pronunciation, verdad ? (2 hour validated parking at Water St Garage!) Call to reserve your spot, 434-245-8255, or write christina@eccoitaly.com

MARCH 22ND, 2009: IMMIGRATION: STORIES, REFORM

Margaret Orchowski (Immigration and the American Dream), Peter Orner (editor: Underground America: Narratives of Undocumented Lives) and Doug Ford, immigration lawyer, will discuss possibilities of immigration reform. Time: Noon. Location: Albemarle County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, (434)296-5822  For more info:  http://www.vabook.org/site09/program/details.php?eventID=204

MARCH 23, 2009: UNDERGROUND AMERICA – NARRATIVES OF UNDOCUMENTED LIVES

Peter Orner, writer and lawyer will discuss his book, Underground America. Time: 11:45 am. Location: UVa School of Law, 580 Massie Road - Caplin Pavilion - SL121 For more info:cal7y@virginia.edu

Other

LATINO SOCCER IS STARTING UP IN MARCH!

The Organización Latina de Fútbol en Charlottesville y Albemarle is the area’s Latino indoor soccer league. For the 2009 season, it will be holding meetings every Wednesday night, at 7:00 pm, in the Southwood Community Center. For more information contact Jesús Ayala 434/465-1282 or Pedro Orea 434/836-0252.

The Charlottesville Club de Fútbol is an indoor soccer league organized in late 2008. It is looking for a gym to rent for future games. For suggestions or more information, contact Belen Martinez, 434/ 249-2966 or charlottesvillefc@gmail.com

HELP TWO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Journalist Indira Murillo from the Red de Mujeres Hispanas de Virginia (RMHV), based in Fredericksburg, has asked CJ to share the following information:

Alba Escobar, 42 years old and from Usulután, El Salvador, was killed by her husband in mid February, during an act of domestic violence in their home in Stafford, Virginia. Alba left behind two children, Alexis, 20 years old, and Iveth, 12 years old.

The Red de Mujeres Hispanas de Virginia is asking Virginia communities to donate money to these two children whose lives have drastically changed. A bank account has been established in Alexis Escobar’s name for donations: Bank of America, #435008111634.

For more information about this case or about RMHV, contact Indira Murillo at 540/361-2102, 540/295-1017 or at reddemujereshispanas@gmail.com An article about RMHV is located at http://elpreg.org/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=20&ArticleID=2472&TM=72916

WANT TO JOIN A MONTHLY SPANISH CONVERSATION GROUP TO PRACTICE YOUR SPANISH?

Danielle Fuentes with Region Ten would like to know if other CJ members and others living in the community want to meet once a month to speak in Spanish. Please contact Danielle if you’re interested in joining such a group: daniellj@regionten.org or 434/970-2121.

For information on groups that meet to practice Spanish, visit: http://www.cj-network.org/learn_sp.html

MARCH 31, 2009 – LAST DAY TO ENROLL LATINO CHILDREN IN FREE AREA PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS

The Bright Stars Preschool Program in Albemarle County is currently accepting applications for the 2009 - 2010 school year. Bright Stars puts at-risk preschoolers into an elementary school setting a year early to help ensure a smooth transition. The program is completely free for those who qualify and is offered at Agnor-Hurt, Cale, Greer, Red Hill, Scottsville, Stone Robinson and Woodbrook Elementary Schools. Applications – in Spanish and English - for fall enrollment are due March 31 and can be picked up at the participating schools or at Albemarle Social Services. Children must be four years old by September 30, 2009.

Charlottesville City Schools Preschool Program for 3 and 4 years old is also accepting applications for next school year and they are also due on March 31. Applications – in Spanish and English - can be obtained at the schools, by calling the Preschool Family Worker at 245 -2813 or online at http://www.ccs.k12.va.us/programs/preschool.html