10Apr

The Diversifieds A publication of the EDRC at Grays Harbor College

Volume 2, Issue 7

April 2010

Washington State Launches Money Smart Week® Campaign

April is...

Alcohol Awareness Month

The first Money Smart Week® Washington will be April 25-May 1, 2010. Banks, financial institutions, schools, non-profit organizations and government agencies are joining together to provide a week of classes and events aimed at helping consumers make informed choices when managing their personal finances. Free educational classes will take place throughout the state and focus on financial topics for people of all ages and walks of life.

This unique and cohesive statewide effort receives support from the Jump$tart Washington Coalition members, the Washington State Treasurer James L. McIntire and the Federal Reserve Banks of San Francisco and Chicago.

Campus Happenings Civics Week April 13-15th

Sponsored by ASGHC 13th: Voter Registration Drive, 10AM—2PM, HUB 14th: Secretary of State, Sam Reed 2 PM—3PM, Rm # 2416 15th: GH Co. Commissioner, Al Carter 10 AM—11 AM, Rm # 2202 15th: Volunteer Fair, 11 AM—1 PM, HUB Contact ASGHC for more info: 538-4087

EDRC Meetings April 15th—2:00 p.m.

Presentation: Corrie Hightower, Health Care Reform EDRC Foyer

Grays Harbor College will host free workshops, coordinated by the GHC WorkFirst program, to facilitate local efforts to feature specific activities targeted for our community.

April 26, 27, 29, & 30 9:00 AM—3:00 PM April 26—30, 6:00 PM A schedule will be posted on the GHC website (www.ghc.edu) or contact Erin at 538-2513 or efrasier@ghc.edu for more information.

For more information about Money Smart Week ® and to view a statewide schedule of events visit Everyone is welcome! www.wajumpstart.org/ WaysToParticipate/ Student of Color Conference MoneySmartWeek/tabid/88/ April 22nd-24th, Yakima, WA Several of our GHC students will be attending! Default.aspx GHC Has Talent Sat., April 24th, 7PM, Bishop Center Sign-ups: April 12th—11AM-12:30PM, HUB Or call Donnita 533-9733 or Diane 538-4181

Student Success Conference April 28th, 9AM—2PM For more info.: Laura R. 538-4060 Los Pinguos A Big Band that mixes Latin rythems, performed with Spanish guitars, a Cuban tres, Peruvian cajon and harmonizing vocals.

April 30th—7:30 PM Bishop Center Tickets available at the Student Services Office in the HUB.

ASGHC Bowl-a-Thon

The ASGHC would like to invite you to participate/donate in the 2nd Annual ASGHC Bowl-a-Thon. This event will raise funds for the CCAP Lyle Smith Fund. The event is taking place Saturday, April 17th from 1-4 PM at Montesano Lanes. If you are interested in donating or participating, please contact ASGHC at 538-4087 or asghc-president@chokermail.ghc.edu

Autism Awareness Month Celebrate Diversity Month Fair Housing Month Financial Literacy Month National Child Abuse Prevention Month National Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Awareness Dates: 1-7 1 2 2 4 5 5 6 6 8 11 11 14 14 18 18 18 21 21 22 22 24 29-5

Golden Rule Week April Fools’ Day Good Friday (Christian) World Autism Day Easter (Christian) Tomb Sweeping Day (China) Sham el Nessim (Egypt) Tartan Day (U.S.) Chakri Day (Thailand) Buddha’s Birth (Buddhist) Holocaust Memorial Day (Jewish) Feast of Divine Mercy (Roman Catholic) Pan American Day (Latin America) Vaisakhi (Hindu & Sikh) Adult Autism Day Respect for Ancestors Day (Vietnam) Soldiers Memorial Day (Israel) Festival of Ridvan (Baha’i) Tiradentes Day (Brazil) Gathering of Nations Powwow Earth Day Genocide Memorial Day (Armenia) Golden Week (Japan)

29 30

Showa Day (Japan) Beltaine (Pagan & Wiccan)

The Diversifieds are a publication of the EDRC of Grays Harbor College. The mission of the EDRC is to promote awareness, respect, and equitable treatment of the diverse individuals and groups that exist within our campus and surrounding communities. The EDRC is open to all!

Please come visit us in the 200 building.

The Diversifieds

Special Olympics Washington

By Angel Dalzell, GHC Student What is Special Olympics? Why should I care? What does it do? Whom is it for?

The Earth flag is not an official flag, since there is no official governing body over Earth. The flag holds a photo transfer of a NASA image of the Earth on a dark blue background. It has been associated with Earth Day. Earth Day is meant to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment.

Sites to visit: earthday.nature.org earthday.envirolink.org www.earthsite.org

Special Olympics Washington was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver and the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation. Special Olympics Washington was formed to improve the lives of the intellectually disabled. In the year 1968, 1,000 athletes from 26 states and Canada had competed in an Olympic type of competition at Soldier Field in Chicago. In a time when the mentally retarded people were stuck into mental institutions, Special Olympics had started a movement to change the world’s view about intellectually disabled persons. Special Olympics currently has 2.25 million athletes world wide in one-hundred fifty countries. It holds world winter games and world summer games on an alternate two-year schedule, meaning every two years you will have either the world summer or world winter games. In the year of 1975, the Special Olympics was incorporated as a non-profit organization.

Personally, being in Special Olympics has been a fantastic experience. It has brought an incredible insight to me. People should care about the Special Olympics because it not only gives them a “good” feeling, it also helps the people that have disabilities feel more welcome in today’s society.

For more information about Special Olympics Washington, visit:

Best Wishes to a GHC Graduate Interview with Echo Hahn, EDRC Member & Diversifieds Contributor

Awareness Event Information on the Web: The Gathering of Nations http://www.gatheringofnations.com The Birth of Buddha http://buddhism.about.com http://www.buddhanet.net National Tartan Day http://www.tartanday.org

Golden Week—Japan Made up of 4 National Holidays: Showa Day—April 29 Constitution Day—May 3 Greenery Day—May 4 Children’s Day—May 5 Page 2

Echo Hahn will be turning a new page in her life as she completes her A.A. Transfer degree from Grays Harbor College in the winter quarter of 2010. She has spent the last two years with us at GHC and now looks forward to new opportunities and to “experience what life is like outside of the school system” before she decides on her next academic endeavors.

She is looking into starting up her own house and yard work business in the time-being.

Echo has been a very dedicated volunteer in the EDRC. “I love the EDRC. It’s been a corner-stone of my life for the last two years and I want to see it continue on and get new people. And maybe become someone else’s second family.” She would like all GHC students to know, “the EDRC is a safe place to hang out.” She describes the EDRC as a “very friendly, laid-back atmosphere—not judgmental at all.”

Throughout these past couple years, it was likely that you could find Echo working behind the EDRC reception desk or just relaxing with other GHC students in the EDRC foyer. She was always available to help students out. “I’ve been a shoulder to cry on for complete strangers and I don’t mind.” She, along with other EDRC volunteers, value the mission of the EDRC. “We like people and we just want to get to know them and help them out—lend a listening ear if that’s what’s needed.”

Echo wants to make sure the EDRC continues to be a resource for our students and our community. “We always need new volunteers—some new ideas and some new life.” Echo will truly be missed by students and staff. It will be hard to get used to not seeing her smiling face when we wander by the EDRC.

Echo, from all of us, THANK YOU for your dedication and kind heart!

Response to Desdemona Presentation

By Krista Miller, GHC Student I attended the Desdemona presentation and it was nothing like I thought it would be. I thought it would be more about talking to us and maybe giving us tips on how to feel better about ourselves no matter what we look like, and maybe give us advise on empowerment.

The presentation started off good, she did a little performance and then when she told us to take out some paper I was like, “what??”

She had us write down what we thought was the best or worst part about being a man or a woman. I wrote: “The best part is being pregnant, being a mother, and girls’ night. The worst part is being a single mother and our emotions.”

She talked about how everyone is different and then we started a new writing project. She passed out a piece of paper with clichés on it: Adages, Comparisons, and descriptive figures of speech. She told us to find one and do a descriptive writing without saying which one we chose. Then we moved all the chairs in a big circle and everyone had the chance to say what they wrote and then we all guessed which one they used. Here is mine:

Hit in the stomach—Now she is 2 Screaming for help—Thank you Begging to stop and its over Bounced of the floor—I stand up Thank you From Adages: If it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger.

EDRC Discussion on access to health care: improved or not, it’s a changing!

I have been a registered nurse for 32 years. I can’t believe I’ve lived that long, but probably it is because of the health care insurance coverage provided through my employers. Hospitals typically offer very good coverage for their employees and now as a nursing instructor at GHC I continue to have a good plan. I consider myself very fortunate that 1) I am a nurse (and you can be one too, come see us in the nursing department on campus) with job security for most of those 32 years and 2) that my industry is healthcare (I can understand the system probably a little bit more than the non-healthcare person). I believe these two elements have helped me have good, solid access to health care. This has not been the case for more than 47 million Americans who have no health care. (Current year figures from the National Conference of State Legislatures, 2010).

The American Nurses Association (ANA) in their Positions and Advocacy on Healthcare Reform statement reflect what many nurses believe, that health care is a basic human right.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has challenged all countries since 1978 to provide at least basic health care to their people. (ANA Advocacy on Healthcare Reform Aug 2009). Are you just glad to be part of the insured or are you missing out due to barriers in access?

My nursing career has given me a unique perspective to view the barriers to healthcare through the last three decades. There has always been a disparity in access to healthcare related to socioeconomics of our society. Please come join me on Thursday in the EDRC lobby for a discussion on what typical GHC students might be able to expect as healthcare seekers needing access to local healthcare post-Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act 2010.

Volume 2, Issue 7

The Colors of Easter Purple is the traditional color of Easter symbolizing union of love as well as repentance with pain. Purple is also a royal color of kings and nobility. Why? Because in ancient times, purple dye was so expensive, only the wealthy could afford it.

White is also a color of Easter, representing purity.

Yellow is a color of Easter and for April which means sunlight and radiance.

April 15th 2:00 p.m.

Health Care Reform with our own

Corrie Hightower Join the EDRC for a presentation on Health Care Legislation and Access for Diverse Populations. We will be meeting in the EDRC Foyer. For more information, please contact Brian Shook at 538-4015.

Information about Obama’s Health Care plan can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/ issues/health-care/

Page 3

Yom HaShoah - How to remember the Holocaust

by Rabbi Yehudah Prero Shoah is the Hebrew word for "whirlwind." It is the term used to described the conflagration that swept up six million Jewish souls between 1938 and 1945. A war was waged against the Jews in which unspeakable atrocities were perpetrated against a defenseless people. Men and women, young and old alike, were butchered at the hands of the accursed Nazis, may their name be eradicated for all time. Every year, on Yom HaShoah, we remember the martyrs who sanctified the name of G -d in the camps, the ghettos, and in the gas chambers.

A story is told of a unique Chanukah in Auschwitz. It was December, and a group of Jews in Auschwitz desired greatly to have a candle lit on the upcoming holiday. Obviously, there was no way the Germans would allow this to happen, and candles were impossible to come by in the camp. However, this did not deter these Jews. They saved small portions of fatty butter every day until they had enough to make a small candle. On the eve of Chanukah, they gathered in secret, a group of emaciated bodies who had given up their sole sustenance, around one rabbi. The rabbi then made the three blessings that one recites on the candles the first night of Chanukah. After the blessings were made and the candle was lit, one of the assembled approached the rabbi and asked "How could you make the third blessing? In the third blessing, we thank Hashem for bringing us to this day! How can we thank G-d for bringing us to this day while we are standing amidst horrors, death, and torture! Aren't the dead better off than those alive?

The rabbi responded that he too questioned as to whether this blessing should be made. "However," he said, " when I looked around at the assembled crowd, I saw the glow on everyone's face, and I perceived that faith was burning bright in their hearts. I, therefore had to bless Hashem, for allowing me to live to see this assembly of martyrs who sanctify the name of G-d in public, who keep their faith amidst the flames."

As we mark the fiftieth anniversary of the liberation of the camps, we must ask ourselves: If we could ask the six million for a final request, what would it have been? Certainly, they would have expressed a desire for the continuity of the Jewish people. They, who died as Jews, would have wanted us to live as Jews, to continue to grasp the faith to which they held so tightly. The proper way, then, to memorialize the six million is to strengthen our commitment to Judaism, and intensify our study of Judaic learning. With this effort, may we merit to link ourselves to them in the bond of everlasting life.

Country

Initial Jewish Population

Est.% Killed

Estimated Killed

Number of Survivors

POLAND

3,300,000

91%

3,000,000

300,000

USSR

3,020,000

36%

1,100,000

1,920,000

HUNGARY

800,000

74%

596,000

204,000

GERMANY

566,000

36%

200,000

366,000

FRANCE

350,000

22%

77,320

272,680

ROMANIA

342,000

84%

287,000

55,000

AUSTRIA

185,000

35%

65,000

120,000

LITHUANIA

168,000

85%

143,000

25,000

NETHERLANDS

140,000

71%

100,000

40,000

BOHEMIA MORAVIA LATVIA

118,310

60%

71,150

47,160

95,000

84%

80,000

15,000

SLOVAKIA

88,950

80%

71,000

17,950

YUGOSLAVIA

78,000

81%

63,300

14,700

GREECE

77,380

87%

67,000

10,380

BELGIUM

65,700

45%

28,900

36,800

ITALY

44,500

17%

7,680

36,820

BULGARIA

50,000

0%

DENMARK

7,800

.8%

60

7,740

ESTONIA

4,500

44%

2,000

2,500

LUXEMBOURG

3,500

55%

1,950

1,550

FINLAND

2,000

.03%

7

1,993

NORWAY

1,700

45%

762

938

TOTAL

9,508,340

63%

5,962,129

3,546,211

50,000

YomTov, Copyright (c) 1999 by Rabbi Yehudah Prero and Project Genesis, Inc. This list is part of Project Genesis, the Jewish Learning Network. Permission is granted to redistribute electronically or on paper, provided that this notice is included intact.

Statistics Source: www.historyplace.com

Deadline for submission in next month’s newsletter is April 29th

Calling All Writers!

The Diversifieds are an extension of the GHC campus and our surrounding community. We would like to welcome and encourage students and staff to submit articles for publication in The Diversifieds. This is a monthly publication. Please contact Erin Frasier at efrasier@ghc.edu for next month’s topics and to submit articles, poems or artwork.

Diversity Committee

Committee Chair: Brian Shook The Diversifieds Staff: Erin Frasier Micah Dillon

Equity & Diversity Resource Center 360-538-4247 Room 219 1620 Edward P. Smith Drive Aberdeen, WA 98520 edrc@ghc.edu http://www.ghc.edu/edrc/brochure.pdf