Job Openings

Seeking Coordinator - CASA de Paz Center for International Solidarity
Date: 2008-03-16, 4:23PM EDT

Calling all activists, organizers, dreamers and rabble-rousers!
* Do you work or have experience in popular education, health, theater, art or organizing?* Are you interested in social justice struggles and defending human rights?
The CASA Collectives are seeking a dedicated, passionate leader and facilitator to coordinate the CASA center for education, international solidarity and activism in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. We are committed to non-hierarchical experiential education and act in direct solidarity with local peoples, communities and organizations.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Final application deadline: April 1, 2008.
Our mission:
CASA, Colectivos de Apoyo, Solidaridad y Acción, responds to the call for international solidarity with grassroots indigenous and campesino movements by maintaining two centers in Mexico for education, support and activism: one in Chiapas and another in Oaxaca. We seek to further social justice and sustainable development in Mexico and the United States through education, network building and facilitating first hand experience of globalization and human rights issues. We collaborate with other non-governmental organizations and local communities according to the needs, demands, and methodologies they express.

Collective Facilitator Responsibilities
The Collective Facilitator will be responsible for collaborating with other collective members to ensure that collective space and projects are maintained. In addition, the Facilitator will be responsible for accompanying and assisting in the transition to full collective functioning.
Ideal candidates will be motivated, creative, flexible and collectively oriented.
Requirements:• Bilingual in Spanish and English• Experience in Latin America (Chiapas preferred)• Awareness of the Chiapas conflict, neo-liberal globalization, immigration issues and indigenous rights movements• Previous work in collective organizing, non-hierarchical organizing and group facilitation• Commitment to social justice and community struggles for human rights
Preferred candidates will have:• Experience mobilizing funding and resources for social justice projects and organizations
• Skills in teaching and workshop facilitation• At least 2 years previous work experience in Latin America• People skills, social sensitivity and conflict mediation skills• Interest and/or experience in communal living• Experience in building inter-organizational relationships, maintaining organizational ties and facilitating member placements• Strong analytical and writing skills
Full time, 40 hours/week. One year commitment required, two year commitment preferred.
Compensation: $200/month living expenses stipend, $35/month health stipend, and free accommodations at the CASA House (communal housing).Living in Chiapas is very affordable. $200/month covers food and all basic expenses. Reimbursement for some travel expenses.
Timeline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The final date for submitting applications is April 1, 2008. Candidates must be available to be in Chiapas by June 15, 2008. We will notify you at least one month in advance.
Chiapas is in a state of low-intensity warfare. Job may include travel, rugged environments and potentially dangerous situations. Applicants should be prepared for harsh and challenging conditions.
A complete job description and more information can be found at: http://casacollective.org

February Events

in this section

• Networking event Monday, Feb. 18
• Service event Saturday, Feb. 23

1. Networking featuring guest speaker Mark Moore, P.Ed., PMP

Guest speaker Mark Moore will deliver training in team dynamics. Monday, February 18, 7:00-8:30 pm, Ashley Park Clubhouse, Brier Creek, Raleigh. $1/ person. Go to http://hispanicpros.meetup.com/106/ for more information.

2. Service Event: Cocinar y Servir

Cook and serve Saturday evening dinner and dessert for the women and children residents of Durham Rescue Mission. Saturday, February 23, 4:00-6:00 pm, Good Samaritan Inn, Durham. Follow link for more information. http://hispanicpros.meetup.com/106/calendar/7243707/.

Camille Cholerton, SPHR

Accidental Advocate
By Camille Cholerton, SPHR

The ability to speak Spanish can open up doors of opportunity professionally and in the most unexpected ways. I call myself an “accidental advocate.” An immigrant myself, I came to the United States at the age of three, never having learned my own native language. In college, I minored in Spanish because I felt it was important to learn another language besides English. That decision opened up opportunities to travel abroad and learn about the 21 different Latin American countries and cultures while fulfilling my duty to learn one other language.

Upon graduation, I found myself looking for a full-time job; the six-month student loan grace period did not seem to last that long after all. I looked for jobs in my field such as Sports Management, but alas, there were no openings for my dream job: Personal Development Coordinator for a major league baseball team with operations in the Caribbean and Latin America. After deciding to look for a position in which I could utilize Spanish, I happened upon an advertisement for a bilingual administrative assistant at East Coast Migrant Head Start Project (ECMHSP). I applied, and behold, I got the job! Little did I know that this humble beginning would open up a career path for becoming an advocate for the migrant farm worker population.

As the company grew outwardly, I grew professionally. I became the first bilingual Human Resource (HR) assistant, was promoted to an HR Specialist, Senior HR Specialist, and subsequently, the Staff Development Manager. In each position, I have been able to work directly with our migrant families. They have shared with me their experiences and their stories of traveling from one state to another, their nomadic livelihoods affected by the weather and crop conditions, following the planting and harvesting of oranges in Florida, moving to North Carolina to pick apples, then going to South Carolina to pick sweet potatoes. In previous experiences, they would arrive at a farm with no housing, forced to find temporary shelter in their vehicles. Sometimes they would be promised housing, but upon their arrival find simple shacks with no heating, no air conditioning nor indoor plumbing, a situation that is generally considered an unfit living condition. With advocacy efforts made by farm workers rights groups and agencies such as ECMSHP, these situations have improved, yet they are still far from ideal. Along with the challenges of finding adequate housing, this transient lifestyle does not create a stable learning environment for these workers’ children.

The existence of ECMHSP and its mission is able to bridge the gap: “ECMHSP is committed to preparing young children for educational success – especially children of migrant and seasonal farm workers – by providing holistic, high quality early childhood services for families in a nurturing, culturally sensitive environment” (http://www.ecmhsp.org/). The services we provide facilitate a stable learning environment, wherever families may move along the eastern seaboard. At the centers, children are away from the dangers of the field and receive education and assistance to develop physically, mentally, socially and emotionally. Children flourish in all learning domains and are prepared to succeed in public schools and beyond.
As a service-based organization, we provide education, health and transportation services, including an active literacy program for families. Parents play an active part in decision-making in the program; therefore we strive to provide opportunities for parents to work with our program as volunteers and employees. Their participation in our policy council influences approvals in the hiring of the staff who work at the learning centers and in administrative offices. When considering potential candidates, the insight these parents share promotes thinking beyond knowledge, skills and abilities to include consideration for compassion and commitment necessary to serve the migrant population. These parents inspire this personal reflection: “If my child were in the program, would this candidate provide a safe, welcoming and culturally sensitive classroom for him/her?” All of this resulted because of the decision to minor in Spanish.
Yes, my unconventional career path has made me an “accidental advocate” for migrant families and children. Think of them when you are in the grocery store picking out your favorite fruits and vegetables; remember the back-breaking work they do from sun up to sundown, in hot and dangerous conditions, to bring produce to your local supermarket. You, too, may become an accidental advocate…
For more information on how you can volunteer and advocate for the plight of the migrant farm worker, please visit:
http://www-cds.aas.duke.edu/saf/
http://www.ecmhsp.org/
http://www.volunteermatch.org/results/org_detail.jsp?orgid=30771

Student Perspective

Micaela Mercado, the only Latina in her Ph.D. program, explains her motives

It is an exciting time to be a social worker. Though many people know social work entails counseling, case management or other social services, many do not know that it is not a narrow discipline. In reality, social work is a profession that really makes the whole system work. To be a social worker means working with clients and administrators. That is, a social worker must be involved in all aspects of micro and macro issues. It is an exciting time to be a social worker. The field is booming with talented on-the-ground “movers”, policy “shakers” and science “innovators”. This is truly a great profession with many opportunities for everyone, but perhaps most importantly, for Latinos.

I am a first year Ph.D. student in the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Not surprisingly, I am the only Latina in the entire program, if not one of the very few in the entire country. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that of all doctoral students enrolled in the United States in 2004, only 3.5% were Hispanic. The number of Master level social workers is also fairly small and most likely concentrated in California and New York as well as in southern states such as Florida and Texas. You can imagine this is a big challenge for the profession, since Hispanics are the largest minority group in the United States, with 44.3 million people estimated in 2006. This is about 15% of the total population according the Census Bureau. It is clear that Hispanic social workers are in great demand as the Hispanic population continues to rise in the following decades.

Along with these challenges come great opportunities for the future. The social work profession acknowledges the need for more Hispanic social workers in all aspects, from working in schools to immigration reform. Social workers in the field are constantly challenged by trying to assist Hispanic clients but are unable to do so for a variety of reasons. The language barrier is one of the most frustrating facts facing non-Spanish speaking professionals. The inability to inform clients about their rights or provide them with accurate services has been recognized by the profession. As a response, graduate schools offer Spanish classes to social work students and semester courses on providing services targeting the Hispanic population. This is a great reflection of how the profession is inclusive of serving a variety of people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or legal status.

A second challenge is the issue of cultural competence or acknowledging Hispanic culture as central to the Hispanic family and community. Most notably, acculturation issues relatimg to how Hispanic immigrants adapt in their new environment is being explored by a variety of researchers. Some examples include understanding Hispanic parents reluctance to engage in their children’s schools; reasons middle and high school Hispanic students have high dropout rates in addition to a variety of other fascinating and breakthrough work that is currently fueling the social work profession.

In future issues, I plan to talk more about these projects as well as Hispanic related-topics related to the social work profession. I came into the social work profession to dedicate my career to seek knowledge and understand micro and macro needs and challenges, and to improve the lives of individuals through research. Although I am perusing a PhD degree, the values of the social work profession are the same regardless what degree you hold. After all, change, equality, and opportunity are the driving forces that energize the social work profession.

Micaela Mercado is a first year Doctoral student in the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. She grew up in Miami and Fort Lauderdale Florida where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Nova Southeastern University, Florida and her Master’s degree in Social Work from the Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Her primary research interests are successful School-to-Work transitions among marginal academic achieving students in high school.

For further information and questions please contact Micaela Mercado at 325 Pittsboro St., Campus Box 3550, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3550; email mmphd@unc.edu.

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Are you a student with a unique perspective? Write for us!

Contact Rachel Kincaid for idea submissions at RachelCKincaid@gmail.com.

Join Triangle Hispanic Professionals

Visit us at http://hispanicpros.meetup.com/106/ to learn more about our networking and education opportunities, philanthropic action and social events in the Triangle.

Comida y Vida

In this section:

• Dining review by Victoria Botticelli, guest writer
• Film review by Troy Mitchell, guest writer

DINING
Pao Lim Asian Bistro: A tight-wad's dream

by Victoria Botticelli, guest writer

Pao Lim Asian Bistro has been on my list to try for over a year. It is located at the very end of 15-501 business, thus making a little hidden gem. Upon arriving, I was pleasantly surprised to find the restaurant decor to be warm and inviting with a bamboo-looking bar off to the right. The atmosphere encouraged intimacy for the guests, but did not force them to eat their food in dimness (one of my pet peeves).

"I was able to consider any dish listed."
My dining partner and I were seated toward the back of the restaurant and if they could have figured out how to turn off the random cold air conditioning it would have been perfect. The menu was extensive enough for us to debate over our orders for about 15 minutes and the prices are so reasonable that I (who am on a tight budget) was able to peruse and consider any dish listed.

I settled for a cup of Hot and Sour soup, an order of Fresh Mint Rolls served with Hoisin Sauce, and the Thai Green Papaya Salad without dressing or peanuts. We also ordered an appetizer of vegetable dumplings with a soy-ginger dipping sauce. The vegetable dumplings were a healthy green and juicy. The wrap was elastic, but not chewy and the overall taste with the dipping sauce made them a perfect beginning.

"Food beautifully presented"
All of the food was beautifully presented on modern style plates with noted artistry paid to the accompaniments. The soup was not too heavy, but smooth and of a coating consistency that made it substantial, but not slimy. There were significant tofu strips and bamboo shoots throughout it. (I enjoyed it so much that I have already ordered a large container as takeout since dining at the restaurant.) My next dish, the fresh rolls, had a crisp and pleasing flavor, but did not have anything to recommend them as significant. The hoisin sauce added a sweet tang that played well with the mint leaves and I appreciated that the rolls were all vegetable rather than loaded with glass noodles.

"A tight-wad's dream"
Finally, the Thai Papaya Salad was a sizeable dish with crisp, crunchy components that hinted at their freshness. I used the leftover soy-ginger sauce as a dressing, which complemented the flavors, especially the abundance of cilantro.

Pao Lim is a tight-wad or college student’s dream with fresh, light, but substantial Asian fare at more than reasonable prices. Also, check out their well maintained website. http://www.paolim.net/

Victoria Botticelli can be reached at tbotts@gmail.com.

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El Dorado Mexican Restaurant

Entertain your clients, family and friends with polite, fast service and a full menu.

Visit our new location in Brier Creek near 70W + 540.

7961 Skyland Ridge Parkway, Raleigh. 957-1400.

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CINEMA

Juno, the surprise hit of the year

by Troy Mitchell, guest writer

Juno, a movie about a 16 year-old girl who gets pregnant and gives her baby up for adoption, has been the surprise blockbuster of the year. This comedic film written by ex-stripper Diablo Cody was written in a Starbucks of a suburban neighborhood. This was Cody’s first screenplay, and it got the attention of many producers of Hollywood. It also became a major motion picture two years later and is directed by Jason Reitman. It also includes an all-star cast of Ellen Page, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner, Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons and Michael Cera.

The film has gotten excellent reviews, being nominated for many awards including 5 Oscar nominations. It has been nominated for Best Actress, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Best Actress nominee Ellen Page, gave an electrifying performance. She reminds me of a young Janeane Garofalo, with her sarcastic and blunt attitude. Her comedic satire and sarcastic attitude made the film realistic and exciting to watch.

Everything about this movie was very well done and relatable. The setting of the movie was in a normal suburban neighborhood, with all your normal neighborhood kids. Juno’s wardrobe was that of a rocker or punk rocker, in which made her the outcast of her school. Juno loved rock and punk rock music from the 70s era, and this was most of the films music. The director of the films music is Matt Messina. The soundtrack to Juno, has risen to the top of the Billboard charts thanks to the great success of the movie. The story is very real and touching. Everyone has known someone who may have gotten pregnant at an early age, and it makes you think how people treat them after seeing this movie. Juno gives you a clear perception on how society views young pregnant women. The decisions and hardships Juno had to face were very hard. She thought about having an abortion, but couldn’t go through with the act. She then realized that she could give her a baby up for adoption to a family who couldn’t have children. Juno felt she made the right choice, but started doubting her decision when the adoptive parents started having trouble with their marriage.

I was actually very surprised how good this movie was. Witty, clever and charming, Juno keeps your attention from start to finish. I advise everyone to check this movie out. It deserves all the awards it has been nominated for, I give this movie two thumbs way up!

Troy Mitchell can be contacted at tmfecicious@hotmail.com. He resides in Raleigh, NC

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Write for Hispanic Professional

Do you enjoy writing food, entertainment or culture reviews? Just want to get the word out about the new hotspot or quiet dining? Let us know!

Email Rachel Kincaid at rachelckincaid@gmail.com with article ideas.

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Philanthropy

In this section

• Ladies serve residents of Good Samaritan Inn
• "More hispanic volunteers needed," an interview with Paul Bryant
• Christmas Eve dinner at Durham Rescue Mission: Hear what our participants said

Ladies of Hispanic Professional serve residents of Good Samaritan Inn

Way to go, ladies!

The women's group served lunch at the Good Samaritan Inn Saturday, January 26. Join the next group February 23 as they bring dishes from their homes for dinner. Sign up at http://hispanicpros.meetup.com/106/.

left to right: Olga, Rachel, Maria,

Amy and Valeria, members.

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An interview with Paul Bryant, volunteer coordinator, Durham Rescue Mission

Durham Rescue Mission welcomed Triangle Hispanic Professionals on December 24 as volunteers. Six members worked the buffet line, serving men, women and children a traditional holiday dinner for over four hours straight. Paul Bryant, volunteer coordinator for Durham Rescue Mission spoke to Hispanic Professional days before the annual Christmas Eve dinner.

HP: How does this Christmas compare with those of the past? PB: We're hoping for a bigger crowd this year than ever. We're going to be giving away four toys per child this year, which is an increase from last year.

HP: Who will come out on Christmas Eve? PB: Our residents will attend, but because of our advertising on the radio, tv and even putting flyers up in neighborhoods, many people in need know that we will be giving away clothing, coats, toys, groceries and a free meal. We're hoping for 12-1700 kids.

HP: It has been said that the outpouring of volunteers and donations this year has been bigger than in years passed. Is this true? PB: Yes. Last year we had 427 volunteers and this year we've surpassed that by at least 120. And there have been more donations.

HP: Is this the result of big hearts in the Triangle or better marketing? PB: (Laughing) The marketing. Also, everybody in the Triangle has a really giving heart; it's kind of overwhelming to see people's willingness to help during the holiday season. We're thankful for that.

HP: Christmas is the time when most people think of volunteering, but what needs does the Rescue Mission have during the year? PB: The Mission maintains about 100 residents on the men's side and there are about 50 women, children and married couples. We have gardening projects in the Spring, we have 42 houses that need upkeep and maintenance. On an entry level, a volunteer job would be to set up and serve [a meal] and interact with the residents here and get a feel for where they're coming from, to have a hands-on experience with them.

HP: Do you have a need for Hispanic volunteers? PB: (Interjecting) We need more Hispanic volunteers! In the community events and outreach, we are much in need.

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Hear what our volunteers said about

Christmas Eve 2007 at Durham Rescue Mission

Wolfgang Sanyer, member:

“It was very rewarding. I could not believe how many people are in need. The most satisfying experience happened when Iliane, my wife, and I were leaving the Mission:
On the other side of the fence were Jennifer Rios (name changed) with her two kids. They had arrived late and could not get in, when the kids realized what was going on, they began to cry, along with the mother.
My wife immediately went inside to find out what could be done, she came back to ask the ages of the kids and shortly after she returned with two big bags full of presents. The smiles and happiness reflected on the Jennifer and her kids was the best Christmas gift my wife and I received! "

Ricardo Cobos, member

“My daughter and I enjoyed serving in this event. Rachel did a fantastic job organizing this event. It was nice to be able to just show up and serve. I particularly enjoyed speaking with those people we had to serve and learning more about them as people. I will look forward to serving in at the next service opportunity.”