MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER

Volume 7, Issue 12 December 2017

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Coming Events 

January 1—New Year’s Day

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January 6—Epiphany

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January 7—Eastern Orthodox Christmas

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January 15—Martin Luther King Day

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January 27—UN Holocaust Remembrance Day

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January 28—Chinese New Year

Multicultural Community Resource Center of Erie Michael Burns, Esq., Board President Joanna R. Cherpak, Executive Director

MCRC Noticias Editorial Team: Cathie Whitmire, ESL Instructor Carol Brigham, Education Manager Gregg Sikora, IT Specialist Jordan Cherpak, Wellness Coordinator 554 East 10th St., Erie, PA 16503 Ph: 814.455.0212 FAX: 814.453.2363 Email: [email protected]

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 12

January

We began the year talking about an increase in immigration fees and what that will mean for those looking to apply for immigration services in the new year. Some of the fees remained the same; however, many of the most requested services increased in price. In 2017, the naturalization application fee increased from $680.00 to $725.00 and the fee for children under 18 receiving citizenship when their parents become a citizen increase from $550.00 - $600.00 to $1170.00 per child. We also highlighted our tobacco cessation program spending time presenting to the students at East High School.

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February In February, we highlighted Eldin Fazlic, a Bosnian Immigrant who found his American dream in Erie by opening his own business Titanium Construction. Eldin immigrated here to be with family and began his life here working in manufacturing. He quickly knew that these jobs were not the family building career for which he was searching. Opening his own business has allowed him to build a better life for his family and employ other members of the community. We also highlighted the MCRC campus going tobacco/smoke free for the health and safety of all staff, clients and community members that visit us.

March

April

In March, James Kurre, board member and Director Emeritus of the Economic Research Institute of Erie, Penn State Behrend, Black School of Business, provided us with insights into the economic outlook in Erie. This was following some negative press the Erie region received focusing on the shrinking economy. Jim shared that not all news is negative as this areas is adding higher education and health sector jobs and the cost of living and housing are more affordable than in other comparable areas. Along with the economy we highlighted a bit of Americana as we taught the members of the Elder Program to make Rice Krispie Treats. Sharing these very American experiences with our clients helps to acculturate them to their new community and culture.

It is not always possible for individuals who have been forced to flee to visit their home land. In April, we focused on two of our staff members, John Rai and Nirmal Gurung, who were fortunate enough to be able to do just that. The two returned to Nepal after an 8 year absence to reconnect with family members still there and to participate in a Global Nepali Speaking Christian leader’s conference. While there, they were able to go to a school in one of the poorer areas and pass out supplies, gifts and even a used laptop to the teachers and students. This truly highlighted how these men live their lives in service to others.

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May

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June

In May, we took the time to look at the history of Mother’s Day and similar celebrations around the world. It is always interesting to see how cultural celebrations compare across our different countries. As an agency, we highlighted our trivia competition that brings awareness to the difficulty of passing the United States citizenship interview. This year we added a costume component that asked the teams to come dressed for the American theme. Everyone rose to the occasion which made choosing a winner very difficult. We also thanked members of the community who helped to beautify our campus through painting work completed by ServERIE volunteers and bike racks installed through an Erie County Greenway Grant.

In June, it was time to look at the traditions around the world to celebrate Fathers. While there are many different ways that people celebrate, we all acknowledge how important fathers are in our lives. At MCRC, staff and clients walked together around Presque Isle for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community. This event is one that allows us to introduce our clients to the Erie community and the members of the community to our clients. It is always a beautiful day on the lake. We also highlighted some of the new supplies and equipment that was acquired for the daycare through the Keystones Stars Grant.

July

August

Fun things happen here on our corner of 10th and Ash in the summer. In July, we focused on activities going on with our school aged summer programs. In the daycare, students were able to take piano lessons from volunteer Linda Kobler. She is a talented musician who has been teaching students for many years. Our children were so blessed to have her expertise and guidance this summer. We also noted an activity with the summer program children where they learned about the tradition of God’s eyes in Mexican culture. These beautiful creations are made when a new baby is born and given to the god who watches over children. Every year a new layer is added until the child reaches the age of 5. In July we also like to focus on Independence Day. This year, we highlighted Andrey Tischenko who came here with his family as parolees. They were persecuted in Kyrgystan for their religion and sought a new life here in the United States. Andrey is now a proud American Citizen and is happy to be raising his family here.

August continued to be busy for us at the MCRC campus. We saw many building improvements including central air in many areas of the building, leaks and cracks in the pavement patched and a beautiful new outdoor pavilion built. We were also busy at the Learning Center at the John E. Horan Garden Apartments. The kids participated in band camp for several days, learning about instruments and how to play them and the adult students put on a delicious banquet of foods made from their own family recipes. They had enough food to share with many members of the community there. August also saw a team of staff traveling to Harrisburg for the annual Refugee Consultation. There our staff participated in workshops, networked with other providers and learned about up and coming trends in the refugee field. It’s safe to say that summer here at 10th and Ash was busy but certainly productive!

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September

September marked the 6th anniversary edition of Noticias! Our feature story outlined the Real ID act and explained what that might mean for Pennsylvania residents. We also celebrated another successful Hitting the Cultural Links Golf Tournament. This year the event raised $17,500 and plans are already ongoing for next year. We also had a contribution from one of the ESL classes where they are expressed how they know that they are in America. They were inspired by an article that they read for class and decided to identify ways that they now know they are in the United States. We also started advertising for open enrollment because of the shortened enrollment period this year for the Affordable Care Act.

November In November, we looked at being prepared for the coming winter months and took some time to be thankful. MCRC celebrated its annual Thanksgiving lunch with staff, clients and friends. It is truly a time when we all sit down together to enjoy traditional and non-traditional Thanksgiving foods and enjoy each other’s company. The staff put in hours of work but every minute was worth it. We also were blessed to have Mayor elect Joe Schember in attendance. As part of the preparation for the holiday season, staff members shared their favorite holidays and traditions and the Elder Program traveled to Buffalo, NY to the Botanical Gardens to see the holiday display and various plants and exhibits housed there. The close of November had the halls of both buildings feeling festive for the coming holiday season.

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October The fall here at MCRC doesn’t seem to slow down. October is both Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness month. To help bring attention to both of these causes, members of MCRC staff participated in activities both in the agency and in the community. A team of staff participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in downtown Erie. A group of staff members also attended a training to learn how to better serve our clients who may fall victim to domestic violence. October is also a time to enjoy fall fun. The Elder program carved pumpkins for the Penn State Master Gardeners pumpkin walk. They were then put on display with pumpkins carved by groups from all over the Erie area. It is always great when clients can be involved in community activities and carving pumpkins taught them about traditional Halloween customs in the U.S. Students from JEHGA also spent some time enjoying fall activities, most notably, learning about concord grapes and the harvesting process that takes place every fall in North East, PA.

December

MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER 554 East 10th Street Erie, PA 16503 Phone: 814-455-0212 Fax: 814-453-2363 Web: www.mcrcerie.org

Spiders You Can Appreciate In 1991 my Mom taught me how to make Christmas Spider ornaments out of gold wire, crystals beads and gold beads. I had medical expenses to cover from the birth of my son so I went “into business” making spiders. There was a great demand for these ornaments. I sold over 200 ornaments and was able to pay off my bills. After that I “closed up shop” and made them only for gifts. They are very unique little ornaments that when put next to a light on a Christmas tree, its body illuminates—very pretty!

Your Donation is Appreciated To make a financial gift to MCRC, send it to Joanna Cherpak, Executive Director, 554 East 10th St., Erie, PA 16503 or donate online at www.mcrcerie.org.

So far in my life I have made over 400 spiders. They are and always be a connection to my Mom, my German heritage and my first efforts at being an entrepreneur! The spider ornaments have a legend that goes with them which is cited below. Even if you don’t like spiders, you have to appreciate the sweetness of the legend.

MCRC is a 501 ( c)(3) charity and all donations are tax deductible.

MCRC volunteer opportunities exist for one-time or continuing activities. Please visit the Volunteer tab at our Website at www.mcrcerie.org or look for us on the Get Connected Erie website at www.getconnectederie.org/ agencies/mcrcerie

To inquire, send an email to [email protected]. Be sure to include your name and phone number in your message.

From all of us at MCRC, we wish you the happiest of holidays and great blessings in the Year 2018 Joanna R. Cherpak Executive Director

Proudly serving the needs of the Hispanic and refugee communities since 1975.