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Mini Gingerbread Village - RAFFLE!
Get your tickets today for a chance to win this homemade mini gingerbread village!
Tickets are only $2.00, and are available at reception at the 82 Street location. Winner will be announced on December 19!
Submitted by Katrina Paufler
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Submitted by Katrina PauflerParenting and Literacy Class - Gingerbread Fun!
The Parenting and Literacy Class created their own mini gingerbread houses today - learning through the recipe and having a lot of fun!Notice for Staff
The normal day when salary is deposited to bank accounts for staff at EMCN is the last working day of the month. This year that day will be December 31. Please be aware of this for this year, since in some previous years for December there has been an earlier payment because of us being closed for the last days of the year, but since the calendar works out as it does this year, the normal payday will be the payday for December. Staff who require a mid-month advance should be sure to contact Carole or Anne at the finance team to make a request.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Bring your friends to work day
You've heard of "bring your child to work" days. I want to invite you to help build a stronger future for EMCN by asking you to consider hosting a breakfast where you invite a group of your friends to come and learn more about EMCN. (Or it could be a lunch or after work event....)
We know the main reason people support causes and organizations is because someone they like and respect invites them to do so. If you invite people who are your family and friends to come to a time to learn more about EMCN they are very likely to do so. So the idea of these events is to give you a chance to bring a group of 10-15 people you know together, there would be a small presentation about the work of EMCN, including a "testimony" by someone who shares her/his own personal story, enjoy some light refreshments, and we would let them know how their donations and/or volunteering can help our work, help make us more able to serve people well.
The event lasts just one hour. There are many examples of this idea working well. A national program where groups of people get together for a potluck supper and then make small donations has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for development work in Afghanistan over the past three or four years, just for one example. The idea is not to invite only people you think might have a lot of money, but to invite people you have a good relationship with, people you think would be interested in what it is you do here and why there's an EMCN in town.
If you would be interested in trying this idea, please contact me and we can work together on how to determine your list of guests to invite, find a date, and plan the program. The host's main job at the event is the final few minutes when you personally ask the people to consider a response of support. Or if you are not sure but interested, get in touch and we can talk more about it.
So far as a few of these have been getting underway we have been using Saturday mornings, but that is not necessary.
Thanks for considering this idea. Just to give you a small idea of the potential: We have more than 125 staff just now. If 100 staff hosted such an event over the next year and the average donations from each event were $400, that would be enough new money to meet the cost of a staff position here.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Congratulations!
Congratulations to Joseph Luri for an outstanding presentation at the November 27 public lecture by Senator Romeo Dallaire. People attending the sold-out event had very positive tings to say about how warmly and powerfully Joseph presented how much the refugee experience has affected the lives of some people living in our community, offering the challenge to everyone to be part of ensuring these newcomers can succeed in new lives here. Thanks Joseph!
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Staff Changes
- Shannon Hitchcox, ESI Contract Services Coordinator, supervision by Helen Rusich
- Steve Winkler, Payroll & Benefits Coordinator, Accounting Department, supervision by Carole Lambe
- Carole Lambe, Controller, supervision by Ralph Paufler,
- Nicholas Cooke, Team Lead, Administration - Nova Plaza, supervision to be determined
Submited by Helen Rusich
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Winter Emergency Resources in Edmonton
Here is a very detailed list of the winter emergency resources that are available in the City of Edmonton. It includes emergency shelters and places where people can get meals. Please keep handy for reference.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Interpretation or Translation Duties with City of Edmonton
The City of Edmonton is looking for the names of people who could help with interpretation or translation duties that might arise if there was ever a major emergency of some sort in the city. If any staff of EMCN would be willing to be included in a registry of people who might be able to help out in such a case, please send your name as well as your work and home contact information to Jim at jgurnett@emcn.ab.ca by December 5. This is an update of a list the City created several years ago but almost all the names of people from EMCN that were on that original list no longer work here and they need to have current information about anyone who would be willing to help.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Nativity Display
Invitation to the Nativity Display and Call for nativity sets If you have a nativity set you'd like to loan for the nativity display on Dec 18,19, and 20th at West End CRC, check their website at www.westendcrc.ca for information on how to do this.
There are over 500 nativity sets from all over the world. It's a beautiful show that you don't want to miss. It's our church's gift to the community that tries to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
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ABC Head Start
ABC Head Start at Gold Bar site (10524- 46 str.) still has spots for new students.
Do you know any low income families with preschool children, who might be interested?
If so, please contact Intake Worker, Mary Lou Andrais.
E-mail address: intakeworker@abcheadstart.org
Tel. (780) 461 5353 ext 242
Fax (780) 469 0423
Submitted by Helen Rusich
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2nd Annual Human Rights Awards
On December 10, in commemoration of International Human Rights Day and the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Human Rights City Edmonton Project and the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights is pleased to present the 2nd Annual Human Rights Awards.
The evening will feature the awards ceremony, an evening keynote speaker and a reception. The Human Rights City Edmonton Project would like to take this opportunity to celebrate the people and organizations who have dedicated themselves to creating a better future for those in our community. We are proud to present Michael Phair as this year's keynote speaker, well known in Edmonton as a strong advocate for human rights of disadvantaged groups, such as the LGTBQ community.
Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the door. Please contact us for more information!
Date: December 10, 2008Time: 6:30 p.m. doors open; 7:00 p.m. program startsWhere: Grand Salon, Pavillon Lacerte, Campus St Jean, 8406, Marie-Anne-Gaboury Street (91 Street)Cost: $5 in advance, $8 at the door.
This year's event is presented by the Human Rights City Edmonton Project, the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights and Cambridge Strategies.
For more information or to purchase tickets contact:
Mandy Siu, Project Coordinator
John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights
Phone: (780) 453-2638
Web: www.jhcentre.org www.humanrightscity.ca
Email: mandy@jhcentre.org
Submitted by Ariela Cerna
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Wanted - Voice Talent
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CEDAW Concluding Observations
Hi Everyone,
The Concluding Observations on Canada from the CEDAW Committee's review earlier this month have just come out ... They include some pretty good references to women and housing ... See below re: national housing strategy ... I am pleased as housing issues have not featured in their work, and the government flat-out lied about their expenditures, which means the Committee members read our submissions and listened to our lobbying! There is a good short para about the apprehension of children - in the Aboriginal context. I am also particularly pleased that the Committee highlighted the connections between welfare rates and housing costs (inverse relationship) ... that can be attributed to that little chart we did up in our submissions!
I have attached the full set of Concluding Obs to this email - they are worth a read. Some really good stuff about the need for national standards in terms of transfer payment and the setting of welfare rates ...
Nothing is perfect but we've got a lot to run with here ...
CEDAW
Concluding Observations on Canada
November 2008
Doc. Ref: CEDAW/C/CAN/CO/7
Employment and Economic Empowerment
39. While the Committee notes that the minimum wage rate has increased in a number of provinces and territories, it remains gravely concerned at the fact that poverty is widespread among women, in particular aboriginal women, minority women and single mothers. While noting that the Government of Canada provides support for families through the Universal Child Care Plan, which includes the Universal Child Care Benefit and support for childcare spaces, the Committee remains concerned at lack of affordable quality childcare spaces. The Committee notes with interest the State party’s indication that federal spending on housing has never been higher, but regrets the absence of a national housing strategy and expresses concern at the current severe housing shortage, in particular in aboriginal communities, and at the high costs of rent and the impact thereof on women. The Committee is particularly concerned at the impact of the lack of affordable childcare and affordable housing on low-income women with families.
40. The Committee urges the State party to step up its efforts to provide a sufficient number of affordable childcare spaces and affordable and adequate housing options, including in aboriginal communities, with priority being given to low-income women, who are particularly disadvantaged in those areas. The Committee also recommends that the State party carry out a cost-benefit analysis to assess the impact of current living standards, housing and childcare situations on the economic empowerment of women and present the findings in its next report to the Committee. Such an analysis should have a special focus on low-income women, taking into account the amount of social assistance they receive from the State compared with the actual cost of living, including housing and childcare.
Aboriginal and other minority women
43. The Committee is concerned at the fact that Aboriginal women and women of various ethnic and minority communities continue to suffer from multiple forms of discrimination, particularly in terms of access to employment, housing, education and health care. The Committee notes the existence of a number of programmes, policies and activities aimed at addressing discriminatory treatment of aboriginal women. Nevertheless, it notes with regret that aboriginal women in Canada continue to live in impoverished conditions, which include high rates of poverty, poor health, inadequate housing, lack of access to clean water, low school-completion rates and high rates of violence. They are underrepresented in all areas of the labour market, in particular in senior or decision-making positions, have higher rates of unemployment and face a greater pay gap in terms of their hourly earnings compared with men. The Committee also notes with concern that women from ethnic and minority communities are also exposed to a high level of violence and are significantly underrepresented in political and public life.
44. Recalling its previous recommendations of 2003, the Committee encourages the State party to take measures, including temporary special measures in line with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention and the Committee’s general recommendation 25, to eliminate de jure and de facto discrimination against aboriginal, ethnic and minority women, both in society at large and in their communities, in particular with respect to the remaining discriminatory legal provisions and equal enjoyment of their human rights to education, employment and physical and psychological well-being. It also recommends that the State party develop a specific and integrated plan for addressing the particular conditions affecting aboriginal women, both on and off reserves, and of ethnic and minority women, including poverty, poor health, inadequate housing, low school-completion rates, low employment rates, low income and high rates of violence, and that it take effective and proactive measures, including awareness-raising programmes, to sensitize aboriginal, ethnic and minority communities about women’s human rights and to combat patriarchal attitudes and practices and the stereotyping of roles. The Committee also urges the State party to ensure that aboriginal, ethnic and minority women are empowered, through encouragement, mentoring opportunities and funding, to participate in the necessary governance and legislative processes that address issues impeding their legal and substantive equality.
45. While welcoming the efforts of child and family services to place greater emphasis on prevention services, the Committee remains concerned at the fact that a disproportionately high number of aboriginal children, including girls, are being taken into State custody.
46. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to address the issue of the separation of aboriginal children from their parents. In this regard, the State party should give particular attention to contributing factors such as poverty, lack of housing, violence and drug abuse.
Leilani Farha
CERA - Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation
200 Maclaren Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 0L6, CANADA
Tel: +1.613.233.8618, Fax: +1.416.352.5507, Cell: +1.613.302.7769
Skype: farwise, www.equalityrights.org/cera, www.equalityrights.org/nwg
Submitted by Ariela Cerna
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Video: Aid to Congo
Date: Sunday, November 30, 2008, 10:30:05 AM
Subject: Video: Aid to Congo
Dear friends
In this month's eNewsletter, read about:
- * Video: Oxfam doubling aid efforts in Congo
- * Pick Up Something Unexpected for the Holidays
- * Advice for President-Elect Obama* Help End the Global Hunger Epidemic
- * New on the Oxfam Blog: $7 Billion Versus $700 Billion
Video: Oxfam doubling aid efforts in Congo
According to assessments carried out by Oxfam over the past week, incidents of forced labor, rape, and widespread brutality have increased since the latest outbreak of fighting in the Congo. As armed men from all sides prey upon those who have sought 'sanctuary' from the fighting in North Kivu, Oxfam is doubling its aid efforts. Watch a video report from the ground here http://act.oxfamamerica.org/site/R?i=goCXPuoFKhRd7MLfK3ZuHg...
Pick Up Something Unexpected for the Holidays
Having trouble coming up with the perfect gift for that special someone? Pick up gifts that do good at Oxfam America Unwrapped! Shop our online catalog that includes over 50 gifts including: a sheep, planting 50 trees, a goat, school supplies, and cereal banks. Find these unexpected gifts and more at OxfamAmericaUnwrapped.com http://act.oxfamamerica.org/site/R?i=GYiIZZN-Ql0y_4GcSITLtA.. .
Advice for President-Elect Obama
As veterans in the fight against poverty, hunger, and injustice, Oxfam America has the expertise to help President-elect Obama advance international development and domestic poverty issues. Oxfam has laid out a series of nonpartisan policy briefs detailing how the new administration can enable the poor to manage their own lives.
Read more about how Oxfam can help the President-elect transition into office http://act.oxfamamerica.org/site/R?i=9j9XQo82AMhTq2d5jXQXWw.. .
Help End the Global Hunger Epidemic
In the past year, over 100 million more people have been driven into hunger. More and more families are at risk due to a "perfect storm" of rising food prices, diminishing credit, and increasing drought and floods brought on by climate change. Oxfam is responding. But we need your help to reach our goal of $2 million online by December 31st. Will you make a tax-deductible donation today? http://act.oxfamamerica.org/site/R?i=EqOQeO59vIJfcJo5D-C_zg..
New on the Oxfam Blog: $7 Billion Versus $700 Billion
Here’s some food for thought as we recover from Thanksgiving. Last Wednesday, in its 2009 humanitarian appeal, the United Nations made its largest request ever for support in the coming year for 30 million people snared by disaster and conflict: $7 billion. That’s just one-hundredth of what we have agreed to spend here in the US to bail ourselves out of our own financial troubles.
Read more. http://act.oxfamamerica.org/site/R?i=qEc43tQUk_fcsx73oyU48A..
Sincerely,Tim Fullerton, Oxfam America
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
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Congo: Stop the Bloodshed
Date: Thursday, November 27, 2008, 1:37:39 AM
Subject: Congo: Stop the Bloodshed
Dear friends,
The people of the Congo are pleading for European peacekeepers to protect terrified civilians. European leaders are wavering -- help launch hard-hitting ads to push them to respond:
Take Action Now
The brutal war in Congo is escalating, as a terrified Congolese people plead for Europe to send peacekeepers to protect them.(1) Today, two top experts warned that Congo looks frighteningly like Rwanda before the 1994 genocide and that only Europe can deploy a strong and neutral force fast enough to stop the bloodshed.(2) European leaders are wavering as their council meeting approaches - we have just one week to persuade them to act.
We know how to do it -- last week, Avaaz ran a hard-hitting advertisement in The Times of London, pressing UK leaders to support a European force or risk responsibility for genocide -- their Africa minister called us immediately, and their position has shifted -- the UK has moved toward supporting a European force!
Now we need to take this effective ad campaign Europe-wide -- placing ads in influential newspapers in key deciding countries. The Times ad was paid for by 300 small donations from Avaaz members. If just 3000 of us donate in the next 48 hours we can run ads across Europe before it's too late. A full page ad can cost just 6,000€ ($8,000) in a major newspaper. See the Times ad and watch a tense video demand for action we received today from a displaced woman caught in the conflict:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/congo_europe_must_act/
There are only days left to influence decision makers in Europe. Next week the agenda and positions will be determined for the European Union's Council of Ministers meeting on the 8th and 9th of December. If they fail to act now, the people of the Congo will have to wait months before the EU considers the issue again.
Our ad last week and a campaign by over 135,000 Avaaz members helped shift the British government, but we need another EU state to step up and lead the troop proposal. France will support it, but for historical reasons should not send troops.(3) We are being told that Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain are the key countries that tip the balance. We will start by placing ads in newspapers in those countries and in the European Voice in Brussels - the most widely read newspaper by European politicians - just as EU Ambassadors decide their positions on this issue.
The UN says it will send more peacekeepers to the Congo, but the Congolese people and experts agree that UN forces have completely failed to protect civilians and require European reinforcement. This week, 44 Congolese organizations signed a letter to European leaders asking them to send peacekeepers. Their letter pleads: "We have been abandoned...We urge you to transform your kind speeches and messages into action... with each day that passes, more and more people die." Follow the link to help these desperate voices reach Europe's leaders:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/congo_europe_must_act/
The Congo has languished for too long, with unspeakable suffering. It now has a brief window of the world’s attention – let’s seize that window to bring peacekeepers who can help achieve lasting peace.
With hope,Ricken, Alice, Iain, Veronique, Paul, Graziela, Luis, Milena, Ben, Brett, Paula and the whole Avaaz team
PS: For a report on Avaaz's campaigning so far, see: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/report_back_2
PSS: Here are the sources for this alert:
[1] http://www.avaaz.org/blog/en/w/pascal/2008/11/call_for_help_from_congo.php
[2] http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2008/s2428031.htm
[3] http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=44605
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
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Position Available - ASSIST Community Services Centre - LINC Instructor Required
SCDY members,
You may know of someone interested in teaching ESL.
Nancy
-----Original Message-----
From: Florence Pang-Tsui [mailto:florence.pang@assistcsc.org]
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 8:11 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients
Subject: Fwd: re: LINC Instructor
Hi Ladies,
Our centre is desperately looking for ESL instructor for the eveningclasses, kindly spread the word. Thank you and have a great day!
Florence Pang-Tsui, Family Programs
ASSIST Community Services Centre
9649-105A AvenueEdmonton, AB T5H 0M3
Tel: (780)429-3111 Ext.309
Fax:(780)424-7837
Website: www.assistcsc.org
Submitted by Helen Rusich
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Position Available – Family Worker – Families First Edmonton Research Project – YMCA
Submitted by Mana Ali
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Position Available - Coordinator, Alberta Fatherhood Initiative
Submitted by Mana Ali
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City of Edmonton Community Services Advisory Board – Call for Diversity and Inclusion Sub-Committee Members
Submitted by Helen Rusich
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Telemental Health Service - AADAC-AMHB Concurrent Disorders Series - January to June 2009
Submitted by Helen Rusich
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Open Space Technology – Facilitator Training
Submitted by Ariela Cerna
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BioTalent Canada - November/December 2008
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
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Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action – News from the Centre – Late Fall Issue
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
