Fall2013 volunteering

“Building Grassroots Democracy in Minority Communit ies”* Professional Fellows from Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia

in the U.S.A., September 29 - November 9, 2013

GUESTS’ VOLUNTEERING IN THE U.S.A

*Sponsored by the U.S. State Department

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Organized by the Great Lakes Consortium for International Training and Development

with WSOS Community Action Commission, Inc. – Contract Agent and Manager

Website: http://www.glc-teachdemocracy2.org/ Facebook: GLC_TeachDemocracy

E-mail contact: [email protected]

18 Professional Fellows from Europe spent six weeks in the United States dur-ing the fall of 2013. Working with vari-ous American organizations, they gained knowledge in citizen participation and advocacy, engaging minorities and mar-ginalized populations in civil society and politics, collaborating with community leaders to inform changes in legislation that makes a difference in minority com-munities and building grassroots democ-

racy. European Fellows were exposed to diverse community organizing methods for citizens in solving problems in their own communities and gained hands-on experience during their 3-week intern-ships at both public and civil society in-stitutions across the United States. They also gained a deeper understanding of the U.S. society, culture and people, en-joyed host families and home hospitality experience.

As part of the program they partici-pated in volunteer service activities to give back to the U.S. communities where they were hosted.

This report focuses on some highlights from the European Fellows on their par-ticipation in volunteer work at their U.S. host organizations and in community with other volunteers.

Thank you!

October 3, 2013, Harriet Turban Center, Detroit, Michigan: Professional Fellows after presentation with some talented leaders of YOUTH VOICE! (L-R) row 1: Robert Bekefi, Gabriela Mezeiova, Martin Nagy, Vladislav Petkov, Jozsef Angyal, … (YV), Zsofi Lenart, Trevon Stapleton (YV), Kayla Mason (YV) and Viktoriya Petrova Borisova; row 2: Bart Eddy (YV), Michael Reynolds (YV), Ilona Ujszaszi, Kalina Hristova Valova, Laura Stefanut, Boba Baluchova, Elena Carbunaru, Jerry Palermo, Ray Keepingthemalive Winans (YV) and Lia Gaudi; row 3: Roman Tycka Kollarik, Iustina Neagu, Andrea Tajti, Chakara Dariece Martin (YV), Oana Botezan, Annamaria Kovacs, and Hristo Angelichin.

Page 2 “Building Grassroots Democracy in Minority Communities”

Kalina Hristova Valova: “On Thursday, October 16, I volun-

teered at Arkansas Disability Aware-ness Day organized and led by Arkan-sas Disability Coalition (ADC) at Ar-kansas School for Deaf in Little Rock. Public event was set at school gym and I helped to set-up tables and posters, etc.

ADC is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with dis-abilities by promoting advocacy and education and by creating independ-ence and celebrating every life in the Little Rock and statewide.”

Kalina Valova with Wanda Horton, Executive Director of Arkansas Disability Coalition (ADC) on the left and Veronica Tess Myers, Activist of the ADC on the right during public action on Arkansas Disability Awareness Day

Leonard Boyle, Executive Director of Arkansas Governor's Commission on People with Disabilities

Volunteering in Little Rock, Arkansas

Arkansas Disability Awareness Day

“On Friday, October 25, I volun-teered during the visit to a self-contained class for children with SEN (special educational needs) in the mid-dle school. Together with activists from ACO, we met and talked to par-ents whose children were diagnosed with autism. I understand that it is im-portant to be well dedicated and honest when you are working with SEN chil-dren. You also need to build relations with public figures who suppose to represent you.

It is important for professional or-ganization to work together with com-munity organizations and for them to support each other.”

For more information visit: http://governor.arkansas.gov/newsroom/index.php?

do%3AnewsDetail=1&news_id=4111

Page 3 Professional Fellows in the U.S. (September 29 - November 9, 2013)

Volunteering in Little Rock, Arkansas

Oana Botezan: “On Monday, October 28, Kalina

and I volunteered in Hall High School in a self-contained class for students with SEN (special educational needs)

in Little Rock from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. We talked to students, met their teachers and helped in classrooms.

There are similar problems in every school – in USA, Bulgaria and Roma-

nia. But it is important to provide addi-tional services together with the formal education and also to work together with the parent community for better results.

Volunteering for one day at Hall High School, helping a student on her proof-reading class, I realized the need for special attention for persons with spe-cial needs and how important is for them to receive such attention.”

Volunteering in Washington D.C.

Kalina Hristova Valova: “On Saturday, November 2, I vol-unteered for public event “Autism Speaks’ - Walk Now for Autism”. This fundraising event was held at the Na-tional Mall in Washington, D.C. and thousands of people were walking to-gether for research and awareness. There was also a Resource Fair with displays of organizations which work with people having the autism spec-trum disorder.

On the picture below I am with po-lice officers who educate their col-leagues how to communicate and work

Volunteering part included for me talk-ing with people and I was giving them information and flyers.”

I was part of the “Autism Speaks” team. And there I am with other volun-teers wearing special lime t-shirts.

Volunteering in Chicago, Illinois


Boba Baluchova: “On Wednesday afternoon, October

23, Lia Gaudi (Romania) and I (Slovakia) joined three community or-ganizers from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and leaders from organiza-tion “Casa Central - La Posada” in order to help them during school outreach in the area of Humboldt Park, one of the

and sharing particular information. We told them about special educational rights and school support according to the U.S. law for children from families struggling with housing issues: homeless families, doubled-up families, moving families without regular place to stay etc.

What an interesting practical activity in the field!

neighborhoods in Chicago, widely known for its large Puerto Rican pres-ence. We were divided into groups of two people - to be sure that at least one person in group spoke Spanish fluently.

The goal of this outreach was: contact-ing adults/parents in front of the Lowell Elementary School (while waiting for their children coming out from school)

Annamaria Kovacs: “On Thursday, October 24, Shaban

Darakchi (Bulgaria) and I (Hungary) spent a great afternoon at the centre of Vital Bridges (VB). This organization is a part of Heartland Alliance, the leading anti-poverty organization in the Midwest. VB is a center for people with chronic health problems, includ-ing living with HIV and AIDS. VB’s mission is to help these people to im-prove their health and build self-sufficiency.

As part of volunteering Shaban and I participated by helping people get their weekly shopping done. Meeting the wonderful team of Vital Bridges was an outstanding experience, thank you for having us with you!”

“On Saturday, October 26, I volun-teered in voter registration with members of Jane Addams Senior Caucus (JASC) during 47th Ward Health & Wellness Fair that was conducted at the Sulzer Library on 4455 North Lincoln Avenue in Chicago until 2:30 PM.

We, the European interns together with JASC activists, were involving people from Lincoln Avenue neighborhood in voter registration on the spot, contribut-ing to their active citizenship.”

For more information: http://www.heartlandalliance.org/

Gabriela Mezeiova: “On Wednesday, Oc-tober 16, 2013 Laura Stefanut and I volun-teered at Breaking Bread, a soup kitchen located in the North part of Chicago. This Soup Kitchen needs

volunteers on every Wednesday eve-nings from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. We were helping with food preparation, serving, and cleaning afterwards, as well as with giving used clothing to the people in need.”

Page 5 Professional Fellows in the U.S. (September 29 - November 9, 2013)

Vladislav Petkov: “On Saturday, October 12, three

European professional fellows, Robert Bekefi (Hungary), Elena Carbunaru (Romania) and I (Bulgaria), volun-teered in the logistical preparation of fundraising event – Second Annual Art Auction in Wichita.

The event was organized in Anna Murdock’s café by The Seed House (Casa de la Semilla). 77 pieces of art donated by local and other artists were offered to the public view on silent and live auction. Volunteering part in-cluded all kinds of tasks including: moving furniture, arranging spaces, decoration and other logistical details.”

Volunteering in Wichita, Kansas

Thank you to all Host Organizations and the U.S. Me ntors for their generous help and support to

European Fellows activities in the United States!

Volunteering in Toledo, Ohio

Jozsef Angyal: “On Monday, October 28, I volunteered at the Toledo Seagate Food Bank that has been in existence in Toledo and Northwest Ohio for over 30 years and is an independent non-

profit agency helping to serve hungry

individuals. Last year there were 3800 volunteers, who are essential at all lev-els of the Seagate Food Bank's opera-tions in separating food, distributing, correlating, etc.

The Food Bank works with schools, churches, corporate groups, single groups and individuals to collect, pack boxes and distribute food.”


Andrea Tajti: “On Thursday, October 17, I was

doing volunteer work in the Elmwood Gardens Home Work Club in Man-chester. The children of migrant fami-lies living nearby receive help in this club in writing their homework assign-ments, thus helping their skills and school careers.

In many cases the parents do not speak English or speak very little Eng-lish, so this club means a great deal of help for their children.”

Volunteering in Manchester, New Hampshire

Iustina Neagu: “On this weekends October 19-20,

200 passports were issued for Guate-malan people living in the United States through the Guatemalan Consu-late program in partnership with the CASA de Maryland (CASA). The event took place as CASA offices, they provided the space for the support cen-ter and assisted the Consulate staff in managing the process.

Part of my contribution was a small role in the pre-registration process, which meant taking photographs of every person who was interested in obtaining a passport. Also, I helped raising money for a charitable cause.”

Volunteering in Langley Park, Maryland

For more information: http://www.casademaryland.org/

Sincere “THANK YOU” to all Host Families for their Generosity and Support!

Documents

Fall2013 volunteering