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Inside Appalachian Community Fund
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We Want to Hear From You
Get in Touch and Share Your News
Appalachian Community Fund wants to feature your news, events, job openings, success stories, calls to action and more. If you would like to see news from Central Appalachia in this enewsletter please contact Mary Eva Martin, maryeva@appalachiancommunityfund.org or 865-523-5783. We publish the enewsletter on the 15th of every month so please submit your materials by the 10th to give us enough time to set content and get our proofing done. We've been so encouraged by the feedback we've received and we look forward to hearing from each of you. Thanks for reading and be in touch.
Come see us,
Mary Eva Martin
Development and Office Assistant
ACF Praised for Anti-Racism Work
Implicit Values, Explicit Conversations
"We're still very much learning and growing all the time as people and as an organization, but over the past years High Rocks has become a group that the community looks to for leadership in conversations about race, privilege, and power. That never would have happened without Appalachian Community Fund both challenging and supporting us, helping us feel grounded and empowered to go in and have those conversations with kids in our community even when we didn't know what exactly they-or we-were going to say."
-Maribeth Saleem-Tanner, Development Manager at High Rocks
 Transforming Places
Lessons from Appalachia
Edited by Stephen L. Fisher and Barbara Ellen Smith. In this era of globalization's ruthless deracination, place attachments have become increasingly salient in collective mobilizations across the spectrum of politics. Like place-based activists in other resource-rich yet impoverished regions across the globe, Appalachians are contesting economic injustice, environmental degradation, and the anti-democratic power of elites. This collection of seventeen original essays by scholars and activists from a variety of backgrounds explores this wide range of oppositional politics, querying its successes, limitations, and impacts. The editors' critical introduction and conclusion integrate theories of place and space with analyses of organizations and events discussed by contributors. Transforming Places illuminates widely relevant lessons about building coalitions and movements with sufficient strength to challenge corporate-driven globalization. Royalties from Transforming Places will go to Appalachian Community Fund. Thanks to Stephen Fisher and Barbara Ellen Smith for the scholarship and generosity. Click here to purchase or here to view the table of contents. Receptions to introduce the book and the contributors will take place:
* Friday, April 27, 6:30pm at Southland Books in Maryville, TN
Click here to check out their facebook page.
* Saturday, April 28, (Time not set) at Union Avenue Books in Knoxville, TN visit www.unionavenuebooks.com
 | | 25 Years of Social Justice in Appalachia |
Check Out No Small Change
ACF Video Featured
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Did You Know? |
Appalachia has a rich history of citizen-led activism. At the Battle of Blair Mountain (WV) in 1921, between 10,000 and 15,000 coal miners confronted state and federal troops in an effort to unionize the Southwestern West Virginia mine counties; this was the largest organized armed uprising in American labor history and led almost directly to the labor laws currently in effect in the US.
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News From the Region
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Scholarships for Students of Color
Money for College
If you or your child are looking for information about scholarships and financial aid for post-high school education please click here for more information.
Perspectives on Artists as Public Leaders
Reprinted from Alternate ROOTS March 2012 E-Newsletter
At Alternate ROOTS, we work with artists who make work that is of, by, for, together with their communities. For our March 2012 E-Newsletter, we bring you two interviews with artists who have been tapped to lead their communities in very public ways, Kathie deNobriga and Hasan Davis. Listen to edited versions of their interviews on Youtube - Kathie's here and Hasan's here - about what it means to be both an artist and a public leader and what ROOTS has meant to them. Click here to access the Alternate ROOTS newsletter.
Federal Court Overturns Veto of Spruce Mine Permit
Watersheds Endangered by Federal Court Decision
Last year the EPA vetoed a valley fill permit for the Spruce Mine, one of the largest mountaintop removal mines ever proposed, because the proposed fill would violate the Clean Water Act. If approved, it would dump more than 110 million cubic yards of mining waste into local waterways, generate toxic pollutants, and bury over 6 miles of streams - forever damaging local communities and waterways. A federal court just overturned the EPA's veto but the White House Council on Environmental Quality has the power to step in and stop the mountaintop removal valley fill permit from going forward. It is important to take action today and tell the Council on Environmental Quality to abide by the Clean Water Act and support the veto of the Spruce Mine valley fill permit. Follow these links to contact the Council on Environmental Quality:
Need Training to Grow Your Activist Skills?
Look No Further Than Your Regional Alliance
The Alliance for Appalachia is conducting a very cool survey to facilitate capacity building in Central Appalachia. Click here to complete a survey about what topics you could provide trainings on and click here to complete a survey about what topics you'd like to receive training on.
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Nation Inside: Communication Strategies Against Mass Incarceration
Advocacy Training Camp and Conference in Detroit, Michigan
Are you part of a dedicated grassroots group fighting a campaign against mass incarceration? Are you campaigning against your state privatizing its prisons, the cost of phone calls, building immigration detention centers, or making policies that continue a broken and expensive criminal justice system? Would your campaign benefit from stronger messaging, better communication capacity, and a broader base of support? If so, join us for Nation Inside. Nation Inside is a training camp for advocates who are organizing grassroots campaigns for criminal justice reform; who want to participate in an intensive and fun network gathering; and who want to work together to advance our campaigns' use of communication strategies. Click here to email Nick Szuberla or call 606-454-8864.
7th Annual End MTR Week in Washington, D.C.
June 2nd-6th, 2012 in Washington, D.C.
Week in Washington is an annual event organized by the Alliance for Appalachia, bringing together over 150 citizens from the Appalachian region and across the nation who care deeply about mountains, clean water and social justice. The 2012 elections mark a critical moment to make the issue of mountaintop removal coal mining a top priority issue in Washington. At Week in Washington, we'll not only focus on how to work to end MTR in DC, but how to fight this injustice in your local community. This year, participants will not only meet with their Congress-people and agency officials, but also stand up and take action to stop mountaintop removal coal mining. On Wednesday, June 6th there will be a Day of Action to End Mountaintop Removal. Please click here for more information.
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Kentucky
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Appalachian Citizens' Law Center 10th Anniversary Celebration!
Save the Date
Join us for an afternoon of fellowship, food, and music to celebrate 10 years of fighting for justice in the coalfields. The board and staff of ACLC invite you to come to Whitesburg to help look back on a decade of amazing legal work for the citizens of the coalfields and look forward to our next ten years! Share a bountiful feast (featuring locally-sourced ingredients in partnership with Grow Appalachia), enjoy traditional Appalachian music by renowned old-time musician Brett Ratliff, reflect on the successes of ten years of remarkable work defending the rights of the citizens of Appalachia, and enjoy the fellowship of friends, neighbors, former and current staff and board members, and many of the people who have made ACLC's work possible. When: Saturday, May 12, 2pm-5pm and Where: Summit City Lounge, 214 Main St, Whitesburg, KY. RSVP to amelia@appalachianlawcenter.org or by calling 606-633-3929. And please pass this invite on to anyone you think should come!
Prejudice Reduction Workshop Offered in Kentucky
www.peaceeducationprogram.org
The Peace Education Project will offer a one day reducing prejudice workshop on Thursday, May 31, 2012. The workshop will be held from 8:30am-4pm at The Peace Education Project's main office within the Central Presbyterian Church (318 West Kentucky Street). The cost of the workshop is $55 per person or $80 for a two person team. Continental breakfast and lunch provided. Click here to register or for more information.
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Tennessee
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Knoxville Participating in National March for Women Day
Exercise Your Right to Raise Awareness
Join your sisters and brothers in East Tennessee at the "March for Women." The march will take place on Saturday, April 28, beginning at 10am on Market Square (in front of the TVA Fountains, near Market Square). March to show support for women's wellbeing within the context of human rights, wellness, health and safety, voting rights, reproductive rights, equity in pay, workers' rights, and protection from violence and bullying. Check out their facebook page by clicking here.
Deborah Bahr Reports on the Status of Women
56th Year Focuses on Rural Women
Deborah Bahr from Clean Water Expected in East Tennessee travelled with Carol Judy and Sam Marlow from the Clearfork Institute to New York City to participate in the United Nations Commission on The Status of Women. This was the 56th year of the conference with a global focus on rural women this year. North America, Canada and Europe were given one representative who met with us in a round table discussion. The South East United States was well represented in great part due to the support and organization of Rural Development Leadership Network (who helped sponsor the trip and organized an Artisan's Market). Food scarcity and security, land access, domestic violence and water were among the top issues discussed during my week there. Please click here to finish reading Deborah's report.
Clearfork Community Institute Makes Headlines
Celebration Planned for April 22, 2012
Allies of the Clearfork Community Institute have been working hard to raise funds, secure office supplies, increase internet access at the Institute, and improve housing and landscaping in preparation for their upcoming celebration. Marie Cirrillo, the main gal at the Institute and a powerhouse activist, was honored on April 12 by Carson Newman College's Appalachian Center Award for Educational Service to Appalachia. Click here to read the full article. Congratulations Marie and congratulations to the Clearkfork Community Institute on all your achievements.
Knoxville Unites Against Racism and Violence
Hundreds Gathered at Rally for Trayvon Martin
Knoxville citizens showed their desire for improved race relations locally and nationally when they came together at Krutch Park on April 4, 2012. "Those of us who do this work know carrying a loaded gun will never make us safe," said Duncan Teague, with the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. The event included music, speakers and a march. Organizers encouraged attendees to take their action beyond the rally and get involved with one or more of Knoxville's grassroots advocacy groups.
WBIR
WATE
WRCB
KTVU
The Tennessean
The Knoxville News Sentinel
The Jackson Sun
The Republic
Speaking from the heart, Margo Miller, ACF executive director,
and Chris Crass open the rally.
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Virginia
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2012 Spring Float Trips
The Clinch Coalition Invites You to Ride the River
Join The Upper Tennessee River Roundtable and The Clinch Coalition for a series of fun and educational float trips on the rivers of Southwest Virginia. All are welcome from beginners to bona fide river rats. Trips are free, range from 4-6 hours and will be followed by free food and an educational program about the river's unique features. Space is limited so register early. Floats are scheduled for 4/28, 5/5, 5/19 and 5/26. Call 276-628-1600, email uppertnriver@yahoo.com, or visit www.uppertnriver.org for more information.
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Support Women's Right to Choose Have Fun and Raise Money Join supporters of the West Virginia Choice Fund as they come together for fun and fundraising. The West Virginia Choice Fund is a partnership between WV Free and Women's Health Center. Your participation helps ensure women in WV have access to abortion care when needed. The 2012 Pro-Choice Bowlathon is scheduled for Saturday, April 21st, 2012. For more information or to "roll" with them you can sign up here and here. 
Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition Launches Blog Help Name OVEC's Blog OVEC has launched a new blog and needs your help deciding on a name. Hoots and Hollers?Voice of Change? OVEC is welcoming readers to weigh in on a name as well as invite folks to guest blog for OVEC. Click here to check out the blog. 
Social Justice Documentary Focuses on McDowell County Get Your Story Told Hollow is a community participatory project and interactive documentary that will feature the stories of residents of McDowell County, West Virginia. We will be holding community storytelling workshops and participatory mapping workshops from June to August and the residents will have a chance to shoot their own content. The idea is that through interactive storytelling the residents will begin to see their community in a new light and will be empowered to take control of their situation. For more information contact A. Elaine McMillion at (304)545-6192 or check out the following links:
www.hollowthefilm.com
https://www.facebook.com/hollowtheproject http://www.der.org/donate/#hollow http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/elainemcmillion/hollow-an-interactive-documentary |
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Great Resources for Organizers and Activists
| | | $15 - Robin Hood Was Right: A Guide to Giving Your Money for Social Change
By Chuck Collins and Pam Rogers with Joan P. Garner
$15 - We Gave Away a Fortune
By Christopher Mogil and Anne Slepian with Peter Woodrow
$15 - You Can Do It!
A Volunteer's Guide to Raising Money for your Group in Words and Pictures
By Vicki Quatmann
$7 - Si, Todos Podemos! The Spanish edition of You Can Do It!
By Vicki Quatmann, Translated by Maria Pedro Bruce
$15 We Make Change; Community Organizers Talk About What They Do - and Why
By Kristin Layng Szakos and Joe Szakos Click here to download an order form. |
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To get involved contact Amy Hubbard via
email amy@appalachiancommunityfund.org or by
phone 865-523-5783. Thank you for your continued
support of ACF and Central Appalachia. Here's to
another 25 years of Change, Not Charity!
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Mission Statement
The Appalachian Community Fund funds and encourages grassroots social change in Central Appalachia. ACF works to build a sustainable base of resources to support community-led organizations seeking to overcome and address issues of race, economic status, gender, sexual identity, and disability. As a community-controlled fund, ACF offers leadership to expand and strengthen the movement for social change through its practices and policies.
25 Years Working for Social Change
Since its founding in 1987, ACF has awarded over $5 million for community organizing and social justice work to more than 300 grassroots organizations in Central Appalachia. Out motto - Change, Not Charity - reflects our vision to support social change organizing and our conviction that, by networking and partnering with organizations working to address the root causes of social, racial, economic and environmental problems facing Central Appalachia every day, we can create more just, equitable healthy communities with opportunities for every one. ACF has had a significant impact in our region. Please visit success stories and current grantees to find out more.
Appalachian Community Fund 507 South Gay Street
Suite 1120
Knoxville, TN 37902
865-523-5783 phone
865-523-1896 fax
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