This Spring edition of the ASU Center for Community & Civil Rights newsletter is meant to keep you up to date on our activities.  Please take a moment to read about and join us at our Spring Civil Rights Forum taking place THIS FRIDAY, as well as reading about the exciting ongoing developments of our ADA program, and the unveiling of the Raul Yzaguirre building in Washington, D.C.  If theater is your interest don't miss your chance to help raise funds for a worthy cause while enjoying a new play, American Dream.  For all of our events and programs visit our website by clicking here.

 

The Civil Rights Forum returns to ASU.  This year's event will take place at the Downtown Phoenix ASU campus, Friday April 4th at 11:30AM.

 

The theme for this Spring's Forum, The Role of Civil Rights Leaders in Today's Society, will take a look at contemporary Civil Rights issues.

 

Hosted by Raul Yzaguirre, this panel discussion will include ASU's Dr Matthew Whitaker and feature NPR's Juan Williams in an engaging dialogue on race relations in contemporary US society. 

 

 

For more information on our panelists please visit:

Commemorating over 30 years leading National Council of La Raza and its growth into the largest Hispanic Advocacy organization in the United States NCLR held the Official Grand Opening of the Raul Yzaguirre Building and Dedication of the new Plaza de los Afiliados. NCLR's partners, friends, and familia gathered on this special day to cement the institution's presence in the nation's capital with the unveiling of a permanent landmark for the Hispanic community only a few blocks away from the White House.

 

Under Yzaguirre's leadership, NCLR clarified its mission, identifying four major functions that still provide essential focus to the organization's work: 1) capacity-building assistance to support and strengthen Hispanic community-based organizations, and to help them meet the needs of their communities; 2) applied research, policy analysis, and advocacy on behalf of Hispanic Americans; 3) public information efforts, which provide accurate information and positive images in the Hispanic and mainstream media; and 4) special and international projects which use the NCLR structure and credibility to create other entities.

 

Tuesday March 18th Congressman Pastor joined over 100 parent graduates at Balsz Elementary School.  These parents had just completed a 9-week parent engagement program as part of the American Dream Academy's ongoing commitment to improving the lives of Arizona's families and preparing children for college.

 

Utiltizing the PIQE curriculum, parents are given tools to become actively engaged and empowered to advocate for their children's educational success at  the K-12 level and to pledge to make college a reality for all of their children.  Congressman Pastor shared his personal experience of growing up as a coal miner's son, with limited financial means.  Having parents who believed in the power of education and the importance of studying he was able to become the first Latino Congressional Representative for the state of Arizona.

 

Parents were inspired and confident that college will be a reality for their families.  Congratulations to the parent graduates and their families!

Bethune Elementary ADA graduates and families received a surprise visit at their graduation last week when members of the Phoenix Police Dept and City of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon made a special appearance at the school.  The Mayor and members of the Phoenix Police Dept were on hand to thank Bethune area families for their commitment to improving their communities. 

 

Police stated an operation--which occured earlier in the week and apprehended 32 individuals on drug possession, gang activity, and other charges--would not have been sucessful without the support of the community.   "Their words didn't fall on deaf ears.  Because they're so engaged in the community, we know we need those residents and those leaders to stand with us to truly change things," said Lt. Michael Kurtenbach.

 

Through ongoing events like Desayuno con la Directora at Bethune School ADA graduates stay in touch with the principal and express their concerns and desires for their children's education and the surrounding community.

 

Read the Arizona Republic article here.