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Message from the Executive Director,
Nancy Gagnier
Happy New Year South Orange and Maplewood! We begin each year with a lot of excitement and a good dose of nerves as we stare down an ambitious set of efforts to move our integration mission forward. This year is no different! We have planned many exciting programs, and our committees continue to strategize the best ways to be an inclusive and welcoming community. Visit our website www.twotowns.org regularly to see what we're up to - or better yet, join us. We have volunteers and trustees who would be happy to talk to you about the rewarding work they do on behalf of our community and how you can help. 2012 opens with what I consider one of the best community gatherings all year - our annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance. If you need a little reminding-in the dead of winter-of why you moved here, if you cherish this community and want to share that with others, if you want to join others on the path to the Beloved Community through volunteerism, then don't miss this Observance and Volunteer Fair on January 16th! |
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SOCO Hosts 42nd Annual MLK, Jr. Celebration
The South Orange Civic Organization (SOCO) will hold its 42nd Annual Birthday Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday, January 8th, 3 pm at the South Orange Middle School Auditorium. The Coalition is co-sponsor for this event which features Robert Marchman as keynote speaker and Rev. Sandye Wilson as mistress of ceremonies.SOCO presents the Beloved Community Award to Fred Profeta - founding chairman of the Coalition and former mayor and vice mayor of the Maplewood Township Committee and to Art Taylor - former Coalition Trustee and South Orange Village Trustee. Congratulations to both Fred and Art for all their service and good work! For more details, click here
Last year's recipients Bundy and Prentice
with speaker Dr. Abdullah in the center |
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11th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance
Monday, January 16 at 3pm
 "The greatest birthday gift my husband could receive is if people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds celebrated the holiday by performing individual acts of kindness through service to others." -- Coretta Scott King
The Annual MLK Observance is on Monday, January 16th at
Prospect Presbyterian Church, 646 Prospect St, Maplewood NJ at 3 pm followed by a Volunteer Fair at 4:15 PM. On this year's program is Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, director of Schomburg Center in Harlem and South Orange resident as our keynote speaker, performances by CHS Special Dance and Voices in Harmony, and much more! Join us for this moving celebration that embraces Dr. King's vision of the Beloved Community and visit the Coalition web site for volunteer service projects in the community and at the Volunteer Fair. For more details, click here.
Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad |
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Schools Committee's Exciting Projects for 2012
The Coalition's Schools committee is in the middle of several exciting Winter and Spring projects as part of their "Aim High!" focus on the Minority Achievement Gap. Among the projects are:
- A Frequently Asked Questions rack card, "Academic Achievement Gap
101"
- A French translation of the School Committee's popular "Top Ten Tips
for Supporting Your Elementary School Child's Academic Achievement
targeted for Haitian families (Dix meilleurs conseils pour l'ecole
elementaire)
- Columbia High School: Facts, Fears or Folklore?, a program being
updated with CHS students to get out the real story about Columbia
High School to our community and
- A workshop for parents on Planning Ahead to get the most out of our
schools for your child
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Integration Through the Arts
Save the Date for Children's Theater
The Coalition's Integration through the Arts (ITA) program uses the arts to bring together people of different races and cultural backgrounds to build authentic relationships across racial boundaries. Over ten years, we have used books, music, drama, dance and photography and have worked with local professional artists to achieve these goals. On Saturday, March 17th, we are bringing to SOPAC our second Integration Theater for Children project with a live and original theatrical production of Aida adapted from Leontyne Price's version for children. More Details |
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Coalition on Race Welcomes
New Trustees for 2012
 Five new trustees join the Board this January. After meeting with interested community members who demonstrated a passion for the integration culture of our two towns, the Nominating Committee of the Coalition invited Maria Gilmour, Shelley Slafkes, Omari Frazier, Leila Gonzales Sullivan and Lois Larkey to be on the Board of Trustees. The Board also welcomes Fred Profeta - who has been an ex officio member in his capacity as the Maplewood Township Committee liaison - back to the Board as a full trustee. Read more to learn a bit about the new trustees and their interests in the Coalition.
New trustees Profeta, Slafkes, Frazier, Gilmour
and Gonzales-Sullivan. Larkey not shown |
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Our Annual Holiday Party
was a Roaring Success
Trustees, volunteers and staff shared a delicious meal, holiday toasts and great conversation as they welcomed new trustees and thanked those ending their terms at our well-attended Annual Holiday Party held at Giorgios in South Orange. For more details, click here. |
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The Community Coalition on Race
Needs Volunteers Now
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
--Margaret Mead
We have all types of volunteer opportunities, from single, short projects, to occasional office help, to regular committee participation. Are you a professional or talented amateur graphics designer? Do you like to plan events or work on fundraisers? Do you like to write? We could really use your help this year.
Click to visit the Committees page on our website to find out what each of our committees is working on. If you support the Coalition's efforts to create true integration in our Two Towns, please call the office at 973-761-6116 or email us at info@twotowns.org and VOLUNTEER!
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