| Contact Us | |
516 Prospect St.
Maplewood, NJ 07040
973-761-6116 |
|
|
|
Message from the Executive Director, Nancy Gagnier
 We can see the crocuses coming up all around our towns so we know it's just about time for our spring Integration through the Arts programs! This year's production of Aida for children promises to be entertaining, fun, and a great interactive learning experience. The photography workshops will teach some new techniques to get seasoned and amateur photographers to capture their vision of integration. Also in March is CHS: Facts, Fears & Folklore, a forum for parents that provides great information on all that our high school has to offer our kids. Finally, don't miss the chance to meet your Board of Education candidates at our forum on April 12th. Read more below for details.
To keep integration an ongoing focus and value of our community takes all sorts of resources--we not only need people's time, talents, and ideas, but we also need financial support. Individual donations are our greatest financial resource. We need yours now more than in years past as we face changes in our funding sources. Giving is easy: click on Donate Now here or on our website. Or, call our office anytime to discuss your giving plans.
We look forward to seeing you at a Coalition event soon! |
| |
|
11th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance & Volunteer Fair 
The 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance & Volunteer Fair was indeed "a day on, not a day off," with over 400 residents and guests gathering at Maplewood's Prospect Church to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King. The Coalition's Interfaith Outreach Committee joined forces with the Neighborhoods & Civic Engagement Committee and Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills to offer participants a variety of service projects (at the event and throughout the Community) that support families and institutions here and beyond our borders. The guest speaker was Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, the new director of the Schomburg Center for Research. The Observance also included a dance performance by members of Columbia High School Special Dance Company, selected readings from faith communities, and music by the Voices in Harmony Choir. See pictures and read more about the MLK Day Observance
|
| |
|
Arts Program Grant Presented to Coalition
On February 9th, Executive Director Nancy Gagnier & Program Director Audrey Rowe accepted the 2012 Essex County Local Arts Program Grant from County Executive Joseph Di Vincenzo at the Cherry Blossom Center in Branch Brook Park, Newark NJ. This grant is funded by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State and is administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs. The ECLAP Grant helps to sponsor the Coalition's Integration through the Arts programs, and this year marks the seventh year of continuous support for these unique experiences designed to bring people of different races, ethnicity and backgrounds together through their common interest in the arts.
|
|
|
|
Coalition on Race's Board of Trustees Retreat
On Saturday February 25th, Trustees of the Coalition on Race spent the day "Board Building" with nationally renowned organization specialist, Vicki Clark. Clark, hailing from Memphis, spent the day "up North" helping the group optimize ideas for best practices, procedures and processes to run a successful non-profit organization. Trustees came away from the experience inspired and rejuvenated to serve the communty with its mission of integration. Click here for full story.
|
| |
| Integration Through the Arts: AIDA
A fun, interactive, musical experience for kids!
This year's production of Aida will amaze and captivate young children ages 3 to 12 years with creative story-telling combined with excerpts from the original Verdi opera score. The event follows in the successful footsteps of last year's musical production of Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs & Ham" and "The Sneetches" that attracted 400 attendees. Save the date for Aida: Saturday, March 17th, South Orange Performance Arts Center (SOPAC) Loft, two shows @10 AM and 11:30 AM. Seating is limited, so make your reservations today. |
| |
|
Integration to the Arts: Photography Workshop
As part of our Integration through the Arts programming, for the second year we are hosting a free workshop series with professional photographers. Learn photography techniques - including portrait, editing and photo collages, meet new neighbors and capture your vision of integration in our community! Click here for more information, and then register by completing a Contact Form and adding your phone number and Photography Workshop in the Message section.
|
| |
|
Columbia High School: Facts, Fears and Folklore
 The Coalition's Schools Committee in partnership with the Columbia High School (CHS) Home and School Association and current CHS students devloped this
program to provide a real sense of what it is like to be a student at our community's high school. We'll talk about everything from school pride (5 kids from the class of 2011 accepted to Harvard!) to serious challenges. Save the date: Tuesday, March 27, CHS Library @ 7:30 PM. Free and Open to the Public. Click here for more information. |
| |
|
Save the Date: Board of Education Candidates Forum
Each year, the Schools Committee of the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race hosts a forum for candidates for the Board of Education. This year, there are 4 new candidates and 2 incumbents running for 3 open seats. Join us April 12th, 7:30 pm at Marshall School to hear their positions on equity and excellence issues for all students in our school district.
|
| |
We Need Volunteers Now!
We have all types of volunteer opportunities - from single event, short projects to occasional office help, to regular committee participation. Are you a professional or talented amateur graphics or WordPress web page 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 here to visit our committee pages and find out what each of our committees is working on. You can complete a Contact Form, call us at 973-761-6116 or email us at info@twotowns.org to let us know how you would like to help. Contact us today!
|
| | |
|
|
