MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER

Coming Events

April 1—Easter

April 2 — Children’s Book Day

April 10– Encourage a Young Write Day

April 14—Titanic Sunk

April 15– Income Tax Day

April 18– Pet Owner’s Day

April 22– Earth Day

April 25– World Penguin Day

April 26— National Pretzel Day

April 27—Arbor Day

April 30– National Honesty Day

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Volume 8, Issue 3

March 2018

Multicultural Community

Resource Center of Erie

Michael Burns, Esq., Board President

Joanna R. Cherpak, Executive Director

MCRC Noticias Editorial Team:

Cathie Whitmire, ESL Instructor

Carol Brigham, Education Manager

Colleen Flatley, Student Support

Jordan Cherpak, Tobacco Cessation

554 East 10th St., Erie, PA 16503

Ph: 814.455.0212 FAX: 814.453.2363

Email: MCRC@mcrcerie.org

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has resumed renewing

applications under the DACA program, even though President Trump had suspended

the program last fall, stating that Congress needed to pass a permanent immigration

law for DACA to continue past March 5, 2018. Although many politicians, including

President Trump, have spoken in favor of the DACA program, proposed legislation

aimed at making DACA a permanent program has not been successful. Most attempts

have been tied to other controversial immigration proposals such as funding for the

southern border wall.

Federal Court Injunctions, dated Jan 9,

2018 and February 13, 2018, have

caused the USCIS to resume accepting

renewal applications for existing

DACA recipients, although the Service

will not be accepting any new cases

until a permanent decision concerning

DACA is made.

The Deferred Action for Childhood

Arrival Program (DACA) was created

by Executive Order under President

Obama. The program allows individu-

als who entered the US before the age of 16 years old with no lawful status, who have

resided continually in the US since 6/15/2007, to obtain Social Security numbers and

work legally in the US. In addition, qualified individuals must have been under the age

of 31 years old on 6/15/2012, have attained a high school diploma or GED (or be in

the process of attaining one) and not have been convicted of any serious criminal of-

fenses.

DACA DEADLINE PASSES WITH NO PERMANENT

SOLUTION

P A G E 2 V O L U M E 8 , I S S U E 3

DACA was designed to benefit minors who were brought

here at a young age by their parents. Many have lived in

the US for years, attending school and contributing to

their communities, with very little or no ties to their home

country. Without the DACA program, they would find

themselves unable to: move forward after completing

high school; get driver’s licenses; work legally; or continue

on to higher education, all for lack of a Social Security

number.

DACA recipients are often referred to as “Dreamers” as they are hoping to someday have a path that will

lead to their ‘dream of becoming an American citizen’. For the moment, they will have to be satisfied with

the ability to register every two years to renew their work authorization while the fate of the DACA Program

is being decided.

“Pictured here are Elder Program participants and members of the LECOM Interna-

tional Medical Society. Medical students from the group have been coming monthly

for several years now to offer blood pressure screenings to the elders. Screenings in

the past have also included foot checks and pre-medical screenings.”

Keeping Our Elders in Good Health

Continued from Page 1

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 8 , I S S U E 3

Continued Support for Hurricane Maria Victims

Months have passed since Hurricanes Maria and Irma caused destruction. There are still those on the

island of Puerto Rico without power. Through MCRC’s Hispanic Self Sufficiency program, families are

being provided with donated goods. The HSS program has delivered valuable items, such as furniture,

beds and clothing.

On Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 there was a distribution of goods to local families in need. Items that

were available included: clothes, purses, shoes, sheets, comforters, vacuum cleaners, toys, books, dish-

es, and more

About 20 people were served at the event.

If you would like to make a donation, please call 814.455.0212 first! Thank you!

P A G E 4 V O L U M E 8 , I S S U E 3

Entertaining a historical prophecy “Beware the Ides of March” uttered the soothsayer in Shakespeare’s 1599 play, Julius Caesar. The soon-to-be “dictator in perpetuity,” ignored this warning, and paid for it with his life. Caesar was brutally stabbed 23 times by 60 Roman senate members, including his friend Marcus Bru-tus. The date was March 15th, 44 BC.

Whether it an ancient curse or historical coincidence, Shakespeare’s words brought something to light. There seems to be a greater phenomenon at play here. What accounts for the other tragedies and threats to our world that have also occurred on March 15th?

1369- S. England - French raid – 2 days of torture, pillage and murder - acts of vengeance – during the time of King Edward III

1889- Samoa – Cyclone – 6 warships destroyed (3 U.S., 3 German: killing over 200 men)

1939- Czechoslovakia wiped off the map by Nazi invasion and destruction

1988- Ozone layer rapidly disappearing - NASA reports

2010 -SARS Global health scare – mysterious respiratory disease becomes worldwide threat (Smithsonian.com)

The original meaning of the Ides was much more benign. It signified the full moon phase of the first Roman calendar, generally between the 13th and 15th of the month. March, or Martius, was the first month of the year, and the ides were a time of celebra-tion. The ancient Romans danced and sang under the full moon, and offered sacrifices in exchange for prosperity.

Julius Caesar re-named and changed the calendar in 46 B.C., declaring January (Julian) the first month of the year, replacing March, just one year before his demise (History.com 2014).

Shakespeare wrote about everything, but most often about human nature. He said “we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.” He was writing about man’s quest for power, and the misery that often results, instead of glory. Was Caesar an example of that?

Perhaps if we pay closer attention to the warning signs, history does not have to repeat itself. So gather together and listen in folks, preferably before next March…

MCRC Staff Join Erie Walks 2018

Erie Walks, going on from April 2nd

- May 27th

, is friendly competition among Erie businesses and organizations that encourages physical activity and wellness among their employees. Participants volunteer to participate in this program and agree to track their physical activity over the course of the event. At the end of the competi-

tion, a trophy is awarded to the organization with the most average days walked.

At no cost to the participants, it is coordinated by the Erie County Department of Health. The hope is to inspire organizations to promote healthier worksites by combining physi-cal activity, friendly competition, and peer support - encouraging a long term habit of

physical activity at least 30 minutes each day.

MCRC staff decided to participate in the 2018 Erie Walks to: improve their health (motivated by the competition); increase their activity level; and lose weight. Physical activity is essential for good health, and a longer life, so, let’s go MCRC staff - start walk-

ing!

P A G E 5 V O L U M E 8 , I S S U E 3

Saturday, June 2, 2018 at Presque Isle State

554 East 10th Street Erie, PA 16503

Phone: 814-455-0212 Fax: 814-453-2363 Web: www.mcrcerie.org

MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER

Your Donation

is Appreciated

To make a financial gift to

MCRC, send it to Joanna

Cherpak, Executive Director,

554 East 10th St., Erie, PA

16503 or donate online at

www.mcrcerie.org.

MCRC is a 501 ( c)(3) charity

and all donations are tax de-

ductible.

MCRC volunteer opportunities exist

for one-time or continuing activities.

Please visit the

Volunteer tab at our Website at

www.mcrcerie.org

or look for us on the Get Connected

Erie website at

www.getconnectederie.org/agencies/mcrcerie

To inquire, send an email to

MCRC@mcrcerie.org. Be sure to

include your name and phone number

in your message.

Proudly serving the needs of the Hispanic and refugee communities since 1975.

A Reason to Celebrate

In 2018 the following staff will have been with MCRC 5 years or more:

Deborah Pazmino, Director of LS & Immigration—30 years

Cathie Whitmire, ESL Teacher — 24years

Paul Jericho, Associate Director – Programs— 20 years

Srđan Ninković Associate Director – Operations— 19 years

Elvedina Vakufac, Child Care Group Supervisor— 16 years

Volodymyr Karnaukh, Driver—14 years

Fatima Ali-Mohamed, RSS Case Worker—14 years

Fran Davis, ESL Teacher— 14 years

Nemat Abdelrahman, Child Care Worker—14 years

Mary Schmidt, Healthcare Navigator— 14 years

Anna Tischenko, Director of Refugee Services—13 years

Eddie Ocasio, Job Developer—13 years

Liliya Solovyanov, Child Care Worker—13 years

Carol Hofmann, ESL/Life Skills Instructor—13 years

Kathy Marzka, Accountant -12 years

Cecilia Manus – Child Care Worker – 11 years

Nirmal Gurung – RSS Case Worker – 9 years

Joanna Cherpak – Executive Director – 8 years (+3 years)

John Rai – LS & Immigration Specialist – 8 years

Petr Kovalevich – Maintenance Worker – 8 years

Sharian Abduljameed – Child Care Worker – 7 years

Carol Brigham – Education Manager – 7 years

Jordan Cherpak – IT Specialist/Tobacco Cessation Educator – 7 years

Merelin Lopez – Receptionist – 7 years

Marcus Biswa—Nepali Student Liaison—6 years

Kennedy Moo – RSS Driver – 6 years

Well done everyone!

Genuinely yours,

Joanna R. Cherpak

Executive Director