MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY

RESOURCE CENTER

MCRC noticias

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Volume 5, Issue 4

April 2015

Multicultural Community

Resource Center of Erie

Richard Perhacs, Esq., Board President

Joanna Cherpak, Executive Director

MCRC Noticias Editorial Team:

Cathie Whitmire, Education Manager

Carol Pifer, RSS Elderly Program Manager

Gregg Sikora, IT Specialist

Pamela Oduho, Staff Contributor

Brittany Greaner, AmeriCorps VISTA

554 East 10th St., Erie, PA 16503

Ph: 814.455.0212 FAX: 814.453.2363

Email: MCRC@mcrcerie.org

“Celebrating 40 years (1975 to 2015) of providing hope and opportunity

for the ESL community”

We’re pleased to be celebrating 40 years of providing hope and opportunity for the ESL com-

munity here in Erie, Pennsylvania. On April 29, 1975 The Hispanic American Council of Erie was incor-

porated as a non-profit organization. At this time we were located at the Spanish Apostolate, an Erie

Diocesan Mission Office at 611 West 17th

Street. We started with no administrative funds and operat-

ed with volunteers and two paid staff members. On March 22, 1983 we found our home here in the

old Penn School on the corner of 10th

and Ash on Erie’s east side. The school building was designed

by D.K. Dean and built by S. Kirschner in 1881 and an expansion was added in 1896. It was a 10

room school and had 556 seats. In 1983 only a small wing was used to conduct services. Over the

years, with the addition of refugee services in 1998 and the development of our childcare center in

1999, our programming has filled not only the rooms in the main building but also warranted growth.

In September of 2009, our name was changed to the Multicultural Community Resource

Center to more accurately reflect the diverse and ever increasing population served. On August 22,

2012 we expanded our campus to include the 10th

Street United Methodist Church next door to our

main complex. With this addition, came more space to hold functions, and programs to provide ser-

vices to our vast clientele. In the summer of 2014 a lengthy kitchen remodel was completed to allow

us to offer a food program to all the children attending daycare. Today, through our 95 full-time, part-

time and per diem staff, we continue to provide a variety of educational and employment programs to

the Immigrant and Refugee populations in Erie. The service needs of the clients are of prime im-

portance. All services promote client self-sufficiency and improved economic, physical and/or social

wellbeing.

P A G E 2 V O L U M E 5 , I S S U E 4

Our History

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 5 , I S S U E 4

Mosaico is successfully entering our 8th

year of serving the

Erie community. Founded in 2007 with the intent of focus-

ing on the refugee and limited-English speaking population

of Erie; Mosaico has since blossomed into a full-service staff-

ing agency capable of serving all of Erie’s job seeking popu-

lation.

As a subsidiary of MCRC, Mosaico has the ability to offer

case-management, transportation, day care referrals and

many other unique services unmatched by any other em-

ployment agency in the area. These services prove vital to

the success of both the job seeker and employer along with

the overall success of the organization.

Mosaico is pleased to announce that we have begun work-

ing with several new companies in addition to our many

loyal employers. Due to this continued growth there is cur-

rently a need for candidates to fill entry-level as well as

skilled labor positions throughout Erie County. Many em-

ployees successfully secure full-time, permanent positions

with the employer as a result of working for and with Mosai-

co.

Interested in working with us? Applications can be complet-

ed in-person Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or anytime

online at www.mosaicoerie.com. Remember to “Like” us on

Facebook to stay up-to-date with all current openings.

Questions? Call 814-464-0970

www.mosaicoerie.com

Clients know that jobs bring good opportunities for the fu-

ture. This is something that Hussein Ali knows from experience. Hus-

sein was a private business owner in Iraq. He owned a small grocery

store in Baghdad, the country’s capital city before the danger of the

war torn areas forced his family to flee to Jordan. In Jordan, he, his

wife (pregnant with their third child) and his two sons applied for

refugee status and they were placed in the United States. Hussein

comments “my American daughter helped us get here quickly. It was

only one and a half months until my wife’s due date and they worked

to place us in the US so that the baby could be born here. I appreci-

ate the US accepting my family so now my children can have a better

future”. Hussein and his family arrived in the United States on Octo-

ber 1, 2013 and were resettled in Erie. After he was referred to MCRC

for case management services, his case worker Imad helped him to

look at goals and to start making a plan. Hussein expressed that he

needed a job.

A job became available but Hussein quickly learned that his

English ability was not high enough to keep that job. Imad suggest-

ed Life Skills and Vocational English classes here and he signed up.

He worked hard to improve his English. Hussein remembers, “Before,

any time the phone would ring I could not understand one word.

Now as I begin to understand more, after every call I say thank you to

MCRC and my teachers for helping me understand.”

Last month an opportunity became available for a new job.

“The night we found out about the new opportunity I was crying

because this new job means a better life. My family celebrated be-

cause we were so happy. Today I know that life keeps getting better

and better” Hussein describes. He said he would take the job on one

condition; that he be allowed to continue attending class to improve

his English. He is now working second shift at the Pennsylvania Inter-

national Academy operated by Family First Sports Park and attending

morning classes every day. “I would like to express my true apprecia-

tion for the teachers and staff here at MCRC for helping me improve

my language and helping me improve my family’s life.”

Client Employment

Spotlight

Mosaico Employment

Services Inc.

P A G E 4 V O L U M E 5 , I S S U E 4

MCRC’S Cultural Corner

It has become tradition on the first of April to pull jokes of the harmless variety on those near and dear to us. Often the jokes are funnier in our heads than they play out in reality, but that doesn't stop us. Even the most staid among us have been known to indulge in a practical joke or two, so beware of trusting anyone on that day.

Below are some examples of April Fool’s Day traditions throughout the world. (sources: www.snopes.com; www.time.com;

http://gorussia.about.com; http://hoaxes.org/aprilfool/faq#countries )

France – The holiday here is known as Poisson d’Avril, which translates to April Fish, and is also celebrated in Italy as Pesce d’Aprile. Traditionally, schoolchildren will tape a picture of a fish on the back of an unsuspecting classmate and wait for the transgression to be discovered. Iran – The 13th day of the Persian New Year is called Sizdah Bedar, and usually falls on April 1 or April 2. Pranks have re-portedly been played on this holiday since 536 BC, making it perhaps the oldest known joke day. It’s customary to spend the afternoon outside, celebrating the new season and indulg-ing in food, laughter, games, and good-natured jokes. After a picnic, you throw away green vegetables, known as sabzeh, which represent any potential illnesses or bad luck for the coming year. Spain – December 28, Holy Innocents’ Day or Childermas, is also celebrated in Latin America. Though it technically is a Christian feast day, the pranking tradition that it’s now known for is strictly a cultural invention. Victims are instructed not to be upset because the jokesters are, well, innocent. India – India’s Holi festival is celebrated on March 31, and is a day to play jokes, toss colored dust and wear face and body paint to inaugurate spring. Russia - Just like in the west, both kids and adults sometimes partake in pranks, from the silly to the extreme. However, as a rule, April 1st is not recognized or celebrated in offices, work-places or schools (although some classrooms do, rarely, pay it a bit of attention). Most of the time the pranks that Russian people play on each other are small and mostly harmless – it is quite rare for someone to spend a lot of time planning an elab-orate prank on this day. in individual jokes or pranks. In this way, the tradition of April Fool's Day has now spread throughout the entire world.

Worldwide - During the past 100 years, media hoaxes

(humorous fake stories and photos created by news organ-

izations) have become a central part of April Fool's Day.

For many people such hoaxes are the most highly antici-

pated feature of the day. Since the mid 1970’s, news or-

ganizations in Asia, Africa, and South America began to

adopt this custom from their counterparts in Europe and

North America, but rarely participate

Students from the RSS Life Skills class boarded the EMTA

training bus on April 20th

to learn bus routes in Erie. Using

public transportation is a life skill that is best taught through

hands on learning and we’d like to thank the EMTA for

providing our clients with this valuable experience.”

P A G E 5 V O L U M E 5 , I S S U E 4

Wellness Corner

On Saturday, April 11th, our Wellness Program

had its first outreach event at a local Mosque! We

arranged for Justine Kuroda, Diabetes Nurse Edu-

cator at the Erie County Diabetes Association, to

give a talk about diabetes. In addition to the event

on April 11th

, Justine has also been running a dia-

betes workshop for some of our Bhutanese clients,

and on behalf of the Erie County Diabetes Associ-

ation presented MCRC with an award!

Aided by the outreach of our own case worker,

Fatima Ali Mohamed, we had a great turn-out for

the event. We prepared materials in six languages,

and had interpreters for two. The materials

ranged in focus from information specific to diabe-

tes, to general nutrition and ways to live a healthy

lifestyle.

In addition to the presentation, a group of LECOM

students volunteered their time to give free blood

pressure checks. It was a great way to teach some

of our clients about what blood pressure is and

why we take it, and for them to apply it to their

own lives.

We all walked away motivated to eat healthier

and exercise more. Our Wellness Program would

like to send a big thank you to Justine Kuroda, the

LECOM students who volunteered, Fatima Ali

Mohamed, and all who participated!!

Nirmal Gurung and John Rai

received an award last month

on behalf of MCRC from the

Erie County Diabetes Associa-

tion for our work with the

refugee community.

P A G E 6 V O L U M E 5 , I S S U E 4

Program Brochures are available for pickup in MCRC Main Lobby

English is rich with words that originate from Old Norse.

However, the English language has often taken the words

in a different direction than Norwegian. Still, there are quite

a few English words that clearly retain their connection to

modern Norwegian!

Norwegian Words You Didn’t Know You Knew

Norwegian Pronunciation English

Berserk Berserk Berserk

Krill Krill Krill

Fjord Fyord Fjord

Husbondi Hoosbondi Husband

Ombudsmann Ohmboodsmahn Ombudsman

Jul Yul Yule

Saga Sahgah Saga

Leg Leg Leg

Kniv Keneev Knife

As with most of the languages we’ve looked at in the

past few months, some words changed over time, or

transformed to adjust to the language adopting them.

Below are a few Old Norse words that have undergone a

change over the years.

English Origin

Ski Originally in Norwegian it was a general term for a plank or piece of wood.

Thursday Named for “Thor’s Day,” Thursday is now referred to as “Torsdag,” (pronounced “tawrsdahg”) in Norwegian.

Haggle This word in English finds its origins in the Old Norse word “haggen,” meaning ‘to chop.’

P A G E 7 V O L U M E 5 , I S S U E 4

MCRC hosted its First Annual Trivia Competition on Saturday, April 18th. It was a great experience for all that were in-

volved and look forward to next years event, which will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Mark you calendars!

‘Who Wants to be a U.S. Citizen?’ Trivia Night

A very special thank you to our

Emcee, Chuck Priestap!

Thank you to the following sponsors:

The winning

team, “The Young Avengers,” won a 3-hour

Wine Tour in a

14 person limo,

graciously do-

nated by La

Grande Elite

Limousine

Company lo-

cated in North

East, PA

Other photos from the evening

P A G E 8 V O L U M E 5 , I S S U E 4

Upcoming Events!

It’s been 10 Years!

The Highmark Walk is celebrating it’s tenth year this

summer at Presque Isle and we want to make this the

biggest year yet! Register now at

www.walkforahealthycommunity.org

The Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community is an an-

nual fundraising walk that benefits local health and hu-

man service agencies.

Highmark Inc. underwrites the cost of the walk so that 100 percent of the money raised by walkers goes to the participating organizations.

The primary goal of the walk is to help participating

organizations raise money for their individual missions.

The secondary goal of the walk is to energize commu-

nity members to have a greater hand in their health by

becoming or staying physically active. Saturday, June 6, 2015

The 5K Walk starts at 9:00 am with onsite registra-

tion beginning at 7:45 am.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015 Thursday, September 10, 2015

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 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 in-

clude your name and phone number in

your message.

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

Corner of

10th & Ash

Today, April 29, 2015, our agency, MCRC, is 40 years

strong and looking forward to our next 40 years! We

are so proud of our accomplishments. Our commitment

to the immigrant, refugee and Latino populations that

we serve is evergreen. We also are committed to the

Erie Community as we have been a friend, a neighbor,

an associate and a family member since 1975. Kudos to

us on this journey that we started 40 years ago and con-

tinue on today!

Genuinely yours,

Joanna R. Cherpak

Executive Director!