January 2012 eNewsletter
In this issue: Director Kelley Weigel is excited to share what we have coming up in 2012, the release of the "2011 Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity," we say goodbye to Walidah, dates for AMP are announced, and a job announcement at the Center.
Dear Friend,
We are only a few weeks into 2012 and we've started out with a bang with all of our programs running at full capacity. Earlier this week on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we released Oregon's 2011 Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity. Also, we've finalized dates for our annual social justice training event, AMP. Finally, we have another open position at the Center as we say goodbye to trainer and organizer, Walidah Imarisha.
In solidarity,
Kelley Weigel
Executive Director
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012 - Not Just a Leap Year, But a Leap Forward
It’s easy for me to be excited about 2012 because Western States Center is expanding our programs and working with more organizations than ever before. This is also the year we celebrate our 25th anniversary. And there is certainly much to celebrate.
Read more about our program updates.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We Can Do Better Than Average
Did you know that 1 out of 5 kindergarten students in Oregon is an English Language Learner? In 1990, people of color were 9.2% of the population. Today, we are 21.5% of the population. Oregon’s demographics are changing and racial equity is critical to our future.
In a fitting tribute to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, we bring you the 2011 Oregon Legislative Report Card on Racial Equality, which examines how 23 pieces of legislation introduced in the 2011 regular session addresses racial equity. Topics covered in the report include civil rights and criminal justice, education, economic justice, health, immigration and refugee issues as well as institutional racism.
Read more and download the report.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Farewell to Walidah Imarisha
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We're Hiring!
We are looking for a Trainer and Organizer to join our team! This is the second Trainer and Organizer position the Center is hiring for this winter. We are based in Portland, Oregon, and work with hundreds of activists and community organizations in the eight-state region of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada and Utah.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Save the Date
Mark your calendars, AMP 2012 will be July 27 to 29.
