Wednesday, October 18, 2017

News for Amigos de Casa San José: October 19, 2017

Dear Casa San José Amigos,
Welcome back to our weekly message!  Here’s what’s new:

HELP:

  • Moving day for Casa San José is fast approaching! Thursday 10/26 through Tuesday 10/31 - Just over the hill to Beechview at 2114 Broadway, 15216.  We could use your help.

    • Do you have a truck or van that we could use?
    • Can you drive back and forth a few times?
    • Could you donate some boxes ahead of time (bankers' or boxes with handles)?
    • Could you help lift and carry?
    • If you can do any of these, please email Sister Valerie with details and times available - srvalerie@casasanjose.org.  Thank you!!

  • Casa San José is raising money to send 23 local DACA youth, immigrant families, and allies to Arizona on Nov. for the SOA Watch National Convergence. This trip is incredibly important in creating a strong immigrant justice community locally and nationally. Casa San Jose is just $2,000 short of having the resources they need to pay for travel, lodging, etc.  Please reach out to Christina at the Thomas Merton Center - 516-510-6042 or christinacastillo@thomasmertoncenter.org - if you are able to donate. We are also selling beautiful, meaningful t-shirts (pictured) both at our office at 933 Brookline Blvd. and at the Thomas Merton Center at 5129 Penn Ave.

     







    ACTION:
    • We want the US House to bring a clean Dream Act (HR 3440) to the floor for a vote ASAP.  You can further that by contacting your Congressperson this quick and easy way.  The link tells you all the information.  Rep. Mike Doyle is the only one in our area that has signed.  Background: the Congressional Hispanic Caucus is getting signatures on a "discharge petition" which will release the bill from committee for a vote. They need 218 signatures and currently have 195. This is our greatest chance at winning a clean bill with no enforcement. And we can only do it the same way we won health care, with a massive show of public insistence. If the discharge fails, we will be left with negotiations on how many deportations each dreamer's future is worth - and Trump's latest draconian anti-immigration demands.
     NEWS:  


    • Organized by Casa San José, the Mobile Mexican Consulate held a one-day service point in the gym of Central Catholic High School in Oakland last Saturday. Hundreds of community members came seeking passports and other documentation, and CSJ sponsored free consultation with lawyers and activities for the children. There were also representatives from helping organizations with healthcare information, flu shots, library books, and other services for immigrants. Delicious food made by our families was for sale to support the SOA Border Watch trip (see above.) Many thanks to our wonderful volunteers who offered their time, expertise, and strong arms.  

    • We are expanding our programs for Latino youth:  Keystone Oaks and Beechwood Elementary after-school programs will join our Brashear High School after-school program ("Jóvenes con Propósito") and our Saturday Teen Outreach program ("Puentes Hacia el Futuro".)  They are run by our youth community organizer, Jeimy Sanchez-Ruiz, and our new intern Katie Campagna. They nurture and empower immigrant students from ages 5-22 by providing homework help, ESL support, mentorship, cultural activities, and educational field trips. For the older kids, there are vocational workshops and college prep, and participation in youth community organizing activities locally and state-wide. Our goal is to “bridge the gap,” to encourage them to take pride in their families' heritage, and to also embrace the elements of their new home. We provide a safe, supportive space where they can learn, talk about their challenges, brainstorm solutions, and make friends.
    • On Friday, Jeimy took 12 of our high schoolers to ScareHouse for some Halloween fun, thanks to Tickets for Kids Charities.
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      (Earlier messages can be found here.)

      News for Amigos de Casa San José: new location!

      Has moved to our website!  Please see more current posts here. Thank you for joining us!