MCRC NOTICIAS

MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY
RESOURCE CENTER
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MCR
“Celebrating 40 years (1975 to 2015)
of providing hope and opportunity
for the ESL community”
Volume 5, Issue 3
March 2015
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Path to Citizenship
As native born Americans, we often take for granted the rights and responsibilities that go along with
being a citizen of the United States. We learn about our country, its history and government, in
school but many of us quickly forget these facts and figures as we go throughout our lives. Think
back, do you know when the Constitution was signed or who was president during the Great Depression? For immigrants and refugees who come to the United States, the citizenship process can be a
daunting one.
For most individuals, after 5 years of continuous permanent residence in the United States, they are
eligible to apply for naturalization (citizenship). That process begins with an application of personal
history and background information. After the application is submitted (usually within 3 to 6 months),
the individual is called for an interview with a certified immigration interviewer. During this face to
face interview, the applicant is tested on his/her spoken English and understanding. He or she must
answer questions based on the application that was submitted as well as read one sentence out of
three correctly and write one sentence out of three that is dictated to him or her by the interviewer.
The individual must then also answer questions about American Civics, History and Government. He/
she is given 100 questions to practice and a computer then generates 10 of those questions to be
asked. The individual must orally answer 6 out of the 10 questions correctly to achieve a passing
score.
If the individual is unsuccessful in any of the portions of the interview, he or she will be retested once
within 60 to 90 days of the initial interview. If the second attempt is also unsuccessful, the individual
must begin the application process again and be subject to any processing fees again. If the individual is successful in his/her interview, he/she is then scheduled to take the Oath of Allegiance in a public
ceremony before he/she is an official naturalized citizen.
The public ceremonies held at the county courthouse are days full of celebration and triumph over
the struggles of the past and the rigorous interview process.
Coming Events
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April 1 — April Fool’s Day
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April 2 — International Children’s Book Day
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April 3 — Good Friday
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April 5 — Easter
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April 7 — World Health Day
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April 18 — ‘Who Wants to be a
U. S. Citizen?’ Trivia Competition
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April 22 — Earth Day
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
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
International Women’s Day
In March, people all over the world set aside some time to
celebrate women. International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th and is a time to recognize women and
their many achievements. In many countries this day is an
official national holiday while in others it is celebrated
among family and friends. On this day it is customary for
men to give small gifts and flowers to their female friends,
wives, mothers, girlfriends, daughters and colleagues. In
some countries International Women’s Day is treated like
Mother’s Day where children also give gifts to their mothers and grandmothers. While International Women’s Day
is not officially celebrated in the United States, many of the
clients and staff of MCRC look forward to this celebration
with their families and continue the traditions started in
their native countries here in their new homes. MCRC
would like to wish everyone a Happy International Women’s Day.
Mercyhurst University Student’s Visit
with MCRC Elders
Students from Mercyhurst University observed MCRC’s Elder Refugee Program on
Tuesday March 17th. On Thursday March
19th the students helped to lead the program bringing snack for the elders, arranging conversation topics to practice
speaking English and helping to hold
mock interviews of the citizenship questions that the elders will need to answer
when applying to receive United States
citizenship. Partnerships like this one help
us all to grow and learn together as a
community.”
PAGE 2
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
Wellness Corner
In honor of March being National Nutrition Month, the Wellness Program partnered with the Child Care Center and
shared some healthier snack options with the children. Snacks
included various vegetables with ranch, ants on a log, and a
two-ingredient “ice cream.” The ice cream is simply one banana and one tablespoon of peanut butter. Just cut the banana
into coins, freeze them, and then blend them with peanut
butter (adding a dash of almond milk (or your milk of choice)
if it gets stuck).
Recipe was found via http://www.blogilates.com/recipeindex/
Next month we are looking forward to sessions with different
programs on topics including: Exercise, What is Cancer?, Scabies and Bed Bugs, and Chronic Pain.
As always, make sure to like our Facebook page by searching
MCRC Wellness Program!
PAGE 3
Irish Words You Didn’t
Know You Knew
Even though nature has decided to delay spring a bit and give us
more snow instead of green grass, many residents of Erie celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in vibrant green colors. This month we learn
about the English words that come from Irish, which is called
many names, from Gaelic to Old Irish.
Irish
English
Bogach
Go leor
Luimneach
Sluagh
Uisce beatha
Smidirin
Seamróg
Duilesc
Bog
Galore
Limerick
Slew (as in a large number)
Whiskey
Smithereens
Shamrock
Dulse
Since Irish is a very old language, it probably comes as no surprise
that some of these meanings seem antiquated. However it can be
very interesting to see how some of these words shifted in meaning in order to stay relevant. Here are some examples of Irish
words that changed meaning.
English
Origin
Clock
From clocc meaning “bell”
Slogan
From sluagh-ghairm, meaning “a battle-cry”
(you may notice slaugh from the above chart.
Apparently in this case it means a ‘slew of people,’ i.e., an army).
Hooligan
From the Irish family name O'Houlihan
Kibosh
There is a debate about where this word came
from, but many sources say it comes from the
Irish word chaip bháis. In English many people
use this word to mean ‘finish’ or ‘end.’ The Irish
word chaip bháis is said to either refer to a
candle-snuffer, or a ‘cap of death.’ Some say it
means cap of death in reference to the black
cap worn by a judge pronouncing a death
sentence, while others suspect it’s from the
method of execution or torture called
‘pitchcapping.’
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
PAGE 4
MCRC’s Cultural Corner
With the arrival of spring (at least on the calendar) thoughts turn to renewal and change. Various celebrations are held the world over
to commemorate the arrival of the season of rebirth. Here are a few examples:
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https://bccfocus.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/ukrainian-easter-egg-32.jpg
Residents of Southeast Asia hold boat races, float paper lanterns on nearby rivers, and splash their friends and family
with water to ensure good luck.
Maypole dancing is believed to have come from Germany.
Revelers holding ribbons dance around a pole in celebration
of life and fertility.
Holi, the Hindu festival of colors and love, is celebrated every
February or March in India and Nepal. Participants are
splashed with water and then colored powders to symbolize
the age old fight between good and evil. It is a time to renew
friendships and give thanks for life’s blessings.
Nowruz, translates as “New Day” in Farsi, the first day of
spring and the Persian New Year. In Iran, some people practice fire jumping to celebrate its arrival. People set up bonfires
in public places and leap over the flames in a ritual, Chahar
Shanbeh Soori, which is thought to ensure good health for
the year. (http://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2015/mar/16/
nowruz-traditions-persian-new-year)
In Japan, Buddhists take time to participate in Higan a remembrance ceremony for their ancestors.
Many cultures incorporate the egg as a symbol of rebirth, in
various ways. The traditions of coloring eggs, painting eggs,
or even balancing them (for good luck) are prevalent
throughout the world. The egg pictured below was painted
in the Ukraine.
Diversity Training &
Consulting Program
The Diversity Training and Consulting Program at MCRC continues to help the Erie community better understand our local diversity.
Family Services of NWPA, Harborcreek Youth Services, Office of Children and Youth and the staff at Diehl Elementary School have all
completed trainings since January. In the upcoming months trainings are also planned for the students at Diehl Elementary School as
well as the Erie County Office of Mental Health. Additional trainings are scheduled with Harborcreek Youth Services and the Office of
Children and Youth.
Our program offers trainings in: Introduction to Diversity, Diversity in Communication, Using Interpreters, Healthcare Concerns for the
ethnic minorities in Erie, Disability Etiquette, Navigating Immigration and Naturalization and background to familiarize participants with
some of the ethnic minorities in Erie including 7 different cultures: Nepali, Middle Eastern, Eastern European, Somali, Congolese, Burmese/Karen and Latino/Hispanic. Trainings can be customized to fit the needs of organizations in the community who are looking to
expand their knowledge of Erie’s ever-changing cultural landscape. If you are interested in discussing training opportunities for your
organization contact us via email at: MCRC@mcrcerie.org ATTN: Sahana, or at 814-455-0212.
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
PAGE 5
Welcome to...
Rich giving a presentation on his book “Cuernavaca”
Our Board President, Richard Perhacs, just returned from a 30 day stay in the mountains of southwestern Mexico. Rich
visited Cuernavaca, Morelos where he’s gone to study Spanish each year for many years. In 2014 Rich published his first
novel, an adventure thriller set in southern Mexico, called Cuernavaca. During his most recent visit Rich made a presentation about his book to a group of US ex-patriots. Last year the book was actually introduced at an international launch
event in Mexico. According to Rich, the book has a strong multi-cultural theme and utilizes a lot of Spanish words and
phrases to help give the reader a better sense of the setting. Print, ebook and audio versions are available on Amazon.com. Werner Books in the Liberty Plaza also stocks the print version.
Cuernavaca is the capital and largest city of the state
of Morelos in Mexico. It was established by the Olmec,
"the mother culture" of Mesoamerica, approximately
3200 years ago and is designated as the archaeological site of Gualupita I . Wikipedia
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
PAGE 6
Immigration Services Update
MCRC offers a variety of services for those in need of assistance in completing required paperwork for the department of U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services (USCIS). We have an accredited representative on-site, as well as several part-time staff, to assist you. Copies of
documents and official correspondence are available for those who utilize these services. Some of the available services include assistance
to:
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Apply for, or renew, a Permanent Resident
card
Apply to sponsor close family members so
they can obtain permanent residency
Apply to become a U.S. citizen
Register for free civics classes (daytime and
evening classes available)
Request a citizenship certificate for a child of
a US Citizen
Apply for a fee waiver for certain applications
(if eligible)
Apply for extensions to government issued
visas
Register or renew DACA status for
undocumented aliens
Immigration counseling to understand
on-going changes to immigration law
which may affect you
Nominal fees may be charged (usually $20-50) for appointments. Should you need access to these or any other
immigration services please contact Deborah Pazmiño at
455-0212 x 314.
Worksite Classes an Option
for Local Employers
Are you a local business that employs people from other countries? Do
you find it difficult to communicate when their primary language isn’t
English? Do your workers need to learn specific vocabulary or information related to their job in order to help your company be more productive?
MCRC is happy to work with local employers, and create on-site classes
to meet those needs. We offer fee for service options on a case by case
basis. If interested, contact us via email at MCRC@mcrcerie.org or
814.455.0212
Attendees of Rehrig Pacific worksite ESL class in March 2015.
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 3
PAGE 7
Upcoming Events!
In a poll, it was shown that 93% of immigrants who
apply for U.S. Citizenship pass the exam, while only
65% of Native-Born Americans, given the same
questions, passed the exam.
Do you think you have what it takes to pass the
United States Citizenship Exam!? Here is your
chance to know for sure! Grab your friends and
family and prepare for a fun night with food, a cash
bar, raffles and more!
Find out what MCRC Clients strive so hard and
reach so high for during their path to be Citizens of
the United States of America! Your participation
will help us continue to help Erie’s Refugee and Immigrant Population achieve their ultimate goal of
U.S. Citizenship!
For information and signup forms, please visit:
www.mcrcerie.org/trivia
Mark Your Calendars!
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
MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY
RESOURCE CENTER
554 East 10th Street
Erie, PA 16503
Phone: 814-455-0212
Fax: 814-453-2363
Web: www.mcrcerie.org
f
Corner o
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10th & A
A Job Well Done
In March 2014 edition of Noticias I acknowledged those staff that were part of MCRC for
10 years or more. Following that tradition, I would like to announce those with service
anniversaries of 10 years or more in 2015:
Deborah Pazmino, Director of LS & Immigration—27 years
Cathie Whitmire, Education Manager— 21 years
Paul Jericho, Associate Director – Programs— 17 years
Srdan Ninkovic, Assistant Director – Operations— 16 years
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.
Elvedina Vakufac, Child Care Group Supervisor— 13 years
Volodymyr Karnaukh, Driver—11 years
Fatima Ali-Mohamed, RSS Case Worker—11 years
Fran Davis, ESL Teacher— 11 years
Nemat Abdelrahman, Child Care Worker—11 years
Mary Schmidt, Special Projects Manager— 11 years
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.
Isela Abreu-Arce, Latino Services Manager— 11 years
Anna Tischenko, Director of Refugee Services—10 years
Moraima Rivera—Child Care Worker—10 years
Eddie Occasio—Job Deverloper—10 years
Liliya Solovyanov—Child Care Worker—10 years
Carol Hofmann—ESL/Life Skills Instructor—10 years
Well done everyone! I am humbled and proud to have such dedicated team members
who show such loyalty to MCRC. Thank you for all that you every day.
Genuinely yours,
Joanna R. Cherpak
Executive Director
Proudly serving the needs of the Hispanic and refugee communities since 1975.