North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights
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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights |
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Programs ~ Announcements ~ Updates ~ Resources
Friday, August 10, 2007 North Dakota Human Rights News
Hello members and friends of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition! Select individual headings to view specific content. Thank you for reading.
NEWS: Native American Nicknames / Mascot
Do you have a Program, Announcement, Update or Resource that you would like shared on our weekly PAUR report? If so, please send an email to HumanRights@NDHRC.org and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Please Note: The NDHRC distributes a weekly PAUR report to inform our members and friends about news, events, and other human rights related information around the state. The opinions expressed within the articles are those of the authors and are not endorsed by the NDHRC.
We need your help and support to make a difference. Your individual advocacy is invaluable. Please consider making a monetary donation to help support the NDHRC's work. Send your donations to NDHRC, P.O. Box 1961, Fargo, ND 58107-1961 or make a donation online by visiting www.ndhrc.org. Free memberships are also available.
New NDHRC members: as a membership benefit you have received an e-mail subscription of our weekly e-mail newsletter, the NDHRC PAUR Report. If you would like to be removed from the PAUR Report mailing list, please send an email to humanrights@ndhrc.org.
NEW: ND Workers' Comepensation Review Ccommittee The ND Workers’ Compensation Review Committee invites injured employees with compensation-related issues to apply for review of their claims. The Committee cannot adjudicate claims, but is seeking information that may lead to changes in North Dakota’s workers’ compensation laws. Click here for additional information from George Keiser, Chairman, Workers’ Compensation Review Committee.
Click here for online
application forms.
NEW: Help Secure Funding for the Independent Living Program, Centers for Independent Living On June 7, 2007 a House panel approved a proposal to “flat” fund the Independent Living (IL) Program, which provides services that enable people with disabilities to live in their community and make choices about their own lives. Freedom Resource Center has not seen an increase in federal funding for four years and in 2006 we had a 1% cut in federal funding. Currently only 20 out of 87 counties are covered by Centers for Independent Living in Minnesota; 13 out of 53 counties are covered in North Dakota. You can help us increase funding for the Independent Living Program (Title VII Chapter 1 Part C) which will help move us towards statewide coverage for independent living services in Minnesota and North Dakota. Please contact your congressional representatives listed below. If you have any personal stories on how Centers for Independent Living have affected your life, someone you know and/or your communities please relay those stories. We have enclosed talking points if you would prefer to use those. What do Centers for Independent Living do for Minnesota and North Dakota? · We assist in breaking down barriers that
frustrate people with disabilities. · We ensure that every person has the opportunity to contribute to the social and economic well being of the entire state. A strong network of Centers for Independent Living, along with related support services, will assure quality community living opportunities for the citizens of Minnesota and North Dakota. Call, write or e-mail:
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND)
Congressman Collin Peterson
(D-7th District MN) Congressman Earl Pomeroy
(D-ND) Thank you for your assisting the Centers for Independent Living in Minnesota and North Dakota.
NEW: 3 New Publications from North Dakota KIDS COUNT
We invite you to access the new 2007 data from North Dakota KIDS COUNT
available in three new publications on our website:
www.ndkidscount.org.
• The 18th annual report on child well-being is now available in the 2007
National KIDS COUNT Data Book released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The
goal of this publication is to provide policy makers and citizens with factual
data for making decisions that affect the futures of all children. This year’s
essay examines the child welfare system and challenges the country to make
lifelong connections for children and youth in foster care a national
priority. A brief analysis of North Dakota data on pages 128-129 in the Data
Book gives a comparison of our state to the national trend data. This year
North Dakota ranks 8th highest in the nation in child well-being.
• The 2007 North Dakota KIDS COUNT Fact Book (published electronically and available at www.ndkidscount.org/factbook.htm) provides state, regional, and county profiles based on seven categories of data representing multiple indicators of child well-being. A wide range of factors include population, family composition, economic condition, child care, health, education, and children at risk. The North Dakota Fact Book indicators are available on the CLIKS (Community-Level Information on Kids) website: www.kidscount.org/cliks. CLIKS offers trends, graphs, maps and rankings for North Dakota counties as well as for other participating states. • In conjunction with the above releases, the new Inform Fact Sheet offering highlights of both books, entitled "2007 Annual Updates on the Well-Being of North Dakota's Children." In addition, a new page on our website entitled "How To Help" is now available.
Human Services and counties coordinate cooling assistance for low-income households (Through August 31, 2007) Please forward freely: News from the ND Dept. of Human Services Contacts: Ron Knutson, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Administrator, 701-328-4882,or Heather Steffl, Public Information Officer, 701-328-4933 or 701-527-7445 Record
temperatures can be life threatening – especially to individuals with medical
conditions who cannot go to cooled buildings and cannot afford air conditioning
in their homes. In response to record high temperatures, the N.D. Department
of Human Services is implementing a cooling assistance program with the help of
county social service offices.
The ADA Restoration Act has been introduced. The bill number is H.R. 3195. A link to the general info on the bill: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-3195 To see the actual bill: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h110-3195 There are currently 144 co-sponsors on the bill. Neither Pomeroy (D-ND) or Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) are currently co-sponsors. Doesn't mean they won't vote for it, but are not currently signed on in support. Has been referred to the House Energy & Commerce Committee. Hope it gets sent to Judiciary.
From ADA Watch:
ADA RESTORATION ACTION CENTER
Job Opportunity with North Dakota Peace Coalition The North Dakota Peace Coalition is looking for a new Director of Peace Studies-West, which is a part-time position with possible opportunities for advancement. It's a rewarding job requiring about eight hours a week, working with committed volunteers to nurture peace culture in North Dakota. For more information, please contact the current directo, Karen Van Fossan, at kivanfossan@yahoo.com or 701-258-6667. If you or someone you know would like to apply, please send a resume to my email address. Start date is August 15th. Location is Bismarck/Mandan area.
Community Organizer position opening with PEPP People Escaping Poverty Project (PEPP) has an immediate opening for the position of Community Organizer. This is a full time, permanent position (40 hours per week +). The starting wage for this position is equivalent to $12.50 and hour with an attractive benefit package of Health Care and paid leave. For more information, visit www.pepp.org, http://www.pepp.org/organizer/, or contact PEPP directly. People Escaping
Poverty Project To be considered for this position, submit a cover letter and resume postmarked no later then Wednesday, August 15th, 2007 to the PEPP Hiring Team, 116 12th St. S. Moorhead, MN 56560. Or send the requested information by e-mail to pepp@pepp.org.
Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living seeking applicants Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living, a disability rights organization, is looking for an energetic and organized person to recruit, train, and supervise volunteers for peer mentoring and civic engagement activities. This person will engage volunteers to assist the organization in accomplishing its various activities as well as attending and organizing community events. Preferred qualifications include experience with disability issues, volunteer coordination, grass-roots advocacy, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Some computer application knowledge and travel are required. Letters of application and resumes should be send to: Assistant program director, Freedom Resource Center, 2701 9th Ave. S. Ste H, Fargo, ND 58103. Position open until filled. Persons with disabilities strongly encouraged to apply. Contact Scott Burlingame, Assistant Program Director, Freedom RCIL, scottb@freedomrc.org or (701)478-0459
Hundreds of thousands of “War is Not the Answer” yard/window signs have been distributed across the country. Concerned families are expressing their support for our troops and for peaceful resolutions to today’s international conflicts. Now there is real change going on in Congress. The process is very fluid. Yard signs everywhere will help to change the political environment in North Dakota toward peace. “War is Not the Answer” yard/window signs, with stakes, are immediately available in Bismarck-Mandan from Larry Spears (258-1899). Please make a contribution of $5.00, if you will, to Bismarck Quaker Meeting, 15160 Sundown Dr, Bismarck, ND 58503-9206.
Nonprofit Leadership Program begins in September Moorhead, MN. Minnesota State University Moorhead, in partnership with The United Way of Cass Clay and the Otto Bremer Foundation, will host a nine-month leadership program on "The Essentials of Nonprofit Administration" beginning Sept. 12, 2007.The class meets the second Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the MSUM campus. Each month a different topic is covered, such as nonprofit governance, fundraising, human resource administration, financial management, marketing programs and services, strategic planning, program development, legal issues and leadership. Presenters are academic and nonprofit professionals recognized as experts in their fields. Program cost is $300 per participant. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. For more information on this leadership program, contact: MSUM Customized Training Coordinator Kathleen Paulson at 218.477.5051 or paulsonk@mnstate.edu
Minimum Wage Changed July 24th North Dakota employers were required to raise their minimum wages to $5.85 per hour, effective Tuesday, July 24, 2007. The increase is in accordance with state and federal laws passed earlier this year to increase the minimum wage gradually to $7.25 per hour in 2009. Download pdf. **NDHRC lobbied in favor of this bill, just one of the victories for the human rights movement this session.**
New guides are available on the new minimum wage changes. Two new issue briefs from the Institute for Community Inclusion review how the minimum wage increase is relevant and provide guidance for both people with disabilities and service providers. These briefs assist service providers and people with disabilities through the minimum wage change and its effect on benefits and other issues. The guides are available by clicking the link below: * A Guide for Disability Service Providers * What It Means for People with Disabilities
PEPP: Voter Collaborative Recruitment Why do you care about who is running? Why should we have a voter collaborative? Why do you vote at all? We are looking for new folks to help with the voter collaborative. We are also seeking past collaborative members to join in the efforts for the Get Out The Vote campaigns and Candidate Forums for the 2007 Moorhead City Council and school board elections. We will also start to talk about 2008 and elections happening in June for Fargo and Cass county leading us into the November elections. Our first challenge together will be to craft a message that will move even the most apathetic person out there to at least think about getting to the polls. If you are interested, please call the PEPP office at 218-236-5434.
NDHRC & Professional Issues Conference present: Jennifer Baumgardner & damali ayo Mark your calendars today! NDHRC and the Professional Issues conference are collaborating on a conference, "The Human Rights Umbrella: Removing Barriers to Full Participation," scheduled for Fri.-Sat., Oct. 19 & 20. The conference will feature tracks focused on human rights, GLBT, disability, and New American issues. In those tracks, presenters will cover topics such as education, law, diversity issues, activism, health & human services, and spirituality.
Two keynote speakers! We’re proud to bring you two keynote speakers for this year’s conference. First is damali ayo, a conceptual and performance artist known for her work on contemporary race relations, who will address our Friday evening reception. Her work spans the media of painting, web art, performance, sculpture, audio and video. Jennifer Baumgardner, best-selling author and former Fargoan, will speak Saturday over lunch. The author of “Look Both Ways: Bisexual Politics,” “Grassroots” and “Manifesta” will touch on a variety of human rights issues, including her work on sexuality, feminism and activism.
Watch for e-mail updates or click here for details (updated as information is available).
** Online Registration Coming Soon! **
NDHRC Presents: Death Penalty Photo Exhibit NDHRC will be bringing a photography exhibit on the death penalty by Langley Creations Photography, created in partnership with Amnesty International USA, to cities in North Dakota in 2007 and 2008. The first exhibit will be at the North Dakota State University Memorial Union Gallery in Fargo, during our annual human rights conference in October, 2007. We’ll ask people knowledgeable about the death penalty to conduct presentations during the exhibits; Judge Ralph R. Erickson, the U.S. District Court Judge who presided over the trial of Alfonso Rodriguez will speak at NDSU in Fargo in October. * NDSU Memorial Union Gallery, Fargo: October 17-21; Judge Erickson will speak October 17 (time TBA)
NEW: ARC Awareness Day 2007 - Tuesday, August 14, 10am-2pm. ARC Thrift Store: 215 North University Drive, Fargo. Disabilities awareness activities, games, balloon animals, face painting, cake walk, hot dogs, ice cream sandwiches, pop, popcorn, cotton candy, door prizes and sales in both of our thrift stores. Lunch available for nominal fee.
NEW: Tenant Issue Meeting to be held Aug 14 @ PEPP Join us at PEPP for an Hour to change the world! Actually, we can begin to change the world in a hour. Join us on Tuesday, August 14th from 7 to 8 PM at PEPP (116 12th Street South Moorhead). WHY? To further the strategies on developing an equitable tenant screening policy in the city of Moorhead! This is a follow-up meeting to the OAP Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity that was held on July 18th at Centro Cultural in Moorhead. Join us, bring someone else and be prepared to "Strategize"! Call Duke @ PEPP for More info, 236-5434.
NEW: Free courtesy tickets to family event for low-income and single-parent children & families The 7th Annual Family Nights of Music, Comedy & Magic, with this year's guest star The Todd Charles Comedy Spectacular; he's not your typical banjo, juggling, hand-shadow impression, singing animal, magic comedy act." Friday and Saturday, Sept 14th & 15th, at 7:00pm, Belle Mehus Auditorium, Bismarck. Adults $ 8. Children $ 6. Family Pass $ 25. Free courtesy tickets available for low-income and single-parent children and families by calling The GOD'S CHILD Project 255-7956, or online at www.DakotaFriends.org. [The GOD'S CHILD Project and several other of our related charities are members of NDHRC.]
NEW: CHARISM is hosting a seminar called “Caring for Torture Survivors: Building Networks of Support” on Thursday, August 23rd from 8:30am-4:30pm. The seminar will be at the Fargo Holiday Inn (I-29 & 13th Ave.-Fargo, ND), and has the capacity to seat as many as 150 people and up. Please help us to publicize this conference by sharing it with your colleagues, contacts, and friends. Registration Deadline: August 13th, 2007. Please contact CHARISM at: 701-241-8570 or cpeplinski@charism.org for additional information.
Waking the Sleeping Giant - Coffee Conversations Because the coffee conversations have gone so well by allowing people to attend that could otherwise not attend the large group meetings, we have decided to have some more. Remember, coffee is on PEPP! We will be moving the work on the community Stewardship fund forward. The recent news on the proposed Cass county 1/2 cent sales tax increase has added a different dimension to the conversation. If you can join us for any of the following dates, please do: August 16th at 2:30 at the Caribou Coffee on 25th Street in Fargo August 21st at 10:30 at Atomic Coffee in Moorhead (115 4th Street South) Mission of Waking the Sleeping Giant: To influence local, state and federal health and human service policy by strengthening community and uniting Cass and Clay County nonprofits.
North Dakota Disabilities Advocacy Consortium Conferece Will be held August 20-21 in Bismarck in coordination with the Road to Freedom Tour to celebrate passage of ADA. The brochure and registration info is at: http://www.ndfhc.org/Events/2007%20NDDAC%20Conf.%20Brochure-Forms.PDF The third annual North Dakota Disabilities Advocacy Consortium Conference will be held at the Kelly Inn on Monday and Tuesday, August 20 and 21 in Bismarck. Breakout sessions include representatives from Fair Housing of the Dakotas, Family Voices, North Dakota Homeland Security, AARP, ND Centers for Persons with Disabilities and more. Stipends are available for individuals with disabilities. For more information or to register, call 1-877-766-6907 or 701-328-3924 or e-mail jimmoench@nddac.org Find links to information below:
Dakota Disabilities Issues Brochure with Registration Form
Inaugural 5K Race to Celebrate Life of Dru Sjodin and Fight Sexual Violence Proceeds from Dru Sjodin Purple Elephant 5K to benefit Gamma Phi Beta Scholarship at University of North Dakota A life will be commemorated and a cause supported at the first annual Dru Sjodin Purple Elephant 5K Run/Walk on August 18, 2007 in Pequot Lakes, Minn. The race is intended as a fun, healthy way for the community to recognize, raise awareness, and uphold intolerance for sexual violence against women and children in honor of Dru Sjodin's life. Sponsored in part by Clif Bar, Inc.'s LUNA Bar, all race proceeds will benefit the Gamma Phi Beta Scholarship Fund at the University of North Dakota, where Sjodin attended school. Race Information and Registration: The race entry fee is $20 before race day and $25 on the day of the event. More information and race pre-registration are available at www.runfordru.com. Cheers to the Bright Spirit of Dru! Shelle Michaels- (218) 779-7271
Free Grant Writing Training in Fargo August 28 and 29 Faith based and community based organizations can learn how to become more competitive for federal and local grants from instructors with federal and local organizations at a workshop held at the Holiday Inn, 3803 13 Ave S, Fargo, August 28 and 29. Registration will be 7:30 – 8:30 am with the program from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm the 28th. The day begins at 8:00 am on the 29th. Lunch and refreshments will be provided at no cost. There will also be training on securing 501c3 and the organizational structure necessary to secure government and local funds. This information will prepare you to apply for public, corporate and foundation funds. Workshop topics will include Grant Proposal Writing Techniques; How to Access Government Funds; How to Access Foundation Funds; HUD/SBA/DMF Programs Available to Faith/Community Based Organizations; Coalition Building; Budget Creation; Working with Local Governments; and Capacity Building. This training is sponsored by Dakota Medical Foundation/Impact Foundation with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Small Business Administration, and USDA Rural Development. Space is limited and reservations are accepted until August 22. If you need special accommodations and/or services please indicate this on your reservation. For more information contact Oswald at 701-293-2831. Register at http://wwwhud.gov/event_registration/index_2.cfm?eventID+654.
FM Funders Sponsor NPO Financial Training Day September 19 Nonprofits should Save the Date of September 19. A Coalition of Area Nonprofit Funders is sponsoring an all day training session on financial programs for Nonprofits in the area on Wednesday, September 19. The day will feature Kate Barr from the Nonprofits Assistance Fund in Minneapolis. Topics covered are Calculating True Program Costs, and Measuring Nonprofit Financial Health. Each workshop topic will be a half day presentation. The day will begin at 8:45 and end at 4:30 with a box lunch served during the noon hour. Cost for the day is $35.00. Save the date now and look for more information in the near future.
Free fair housing accessibility training in Bismarck, ND - August 14 HUD presents free Fair Housing Accessibility Training August 14th : 8:30 am – 4:30 pm at the Radisson Hotel, 605 E. Broadway, Bismarck, ND 58501. To register, visit www.fairhousingfirst.org and click on the “CALENDAR” link or call 703.747.3963 or the FHD at 701.221.2530 or Toll-Free at 888.265.0907. *This program is registered with the American Institute of Architects. Architects will receive up to six (6) Health Safety and Welfare (HSW)continuing education credits per day.
PFLAG National Convention in Washington D.C. Registration is now open for the national convention. Register or learn more about PFLAG (Parents, Families, Friends of Lesbians & Gays) at www.pflag.org. From October 11-14, 2007 in Washington, D.C., PFLAG National will give you the support, education and advocacy training that you need to make your goals a reality. Simply put, whether you are just getting started or are a seasoned leader, there is no better way to gain valuable new perspectives and powerful tools than to join us this October. Join us for the 2007 PFLAG National Convention, presented by IBM, to be part of the family voices moving equality forward. Early Bird registration rates extended through June 30!
Minnkota Center GLBT Social/Discussion
Group
NAACP chapter in ND: A group out of Grand Forks has laid the groundwork for a North Dakota chapter of the NAACP. North Dakota is one of only two states in the United States without a chapter of the organization. Stay posted for notices of future meetings and events. Right now, the group needs members in order to get a charter from the national NAACP. The membership is $30.00, and checks can be made out to, and sent to: Northern Lights Chapter of NAACP, P.O. Box 12142, Grand Forks, ND 58208-2142. The Mission Statement of the NAACP: "...to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights for all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination."
The Arc of Bismarck & The ND Protection & Advocacy Project staff are collaborating to offer training and support to groups or individuals wishing to participate in the legislative process. For more details or to schedule a workshop that includes information on how a bill becomes a law and how to draft and deliver legislative testimony, please use one of the contact points listed below to schedule an appointment. Please share this in your circles - Thank you! 701-258-7949. joyce@apsimail.com # arcbis@midconetwork.com # tlarsen@nd.gov
Nonprofits Assistance Fund Launches Blog
The Local chapter of the national campaign for the creation of a cabinet level Department of Peace is looking for a few good men and women volunteers, across the state, to team up to lobby for this bill. Please contact State Coordinator and District Team Leader Paddy McLaughlin to see how you might become involved with this powerful bill for peace. Meetings in Fargo at the Center, every 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month, 8 p.m. Call 701-232-0694 for details. www.thepeacealliance.org Local Peace Circle takes place every Tuesday at 7:00 P.M. at The Center for Peace, 411 11th St. N., Fargo, ND. Please join us as we meditate on, prayer for and envision the conditions necessary for healing and peace on Earth. Contact Paddy McLaughlin, 701-232-0694
AG, others give update on
lawsuit BISMARCK – Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and University of North Dakota officials spent 90 minutes Thursday morning in a closed-door session updating officials on the NCAA nickname lawsuit ... Stenehjem said he could not comment on what was discussed during the executive session with the state Board of Higher Education ... He said conversations about settling the state’s lawsuit with the NCAA over the Fighting Sioux nickname are ongoing. http://www.in-forum.com/Opinion/articles/173743
State board gets update on
NCAA suit, releases no details BISMARCK The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education members met in closed session for more than 90 minutes this morning to receive an update on UND's lawsuit against the NCAAover the Fighting Sioux nickname ... The board met at 10 a.m. and went into executive session at about 10:15 a.m., after a brief history of the lawsuit from board attorney Pat Seaworth. http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/includes/printer.cfm?id=45742
Leaving a linguistic legacy The art of capturing words spoken in a language threatened with extinction, and putting them in writing so they can achieve immortality in print, is work best done while nibbling brain food ... Or at least Edwin Benson and Sara Trechter have found that it’s nice to be able to munch on blueberries and carrot sticks while he speaks in Mandan and she jots down his words ... Mandan, the language spoken by the tribe famous for hosting Lewis and Clark during the explorers’ winter encampment in North Dakota, hangs by a linguistic thread that frays a little more as each year slips by ... Benson, a 75-year-old horse rancher, is the strongest strand left in that thread. Experts regard him as the only fluent speaker of Mandan still alive. http://www.in-forum.com/articles/printer.cfm?id=174106
HIGHER EDUCATION: Indians
begin journey into medicine Dan Morgan applied to several medical schools in his native California before finishing his bachelor's degree at the University of California-Davis ... He decided instead to travel halfway across the country to join UND's Indians into Medicine program because he said he wants to put his medical degree to work on an American Indian reservation, where medical care is often hard to come by. “That's where the greatest need is,” Morgan said. “That's the most satisfying experience. You're not competing for people to come to you for health care, you're just helping as many people as you can.” http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/includes/printer.cfm?id=46220
Book releases about a Lakota war chief
By Eloise Ogden, Regional Editor
eogden@minotdailynews.com
NEWS: Race & National Origin
Breaking barriers Pelican Rapids, Minn. - Ayan Omar stared wide-eyed at the students who unabashedly “stuck their left hands in and pulled their left hands out.” ... Momentarily befuddled by the phenomenon known as the hokey pokey, the 5-year-old refugee from Kenya caught on by round three and belted out words from the catchy American jingle along with other students at Viking Elementary School in Pelican Rapids. http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=173881§ion=news
Indigenous grandmothers look toward the future By Carson Walker, Associated Press Writer - Jul 30, 2007 - 04:03:20 CDT HOT SPRINGS, S.D. - Several times a
day over three days, 13 women from around the world, several in their 80s,
gathered around an open fire as each led a prayer ceremony unique to her
native tribe ... After each outdoor gathering they moved into a convention
center auditorium, where they exchanged ideas and learned about problems that
plague the Oglala Lakota who live on the nearby Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
... Among them: high unemployment, suicide, domestic violence, drug and
alcohol abuse, diabetes and contaminated water ... The women share a common
vision and mission to spare future generations problems that now vex much of
society.
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2007/07/30/news/state/137049.txt
Please send related news items to mitchmarr@ndhrc.org
YWCA full, in need of help The local YWCA currently is housing the highest percentage of women and children trying to escape domestic violence the shelter has ever had, officials say, putting the facility over capacity ... As of Thursday, all but four families staying at the facility are there because of domestic violence, according to YWCA Executive Director Judy Green ... The shelter normally has a mixture of women and children who are challenged economically, homeless or fleeing domestic violence, Green said, adding that the current percentage is “concerning.” http://www.in-forum.com/articles/printer.cfm?id=173001
Guests study N.D. domestic
violence issues Guests from the University of California-San Francisco's National Center of Excellence in Women's Health are visiting Grand Forks and Northwood, N.D., this week to view firsthand how local entities have joined together to address domestic violence issues in rural areas. http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=45764§ion=homepage
Letter: Mark Strand, Judy
Green, and Greg Diehl fargo letter: Cherries for Charity event a huge success On behalf of the Cosmopolitan Club, YWCA Cass Clay, and the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center, we extend a huge thank you to Hornbacher’s and the community for a successful Cherries for Charity event. We were blessed with a delicious crop of cherries this year, which helped in reaching our goal of $25,000 in celebration of the event’s 25th anniversary. http://www.in-forum.com/Opinion/articles/173420
W.F. supports study of
paratransit options The West Fargo City Commission voted unanimously Monday to support a study of the Metro Area Transit’s paratransit operations, which explores options to meet the growing needs of disabled riders without interrupting service or increasing passenger fares ... The study – conducted by the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments – examines adjustments that MAT could make to maintain transportation services for disabled riders unable to use the MAT’s buses unattended. http://www.in-forum.com/articles/printer.cfm?id=174205
Man with ALS aided project
that allowed communication ‘I lived in Fargo for about two years,” Shirley Fredlund writes, “and so enjoyed meeting the wonderful people there; they are so warm and kind.” ... And, Shirley says, “one of the nicest was Alan Grossman of West Fargo, a man who had ALS,” i.e., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. http://www.in-forum.com/articles/printer.cfm?id=173429
Families get help finding loved ones lost in institutionsBy Elizabeth Cohen, CNN - SEASIDE, Oregon (CNN) One day in 1957, when Jeff Daly was 6 years old, his little sister, Molly, disappeared ... Every night at dinner, he would ask his parents the same question, "Where's Molly?" ... Every night, he says, he received the same answer: "Stop asking about Molly." ... Decades later, Daly learned that his parents had sent Molly to a state institution nine days before her third birthday. Nearly 50 years later, Daly found his sister and made a documentary about his search ... "Since the movie, literally hundreds of people have come up to us and said, 'I had a [relative] that I remember my family talking about that was sent away. Do you know how we can find out about that person?'" says Daly. http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/08/01/wheres.molly/index.html
Sisters mark 125 years of service Sherri Richards, The Forum - 08/04/2007 Within five days of arriving in Fargo from Ireland, the first five Presentation Sisters opened a school here ... Now 125 years later, the Catholic sisters legacy of education remains, as well as strong ministries in health care and social justice ... The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary are celebrating the anniversary with an open house on Sunday. http://www.in-forum.com/News/articles/173887
Churches feed from fed
trough The federal grant program for “faith-based” social services could be questioned as defying the long-standing principle of separation of church and state. From the viewpoint of potential grant recipients, the program could also be questioned because of the administrative weaknesses of small organizations involved in spending federal money. http://www.in-forum.com/articles/printer.cfm?id=174090
Christopher Dodson, Bismarck letter: Omdahl wrong about faith-based initiativePublished Wednesday, August 08, 2007Lloyd Omdahl’s column (Aug. 6) demonstrates the need to clarify facts about faith-based initiatives ... For one thing, it is somewhat of a misnomer to call these projects “faith-based” or “religious” programs. The services provided are not religious. Rather, it is the organizations providing the services that are faith-based. http://www.in-forum.com/Opinion/articles/174258
City commission stalls
monument policy A proposed Fargo policy that would guide the City Commission in deciding whether to accept or reject monuments for display on city property needs tweaking, members decided Monday ... The commission voted unanimously to table the policy proposed by Commissioner Linda Coates and have City Attorney Erik Johnson review its language. http://www.in-forum.com/articles/printer.cfm?id=173496
VIEWPOINT: Whose religion is right? Not yours
By Rod Dreher,
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