MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY

RESOURCE CENTER

MCRC noticias

Coming Events

April 1 — April Fool’s Day

April 2 — International Chil-dren’s Book Day

April 3 — Good Friday

April 5 — Easter

April 7 — World Health Day

April 18 — ‘Who Wants to be a U. S. Citizen?’ Trivia Competi-tion

April 22 — Earth Day

o

Volume 5, Issue 3

March 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

Path to Citizenship

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

for the ESL community”

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 Depres-

sion? 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 individu-

al 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.

P A G E 2 V O L U M E 5 , I S S U E 3

In March, people all over the world set aside some time to

celebrate women. International Women’s Day is celebrat-

ed 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 moth-

ers 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 Wom-

en’s Day.

International Women’s Day

Students from Mercyhurst University ob-served MCRC’s Elder Refugee Program on Tuesday March 17

th. On Thursday March

19th

the students helped to lead the pro-gram bringing snack for the elders, ar-ranging conversation topics to practice speaking English and helping to hold mock interviews of the citizenship ques-tions 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.”

Mercyhurst University Student’s Visit

with MCRC Elders

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

Wellness Corner 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 celebrat-

ed 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.

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 mean-

ing in order to stay relevant. Here are some examples of Irish

words that changed meaning.

In honor of March being National Nutrition Month, the Well-ness 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 bana-na 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/recipe-index/

Next month we are looking forward to sessions with different

programs on topics including: Exercise, What is Cancer?, Sca-

bies and Bed Bugs, and Chronic Pain.

As always, make sure to like our Facebook page by searching

MCRC Wellness Program!

Irish English

Bogach Bog

Go leor Galore

Luimneach Limerick

Sluagh Slew (as in a large number)

Uisce beatha Whiskey

Smidirin Smithereens

Seamróg Shamrock

Duilesc Dulse

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 peo-ple,’ 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.’

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

MCRC’s Cultural Corner

Residents of Southeast Asia hold boat races, float paper lan-

terns 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 prac-

tice 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 re-

membrance 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, Bur-

mese/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.

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:

https://bccfocus.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/ukrainian-easter-egg-32.jpg

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

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 presenta-

tion 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 Ama-

zon.com. Werner Books in the Liberty Plaza also stocks the print version.

Welcome to...

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 archaeologi-

cal site of Gualupita I . Wikipedia

Rich giving a presentation on his book “Cuernavaca”

P A G E 6 V O L U M E 5 , I S S U E 3

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 infor-

mation related to their job in order to help your company be more pro-

ductive?

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

Worksite Classes an Option

for Local Employers

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:

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 ap-

pointments. Should you need access to these or any other

immigration services please contact Deborah Pazmiño at

455-0212 x 314.

Attendees of Rehrig Pacific worksite ESL class in March 2015.

P A G E 7 V O L U M E 5 , I S S U E 3

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

Mark Your Calendars!

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 Im-

migrant Population achieve their ultimate goal of

U.S. Citizenship!

For information and signup forms, please visit:

www.mcrcerie.org/trivia

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.

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

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

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

Corner of

10th & Ash

A Job Well Done