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To fully serve the community, the Mid-county Memo offers this section to showcase upcoming special events, celebrations of milestones in our readers’ lives, those seemingly small accomplishments that often do not receive the recognition they deserve, and everyday events that should be shared with friends and neighbors.
Memo Pad submissions for the November issue are due by Friday, Oct. 14. For best results, e-mail Darlene Vinson at editor@midcountymemo.com. Or mail editorial submissions to 3510 N.E. 134th Ave, Portland, OR 97230. To leave a phone message, call 503-287-8904. The fax number is 503-249-7672.
Local African youth celebrate education and bright futures
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| Liberian-born Luke Johnson addresses local students at a recent IRCO African Youth Leadership and Cultural Conference. |
| SUBMITTED PHOTO |
The family-friendly event included African food, music and dance, along with workshops and awards. It focused on African youth participation in school and community, and encouraging African adults who have excelled in their lives to mentor other community members and youth striving to reach their goals.
Over 300 African community members and supporters attended the conference held in IRCO’s Community Center and classrooms. The day included workshops titled College Prep and Success; Youth Leadership - Middle School Level; and Supporting Your Children in School and in Life.
The conference keynote speaker was Liberian-born, Luke Johnson who arrived in the U.S. in March of 2001. He attended De La Salle North Catholic High in North Portland and is a college freshman at St. Mary’s College in California. Johnson has chosen to become a health care professional in order to go back to Africa and provide treatment for those suffering from AIDS and HIV, help people in war torn countries, and bring hope and make a difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate and do not have the same opportunities that he has had in the U.S.
Johnson told youth in attendance that “there is a bright future ahead of you, to keep up the good faith toward success and don’t give up. “Believe in your dream. Make education a priority, as the “the good life” would come later. Always remember that you are African and don’t forget who you are.”
The conference concluded by honoring local African professionals who support the community, a community dance presentation of Central, West African and Oromo dance, an African youth fashion show, a special performance by dancer Loveness Wesa, and, a ceremony honoring local African youth who have graduated and currently those who are honor students.
IRCO was founded in 1976. IRCO also operates the Asian Family Center on Northeast Glisan Street and is nationally recognized for its services to local refugees and immigrants. Visit IRCO’s Web site at www.irco.org to learn more.
PHS students “ASPIRE” to post secondary education, volunteers needed
The Career and College Center in the library at Parkrose High School is again ready to help students find their niche in the career of their choice and the college in which to train for that special career. It’s the job of College and Career Center Director Meg Kilmer to help all students who seek and find their way to the post secondary education most suitable for their goals and abilities.
For two years now, Parkrose has had the ASPIRE Program that pairs adult volunteers with students to help them work their way through the maze of career choices, appropriate post secondary schooling and the applications process.
The goals of the ASPIRE Program are to provide mentoring and resources to help students access education and training beyond high school, and build a sustainable community of volunteer mentors. In addition, the program seeks to identify those students who will be the first in their families to attend college.
Once career interests are identified and a short list of colleges is prepared, program mentors help educate students and parents as to the financial options available to make a post secondary education possible. This approach is effective in drawing students who might not believe they have the financial resources necessary for continuing education, or who are the first member of their family to consider post secondary education.
Kilmer sees this program as one way to expand service to students while dealing with budget cuts, reduced staffing levels and reduced hours. A typical student load for a counselor may be as many as 450 to 500 students. Students are often confused by the wide range of options available to them after high school and stymied by the paperwork, especially if they happen to be the first in their family to consider college. ASPIRE volunteers provide one-on-one support and add to the services provided by the school and its counselors.
Teena Ainslie, the ASPIRE program developer at Parkrose, has been recruiting adults to act as mentors to the students for two years and is quick to point out that the programs ability to reach students is directly proportional to the number of volunteers.
Students can apply for an ASPIRE Advisor at the College and Career Center. Parents are invited to check with Kilmer to learn more about the options available to their students. Her phone number is 503-408-2681.
Volunteers are asked to call Ainslie at 503-408-2642 for an application.
Charity hands out school supplies, seeks help with dinner/auction
SnowCap Community Charities just completed a very successful Back to School Program. In excess of 7400 pounds of school supplies were collected for low-income children in our area. Judy Alley, executive director of SnowCap says, “Our grateful thanks go out to all you generous people! You seem to know how important public education is in a democracy!” Over 500 students were provided with basics like socks, underwear, pencils, rulers, scissors and erasers.
The SnowCap Valentine’s Dinner and Auction will be held Feb. 11 at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel, 8235 N.E. Airport Way. The committee responsible for this event is looking for volunteers to help with decorations, auction item solicitation, and workers for the day of the event. They are also looking for heart shaped chocolate boxes to be used as decorations.
Because SnowCap receives no tax dollars and is entirely dependent upon the support of neighbors, this auction is a major source of funding. If you can help, call 503-674-8785 ext. 17
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