MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER

Coming Events

August 1—National Night Out

August 6—Friendship Day

August 8—Erie Gives Day

August 9—International Day of

the World’s Indigenous Peo-ples

August 11-13—Italian Heritage Festival

August 12—International youth Day

August 17-20—Celebrate Erie

August 19—World Humanitari-an Day

August 21—Senior Citizen’s Day

August 25—Zabawa (Polish Festival)

August 26—Women’s Equality Day

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Volume 7, Issue 7

July 2017

Multicultural Community

Resource Center of Erie

Michael Burns, Esq., Board President

Joanna R. Cherpak, Executive Director

MCRC Noticias Editorial Team:

Cathie Whitmire, ESL Instructor

Carol Brigham, Education Manager

Gregg Sikora, IT Specialist

Jordan Cherpak, Wellness Coordinator

554 East 10th St., Erie, PA 16503

Ph: 814.455.0212 FAX: 814.453.2363

Email: MCRC@mcrcerie.org

We are pleased to participate once again in the “Erie Gives” fundraising event

sponsored by the Erie Community Foundation. On this day, people are provid-

ed the opportunity, and an electronic pathway, to show support for their favor-

ite charity by making an online cash donation to one, or several, of their favorite

nonprofit organizations. It is a day to make a difference in the bottom line of

Erie’s nonprofit sector by giving on-line, in real time, with just several clicks of a

mouse or keyboard.

Who among us in Erie does not have a branch somewhere on their family tree

that has its roots in another land…who does not celebrate some type of ethnic

Holiday or family tradition… and who does not proudly honor the memory of a

great grandparent on the anniversary of their passing? Starting over in a new

land is always a struggle, yet always an adventure. From Bread Lines, to Food

Pantries, and from cardboard shacks, to public housing, our nonprofit friends

have always been there to help anyone who wants to help themselves become

self-sufficient. Today’s political climate is not making things easier for our clients ,

their families overseas or at the local level for agencies like us who serve them.

I appeal to everyone to join with me, our board members, our staff, and our cli-

ents, to make a generous pledge to MCRC as a personal investment in our mis-

sion of service to the foreign born (refugees and immigrants ) living in Erie. Both

our future, and yours, relies on working together as friends and neighbors.

Won’t you help us…so we can help you? We plan to designate our Erie Gives

funds to the building improvements in our Child Care. Thank you for your con-

sideration! ~ Joanna Cherpak, Executive Director

P A G E 2 V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 7

On June 23 and 30. MCRC participated in the "Meet Your Neighbor" Day events hosted by the Housing Authority of the

City of Erie. Activities included several raffles, candy from different countries, henna designs, and an Arabic script demon-

stration

On July 7, MCRC participated in the Annual HACE Family Picnic at Waldameer Park. Over 1000 residents were in attend-

ance! Activities included several games, informational tables, and a picnic lunch.

Linda has been sharing her time and talents at MCRC to bring “El Sistema” to Erie. This music instruction program first started in 1975; it began in Venezuela and then grew in popularity throughout the world. It is an aggressive pro-gram where children practice every day instead of the usu-

al once a week approach. So far the program at MCRC has already seen success, as the children that participate are catching on quickly. They are able to play songs such as “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and “Yankee Doodle”, but now are working on learning to read music. Skills that usually take months to learn are be-ing mastered in just weeks. Linda attributes this success to very bright students and the consistent practice. The participants’ ultimate goal will be to play together as if

they are their own orchestra, and playing duets is their next step. When they reach their final goal, it will be the first time that an all piano group will have worked together through “El Sistema”, so, in a sense, they will be making international history. It is easy to see how much the children enjoy the program, even after the lessons end, they continue to practice their skills. Hopefully one day soon we will get to hear a small performance from them!

“El Sistema” Makes a Difference

Volunteer Linda Kobler is a highly talented musician, who has taught the art of piano for 50 years. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Peabody Conservatory of Music in piano and harpsichord, then went on to receive her master’s in piano and harpsichord from Juilliard. What interests her

most about music is the science behind learning a musical instruments, and how the different parts of the brain pro-

cess it.

Playing any musical instrument is a challenge and requires a

lot of practice, but playing the piano is even more difficult.

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

A God’s Eye (or Ojo de Dios) is often thought of as a

Mexican decoration. They are used by the Huichol In-

dians of western Mexico in sacred ceremonies. When

a child is born, a God’s Eye is created by the father and

offered to the god who protects children. Each year,

until the child reaches the age of five, a new, smaller

God’s eye is added to one end of the original. These

colorful yarn decorations evolved from the “nierika.”

The “nierika,” a small square or round tablet with a

hole in the center, was used as a sacred magical offer-

ing and symbolized the sun, among other things. Be-

cause of the sun symbolism, God’s Eyes have become

popular decorations for the Summer Solstice as well.

On Wednesday, July 12th MCRC’s Summer Program

made their own “nierika’s” for a craft project.

God’s Eyes

P A G E 4 V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 7

This photo is of Andrey Tischenko, husband of MCRC

Director of Refugee Services Anna Tischenko, proudly

wearing our One Nation t-shirt to the local fireworks

this Independence Day. He is a great spokesperson

for the message we were hoping to achieve through

our T-shirt theme this year – “We are all ONE NA-

TION”. Andrey and Anna came to the United States

on November 2nd

, 2005 as a parolee. His family was

religiously persecuted in Kyrgyzstan during the time

of the Soviet Union and after the country became in-

dependent. He came to the United States hoping to

have an opportunity to work and plan for the future.

He is glad that his family is now able to feel safe and

secure with their beliefs and that he and Anna are

able to provide for their children and parents with the

love and care that they need to maintain healthy life

styles. Andrey became an American Citizen at his nat-

uralization ceremony March 2nd

, 2012.

We live in area that traditionally has four seasons. Each

season brings its own climate that can affect how we feel.

The middle of winter is often referred to as the “Winter

Doldrums” because it is a period of minimal daylight and

cold days. Summer includes the period of time known as

the “Dog Days.” These are the hottest days of season,

which can last for 40 days.

Affecting both animals and humans alike, how did this

period come to be named the “Dog Days of Summer”?

The name is derived from both Greek and Roman mythol-

ogy. Some of the constellations that correlate to Greek

mythology lead to how the phrase is used today.

If you are unfamiliar with constellations, Sirius, the “dog

star” is part of the constellation with the same name, and

its Latin name is Canis Major or Large Dog. Canis, or some

variation of it, became part of other Latin root languages

such as: French, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian. In the

16th

century, the English variation “Dog Days” became a

common expression.

During the hottest days of the summer season, the Greeks

noticed that Sirius- the brightest star-would appear with

the Sun. It follows the constellation Orion (the hunter) in

the sky. They believed the addition of Sirius added more

heat.

So next time you see the brightest star in the sky, you will

know you are in for a very warm stretch of weather.

The Dog Days of

Summer Are Here! Proud to be

an American Citizen

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

Where In the World is MCRC!?

Where is MCRC? Where are you? Well, snap a photo of yourself wearing MCRC clothing wherever you may travel and submit your photo so we can see! Each month we will publish submitted photos showing where you were on the map! Please submit your photo along with your name and place you took the photo to MCRC@mcrcerie.org. We look for-ward to seeing where you have been!

P A G E 6 V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 7

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

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 is a 501 ( c)(3) charity

and all donations are tax de-

ductible.

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.

Proudly serving the needs of the Hispanic and refugee communities since 1975.

Genuinely yours,

Joanna R. Cherpak

Executive Director

Please Remember MCRC on Erie Gives Day,

Tuesday, August 8, 2017!

Webpage from Erie Community Foundation website