• MIA for a good cause…

    May 21, 2009 // No Comments »

    I just came up for air and realized that TDP has been MIA for several weeks. A combination of work and extra-curricular social justice activities are to blame.

    NSC is gearing up for several events over the next 6 months:

    World Refugee Day
    June 20

    Networking for a Cause (benefiting NSC)
    July 9

    2009 Global Tastes (annual fundraiser)
    September 30

    Stay tunes for more on these events!

    Of course there are tons of other projects in between those dates. I feel extremely blessed to be in such an extraordinary position. I still pinch myself sometimes. I recently interviewed a refugee who has been in Philadelphia for a little more than 3 months. He is absolutely amazing – his spirit and determination is mindbogglingly.  I cannot wait to share his story with everyone.

    Swirl Events:

    Swirl is coordinating Loving Day events with all of its chapters. This will be the first (of many) events where all chapters are coordinating around the same theme. Lots of exciting things going on with Swirl these days. I lost a co-organizer, but I am still excited about the momentum that we established here in Philadelphia. We have several individuals who are interested in a more active role in chapter activities.

    Come out to our May Happy Hour and Chapter Planning Meeting on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 6pm at Bridgewater Pub in 30th Street Station.

    It is definitely past my bedtime, so I am off.  I am definitely back and will be posting more often in the days and weeks to come.

    Posted in Career, Community

    Philly Joins Swirl to Launch Intercultural Community and Dialogue

    January 5, 2009 // 1 Comment »

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Kathrin P. Ivanovic
    Co-Organizer, SwirlPhilly
    215.776.1172
    kathrini@swirlinc.org
    Jen Chau
    Executive Director, Swirl Inc.
    917.291.5227
    jenchau@swirlinc.org
    www.swirlinc.org

    Swirl, Inc. Launches Chapter in the City of Brotherly Love

    Swirl, Inc. has partnered with Kathrin P. Ivanovic and Alexis Jeffcoat, two emerging young non-profitleaders in Philadelphia, to launch and grow of a new, local chapter.

    Philadelphia, PA, January 4, 2009 – Swirl, Inc. recently joined with Kathrin P. Ivanovic and Alexis Jeffcoat to launch its 11th local chapter in Philadelphia, PA. Kathrin is a freelance writer who speaks regularly about cultural diversity and transnational race relations. Kathrin hosts The Diversity Projekt on diversity and currently serves as the Director of Development for the Nationalities Service Center. Alexis is a graduate student pursuing her Master of Arts in Humanities at Arcadia University. She previously managed volunteers at Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia and just finished developing a volunteer program for Dress for Success Philadelphia. She has also worked on the planning committee for the Walk for Paws, a major fundraiser for the Chester County SPCA.

    Philadelphia joins the SwirlFamily in 2009, during this historic time in American history. SwirlPhilly will work to build a community in Philadelphia that draws on its vibrant heritage and abundance of cultural diversity. While many individuals have called Philadelphia home for generations, Philadelphia is also home to one of the largest new-immigrant communities in the country.

    Swirl has developed a two-pronged philosophy and vision focused initially on community building followed by programming focused on diversity advocacy and education. Through local community building, Swirl aims to challenge the idea that all individuals should be able to fit in one neatly packaged racial identity, label, or ethnic group.

    Swirl provides space for individuals who want to explore their identity, relate to others with similar experiences, or initiate community-led projects aimed at changing the way that society understands race and identity. Local chapters ultimately focus on growing and building capacity, and expanding programming to include a broader constituency.

    “While Swirl continues to recognize the importance of building communities that support mixed heritage individuals, couples, and families, we increasingly aim to collaborate with a diversity of communities. If we are going to improve the way that we deal with race and identity in this country, it is imperative that we come together. It is easy to talk about tough issues in the comfort of our own communities, but how often do we come together cross-culturally? This is what Swirl aims to do, and I am excited for this sort of space to be created in Philadelphia.” says Jen Chau, Executive Director and founder of Swirl, Inc.

    Swirl, Inc. is a national multi-ethnic organization founded in 2000 that challenges society’s notions of race through community building, education, and action. Swirl is active in: Atlanta, San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, Washington, D.C., Houston, Miami, NewLondon, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia and Phoenix.

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    Posted in ChangeBloggers, Community, Diversity, Racism