F.y.i.
AGENDA is interested in receiving items from you for F.Y.I. Press clippings, press releases, summaries of local events and any other ideas or suggestions are welcome. Just mail them to: F.Y.I. Editor, AGENDA, 220 S. Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Help Grandparents, Help Kids
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), a program of Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County, needs your help to provide support to grandparents and their at-risk grandchildren.
Throughout our community older adults are finding themselves the primary caregivers for their grandchildren. Many factors contribute to the inability of parents to effectively provide stable, nurturing environments for their children. Grandparents, instead of enjoying more unencumbered retirement, must raise their grandchildren while attempting to maintain positive relationships with their own children.
RSVP operates an intergenerational service partnership to address this problem. Volunteer teams made up of an RSVP volunteer and a Youth Volunteer Corps member, work together to provide weekly support. This includes peer support and respite for the grandparents and meaningful after-school activities for special needs children.
For more information or to become a volunteer call Andra at 741-4747.
New Hate-Crime Hotline: 995-9867
The Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project (WRAP) has set up a telephone hotline to receive information form persons who are victims of hate crimes (including sexual and racial harassment).
The answering-machine hotline is not not meant to replace calls to the police, but will act as a data-gathering program to document local incidents of hate crime.
Callers should give a brief summary of the incident along with their phone number. A volunteer worker will contact the caller within 24-hours.
U.S Tightens Anti-Cuba Laws
The Helms-Burton Bill, which tighten the U.S. economic blockade of Cuba, recently passed in the Senate with a vote of 74-24. This legislation attempts to create an international economic blockade of Cuba by punishing countries that maintain trade with Cuba and stiffening the penalty for U.S. citizens who travel to Cuba.
In response, during the week of Oct. 14, students, activists and trade unionists from around the world held and Inernational Mobilization Against the Blockade. They demonstrated at U.S embassies (in England, France, South Africa, Greece, New Zealand, and others) and at several federal buildings in the U.S.
The passage of the Helms-Burton Bill and the resulting demonstrations coincided with Fidel Castro's visit to New York for meeting of the United Nations. U.S. policy toward Cuba is shunned by virtually every other country in the U.N.
To learn more about how U.S. policy affects Cuba and what you can do about it, come to meetings of the Latin American Solidarity Committee on Wednesdays at 8 pm in the Mich. Union or call 663-0173.
Fight AIDS with Your United Way Pledge
The HIV/AIDS Resource Center (HARC) is a "designated agency" of the Washtenaw United Way. This means that you can contribute to HARC by checking HARC's name on your United way pledge form or write it in.
Since 1986, HARC has been the area's only agency dedicated to providing HIV education and outreach to all populations regardless personal backgrounds or situations.
A comprehensive case management unit coordinates care plans with clients. The volunteer program offers compassionate direct-care, education and support. Harc also offers outreach and educational services to the community.
Other services include: the Conover Food Pantry, educational materials, newsletter, referals, speakers' bureau, workshops, and HIV testing.
HARC's team of trained speakers provide HIV education materials, newsletter, referrals, speakers' bureau, workshops, and HIV testing.
HARC's team of trained speakers provide HIV education for schools, universities and wide variety of community groups. For more information call HARC at 800-578-2300.
Shop Whole Foods Nov. 15 to Fight Cancer
Shop at Whole Foods on Nov. 15 and 15 and 5% of your purchase will benefit the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center, a not-for-profit organization committed to the conquest of cancer. U-M nutritionists will be on hand to answer questions regarding diet, health and cancer prevention. For more information call Whole Foods at 971-3366.