A news update from the National Latin@ Network
Table of Contents



NTF condemns the white supremacist violence in Charlottesville and calls for unified efforts to end racism, abuse, and oppression

The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) denounces the acts of hatred, violence, terrorism and bigotry carried out by white supremacy and neo-Nazi organizations and sympathizers who assembled in Charlottesville, Virginia this past weekend. The NTF is comprised of national, state, tribal, territorial and local leadership organizations and advocates working to end domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. 

The actions of these hate groups make clear that their vision for the United States includes enshrining white male dominance over people of color and women, contempt and hatred for non-Christian religions, mass intimidation through the brandishing of weapons, and the invoking of symbols associated with racial terror. Having a permit did nothing to change that reality or to legitimize their dangerous ideology. Furthermore, when James Fields, a neo-Nazi who stood alongside other white supremacists extolling hatred earlier in the day, later rammed his car into a crowd of peaceful protesters, injuring many and killing Heather Heyer, the response from leaders of the white supremacist movement illustrated their rank misogyny and echoed the victim blaming that survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault encounter every day. 

From our decades of work to end gender-based violence and oppression, we recognize that the recent visible demonstrations of racism, bigotry, and white supremacist organizing are just the latest manifestations of our country's long and complex history of individual and institutional racism. Additionally, we recognize that the impact of racism and oppression is not limited to conduct carried out by extremists.

Click here to read the rest of this statement, and to learn what you can do to get involved
Surviving & Resisting Hate: A Toolkit for People of Color

Click here  for tips developed by Dr. Hector Y. Adams and Dr. Nayeli Y. Chavez-Dueñas for people of color to reflect and practice self-care when resisting hate. 

You can also follow them on Twitter at @NYChavez and @HYAdames.
Muslim Advocates invites you to join in reaching out to mayors

Colleagues - On September 9, the largest anti-Muslim hate group in the country, ACT for America, is holding a series of protests in at least 30 cities. 
 
Muslim Advocates invites you to join them, Center for New Community, and over 140 more national and local organizations in a coalition letter to the mayors of these cities urging them to condemn this hate and speak up for safety and inclusion.
 
Click here to review and sign the letter.
 
Deadline to sign on : Friday, 8/18 at Noon ET / 9am PT 
 
Please reach out to Madihha Ahussain of Muslim Advocates and Lindsay Schubiner of the Center for Community with any questions.
Blog
Q&A with NRCDV's Joe Ostrander: Call for Stories for Why I Became an Advocate

Each year, in preparation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), national DV organizations gather as part of the  Domestic Violence Awareness Project (DVAP) advisory board to discuss and plan ways to support advocacy networks throughout the country in their ongoing public education efforts through public awareness, strategies, materials, resources, capacity-building, and technical assistance.

This year, the advisory board chose to focus DVAM messaging around: Why I'm an Advocate/Why I Became an Advocate. To support this messaging, the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence is  soliciting people's personal stories about why they consider themselves advocates; chosen stories will be recorded and cast on its podcast channel,  NRCDV Radio. We talked with Joe Ostrander, NRCDV communications manager, about the campaign this year and the call for stories.

Q: What was the inspiration for the Call for Stories for Why I'm an Advocate/Why I Became an Advocate?

Click here for the answer to that question
Blog Talk Radio Community at the Center: The Impact of Community Engagement

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017
1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. CST

Engaging the Latin@ community is essential to develop the power within the community to eliminate the stressors and build the strength and awareness that prevent domestic violence. Casa de Esperanza recognizes that they alone cannot end domestic violence, and as an organization they strive to "put the work, tools, resources and power in the hands of more and more people," including community members. 

During this discussion, participants will: 
  • Learn the key principals of community engagement.
  • Identify the difference between community outreach and community engagement. 
  • Deepen an understanding of the impact of community engagement as a tool for change.
Presenter:
Ivette Izea-Martinez, Community Engagement Manager, Casa de Esperanza

Click here to listen live
NHLA Welcomes 'DREAM Act of 2017' Introduction as Important Step in Protecting Immigrant Youth

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda applauds the introduction of the bipartisan Dream Act of 2017 in the United States Senate on Thursday. The Dream Act of 2017 demonstrates the bipartisan support for immigrant youth and DACA recipients. Given the significant threats DACA recipients face to their ability to work and live in the communities they have been raised in, NHLA is encouraged by the opportunity for members of both parties in Congress to work together to fully support immigrant communities and their families.

The bipartisan support for this legislation also sends a strong signal to President Trump that there is broad support for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and that he should continue to preserve that successful policy, which serves many of the same youth that are the focus of the Dream Act.

Click here to read the rest of this statement.
United We Dream calls for more DACA recipient feedback

United We Dream still needs more people to take the 2017 official DACA survey.

United We Dream is collecting experiences and stories from DACA recipients for an important study that will help them understand the needs of DACA recipients under the Trump administration and protect young immigrants from deportation.

In order to make sure the study is accurate, they need at least 3,000 people who've received DACA to participate. Right now they have 1,072. Help them close the gapQ

If you have DACA, share your story now. You will be automatically entered to win a $50 pre-paid cash card!

Beloved

By: Toni Morrison

This 1987 novel is set after the  American Civil War (1861-65), it is inspired by the story of an  African-American  slaveMargaret Garner, who escaped slavery in Kentucky late January 1856 by fleeing to Ohio, a  free state

In the novel, the protagonist Sethe is also a slave who escapes slavery, running to  CincinnatiOhio. After 28 days of freedom, a posse arrives to retrieve her and her children under the  Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which gave slave owners the right to pursue slaves across state borders. Sethe kills her 2-year-old daughter rather than allow her to be recaptured and taken back to Sweet Home, the Kentucky plantation from which Sethe recently fled. A woman presumed to be her daughter, called Beloved, returns years later to haunt Sethe's home at 124 Bluestone Road,  Cincinnati, Ohio. The story opens with an introduction to the ghost: "124 was spiteful. Full of a baby's venom."

Description from Wikipedia
KidSmartz, Award-Winning Childhood Abduction Prevention Program, Now Available in Spanish

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and Honeywell announced that KidSmartz™, the abduction prevention program, is now be available in English and Spanish. The new Spanish resources are being released just in time for children heading back to school, which NCMEC cites as a critical time in child safety.

A 10-year analysis by NCMEC of attempted abductions and related incidents found that most occurred when children were on their way to or from school. The KidSmartz program focuses on keeping the lines of communication open between parents and children, helping children identify trusted adults and avoid potentially dangerous situations.

For more information, visit KidSmartz on  Facebook and  Twitter.
Share Your Story About Child Marriage in America

The Tahirih Justice Center is asking you to help engage with survivors of child marriage around the country; specifically, in collaborating with survivors of child marriage who are immigrants and U.S.-born alike.
 
In 2011, the Tahirih Justice Center launched the Forced Marriage Initiative, and since then has been leading national efforts to address child, early and forced marriage in the U.S.
 
Tahirih is asking for your help to put stories to these statistics. Are you an individual who married under age 18 in the U.S., or do you know someone who did?
There are many different ways you could share all or part of your story, publicly or anonymously, locally or nationally. Opportunities range from anonymized one-paragraph case examples on a factsheet, to on-camera interviews, and Tahirih vets all media inquiries it receives and offers survivors support if they choose to do an interview.
  • Already know you want to share your story? Consider contacting PBS Frontline.
Even if you contact Frontline, please also get in touch with Tahirih, either through the form at this link, or by emailing [email protected] or calling 571-282-6161. We can let you know of non-media opportunities to engage in the movement to end child marriage in America, like connecting to active legislative campaigns in your state.
 
Click here to link to the form that survivors can fill out for Frontline. 
Casa de Esperanza: Men's Coordinator

Located in the Twin Cities Metro Area, MN, this position is responsible for facilitating safe spaces and training opportunities that meet the needs of men and boys in the Latin@ community, including the efficient operation of all community-based initiatives. 

National Hispanic Leadership Agenda: Policy and Communications Coordinator

This individual will work closely with the NHLA Chair and team to support the coalition's work through communications, policy and programs, and other areas.

Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women:
Program Manager - Criminal Justice System

This position directs the implementation of various statewide grant activities as contained in MCBW's yearly work plan with a primary focus on the criminal justice system. Guided by MCBW's mission and vision plan, this position leads and works with member programs and system personnel to evaluate and improve policy and practice within the criminal justice system. Work includes evaluating how policy and practice impacts domestic violence victims specifically looking at unintended negative consequences for victims and impact on immigrant/refugee communities, LBGTQ communities and communities of color.

Now accepting submissions

We welcome submissions on a number of topics pertaining to domestic violence, family violence, and gender-based violence. These topics include, but are not limited to:
  • Gender-based violence intervention and prevention programs that are culturally specific
  • Working with Latin@ youth
  • Working with immigrant Latin@s
  • Health care and gender-based violence
  • LGBTQ Latin@ communities
  • Children and domestic violence
  • Building Latin@ leadership in Latin@ communities
  • Elder abuse
We also welcome photography, video, resources, and other digital material that organizations or people wish to share with our network.

If you're interested in submitting a blog post,  click here to email Rebecca De Leon, Communications and Marketing Manager

ABOUT THE NATIONAL LATIN@ NETWORK FOR HEALTHY FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

The National Latin@ Network for Healthy Families and Communities is a network of individuals and organizations committed to improving the health and well-being of Latin@ communities. The National Latin@ Network is led by Casa de Esperanza, a national Latina organization whose mission is to mobilize Latinas and Latin@ communities to end domestic violence. The National Latin@Network for Healthy Families and Communities builds on Casa de Esperanza´s experience working in local communities to support families, end domestic violence, and increase meaningful access to services for Latina@s and incorporates a research center, public policy initiative, and training.

National Latin@ Network | http://www.nationallatinonetwork.org | 651.646.5553


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