Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Events. Show all posts

Thursday, June 24, 2010

MIRA Bulletin: June 8, 2010

Click here to read our latest bulletin. This bulletin covers the latest events happening within our organization and around the greater Boston community, including the Give Liberty a Hand event on June 1.


Boston City Council President Mike Ross, Former Governor Michael Dukakis, Northeastern University President Joseph Aoun, and MIRA Executive Director Eva Millona at Give Liberty a Hand 2010

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

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Register for MIRA events by signing up at our Event Calendar page.

Monday, September 28, 2009

MIRA Bulletin September 18, 2009

MIRA Bulletin

Dear MIRA Members and Supporters,

Yesterday MIRA joined SEIU 615, the Dominican Development Center, the Human Rights Campaign, the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) and many other organizations at a press conference in front of Faneuil Hall to celebrate Citizenship Day and announce a citizenship clinic tomorrow at SEIU's offices in downtown Boston (see below for more details).

I know you understand the importance of obtaining citizenship at this historical juncture, and I hope you received word of this clinic from us or one of the 14 organizations with whom we've partnered on this drive, part of a nationwide effort spearheaded by NALEO. At this difficult economic time, when the 2007 increase in citizenship application fees has made the process harder than ever, it is understandable that citizenship applications in Massachusetts have fallen to a record low (see the Boston Globe story). And yet we are happy to say we have received a tremendous response from this initiative, with dozens of phone calls here, at Centro Latino, at SEIU 615, and at NALEO's citizenship program, "Ya Es Hora" (Now's the Time).

We are certain that this response reflects a feeling among immigrants and advocates that now is indeed the time; we can wait no longer for change. It's this feeling that has powered over two dozen similar drives across the country, and, as the letter reprinted below explains, it's also the feeling that has driven Congressman Luis Gutierrez to start the process of filing his own progressive bill for comprehensive immigration reform. We know we can count on you to help us in the fight to make this time an hour of victory. As always, you have my deepest thanks.

Sincerely,

Eva A. Millona
Executive Director

Federal Updates

Letter from Washington

Below is a portion of an e-mail received late today from Rich Stolz of ReformImmigrationFORAmerica.org :

We really shouldn't wait any longer to introduce a progressive, comprehensive immigration reform bill,' Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) told hundreds of immigrants and their allies at a Citizenship Day event in Washington, DC yesterday as he answered a call for leadership from immigration advocates. Representative Gutierrez accepted the challenge and announced his intention to introduce his own progressive comprehensive immigration reform bill, one that will unify the broader immigrant community, this fall.

A wide range of events took place in Washington, DC and across the nation this week around Citizenship Day, a chance for the nation to reflect on and appreciate the value of citizenship. A broad coalition of immigrant and allied groups gathered in DC under the banner of Unity in Movement. Throughout the rest of the month, Ya Es Hora and other groups will be holding citizenship workshops and other events, and on September 16, local leaders celebrated at hundreds of festivals across the nation by promoting the Campaign's cell phone action network (text justicia [Spanish] or justice [English] to 69866 to join).

This celebration and its call for leadership came the day after the Senate Finance Committee released its healthcare bill, which drew sharp criticism from immigration advocates. As Janet Murgia, head of NCLR said, 'Left unaddressed, the plan has the potential to drive up costs, leave people uncovered, and threaten public health.' On Wednesday night, President Obama attempted to address these concerns at the CHCI Annual Awards Gala. Although the President assured the audience of his commitment to coverage for legal immigrants, advocates remain concerned about how the details of the policy could impact both immigrants and citizens. The president also re-stated that his plan would not cover undocumented immigrants. The bill that is drawing everyone's ire is coming up for a vote in the Senate Finance Committee early next week.

This afternoon, Senior White House staff discussed immigration and health care issues with hundreds of immigration advocates on a conference call. National and local advocates used the opportunity to voice their concerns and to question the White House verification of status proposals in any health care bill, the impact of health reform proposals on access to health care for mixed status families, and other pressing concerns in immigrant communities."
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The Census Meets the Press

The Ethnic News Wire held an event for ethnic media on the U.S. Census on Thursday. The event featured a panel of Census staff, including Associate Director Marilia Matos, taking questions from ethnic media journalists about the census and media outreach plans. The panel noted that the media buys for the upcoming census ad campaign will be over 50% ethnic media, the highest ever percentage.

In addition the panel emphasized the security of the census, noting that all census employees take a lifetime oath of confidentiality, violations of which are punishable by fines and imprisonment. The staff also discussed language access, confirming that the census will be available in five languages with instructions available in 59 additional languages. The census media campaign will be launched in January and census forms will be mailed in March. For more information about the census efforts please contact Frank Soults at 617-350-5480 ext. 204, or fsoults@miracoalition.org.



MIRA Messages


Citizenship Clinic

Join MIRA and SEIU at upcoming citizenship drive in Boston. We will be helping eligible immigrants apply for citizenship. SEIU 615 and MIRA kicked-off the drives with a press conference yesterday, on National Citizenship Day. (See the story in the Portuguese and English newspaper O Jornal)

Citizenship Clinic: September 19, 10am-1pm. SEIU 615, 26 West Street, Boston MA. See here for more information.
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Boston Mayoral Forums 2009

Join MIRA and other Boston Residents at the Boston Mayoral and City Councilors at Large Forums. This is your chance to ask candidates your questions!

Forum 1
City Councilors At Large
Tuesday October 13, 2009
6:30-8 pm
UMass-Boston, Boston

Forum 2
Mayoral Candidates
Tuesday October 27, 2009
6:30-8 pm
Location TBA

Thanksgiving Luncheon

Come join us on Tuesday, November 17th for MIRA's annual Thanksgiving Luncheon in the Great Hall of the State House. This event brings together those who cherish their family's immigrant story to Celebrate the Immigrant Family. It is a moment to reflect on and thank immigrants for their sacrifices in order to realize their American Dream.

For sponsorship opportunities or additional information, please contact Kirsten Dees, Development Associate at 617.350.5480 x208 or email dees@miracoalition.org



State Updates

Details on New Health Care Plan to Cover 31,000 Immigrants

The Patrick administration announced plans in early September for the $40 million allocated to coverage for 31,000 immigrants under the "Aliens with Special Status" (AWSS) category in MassHealth who lost eligibility for Commonwealth Care as of September 1, 2009. Under the new plan, CeltiCare, a new managed care organization (MCO), will provide coverage to all 31,000 immigrants impacted by the cuts, beginning on October 1 in Greater Boston, November 1 in Northern and Southern Mass., and December 1 in Central and Western Mass. More details are available now about the plan, which offers significantly less comprehensive coverage than full Commonwealth Care. Among the differences are no dental, vision, hospice, or long-term care; increased co-pays; and serious questions about CeltiCare's provider networks in Boston and across the state. To stay updated on details of the plan as they become available, check MIRA's state health care website here. Those impacted by the cuts should have received letters last week. Click here for a list of the benefits and co-pays under the new plan. MIRA is committed to full restoration of Commonwealth Care coverage in next year's budget and believes strongly that the new plan is a temporary and imperfect solution. If you have any questions, please contact Toby Guevin at MIRA at 617-350-5480 x216 or tguevin@miracoalition.org.


Member to Member

March and Rally for Jobs

Across Massachusetts jobs are being cut and thousands of workers are being laid off. State and local governments are slashing critical public services and eliminating jobs--just when we should be expanding them.

One year after the federal government gave big business and the banks hundreds of billions of dollars for the bailout, corporations are not creating the jobs that were promised.

We need jobs and we want to work. On October 1, 2009, let's put the heat on corporations doing business in Massachusetts to provide the good jobs our communities need!

Join the fight against a jobless recovery and for an economy that works for everyone.
Thursday, October 1, 2009

4:00 PM Kickoff at the State House
4:30 PM March through downtown and the
Financial District
5:30 PM Rally at Federal Reserve Bank
(600 Atlantic Ave., Boston)

Call Jobs with Justice at (617) 524-8778 for bus info from Merrimack Valley, South Shore, Worcester and Springfield.

Motorcycle ride-ins to the rally are planned. For info call (617) 929-6000.

For more info, call Mass AFL-CIO (781) 324-8230, Jobs with Justice (617) 524-8778 or IBEW Local 2222 (617) 929-6000.
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Citizenship Preparation Classes

MIRA is happy to announce that Cleghorn Neighborhood Center is now offering Citizenship preparation classes. If you are in the Fitchburg area and would like to learn more please contact - Joana Dos Santos at 978-342-2069.
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Addressing Asthma in Boston

Breathe Easy At Home is a public-private health initiative from the Medical-Legal Partnership at Boston Medical Center in collaboration with Boston's Inspectional Service Department that seeks to address asthma in Boston by achieving the following:
• Improving communication with asthma clinicians, the Boston Public Health Commission, and the Inspectional Service Department Division of Housing Inspections.
• Utilizing housing code inspections to address asthma triggers in the home.
• Working together to deliver the services and resources needed to make Boston's housing stock healthier.
Partnerships with the Boston Public Health Commission, the Boston Urban Asthma Coalition, the Bowdoin Street Health Center, and the New England Asthma Regional Council provide the city's housing inspectors with additional resources to help Boston's asthmatic residents "breathe easier" at home.

Through a shared website doctors, nurses or other health professionals can refer potential housing code violations that may worsen the asthmatic's condition. Referring parties receive automatic case updates on inspections, and have on-line access to review their referrals. With the patient's consent the doctor electronically alerts Inspectional Services Department (ISD) from the convenience of their office. The request for inspection is received at ISD which then conducts an inspection to address code violations that are asthma triggers. Inspectors are trained to look for asthma triggers such as mold, infestations, drafty doors & windows, no heat, poor ventilation and unsanitary conditions. The property owner is notified of the violations and the inspector works with them to achieve compliance. The Breathe Easy Collaborative meets on a regular basis to review cases and assess if additional resources are needed.

Clinicians interested in joining the "Breathe Easy" referral network will be able to make referrals through Breathe Easy at Home. To register simply go to the following website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/isd/housing/bmc/default.asp
Tenants without a doctor's referral can contact the Boston Public Health Commission to be referred for a Breathe Easy housing inspection @ 617-534-5966 or asthma@bphc.org
If you experience any problems, or would like more information please call the Housing Division at 617-635-5322

Friday, July 10, 2009

Check Out Blue Mass Group



Blue Mass Group’s Blog is a great way to stay informed. MIRA’s policy analysts, along with other people from around the state who are very involved with politics, write insightful and up-to-date articles on the issues that concern MIRA and its members. Most recently, MIRA posted an article entitled “Why Everyone Loses with CommCare Eligiblity Cuts,” which can be seen on the front page of the site. Some of the other newest articles include opinions on Deval Patrick’s chances at re-election and Bill Weld’s endorsement of Charlie Baker for Governor. There is also an upcoming events calendar for those wanting to become more involved in Massachusetts politics. Check out Blue Mass Group here.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Press Advisory: New England Immigrants and Supporters Celebrate May Day

When: Friday, May 1, various times

Who: Immigrants and representatives from dozens of immigrant organizations, advocacy groups, unions, faith-based coalitions, community programs, and ethnic media companies.

Where:
East Boston-Chelsea-Everett, Mass.
Worcester, Mass.
Manchester, N.H.
Providence, R.I.

What:
Immigrants and their supporters across New England rally for rights on a date celebrated around the globe as International Workers' Day. Along with friends at events across the nation, the MIRA Coalition joins forces with dozens of other organizations and hundreds of allies in the marches listed below:

Greater Boston, Mass.
A March from East Boston to Chelsea to Everett
  • Supporters gather at 2:30 p.m. at Liberty Plaza in Central Square, East Boston.
  • March arrives at 3:00 p.m. at Chelsea City Hall.
  • March concludes with a rally and entertainment from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.in Glendale Park, 50 Elm Street, Everett.
Sponsored by the Chelsea Collaborative (617) 889-6080

Worcester, Mass.
"Workers Seeking Justice for All" Rally
5:30 p.m. at Worcester City Hall

Speakers include: Sarang Sekhavat, MIRA Director of Federal Policy; Randy Feldman, immigration lawyer and community activist; Rocio Saenz, President SEIU Local 615; Wisam Breegi, Iraqi immigrant and businessman; Adalberto, member UNITE!/HERE union; Pastor Sarai Rivera, Christian Community Church; David Minasian, Carpenters Union Local 107; KOMBI represenative; Ron Madnick, Director ACLU Central Mass.

Performers include: Maury Kungfu's Lion Dancers, Uruguayan Murga troupe "La Klandestina", a multicultural youth hip-hop team from the Toxic Soil Busters, and Ritmos Dance Acad

Manchester, N.H.
4:00 p.m.
Manchester City Hall

Speakers include: New Hampshire A.F.L-C.I.O., religious and community leaders.

Providence, R.I.

3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Between the ICE office and the Family Court building
200 Dyer St.

Local immigrants and friends rally in support of workers' and immigrants' rights.


Sunday, April 5, 2009

Binghamton Update

As we mourn the loss of life in Binghamton and try to come to terms with Friday's senseless violence, stories have been coming out about the incredible work of the American Civic Association and the survivors of the events. One such story can be found here.

Another piece on CNN shares the story of a grieving husband, whose words remind us of the need to prevent future acts of violence and comfort those in pain, instead of responding with anger and blame:
One of the victims was Omri Yigal's wife, Dolores, Yigal told CNN. A native of the Philippines, she was taking English classes at the center to better herself. Yigal said he had no anger for the shooter. "My thoughts are on my wife. I don't have time for that now," he said. Yigal said he felt "grief for my wife and that's it. She's come so far." He crossed his arms and his eyes to the ground. "So much," he said.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Welcome to the MIRA Coalition Blog!

Welcome to the first post of the MIRA Coalition blog! We hope the MIRA blog will provide a new and interactive format for communicating thoughtful analysis and important information to MIRA members, policymakers, and any other organization or individual interested in learning more about immigration and related topics.

With a new administration in the nation's capitol, difficult economic times, and new leadership at the Massachusetts State House, it is as important as ever to have a powerful and unified voice advocating for the rights and opportunities of all immigrants and refugees. To that end, MIRA recently released its 2009 State Advocacy Agenda, which incorporated results from a memberships survey, one-on-one interviews with members, and other feedback channels to determine the final list of priorities. Our 2009 Federal Advocacy Agenda will follow shortly.

Please keep up with the MIRA blog as we provide regular updates and analysis of current events and policies that impact immigrant and refugee communities, and spotlight some of the incredible work being done by MIRA's member organizations. If you have a question, a suggestion for a potential blog post topic, or a blog post you would like to publish on the MIRA blog, please send an e-mail to miracoblog@gmail.com. Thanks for reading!

- Toby Guevin
The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) and do not represent the views of MIRA's member organizations.