Six months have passed since the last time I saw Jose Luiz-Lopez Sanchez. His home, a cubby in the underside of a bridge in Chapel Hill, remains intact. But as the seasons have changed, it seemed so had the man I found early in the spring planting his garden under the bridge. His 52 years […]
What is La Voz Translation Services?
I realized two days ago I haven’t been keeping my blog up to date on the program I have been working on. Truthfully, I’ve been too busy to be as diligent with my blog writing as I need or want to be, but I thought I had dedicated one blog to talking about the program […]
Boycott of big oil hits small business
While driving down the road the other day, I passed a BP gas station. I pass them often, but this one was noticeable. The gas pumps were tied down with bright yellow plastic strips, signs had been removed from the doors and darkness permeated the inside. That’s when it hit me. In the wake of […]
An educational priority: Orange County Schools should go year-round
In the midst of the country’s economic hardship, educational programs are on the chopping block, and teachers are receiving pink slips instead of paychecks. Administrators decide which classes and programs should be included in curriculums, while students are suffering in bigger classrooms with less attention from teachers. In light of these obstacles, Mike Kelley, chairman […]
Burmese Water Festival to be held in Carrboro
Water guns, water balloons and spray fighting will all be a part of the Burmese Water Festival to be held at Abbey Court Condominiums this month. To honor the growing number of Burmese who live in Abbey Court, the Human Rights Center will be hosting the festival, originally called Thingyan. “We promote inclusion and pluralism, […]
Carrboro to Gain Advocates for Hispanics
El Centro Hispano was founded more than 17 years ago in the basement of a church after it became apparent that Latinos were having problems assimilating into American culture. The organization grew into a cornerstone for Latinos in Durham. Now El Centro Hispano, largely unknown in Orange County is expanding to Carrboro. “It started with […]
And then there are those who make dreams come true…
“They are all so different from one another, yet they are all so passionate about what we are doing at the Center,” Judith Blau said of the three who run the Human Rights Center. Alfonso Hernandez, Nancy Hilburn, and Raphael Gallegos, work to fulfill the mission of the center, which Blau created, everyday. The walls […]
Welcome back: El Centro Hispano should be commended for bringing Latino community services back to Carrboro
El Centro Hispano, a Durham-based Latino advocacy nonprofit, deserves praise for pledging to help bring Latino community services back to Carrboro after the closing of El Centro Latino. In order for the new branch of El Centro Hispano to be successful, it will need the support of our community in all forms. El Centro Latino […]
Technology Without Borders Assists Low-Income Families
Many low-income families do not own computers or have internet access, but thanks to several community organizations this will change in the near future. Technology Without Borders is a UNC-CH Campus Y organization that will be installing free wireless internet at Abbey Court Condominiums and distributing free computers. “There was a group of us sitting […]
Carrboro & Chapel Hill, NC not interested in immigration status
When Officer Charlie Pardo approaches Hispanic residents of either Carrboro or Chapel Hill, he never asks to see their immigration papers. “I give them whatever advice I can give them. One of the first questions they ask is about being undocumented and I say we don’t even look at your documentation status, we are here […]