CLAS@Pitt NEWSLETTER-September 9, 2020

NOTE: Welcome to click on each item to go to specific menu.

• CLAS Events
• CLAS Faculty, Alumni and Staff News and Information
• CLAS Student Information 

Dara Mendez
Receives National Recognition for Maternal and Child Health Research

The Coalition for Excellence in Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology and 15 national health organizations selected Dara Mendez as the recipient of the 2020 Award for Effective Practice at the Community Level.

Mendez is an assistant professor of epidemiology in Pitt's Graduate School of Public Health, specializing in understanding and addressing racial and socioeconomic inequity in pregnancy, birth and women's health.

The award recognizes her significant work toward improving public health practice through effective use of data, epidemiology and applied research. It will be formally presented in September during the virtual CityMatCH Leadership and MCH Epidemiology Conference. 

https://publichealth.pitt.edu/home/directory/dara-d-mendez 

New publication by Dr. Barry Ames (CLAS Faculty) and Dr. Lucio Reno (CLAS Alumni)
 

Persuasive Peers: Social Communication and Voting in Latin America
(Andy Baker, Barry Ames and Lucio Renno)

Congratulations to Dr. Michele Reid-Vazquez from the CLAS Team for your selection

as the 2020-21 Global Studies Center Faculty Fellow!

 

Each year, the GSC selects as its Faculty Fellow one outstanding University of Pittsburgh colleague whose scholarship advances the Center's mission. Michele Reid-Vazquez is Associate Professor in the Department of Africana Studies and a specialist in African Diaspora in the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Atlantic World, and Afro-Latinx History in the U.S. As the 2020-2021 GSC Faculty Fellow, Dr. Reid-Vazquez will convene an interdisciplinary conference entitled, "Transnational Dialogues in Afrolatinidad" and create a new undergraduate course that will feature a student research poster exhibit. The goal of the project is to expand transnational, transregional, and interdisciplinary research, education, and programming in the global arenas of Afro-Latin American Afro-Latinx studies. The intersections of race, ethnicity, and migration continue to shape contemporary societies through the complex confluence of blackness and identity in the Americas. These endeavors will facilitate scholarly knowledge and expand our understanding of Afro-Latin American and Afro-Latinx studies and the global issues at its core. 

Opening installment of the webinar series that seeks to expand transnational, transregional, and interdisciplinary exchange on contemporary and historical issues in Afro-Latin American and Afro-Latinx Studies:

Friday, October 2, 1-2:30 PM, Virtual, "Transnational Dialogues in Afrolatinidad: Migration, Policing and Political Movements" co-moderated by GSC Faculty Fellow Dr. Michele Reid-Vazquez and Dr. George Reid Andrews, a Distinguished Professor of History.

Featured panelists include: Dr. Eddie Bonilla, UCIS Postdoctoral Fellow in Latinx Studies at the University of Pittsburgh; Dr. Jennifer Jones of the University of Illinois at Chicago; Dr. Zachary Morgan of Penn State University; and Dr. Keisha-Khan Y. Perry of Brown University.

https://www.africanastudies.pitt.edu/people/michele-reid-vazquez

Article by
Dr. Ariel Armony,
Vice Provost for Global Affairs; Director, University Center for International Studies, University of Pittsburgh

Article in Spanish:
"EE.UU.-China: el reloj corre, pero aún queda un espacio para resetear la relación"
 https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/eeuu-china-el-reloj-corre-pero-aun-queda-nid2404531?fbclid=IwAR1Dajx7zG6NLyqra9eq7X1qVXNYzjcAQxF76s_hrBUii22w-g-drG56Bns

Article in English:
"United States-China: The clock is ticking, but there’s still time to reset the relationship"
 https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/main/news-events/united-states-china-clock-ticking-still-time-restore-relationship?fbclid=IwAR3icaKvoldIbfNvVL7rKUQD1-DaQgYkdkfKdy8G9NH4x1ApcNVNNGT0vgY

LAPOP is proud to make available a special collection of surveys, "The Seligson Political Culture Survey Archive", for free download.

Click here to access an Insights report that describes the archive in more detail.

Opportunities are available in the Western Hemisphere with the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. There are 60 opportunities available for U.S. citizens to receive funding to teach and/or conduct research in the region in 2021-22.

Fulbright Scholars are selected for their academic merit and leadership potential to research, teach, and exchange ideas. The 2021 - 2022 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program is accepting applications until September 15, 2020.

• Public Policy, Joaquim Nabuco Foundation
• Computer Science, Pontifical Catholic University (Rio de Janeiro) -- *new for 2021-22!
• Neuroscience, Pontifical Catholic University (Rio Grande do Sul)
• Studies of the U.S., Federal University of Minas Gerais
• International Relations, University of Sao Paulo
• All Disciplines, any accredited academic institution, research institute, non-profit organization, governmental agency, etc.

Webinar overview of the opportunities in Brazil that you can watch here.

There are more than 450 awards available in more than 125 countries. The complete list of grant opportunities are located in the Catalog of Awards where you can search by region, country, or academic discipline.

Any questions from interested applicants regarding any of the opportunities listed above or the Fulbright Scholar Program, in general, can be directed to Angelica Serna
Regional Program Officer, Western Hemisphere
Fulbright Scholar Program at westhem@iie.org.
 

• Pitt Events (not CLAS sponsored) 

• Pitt References and Resources

• The Eduardo Lozano Latin American Collection and Hillman Library Information

As you prepare to make your way to campus, we’ve created the Daily COVID-19 Health Check app, a quick and convenient way for you to monitor your health during your shelter-in-place period. This daily health check is required for all students preparing to travel to campus. It is an essential part of how we work together to keep you and other members of our community safe.

Students living in University housing are required to begin using the app on the first day of your shelter-in-place at home, and continue to use it throughout your travel to campus and pod week. Students living off campus must use the app every day during your 14-day shelter-in-place. If you begin experiencing COVID-19 symptoms during this period, please follow the guidance on the app and contact your campus’s student health service. 

COVID-19 Health Check
Using the app is easy. Use a web browser to visit my.pitt.edu and look for the thermometer icon.

Simply log in using your Pitt credentials and answer two questions about how you are feeling and whether you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. If you encounter technical difficulties with the app, please submit a help ticket to the Technology Help Desk. 

Completing your daily health check may be required for access to campus facilities, so don’t forget to start using it on the first day of your shelter-in-place period. As always, remember to wear a face covering when you are around people, practice social distancing where appropriate and wash your hands frequently.

Antiracist Reading Lists

• An Antiracist Reading List - New York Times
• Anti-Racist Reading List from Ibram X. Kendi - Chicago Public Library
• Recommendations by Professor Keisha Blain, Department of History, University of Pittsburgh
• BKLYN BookMatch: A Black Lives Matter Reading List of Adults - Brooklyn Public Library
• UMD College of Education Ph.D.–student Victoria Alexander has collated podcasts, films, and other media in an Anti-Racist Resource Guide, including brief lists of Anti-Racists Literature:

See also:

• This List Of Books, Films And Podcasts About Racism Is A Start, Not A Panacea – NPR
• Reading as resistance? The rise of the anti-racist book list – NBC
• Black Owned Bookstores in the United States

Understand the Facts

• On systemic racism: Explanation of System Racism (Act.TV)
• On the roots of racial inequities: Antiracism and America - A collaboration between The Guardian and American University’s Antiracist Research and Policy Center, this is an ongoing series that sheds light on the structures at the root of racial inequities.
• On COVID-19 and racial disparities: The COVID Tracking Project
• On state criminal justice data: The Sentencing Project, Racial Disparity
• On systemic racism in higher education: ‘I Was Fed Up’: How #BlackInTheIvory Got Started, and What Its Founders Want to See Next (Chronicle of Higher Education)

Engage with Research, Tools, and Resources Offered by Universities

• The Racial Equity Action Lab (REAL): Stanford's Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity mobilizes research insights to inform leaders and produces collaborative research to advance racial equity.
• UCLA, The Center for the Study of Racism, Social Justice, and Health – dedicated to examining how and when racism affects health, providing tools to improve the rigor with which researchers study racism and health, and evaluating intervention strategies that most effectively address racism’s contributions to health inequities.
• University of Pittsburgh, Center on Race and Social Problems, helping lead the United States further along the path to social justice by conducting race-related research, mentoring emerging scholars, and disseminating race-related research findings and scholarship.
• The new Boston University Center for Antiracist Research will convene researchers and practitioners to explore novel and practical ways to understand, explain, and solve seemingly intractable problems of racial inequity and injustice.
• Resources for Coping With And Addressing Racial Oppression - McSilver Institute For Poverty Policy and Research, NYU
• Resources to Support Anti-Racist Practice and Advocacy - Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling

Access Pedagogical Resources

• University Center for Teaching and Learning, University of Pittsburgh: Announcements and Anti-Racism Resources

Talk About Race and Racism with Children

• Talking to Kids About Racism (New York Times)
• An Instagram from The Conscious Kid, Are Your Kids Too Young To Talk About Race?, (links to a resource from the Social Justice Resources from the Children’s Community School)
• Best moments from CNN and Sesame Street's town hall on racism for kids and parents - CNN
• Books
  • Social Justice Books
  • Read Aloud Books
  • Reading list for kids and young adults - Brooklyn Public Library
  • Always Available on Hoopla: Race and Social Justice Nonfiction – Carnegie Public Library

Advance Anti-Racist Efforts

Prepare to Have Difficult Conversations About Racism and Bias

• Responding to Microaggressions and Bias - Dr. Diane J. Goodman (pdf) 
• Tool: Recognizing Microaggressions and the Messages They Send, UCSC, adapted from Sue, Derald Wing (opens .pdf)
• The Cycle of Socialization - Adams, M., Bell, L. A., Griffin, P., Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice (1997; opens .pdf)
• Eight Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism, and Racial Justice - The Opportunity Agenda

Engage with ongoing efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in your department, the Dietrich School, and University.

• Consider serving on shared governance bodies such as the DSAS Graduate Council or University Council on Graduate Studies. 
• DSAS Diversity Website:  https://www.as.pitt.edu/diversity 
• University of Pittsburgh, Office of Diversity and Inclusion:  https://www.diversity.pitt.edu
• Philippa Carter, Director of Diversity Initiatives in the DSAS Office of Graduate Studies, can be reached at pkc3@pitt.edu or 412-624-6096

Participate in Forums, Trainings, and Conversations at Pitt and Beyond

• Highlights from “I Can’t Breathe” Town Hall, University of Pittsburgh (June 2020)
• David Harris, the Sally Ann Semenko Endowed Chair and professor of law at Pitt, and host of a podcast, Criminal Injustice, lead a virtual discussion: “Race, Police and Unarmed Civilian Deaths: What Can Be Done?” (June 2020)
• July 28-30: Pitt will host a virtual Diversity Forum, featuring speaker, activist and writer Ibram X. Kendi, among others
• Participate in the University of Pittsburgh’s Academic Anti-defamation League (ADL) Campus of Difference training
• Review training and program videos from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Pitt.
• Engage with local Pittsburgh organizations and community intiatives
• Support local, black-owned businesses using the Greater Pittsburgh Black Business Directory

Engage with Organizations

• ACLU: Website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube 
• Black Lives Matter: Website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
  • Black Lives Matter has various local chapters. Find yours here!
• Color Of Change: Website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
• Equal Justice Initiative (EJI): Website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
• Higher Heights Leadership Fund: Website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
• Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights: Website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube
• NAACP: Website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
• NAACP Legal Defense Fund: Website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
• National Urban League: Website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube
• Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ): Website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
• Southern Poverty Law Center: Website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

U.S. Citizens: Vote in Federal, State and Local Elections

Elected officials at the state and local level matter most with regard to issues such as reformation of police department and criminal justice systems.

• Why Local Elections Matter – Campus Election Engagement Project
• Educate yourself on how to vote as a student: If you’re living away from your home state and are not registered as a local resident you may have the choice of registering in Pittsburgh or requesting an absentee ballot - Votes PA

Your help is needed to support our partners in reaching out, via telephone, to the families and individuals they serve to be sure people feel connected to the resources they need. Sign-up to volunteer.

Volunteers will be placed with a variety of organizations and institutions to make calls according to the partners’ needs and specifications. Volunteers will receive a general training from the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Community & Governmental Relations to ensure positive and safe calling practices and then will participate in training specific to the organization in which the volunteer is placed. Care and Connection Callers:

• Provide a connection with people who may be isolated.
• Assess economic and social needs.  
• Connect people to community resources and United Way 2-1-1 as needed.
• Report back to the sponsoring organization any follow-up that is needed. 

Who are we looking for to be Care and Connection Callers?

University volunteers who:

• Have access to a phone, a computer and the internet.
• Are willing to participate in two training programs- one through Pitt and one through their sponsoring organization, 
• Are able to follow a conversational script that guides the outreach calls.
• Are able to listen to and read COVID-19 informational resources before they make calls so they have the most up-to-date information to share with those they call.
• Are able to commit to weekly service. 

If you are a community organization looking for help...

Pitt is open to partnering with you! Please contact Carrie Finklestein at cgf18@pitt.edu to begin the conversation.

STUDENT EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND IS NOW AVAILABLE 

The Student Emergency Assistance Fund is a joint venture led by the Office of the Provost, Office of Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement, Student Government Board, the Graduate & Professional Student Government, and the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. The health and safety of our Pitt community, particularly our students, is paramount. The fund, to be administered at the direction of the Provost, will be used to provide financial support for degree-seeking students of the University of Pittsburgh with unanticipated and insurmountable expenses related to emergency situations that may result in students facing financial hardship. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students may apply for funds when they experience a financial barrier based on an emergency situation, and when they have exhausted all other available resources.

Expenses Covered by the Fund

Examples of emergency expenses to be considered include, but are not limited to:

• Medical necessities
• Food insecurity
• Unexpected transportation and travel expenses
• Overdue utility bills reaching a turn-off notice
• Homelessness, sudden loss of housing, or imminent eviction
• Loss of childcare
• Academic supplies and technology repair or support
• Up to $600 may be requested

Expenses Not Covered by the Fund

• Tuition, fees, health insurance, and study abroad costs
• Non-essential personal bills such as: current utility, credit card, cable, cell phone, etc.
• Parking tickets, library fines, or other expenses mistakenly incurred
• Funds for the replacement of lost or stolen items
• Rent payments are not covered by the fund unless a one-time payment will delay or halt an eviction.

Hold on Eviction

Students who live off-campus should be aware of their Tenants’ Rights. In addition, the Attorney General of Pennsylvania has recently issued an order that evictions cannot take place at this time. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered courts closed to eviction proceedings due to the COVID-19 state of emergency. The Court’s order is applicable to all Pennsylvania property owners, managers, landlords, as well as mortgage brokers and lenders.

Eligibility Requirements

Any Pitt student may apply for emergency funds. Each applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate financial hardship
• Experience an emergency, accident, illness, or other unforeseen event among the “covered” examples above
• Be currently enrolled as a full-time or part-time, degree-seeking student

Applicants must complete all questions in full and submit a justification and supporting documentation as the situation allows. Examples of supporting documentation include but are not limited to:

• Eviction notice
• Utility bills indicating shut-off notice
• Medical bills

 
Students with non-emergent financial hardships that do not qualify for the Student Emergency Assistance Fund, including student account balances, are encouraged to contact the Office of Financial Aid directly to discuss their situation and talk about possible aid options.
 

Application Process

Students in need of emergency financial assistance are encouraged to submit the application. Questions may be directed to emergencyfund@pitt.edu.
 
Completed applications are reviewed by members of the Student Emergency Assistance Fund Advisory Committee that includes representatives from Student Affairs and the Office of Financial Aid. A member of the committee will respond to emergency application submissions within 72 hours or three business days.
 
The maximum emergency aid allocation to a student will be $600. Payment will be distributed as soon as possible consistent with University policies and procedures. Each application is carefully reviewed to ensure all other financial aid resources are maximized first.
 
Students should set up direct deposit in PittPAY

How Do I Sign Up for Direct Deposit (eRefunds)?

Students should be aware that emergency funding may create a taxable event that could require reporting to the IRS by the recipient.

Submit the application here

Community Support

PITT PANDEMIC SERVICE INITIATIVE

Chancellor Patrick Gallagher called upon the University to acknowledge our role in the response during this time of great challenge… Join us in Pitt’s Pandemic Service Initiative: expanding staff, faculty, and student service; contributing to drives and collections; and forging innovative partnerships. We are rolling up our sleeves.
 

PANDEMIC RESPONSE SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

As part of the Pitt Pandemic Service Initiative, faculty, staff, and students are coming together to meet critical community needs. You can make a difference with even just a small amount of time. Priority needs identified by community partners include care and connection calls and IT support.

Student Service

Faculty/Staff Service 

Drives and Collections

We’re committed to being a University of the community. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pitt students, faculty, and staff are volunteering to provide technology support, well-checks, and a host of other forms of support. 

For community members, this means access to resources and information. 

RESOURCES & SUPPORT »  
 SHARE WAYS PITT CAN VOLUNTEER »

Updates from Hillman Library

COVID-19 CLOSURE

Currently, all ULS libraries are closed, but if you have questions, please contact Ask Us or check the Library Response & Resources page for ways the library can still help!

 Full-text versions of all books offered through HathiTrust that are also in the ULS collections are available online to Pitt faculty, students, and staff temporarily through the summer. Simply search the catalog and look for the “HathiTrust” link. 

No-Contact Pickup of Print Materials! 

Starting June 24, Pitt faculty, staff, and students can request print materials that are not available via HathiTrust for no-contact pickup.  

If you find an item in the catalog that has a “Request This Item” button enabled, please choose the “Request Whole Book” option and indicate your preferred pick-up location. Note that Owen Library at Pitt Johnstown will not be pick-up location until July 6. You may select up to 15 items at a time. You will be contacted via email with instructions for when and how to retrieve your items. Beginning on July 6 you will also be able to request print items via ILL for no-contact pickup. Please Ask Us if you have any questions. Not able to pick up your items? Starting July 6, we will mail them to you! This service is available for US addresses only.  This service is available for ULS-owned items shipped to US addresses only.

No Need to Renew Checked Out Items 

As a reminder, you do not need to renew or return your materials to the library at this time. All library materials (including E-ZBorrow and Interlibrary Loans) are now due Sept. 30, 2020. See our FAQ further down this page for information about returning your materials.  

A New PittCat Library Catalog is Coming in July 2020! 

Visit https://newpittcat.pitt.edu for more information and be sure to check out this introductory video! 

Archives and Special Collections Reading Room at Thomas Boulevard to Open 

As of June 22, the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room at Thomas Boulevard is now open by appointment only. Appointments are for Pitt affiliates only and require at least 48 hours advanced notice. The number of patrons and staff will be limited to maintain social distancing. Please note that all patrons must wear a self-provided mask and will be supplied with gloves. As part of the University of Pittsburgh's efforts to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all employees and visitors on campus, a self-attestation of symptoms must be completed for every day an individual comes to the campus for any reason and for any length of time. Contact us to request an appointment. One of our archivists will follow-up with you to schedule your appointment. 

Library Access 

At this time, ULS libraries remain closed and are expected to reopen to the Pitt community in early August. Please note that many vendors and other providers have opened emergency access to their full-text online resources. Please see our Online Research, Teaching, and Learning @ Pitt: Resources and Support from the ULS guide for what is currently available beyond our subscriptions. ​​​
 

Remote Access to Library Resources

• Connecting from Off-Campus
• Contacting Your Subject Librarian
• Contacting Digital Scholarship Services
• Electronic Journals
• Electronic Theses & Dissertation Support
• Getting Materials from Other Places (ILL)
• Research Guides

Support for Online Teaching

• Talk to Us About Alternatives to Your Print Reserve
• Get Archives & Special Collections Help
• Request eReserves (Digitization Request Form)
• Request Purchase of an eBook
• Request a Streaming Video
• Consult our Open Access or Open Education Resources (OER) guides

The new "PittCat”, which will be shared with the Health Sciences and Law Library systems, offers powerful, intuitive search, unique tools for the discovery of content and ideas, and streamlined ways to get the material you need, when you need it, in formats that are right for you.

www.universityannouncements.pitt.edu/ULS PittCat.pdf

For more information about Read Green, please visit http://technology.pitt.edu/readgreen

The International Journal of Medical Students began publishing a Forthcoming issue of in-press articles after they have undergone peer review and have been accepted but prior to the formal production process. Four new articles were added last week.

Dentistry 3000, which publishes articles on a rolling basis as they are ready, published Comparative evaluation of retentive strength of polyvinyl siloxane impression materials to custom tray using different tray adhesives: An In Vitro study on May 4th.

The Bolivian Studies Journal published Volume 25, 2019 on May 11th.

The Dialogic Pedagogy Journal, which publishes articles on a rolling basis as they are ready, published Moving from collaboration to critical dialogue in action in education on May 11th.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact the ULS Director,

Kornelia Tancheva at tancheva@pitt.edu.

In the midst of the challenges of the present and the uncertainties of the future, the Bolivian Studies Journal / Revista de Estudios Bolivianos published at the University of Pittsburgh has just made available in an open-access format its latest issue: Vol. 25, 2019.

A Festschrift in honor of Xavier Albó, the volume has been compiled by Núria Vilanova, former Chair of the LASA-Bolivia section, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and Associate Professor of World Languages and Cultures at American University.

We invite you to review its contents by accessing the corresponding website:
https://bsj.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/bsj/issue/view/12
Thanks for your continuing interest in our work.

Elizabeth Monasterios - Martha E. Mantilla
Editoras
Bolivian Studies Journal/Revista de Estudios Bolivianos http://bsj.pitt.edu/
 

Dedicado al trabajo de Xavier Albó, la coordinación de este volumen estuvo a cargo de Núria Vilanova, ex presidenta de la sección LASA-Bolivia, Dean for Academic Affairs y Associate Professor of World Languages and Cultures en American University.

Los invitamos a revisar los contenidos de este nuevo número, disponibles en el sitio:  https://bsj.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/bsj/issue/view/12

Gracias por su continuo interés en nuestro trabajo.

Elizabeth Monasterios -  Martha E. Mantilla
Editoras
Bolivian Studies Journal/Revista de Estudios Bolivianos http://bsj.pitt.edu/

CLAS Community Engagement 

CLAS' community engagement programs play a pivotal role in sharing information and expertise on Latin America to educators both at the college/university level and kindergarten through secondary (K-12) level, the professional community, and general public as part of its Educational Public Service (Outreach) mission.

Community Engagement programs are offered throughout the academic year. These include but are not limited to: professional development workshops, study abroad opportunities, faculty development seminars, summer research fellowships, curriculum development projects, school visit program, lecture and film series, resource lending library, list of Latin American Organizations in Pittsburgh, and newsletters, including CLASicos and a weekly newsletter.

Families, Individuals and Businesses

• Community Events (not sponsored by CLAS/UCIS or Pitt)

• Resources for Families, and Individuals

• Resources for Small Businesses

• Census

• Latin American and Caribbean Cuisine

We all must do one simple thing to stop the spread of COVID-19: Wear a mask, Pennsylvania.

In Pennsylvania, masks are mandatory in businesses and all public spaces.

More information: 
on.pa.gov/2VFj7Dk

This application is for people and organizations that contribute to the goals of the Immigrant Community Blueprint, it will take less than 10 minutes to complete.

Please email allforall@theglobalswitchboard.org if you have any questions.

The Mayor’s Office of Equity's Welcoming Pittsburgh initiative has secured a $500,000 grant from Open Society Foundations for the COVID-19 Cash Assistance Program. The program will be run by local community organizations that serve immigrant and refugee communities who will disburse funding to residents who did not receive a federal stimulus payment.  

Money from the grant will go to Welcoming Pittsburgh's local community partners to distribute directly to individuals and families in the communities they serve through an application process. Assisting in the creation of this fund were Acculturation for Justice, Access and Peace Outreach, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, Casa San Jose, Jewish Family & Community Services, and Union of African Communities. These community organizations may have additional services or programs available for those who need other kinds of support.  

Those interested in the program should contact welcomingpgh@gmail.com for more information about applying or assistance with language access. Funds will be disbursed over the next several weeks on a first-come, first serve basis. No interviews are necessary to receive payment.  

REGISTER HERE!!

• COVID-19 Small Business Resources (America’s SBDC)
• Best Practices for Remote-Managing Your Small Business (USA Today)
• 65 Free Tools to Help You Through the Coronavirus Pandemic (Entrepreneur)
• Allegheny Conference on Community Development (Economic Development)
• Henderson Brothers, Inc. (Insurance)
• Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (Economic Development)
• Catalyst Connection (Manufacturer Resource)
• Coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak (World Health Organization (WHO))
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) information & resources (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC))
• PA COVID-19 Update (PA Department of Health)
• COVID-19 Information (Allegheny County)
• PA Governor Wolf’s Facebook Page (Updates on health, business, etc. relevant information)
• Allegheny Conference COVID-19 Business Impact Survey
• Converting to Online? Join NCRC’s DC Women's Business Center webinar series “Strategic Realignment for Business In A 'New Normal' / Digital Marketing.”  For more information, please click here.
• Pittsburgh Financial Empowerment Center is open for free one-on-one financial counseling by phone or video. Translation is available. 
• Disruption Recovery Resources (PA Small Business Development Centers)
• COVID-19 Business Resources (PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development)
• Business Resources for Coronavirus (PA Chamber)
• Quick Guide: Small Business Disaster Recovery [PDF] (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
• UPDATED Information for PA Employees Impacted by COVID-19 (PA Dept. of Labor & Industry)
• COVID-19 and Employer Unemployment Compensation FAQs (PA Dept. of Labor & Industry)
• How to file for unemployment (Office of Unemployment Compensation)
• COVID-19 Security Resource Library (National Cyber Security Alliance)
• Business Continuity Planner (DisasterSafety.org)
• COVID-19 Guidance (Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA))

Organizations

• Riverside Center for Innovation
• New Sun Rising
• Bridgeway Capital
• Progress Fund
• Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh
• Allegheny County Department of Economic Development
• Honeycomb Credit
• Kiva Pittsburgh

Key Facts About the Census

• The census counts every person living in the United States, regardless of age or citizenship status, every 10 years in years ending in 0.
• It’s in the Constitution. It’s important
•  It’s about money, power, and data.
• Every 10 years we help decide how taxpayer dollars come back to our communities. The 2020 Census will help to distribute billions of dollars in federal resources to your community.
• Our community gets resources based on census population counts, that help pay for hospitals, emergency services, schools, roads, and more.
• An accurate and complete census helps businesses, community leaders and elected officials make informed decisions every day.
• It’s easy
• For the first time, people can respond online and by phone, in addition to the mail-in option. Your response impacts funding for your community for critical services for the next 10 years!
• The next decennial census happens in 2030. It’s safe and confidential
• Your data is protected and it’s confidential. Federal law protects your responses, which cannot be shared with law enforcement, immigration agencies, or housing authorities.

COVID-19 & the 2020 Census

• The 2020 Census is underway and the most important and safe thing you can do is respond online, by phone, or by mail. It has never been easier to respond to the 2020 Census.
• Responding now will minimize the need for the Census Bureau to send census takers out into communities to follow up with households.

Take the Pledge

• You can inspire others. ​Take the pledge and tell everyone​ —your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers— to complete the census, and that they should respond now, too!

(Delivery, Takeout and/or Gift Certificates)

We are creating a list of local Latin American and Caribbean cuisine offerings to support and promote your business. Please complete the included survey to help us identify you and find out what services you offer (delivery, takeout, hours, menu, etc.).

We plan to share this list with other local organizations, and promote it in our newsletter and email list. We hope that you take the time to answer this questionnaire. Thank you!

Click HERE to see the list of local Latin American and Caribbean Cuisine you can order!

(Updated 7/20/2020)
 

• Call for Papers, Training & Conferences
   
• Academic Organizations and Resources

The 24th Annual CAF Conference, jointly sponsored by CAF – Development Bank of Latin America, the Organization of American States, and the Inter-American Dialogue, will take place virtually on September 9, 10 & 11. Participation in the conference is free and open to the public, and simultaneous interpretation will be available (English, Español, Português). Register & find more information here: https://www.thedialogue.org/events/24th-annual-caf-conference/
 

Established in 1996, the CAF Conference has brought together more than 1,000 world leaders to debate and discuss the most pressing developments facing the Americas. It is the largest public conference in Washington, DC that focuses on Latin America & the Caribbean. This year’s conference will focus on the current and future implications of the pandemic. Though our website now features a tentative speakers list, we will be announcing a finalized agenda and details in the coming weeks. Attendees will have the exclusive access to an online platform where they can view the live sessions, network with attendees, and submit questions for panelists. Simultaneous translation will also be available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Universities Art Association of Canada

Online Conference – 2020
October 15- 17, 2020

The theme of this session is art and activism in Latin America. Art and activism are two distinct academic disciplines, but ones which can dialogue and merge into action, which ranges from cultural production to a mutual understanding of contemporary political and social changes. We will therefore look at Latin America contemporary artists whose work blends art and activism. Artists in different contexts and Latin America countries have increasingly positioned themselves in situations of political and social change, from climate change to human rights. The current political crises, the coronavirus crises and the consequences to the global economy, as well as the social struggles that lead to large influxes of Latin America migrants into the United States, have already inspired many. Further examples to be deepened in this research are the works that focus on refugees fleeing political persecution, Latin America protest art, social injustices, resistance, art and politics.

We invite 300-word abstracts of the proposed papers to be sent along with a short academic CV to:
Tatiane de Oliveira Elias - tatianeeliasufsm@gmail.com
before 1st august 2020.

Submissions must include / Les soumissions doivent inclure:

• the name of the applicant / le nom de l’intervenant·e
• the applicant’s email address / l’adresse courriel de l’intervenant·e
• the applicant’s institutional affiliation and rank / l’affiliation institutionnelle et le titre de l’intervenant·e
• title of proposal / le titre de la communication
• a proposal (300 words maximum) / une proposition de communication (maximum de 300 mots)
• a brief biography (150 words maximum) / une courte biographie (maximum 150 mots)

Submissions must be submitted via the Call for Papers form attached. / Les propositions doivent être soumises utilisant le formulaire ci-inclus < Appel à communications >.

Proposals may be submitted by current members or non-members of UAAC. Non-members MUST become members of UAAC and pay registration fees in order to present a paper at the conference. Membership dues and registration fees must be received by September 11, 2020

More information at https://uaac-aauc.com/conference/

CALL FOR PAPERS: IUP Hispanic Journal

The editors of Hispanic Journal invite submissions of unpublished studies all year around. Hispanic Journal is published twice annually by the Department of Foreign Languages and the Graduate School of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Its purpose is to publish original research and criticism in the areas of Spanish, Spanish American, Portuguese, Catalan, Galician, and Basque literatures, languages, linguistics, and cinema of any period. We also publish interviews and book reviews. Submissions may be written in Spanish, English, or Portuguese.

• All manuscripts must follow the guidelines set forth by the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 8th ed., (2016).
• Manuscripts should consist of at least 4,000 but not more than 7,000 words total.
• Manuscripts must be single-spaced in Times 12 and written using Word 2007 or later.
• In a cover letter, briefly present yourself, your work, and your work’s word count. *Submissions should be sent electronically to the editor (vgiz@iup.edu, or owner-hispanic-journal@iup.edu)
• All authors whose work is accepted for publication will be required to obtain a subscription to Hispanic Journal.
• All articles published become the property of Hispanic Journal.

The current annual subscription rate for individuals is $45.00 (U.S.), and $61.00 (abroad). The current annual subscription rate for institutions is $80.00 (U.S.), and $96.00 (abroad). These prices include shipping and handling.

Send articles, book reviews and interviews to:

Vicente Gomis-Izquierdo, Editor Hispanic Journal
Department of Foreign Languages
478 Sutton Hall
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana, PA 15705

Questions? Please write to:
vgiz@iup.edu or hispanic-journal@iup.edu
Subject: HISPANIC JOURNAL

https://www.iup.edu/foreignlanguages/publications/hispanic-journal/ 

Advocating for Immigrants, Migrants, and Refugees.
 

Part-Time Bookkeeper/Administrative Support

The Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition is looking for a motivated individual as a part-time bookkeeper/administrative support. This person will be responsible for performing basic internal bookkeeping and administrative duties. The ideal candidate will have excellent organizational skills, be detailed oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities at once.

Roles and Responsibilities will include:

• Performing bookkeeping tasks using Quickbooks, including paying bills, entering invoices and credit card transactions, and making deposits
• Supporting Executive Director and auditor with preparing financial reports
• Managing and tracking donations and memberships
• Providing administrative support, such as ordering office supplies, providing logistical support for events, and oversight and maintenance of equipment
• Maintaining confidentiality in all aspects of financial and personnel information

This is a part-time (20-hours per week) position with flexible scheduling available. This position is based in Philadelphia and will require working from the office 1-2 days per week. PICC follows all public health guidelines to ensure the health and safety of employees.

Candidates will be evaluated on the basis of the following:

• Proficiency and comfort using Quickbooks
• Proficiency and comfort using Excel spreadsheets
• Experience and commitment to working with multicultural and immigrant communities
• Knowledge of a language spoken by immigrant communities in PA
• Experience and knowledge of standard accounting practices
• Familiarity with PowerBase, Asana, or similar

Salary & Benefits:

• All positions are paid according to the organization’s salary scale. Starting annual salary for this position is $20,000.
• Benefits include a wellness plan, remote working support, paid vacation, and paid sick leave. 

To Apply: Please complete the online application at: https://bit.ly/PICC-bookkeeper. We are not accepting emailed resumes or applications. All applications will be acknowledged with an automatic reply. Due to volume, we will only contact applicants we wish to interview. No phone calls please. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, with a final deadline of September 15, 2020.

More information here: http://paimmigrant.org/2020/07/join-the-picc-team/

Persons of color and from immigrant backgrounds strongly encouraged to apply. The Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates for employment will be considered without regard to race or ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation