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2016 Community Leader Award: Norys Piña

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Norys Pina

ESTHER awards its 2016 Community Award for an individual to Norys Piña for her work to improve the quality of life for immigrants throughout our community. She passionately educates immigrants about their rights and has formed a group, Unidos por un Futuro Mejor, to work for systemic change in our community, state, and nation. Her passion rises from her own story and that of those around her.

Norys advocated for driver’s cards for undocumented immigrants and quickly drew together funding and people to fill three buses to participate in a statewide “A Day Without Latinos” demonstration at the state capitol on February 18, 2016. She has been active in ESTHER’s Latino Simulations and Voices of Hope theatre productions. Most recently, Norys has organized a community-wide Latino Voter Engagement campaign.

When asked what sustains her work in ensuring rights for immigrants, Norys says, “I find hope and strength to keep fighting in the faces of my kids, in the stories of my friends, in the lives of all good people who deserve the opportunity to use their full potential, in the humanity in each of us crying out for equity. Just the thought of not fighting for our rights and keep silent scares me more than anything else.”

ESTHER's 12th Annual Banquet - November 13, 2016

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12th Anniversary Banquet: Speaking Truth to Power

Andy HallDee J. Hall

  • Sunday, November 13th - 5:00 PM
  • The Grand Meridian (2621 N. Oneida St.), Appleton
  • Keynote speakers: Dee J. Hall and Andy Hall, co-founders of the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism and WisconsinWatch.org

Join us for fellowship, a great silent auction, joyous music, a delicious meal, well deserved awards, and an altogether wonderful celebration.

Click here to download the banquet flyer.

Register Now

Thank You and Farewell to Stephanie Gyldenvand

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glass of lemonade
bunch of lemons

Join ESTHER as we turn

Lemons (sadness) into Lemonade (thankfulness)!

Farewell Send-off for Stephanie Gyldenvand

Tuesday, June 14
4:30-9:00 pm
Bad Badger Sports Bar
215 W. College Ave, Appleton
No charge; proceeds benefit ESTHER

Stephanie Gyldenvand in actionHelp us thank our amazing organizer, Stephanie Gyldenvand, for her leadership over the last eight years, and wish her all the best in her new position with Winnebago County.

No charge, but if you have a beverage, or snack on some pizza, ESTHER gets 60% of the proceeds!

So, come on down to say “Farewell,” but not goodbye, to Stephanie, and help us raise some money to build community, share hope, and stand for justice!

(In case you missed the letter about Stephanie's big change, you can read it here.)

Juneteenth Festival 2016

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Juneteenth Festival 2016 PosterNoon-6PM
City Park
500 E. Franklin St
Downtown Appleton

Juneteenth is the oldest national program commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. African Heritage, Inc. (AHI), in collaboration with the City of Appleton, is hosting its seventh annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 19, 2016 in downtown Appleton. The family-friendly program will feature musical, dance and poetry performances as well as a Children‘s Village and community resource fair with food sales. Stop by and see us at the ESTHER booth! More info at African Heritage Inc.

Community Conversation and Potluck

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Faith, Values and Community - A Three-Part Seriesmasthead

Part 1: Your faith, your values and what you’re willing to stand for

Tuesday, March 15th, 5:30-7:30 pm
St. Paul Lutheran Church
200 N Commercial St, Neenah

Tuesday, March 15th, 5:30-7:30 pm
B'nai Israel Congregation
1121 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh

Sunday, March 20, 12:30-2:30 pm
St. Therese Catholic Church
213 E Wisconsin Ave, Appleton
(This event will be bi-lingual: English/Spanish)

The event is free and open to the public. We invite each household to bring a dish to share for the potluck.

Questions? Email us at: office@esther-foxvalley.org or give us a call at 920-843-8083. 

Join ESTHER in a three-part community conversation series around faith, values and community. The first event will be in March (dates and locations in the left column) with locations in Appleton, Neenah/Menasha, and Oshkosh to engage the community at the local level.

What you can expect: each event will begin with a potluck followed by a brief reflection, then small-group conversations about faith and values. You will walk away with a better understanding of your community and the people who live here, and have an opportunity to explore your faith, values, and their connection.

We will announce the dates and locations for the next two parts in the series (summer and early fall) in the coming weeks.


Help spread the word: download event flyer here. (PDF)

Increasing Access to Transit

Increasing Access to Transportation:

What We Can Do A conversation and action planning session

Thursday, February 25 from 1-3pm

Goodwill Community Center (Neenah-Menasha Room)

1800 Appleton Rd, Menasha

What Will be Discussed:

  • Local efforts related to increasing access to walking, biking and transit, how we can share experiences and how we can work together
  • Actions community members and organiza ons can take together to make it easier for residents to get where they need to go
  • Latest information regarding any transportaon-related bills in the WI State Legislature and their impact on residents

RSVP at http://bit.ly/FVTfeb25 or foxvalleythrives@gmail.com

Click here to download a printable flyer.

Please share widely to all that may be interested!  Free and open to the public.
 

Author, Activist Angela Davis to Keynote Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration

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Dr. Angela DavisFrom the Lawrence University Press Release:

“Social justice icon, scholar and author Dr. Angela Davis will deliver the keynote address at the 25th annual community celebration of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Monday, Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel.

2015 MLK Day Logo“The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Breaking the Chains of Injustice.’ The event is free and open to the public. A sign-language interpreter will be present.

“The annual commemoration of Dr. King’s life and legacy is jointly presented by Lawrence University and Celebrate Diversity Fox Cities, with the support of The Post-Crescent, numerous Fox Valley organizations, churches and individuals.”

Read More

ESTHER's 11th Annual Banquet - December 6, 2015

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Douglas Walker11th Anniversary Banquet: Building the Beloved Community.

  • Sunday, December 6th - 5:00 PM
  • The Grand Meridian (2621 N. Oneida St.), Appleton
  • Keynote speaker: Douglas Walker, criminal justice reform coordinator, United Methodist Church
  • Emcee: Rev. Jane Voigts, the “irreverent reverend”

Join us for fellowship, a great silent auction, joyous music, a delicious meal, well deserved awards, and an altogether wonderful celebration.

Click here to download the banquet flyer.

Romeo and Juliet - Picnic and a Play

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Romeo & Juliet
Wed, July 29 5:00-8:00 pm

Join ESTHER for an evening of Engagement, Enchantment, and Entertainment!

A picnic and a play performed “Renaissance Faire-style” by Pastor Steve and Dee Savides!

Fox River Environment Educational Alliance (1000 N. Ballard Rd, Appleton)

Suggested donation: $10 adults; $5 under 12; $25 family

Register Now

Appleton Public Library and ESTHER sponsor "Dead Man Walking" Movie

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Learn more about the lifelong commitment and mission of Sr. Helen Prejean, the upcoming ESTHER Banquet speaker.  The banquet celebrating ESTHER's 10th anniversary will be held on Sunday, December 7th.  Click here to learn more about the banquet...and get your ticket!

Dead Man Walking

Special Film Screening

November 12 | 4:00-7:00 pm

Appleton Public Library Meeting Room C

In partnership with ESTHER, the Appleton Public Library will be hosting a special screening of the movie Dead Man Walking as a lead in to the December visit of Sister Helen Prejean, author of the book. The film stars Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon, who won an Academy Award for best actress for her portrayal of Sister Helen. Dead Man Walking chronicles the beginning of Sister Helen’s commitment to campaigning against the death penalty.

Download a printable version of the flyer.

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