ESTHER celebrated Appleton Juneteenth 2023 on Sunday, June 11, with African Heritage, Inc. and many other community organizations supporting diverse groups, causes and community challenges. ESTHER gave away over 100 books for all ages. Members had contributed books by and about Black history, heroes, strengths and struggles.
ESTHER also raffled off four bikes, including one donated by Chain Reaction Cyclery in Appleton (Thank you, Nikki!), and another purchased by ESTHER to give away. The four free raffle winners were thrilled with their bike wins.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has just re-released (in HD video) its 2008 documentary on efforts of Native nations and the denomination’s National Indian Lutheran Board to secure sovereignty, justice, and civil rights for American Indians. Much of this collaboration and struggle took place in Wisconsin, involving—among others—the Lutheran Church of the Wilderness on the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Reservation in Bowler. Rev. Joel Schlatenhaufer (d. 2019), pastor of that congregation at the time, and later a founding member of ESTHER and its first president, is interviewed.
The history the video recounts is very interesting, and it would be useful for all of our members to know about the things that the video talks about.
Helping individuals successfully return to the community after incarceration in prison or jail is the mission of Circles of Support.* Through weekly meetings or individual contacts, volunteers from all walks of life meet with men and women who have been incarcerated to provide support and help to them in dealing with everyday challenges they face in returning to the community. The meetings provide a positive, non-judgmental environment which focusses on individual strengths and the future.
Information about community resources is provided by the participants and volunteers. Discussions about challenges focus on problem-solving and helping individuals explore effective options that might work for them. Participation is voluntary and there is no cost. Success is celebrated.
A variety of meeting times and places are available in Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, and Neenah-Menasha. Participants describe the groups as a “caring family environment,” a place to get useful community resource information, and a non-judgmental, trusting and respectful setting that gives them hope.
Anyone interested in being involved as a participant or volunteer can connect by calling (920) 840-2918 or emailing circlescanhelp@gmail.com. A volunteer will contact you personally to answer any questions.
*ESTHER is the fiscal sponsor of Circles of Support.
The International Day of Peace, also officially known as World Peace Day, is a United Nations-sanctioned holiday observed annually on 21 September. It is dedicated to world peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence.
Along with Unity of Appleton, Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and others, ESTHER is a co-sponsor.
The free, fun & family-friendly program will include:
Wisconsin school boards are required to include in the social studies curriculum some instruction in the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of the federally recognized American Indian tribes and bands located in Wisconsin. The legislature is currently considering revising these curriculum requirements. Brian Ward, our August speaker, is an expert on these issues and can provide helpful background.
An educator and activist who lives in Teejope (occupied Ho-Chunk Land known as Madison, Wisconsin), Brian has also lived and worked on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, home of the Oglala Lakota Nation. His writing has appeared in The Nation,Truthout, New Politics, Socialist Worker, International Socialist Review and more. He has also worked with Indigenous people in Guatemala and Peru. His master’s thesis work focused on the representation of Indigenous people in K-12 classrooms.
The presentation will be on Zoom. If you are unable to attend but register in advance, you will be able to view the recording.
Casa Hispana is proud to sponsor the 2023 Latino Fest celebration, a free event for community members of all ages to participate!
Enjoy live music, dance performances, art demonstrations, and other cultural expressions representing the diversity of the Fox Valley Hispanic/ Latinx community. Learn about services from local nonprofits, schools and businesses, and discover employment opportunities. Come ready to enjoy a variety of food and beverage options.
Join People of Progression on Sunday, August 27th, from 12 pm to 5 pm at their Back to School Block Party. It’ll be full of culture, activities, shopping, and connections to prepare all youth for returning to school.
Special Guests:
DJBWOOP!
Cinderella!
Bumble Bee!
Ghost Busters!
Activities:
Basketball!
Karaoke!
Video Gaming!
Art & Crafts!
Face painting!
Vendors!
…& much more!
FREE HAIRCUTS and BRAIDS - text 920-931-4102 to get on the WAITING LIST
The League of Women Voters Appleton-Fox Cities (LWV) has a book share group that focuses on DEI issues. The November book is Obreros Unidos, by Jesus Salas. The group will meet on Monday, November 27 12:00 – 1:00 at the LWV office at 124 N. Morrison St., Appleton. All are welcome. For an Amazon purchase link, click here or on the cover image below.
From Amazon - In an expansive narrative, noted labor leader Jesus Salas shares an insider’s look at the farm workers movement, from its roots in southern political uprisings to its lasting legacy of activism. During his childhood, Salas and his family joined the migrant workers who traveled from their hometown in Texas to work on farms in Wisconsin, Illinois, and other states. In riveting detail, he describes the brutal working conditions and overcrowded labor camps experienced by the Mexican American workers who fueled the Midwest’s agriculture industry.
Taking inspiration from César Chávez, as a young man Salas and others led a historic march from Wautoma to Madison to demand that lawmakers address rampant violations of Wisconsin’s minimum wage laws and housing codes. These young labor leaders founded Obreros Unidos—Workers United—to continue the fight for fairness and respect, as well as to provide much-needed services to migrant families. This memoir of a movement details how their work went beyond the fields to have lasting impacts on representation in community organizations and access to education, empowering later generations to demand better.
ESTHER celebrated Appleton Juneteenth 2023 on Sunday, June 11, with African Heritage, Inc. and many other community organizations supporting diverse groups, causes and community challenges. ESTHER gave away over 100 books for all ages. Members had contributed books by and about Black history, heroes, strengths and struggles.
ESTHER also raffled off four bikes, including one donated by 
Helping individuals successfully return to the community after incarceration in prison or jail is the mission of Circles of Support.* Through weekly meetings or individual contacts, volunteers from all walks of life meet with men and women who have been incarcerated to provide support and help to them in dealing with everyday challenges they face in returning to the community. The meetings provide a positive, non-judgmental environment which focusses on individual strengths and the future.
The International Day of Peace, also officially known as World Peace Day, is a 
Casa Hispana is proud to sponsor the 2023 Latino Fest celebration, a free event for community members of all ages to participate!
Join People of Progression on Sunday, August 27th, from 12 pm to 5 pm at their Back to School Block Party. It’ll be full of culture, activities, shopping, and connections to prepare all youth for returning to school.
The 
