Page BS
November 20, 2002
R eligion
EL
©BSERVA©©R
Prayers
at Dawn
Less Discrimination
Found in Housing
HUD report shows declining
trends but more work to be done
A study released by the Department of Housing and
Urban Development shows that housing discrimination
nationwide against prospective African American and
Men pray to the Hindu
sun god, during the
religious festival Chhat
Puja in Guwahati, the
main city of the east
ern Indian state of
Assam. The ritual is
performed after women
break a three-day fast
and pray for the well
being of their hus
bands and sons.
(AP photo)
Hispanic homeowners is down more than 25 percent
since 1989.
For those seeking to rent a unit, housing discrimina
tion against African Americans is down 18 percent, but
remains unchanged for Hispanics, HUD officials said.
“These results illustrate that we are makine efforts but
there is still work to be ■
~
’
• . ..
< The increased
done, said Housing
and Urban Develop- homeownership rates
ment Secretary Mel for African Americans
M a rtin e z . “ E very and Hispanics reflect
American should have that we are knocking
equal access to hous
down barriers and
ing opportunities.”
opening doors for
The study is the
most ambitious effort more minorities.
to date to measure the
extent of housing dis
—Mel Martinez, housing and
urban development secretary
c rim in a tio n in the
United States against persons because of their race or
I lr o th e r s S e t
T h a n k s g iv in g T a b le
Bethesda Christian
Hosts First Bazaar
The Bethesda Christian Church will hold it’s
first annual Community Bazaar on Saturday,
Brothers on the Move welcome the public to the fifth annual
Thanksgiving Dinner Saturday, Nov. 23 from 11 a.m .to3:30p.m .at
the Com er Stone Community Church of God in Christ, Inc. located at
Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 109 N. Emerson.
2216N.E.Killingsworth.
Free rides will be offered from Third Avenue and Burnside at 11
The event will feature crafts, food, health care
a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and from Martin Luther King Jr.
screenings, a children’s winter coat give a way,
fun for the whole family all day long and a special
treat for children at noon.
For more information, call 503-288-2663.
Boulevard and W ygant at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
ethnicity.
HUD will use the research to document the nation’s
progress in reducing housing discrimination, but also to
better target education and enforcement resources.
Since 1989, HUD has been competitively awarding
grants to public and private fair housing groups as well
as to state and local agencies under the Fair Housing
Initiatives Program. Groups use the money to educate
the public and housing industry about discrimination
laws, to promote fair housing and to investigate allega
tions of housing discrimination.
“The increased homeownership rates for African
Americans and Hispanics in the third quarter of 2002
For more information, call 503-281 -4587.
reflect that we are knocking down barriers and opening
St. Andrew Thanksgiving
doors for more minorities,” Martinez said.
Anyone who believes they have experienced housing
St. Andrew Catholic Church will offer its annual free Thanksgiving
discrimination is asked to call H U D 's Housing Discrimi
Feast from noon to 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day at the church’s
nation Hotline at 1-800-669-9777. They can also visit
comm unity center located at 4940 N .E. 8th Ave.
Volunteers from the com m unity who may wish to donate time,
HUD’s fair housing website at http://www.hud.gov/
complaints/housediscrim.cfm.
money or food are asked to contact Greg M cNamara, St. Andrew ’ s
emergency services coordinator, at 971 -244-0339.
The event will serve an estimated 400people from the surrounding
neighborhoods of north and northeast Portland who may not otherwise
be able to celebrate Thanksgi ving.
INS Benefit Status
Now Online
The Immigration and Naturalization Service announced
“Israel Today”
the implementation o f Case Status Online, a program the
Lecture Series
service.
Customers who have a receipt number for an applica
Middle East experts discuss current affairs facing Jewish state
tion or petition filed at an INS Service Center can check
agency hopes will improve its commitment to customer
Jewish National Fund and Jewish Federation of Portland join
together to present the second lecture of the “Israel Today” series
focusing on domestic and international chai lenges facing the Jewish
the status of their pending case online through the
website and avoid prolonged waits on the phone or at a
local office.
“We shared the frustration of customers and employ
state.
The Dec. 9 forum features Jonathan Li vny, a prominent attorney
ees who complained that there was no easy way to check
practicing in Jerusalem. Livny is anexpert in the legal ramifications of
James Ziglar. “We expect that the availability of Case
separating church and state as well as the law of return. He frequently
Status Online will reduce the number of customers who
represents Israel at various international conferences and serves as a
need to call or visit INS in person for this information.
legal advisortolsrael’s parliament.
Theevent will be begin at7p.m. at the Mittleman Jewish Community
Center, 6651 S.W. Capitol H w y. For tickets and more information,
Customers who do not have a receipt number will
the status of a pending case,” said INS Commissioner
continue to receive information about their case by
calling the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-
375-5283 or by visiting their local INS field office.
call 1-800-247-2818.
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« A lfA
Ilf F
O W
n A ftO I
first FRIDAY OF PORTLAND
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★ First Fridays is a National O rganization, Designed to Bring African American
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Professionals Together to M eet, Greet, M ake C onnections and Have Fun.
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★ Are You New to the Portland Area? W ant to Meet Positive People? Looking
★ for Som eone Special? W hatever the N eed, There's a C hance You'll 1 ind It!
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O ur Next G athering Will be Friday, N ovem ber 1st, 6:30PM . . .Until
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FREE To ALL, So Invite a Friend
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Join Us at the
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BLUEHOUR, 250 NW 13TH AVE, DOW NTOW N PORTLAND
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FOR DIRECTIONS CALL 503-226-3394
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SEE YA THERE— D on't Forget To Bring Plenty of Business Cards!
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Event Line 503-237-8980
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A FFO R D A B LE
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LOCK
& KEY
&
FULL LOCKSMITH - SERVICE
RE-KEY AND INSTALL LOCKS
LOCKED 0UT7-WE MAKE KEYS FROM SCRATCH
HOUSE, OFFICE OR CAR
Two Locations:
Advertise
with
diversity
The
Portland
Observer
Portland 503-284-9582
Oregon City 503-656-2116
call 503.288.0033
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