^JortlauÒ ©bseW er _________ ___________________ PageA9 December 28, 2005___________________________________ Contributions Remembered continued from A 7 Jim m y ‘Bang B ang’ W alker, 73. One of Oregon’s boxing legends (shown center) who became a community activist and newspaper editor. OFF.: (5 0 3 )2 8 6 -1 1 0 3 FAX: (5 0 3 )2 8 6 -1 1 4 6 STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANIES HOME OFFICES: BLOOMINGTON. ILLINOIS Jim m y Sm ith , 76. Jazz organist whose scintillating music, called "soul jazz,” combined jazz, R&B, and bebop. Feb. 8. K cnaldo “O bie” Benson, 69. Member of M otown’s Four Tops (“1 C an’t Help M yself’). July 1. ERNEST J. HILL, JR. Agent IV f'V f MOVED! 4 9 4 6 N. Vancouver Ave. Portland, OR 9 7 2 1 7 C. D eL ores T ucker, 78. Longtime civil rights activist. Oct. 12. G et Paid to Learn Sturt $12 - $18 per Hour No s k ills required, ju s t a w illin g n e s s to learn Construction Trades, a Career Choice Visit our web page to get started www.bestOJT.com/ihjv.asp rw S hirley C hisholm , 80. V ivian M alone Jones, 63. One of two blacks whose enrollment at the University of Alabama led to George W allace’s infamous “stand in the schoolhouse door.” Oct. 13. First black congresswoman, presidential candidate, educator and author. Jan. 1 R ichard Pryor, 65. Actor-comedian whose pro­ fanely personal insights into race relations made him one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Dec. 10. 'po in g the t. ittle Things \ that Make a Big Difference! We can help! 503-493-6027 V. West Contracting & Consulting Services, Inc. AMERIPLAN HEALTH Helping you make money ANTHONY CASH REGIONAL SALES MANAGER P ortlan d ’s U nited N ations continued from Front transferable,” McDonald said. “A doctor may have to work as a nurs­ ing assistant, at least temporarily. The same with an attorney or an engineer - it’s talent that’s not used may be working outside the home for the first time and may need to learn to drive or use mass transit. Negotiating urban traffic that can be intimidating to a rural newcomer. M c D o n ald sa id im m ig ran t women tend to retain traditional We tell our clients they don Y have to throw all their customs away, but they need to learn the basics of how to live in this country. are sym bolized by the flags of many nations that anchor a quilt on a wall in the IRCO reception hall that spells out “w elcom e” in several languages. Some refu­ gees see these flags, such as one for the Republic o f V ietnam , as sym bols o f the regim es that m is­ treated them . Som e have felt strongly enough about the m at­ ter to rip the offending flags off the wall. W orse, som e ethnic groups, such as the O rom o and and Refugee Community Organization ( IRCO) clothing longer than men and some­ times that's a problem in the job market. Nonetheless, women sometimes find paying work before their hus­ bands, even better paying jobs, McDonald said. In some cultures, this can lead to tension between the husband and wife. To deal with the emotional issues. IRCO pro­ vides counseling, holds seminars on domestic violence and refers refugees toother mental health pro­ viders. IRCO has its origins as the Indochinese Cultural and Service Center, begun in 1976 and located on Northeast 42nd Avenue in the Hollywood area. In 1984, it merged with the Southeast Asian Refugee Federation. In 2001, the organization moved to their current site at 10301 N.E. GlisanSt. The agency has branched out to provide services for the David D o u g las S ch ool D istric t and M ultnomah County senior ser­ vices. Two years ago they added a gym for weddings and other gath­ erings as well as athletic activities. The IRCO staffis nearly allbilin­ gual with one employee speaking nine languages. Most are them­ selves former immigrants. “T hey’re sensitive to the needs of the people we serve and they’re good role models,” McDonald said. “ By their presence they're saying. ‘See, I made it here, and so can you.’” Still, challenges rem ain for IRCO and its clients. C onflicts try. “We can’t tell people what to think, but it is our business to help people get along and put past prob­ lems behind them," McDonald says. "Perpetuating those conflicts isn't in anyone’s best interest. We tell our cl ients they don ’ t have to throw all their customs away, but they need to learn the basics of how to live in this country.” NORTH PORTLAND BIBLE COLLEGE - Jeff M cD onald of Portland's Im m igrant well. It'soften easier to be certified as a carpenter or welder.” Even after finding a job, IRCO has job coaches to help both the new arrival and their employer for 90 days to work through any prob­ lems. Next to jobs, perhaps the big­ gest issue for immigrants is school­ ing for children. “You have to enroll your chil­ dren in a school system you don’t u n d e rsta n d ,” M cD onald said. “Most refugees have a very high regard for education and teachers, but they don’t understand how the system works. They don’t know how to be in v o lv e d in th e ir chi ldren’ s education or how to sup­ port them. For example, there’s confusion about SATs and when to take them or what is a parent-teacher confer­ ence? “ Kids tend to adapt to new cul­ tures more quickly,” McDonald says. “Everyone wants to fit in and the kids may want to do things or adopt fashions that their parents find unacceptable. Discipline may be affected - the kids may tell their parents, ‘You can’t hit me, it’s against the law here,’ and the par­ ents are misinformed about that is acceptable and what is not. Some­ times they re coming from very tribal societies where you aren't careful about who is minding your children because everyone knows every­ one - that doesn't work well here." There are other family-related issues. Women from some cultures A m hara of Ethiopia, may carry there past conflicts to this coun­ f 4905N Vancouver Avenue Portland, OR 97217 503.288.2919 Cell: (503) 756-6557 . , ... YOU WILL MAKE $1000 00 a week online www mychampionteam.com/tonycash www. iboplus. com/acash JOIN MY TEAM TODAY ONLINE $100.000 00 A YEAR GUARANTEED > 4 I l l l 4 ’