Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current, January 12, 2011, 2011 special edition, Page 23, Image 23

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    January 12, 2011
1
M a r t in L u t h e r K in g J r .
Page 23
2011 s p e c ia l e aition
From Disaster to a Better Future
‘Rebuiding
Hope’ event part
of MLK week
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
once asked, "Life's most persis­
tent and urgent question is: 'What
are
you
d o in g
fo r
others?'"Community service has
become the focus of the annual
holiday honoring Dr. King, and it
w ill be the focus o f C lark
College’s day-long observance
on Wednesday, Jan. 19.
The observance, called “Re­
building Hope,” will begin with
the presentation of the docu­
m entary “ A V illage C alled
Versailles” in the Penguin Stu­
dent Lounge from 11 a.m. to
12:30p.m.
Located in the flood-devas­
tated area of eastern New Or­
leans, Versailles is described as
home to the densest ethnic Viet­
namese population outside of
V ietnam . A fter H u rric an e
Katrina, the community faced
what producers have called “im ­
mense garbage piles and the
shocking discovery of a toxic
landfill planned in their neighbor­
hood.”
The documentary describes
how the com m unity “fought
back, turning a devastating di­
saster into a catalyst for change
and a chance to build a better
future.”
During the afternoon, the fo­
cus will turn to service. Com m u­
STAND Uf
F iu
J o r n iti
r f
r /
-> v , ;
S. Renee Mitchell
Father Luke Nguyen and others from an ethnic Vietnamese population in New Orleans celebrate
victory over a toxic dump site, an inspiring story of how residents fought back and reversed a
disaster into an opportunity to build a better future. The documentary will be showcased during a
Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at Clark College in Vancouver.
nity members are invited to join
Clark College volunteers at 1
p.m. at the Clark County Habitat
ReStore, 5000 E. Fourth Plain
Blvd., Vancouver.
An evening program will be
held in Clark’s Gaiser Student
Center. Following refreshments
at5:30p.m., award-winning writer
S. Renee Mitchell will provide the
keynote address at 6 p.m. She is a
co-founder of the Portland-based
Healing Roots Center, providing
culturally specific services to black
women who are experiencing
domestic violence.
Mitchell’s presentation will be
followed by a brief concert by
connect with us
V a n c o u v e r’s
C o m m u n ity
A.M.E. Zion Church,
All events are free and open
to the public. Clark College is
located at 1933 Fort Vancouver
Way, Vancouver.
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and find out how we can help
Think area
build your business.
City of Portland
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Greg Wolley: 503.823.6860, greg.wolley@portlandoregon.gov
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Gene Jackson: 503.823.9166, gene.jackson@portlandoregon.gov