April 2019

The Month of April Marks…

Autism Awareness Month

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability; signs typically appear during early childhood and affect a person’s ability to communicate, and interact with others. ASD is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum condition” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause of autism, but increased awareness and early diagnosis/intervention and

access to appropriate services/supports lead to significantly improved outcomes. Some of the behaviors associated with autism include delayed learning of language; difficulty making eye contact or holding a conversation; difficulty with executive functioning, which relates to reasoning and planning; narrow, intense interests; poor motor skills’ and sensory sensitivities. Again, a person on the spectrum might follow many of these behaviors or just a few, or many others besides. The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is applied based on analysis of all behaviors and their severity.

For more information, go to: http://www.autism-society.org/what-is/

Holocaust Remembrance Month

Holocaust is defined as destruction or a slaughter on a mass scale. It can be caused by fire, nuclear war, or man. Today the extermination of millions of Jews comes to mind when one cutters the word holocaust. Awareness is important to honor survivors, rescuers, and to remember the victims. Awareness is power. There is power in truth, and comfort in commemorating the spirit of those that would not give up and give in to their horrific circumstances. For as long as we remember, evil does not win.

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The Month of April Diversity Observance Calendar

Date Observance Origin 2 Autism Acceptance Day

(promote acceptance and celebration of people with autism as valuable members of the community)

United States

6 National Tartan Day (a North American celebration of Scottish heritage)

Scottish American

8 Vesak (commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the

Buddha)

Buddhist

14 Vaisakhi (the Sikh New Year)

Sikh

14 Palm Sunday (commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem)

Christian/Orthodox

14-16 Bun Pi Mai (the Laotian New Year)

Laotian

14-20 Holy Week (the last week of Lent/week before Easter)

Christian

19 National Day of Silence (spread awareness about the effects of bullying and

harassment of LGBTQ students)

LGBTQ and Allies

19 Good Friday (commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at

Calvary)

Christian/Orthodox

19-27 Passover (commemorates God’s liberation of the Jews from slavery in

ancient Egypt)

Judaism

20-May 2 First Day of Ridvan (the arrival of Baha’u’llah at the Ridvan Garden)

Baha’i

21 Easter Sunday (celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead)

Christian

22 Earth Day Worldwide

28 Orthodox Easter/Pascha (Easter date based on the Julian calendar)

Eastern Orthodox

30 Dia de Los Ninos (celebrates linking children to books, languages and cultures)

Mexican

Did you know…

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April 3rd – Isra and Mi’raj

The Isra and Mi’raj refer to two parts of a miraculous journey that Prophet Muhammad took in one night from Makka to Jerusalem and then an ascension to the heavens. Isra is an Arabic word referring to Prophet Muhammad's miraculous night journey from Makka to Jerusalem - specifically, to the site of al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem - as

referred to in Surah Al-Israa in the Quran. It is believed to have been followed by the Mi'raj, his ascension to heaven. According to some of the Hadith scholars, this journey is believed to have taken place just over a year before Prophet Muhammad migrated to from Makka to Madina, on the 27th of Rajab. Muslims celebrate this night by offering optional prayers during this night, and in many Muslim countries, by illuminating cities with electric lights and candles.

April 6th – Tartan Day

National Tartan Day is observed in the US on April 6 each year. It commemorates the Scottish Declaration of Independence, which was signed on April 6, 1320, and on which the American Declaration of Independence was modeled. It also recognizes achievements of Americans of Scottish descent.

National Tartan Day parades occur in major cities such as New York on or around April 6. Special award events are also held, often organized by groups such as the American Scottish Foundation.

For more information, go to https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/national-tartan-day

Did you know…

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April 8th – Vesak, the Buddha is Born

Tradition holds that Siddhartha Gautama, the young prince who would become the Buddha, was born on April 8th in 563 BC. He lived in a kingdom located between modern-day India and Nepal. To this day, a monument commemorating his birth, believed to have been erected in the third century BC by the Indian Emperor Ashoka, still stands in Nepal. Every spring, thousands of monks gather at the ancient Borobudur Temple in Java, Indonesia, on the most important day on the Buddhist calendar: Buddha Day. Also known as Waisak Day or Vesak Day, the holiday marks the birth of Gautama Buddha -- the father of Buddhism, who is responsible for the religion's core teachings. Robe-clad monks circle the 9th-century temple -- the world's largest Buddhist temple to meditate, chant sutras and release an ocean of glowing lanterns into the night sky. On Vesākha Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate events of significance to Buddhists of all traditions: The birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha Celebrating Vesākha (Vesak) also means making special efforts to bring happiness to the unfortunate like the aged, the handicapped and the sick. To this day, Buddhists will distribute gifts in cash and kind to various charitable homes throughout the country. Vesākha is also a time for great joy and happiness, expressed by concentrating on useful activities such as decorating and illuminating temples, painting and creating exquisite scenes from the life of the Buddha for public dissemination. Devout Buddhists also vie with one another to provide refreshments and vegetarian food to followers who visit the temple to pay homage to the Enlightened One For more information, go to https://www.buddhanet.net/vesak.htm

Did you know…

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April 12th – National Day of Silence

Started by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), the National Day of Silence, held annually on a Friday during the month of April is typically run by students across the country in support of anti-bullying and harassment against LGBTQ youth and others.

The movement started in In 1996 by students at the University of Virginia. They organized the first Day of Silence in response to a class assignment on non-violent protests with over 150

students participating. In 1997, organizers took their effort national and nearly 100 colleges and universities participated. In 2001, GLSEN became the official organizational sponsor for the event. To date The Day of Silence has reached students in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as those as far away as New Zealand, Singapore, and Russia. For more information, go to https://www.glsen.org/day-silence

April 13th –First African American to win Oscar for Best Actor

Sydney Poitier made history on this day in 1964 when he became the first African American man to win an Academy Award. He won Best Actor for the 1963 film Lilies of the Field. In 1992, he also became the first African American to win the Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute for his remarkable contributions to both acting and directing.

Did you know…

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April 14th – Vaisakhi

Vaisakhi is celebrated by both the Sihk and Hindu Cultures of India. It is a very colorful harvest festival for people of the Punjab region. In the Punjab, Vaisakhi marks the ripening of rabi harvest. This day is observed as a thanksgiving day by farmers where they pay tribute thanking God for the abundant harvest and also praying for future prosperity. The festival is characterized with Bhangra dances and Fairs (or Melas) in many parts of Punjabi, India to mark the new year and the harvest season For more information, go to https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Vaisakhi

April 14th-16th – Bun Pi Mai (Laos New Year)

Bun Pi Mai, the start of the New Year in Laos, a southeast Asian country new Thailand. The Lao New Year takes place in the middle of their hot summer season, in April. This new year celebrations last three days. During the New Year, the Lao believe that the old spirit of Songkran leaves this plane, making way for a new one.

The first day, known as Maha Songkran, is considered the last day of the old year. Lao will clean their houses and villages on this day, and prepare water, perfume, and flowers for the days ahead. The second day, the "day of no day", is neither part of the old year nor of the new year. The third day, known as Wan Thaloeng Sok is the official start of the Lao New Year. For more information, go to https://www.tripsavvy.com/bun-pi-mai-1629460

Did you know…

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April 19-27th - Passover

Passover is an important, biblically derived eight day Jewish holiday which celebrates their liberation by God from slavery in ancient Egypt and their freedom as a nation under the leadership of Moses. According to standard biblical chronology, this event would have taken place at about 1300 BCE. The story of the liberation is told at the Seder meal.

Probably the most significant observance involves the removal of chametz (leavened bread) from homes and property. Chametz includes anything made from the five major grains (wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt) that has not been completely cooked within 18 minutes after coming into contact with water The removal of chametz commemorates the fact that the Jews left Egypt in a hurry and did not have time to let their bread rise. It is also a symbolic way of removing the “puffiness” (arrogance, pride) from our souls. For more information, go to http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/passover-history-and-overview

April 20th – Ridván

April 20th Marks the first day of Ridván which is a twelve-day festival in the Bahá'í Faith. The word Ridván is an Arabic word meaning “paradise” and the twelve day festival is a commemorating Bahá'u'lláh's , the founder of the Bahá'í Faith announcement of his claim to prophet hood. The symbolic significance is richer than the simple celebration of Bahá'u'lláh's announcement. The First, Ninth (April 20), and Twelfth (May 2nd) days of Ridván are major holy days in which work and school is typically suspended. They represent the arrival of Bahá'u'lláh at the Ridván Garden, the arrival of his family and his departure. The festival is very spiritual and marked with special linens being displayed, prayer, and flowers to represent Bahá'u'lláh arrival at the garden paradise. Bahá’u’lláh stated during his announcement "all the names of God were fully manifest in all things". This statement is taken by Bahá'ís to mean that the world had been mystically transformed and that there was now a new relationship between God and humanity. For more information, go to https://bahai-library.com/walbridge_encyclopedia_ridvan

Did you know…

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April 21st – Easter Sunday

Easter is the celebration of Christ's resurrection from the dead. It is celebrated on Sunday, and marks the end of Holy Week, the end of Lent, the last day of the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday), and is the beginning of the Easter season of the liturgical year.

Traditional family activities vary by region. In the United States, children often hunt for Easter eggs, which are often brightly-dyed hard boiled eggs, though they can be plastic eggs filled with candy or small denominations of money. Candy is a traditional gift for Easter as children often break their Lenten fasts with sweets. Adults tend to share bouquets of flowers, greeting cards, and may gather for a family meal. Such celebrations are often secularized and focused on children and family rather than the religious aspect of the holy day. For more information, go to https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/easter-sunday

April 22th – Earth Day

On this day in 1970, people worldwide observed the first official Earth Day. The holiday was intended to increase awareness about hazardous pollutants and the potentially catastrophic effects of depleting the world’s natural resources too quickly. Twenty years later, on April 22, 1990, nearly a quarter of a billion people participated in various Earth Day celebrations all over the world. Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson was the mastermind of this environmentally friendly holiday. Thanks to his environmental advocacy, the U.S. government created the Environmental Protection Agency in order to control pollution levels across the country.

Did you know…

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April 27th – South Africa’s First Multiracial Elections

On this day in 1994, South Africa conducted its first multiracial election. Ultimately, the country chose Nelson Mandela as its new leader, thus dealing a significant blow to the oppressive apartheid policy. Mandela was the country’s first black leader.

April 28th - Orthodox Easter/Paecha

Many Orthodox churches (e.g., Greek Orthodox) base their Easter date on the Julian calendar, which often differs from the Gregorian calendar that is used by many western countries. Therefore the Orthodox Easter period often occurs later than the Easter period that falls around the time of the March equinox. Millions of Orthodox Christians worldwide, including about six million in North America, observe Easter, also known as Pascha, each year. It is estimated that there are more than 250 million Orthodox Christians in the world. Easter celebrations in Orthodox Christian communities usually include a spit-roast lamb dinner and a display of hard-boiled eggs, dyed red to symbolize the blood of Christ. For more information, go to https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/common/orthodox-easter-day

Letters to the Editor or Stories from Staff

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Caoimhe Flanagan, Social Media Counselor, Camp Loyaltown

Caoimhe (pronounced Kwayva) Flanagan was new to camp in 2018 and worked as a Cabin Counselor. She is from Ireland and pleased to be coming back to the United States where she will be a Social Media Counselor for Camp Loyaltown. What made you choose to come to America to work with people with intellectual disabilities? I've always wanted to travel by myself and working in the camp gave me the perfect opportunity to. What was your prior experiences in this field in Ireland? I didn't have any formal experience in this field before but did have some experience with disabilities as my brother is autistic and I've worked with children before. However, not having much formal experience wasn't a problem in the camp as everyone was always willing to help out and I learned a lot by just being there and doing the work. The camp gave me an opportunity to learn new skills and experience new things. What was your best experience at camp to date? Every day at the camp was fun and filled with something new to do, but my best experiences were doing any of the evening activities. They were always different and always fun to do with my campers. Sometimes it was a dance, sometimes it was something to do with arts and crafts, sometimes we would go up on stage to do something. I never knew what it would be so it was always a fun experience that everyone could enjoy. Culturally, what are some of the biggest challenges being in America? Their money, particularly their coins, were hard to understand at first. They don't call it 10c or 25c, it a Dime and a Quarter and that would always confuse me. I never knew how much change I had and use to just hope I gave the right amount. It definitely caused some problems when people owed me money and payed me in coins. What do you miss the most when you are working here? Chocolate. It's just not the same there, but thankfully my mam is able to send me some in the post so I survive. It's really only the little things I miss, I get so wrapped up in the work and fun I don't have time to miss anything else. What is your favorite American indulgence when you are here? I suppose this isn't much of an indulgence as it was an experience, but a few times on my days off I went to a mall where there was also a Target and Walmart nearby. The shops there are so different and you could buy almost anything. It was always fun to go and it really felt like you were in America. We would spend the whole day there, just looking around to see what we could buy.

Letters to the Editor or Stories from Staff

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Shannen Doran, Camp Loyaltown

What made you choose to come to America to work with people with intellectual disabilities? I had gone on a culture exchange in 2015 to London and the girl I shared a room with had gone to camp in America and told me all about it. I found it very interesting. Then, my friend went to Camp Loyaltown in 2016 and I thought this would be something outside of my comfort zone. I found it really interesting and wanted to learn more about it and try it out for myself. What was your prior experiences in this field in Ireland? The experience that I had prior to camp was I helped run a Girls Scout Club and I have had people over the years who have had disabilities and I have some cousins in my family that have autism and ADHD. I had also learned a lot as my sister is a healthcare assistant. What was your best experience at camp to date? I have a lot of amazing memories from being at camp. One of my favorites would be I got along great and had a great relationship with a camper in my first year at camp, which was in 2017. But a great experience was when I came back in 2018 and he came up and gave me the biggest hug. I was so happy that he had remembered me. My favorite part of camp is definitely the relationships you build with the campers. Culturally, what are some of the biggest challenges being in America? Some of the biggest challenges would be sometimes there can be a little bit of a language barrier as somethings you would say in Ireland would mean something different in America and some wouldn’t understand, but I was able to pick up on the American way and overcome my challenges. What do you miss the most when you are working here? When I am in America for the summer the things that I miss the most would be my family, but I do Facetime all the time, so it’s a good way to see them.

Diversity Happenings around the agency…

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March 8th The women of Marcus Ave and their accomplishments were highlighted on this staff bulletin board in honor of International Women’s day.

Diversity Happenings around the agency…

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March 15th

During the March Diversity Tasting and Trivia event at the Mansion Ballroom in Brookville, staff enjoyed a sample of March holiday foods, including: corned beef and cabbage, hamantaschen, hot cross buns, Irish soda bread, potato pancakes, St. Patrick’s snack mix, and other surprise treats. There was also a trivia contest that highlighted developmental disabilities awareness, Irish-heritage, and women’s history.

Diversity Happenings around the agency…

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April 2nd

The staff at Marcus Ave wore blue on Tuesday April 2nd in recognition of Autism awareness. They plan to wear blue every Friday through the month of April and encourage everyone in the agency to join in!

Food for Thought…

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Easy Mini King Cakes These mini king cakes capture the essence of the traditional larger ones and are super easy to make.

Apple Matzo

Kugel

Ingredients 1 can of refrigerated Pillsbury cinnamon roll

dough (recommended)

¼ c powdered sugar

2 tsp milk

Colored sugar crystals in gold, green, and purple (Mardi Gras colors)

Dried red bean or plastic baby (optional)

Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 375F. 2. Remove cinnamon roll dough from the can

and separate the rolls. 3. Unroll 2 sections into strips. Stack them and

pinch them together at one end. 4. Loosely "braid" the strips. 5. Shape the braid into a circle and pinch ends

to keep its shape. Repeat with remaining 6 strips to form 4 mini king cakes.

6. Bake on a grease cook sheet for 10-12

minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. 7. While the king cakes cool, make icing by

mixing icing from the can with powdered sugar and milk. If icing is too runny, add a teaspoon of powdered sugar. If too thick, a splash of milk

8. Spoon icing onto cooled cake and sprinkle

with the color sugar, making sure each cake has all three colors.

Ingredients 4 matzo sheets

3 eggs, beaten

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, or to taste

2 apples - peeled, cored and cubed

1/2 cup raisins

Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175

degrees C). Grease an 8x8 inch baking dish.

2. Break the matzo sheets into pieces, and soak in a bowl of water until soft. Drain in a colander, mashing to squeeze the water out.

3. In a separate bowl, mix together the eggs,

salt, sugar, oil and cinnamon.

4. Add the soaked matzo, and mix well. Fold in the apples and raisins.

5. Spoon into the prepared baking dish, and

spread evenly.

6. Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until nicely browned and apples are tender

Food for Thought…

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Roast Leg of Lamb with

Rosemary

Ingredients ¼ cup honey

2 tablespoons prepared Dijon-style mustard

2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon lemon zest

3 cloves garlic, minced

5 pounds whole leg of lamb

1 teaspoon coarse sea salt

Instructions 1. In a small bowl, combine the honey,

mustard, rosemary, ground black pepper, lemon zest and garlic. Mix well and apply to the lamb. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator overnight.

2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

3. Place lamb on a rack in a roasting pan and sprinkle with salt to taste.

4. Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 400 degrees (200 degrees C) and roast for 55 to 60 more minutes for medium rare. The internal temperature should be at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C) when taken with a meat thermometer. Let the roast rest for

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A Message from the Diversity Newsletter Committee

We hope you have enjoyed this issue of the Diversity Newsletter and have found the contents to be

informative. Please remember that this is your newsletter and we would like to include items of interest

and importance to you.

Please forward any ideas, recipes, and news about events you may have held or suggestions you may

have for future editions to:

Linda Rosen 516-626-1000 ext. 1105 lirosen@ahrc.org

Thank You

The Diversity Newsletter Committee