Centre Gives is just around the corner. The biggest annual donation event in Centre County will happen on May 10 and 11. The 2022 edition has a new and special participant: Global Connections. Our goal is to raise $2,000. The money will be used to strengthen our finances and expand program offerings.

Our activities include free classes to learn English as a Second Language (ESL), book clubs, cultural luncheons, a discussion group, poetry readings, and informal cultural, educational, and exchange activities and interactions. Also, with the fund GC will be able to help people in need in the community.

Another important goal during Centre Gives is to spread the word about the work Global Connections does. It is important to emphasize that no money would go to administrative costs. Our mission is to foster meaningful relationships through service, education, and partnership. Click here to check our profile: https://centregives.org/organizations/250-global-connections

Do you know Centre Gives?

Centre Gives is an annual 36-hour online giving event designed to encourage community giving and to support the great work of Centre County nonprofits. The 2022 edition will start at 9 am on Tuesday, May 10, and end at 9 pm on Wednesday, May 11. During Centre Gives, donors may visit CentreGives.org to make secure donations to their favorite local nonprofit organizations. Your gift could also help qualify your favorite nonprofits to win additional cash prizes! This community event is hosted by Centre Foundation and supported by our community impact funds and partnerships with local businesses.

Stay tuned for additional details.

No matter where you’re from, poetry is a universal language. It is more than the combination of words with meter and rhyme. Poetry definitely touches hearts. Beautiful and inspirational moments marked the International Poetry Night, organized by Global Connections. Webster’s Bookstore Café opened its doors for about 30 people from different countries on April 9.

Poems were read in Spanish, Farsi, Russian, French, Portuguese, and, of course, in English. The event celebrated the National Poetry Month. Between the participants there were people from the USA, Iran, Mexico, Kazakhstan, India, and Brazil.  

Ardavan Javid attended a Global Connections event for the first time. She read “Bani Adam” in Farsi and its translation in English. “I found an advertisement for Poetry Night and decided to come. It was great.” Asked if she would attend another event like that, she was emphatic: “Sure!”

Bob Persiko, president of GC, said that “Global Connections’ mission is to bring people together to share their cultures and learn from each other. Poetry is a beautiful vehicle to do this.” He also expressed our special appreciation for Elaine Meder-Wilgus, the manager of Webster’s, for her strong support of GC over the years and for letting us have the Café for our event.

The members of the Tuesday discussion group participated of an important presentation made by Centre Safe. Becky Misangyi and Brittany Sherman talked about their work in the organization dealing with social issues in the Centre County area. They spoke about equality and equity, violence, mental health, homelessness and poverty. They explained how people in danger can ask for help. The session also benefited from the participation of Alix Crosswell, Family Liaison and Bilingual Educator for the State College Area School District.

Centre Safe has the mission to empower survivors of sexual violence, relationship violence, and stalking and to work toward the elimination of such violence. They have a hotline where people can find help (814 234 5050). Click here for other information www.centresafe.org/