From actors like Rami Malek and Tony Shalhoub, musicians such as French Montana and Shakira, to politicians such as George Kaseem and James Abourezk, Arabic Americans have contributed to the fabric (1) of American history and culture.
Arab America and the Arab America Foundation launched the National Arab American Heritage Month initiative in 2017, with just a handful (2) of states participating.
In 2022, Congress, the U.S. Department of State, and 45 state governors issued proclamations commemorating the initiative.
Check out the video below to learn more about Arab American Heritage Month, why it’s so important, and how we can all be better Americans by learning about each other’s heritage!
Phrases:
1. The fabric of (something) – the basic structure of (something)
Last week University Settlement held its annual gala, City Stories: The Power of US. City Stories: The Power of US is a celebration of human connection and the community strength that is possible when neighbors are engaged in their powerful individuality. Honoring difference, insisting on complexity, and forging relationships are the pillars of this approach, one University Settlement has cultivated with their neighbors for the last 135 years.
If you weren’t able to attend, you can watch an inspiring conversation with Charles B. Stover Award Honoree Cathy Park Hong, a spoken word and dance performance by Drew Drake and Angelica Mondol Viaña, and a behind-the-scenes look at our programs in honor of our frontline staff.
This year’s gala may be over, but our work is far from done. We are going to keep pushing forward to make NYC a more equitable place for ALL.
Our virtual school year is over, but some of our teachers and students really wanted to have get-togethers with each other in person and they finally did so in parks, restaurants, and on another island. Some of them met again in person after more than a year and the others met in person for the first time after studying together in virtual classes for a year. Enjoy some of their pictures and videos!
Last week it was Teacher Appreciation Week, and our students posted some photos on social media to say thank you to all their great teachers! A compilation video can be viewed above.
Earth Day is today! Above you can watch a brief video about the history and importance of Earth Day, while below you can read some helpful tips that will help you to live a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle:
6. Don’t buy fast fashion. Instead, buy quality clothing that will last. Even better, buy vintage or recycled clothing at consignment shops.
7. Wash your clothing in cold water. Doing two loads of laundry weekly in cold water instead of hot or warm water can save up to 500 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.
8. Buy less stuff! Buy used or recycled items whenever possible and avoid buying items with a lot of packaging.
9. Bring your own reusable bag when you shop.
10. Buy a laptop instead of a desktop. Laptops require less energy to charge and operate than desktops.
11. If shopping for appliances, lighting, office equipment or electronics, look for Energy Star products, which are certified to be more energy efficient.
12. Support and buy from companies that are environmentally responsible and sustainable.
13. Do an energy audit of your home. This will show how you use or waste energy and help identify ways to be more energy efficient.
14. Buy LED lights. Though LEDs cost more, they use a quarter of the energy and last up to 25 times longer.
15. Turn lights off when you leave the room and unplug your electronic devices when they are not in use.
16. Turn your water heater down to 120˚F. This can save about 550 pounds of CO2 a year.
17. Take shorter showers and install a low-flow showerhead.
18. Use less air conditioning in the summer; instead opt for fans, which require less electricity.
19. Sign up to get your electricity from clean energy through your local utility or a certified renewable energy provider.
20. Drive less. Walk, take public transportation, carpool, rideshare or bike to your destination when possible.
21. Avoid flying if possible; on shorter trips, driving may produce fewer greenhouse gases.
22. Vote! Become politically active and let your representatives know you want them to take action about global warming and the environment.
In New York City, the ultimate city of immigrants, we have always known that immigrants are essential: immigrants make up half our city’s workforce and during COVID-19 they came to represent a disproportionate share of the essential workforce in the city. Our city came to rely and continues to rely on immigrants, who also bore the brunt of the fallout of COVID-19. And while immigrants have continued supporting the city as essential workers, they also are stepping up to fill needs in our communities. From food distribution volunteers to those making sure their communities have the latest information and resources, and others who have helped advocate for New Yorkers in the health system, immigrant New Yorkers deserve our thanks and recognition for their invaluable contributions.
