April 15, 2019

Media Contact:
Erin Tofte-Nordvik, associate dean of campus life, equity and inclusion, (509) 682-6868
Livia Millard, WVC at Omak multicultural affairs coordinator, (509) 422-7814
Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, (509) 682-6436 (Mon. – Thurs.)

In collaboration with YWCA, Wenatchee Valley College will present a Stand Against Racism event on campus Thursday, April 25. This event is free and open to the public.

The event will be held around the fountain from 8:50 a.m. to 2 p.m. Opening remarks will be presented at 8:50 a.m. by Luz Estrada, Associated Students of WVC president; Randy Lewis, Wenatchee Valley Museum representative; Dr. Chio Flores, WVC vice president of student services; Jenny Pratt, YWCA NCW executive director;  Frank Kuntz, City of Wenatchee mayor and Erin Tofte-Nordvick, WVC associate dean of campus life, equity and inclusion.

The theme of the event this year is “Immigration: No hate. No fear. Immigrant justice is racial justice.” The schedule of events includes:

• 9 a.m.: “National Efforts to Combat Racism” presentation by Alejandra Castillo, CEO of YWCA USA
• 10 a.m.: “Immigration and its effects on our lives” presentation by WVC students
• 10:30 a.m.: “Know Your Rights” presentation in Spanish by Lisa Herrera, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
• 11 a.m.: “Preventing Death at the Border” presentation by keynote speaker Enrique Morones, founder of Border Angels
• 11:30 a.m.: Lunch at the fountain provided by the Associated Students of WVC
• Noon: Moment of silence for those who have died at the border led by Alyssa Martinez, YWCA NCW deputy director
• 12:15 p.m.: “Poems Without Borders” presentation by Derek Sheffield, WVC faculty
• 12:30 p.m.: “Why American Indian Indigenous Studies Matter” presentation by Kestrel Smith, WVC at Omak faculty
• 1 p.m.: “Let Your Light Shine” by comedian Ernie G.
• 2:00 p.m.: Closing remarks by Pratt and Tofte-Nordvik

There will also be two presentations in Spanish on the evening of Wednesday, April 24. They will both be open to the public and will take place in Wenatchi Hall Room 2105:

• 5:30-6:30 p.m.: “Know Your Rights” presentation by Northwest Immigrant Rights Project representatives Lisa Herrera and Janet Moran.
• 6:30-7:30 p.m.: “Preventing Death at the Border” presentation by Enrique Morones, founder of Border Angels.

Sponsors for this event include YWCA, WVC student senates of both Wenatchee and Omak campuses, WVC Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Omak campus Multicultural Affairs, Omak Red Road Association, WVC College Assistance Migrant Program, WVC Chicano/a Studies, 12 Tribes Resort & Casino, Liliana’s Beauty Salon, Molina HealthCare, Amerigroup, Gesa Credit Union, City of Wenatchee, United Way of Chelan and Douglas Counties, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and Planned Parenthood.

A Stand Against Racism event will also be held on the WVC at Omak campus Wednesday, April 24 from 9:50 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington by serving educational and cultural needs of communities and residents throughout the service area. The college provides high-quality transfer, liberal arts, professional/technical, basic skills and continuing education for students of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Visit our website, wvc.edu.

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses:

• To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2322M, (509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu.
• To request disability accommodations: Student Access Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.