Adhikaar's Summer Arts & Leadership Institute
invites all young women ages 13-25 to join us for three-day workshops this summer
Learn Theatre, Dance, Photography & Multi-Media Techniques!
Tell the stories of your lives and communities!
Discover how the arts can be tool for social change and personal discovery!
Adhikaar's Summer Arts & Leadership Institute is free.
Meals & transportation will be provided. Small stipend will be provided after completing the program.
Registration: Space is limited.
Session #1: Theatre
Saturday, July 17, 12-5 pm
Sunday, July 18, 12-5 pm
Session #2: Dance
Saturday, July 24, 12-5 pm
Sunday, July 25, 12-5 pm
Session #3: Photography
Saturday, August 1, 12-5 pm
Sunday, August 2, 12-5 pm
TO APPLY:
Please submit the following information to adhikaar.events@gmail.com:
Contact information
Name:
Email:
Phone number:
I am available to attend:
1). All Workshops
2). Session 1: July 17-18
3). Session 2: July 24-25
4). Session 3: August 1-2
You can apply to all sessions or individual sessions, but you must be able to participate for the full weekend. Each session will conclude with a small presentation/performance created by the participants.
Please answer the following questions:
1). Why do you want to participate in Adhikaar's Summer Arts & Leadership Institute?
2). What are some of the challenges you feel as a young woman in New York City?
3). Do you have any experience in the arts - e.g. dancing, singing, writing, painting, theatre etc?
(No experience necessary, we just want to know more about you.)
Adhikaar, meaning rights in Nepali, is a Queens-based non-profit promoting human rights and social justice in Nepali-speaking communities, through organizing, community education, grassroots advocacy, and leadership development.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Your Call for Domestic Workers
Last week, our Senior Community Organizer Narbada Chhetri, camped out in Albany with members of DWU and JFREJ to convince the state legislators to reconcile the two versions of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights passed by the State Senate and Assembly, and to convince Governor Paterson to sign it. The discussions are continuing and we need your support in making the final push.
Please put in a call to our state government leaders TODAY:
Governor Paterson's office - 518-474-8390
Speaker Sheldon Silver's office - 518-455-3791
Here is a sample text.
"My name is _____ and I'm calling to express my support for the senate version of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. Domestic workers have been excluded from the labor laws for too long. They are not asking for special rights. They work alone and have no power to negotiate for better working conditions. Uniquely vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, this bill is the only way that domestic workers can get what they deserve for the important work they do. New Yorkers want and need this legislation."
Please put in a call to our state government leaders TODAY:
Governor Paterson's office - 518-474-8390
Speaker Sheldon Silver's office - 518-455-3791
Here is a sample text.
"My name is _____ and I'm calling to express my support for the senate version of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. Domestic workers have been excluded from the labor laws for too long. They are not asking for special rights. They work alone and have no power to negotiate for better working conditions. Uniquely vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, this bill is the only way that domestic workers can get what they deserve for the important work they do. New Yorkers want and need this legislation."
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Adhikaar Yuwa Photo Contest
Adhikaar, meaning rights in Nepali, is a New York-based women-led non-profit organization working with Nepali communities to promote human rights and social justice for all. (http://adhikaar.org) On August 7, 2010, Adhikaar will be celebrating 5th year anniversary through an award ceremony and fundraiser.
As part of the celebration, Adhikaar will hold a photo contest for Nepali Youth. Adhikaar wants youth to be able to express what Nepali community abroad means to them, and what role human rights and social justice have in the Nepali community. As such, Adhikaar is putting out the following call for submissions:
Call for Submissions
Please submit photographs of the highest resolution possible about the following topics by August 1, 2010:The Nepali Immigant Experience
What does being a Nepali abroad look like? What does it feel like? We want photos that capture the essence of the experience of living in a foreign nation as a Nepali citizen.
What does Human Rights / Social Justice mean to Nepali Youth?
What does Human Rights and/or Social Justice mean to Nepali Youth? What is the importance of these ideas for Nepali Youth?
Submission details
Please email your photos (in JPEG format .jpg or .jpeg) to photo@adhikaar.org. Please include a description (140 characters at most) of the photograph. The description may describe why the picture fits the theme of a competition, or simply add to its artistic value.
We ask that photos not be altered very much from their original. Feel free to edit the photos for contrast, brightness, saturation, etc., but no crazy "photoshopping". It is of course okay not to edit your picture at all. Pictures from point-and-shoots and DSLRs are equally welcome.
This contest is geared towards engaging Nepali Youth in the issues of human rights and social justice. However, the contest is open to all who feel vested in the Nepali community (whether they be Nepali or not), and are under 35 years of age.Prizes
Grand Prize winner (Photo of the Year) will receive a prize with a monetary value of at least $50. There will also be audience choice awards in each of the two categories.Ownership/Consent
Entrant must be the owner of the photograph, or otherwise have the right to submit the photograph for consideration in the Contest. Entrants give Adhikaar the right to publish same in any medium without compensating entrants. Entrants agree to provide a consent / release of any recognizable people in their photo if necessary.Announcing Winners
Winners will be notified by phone or e-mail, and may come and receive congratulatory accolades while picking up their prize at the Adhikaar 5th Anniversary Awards Ceremony of Fundraiser. If the winner(s) cannot attend, we will send the prize via US Postal Service mail.Adhikaar Photo Contest Rules
Adhikaar reserves the right to change or modify the rules, or the prizes, and discontinue or extend this contest without prior notice.Questions
If you have any questions, please email photo@adhikaar.org or post a comment on this page.Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Adhikaar Voices Our Concerns at Public Advocate de Blasio’s Town Hall Meeting
At the town hall meeting held on June 8, 2010 in Jackson Heights, several organizations, including Adhikaar, expressed their concerns to public advocate Bill de Blasio and Council Member of district 25, Daniel Dromm.
Individuals and organizations were particularly concerned about issues plaguing the Queens community like after-school education budget cuts, translation services at hospitals, predatory lending practices, high rents, increasing pollution, childhood obesity, lack of trash collection, and humanitarian visas for 9/11 rescue workers.
Luna Ranjit, our executive director, called attention to the expanding Nepali-speaking community in New York. She urged de Blasio and Dromm to provide better translation services at hospitals, and explained the problem with the existing “language line” services. Many Nepali-speakers are interested in volunteering, but are unable due to their immigration status. She emphasized that immigration status should not take precedence over the life of a patient. Likewise, she also informed about the growing incidents of mugging and physical assault in the community and asked for community-based solutions.
Adhikaar requests you to join us at the future town hall meetings and events, and express your grievances to the elected officials! For more information and updates, please contact us at adhikaar@gmail.com.
Individuals and organizations were particularly concerned about issues plaguing the Queens community like after-school education budget cuts, translation services at hospitals, predatory lending practices, high rents, increasing pollution, childhood obesity, lack of trash collection, and humanitarian visas for 9/11 rescue workers.
Luna Ranjit, our executive director, called attention to the expanding Nepali-speaking community in New York. She urged de Blasio and Dromm to provide better translation services at hospitals, and explained the problem with the existing “language line” services. Many Nepali-speakers are interested in volunteering, but are unable due to their immigration status. She emphasized that immigration status should not take precedence over the life of a patient. Likewise, she also informed about the growing incidents of mugging and physical assault in the community and asked for community-based solutions.
Adhikaar requests you to join us at the future town hall meetings and events, and express your grievances to the elected officials! For more information and updates, please contact us at adhikaar@gmail.com.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Victory At Last – Dignity and Rights for Our Domestic Worker Sisters
Adhikaar staff and members jumped up and down and cried with joy in the chamber of the New York State Senate when the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights (S2311) passed on June 1 at 8:20pm. We endorsed the campaign in 2005, and worked relentlessly since 2007 to pass this bill that ensures the fundamental labor/human rights of all domestic workers in New York State.
Through our English For Empowerment program and conversations with the participants, most of whom are domestic workers, we heard numerous stories of human rights violations, including but not limited to: verbal abuse, starvation, inadequate or no pay, firing at will, slave-like treatment, and gender and racial discrimination. Many of the workers had slaved for more than10 hours a day, 7 days a week with below-minimum pay, without sick leave, insurance, or any other benefits. These stories gave us the energy to keep working diligently to pass the DWBR, under the leadership of our Senior Community Organizer Narbada Chhetri.
Domestic Workers United (DWU) led a coalition of 8 organizations, including Adhikaar, to campaign for the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. Leading up to the historic moment on June 1, Adhikaar mobilized over 150 participants for marches, vigils, town hall meetings, conferences, demonstrations, and legislative visits in Albany.
The Senators passed the bill that allows New York’s 200,000 domestic workers to receive overtime pay, paid holiday, and collective bargaining with employers. In addition, employers are liable for providing clear termination standards and advance notice of at least 14 days before termination from work. We have already been reported of various instances of our participants standing up to their employers to ensure their labor rights! We also expect the bill to reduce physical and sexual harassment of domestic workers.
Once the bill is reconciled with the one passed by the Assembly last year, and is signed into law by Governor Paterson, New York will be the first state to establish these rights to domestic workers, most of whom are immigrant women and are often very vulnerable to abuse. Domestic workers in California and Colorado are also fighting for similar bills.
Bishnu Thapa, a member leader ofAdhikaar says, “There are not enough words to describe my happiness. It is a relief to know that I no longer have to acquiesce to unfair terms of pay and working hours in domestic work.” Her involvement with the campaign empowered her to bargain with her employer, and Ms. Thapa managed to raise her salary from $350 to $500 per week. An increase of $7,800 per year!
The bill has not only empowered our member base, it has also reinvigorated our dedication to educate and ensure the rights of domestic workers in New York, and fight for similar rights in the tri-state area, where many of our domestic worker sisters work. Moreover, we are also providing Nanny training to our participants to better fulfill their responsibilities. With the increasing number of people turning to Adhikaar for help, we are expanding our networks with other civil rights groups and immigration organizations to ensure the rights of Nepali immigrants.
We are also planning to use the lessons we have learned and partnerships we have formed from campaigning for the domestic workers’ rights to start a campaign for the rights of nail salon workers, most of whom are working in similarly vulnerable situations and are exposed daily to hazardous chemicals causing many long-term health problems.
Interested in joining us? Contact us at adhikaar@gmail.com.
Through our English For Empowerment program and conversations with the participants, most of whom are domestic workers, we heard numerous stories of human rights violations, including but not limited to: verbal abuse, starvation, inadequate or no pay, firing at will, slave-like treatment, and gender and racial discrimination. Many of the workers had slaved for more than10 hours a day, 7 days a week with below-minimum pay, without sick leave, insurance, or any other benefits. These stories gave us the energy to keep working diligently to pass the DWBR, under the leadership of our Senior Community Organizer Narbada Chhetri.
Domestic Workers United (DWU) led a coalition of 8 organizations, including Adhikaar, to campaign for the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. Leading up to the historic moment on June 1, Adhikaar mobilized over 150 participants for marches, vigils, town hall meetings, conferences, demonstrations, and legislative visits in Albany.
The Senators passed the bill that allows New York’s 200,000 domestic workers to receive overtime pay, paid holiday, and collective bargaining with employers. In addition, employers are liable for providing clear termination standards and advance notice of at least 14 days before termination from work. We have already been reported of various instances of our participants standing up to their employers to ensure their labor rights! We also expect the bill to reduce physical and sexual harassment of domestic workers.
Once the bill is reconciled with the one passed by the Assembly last year, and is signed into law by Governor Paterson, New York will be the first state to establish these rights to domestic workers, most of whom are immigrant women and are often very vulnerable to abuse. Domestic workers in California and Colorado are also fighting for similar bills.
Bishnu Thapa, a member leader ofAdhikaar says, “There are not enough words to describe my happiness. It is a relief to know that I no longer have to acquiesce to unfair terms of pay and working hours in domestic work.” Her involvement with the campaign empowered her to bargain with her employer, and Ms. Thapa managed to raise her salary from $350 to $500 per week. An increase of $7,800 per year!
The bill has not only empowered our member base, it has also reinvigorated our dedication to educate and ensure the rights of domestic workers in New York, and fight for similar rights in the tri-state area, where many of our domestic worker sisters work. Moreover, we are also providing Nanny training to our participants to better fulfill their responsibilities. With the increasing number of people turning to Adhikaar for help, we are expanding our networks with other civil rights groups and immigration organizations to ensure the rights of Nepali immigrants.
We are also planning to use the lessons we have learned and partnerships we have formed from campaigning for the domestic workers’ rights to start a campaign for the rights of nail salon workers, most of whom are working in similarly vulnerable situations and are exposed daily to hazardous chemicals causing many long-term health problems.
Interested in joining us? Contact us at adhikaar@gmail.com.