JABA Members Share Stories with Local Students
Ten eighth-grade students from Saint Anne’s-Belfield (STAB) interviewed seniors at the Jefferson Area Board for Aging’s Mary Williams Community Center last week, according to NBC 29. The students are studying the civil rights era in their history class and partnered with the Piedmont Housing Alliance (PHA) to put together the oral history project. It’s the first time this undertaking has been a part of PHA’s Fair Housing Month.
The students’ questions focused on access to equal housing in Charlottesville during the days of segregation.Caleigh Weis and Audrey Strong sat down with 80-year-old Julia Jones to record her story. “To hear the emotion from her and the opinions and experiences are better than just the facts in books,” said Strong.
“We had five members participate in the project,” explained Mary Williams Community Center Activities Assistant Karen Beiber, who helped coordinate the project with STAB and PHA. .
“Our program really helps people get access to housing, so it’s very much an issue today just as it was back in the ’60s,” said Marguerite David, PHA fair housing program manager. “It’s still an active issue having people have equal access to housing.”
STAB students will copy the recordings and transcribe these interviews for PHA and the seniors to keep as a record of housing history in Charlottesville. PHA hopes to make this oral history project part of fair housing month every year.
Sign up for New Tutor Training with Literacy Volunteers
Literacy Volunteers still has space available for its New Tutor Training on May 17, 2014, from 9:30am-4:00pm at the Jefferson School. Anyone interested in working one-on-one with adults in our community to help them improve their skills at reading, writing, and speaking English is strongly encouraged to register for this training. No experience required, just a desire to help others improve their lives. Call 434-977-3838 to register or visit literacyforall.org for more information.
Celebrate Spring with Curtis Morton at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
This Saturday at 2pm local dahlia expert Curtis Morton will share his knowledge of these perennial flowers. in the Isabella Gibbons Local History Center inside the African American Heritage Center. Dahlias were found in Mexico by Spaniards during the 16th century.Morton will teach attendees how to plant, care-for and even eat their flowers, leaves, and roots. This event is free and open to the public.
Carver Recreation Center Hosts Mother/Son Dance Next Weekend
Carver Recreation Center invites mothers and sons to its Mother/Son dance on May 9, 6:30-8:30pm. The cost is $10 per couple. Pre-registration is required and spots are limited. Register online (activity number 270400-01) or call 434-970-3053.
The Parks & Recreation Summer Guide is also now available online and at Carver Rec and registration is open for spring and summer classes.
Jefferson School City Center is a voice of the nine nonprofits located at Charlottesville’s intergenerational community center, the restored Jefferson School. We are a legacy preserved . . . a soul reborn . . . in the heart of Cville!
