Danilo Parmegiani
20/01/2009
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Inauguration of the Community and Educational Center of the LGW of
the United States |
New Jersey/USA — A place where everyone can cultivate their solidary citizenship and help transform the community. With this objective, the city of Newark, in the American state of New Jersey, received a gift from the Legion of Good Will of the United States, presided by José de Paiva Netto: the new facilities of its Community and Educational Center in Ironbound.
The inauguration of the first stage of renovations, entirely made by volunteers, occurred on January 18, 2009, an anticipated celebration of Martin Luther King Day (celebrated on January 19), also coinciding with the call of President Barack Obama to all the North American people to engage in community activities in this historic moment for the country.
In this place, maintained in partnership with the Ecumenical Church of the Religion of God, the LGW is implementing actions in favor of women’s health, educational programs and promotion of the Culture of Peace to children and youths, food security and first aid assistance to the homeless, besides projects of international support to less developed countries or countries in situation of disaster.
Located in one of the areas of the United States with a large concentration of Portuguese speakers, the LGW counts with the special support of Brazilian, Portuguese and Spanish immigrants.
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Holding hands, every one says the
Our Father Ecumenical prayer,
by Jesus, the Divine Friend
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The Legion of Good Will was originated in Brazil in 1950 and today it develops autonomous activities in seven countries in South America, Europe and in the USA. Nowadays it is considered the largest socio-educational non-profit organization of Latin America and the only Brazilian institution recognized by the UN with general consultative status at the Economic and Social Council, maximum degree for an entity of the civil society.
Read below about the activities that will be developed for free by the LGW:
Charity Round: This activity seeks to recover the self-esteem and citizenship of those who do not have a place to live. Besides the words of spiritual comfort and pamphlets on social and juridical orientation, during this activity also occurs the distribution of clothes, coats, food, and first aid items during the midnight hours. This program is directed to residents of Shelters and the Homeless in the streets of Newark and Manhattan. It will occur fortnightly, on Fridays, from 9 p.m. onwards.
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Children participating in the
playful activities during the
L.O.V.E.S Classes
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L.O.V.E.S. Classes (Living on Values and Ecumenical Spirituality Classes): Artistic and playful activities for children with themes relating to the Culture of Peace and values of ecumenical solidarity. It will be offered to children from the ages of 6 to 12, every Saturday, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Cancer Prevention Program for Women: An entire day of lectures with orientation and prevention regarding cancer among women, with doctor appointments and Papanicolaou and cervix tests carried out in the same place of the lecture (in partnership with the staff and an itinerant bus of the University Hospital of New Jersey). It is offered to women over the age of 40. This activity will occur every two months.
Disaster S.O.S.: Forwarding of clothes and non-perishable food items to places that underwent disasters or to less developed countries. (Partnership with the moving company Fastway Moving). This program is directed to families living in situation of social vulnerability and/or victims of natural disasters.
Peace and Good Will Garden: An Educational Project developed in schools of the community, which encourages through art, a Culture of Peace and antiviolence in schools. This activity is directed to students from kindergarten to ninth grade.
Campaigns to collect food items and clothes: Collecting and organizing the donation of food items and clothes for poor communities. It will occur every Saturday morning.
Ecumenical Culture Studies: A group of studies and debates regarding social and historical themes, under the prism of the Ecumenical Culture. With the participation of children, youths and adults, that will take place on Saturdays.
Lectures and training courses: Free basic training courses offered by volunteer professionals with the purpose of promoting qualification for the labor market, directed to youths and adults.
To participate as a volunteer or contribute in some of the activities above, visit the LGW Headquarters of the United States located at 20 Calumet St, Newark, NJ – 07105, or call (1973) 344-5338.
Translation: Jéssica Botelho and Letícia Rio
Revision: Rosana Bertolin
