tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5724253962318254912010-02-07T06:11:17.660-08:00PARSA Community FoundationPARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-6390607363925139242009-10-01T19:16:00.000-07:002009-10-01T19:18:27.547-07:00Force for Good: Norooz now recognized by UNThe Persian Cultural Center of San Diego is happy to announce that the petition campaign it initiated to include Norouz/Norooz/Nowruz on the United Nations' official calendar has succeeded. Over 300,000 signatures were collected in support of the request to His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and as a result, with participation of seven nations, Norouz/Norooz/Nowruz will be officially recognized. Nearly 300 million people around the world celebrate the first day of spring, Norouz/Norooz/Nowruz (New Day) as their new year, and nearly all of these celebrants live in UN member nations. PARSA CF congratulates Mrs. Shahri Estakhry, co-founder of the Persian Cultural Center, for spearheading this petition and to those who signed on to the request; proving that ordinary people, working together, can make a difference! For more information, please visit www.pccsd.org.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-639060736392513924?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-45968044472928478602009-07-31T09:35:00.000-07:002009-07-31T09:53:16.733-07:00Force for Good: Iranian American Organizations Unite to Form Iranian American 2010 Census Project Coalition<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://parsacf.org/ViewAsset/69"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 422px; height: 239px;" src="http://parsacf.org/ViewAsset/69" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Iranian American Organizations Unite to Form Iranian American 2010 Census Project Coalition</span><br /> <br />Mindful of events in Iran following the June 12th presidential election, your voice as an Iranian American will matter even more. Decision makers and Americans nationwide are looking to our community for advice and direction. We the undersigned organizations have joined forces in a show of unity to promote the importance of civic participation among Iranian Americans so that our voices are heard. A critical component of empowering the Iranian American community is securing an accurate count of the total number of Iranian Americans residing in the United States. The upcoming 2010 Census will provide a significant opportunity for Iranian Americans to stand up and be counted. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://parsacf.org/ViewAsset/68"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 158px; height: 140px;" src="http://parsacf.org/ViewAsset/68" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Stand Up and Be Counted</span></span><br />The census is a count of everyone living in the United States. This includes people of all ages, races, and ethnic groups, as well as both citizens and non-citizens. The census occurs every ten years and is mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the next one being undertaken in 2010. <br /> <br />Like many ethnic groups, Iranian Americans have traditionally been undercounted, leading to a diminished sense of representation within American society. According to the 2000 Census, there were only 338,000 Iranian Americans at the time, while the actual number is believed to be at least two or three times larger. By taking a proactive role in the 2010 Census, our community can strive to have the statistics represent reality. <br /> <br />With an accurate reflection of our population, Iranian Americans would stand to benefit from a variety of public, civic, and private sector services that rely on census data for economic and social assessments. For example, many local and state agencies, health organizations and social service organizations rely on racial and ancestry information to identify and meet the needs of their constituencies. Researchers in many fields, from journalism to social science, rely on census statistics to study trends concerning educational and economic mobility and cultural assimilation.<br /> <br />The Iranian American 2010 Census Coalition includes a number of national and regional organizations: Bay Area Iranian-American Voter Association (Baivoter), Iranian American Bar Association (IABA), National Iranian American Council (NIAC), Network of Iranian American Professionals of Orange County (NIPOC), PARSA Community Foundation, Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), Shabeh Jomeh, and the U.S. Census Bureau. The specific goals of this project are to reach every Iranian American household in the country to educate them about the importance of participating in the 2010 Census, to assure them that the information provided to the Census Bureau will by law be confidential, and to urge them to respond to questions relating to race, ethnicity, and national origin in a consistent manner. <br /> <br />The Iranian American 2010 Census Project cannot truly achieve its goals without coordinated action by a broad based coalition of Iranian American communities and organizations, be they national or local. To that end, initial coalition members are reaching out to and welcome the participation of other Iranian American organizations. <br /> <br />Numbers count! Showing the growth of the Iranian American community will translate into increased influence and recognition within American society. By uniting Iranian Americans behind this worthy goal, our community will be well on its way to gaining greater prominence, while at the same time gaining a better understanding of our own unique needs. <br /> <br />For more information or to join the Iranian American 2010 Census Project please contact any of the coalition partners.<br /><br />Bay Area Iranian-American Voter Association<br />http://www.baivoter.org/<br /><br />Iranian American Bar Association<br />http://www.iaba.us<br /><br />National Iranian American Council<br />http://www.niacouncil.org/<br /><br />Network of Iranian American Professionals of Orange County<br />http://www.nipoc.org/<br /><br />PARSA Community Foundation<br />http://www.parsacf.org/<br /><br />Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans<br />http://www.paaia.org/<br /><br />Shabeh Jomeh<br />http://www.shabehjomeh.com/<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-4596804447292847860?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-33611114552396486232009-07-23T16:04:00.000-07:002009-07-23T16:09:07.007-07:00Force for Good: Iranian Alliances Across Borders' Camp Ayandeh 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://parsacf.org/ViewAsset/66"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 416px; height: 312px;" src="http://parsacf.org/ViewAsset/66" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Contributed by Leyla Serway, IAAB Staff Member</span> <br /><br />The fourth installment of Camp Ayandeh, Iranian Alliances Across Borders’ annual summer leadership camp for high school students, was held June 28- July 5, 2009 in Hinsdale, Massachusetts at Duquette Sports Academy. In alignment with the mission of Camp Ayandeh, students spent the week engaged in a number of different activities that encouraged them to explore their Iranian-American culture and identity, as they discovered the importance of the Iranian-American youth as our community’s future leaders- all while having fun along the way. Activities for each day of the week were structured around five main themes, including Building Trust, Understanding Self, Understanding Others, Teambuilding, and Aspects of a Leader.<br /><br />The energy was high from day one when campers arrived at Duquette Academy, over half of which were new to Camp Ayandeh this summer. Campers, new and old alike, happily greeted one another and participated in various “ice breakers” and games of the “Human Knot”. As the week began, fun team names were eagerly created among counselor groups and each team crafted their own team chant, which were performed at any given opportunity and often brought all the groups together in unison! With high morale and an excited group of campers, counselors, and staff, the week was off to a great start.<br /><br />The week progressed with a number of diverse activities. Throughout the week, three Iranian holidays were celebrated including Shabe Yalda, Chahar-shanbe Soori and Norouz. During the day, campers participated in a various cultural booths, including Iranian cinema, literature, games, music, life in Iran and public speaking; college workshops focusing on high school academics, SATs, the college application process, and college life and majors; and daily culture discussions among counselor groups. The annual Ta’arof Tournament was an exciting even for all, as well as the much- anticipated Talent Show on the last evening. Once again, a memorable Camp Ayandeh proved to be the “highlight of the summer” for everyone.<br /><br />For more detailed footage from throughout the week at Camp Ayandeh, including daily blogs, podcasts, video and pictures, please visit their interactive camp website at <a href="http://www.campayandeh.org.">http://www.campayandeh.org.</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-3361111455239648623?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-72498107958833392302009-07-15T11:51:00.000-07:002009-07-15T12:13:36.511-07:00Force for Good: Relief InternationalThe PARSA CF Service Fellows internship, a program funded by PARSA Community Foundation at Relief International (RI), comprises of training for three Iranian-American students attending college in the Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. areas. The program was created by RI with the following objectives: <br /><br />- To provide Iranian-American students with an opportunity to gain work experience with RI, a humanitarian nonprofit that provides emergency relief, rehabilitation, development assistance, and program services to communities worldwide<br />- To allow students to gain new skill sets and field experience in an international relief and development setting, while introducing them to global issues<br />- To foster research, project management and leadership skills to Iranian-American students and the opportunity to enter an exciting and rewarding career in international public policy and development<br /><br />RI is proud to introduce the selected 2009 PARSA CF Service Fellow interns to work in RI offices in Los Angeles, D.C. and abroad:<br /><br />- Alexander Reza Shams, a third-year International Relations and International Urban Development student at the University of Southern California<br />- Melody Tehrani, a sophomore at the University of Southern California, pursuing International Relations<br />- Adam Pourahmadi, a sophomore at American University majoring in International Studies with a special interest in Iranian economic development<br /><br />Congratulations to the 2009 PARSA CF Service Fellow interns! To learn more about Relief International's programs, please visit <a href="http://ri.org">ri.org</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-7249810795883339230?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-57379315501555529282009-07-07T15:39:00.000-07:002009-07-07T15:56:47.353-07:00Force for Good: Borani Global EducationIn today’s world, there remain places in which some youth remain deprived of pursuing higher education and are barred from this right due to some form of discrimination, such as their financial status, political views, religious affiliation or social standing. <br /><br />The mission of Borani Global Education, a nonprofit association based in Toronto, Canada, is to open new portals to educational attainment by bringing accredited on-line solutions to every deserving youth who is unable to pursue university education as a result of human rights violations.<br /><br />Borani Global Education arranges for their supporters to become "Educational Guardians," each adopting one or more deserving youth to foster through higher education. There are many in need, and their intention is to help as many youth as possible worldwide. For more information, please visit www.boraniglobal.org.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-5737931550155552928?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-71155033159153181142009-06-05T11:49:00.000-07:002009-06-05T12:07:26.054-07:00Force for Good: Los Angeles County Museum of Art<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.parsacf.org/blog/uploaded_images/LACMA-798091.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 187px;" src="http://www.parsacf.org/blog/uploaded_images/LACMA-798086.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is unique among American art museums in that it collects and regularly exhibits Iranian art from the 5th millennium BC up to the present day. This collection is housed in the Art of the Middle East Department, under the direction of department head Dr. Linda Komaroff. The collection is divided between the department’s two collecting areas: ancient art (up to the 7th century AD) and art of the Islamic era (7th century AD onward). In 2008, PARSA CF awarded LACMA a $12,000 grant to support assistant curator Dr. Ali Mousavi, who is responsible for the ancient component of the collection and Komaroff for the art of the Islamic era. In each instance these are the only such significant collections on the West coast. <br /><br />Highlights in the collection from ancient Iran include Iron Age pottery from Tepe Sialk, carved stone relief fragments from Persepolis and gilt silver vessels from the Parthian and Sasanian dynasties. The collection pertaining to the Islamic era presents a far more comprehensive picture of Iranian art spanning all media. Among the most notable works of art are glazed ceramic pottery and tiles, miniature paintings, and two rare 16th-century Persian carpets. <br /><br />During the 2008-09 academic year, the Ancient Near Eastern galleries were visited by nearly 10,000 students. Dr. Mousavi also held lectures about Pasargadae and the American contribution to the archaeology of Iran, in addition to publications highlighting the archaeology of Iranian artifacts. Given the significance of LACMA’s collection and in light of the large Iranian Diaspora community of Southern California, the Ancient Near Eastern galleries and the exhibitions and programs they provide are of enormous benefit not only to the Iranian-American community but to all the communities LACMA serves.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-7115503315915318114?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-69968390400692983822009-05-29T09:45:00.000-07:002009-05-29T09:59:31.767-07:00Force for Good: AfsariyehAfsariyeh is an Iranian non-governmental organization home to 22 boys aged between 13 and 18. The center is located in southern Tehran, home to many impoverished families who rely on Afsariyeh for aid. The center's funds are very limited and they cannot afford many of their major repair projects.<br /><br />For the past several years Afsariyeh's heating system has not been working properly and last winter these young boys had to survive the harsh weather without heat. In addition, the center's plumbing system has been deteriorating to the point of total disrepair. To ensure that these young boys and the staff would not have to endure another winter without heat or hot water, Afsariyeh began renovation work.<br /><br />The cost of the projects was $18,000 and the renovation began in February 2009. With the support of generous donors, they were able to raise $11,000 and completed the first two phases of these projects. The third and final phase has now begun, but there are insufficient funds remaining to cover the cost of this last phase. The center needs to raise $7,000 to complete the work.<br /><br />These projects could not have been undertaken without the continued support and generosity of donors, and as they enter this final stage of their renovation project, Afsariyeh asks that you spread the word among friends and family and ask for their support. Every dollar counts toward improving the living condition of these young boys who call Afsariyeh home. For more information about Afsariyeh, please contact Delfarib at delfarib.info@yahoo.com or call (650) 271-7178.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-6996839040069298382?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-8938884935149610682009-05-20T14:25:00.000-07:002009-05-20T14:32:42.940-07:00Force for Good: Building 1,000 Homes for the Homeless<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://parsacf.org/ViewAsset/58"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 344px; height: 282px;" src="http://parsacf.org/ViewAsset/58" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />USA Today: Anderson M.B.A. student Shahrouz Golshani, 34, has an ambitious goal: to build 1,000 homes for the homeless.<br /><br />"I have been called naive many times this year," he conceded. But considering he admitted that in a speech at a crowded conference kicking off a competition to actually design those 1,000 homes, it's clear that people can no longer dismiss the idea as an idealist's dream.<br /><br />A homeless person seeks shelter on the sidewalk under cardboard and a blanket.In fact, it's no longer just his plan – it's now in the hands of the 1,000 Homes Coalition.<br /><br />The 1,000 Homes plan is starting relatively small, with a competition between teams of graduate students, including two UCLA teams, who will work with local cities to design feasible supportive housing. The students will have to overcome political and financial realities, from obtaining permits and overcoming community opposition to building quality homes on a budget. The student's solutions will form the basis for legislation and real housing projects.<br /><br />Golshani obtained a $25,000 grant for the plan from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Foundation — he's a member of ULI's Los Angeles branch, one of the sponsors of 1,000 Homes. In fact, the plan is sponsored by a slew of local agencies, from homeless services provider Shelter Partnership to UCLA's Ziman Center for Real Estate, which hosted the conference on campus April 10. <br /><br /><a href="http://today.ucla.edu/portal/ut/building-1-000-homes-for-the-homeless-89240.aspx">Click here</a> to read the full story.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-893888493514961068?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-7471414621118297452009-05-12T14:57:00.000-07:002009-05-12T15:02:43.564-07:00Force for Good: The House of FlowersThe House of Flowers was founded in the fall of 2002 by Mostafa Vaziri, an Iranian physician, and Allison Lide, an American teacher, who had just transferred their independent service work with their organization MEPO (Medical, Educational and Peace Organization) from Nepal to Afghanistan. Just three months after moving to Kabul they rented and furnished a house, hired a staff trained in child psychology, health and education, and opened the doors of the House of Flowers orphanage to children coming from destitute family backgrounds. <br /><br />Since that time, the House has expanded, matured, and evolved into an oasis of peace. Today, nearly 30 children receive an in-house academic education that strongly supplements their local school education. In addition, they learn about their own rich literary and cultural heritage, becoming intimately acquainted with Persian-language and Pashto poets and writers. The children perform science experiments, discuss social issues, and offer seminars on countries they research while also learning how to cook, sew, and do first aid. Allison and Mostafa’s goal for the House of Flowers is to enable each child to become the best person he or she can be, and in this way contribute towards the harmonization of Afghan society as a whole. <br /><br />The House of Flowers is supported 100% by private donations made to MEPO. There is zero overhead, as all donations are forwarded directly to the House of Flowers to meet the needs of the children and maintain the functioning of the House. All MEPO staff outside of Afghanistan, including Mostafa and Allison, are entirely volunteer-based. For more information about the House of Flowers, see the website at <a href="http://www.mepoonline.org">www.mepoonline.org</a>. Anyone wishing to be added to the email list to receive periodic updates about the House or to share any comments or questions may email Allison and Mostafa at mepo_hope@yahoo.com.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-747141462111829745?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-8320643335774762202009-04-29T13:18:00.000-07:002009-04-30T08:37:39.471-07:00PARSA CF Hosts Day of Service in Santa Monica and San FranciscoOn April 18, PARSA Community Foundation hosted two day of service events in Santa Monica and San Francisco, in celebration of Earth Day. The event in San Francisco was organized with Aidin Aghamiri and Young Persian Professionals and was held at the Presidio. About twenty selfless volunteers spent the day immersed in habitat restoration activities such as invasive plant removal and seed collecting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://parsacf.org/ViewAsset/57"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 416px; height: 290px;" src="http://parsacf.org/ViewAsset/57" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />In Santa Monica, about twenty eager volunteers converged at the Santa Monica Pier and spent the day cleaning the beach, with efforts led by PARSA CF volunteer Najdi Rafaty. The successful event was part of the Adopt-A-Beach Program, an educational project of the California Coastal Commission.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://parsacf.org/ViewAsset/56"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 415px; height: 311px;" src="http://parsacf.org/ViewAsset/56" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />PARSA CF thanks everyone who participated in Earth Day events and helped restore our environment!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-832064333577476220?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-237671465740344612009-04-20T12:36:00.000-07:002009-04-20T13:05:56.450-07:00California Mayor Bogaard declares "Norooz a Pasadena Tradition"Each spring, Pasadena resident Dr. Nazee Rofagha celebrates the Iranian New Year, or Norooz, at a location in Pasadena. The event is filled with traditional dance, music, food and prominent speakers. This year, Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard proclaimed in the beginning of the program at All Saints Church that “Norooz is now a Pasadena tradition.”<br /><br />Dr. Ronagha began organizing these annual Norooz events three years ago, for local people with ties to Iran and those who are interested in the culture of Persian people as well as its history, to get together while celebrating Norooz. This year, the two key speakers were renowned British Archeologist Dr. David Stronach and JPL Astronomer Trina Ray who discussed her view of the Vernal Equinox. To read more about the event and view photos, <a href="http://beaconmedianews.com/2009/03/25/mayor-bogaard-declares-norooz-a-pasadena-tradition/">click here</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-23767146574034461?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-47068709251983385122009-04-10T09:15:00.000-07:002009-04-10T09:57:21.758-07:00Force for Good: Connecticut School Celebrates NoroozEach year, Shiva Sarram holds a Norooz, or Persian New Year, presentation for students at her children's Montessori school in Fairfield County, Connecticut. During the day, they learn about Norooz traditions such as the <span style="font-style:italic;">haft seen</span> table and spring cleaning. At the end of the day, the children go home with lentil goodie bags and instructions on how to grow their own traditional sprouted lentils (sabzeh), in addition to a handout that explains what Norooz is to their parents. <br /><br />This year, she and fellow mother Sally Reed explained the traditions to the entire school, focusing on items on the symbolic <span style="font-style:italic;">haft seen</span> table she set up such as eggs, goldfish and coins. The items symbolically correspond with values such as renewal, health, affluence, and happiness. The children were enamored with the table and learned words in Persian as they went along.<br /><br />"Many of them recognize the similarities in the cultures," said Sarram, who said she wanted students to understand that people and cultures are all very similar at their base. "If we could all remember we were all one, maybe we could stop bickering."<br /><br />To read more about Sarram's presentation, read the full article <a href="http://www.thehour.com/story/467458">here</a>. To see photos of the celebration, click <a href="http://www.blossomhill-photography.com/norooz2009/">here</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-4706870925198338512?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-46470623847975721982009-04-03T10:27:00.000-07:002009-04-03T10:45:49.827-07:00Force for Good: Shabnam Rezaei Builds Cultural Bridges Through Social EntrepreneurshipIn 2004, Iranian-born entrepreneur Shabnam Rezaei started Persian Mirror, an "online magazine to teach the world about Persian culture." The website was soon boasting 5 million hits per month and attracted the attention of producer Dunstin Ellis. He contacted Rezaei and captivated her with a cartoon about a young Persian boy named Babak who is living in the U.S and feels stuck between two cultures.
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<br />From this idea, Norooz Productions was born. Providing both non-Iranians and Iranians with lessons in life and customs is the mission of Nooroz Productions. Since the first cartoon, Babak and Friends, she has completed production on Mixed Nutz, which has a similar theme, but with more characters and different ethnicities.
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<br />Now, Rezaei is starting Oz Noz Distribution Company, which is an online platform similar to Amazon.com that sells DVDs and other related content. "We will sell and offer free and downloadable content for multicultural children," she says.</p><p>Fox News recently interviewed Rezaei about her accomplishments and inspiration . <a href="http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/small-business/entrepreneur-mend-global-fences/">Click here</a> to read the full interview.
<br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-4647062384797572198?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-30522972960637893022009-03-17T09:33:00.000-07:002009-03-17T13:42:28.449-07:00Upcoming Norooz Events in Your Community, Part ThreeLast week, PARSA CF released its latest issue of “In the Spotlight,” highlighting the frontiers of Norooz. We also asked members of the Iranian community around the world to send us information on educational and cultural outreach-based Norooz events that were not covered in the article. People responded enthusiastically, and as a continuation of last week's "Force for Good," PARSA CF will feature additional Norooz events here.<br /><br /><div>On March 13, the Department of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University held its annual Norooz reception, featuring a haft seen table and Persian sweets and tea. The event celebrated the diverse cultures of Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, Kurdistan and Georgia, many of whom celebrate the Persian new year. For more information, click here: <a href="http://www.princeton.edu/~nes/">http://www.princeton.edu/~nes/</a><br /><br /><div>On March 22, the Iranian Heritage Society of Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, will also host a Norooz celebration at the Fantasyland Hotel. The event will include traditional dance performances and music. Click here for more information: <a href="http://ihse.ca/">http://ihse.ca/</a><br /><br /><div>The Persian Cultural Club will host a Norooz event at the Valle Verde Children's Center in Walnut Creek, California on March 22. The event will feature a performance by Shahrzad Dance Academy and a play in Persian by children from the Dehkhoda Persian School. PCC will also host a Norooz celebration on March 28, in San Jose, California, in cooperation with the Almaden Library and Community Center. The event will include performances by Beshkan Dance Academy, Niosha Dance Academy, Shahrzad Dance Academy, traditional music by Hamavazi Group and a play from the Dehkhoda Persian School. For more information, visit: <a href="http://www.sjlibrary.org/about/locations/almaden/events.htm">http://www.sjlibrary.org/about/locations/almaden/events.htm</a></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-3052297296063789302?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-11595831538428940342009-03-12T10:19:00.000-07:002009-03-13T12:58:33.710-07:00Upcoming Norooz Events in Your Community, Part Two<p>Last week, PARSA CF released its latest issue of “In the Spotlight,” highlighting the frontiers of Norooz. We also asked members of the Iranian community around the world to send us information on educational and cultural outreach-based Norooz events that were not covered in the article. People responded enthusiastically, and as a continuation of last week's "Force for Good," PARSA CF will feature additional Norooz events here. </p><p>The Persian Center of Berkeley, California, will hold its annual Chahrshanbeh Soori celebration at the center on March 17. This event is among the biggest of its kind, attracting over 2,000 people each year. On March 20, Persian Center will hold its 2009 Norooz celebration at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose. The evening will include cultural performances, dinner and dancing. For more information, please visit: <a href="http://www.persiancenter.org/">http://www.persiancenter.org/</a></p><br /><p>On March 22, the San Mateo Public Library in San Mateo, California, will host a Norooz celebration. The program includes a haft seen display, performances by Beshkan Dance Academy, music by the Ebrahimi Brothers and storytelling by Golden Thread Productions. For more information, click here: <a href="http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/dept/library/">http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/dept/library/</a></p><br /><p>The Iranian-American community in San Diego, California, will be hosting a number of Norooz events in the coming weeks. The Dollar a Month Fund recently hosted a Norooz Bazaar in cooperation with the Iranian School of San Diego (ISSD), benefiting children in need: <a href="http://www.dmfund.org/index.html">http://www.dmfund.org/index.html</a>. On March 15, ISSD will host a community Norooz celebration featuring dance, music and theater performances by ISSD students. On March 21, the Persian Cultural Center and the Association of Iranian-American Professionals of San Diego will host an annual Norooz celebration featuring the Persian Cultural Dance Academy. See <a href="http://www.pccsd.org/">http://www.pccsd.org/</a> and <a href="http://www.aiap.org/">http://www.aiap.org/</a> for more information.</p><br /><p>On February 28, the Society of Iranian-American Women for Education (SIAWE) held its annual Norooz celebration and scholarship presentation dinner at the Junior League of Houston. The celebration featured a Norooz bazaar and a haft seen display. Andrea White, a civic leader and the wife of Houston Mayor Bill White, was the keynote speaker. As a result of SIAWE's awards, 36 scholarship recipients currently attend schools across Texas. Click here for more details: <a href="http://www.siawe.org/">http://www.siawe.org/</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-1159583153842894034?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-74199314466223122009-03-11T12:21:00.000-07:002009-03-11T12:24:45.955-07:00Upcoming Norooz Events in Your Community<p>Earlier this week, PARSA CF released its latest issue of “<a href="http://parsacf.org/Page/177">In the Spotlight</a>,” highlighting the frontiers of Norooz. We also asked members of the Iranian community around the world to send us information on educational and cultural outreach-based Norooz events that were not covered in the article. People responded enthusiastically, and throughout the next two weeks, PARSA CF will feature additional Norooz events here.<br /><br />On March 22 at City Art in Van Nuys, California, Nadereh Salarpour in cooperation with Radio Koodak will host a Norooz celebration for children. The event will feature a Norooz bazaar, Amoo Norooz, dance, magic show, puppet show, crafts and face painting. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.radiokoodak.com/">http://www.radiokoodak.com/</a>.<br /><br />On March 21 in Boston, the Iranian Association of Boston will host a Deed-o Bazdeed event at the Westin Hotel. The celebration will include a haft seen display, music, food and socializing. Click here for more information: <a href="http://www.iaboston.org/">http://www.iaboston.org/</a><br /><br />On April 4 and 5, the 6th annual Norooz Festival will be held at Vasona Park in Los Gatos, California. Sponsored by the Enlite Community, this event music and dance performances, as well as a backgammon tournament, soccer matches and cultural exhibitions. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.norouzfestival.org/">http://www.norouzfestival.org/</a>. </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-7419931446622312?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-84581627563775437652009-02-19T10:04:00.000-08:002009-02-19T10:32:26.314-08:00Unique Zan Women's Center Provides Education to Women in Palestine<p>Through funding from the Zan Foundation, Relief International - Schools Online (RI-SOL) has established the Unique Zan Women's Center, dedicated to providing needed services to women in Dura, Hebron. The Unique Zan Women's Center provides women with access to adequate education, healthcare and other basic services that are essential for women to maintain their own economic well-being and sense of social empowerment. Through training, the Center aims to instill in women business skills as well as gender equality to help them succeed.</p><p>RI-SOL's services include health awareness, IT trainings, vocational trainings and sports activities. The Center is collaborating with local organizations in its work and has has taken a holistic approach to not only improve women's access to education, but also to cultivate social change at the community level. In doing so, the Unique Zan Women's Center has provided much-needed hope to women in Hebron through providing them with the tools necessary to empower themselves.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-8458162756377543765?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-23642992888181426072009-01-27T10:58:00.001-08:002009-01-27T10:58:51.091-08:00Iranian-American Volunteer in Nevada Answers the Call to ServiceLast week, Shahla Pfeiffer joined thousands of Americans across the country, including President Barack Obama, in the National Day of Service. A resident of Henderson, Nevada, Shahla created an event to collect clothing to distribute to shelters via <a href="http://www.usaservice.org/">www.USAService.org</a>. Over 30 people signed up, and the donations were so overwhelming that Shahla had to borrow a truck in order to transport the clothing. The clothing was distributed to SafeNet, an organization dedicated to ending domestic violence and assisting battered women and children in need.<br /><br />Shahla plans to organize another event soon and will reach out to Iranian-Americans in the area to get involved. To learn more about existing service projects taking place in your neighborhood, or to organize your own, visit <a href="http://www.usaservice.org/">www.USAService.org</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-2364299288818142607?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-66776808230650561112009-01-07T14:50:00.000-08:002009-01-07T14:56:21.232-08:00Young Persian Professionals Organize January Food DrivePARSA Community Foundation is delighted to announce that the Young Persian Professionals (YPP) of the Bay Area will be holding a canned food drive throughout the month of January. This call to action came out of a brainstorming session held at the November 23rd Philanthropy Workshop that was hosted by YPP. Through collecting food for hungry families, YPP has heeded the call for public service and encourages the Iranian-American community to do the same. You can learn more about their efforts <a href="http://www.youngpersianprofessionals.info/">here</a>, including dropoff locations and guidelines on what to donate.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-6677680823065056111?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-38035137446222910122008-12-15T11:09:00.000-08:002008-12-15T11:10:01.855-08:00Young Persian Professionals host PARSA CF Workshop in San Francsico<p>The <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7661892057" mce_href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7661892057">Young Persian Professionals</a> (YPP) of the Bay Area hosted a PARSA Community Foundation workshop in San Francisco on November 23, 2008. The workshop was attended by over forty participants and the event focused on finding ways to encourage public service and volunteerism among Iranian-Americans. San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirakarimi provided the opening remarks.<br /></p><p>YPP's mission is to bring together Persians in the Bay Area through business events, volunteer projects, cultural and social activities and building business and social networks. Through providing these opportunities, YPP serves as a valuable resource to Iranian-Americans searching for ways to make a positive difference in their community. PARSA Community Foundation looks forward to partnering with YPP in the coming months to organize service projects around the Bay Area.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-3803513744622291012?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-23738139776703301882008-11-01T10:53:00.000-07:002008-12-15T10:54:15.312-08:00Please Join Us at the PARSA Community Foundation Persian Garden Gala!Please join us on Saturday, November 15th at The Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco for the Persian Garden Gala.<br /><br />Together, we will be honoring the achievements of two remarkable change-makers, Mrs. Ashraf Ghandehari Bahadorzadeh, recipient of this year's Volunteerism and Action Award and Mr. Paul Merage, recipient of this year's Philanthropist of the Year Award.<br /><br />We will all be moved by the fine example of these inspiring individuals, but to move us to the dance floor, we will be joined by Bijan Mortazavi and his band performing in a live concert. And moving the whole program along, comedian Dan Ahdoot will be our Master of Ceremonies. Regrettably there will be no tickets sold at the door. We can't wait to see you at the Persian Garden Gala.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-2373813977670330188?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-47133380665496361672008-10-10T13:13:00.000-07:002008-10-10T13:14:16.055-07:00Golestan Kids Featured in Oakland TribunePARSA Community Foundation is delighted to announce that <a href="http://www.golestankids.com/">Golestan Kids</a> has been featured on the front page of the Oakland Tribune today. Golestan Kids is a Persian-language immersion preschool and after-school program based in Berkeley, California. They aim to foster a community of confident and compassionate children who care for and are proud of their Iranian heritage.<br /><br />In 2007, PARSA CF made a grant to the school to improve its facilities, expand its student body, and promote it as an established program for families with children that have an interest in Iran, its language, culture and history. PARSA Community Foundation makes grants to promising models such as Golestan Kids that can serve as an inspiration to others in Iranian-American community.<br /><br />The article, accompanying photos and video can be seen by clicking <a href="http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_10682280?source=rss">here</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-4713338066549636167?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-42977282725955391442008-09-17T09:55:00.000-07:002008-09-17T10:12:22.635-07:00Sacramento Iranian-Americans Host Persian Night Fundraiser for Public LibraryThe Persian Language Advisory Committee and The Sacramento Public Library Foundation recently hosted the 12th annual Persian Night Celebration to raise funds for the library's extensive Persian language resources. Held on September 6, 2008, this event benefited the Sacramento region's 27 libraries, which include the Persian language collection's 2,000 titles, 15 magazines and newspapers, 800 CD and videos and 2,500 volumes. Proceeds also benefited the Committee's speaker series and Persian language courses held at the libraries. They have raised $400,000 since 1996.<br /><br />The Committee has been so successful that during this most recent fundraiser, they sold over 200 tickets, surpassing their goal of 150. The event notably reached out beyond the Persian community to include 30% non-Iranian guests, such as the California State Librarian Susan Hildreth, Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo, Rancho Cordova Mayor Linda Budge, and California Secretary of State Debra Bowen. The Committee’s dedication towards preserving Persian heritage and embracing the efforts of multiple generations serves as a success story that can be duplicated at many of the other libraries around the country that have Persian collections and members. For more information about the event, please visit the <a href="http://www.saclibraryfoundation.org/PersianNight08.asp">Sacramento Public Library Foundation</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-4297728272595539144?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-572425396231825491.post-4930977335771994972008-09-04T11:42:00.000-07:002008-09-17T09:55:06.336-07:00Welcome to PARSA Community Foundation's New Website!As you may have noticed, we have given our website a new look. PARSA CF is committed to keeping our work easily accessible, and to that end, we have created a more navigable structure with more resources and a new visual design. In addition, we will also be adding fresh PARSA CF news and community updates on a regular basis.<br /><br />This section will feature the weekly Force for Good update. Force for Good is a new, interactive PARSA CF feature where the global Iranian and Persian-speaking community can submit their inspiring accounts of Persian philanthropic, public service and cultural activities that have recently occurred. Have you attended or participated in such an event lately and would like to have it featured in Force for Good? Let us know at <a href="mailto:events@parsacf.org">events@parsacf.org</a>.<br /><br />Our new website opens new opportunities for learning, collaboration and interaction with the community. Keep checking back often, and thank you for your support!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/572425396231825491-493097733577199497?l=www.parsacf.org%2Fblog' alt='' /></div>PARSA CFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16910152913963259957noreply@blogger.com0