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Coming up: Holiday lights, book club, hiking, and more!

 
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Letter from the President

Hello SDPCA Members!

We are heading into the holiday season after a challenging year. We just celebrated Thanksgiving. Some of us celebrated with our family members while others remained in quarantine, far from loved ones typically present for the occasion. Rather than cook a large meal for a small group, some of us chose to have take-out to support local businesses. In my quaranteam, we had lasagna as an alternative to turkey and it was divine. However you celebrated the holiday, I hope it was restful and full of gratitude.

This weekend, we would normally host our annual SDPCA Holiday Party, Potluck, and Silent Auction. This is always our biggest event of the year where we reconnect with old friends, meet new friends, and celebrate together.  Though we can’t gather as a group this year, we can look forward to when we can safely be together again.

As we approach the end of 2020, it may be valuable to reflect upon our experiences. Realize how far you have come, what you have overcome, and what you have learned. For me, this exercise could fill pages in a journal. One of my journal entries may include the thought ‘I wonder what it would be like to be a mother not in quarantine?’. You, likely, have a plethora of moments to ponder.  

While we wait for the clouds to clear in this COVID-19 haze, pass the time with us! Lynne is hosting a stroll of holiday lights, Sharon and Karen will be hosting another book club on Wednesday, December 30th, and we have our annual New Year’s Day hike with Genny on January 1st.  We would also like to extend our gratitude to Sara Szunyogh for graciously hosting virtual Yoga again in November.

Stay safe members, and we will see you in the New Year!

Ashley Smallwood
Ecuador, 2004-07

UPCOMING EVENTS 

Holiday Lights
Tuesday, December 15 at 6pm
Meet at the corner of Mt. Abernathy and Jamar Drive in Clairemont
RSVP:
http://evite.me/bDh2QV9zY3


Grab your kids, coats, masks, and holiday energy to walk (socially distanced) through one of San Diego's neighborhoods to see the holiday decorations.  

SDPCA Book Club
Wednesday, December 30 at 7pm on Zoom
RSVP: http://evite.me/91YuwGahT8


Join us for a fun and lively discussion of this month’s book: African Visas by Maria Thomas.

See all the books we have read (so far!): http://www.sdpca.org/book-club.
New Year’s Day Hike
Friday, January 1, 2021 at 9am
Penasquitos Creek Waterfall – meet at Canyonside Community Park
12350 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, CA 92129
RSVP: http://evite.me/VdxYkJ58AU


Please join us for a hike to the Penasquitos Creek waterfall. We will be hiking on the north side of the river, trailhead parking is located just past the tennis courts and baseball diamonds. The hike is about 6 miles roundtrip, with flat, dirt trails. The trail is great for families and dog-friendly.

Please be prepared to maintain a social distance of at least 6 feet and wear a mask when in proximity to people outside of your household. This event is weather-dependent (if it rains Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve might be closed to the public, please check the invitation for updates.)
Human Trafficking and What you Can Do to Help
Thursday, January 14 from 6 to 7:30pm
on Zoom
RSVP: http://evite.me/hmqy1zkpCT


The local nonprofit Free To Thrive will be hosting a virtual zoom for SDPCA members on the topic of human trafficking-a very important issue in San Diego. Free To Thrive's mission is to empower survivors of human trafficking to be free of exploitation and to thrive by providing them with holistic and trauma-informed, legal and support services in collaboration with their service partners, and by increasing access to justice for all survivors.
 
This presentation will provide an overview of human trafficking, the ways in which victims and survivors end up in our legal system, and discuss their legal and non-legal needs.  This program will also educate participants on the COVID-19 pandemic on trafficking survivors and what participants can do to be a part of the solution.
SAVE THE DATE

SDPCA Book Club – Wednesday, January 27, 2021.


 
From the SDPCA Membership Chair:

It is the time of year again to renew your SDPCA membership. We are getting ready for the holidays and tying up loose ends for the year. But it is a bit different this year, isn’t it? The Pandemic has changed many of our lives and we must do things differently now.

SDPCA has made the most of the situation. We have had live, safely distanced events like paddle boarding, snorkeling, and beach cleanup and many virtual events such as trivia, book club, and yoga. We have been advocates for change with Zoom meetings with US Representatives and a “Get out and vote” with our members. We have still been able to support evacuated RPCV counterparts in the field. This year a project will be funded in my beautiful country of service, Madagascar. Things still are happening in 2020 and will be happening in 2021 and we hope that you will continue to support us.

I wish you all a safe and happy remainder of 2020 and a renewed 2021!

My Best, Tina
Tina Hunter Burnam
Madagascar 2000-2002
SDPCA membership chair

membershipinfo@SDPCA.org
 
Please renew your $20 Membership by January 1 at SDPCA.org/membership.

URGENT ACTION ALERT! Fight for Level Peace Corps Funding

As Peace Corps prepares to begin redeployment of volunteers in early 2021, it is critical that Peace Corps is well resourced – right now and into the future.

The House of Representatives is recommending level funding of $410.5 million for the agency for the current fiscal year (FY 2021), which runs until next October 1, 2021. However, the Senate Appropriations Committee has put forth a funding bill that includes only $359.5 million — $51 million below the House.

As Congress works to finalize appropriations bills between now and December 11, 2020, it is imperative that the Peace Corps community speaks out strongly for level Peace Corps funding moving forward! Decisions could be made sooner, so we need to take action NOW! 
Please pass this urgent message on to your Peace Corps community, friends and supporters. 

Here are three actions you can take today:
1. Submit an electronic letter by clicking here.
2. Write a letter to the editor of your newspaper. Click here for some talking points.
3. Write/Email or call Senator Feinstein and other key Congressional leaders (listed below).
 
Click here to view six reasons why we need to continue level funding for Peace Corps even. Use these as talking points in a letter or call to legislators.
 
Here are key California voices in the current FY 21 appropriations debate who need to hear NOW from the Peace Corps community and other supporters!
  • Nancy Pelosi (D) - House Speaker 
  • Kevin McCarthy (R) - House Minority Leader
  • Dianne Feinstein (D) - Author of Peace Corps funding Dear Colleague letter, member of Appropriations Committee 
  • John Garamendi (D) - Author of Peace Corps funding Dear Colleague letter (RPCV Ethiopia)
  • Barbara Lee (D) - Member of House Appropriations State/Foreign Operations Subcommittee 
  • Norma Torres (D) - Member of House Appropriations State/Foreign Operations Subcommittee 
International Support Fund
We are pleased to announce that the SDPCA was able to donate $300 each to two projects of evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers though the National Peace Corps Association. These volunteers were evacuated but are still supporting their projects from the US.  Here are the two projects that we supported:

Food Security in Guatemala  RPCV Will Penner partnered with three local partners with Guatemala's Ministry of Agriculture and locals to create an association of 14 entrepreneurial women in Santa Cruz del Quiché, Guatemala. The goal of the project is to assist the women farmers to increase their egg production so they can produce eggs for school lunches. Learn more at https://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/campaigns/will-penner-egg-producers-project-in-guatemala
 
Clean Water in Madagascar
RPCV Gabriel Sandelet partnered with a local social enterprise called Tatirano in southeast Madagascar on this project to build "rain harvesters" on buildings at two schools to bring clean water.  The project will also bring speakers to educate the community about WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene). This project will directly benefit 756 students everyday they are at school and up to 360 people in the community. Learn more: https://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/campaigns/gabriel-sandler-clean-water-for-schools-in-southern-madagascar
 
We hope these communities achieve their goals. We will keep you posted of any updates.  

Peace Corps Calendars and SDPCA Tote Bags

The brand new 2021 Peace Corps calendars and our own home-grown SDPCA tote bags are available for sale now. Proceeds go toward our International Support Fund and also local projects. Order now--they make great gifts!  

Both items are $15 each plus shipping if requested.

To order, please visit SDPCA.org/merchandise.  

Peace Corps Recruiter' Corner
 
Hello SDPCA friends and family!

Thank you to those of you who have assisted me in recruitment events this year. It has been a very unique time period in recruitment as the temporary suspension took place in mid- March. Truly grateful for and appreciate those of you who have been reaching out to introduce yourselves, whether you have been evacuated PCV, or a PCV who has served over the years, it is such a delight to e-meet with you or have you join our events.  I hope to continue providing recruitment updates for our SDPCA members through this recruiter’s corner and will share any additional help needed with panelists whether they will be virtual or (eventually) in-person events here and on the SDPCA Facebook page.
 
As we are closing out this year, I have one more recruitment event taking place on Saturday, December 19th from 1-2pm. This will be a Peace Corps informational session along with a Q&A segment with panelists who are veterans who also served as Peace Corps volunteers. Anyone is welcome to join this event, and if any of you know someone who is interested in Peace Corps, they are more than welcome to join this as well! While this event does showcase military members’ stories, one does not have to be a service member to join. Here is the event page to get registered: Veterans Who Served in the Peace Corps.
 
Thank you all!
Rachel Satoh
rsatoh@peacecorps.gov
PAST EVENTS

Cooking Class. November 6, 2020.

Yoga. November 18, 2020.

Book Club. December 2, 2020.
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