Submitted Photo Jason Hammond, Executive Director of the Dunkirk Public Library, is pictured with two of his staff members, Mariah Postlewait to his left and Michelle Quatroche to his right.

Mark your Calendars!

A spectacular monthly series begins Thursday, Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Dunkirk Public Library’s new “CREATE Project Room,” 536 Central Ave. Mayor Willie Rosas and members of H.O.P.E. (Hispanics Organized for Progress and Education) will perform and talk about Puerto Rican traditions and music. A fascinating chat about the role of ritual and ‘identity development” by a CREATE Project representative will follow. All are welcome!

Throughout 2020, the CREATE Project Library Room will feature special presentations, demonstrations, and performances. Jason Hammond, the Library Director, invites all to this new innovative venture. Each third Thursday of the month from 5:30 to 7 p.m., the CREATE Project programs will include activities and discussions led by a representative of a different highlighted culture. The program will bring cross-cultural understanding through local tradition-bearers as they share their culture and traditions. Related topics such as personal development, family relationships, community building, and child-rearing best practices are also explored in each session. Refreshments popular in the culture of the evening will give participants a flavor of the country, too. Appropriate for children, teens, parents, grandparents, whole families, community members and professionals, the program will also include storytelling and activities for younger guests in the Library children’s room.

The CREATE Project Library Program hopes to inspire ideas, conversation and closeness in our families and community.

At each Third Thursday event, special bookshelves displaying fiction and nonfiction titles for children and adults, as well as artifacts representing featured cultures and topics will be unveiled. Hidden by a rainbow of shelf curtains, the bookshelves are part of the CREATE Project Room and book donation project. Community members, parents, grandparents, friends, business, organizations, and groups can donate books to enhance understanding of different cultures, traditions, and modes of child-rearing. The CREATE Project Room bookshelves will act as a repository and center for community exchange and discussion concerning everyday matters and areas of our most pressing concerns. Books will be available to borrow after a sizable collection for the room is amassed. Potential donors can choose their gift book by visiting the library website. Many titles are available for selection. You also have the option to make a donation to a general fund for the CREATE Project Book Donation Program. A nameplate bearing the gift recipient and givers’ names and an inscription will be placed in every new book contributed.

Potential donors should visit https://www.dunkirklibrary.org/ and then choose the Community Links dropdown menu. From there visitors can choose the option for CREATE Project Arts and Community Initiative. After that it’s just a matter of clicking the donate buttons.

Note: All presentations will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to arrive at least 10 minutes early. The schedule is:

Jan. 16: Puerto Rican, Caribbean traditions; Ritual and Identity development

Feb. 20: African American traditions; Trans-generational transmission of trauma, tenderness, and tradition

March 19: Irish, British Isle traditions; Play and Play Disruption

April 16: Far East traditions (China, Vietnam, Japan, Burma, etc.); Family and Group Dynamics

May 21: Italian and Greek traditions; Nurture through foodways and other practices

June 18: German, French traditions (woodcraft; foodways, gardens); Dimensions of Ability and Disability; Epigenetic Principal

July 16: American, Canadian traditions (fiddlers, quilting); Fabric of community connections

Aug. 20: Near East, Mid-East traditions (Jewish Shofar, horn) Music Therapy and Affect Regulation

Sept. 17: Eastern Indian, Pakistani traditions (dance, textiles): Adornment and Personal Growth

Oct. 15: Mexican Traditions (Day of the Dead): Trauma, Loss, Healing and Resilience; The Nature of the Story

Nov. 19: Native American Traditions (Dance, Stories, Corn husk, pottery); The Brain and Neural networks; Still Face Experiment

Dec. 17: Polish, Swedish Traditions (Wigilia, Santa Lucia Day); Neglect, Abuse, Prevention; Reverence

The CREATE Project is an arts-based community intervention designed to help our community become free of child trauma, abuse, and neglect, and to become a place where children can grow to their highest potential. The CREATE Project Library Program is the first program of its kind in the world. More program details on the library’s website.

The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation is the CREATE Project’s fiscal sponsor, and the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County is the lead community partner. Though working cooperatively together, the CREATE Project is a separate entity and operates as such. For more information call 680-0266.