ANDISHEH’s Accomplishments during 2020-22
Salaam dear Andisheh friends,
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted ourselves, our communities, and our world in so many ways. Through these trying times, the Andisheh Center learned how to adapt its operations to a new reality of lockdowns, social distancing, and virtual events. We are so grateful for all that we’ve been able to achieve, which will serve us well into the future. Read on for a list of our accomplishments!
1. A COVID-19 resource center was added to the Andisheh website in Fall 2020.
Out of concern for the greater community, we decided to create a comprehensive list on our website that could serve as a resource for people needing help in handling various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic. See it here at https://andisheh.org/resource-list/
2. Andisheh’s Farzanegan program was adapted to an online format.
Our popular monthly Farzanegan senior program, which until the beginning of the pandemic was held in person in central Beaverton, was successfully adapted to Zoom format, which enabled program organizers and participants to keep interacting and connecting from the safety and comfort of their own homes.
3. Yalda Night 2020 was adapted to an online format.
Yalda Night 2020, sponsored by Andisheh and presented by the U&I Café, was held on Zoom on December 20th. It was a cozy and memorable evening of stories, poems, music, and companionship, which provided much-needed uplifting energy during the colder and darker days of the pandemic.
4. We created a Nowruz 2021 video greeting.
Andisheh collaborated with the HoorahArt dance ensemble on producing a unique and charming Nowruz video greeting featuring a series of dances showcasing Iran’s various regions and cultures, which were performed by HoorahArt as well as volunteers from the Portland community.
5. An “Experience Iran” lecture series was held in person in the summer and fall of 2021.
Andisheh sponsored and successfully held a series of in-person presentations at the U&I Café while adhering to COVID-19 health protocols. With the requirements of masks, hand sanitizer, and social distancing, participants were still able to learn about different regions and cultures in Iran while enjoying regional cuisine and social time together.
6. Andisheh received a grant of $5,000 in December 2021 for general support.
We were delighted to receive a Small Arts & Culture Grant from the Oregon Community Foundation’s Fred W. Fields Fund, which has helped to ensure our financial security during this period of decreased revenue due to not being able to hold our usual public events.
7. A series of art seminars was held online in late 2021 and early 2022.
Andisheh was privileged to collaborate with art experts in Iran and Canada on a series of wonderful seminars about western art and its influence on Iranian art. They were held on Zoom, with the experts also participating live from their countries. During each session, attendees viewed various works of art which the speaker would describe and analyze, providing relevant historical and artistic context; and then answering questions at the end.
8. A Nowruz 2022 Eidi for Afghan refugees campaign was initiated by Andisheh.
Concern for our Afghan refugee neighbors fleeing turmoil in their homeland led us to launch a campaign for Nowruz 2022 to provide them with Eidi gifts of pressure cookers, gift cards, and other practical items to help them ease into life in their new country. We matched the generous community donations we received up to $4,500 and ended up raising almost $6,000 in total.
9. And finally, A GREAT BIG WELCOME TO OUR NEW PROGRAMMING BRANCHES!!!
Due to increasing public interest in our activities, Andisheh decided to establish several branches of programming in order to serve the community in a more targeted manner. Therefore, we will now have three official categories: Javanan, which will be geared towards younger adults; Farzanegan, which will serve our beloved seniors; and Families, which will hold general events for all ages. This will be a more effective way of providing relevant content for each of these groups as we continue to uphold our mission of celebrating and promoting Iranian culture, heritage, and arts. Stay tuned for an announcement of our
very first Javanan event. More to come soon!
