A look back at 2017 – concerts and EPES activity

Dear friends of EPES and AHA,

EPES has been busier than ever in the last half of its 35th anniversary year.

In September, we celebrated this special anniversary with a concert in Minneapolis featuring longtime allies, Holly Near and John McCutcheon. More than 300 of EPES’ friends and supporters from ten states and three countries gathered in Circle Pines, Minnesota for an evening of music, laughter, fellowship and reflection. It was a fitting celebration, both of EPES’ work for justice and dignity and of the people who have made it possible over these 35 years. Including you!

In this update you’ll also read about EPES’ activities related to immigrant rights, domestic violence, tobacco control policy, nutrition and justice, fire prevention and health worker training. Such news is a welcome antidote to the cynicism and despair that can overtake us when we’re continually barraged by news of injustice, indifference and catastrophe. I don’t know about you, but I need to hear this good news, that EPES is in it for the long haul.

Wishing you peace and health in 2018, with heartfelt thanks for your continuing solidarity,

Christina Mills MD FRCPC
President, Action for Health in the Americas

Check out the latest EPES Newsletter

Thanks to everyone for a successful EPES Fundraiser – a great time for a great cause

Saturday night Our Savior’s Lutheran Church (in Minnesota) was rocking – well folk rocking – out for EPES. Many thanks especially to Holly Near and John McCutcheon and the stupendous generosity of all of those who attended. It was touching to see the support. We thank you all.

If you weren’t there but you’re interested, the opportunity isn’t closed yet. Please watch the video below – a brief pitch and a fantastic song from the event – to get inspired to donate now!

Sneak preview of Holly Near who will help raise funds for Educación Popular en Chile (EPES) a Community Health Initiative in Chile

We are so excited to have Holly Near join us for our annual fundraiser:

Date/Time: Saturday September 23, 2017, 7:00 pm
Location: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 9185 Lexington Avenue North, Circle Pines, MN
Get Tickets Now!

Holly is well acquainted with our work. In fact she has joined us on trips to see Chile. On her website she talks about the impact Chile had on her…

“With the support of so many of you and EPES, I did a songwriting workshop in Chile to inspire writing songs to stop violence against women. The Chilean women ran with it and this is the amazing outcome.”

Please join us on September 23 to learn more about the impact she (and you) can have on Chile. And in the meantime – check out this sneak preview:

Sneak preview of John McCutcheon who will help raise funds for Educación Popular en Chile (EPES) a Community Health Initiative in Chile

We are so excited to have John McCutcheon join us for our annual fundraiser:

Date/Time: Saturday September 23, 2017, 7:00 pm
Location: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 9185 Lexington Avenue North, Circle Pines, MN
Get Tickets Now!

John has his roots in Wisconsin. He has recorded more than 36 albums and is well known for writing about things that matter. He’s a Folk Music hero with 6 Grammy nominations. Pete Seeger called him, “One of our country’s best songwriters.”

Please join us on September 23 to learn here the stories and songs. And in the meantime – check out this sneak preview:

Holly Near and John McCutcheon Fundraiser – Sep 23

We are so excited for Holly Near and John McCutcheon Fundraiser for Educación Popular En Salud (EPES)

Where: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 9185 Lexington Avenue North, Circle Pines, MN
When: Saturday at 7 PM – 9:30 PM
Get tickets!

On Saturday September 23, 2017 Educación Popular En Salud (EPES) is celebrating their 35th anniversary with a benefit concert featuring musicians Holly Near and John McCutcheon. The concert will take place at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Circle Pines. Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 at the door. Order online https://actionforhealth.org/.

Folk musicians John McCutcheon and Holly Near will be playing a show. Multi-instrumentalist McCutcheon is regarded as a master of the hammered dulcimer; he writes from the heart highlighting social injustice all over the world. From Broadway to protest march, Near’s award-winning work speaks a message of equality and peace. She has spent time in Chile collaborating with EPES.

Near says, “Through dictatorship, fire, earthquake and poverty EPES has survived, always there in solidarity with those who get hit hardest by life’s challenges. I have visited Chile three times at the invitation of EPES. I have always been inspired.”

EPES was created in 1982 to promote health with dignity for the poor through empowerment, mobilization and collective action. It began as a program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile (IELCH) and maintains close ties nationally and internationally with the Lutheran church and is an ELCA Global Mission supported ministry. EPES works with community members to advocate, train and assist with community health in the face of both natural disaster and in support of ongoing wellness especially for women and children.

Since 2010, 150 people from 19 countries have participated in International Course on Popular Education in Health, (fondly referred to as la Escuela). Those students bring their knowledge home teaching others and improving community health where they live. The impact echoes. Earlier this year EPES helped Chile deal with ramparts fires that destroyed 1,151 homes and left 6,162 people with precarious housing.

The benefit will help support their continued efforts. The concert is hosted by EPES and Action for Health in the Americas (AHA), the US counterpart to EPES.