[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.2.2″ background_color=”#8c9299″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0|0px|0px|false|false” locked=”off”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”MCC Harmony” subhead=”An inside look at the people, programs, and projects that make our community so welcoming.” text_orientation=”center” background_overlay_color=”rgba(83,90,128,0.3)” content_max_width=”90%” _builder_version=”4.2.2″ title_font=”Noto Serif|700|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#ffffff” title_font_size=”87px” title_line_height=”1.1em” content_font=”Noto Sans||||||||” content_font_size=”18px” content_line_height=”2em” subhead_font=”Noto Sans||||||||” subhead_text_align=”center” subhead_text_color=”#ffffff” subhead_font_size=”33px” subhead_line_height=”2em” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/themcc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/MulticulturalCouncil-WindsorEssexCounty-1.jpg” custom_button_one=”on” button_one_text_size=”17px” button_one_text_color=”#ffffff” button_one_bg_color=”#ff6b5a” button_one_border_width=”7px” button_one_border_color=”#ff6b5a” button_one_border_radius=”100px” button_one_font=”Noto Sans|700||on|||||” button_one_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”110px||110px||true” custom_padding_tablet=”100px|||” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” animation_style=”fade” animation_direction=”top” hover_enabled=”0″ title_font_size_tablet=”40px” title_font_size_phone=”” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” subhead_font_size_tablet=”” subhead_font_size_phone=”20px” subhead_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” subhead_line_height_tablet=”” subhead_line_height_phone=”1.5em” subhead_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” title_text_shadow_style=”preset5″ title_text_shadow_color=”#000000″ subhead_text_shadow_style=”preset5″ subhead_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0.12em” subhead_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0.09em” subhead_text_shadow_color=”#000000″ button_one_text_color_hover=”#ffffff” button_one_border_color_hover=”#ff9e59″ button_one_border_radius_hover=”100px” button_one_bg_color_hover=”#ff9e59″ button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_text_color__hover=”#ffffff” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_border_color__hover=”#ff9e59″ button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_border_radius__hover=”100px” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_bg_color__hover=”#ff9e59″ button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” background_position=”bottom_center”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding=”100px|0px|100px|0px|true|false”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.2.2″][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.2.2″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/themcc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Aruna-1-scaled.jpg” url=”https:\/\/themcc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Aruna-1-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.2.2″ max_width=”60%” module_alignment=”center”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.2.2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.2.2″]<\/p>\n
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October 28, 2021<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Windsor has known the Nupur Jhankar group of Indian dancers for the last 35 years. We are a fixture at the Carrousel of Nations every year and our friendships with all our communities have danced a life time. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n WE MISS ALL OF YOU! PERIOD!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n However, the laughter, fun and memories come brimming to the forefront when we think of all of you. The ability to share our rich heritage with each of the villages is priceless. Quite often we look forward to the announcer stating loudy: \u201cNupur Jhankar \u2013 the Sound of Bells is in the house\u201d!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n They used to say just the \u201cSound of Bells\u201d years ago and now it has been Nupur Jhankar. Our family includes all the villages like the Scottish, Polish, Chines, Greek, Carribean, Filipino, German, Macedonian, Slovak Domovina, Romanian, Italian, Serbian Cultural Center and Serbian St. Dimitrije and the list goes on.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The warm smiles, the handshakes and of course – me teaching them dance moves are priceless memories. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In this tapestry of rich cultural heritage which is Canada we share our laughter joy and tears. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This time, I thought I would share information about our dancers. Many of them start when they are about five years old. They all spend two to three years learning the basic moves before they are ready to perform.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n What does that mean? Well, the moms have to learn to dress them, attach long braids to their short hair and adorn them with traditional jewelry. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The jewelry and costumes are hand made in Southern India. When I visit Chennai I get my tailor to stitch their costumes and my jeweler makes their jewelry. Their moms are trained to dress the girls and quite often the seniors help as they are skilled at dressing themselves. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The dance practices last from 20 minutes to an hour. It is rigorous, strict and detailed. The students have to focus mentally on the counting, patterns, songs and drum sections all while performing.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n After twelve to thirteen years of training, a student completes her dance graduation called the \u201cArangetram\u201d – which lasts two hours.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Carrousel, community fundraisers and celebrations have all been platforms for Nupur Jhankar dancers to perform and share their beautiful culture and heritage. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Senior dancers who have gone on to pursue their studies in Toronto, Hamilton and the United States have come back to Windsor to perform during Carrousel. They will always be part of the Nupur Jhankar family. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Together we are part of this community\u2019s cultural mosaic as our rich heritage is kept alive through our dancing and the encouragement of youth to continue this beautiful art form.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n These are unusual times but let\u2019s not forget they are COVID times and this will pass! When we reappear again enjoy what we all know as Carrousel of Nations in this rich cultural nation of ours – Canada!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Aruna Koushik is a past Co-Chair of Carrousel of the Nations. She is also the leader, instructor and dance mom of Nupur Jhankar.<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.2.2″ background_color=”#8c9299″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0|0px|0px|false|false” locked=”off”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”MCC Harmony” subhead=”An inside look at the people, programs, and projects that make our community so welcoming.” text_orientation=”center” background_overlay_color=”rgba(83,90,128,0.3)” content_max_width=”90%” _builder_version=”4.2.2″ title_font=”Noto Serif|700|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#ffffff” title_font_size=”87px” title_line_height=”1.1em” content_font=”Noto Sans||||||||” content_font_size=”18px” content_line_height=”2em” subhead_font=”Noto Sans||||||||” subhead_text_align=”center” subhead_text_color=”#ffffff” subhead_font_size=”33px” subhead_line_height=”2em” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/themcc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/MulticulturalCouncil-WindsorEssexCounty-1.jpg” custom_button_one=”on” button_one_text_size=”17px” button_one_text_color=”#ffffff” button_one_bg_color=”#ff6b5a” button_one_border_width=”7px” button_one_border_color=”#ff6b5a” button_one_border_radius=”100px” […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":12131,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" fullwidth=\"on\" admin_label=\"Header\" _builder_version=\"4.2.2\" background_color=\"#8c9299\" use_background_color_gradient=\"on\" custom_padding=\"0px|0|0px|0px|false|false\" locked=\"off\"][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=\"MCC Harmony\" subhead=\"An inside look at the people, programs, and projects that make our community so welcoming.\" text_orientation=\"center\" background_overlay_color=\"rgba(83,90,128,0.3)\" content_max_width=\"90%\" _builder_version=\"4.2.2\" title_font=\"Noto Serif|700|||||||\" title_text_align=\"center\" title_text_color=\"#ffffff\" title_font_size=\"87px\" title_line_height=\"1.1em\" content_font=\"Noto Sans||||||||\" content_font_size=\"18px\" content_line_height=\"2em\" subhead_font=\"Noto Sans||||||||\" subhead_text_align=\"center\" subhead_text_color=\"#ffffff\" subhead_font_size=\"33px\" subhead_line_height=\"2em\" background_color=\"rgba(255,255,255,0)\" background_image=\"https:\/\/themcc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/MCC-Multicultural-Day-Celebration-Mike-Kovaliv-Photographer.jpg\" parallax=\"on\" parallax_method=\"on\" custom_button_one=\"on\" button_one_text_size=\"17px\" button_one_text_color=\"#ffffff\" button_one_bg_color=\"#ff6b5a\" button_one_border_width=\"7px\" button_one_border_color=\"#ff6b5a\" button_one_border_radius=\"100px\" button_one_font=\"Noto Sans|700||on|||||\" button_one_use_icon=\"off\" custom_margin=\"|||\" custom_padding=\"110px||110px||true\" custom_padding_tablet=\"100px|||\" custom_padding_phone=\"\" custom_padding_last_edited=\"on|phone\" animation_style=\"fade\" animation_direction=\"top\" title_font_size_tablet=\"40px\" title_font_size_phone=\"\" title_font_size_last_edited=\"on|tablet\" subhead_font_size_tablet=\"\" subhead_font_size_phone=\"20px\" subhead_font_size_last_edited=\"on|desktop\" subhead_line_height_tablet=\"\" subhead_line_height_phone=\"1.5em\" subhead_line_height_last_edited=\"on|phone\" title_text_shadow_style=\"preset5\" title_text_shadow_color=\"#000000\" subhead_text_shadow_style=\"preset5\" subhead_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"0.12em\" subhead_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"0.09em\" subhead_text_shadow_color=\"#000000\" button_one_text_color_hover=\"#ffffff\" button_one_border_color_hover=\"#ff9e59\" button_one_border_radius_hover=\"100px\" button_one_bg_color_hover=\"#ff9e59\" button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=\"off\" button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=\"off\" button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=\"on\" button_one_text_color__hover=\"#ffffff\" button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=\"off\" button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=\"off\" button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=\"off\" button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=\"on\" button_one_border_color__hover=\"#ff9e59\" button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=\"off\" button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=\"on\" button_one_border_radius__hover=\"100px\" button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=\"off\" button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=\"off\" button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=\"off\" button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=\"on\" button_one_bg_color__hover=\"#ff9e59\" button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=\"off\"][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"3.22\" custom_padding=\"100px|0px|100px|0px|true|false\"][et_pb_row column_structure=\"2_5,3_5\" _builder_version=\"4.2.2\"][et_pb_column type=\"2_5\" _builder_version=\"4.2.2\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/themcc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Jordan-web.jpg\" _builder_version=\"4.2.2\" max_width=\"60%\" module_alignment=\"center\"][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\"3_5\" _builder_version=\"4.2.2\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.2.2\" hover_enabled=\"0\"] <\/i><\/p>\n By: Jordan Ouellette<\/i><\/p>\n August 20th<\/span>, 2021<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n My name is Jordan. I'm a 20 year old living in the Drouillard Road area. I'm a brother to two siblings and six step siblings and they all look up to me. I have struggled throughout my childhood to get to where I am at today and it wasn't easy to do but I continued to push down the broken path to come out the strongest I could be. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n I wouldn't wish my past on anyone. It was very difficult coming from a family that split up. I was severely affected, causing depression and anxiety at the age of 10 years old. I grew up jumping from grade school to grade school because of money issues so I was always on the move. I never had the chance to settle in and be friends with people, so I always got bullied growing up. Then high school hit and I was struggling even more to keep my grades up only passing with 50\u2019s and 60\u2019s in my courses. I did one semester at Brennan Catholic High School then moved to Holy Names.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Now that you know a little bit about me and my childhood let's get to the good part.<\/span><\/p>\n Some of the challenges that I faced coming into the MCC Youth Work Ready program was being scared to open up and talk to new people. People I've never met or knew beforehand. Another thing would be not having any experience with any of the certifications.<\/span><\/p>\n I never touched any forklift or scissor lift before so it was something new and something I was pretty scared to do. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n I also faced challenges such as not being given any chances.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n I was always someone who got passed up by people or workplaces but now it's a different story. I have licenses for things that workplaces look for.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n I heard about the program by a man by the name of John Elliott, a great man who has given many young people chances to show themselves and give them a place to go as he runs the Sandwich Teen Action Centre. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n If you know John he would do anything to help you. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n He actually referred me to the program.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The first time after meeting Daniel (from the MCC), I thought in my head ya this gentleman is gonna help me and make me go along ways in life and be able to help me succeed and watch me make a program stand out so much. Daniel is someone who is there to listen to you and help you with just about anything. He's honestly a great guy, words cannot explain how thankful I am for Daniel.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The single best moment of the program would be making new friends\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and getting past my fears. So, I can be better and become a better\u00a0<\/span>person and it has really helped me be better and focus on my future.<\/span><\/p>\n I'm really thankful for everything - it wouldn't have been the same without all of the help in the program.<\/span><\/p>\n If I had to pick one of the most important benefits of being in the program\u00a0<\/span>it would be opening up to new people and explaining who you and where\u00a0<\/span>you have come from. I\u2019ve built friendships with people who if I didn't meet\u00a0<\/span>I\u2019d be the same way I was before the program - that's why I think meeting\u00a0<\/span>new people was the single best moment of the program.<\/span><\/p>\n If I was to talk to someone who was just like me and encourage them to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>join I would show them what I've been given certificate wise. I would also\u00a0<\/span>explain the program and show them what the outcome is really like\u00a0<\/span>because it's very amazing. Would also explain how friendly everyone is\u00a0<\/span>down at MCC and how much they help you out.<\/span><\/p>\n Before I started the program I wasn\u2019t happy with how things were going\u00a0<\/span>for me. I was on a downhill slide struggling to make my way back up to\u00a0<\/span>the top of the mountain. It really affected me. I felt like I wasn't good<\/span>enough for anyone or anything. My attitude was also an issue because\u00a0<\/span>of not feeling like I was good enough for anyone or anything. I struggled\u00a0<\/span>but here I am today better than ever I'm more confident and happier than\u00a0<\/span>before.<\/span><\/p>\n How do I feel about myself now? I feel more confident. I have that ya lets\u00a0<\/span><\/span>go to work, let\u2019s plan big things and be better and stronger and show\u00a0<\/span>everyone who said I wasn\u2019t gonna go anywhere that they were wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n I feel like I've done everything I could have done and made the best of it\u00a0<\/span>and have shown everyone that they were completely wrong about me.<\/span><\/p>\n Where do I see myself in 5 years? Well, I've already put money away for\u00a0<\/span>my own house and also money put away for a new car but in 5 years I\u2019ll\u00a0<\/span>have my own house and my own car. And possibly my own little family\u00a0<\/span>my life would be complete.<\/span><\/p>\n I just wanna say thank you to everyone at MCC and Majors McGuire and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to the Solcz family for everything they have done. I am so very thankful\u00a0<\/span>for every single one of you and all the work you do. It wouldn't have been\u00a0<\/span>possible without all of you so thank you. I appreciate everything. And to\u00a0<\/span>everyone who takes the program, never give up. I promise you things\u00a0<\/span>will be way better for you after you have completed the program.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Program Graduate,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Jordan Ouellette<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]","_et_gb_content_width":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/themcc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12133"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/themcc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/themcc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themcc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themcc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12133"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/themcc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12133\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12375,"href":"https:\/\/themcc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12133\/revisions\/12375"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themcc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12131"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/themcc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}My MCC Feature<\/i><\/strong><\/h3>\n