THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT
THE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION CALENDAR
 
The Third Circuit Court Diversity and Inclusion Team's Mission Statement: 
"We appreciate our common connection and respect our diverse and unique human experiences. We move forward as an inclusive organization as we provide accessible and equal justice."
 
The Court's Diversity & Inclusion Team strives to ensure the values of its diverse bench, staff, and court users are acknowledged and reflected in our delivery of service as well as our work environment.
 
In that spirit, the team creates and shares a monthly list of various holidays and observations along with some celebration suggestions. We invite our work community and the community at large to contribute.
 
January 2020
New Year's Day                                                        January 1
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day       January 9
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day        January 11
National Hat Day                                                       January 15
National Michigan Day                                             January 18
Martin Luther King Jr. Day                                      January 20
Chinese New Year                                                   January 25
(Courtesy of Wikipedia):



National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month - 
January 1 - 31, 2020

On December 31, 2012, Barack Obama declared January the National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In his proclamation, President Obama explains that "trafficking networks operate both domestically and trans-nationally and although abuses disproportionately affect women and girls, the victims of this ongoing tragedy are men, women, and children of all ages. Around the world, we are monitoring the progress of governments in combating trafficking while supporting programs aimed at its eradication."

On December 29, 2017, President Donald Trump proclaimed January 2018 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
 
More Information can be found about the global awareness raising initiative to fight human trafficking and its impact on society at: http://www.unodc.org/blueheart/




National Braille Literacy Month - January 1 - 31, 2020
In January we recognize and honor the legally blind and visually impaired for National Braille Literacy Month. The mission of this month is to raise awareness of the importance of Braille to the blind and visually impaired community.
 
Here are a few fun facts to get you in the know.
  1. Braille is not a language. As a matter of fact, most languages have their own Braille system.
  2. Louis Braille created this system of reading around age 12 after being blinded in a tragic accident at 3-years-old. It became official in 1824.
  3. Braille exists for feet, too! Businesses actually have to meet standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and one of those standards is to have Braille on the ground to keep them out of dangerous areas. You know those big bright, yellow strips you see at the ends of the sidewalks and sometimes as you walk out of a store or restaurant? That's Braille for your feet.
To celebrate National Braille Literacy Month, reach out to someone you know who is blind or visually impaired and have them show you how they read Braille. You'll be amaze at the process! You can also help by getting connected with the American Foundation for the Blind.
 
Hashtags: #NationalBrailleLiteracyMonth, #BrailleLiteracyMonth or #BrailleLiteracy
 



National Mentoring Month
National Mentoring Month is an annual designation observed in January. This month, focus on how we can all work together to increase the number of mentors to make sure young people in our communities have dependable people to look up to and follow in their footsteps. National Mentoring Month celebrates mentoring and the positive effect it can have on young lives.
 
Look into a mentor program to see how it can benefit you and how you can benefit it and use #NationalMentoringMonth to post on social media.

 

National Blood Donor Month
Due to increased seasonal illnesses during the winter months and inclement weather conditions, donations of blood and platelets decline and demand increases. The American Red Cross and Blood Banks of America encourage everyone to donate. Those who have never donated can make an appointment. Blood donation is safer than ever before and saves lives.  Millions of people including cancer patients, organ recipients and victims of accidents rely on blood donations from people like you and I.
  1. About 36,000 units of red blood cells and 7,000 units of platelets are needed every single day in the US.
  2. The most requested blood type by hospitals is type O. This kind of blood can be transfused to patients of all blood types, so it's always in great demand and very short supply.
  3. Donating blood is a simple, safe process. All you have to do is register, take a mini medical history test, donate, and then accept free refreshments like water, Gatorade, granola bars, etc.
  4. A single donation from a single patient can help more than one person.
Blue