WHO WE ARE

Voice of Roma's articles of incorporation state that the primary objectives and purposes of this nonprofit corporation are to organize, promote, and provide educational and charitable projects for and about Roma. Our goal is to provide Roma, with a special emphasis on the inclusion of Romani women, with a voice, in their local communities, as well as nationally and internationally. We will accomplish these goals and objectives through programs such as:

• cultural exchange events,
• educational forums for the general public concerning the history and current plight of the Roma,
• media projects to heighten awareness of Romani issues and including Romani participation in the media,
• health and educational services for Romani women and children,
• intra- and inter-ethnic conflict resolution services,
• community organization and institution-building programs,
• empowerment through economic development
• immigration and refugee assistance programs primarily for Roma in and from Kosovo,
• humanitarian aid programs primarily for Roma in and from Kosovo,
• other human rights and legal assistance programs

The task of Voice of Roma (VOR) is unique and crucial. Roma have been voiceless for centuries. As a people and as a culture, Roma have been and continue to be misrepresented, mythologized, stereotyped , romanticized, scapegoated and persecuted throughout the world. While many organizations and human rights institutions are debating which human rights come first, (civil liberties, freedom of speech, environmental rights), the rights of the Romani people have been nonexistent and are universally ignored.

Voice of Roma is working domestically, primarily in the San Francisco and Northern Bay Area of California, presenting authentic Romani culture, music and art, counteracting the hype of the romanticized "Gypsy", and educating the public about history, current events and the plight of the Kosovo Roma. Simultaneously, VOR provides advocacy services both to Roma living as displaced persons in dire circumstances in Kosovo and to those living as refugees in other countries in Europe under threat of deportation. Programs to increase the safety, stability, and economic opportunities of Roma in Kosovo include transportation and translation services, legal assistance, training, development of internet services, small businesses, etc. Programs to assist
Roma refugees in Europe include various advocacy services, e.g. providing documentation to fight deportations and to support political asylum claims.

European Projects (Advocacy & Resource Development)

Establishment of a VOR office in Kosovo

Advocacy Services
- Obtaining official records
- Accessing medical and social
services
- Providing translation
- Assisting refugees under threat of
forced repatriation
- Documenting human rights abuses

Community Organizing
- Training Programs
Community Organizing
Conflict Resolution
ESL
Information Technologies
Job preparedness
Leadership

Planning and Development in Kosovo for the "Decade of Roma Inclusion" (2005 - 2010)

VOR - What We Do

Infrastructure

Financial and Administrative Overview

Grants/Fund/Donor Development

Facilities & Equipment

Staffing, Interns, and Volunteers

Promotional Materials & Marketing

Web Design & Maintenance

Publications & Media Productions

Follow-up on events, conferences and symposia

U.S. Projects (Cultural Arts & Education)

VOR Cultural Events
Int'l Roma Day
Herdeljezi Festival May 5 2007
2006Kal Tour
2004 Esma Tour

Educational Presentations
Speaking Engagements & Classes
(Conferences, Dance Classes/ Workshops, Symposia, and expert witness testimony )

Joint European/U.S. Projects

Film Projects

Romani Women's Project
"The Threads That Connect Us"

Romani Routes