From the cien cenas dinner in Quito, Ecuador...

Seventeen people in Quito, Ecuador celebrated CDM on Nov. 3. We were a mix of activists and neighbors, students and academics, volunteers and travelers (and salsa dancers!). We hailed from Ecuador, Cuba and the United States. And we all shared a common appreciation of Mexican food, Ecuadoran beer, and social justice. Many thanks to CDM for bringing us all together for such a great cause and fabulous organization!

Cien Cenas in Brooklyn

We had a very successful Cien Cenas in Brooklyn with 12 guests, 4 trays of enchiladas, rice, beans, and monkey bread.

We had a great night bringing friends together but we also used the opportunity to discuss the work of CDM. This conversation was brought home when one guest related an accident earlier this year involving a Mexican migrant worker in Brooklyn at a construction site. She told us that there were high winds and warnings had been issued to the management but the workers were up on scaffolding regardless. The scaffolding collapsed due to the winds and this worker was killed. Stories such as this remind me how crucial it is that there are legal groups working to fight for justice for migrant workers and their families. I am so thankful for CDM's important work!

All the best, Laura

More Zacky Pics.

Cien Cenas in Zacatecas!!!

Last night we partied in Zacatecas, Mexico!

Useful information on how to handle donations!

Dear Hosts,

Your Cien Cenas dinner is an opportunity for fun, relaxation and seeing friends. It is also an opportunity to raise money for CDM. Properly managing those donations is an important task for the hosts.

There are two steps to remember -

1) Gathering donations, i.e., via internet, check, cash etc.

2) The need for all donations to be accompanied by a donation form so we know the name, address/email, and amount given by the donor so we can send them a tax letter. A donation form can be printed out from this webpage -

http://www.cdmigrante.org/Semana de Cien Cenas.html

The best way for guests to donate is over the internet via Paypal. This requires a computer with internet access at your dinner, and then individuals can easily donate with a credit card via the Paypal button on our website -

http://www.cdmigrante.org/Home.html

The Paypal button is also on the blog -

http://ciencenas.blogspot.com/

If guests wish to give a check, please email us and we will give you an address to mail it to.

And if a guest decides to give cash, which is the least easiest method for you and CDM to handle, make certain you have a donation form with their details, and either donate yourself the amount through Paypal, or email us and we will give you an address to mail a check or a money order to.

If you have any queries, do not hesitate to contact us at -

info@cdmigrante.org

Thank you for being mindful of this stuff. And good luck with your dinner!

Cena en Denver - Photos!

Okay, I can't figure out how to post these pictures in the order I want - whatever. T
he dinner was lots of fun - delicious food! We had green chile, beans, rice, albondigas, fideo, flan, chay chae, pan de los muertos and lots more! Great variety and a lot of great people were celebrated!

Everyone was in the kitchen all night, swarming over the food - I didn't get a picture though, because I was one of them!

Cena in Denver

My family will be hosting a cena at my house on Sunday. We try to have it every year and this year, in addition to honoring our loved ones who have passed on, we are honoring farm workers who have died in the fields as well as showing our support for CDM. A number of family, friends, and fellow migrant farm worker advocates will be coming, each bringing a favorite dish of someone who has passed on and something to put on the altar. It should be lots of fun! While in Zacatecas a few weeks ago, I got some more papel picado, calaveras, etc. to decorate the altar. Very cool. Pictures to come.....

I bought some candy molds to make sugar skulls...I am getting waaaaaay too into this. Does anyone (particularly anyone currently residing in Mexico) know if the ingredient "merengue en polvo" is the same as powdered egg whites?! I went to two different mexican superstores here in Raleigh and no dice...

Cena in Arizona!

Our cena for CDM in Tucson, AZ was a huge success! About 40 people enjoyed tamales, rice and beans, cafe de olla and Mexican wedding cookies--and learned about CDM's important work for migrant rights. Thanks, CDM, for inviting us all to organize a cena--it was a beautiful evening full of learning and laughing, good conversation, and commemorating those who have lost their lives working in the U.S.
Happy 3rd Anniversary, CDM!
Here's to many more!
Lauren Dasse and Amy T. Morris

Cien Cena Kick Off

Tonight, Arizona kicks off the night of 100 Dinners! This picture is of CDM's altar in our office in Zacatecas, Mexico. We can't wait to see your party pictures!

Cien Cenas Comes to Brooklyn!

Enchiladas, beans & rice plus lots of good people on Saturday, Nov. 1. Any CDM fans in NYC are more than welcome to come through. RSVP to ljraym@gmail.com

Cena in Tucson, AZ for CDM

Amy T. Morris and I are hosting a party for CDM, in honor of their amazing work for justice and migrant rights! Email if you would like more information.
Lauren Dasse
lkdasse@yahoo.com

Cien Cenas Resources

Here is a page on the CDM site with various downloadable resources to help with hosting a dinner -

www.cdmigrante.org/Semana%20de%20Cien%20Cenas.html

La Semana de Cien Cenas

We are thrilled to invite you to participate in the Night of 100 Dinners. This is your site to post party plans, photos of an altar in progress, or any other musings about CDM and justice for migrants.

We look forward to hearing from each of you.

Cheers!
Tory Gavito
CDM