World AIDS Day

Those of you who use social media for advocacy are well aware of the variety of ways to get the word out about causes that impact either your own life, or the lives of your friends, family, peers and the wider world.

You can visit the following websites to view events and conferences related to AIDS and other topics in health.

United Kingdom
http://bit.ly/2cDiLJa

United States
http://nym.ag/2ctFUw4

http://bit.ly/2cBNtBm


Within the public health community there is a movement to find a vaccine for AIDS and there is information about the current state of these efforts via through the aids.gov website.

http://bit.ly/1PIFOeW

The National Institute of Health also has information available if you want to base all impressions and subsequent actions on the work of medical professionals.

http://bit.ly/1xYOclB

Generally, I feel that the conversation around HIV/AIDS Awareness is much more substantial than it was when I was growing up.

Being that there is a distinction between advocacy and providing direct services, I thought it would be interesting to include some information about an organization who states that their approach is based around care for for the whole person.

Ontario, Canada
http://bit.ly/2ctFYc0

Epilepsy Awareness Month

The topic of Epilepsy came onto my radar a number of years ago when I was getting lunch and saw someone abruptly drop and go into a seizure. I can clearly remember that very few people, if anyone,had any idea of what to do other than to call for an ambulance which of course could mean that several minutes pass before an Emergency Medical Technician arrives.

Due to the seriousness of this particular topic, I am just providing a link straight to the Center for Disease Prevention rather than rehash medical terminology and specific directives/information.

The Center for Disease Prevention
http://bit.ly/1tfgT9R

I also want to include some information form a school in the United Kingdom that has a special impact within the community of students with Epilepsy.

http://bit.ly/2cUXLKm

Breast Cancer Awareness- #GiveForward

The month of October is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness month.

When I reflect on past conversations I have had related to Breast Cancer Awareness, I can see that there are gaps in services as far as what happens the moment the patient steps back out into, "the real world," and takes on the process of navigating the same laundry lists of tasks that their peers are managing.

I have had someone in my life confront this particular situation and I wonder if there was any where near the appropriate level of support around her when she was dealing with doctor's appointments,medicine, work etc...

Below, you can see a list of resources that are related to caring for the whole person. * This is a round of of information rather than a reflection of my own direct experience.

I especially want to highlight Give Foward, a resource for crowdfunding.

www.giveforward.com/

@GiveForward

Breast Cancer Freebies

http://bit.ly/2ctA7Dm

Breast Cancer in Men

http://bit.ly/1sSBvCr

Emergency Housing Costs

http://bit.ly/2cUU9rO

http://bit.ly/2cGpPSl

How to Find Financial Resources

http://sgk.mn/1DAAAiw

Week Long Vacations (Free)

http://bit.ly/2coP4Jo

New England Association on HIV over Fifty

While putting together an upcoming post for World AIDS Day on Thursday December 1st, I came across this article and thought it was interesting as many conversations around HIV are catered to a millennial demographic.

12th Annual National Conference on HIV/AIDS & Aging 
September 23, 2016
Dorchester, MA

In collaboration with the New England AIDS Education & Training Center, the New England Association on HIV over Fifty presents this conference which addresses prevention care and management in the aging population.


http://bit.ly/2cBNtBm

Public Health: Parental Leave

Earlier  this year, I decided to right a post that touches on the issue of Parental Leave.

This was prior to an incident of gun violence after which I decided to re-post my article about gun violence as a Public Health issue. 

I also wanted to write about Epilepsy which you can view here in November which is Epilepsy Awareness month.

Parental leave came onto my radar when I was about 19 years old and helping out a local human rights non profit organization.

The woman who founded the organization was pretty phenomenal and had her work space set up in a such a way that she was able to have her desk in one section, a separate meeting room and space for a crib/bassinet. That was the first time I can clearly remember meeting a working professional who had so much flexibility.

I understood what she was doing as a matter of her quality of life and now in hindsight I can appreciate that this is the crux of parental leave;quality of life.

Here is a round up of resources about Parental Leave for those who are interested in how other countries approach this matter. I have included a few links about Paternity Leave as that discussion presents a relatively new dialogue.

International Labor Organization

http://bit.ly/2cWZeTm

Maternity Leave

http://bloom.bg/1Dhz0xW

Paternity Leave

http://huff.to/1Bk0h70

http://on.inc.com/2coMfYP

Pregnancy

http://bit.ly/2akcFb9

Pre Natal Care

http://bit.ly/1gNoAzt

Supportive Community -Teen Fathers

http://bit.ly/2ctyb0V

Supportive Community- Teen Mothers

http://www.generationher.org/

Author Kimberly H. Smith

The blogging community The SITS Girls, has introduced me to a diverse group of bloggers including New Orleans based Kimberly H. Smith whom I interviewed earlier this month about her writing debut Acting on Her Behalf. After a period of about 16 years, she took the courageous step of leaving the work world to concentrate on writing.  

Mrs. Smith got an early start by writing a short story with elements of suspense as well as a cliffhanger in grade school.She has also incorporated suspense into her current work.

"The heroine Colby Crenshaw is arrested for murder on live television and she fights for her voice to be heard. She is also struggling with understanding things that come to pass with her friend being murdered."

"The main themes in the book are murder, betrayal, love, and tenacity and those come in different forms throughout the entire book."

 Read more about Kimberly on her blog http://beingawordsmith.com/ which is a play on her love of writing as well as her last name. Acting on Her Behalf is available on Amazon.com in Kindle format as well as paperback.

Kimberly H. Smith is currently at work on another book featuring some of the characters from Acting on Her Behalf. Here's hoping that we see Kimberly playing the lead role in the film version of Acting on Her Behalf in the very near future.

"My message would be that you can do anything you put your mind to no matter how old you are and no matter what life throws at you."

Website/Blog             http://beingawordsmith.com/

Twitter                       https://twitter.com/beingawordsmith

Facebook                   https://www.facebook.com/BeingAWordsmith

Facebook Fan Page   http://facebook.com/ActingOnHerBehalf

Impact and Collaborative Community Building

Earlier today, I was thinking about the non profit Love 146 and how learning about that organization has given me an awareness of another aspect of human rights work.

The first non profit organizations I learned about in my late teens and early twenties were Celebrate Life and the Rebecca Project for Human Rights focusing on cervical cancer awareness and social justice issues related to young women.

Looking back, although I am glad that I had a chance to learn about cervical cancer, I wonder how many other young women in my generation have inadequate information about sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR).

I have maintained my interest in learning about public health topics for my own sake as well as to get information out about current topics in health.

When I think about social justice initiatives that are geared towards young women I am left thinking about where the resources are for young men.

The following talking points come to mind. (This is not at all an exhaustive list)

Where do young men have the opportunity to start cultivating the kinds of sensibilities that will most likely contribute to being a constructive member of their communities, families etc...

When the young women in whom we as a society invest get to a certain age, with whom will they be likely to be able to build a family?

How can we expect an optimal result as far as community building if the investment of resources is not across the board in terms of  impacting the lives of both young men and young women?

What are some models for community building that can actually work in day to day life?

Where does social media fit in to the process of figuring out how best to deliver services and resources to people in need as well as providing information?

What does it take to be able to untangle all of our current social issues in order to have an infrastructure of programs and information that work effectively? 

Obviously any kind of program or initiative providing direct services has to be done with an awareness of sustainability in order to have an impact that lasts beyond addressing immediate circumstances.

The bottom line is whether or not your work has an impact.

What is the lingua franca of social impact?

#SaveOurCities

 

2016 National Urban League Conference

#SaveOurCities

@NatUrbanLeague

This year the conference offers a
mobile app that can be viewed
at the link below:

http://bit.ly/NULApp

The National Urban League President
and Chief Executive Officer Marc Morial
will give the State of the Urban League Address at New Shiloh Baptist Church
today, August 03, 2016 from 7:00 PM
until 9:00 PM.

   National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial

"Join us in Baltimore, MD on
August 5-6th for TechConnect,
a discussion about emerging
technologies, as well as the
intersections between technological,
race and social change."

Attendees will have the chance to,
"connect with top minds and
influencers in technology and
learn how they found success
in digital strategy and innovation."

                                                                  

There will be an opportunity to
compete for cash prizes.

Over the last few years the
National Urban League has hosted the
Annual national conference in Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, Cincinnati,
Ohio and Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2013,2014 and 2015 respectively.

After the death of resident Freddie Gray, much attention has been directed to Baltimore City. The next few days present an opportunity to ensure that there is a constructive conversation regarding next steps.

** All graphics are credited to the National Urban League**

**Photo credited to The 50 Co-Op **

Adirondack Creamery

A number of years ago I tried an amazing brand called Adirondack Creamery and I was pleased to have a conversation with Founder Paul Nasrani.

The drive that keeps small business owners going is always an inspiration and I am happy to highlight this unique brand.

I was shopping and happened upon this company and truly enjoyed the quality of the Kulfi-Pistachio Cardamom flavor.

This was well before I began highlighting the independent business sector.


You can visit the website to view the nutritional facts as well as the ingredients.

adirondackcreamery.com

Those who have already visited the Big Apple (New York City's nickname) may be interested to learn that there is also a whole other aspect of the Empire State which includes the Adirondacks.

This company works with family farms in various parts of the Hudson Valley area. Their efforts to support these local farms creates a way to manage the environmental impact of the company.

You can check out their You Tube page below!
http://bit.ly/2avV5Ug


* All media images are owned by Adirondack Creamery*

Photography Exhibit: Of Every Moment

                                        http://www.ofeverymoment.com/

   I found out about the Liebster Award-winning blogger ofeverymoment.com through the blogging  community The SITS Girls and noticed that her blog included food photography. In support of The SITS Girls as well as Of Every Moment, I welcome you to view the following exhibit featuring her food photography.


                                                Enjoy!
                                       
       * All photos and recipe/dish titles are directly credited to http://www.ofeverymoment.com/
             * I added on stylized captions for each photograph

                                "Roasted Butternut-Apple Soup"

                              gorgeous.comfort.vino.fresh.charm                                

                                                                                        

                                                    

                                                                

 

                                                    

        "These apple crisp jars are a cute gift, even if the ribbons were rather hastily tied!"

                                cute.create.sweet.tart.craft    

 

 

 

"I know there is a rooster on these linens, but the turkeys are all packed away until next Thanksgiving!"

soul.warmth.sunday afternoon.relax

     "The most - - of Every Moment Caramel Apple Cookies"

yummy.tradition.flavor.diamond.chewy

                                                                                                                     

                           
                    "Maple Walnut Cake with Maple Icing"

                      unique.presentation.the human touch

                                      
                                       "Fresh Berry Parfait"

                           nature.quietude.pleasant.mingling flavors

                        "Made in a Few Moments Flatbread Pizza"
                                          
                       complimentary.preparation.sizzle.sautee.crisp

            

"Easter cookie cutters can be used to make cut-outs in the top crust to make this pie even more seasonal!"
　　
　　　　　　　　　　　picnic.summertime.ice cream.holiday

                     "Ample Apples for Amazing Recipes"

                                    cast iron pots.flora.simple.

 

 

"Canoe-Trip Banana Butterscotch Brownies and Ultimate Chocolate Brownies." 

baking.after work.weekends.treats

"Chocolate Banana muffins - MMmmm!" 

    triptych.cool!.lagom.abundance.enjoy.

                         * Lagom is a swedish word that means, 'enough for everyone'.    

 

 

            "Chocolate Chip Pan Cookies - packed and ready to be shared!"

                                       the simple pleasures in life

                                           

     "Image: Are there practically empty containers in your fridge, also?"

                                         this gave me a chuckle

                   "This trifle desert is so easy to make and assemble."

                           homemade.artistic.enjoy.color.kitchen

                                                                           



Disclaimer from ofeverymoment.com:

"Use of This Blog:Unless otherwise stated, the content, photos and opinions presented on this blog are entirely my own. Unless stated, no requests were made or compensation accepted for the content provided.  While accuracy is a priority, I apologize for any typos and inaccuracies that may occur.  Please use all of the information and instructions provided at your own risk.  No professional medical or legal advice is provided here.  Content may be edited, changed or deleted without notice."