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News From The Coalition, Inc. Friday 19 March 2010 “Communication – Cooperation – Collaboration” Volume 4, Number 29 The Coalition, Inc. Board of Directors Gary R. Adams (President/CEO), John E. Churchville (Treasurer), Members: Josephine Blow, Stanley Daniels, Edwin Desamour, Nijah Famous, Kendall Hayes- Fullard, Tom ‘Bunny’ Henry, Abdul Malik Raheem Table of content For Our Children … 02 This Week … 09 Employment and Training Opportunities … 16 Health Matters …25 Green Piece … 28 Personal and Home Security …29 Grants, Scholarships & Instruction… 30 SpotLight … 37 Arts for Awareness … 41 Coming Up …43 Computers and Technology … 52 A Hand Up … 56 On The Airways … 59 Greetings Coalition Family! One particular thing that never ceases to amaze me is that GOD, the universe, the ancestors, providence, almost never gives innovative ideas to a single person. I have found that even within my small circle of thinkers and activists, we are constantly calling each other with brilliant revelations that the other is already pondering and developing action plans to implement. Often the uninformed will take this opportunity to become competitive, but we believe it is things of this nature that illustrates to us that we are all moving toward the same universal goals, that we must communicate, cooperate and collaborate, and that we all hold “… a piece to the puzzle.” “We don't accomplish anything in this world alone... and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one's life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something”… Sandra Day O’Connor Page 02 If this publication is being forwarded to you, and you wish to be placed on our mailing list, send an email to TheCoalitionNews@g mail.com with “subscribe” in the subject. If you are receiving this publication without consent, send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject to be removed from our database. If you would like to report on a recent community event, feel free to send us a brief account of what happened in document format, and we will share it with our readers. Send your information to: News From The Coalition, Inc. All entries for submission should be received by noon, the Monday prior to publish date and in Press Release form. FOR OUR CHILDREN “It is easier to build children than it is to repair men.”…Frederick Douglass BLOOM GROWING FROM YOUNG GIRLS INTO SPECTACULAR WOMEN Do you like to write stories? Do you have a passion for writing? Want to learn more about careers in writing? Connect with other girls who share your interest! Together, you'll create stories, direct plays, plan events, go on field trips, and participate in many exciting activities. Come out and learn about a groundbreaking mentoring program that is Designed to develop and nurture girls between the ages of 10 and 16 who have an interest in the arts and would like to learn more about and explore careers in the writing and publishing industries. Friday, March 19, 2010 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church 5620 Wyalusing Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19131 BLOOM is a mentoring program that will provide guidance, support, and opportunities for young girls, enabling them to develop their creative, independent voices, and learn how to make healthy choices in all areas of their lives. In combination with a creative and fun writing curriculum, BLOOM will foster positive relationships and provide opportunities for girls to build self-esteem and discuss issues that are important to their overall development. Please contact Nicole Rouse or Kym Oglesby to RSVP, or for more information. A response is needed so that the leaders can Page 03 We are proud to announce that News From The Coalition, Inc. is featured on the internationally acclaimed site Eight Cities Map which is read in more than 0ne hundred seventy countries! Click here: EightCitiesMAP Choose “Philadelphia’s Online Community “Newsletter” from the menu. JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com properly accommodate everyone. Contact information: Nicole: (847) 971-6858 nsrouse@gmail.com or Kym: 267-386-8204 ext. 7 bloom.girls2women@gmail.com Just as seeds start small and flourish into beautiful flowers, BLOOM's focus is to help transform young girls into spectacular women. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- United Way’s Center for Youth Development has announced its Core Curriculum & Mentor Training Schedule for this spring. CYD coordinates and delivers trainings to improve the quality and build the capacity of youth programs throughout the region. Trainings are open to all out-of-school time staff and non-profit professionals in southeastern Pennsylvania. In registering, please take note of the identified target audience (including age of youth served) for each training, as well as trainings that are part of a series (201, 202, etc) and therefore should not be registered for individually. Space is limited. To register please visit the Community Impact Training Institute website. For more information, email here. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- BLOOM GROWING FROM YOUNG GIRLS INTO SPECTACULAR WOMEN Do you like to write stories? Do you have a passion for writing? Want to learn more about careers in writing? Connect with other girls who share your interest! Together, you'll create stories, direct plays, plan events, go on field trips, and participate in many exciting activities. Come out and learn about a groundbreaking mentoring program that is Designed to develop and nurture girls between the ages of 10 and 16 who have an interest in the arts and would like to learn more about and explore careers Page 04 If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation. – Abigail Adams If you have a favorite relevant quote, why not share it with our readers. send to TheCoalitionNews @gmail.com We will credit you with the submission. in the writing and publishing industries. Friday, March 19, 2010 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church 5620 Wyalusing Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19131 BLOOM is a mentoring program that will provide guidance, support, and opportunities for young girls, enabling them to develop their creative, independent voices, and learn how to make healthy choices in all areas of their lives. In combination with a creative and fun writing curriculum, BLOOM will foster positive relationships and provide opportunities for girls to build self-esteem and discuss issues that are important to their overall development. Please contact Nicole Rouse or Kym Oglesby to RSVP, or for more information. A response is needed so that the leaders can properly accommodate everyone. Contact information: Nicole: (847) 971-6858 nsrouse@gmail.com or Kym: 267-386-8204 ext. 7 bloom.girls2women@gmail.com Just as seeds start small and flourish into beautiful flowers, BLOOM's focus is to help transform young girls into spectacular women. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- IDAAY Friends and Family Thursday, March 25, 2010 from 6-8:00pm we will be showcasing our documentary on the Don’t Fall Down In the Hood Program. One of the only programs of its in kind in the country working with young men arrested for guns, theft, assault, and narcotics charges. We invite you to come out and Page 05 From an actual newspaper contest where entrants age 4 to 15 were asked to imitate "Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey."... Democracy is a beautiful thing, except for that part about letting just any old yokel vote. -- Age 10 JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com view this unique program through the eyes of the young people sent here by Philadelphia Family Courts. Your $20 donation will gain you entrance into the event AND You will receive a DVD copy of the documentary to bring home. The viewing will be held at Temple University, Ritter Hall, Kiva Auditorium. corners of 13th Street & Cecil B. Moore Avenues in Philadelphia. Please RSVP by Tuesday, March 23, 2010 via reply email. Sandi Ramos Director of Administration Institute for the Development of African-American Youth, Inc. (IDAAY) www.idaay.org Ph: 215-235-9111 Fax: 215-235-9128 ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Dear Family and Friends We are excited to announce the 5th Annual Philadelphia Fatherhood Festival. The event will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The Fatherhood Festival addresses the issues that plague our families and communities. The event is a FREE, full day conference consisting of discussion groups, notable guest speakers, and educational roundtables for all fathers and fatherfigures. Our goal is to change the lives of men, thereby changing the lives of children and families forever. We are asking for your help. Sincerely, Fatherhood Festival Planning Committee Page 06 I prefer the word "homemaker" because "housewife" always implies that there may be a wife someplace else. – Bella Abzug JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com Festival Planning Meeting Strategic Planning Please join Us at our Festival planning meeting. We need your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions. Each day most of us are involved in meetings and sessions that have minimal impact to our community. The Father Festival will provide you with the opportunity to give back and help strengthen our children and our families. We need you, your experience, and your vision to make the festival a success. Please come out and help us make a difference. Our kickoff meeting was held on Monday, February 22, 2010 at the School District of Philadelphia Main Building, Parent Resource Center, 440 N. Broad Street (Broad & Spring Garden). Please mark your calendars. The subsequent meetings will be held at the same location on the following dates: - March 22 - April 5 - April 19 - May 3 - May 17 - May 31 - June 7 ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Date changes for Youthadelphia application process Youthadelphia 2010 and the Philadelphia Foundation Youth in Philanthropy program is inviting representatives of Philadelphia based youth serving organizations to attend an event announcing its new Request for Proposals on Thursday, March 25th 5pm at 1234 Market Street, 18th floor, Philadelphia, PA The sixteen youth serving on Youthadelphia 2010 have identified the following areas for their 2010 grantmaking: Teen Risky Behavior Prevention; Community and Neighborhood Development; College Readiness; and Career Readiness. Because Youthadelphia is committed to the growth of the next generation of leaders, organizations which provide teens leadership Page 07 I could not run away from the situation. I had become, whether I liked it or not, a symbol, representing my people. I had to appear. – Marian Anderson JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com opportunities within the identified service areas will be given priority. Youthadelphia will distribute a total of $100,000 in grants up to $10,000, but not in excess of 10% of the organization’s budget. Applications will be available both at the announcement event and on The Philadelphia Foundation’s website on March 25th. Proposals will be due by April 8th at 5pm. The application review process will include an applicant-coordinated, half-day project for 2-3 Youthadelphia members to complete with youth served by the applying organization. These projects must take place between April 23rd and May 5th. To register to attend the RFP announcement event, email Libby Walsh. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- CAP 4 Kids Hint of the Week As we have discussed over the past few months, youth violence and interpersonal violence affects us all and jointly as well as individually we can help prevent interpersonal violence through many different means from: lead screening; teen pregnancy prevention and teen family programs; child abuse prevention; domestic violence screening and prevention; quality child care; affordable and safe housing; head start programs; mentoring and after school programming; and living wage employment. As you know many of these resources can be found on the www.cap4kids.org/philadelphia website. Please continue to advocate for every child, every family, every community to prevent and address youth violence and the many permanent scars that it leaves. To bring awareness to this epidemic and to highlight the many amazing youth in our community, Physicians for Social Responsibility are hosting the annual Legs Against Arms 5K run/1 mile walk at St. Joes to bring about awareness of the programs that address youth violence. Please see http://www.legsagainstarms.org/ for more information. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Black College Tours 2010 (40+) http://blackexcel.org/black-college-tours-2010.html ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- PhillyGoes2College With a little over 50% of our kids graduating high school on time and only 18% graduating college, we MUST all work on this issue Page 08 All women should inform themselves of the condition of their sex and of their own position. It must necessarily follow that the noblest of them will, sooner or later, put forth a moral power which shall prostrate cant, and burst asunder the bonds (silken to some but cold iron to others) of feudal prejudice and usages. In the meantime is it to be understood that the principles of the Declaration of Independence bear no relation to half of the human race? If so, what is the ground of this limitation?) – Harriet Martineau together for the future of our city. The Mayor's office recently created an office called "PhillyGoes2College" that will start working to improve these statistics (http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_top_stories/20100104_Nutter_to _focus_on_increasing_college_admissions.html), and on the www.cap4kids.org/philadelphia website, under the Education Handout, you will find multiple sources for children, families and child advocates to help, from an early age, on the road to educational success (http://www.cap4kids.org/philadelphia/parent_handouts/education.html). Here you will find listings for various school choices, timelines, resources for out-of-school youth, and college prep and college admission tools. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Earn Free Trip to Egypt for Black Kids and Adults The African Heritage Institute (also known as the D'zert Club) is sponsoring a 2-year African History Program that, once completed, the participants earn an all expense paid trip to Egypt. This program is for Black kids from ages 7-14 and adults over the age of 21. See the success stories of students that completed the program and have gone to Egypt. They are amazing. Students grades went up in school, lateness and absences decreased and there was a remarkable increase in the students respect for their elders. One brother who attended was able to get a full 4-year scholarship to school as a result of being a part of the program. Get all of the details at www.BlackBusinessNetwork.com/theone ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Help For Parents With School-Age Children Are you a parent, relative, or health care professional with any of the following scenarios? * Not too sure how to register child for Kindergarten or Head Start. * Trying to decide on what type of school best fits a child's needs. Public or Charter or Magnet or Catholic? * Want to get a child motivate and focused on college. * Want to get child back in school after taking a leave, but don't know what options there are for out-of-school youth. Page 09 For the Lexophiliacs A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion. (We are ignoring the many requests that this feature be discontinued. Please stop writing in.) If you would like to report on a recent community event, feel free to send us a brief account of what happened in document format, and we will share it with our readers. Send your information to: News From The Coalition, Inc. All entries for submission should be received by noon, the Monday prior to publish date and in Press Release form. * Child being bullied in school and don't know what to do. * Child not doing well in school and may have a learning difference. On the www.cap4kids.org/philadelphia website, under the Education parent handout http://www.cap4kids.org/philadelphia/parent_handouts/education.html and the Resource tab http://www.cap4kids.org/philadelphia/resources.html there are resources in the community to help advocates for children find help for their child's educational needs. Please become familiar with the listed resources and continue to bridge the gap between families in need and the agencies and resources that serve them. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- The Food stamp program under the new stimulus package is now called the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Did you know? Eligibility for SNAP benefits changed so many more families in food insecure households are now eligible. On the www.cap4kids.org/philadelphia website, under the Food and Nutrition parent handout, you will find several organizations who can help families find out if they are eligible. Also, on the COMPASS website they can apply for these benefits and many others. For more info you can also go to http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/FoodStamps/ Please continue to link families in need with the appropriate social services agencies that serve them through Cap4Kids. Thanks. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Online resources for parents: www.chestercountymoms.com, www.germantownavenueparents.com, www.norristownmom.com. THIS WEEK Norristown NAACP Economic Development Committee Come out to Network Bring plenty of Business Cards First Friday March 19, 2010 6:00 – 8:00 PM Crystal Blue Restaurant 1729 Markley Street Norristown, PA •Are you a Minority owned business? •Are you thinking of starting a business? Page 10 Do you remember this guy? I got some new underwear the other day. Well, new to me. - Emo Philips JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com •Do you want to know more about technical assistance, financing for small minority businesses; or Certifications for minority businesses? •Looking for lending options and Access to Capital??? •Are you interested in business opportunities in Montgomery County? Come out and hear our Guest Speakers: Moderator: Adria Little-Chair NAACP Economic Development Committee Mrs. Gabriela Ibarra-Prete Norristown Business Development Coordinator Mr. Ronald Story Norristown Small Business Assistance Center Mr. John Milligan -CPA Chairman-Greater Philadelphia Minority Business Strategic Alliance ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Men United Against Violence Network Presents “ Education Over Incarceration “ A word from U-CAN, United Community Action Network of Graterford Prison New School, Old School, Call Out! For Your Entertainment: Philadelphia’s Own H D and Tyvious , Rapp Artist Where: Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center, 22nd & Cecil B. Moore When: March 20th, 2010 Time:2pm-4pm Guest Speakers State Senator, Shirley M. Kitchen State Representative, Ronald G. Waters Community Activist, Pastor Dicie Gilmore Community Activist, Yahya Shabazz Community Activist, Akbar Muhammad Community Activist, Darryl Shula Community Activist, Wesley Wilson-Bey Page 11 Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead Coalition members! Get ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site Light Refreshments Served !!!!!! ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- 2010BlackTravelEXPO March 19 - 20, 2010 First District Plaza Convention & Conference Center 3801 Market Street Philadelphia PA. 19104 Exhibitors & Vendors Please Call 267-290-0779 Here's Whats In Store At The EXPO!!! Cruise Lines, Tour Operators Tourist Boards, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, Hotels & Resorts, Travel Agencies, Travel Insurance Providers, Transportation Providers, Community Organizations, African American Market Place, Entertainment, Career Workshops for High School Students Seminars Panel Discussions Workshops Need a place to go on your next vacation? Fine the Best Spots All Around The World In One Place www.blacktravelexpo.org ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- The Ladies of the Black Women's Educational Alliance ( Philadelphia Chapter) Presents: An Evening of Elegance: Celebrating the First Ladies of Philadelphia on Friday, March 19, 2010 at the Embassy Suites Hotel 9000 Bartram Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19153 6:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m. Speaker: Ms. Autumn Adkins, President of the Historical Girard College First Ladies of Philadelphia Honorees: Dr. Arlene Ackerman- Education Award Bishop Audrey Bronson - Religious Commitment Award Page 12 We have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power toward good ends. – Mary McLeod Behtune The Raw Family Newsletter http://www.rawfamily.c om/ JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com Ms. Dee Phillips ( PFT/CASA) - Service to the School District of Philadelphia Award Ticket Price: $60.00 Attire: Elegant Dress For Ticket Information Contact: Kim Collins. B.W.E.A. Membership Chairperson at _kcaka11@aol.com_ or 215-520-0676 (Tickets are moving fast, so call or e-mail me to reserve your tickets) **Proceeds will Benefit Our Black History Essay Contest Participants and other B.W.E.A. Educational Initiatives ---- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Help for Haiti: Beyond media Coverage to be held on Friday March 19th, 2010 6:30-8:30pm at Penn Museum, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (Culture, politics, history, social customs and music) Or for details please visit: http://www.penn.museum/press-releases/716- help-for-haiti-beyond-media-coverage.html For more information Prema Deshmukh The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Lecture and International Classroom Programs Penn Museum 3260 South Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 Tel:215-898-4065/66 Fax: 215-898- 4262 http://www.penn.museum/educators-k-12/199-commonwealth-lectureprogram. html http://www.penn.museum/educators-k-12.html ---- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Page 13 History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again. Maya Angelou If you would like to report on a recent community event, feel free to send us a brief account of what happened in document format, and we will share it with our readers. Send your information to: News From The Coalition, Inc. All entries for submission should be received by noon, the Monday prior to publish date and in Press Release form. AWARE FOR ALL PHILADELPHIA CLINICAL RESEARCH EDUCATION DAY Saturday, March 20, 2010 10 am- 2 pm Temple University School of Medicine Medical Education and Research Building 3500 N. Broad St. Phila. Pa. 19140 Free Health Screenings (blood pressure, hiv, foot screening, pediatric diabetes and dental and more ) free workshops from 10 am-2 pm Free Lunch, Free Breakfast www.awareforall.org 1-877-MED-HERO ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- African Gala and Fashion Night Saturday, March 20 7 p.m. Paul Robeson Center, Rutgers University 350 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Newark, New Jersey Keynote Speaker Dr. Jacqueline Oble Professor of Law and Head of Postgraduate Studies, University of Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire A current candidate for President of Cote d'Ivoire, Dr. Jacqueline Oble has used her distinguished academic experience in the field of law to influence peace and collaboration in her native country and throughout continental Africa. She has served as President and Executive member on various boards, UN Commissions and academic organizations in France and West Africa. Dr. Oble is not only a gifted individual in the field of Law but a bountiful contributor to the future development of a better Africa. Michellene Davis, Esq. Sr. Vice President for Policy Development and Government Affairs Page 14 Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation, and publicly and privately, in season and out, avow their sympathy with despised and persecuted ideas and their advocates, and bear the consequences. – Susan B. Anthony If you would like to report on a recent community event, feel free to send us a brief account of what happened in document format, and we will share it with our readers. Send your information to: News From The Coalition, Inc. All entries for submission should be received by noon, the Monday prior to publish date and in Press Release form. Saint Barnabas Health Care System Sis. Empress Phile' Chionesu President General, Million Woman Universal Movements Empress Chi is an educator, strategist, and independent researcher. She is also a Sage Scriber (poetry, music, and literary), freelance writer and wearable arts designer among many other things. She instructs many levels of natural and alternative health awareness with a focus on African Diasporic Womanhood Development. She is the founder of the historical Million Woman March. Empress Chi has received numerous awards for her courageous work in the community including the Chair's Award from the Congressional Black Caucus and the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award from the Wharton School of Business. Barbara King Newark Public Schools Advisory Board Member Mandisa Monakali, Executive Director, Litha Labantu, Republic of South Africa Representing the Leaders of Tomorrow Yetunde A. Odugbesan, President of Student Association of Global Affairs, Rutgers University and Yolanda Mercurius, Vice President of Service, Phi Theta Kappa, Essex County College. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- A Century of Service Richmond Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 12:00PM 2987 Almond Street, 19134-4955 215-685-9992 Join the Richmond Branch- the Grande Dame of Port Richmond as it celebrates a century of service in style with The Sounds of Liberty Barbershop Chorus and the Sugar Jazz Quartet, as well as the Phillie Phanatic, community leaders, celebrities, the Friends of the Richmond Branch, and branch staff. Throughout the 100th anniversary of celebration, visitors can sample our “Taste of Richmond” buffet, and Page 15 There is nothing so pitiful as a young cynic because he has gone from knowing nothing to believing nothing. – Maya Angelou JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com enjoy fun family activities such as tree-planting, face-painting, and free giveaways. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest Announces Line Up The Annual VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest is celebrating its 20th anniversary next year, with a recently released lineup of jazz, blues, and contemporary acts. The growing music festival now spans 10 days, from March 19–28, 2010. Presented by the Berks Arts Council, the fest promises more than 130 events at various venues, clubs and restaurants throughout Reading and Berks County, Pa. The Berks Arts Council 20th annual VF Outlet Berks Jazz Fest. Tickets are on sale NOW! Call CD Exchange at 610-777-2310 to order by phone. To order online http://www.berksjazzfest.com ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- IDAAY Friends and Family Thursday, March 25, 2010 from 6-8:00pm we will be showcasing our documentary on the Don’t Fall Down In the Hood Program. One of the only programs of its in kind in the country working with young men arrested for guns, theft, assault, and narcotics charges. We invite you to come out and view this unique program through the eyes of the young people sent here by Philadelphia Family Courts. Your $20 donation will gain you entrance into the event AND You will receive a DVD copy of the documentary to bring home. The viewing will be held at Temple University, Ritter Hall, Page 16 Deep within a forest, a little turtle began to climb a tree. After hours of effort, he reached the top, jumped into the air waving his front legs and crashed to the ground. After recovering, he slowly climbed the tree again, jumped, and fell to the ground. The turtle tried again and again, while a couple of birds sitting on a branch watched his sad efforts. Finally, the female bird turned to her mate. "Dear," she chirped, "I think it's time to tell him he's adopted." (Thx. to Cynthia DeShields) Submit your own humor, and let our readers know how funny you can be. We obviously need the help. ; ) (Family appropriate) Kiva Auditorium. corners of 13th Street & Cecil B. Moore Avenues in Philadelphia. Please RSVP by Tuesday, March 23, 2010 via reply email. Sandi Ramos Director of Administration Institute for the Development of African-American Youth, Inc. (IDAAY) www.idaay.org Ph: 215-235-9111 Fax: 215-235-9128 ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES One Day Interactive Workshops Saturday, March 20, 2010, 10 am - 1 pm. Temple University, Center City, 1515 Market Street Want to learn how to run a better meeting? How to get your members more involved? How to develop an agenda? How to deal with opponents during your meeting? Join us for EFFECTIVE MEETING FACILITATION This interactive training will enhance the trainee's leadership abilities in the area of meeting facilitation. Members will learn how to conduct a community or organizational meeting. They will learn basic facilitation skills including how to guide and control their meetings. Topics include: What's an Effective Meeting? Page 17 Hereeeeeeeeeeeeees... Kathy’s Korner! A father watched his daughter playing in the garden. He smiled as he reflected on how sweet and innocent his little girl was. Suddenly she just stopped and stared at the ground. He went over to her and noticed she was looking at two spiders mating. "Daddy, what are those two spiders doing?" she asked. "They're mating," her father replied." What do you call the spider on top, Daddy?" she asked. "That's a Daddy Longlegs." Her father answered. "So, the other one is Mommy Longlegs?" the little girl asked. "No," her father replied. "Both of them are Daddy Longlegs." The little girl thought for a moment, then took her foot and stomped them flat and said "Well, it might be ok in California or Massachusetts but we're not having any of that crap in Virginia." (Kathy Parsons is a regular contributor.) Meeting preparation From meeting to Action Agenda Setting Room Set up The use of effective icebreakers Facilitation techniques. Dealing with Opponents Who should attend? Community Leaders, block captains, heads of non-profits, or anyone interested in conducting an effective meeting that leads to outcomes. This training is sponsored by the Department of Human Service, Community Based Prevention Services Division as part of the Equal Partners In Change Leadership Initiative Training Series. All trainings are free and open to the public. Registration You can register by contacting your local EPIC Group (SEE BELOW) or call 215-683-4086-4027 or email Aretha.hall@phila.gov ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Coming of Age offer 3- day Learning Lab Coming of Age, a collaboration of United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Temple University’s Center for Intergenerational Learning, WHYY and AARP of Pennsylvania, will sponsor a 3-day learning lab on Capturing the Energy and Expertise of People 50+ on April 14th and 15th and May 19th, at United Way, 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, PA The event is part of COA’s effort to help the nonprofit community to learn more about engaging experienced volunteers to help meet greater demand at a time of shrinking resources. Whether retired or working, people age 50+ are extraordinary resources, whose energy and expertise can help nonprofit agencies Page 18 If you would like to report on a recent community event, feel free to send us a brief account of what happened in document format, and we will share it with our readers. Send your information to: News From The Coalition, Inc. All entries for submission should be received by noon, the Monday prior to publish date and in Press Release form. If you would like to report on a recent community event, feel free to send us a brief account of what happened in document format, and we will share it with our readers. Send your information to: News From The Coalition, Inc. All entries for submission should be received by noon, the Monday prior to publish date and in Press Release form. accomplish their mission. And we have more than 1,500,000 such people here in the Delaware Valley. They are a rich, immense — and very much underutilized — volunteer talent pool! The Learning Lab will show nonprofits how to apply best practices to meet their mission; motivate people age 50+; assess readiness to capture the talent of people age 50+; create roles fusing your mission and their interests; and creating a high-impact and doable marketing and recruitment campaign. Almost 1,000 executive directors, program directors and volunteer managers have taken this workshop series across the nation. The cost for the 3-day workshop is only $180 and includes all materials and a continental breakfast and lunch each day. For more information or to sign up, click here ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- FREE Training is available at O.I.C. in the following fields: Culinary Arts (16 weeks), Housekeeping (9 weeks), or Front Office (16 weeks) Classes begin March 22, 2010 and are held Monday- Friday, 8:30am-2:45pm. Classes are held at the Philadelphia OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Center), 1231 North Broad Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19122. Also, job placement assistance. For more information, contact Sophia Scott, Recruiter/Counselor at 215-236-7700 ext 323. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- CITY OF PHILADELPHIA Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (Women's Health) Closing Date/Time: Fri. 03/26/10 11:59 PM Eastern Time Salary: $63,926.00 - $82,194.00 Annually Job Type: Full Time Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Department: Health Page 19 JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com Exam Number: 4C43-02-22-10 Description Benefits Supplemental Questions This is advanced level nursing work, providing comprehensive patient care in the area of specialization. Employees in this class perform physical examinations and assessments within the parameters of licensure and program protocols. Work includes medical diagnosis and prescription of medical therapeutic or corrective measures in collaboration with and under the direction of a licensed physician, educating patients in general health care practices within the area of specialization, and securing and maintaining cooperation of patients. Formulating plans and prognoses and prescribing or recommending drugs or other forms of treatment are significant aspects of the work. Work is performed under the technical supervision of a physician. Hiring Bonus - $3,000 Employees are eligible for a lump sum hiring bonus of $3,000. The bonus will be paid in two parts: $1,500 after the employee has completed three months of satisfactory full-time probationary employment and $1,500 after the employee has completed twelve months of satisfactory full-time employment. The employees must meet all requirements contained in civil service regulation 6.32 to receive the bonus. Starting Salary New employees may be appointed at any step in the pay range depending on qualifications Minimum Requirements: The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Candidates must meet requirements within 30 days after the last date for filling applications. EDUCATION page 20 There are many persons ready to do what is right because in their hearts they know it is right. But they hesitate, waiting for the other fellow to make the make the first move - and he, in turn, waits for you. – Marian Anderson Completion of a master’s degree as a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CNRP) as approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Medicine. Completion of an acceptable training program in women’s health, which shall have included both theory and clinical practice. Completion of at least 45 hours of course work specific to advanced pharmacology as either part of a CRNP education program or additional courses taken from an educational program approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Medicine, a minimum of sixteen hours of which must have been completed within thirty days of the examination closing date. LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES Possession of a valid, unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse and as a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner as issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing Education and Licensure at the time of application, and possession of such licensure during tenure of employment. Eligibility for a valid, unrestricted Prescription Authority Certification or Number from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Medicine within six months of the date of appointment and during tenure of employment *** Architectural Projects Coordinator 2 (Building / Site Design) Closing Date/Time: Fri. 03/19/10 11:59 PM Eastern Time Salary: $46,313.00 - $59,538.00 Annually Job Type: Full Time Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Department: Multiple Departments Exam Number: 3D05B-2-22-10 Print Job Information | Apply Description Benefits This is architectural work at the full performance level performing Page 21 For I am my mother's daughter, and the drums of Africa still beat in my heart. They will not let me rest while there is a single Negro boy or girl without a chance to prove his worth. – Mary McLeod Bethune specific project assignments in either general building design or landscape design. An employee in this class conducts design studies, determines site requirements, and performs assigned project work in a timely, efficient, and cost effective manner. Monitoring finished work for adherence to quality standards is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level architect/engineer. Starting Salary New employees may be appointed at any step in the pay range depending on qualifications. Minimum Requirements: The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Candidates must meet requirements with 30 days after the last date for filing applications. 1. EDUCATION Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in architecture or architectural engineering for the Building/Site Design Specialty; AND 2. GENERAL EXPERIENCE One year of experience performing professional architectural work in the Building/Site Design specialty area; AND 3. SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE Two years of experience performing professional architectural work with responsibility for completing assigned projects within time and budgetary requirements in the Building/Site Design specialty area Or any equivalent combination of acceptable education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources, which has included the completion of a bachelor's degree program in an acceptable area and the specific experience described above as a minimum. *** Page 22 JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com Sign Fabricator Closing Date/Time: Fri. 03/19/10 11:59 PM Eastern Time Salary: $36,186.00 - $39,657.00 Annually Job Type: Full Time Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Department: Streets Exam Number: 7P21-2-22-10 Description Benefits Supplemental Questions This is sign fabrication work at the full performance level. Work includes painting from silk screens, stencils and computer-automated equipment in the fabrication of printed sign material. Employees have responsibility for completing assigned sign-making tasks. Work involves light physical effort and is performed under the direction of a trades supervisor. Minimum Requirements: The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Candidates must meet the requirements within 30 days after the last date for filing applications. 1. EDUCATION Equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade; AND 2. GENERAL EXPERIENCE Three years of experience learning the sign fabrication trade as a helper or apprentice, which shall have included lettering work by painting, using the silk screen process and the use of computer operated graphics hardware and software to produce signs. Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources that has included the specific experience described above Exam Information: EXAMINATION PARTS AND WEIGHTS Performance Examination 100% Page 23 A flying saucer landed at a gas station on a lonely country road. The two space aliens inside seemed completely unconcerned about detection; in fact, the letters "UFO" were emblazoned in big, bold letters on one side of their shiny craft. As the station owner stood and gawked in silence, paralyzed with shock, Joy, of My Name Is Earl fame, the attendant, nonchalantly filled up the tank and waved to the two aliens as they took off. "Do you realize what just happened?" the station owner finally uttered. "Yeah," said Joy. "So?" "Didn't you see the space aliens in that vehicle?!" "Yeah," repeated Joy. "So?" "Didn't you see the letters 'UFO' on the side of that vehicle?!" "Yeah," repeated Joy. "So?" "Don't you know what 'UFO' means?!" Joy rolled her eyes. "Good grief, dummy! I've been working here for six weeks. Of course I know what 'UFO' means 'Unleaded Fuel Only.'" Total 100% PROJECTED EXAM SCHEDULE This examination will be tentatively scheduled for the week of 05/24/10. Please note that this examination date is subject to change. An eligible list is planned for the week of 06/16/10. Please note that this date may change. ELIGIBLE LIST OPEN-COMPETITIVE. Only an open competitive eligible list will be established as a result of this examination. Permanent City employees will receive no promotional preference in this examination. *** Public Administration Analyst (Public Health) Closing Date/Time: Fri. 03/19/10 11:59 PM Eastern Time Salary: $46,125.00 Annually Job Type: Full Time Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Department: Health Exam Number: 2L05-02-22-10 Description Benefits Supplemental Questions This is public administration work performing a wide variety of analytical assignments related to managing and administering City of Philadelphia municipal programs and operations. Employees in this class learn various management and administrative strategies and develop analytical skills with the objective of advancement to higher-level administrative or management positions. Assignments vary in nature and increase in difficulty as the employee gains work experience. Employees are assigned to work in one of a number of city departments or agencies depending upon previous education and experience. Work is performed under the direction of an administrative superior. Minimum Requirements: The following statement represents the minimum training and Page 24 An Amish boy and his father were visiting a mall. They were amazed by almost everything they saw, but especially by two shiny, silver walls that could move apart and back together again. The boy asked his father, "What is this, Father?" The father [never having seen an elevator] responded "Son, I have never seen anything like this in my life, I don't know what it is." While the boy and his father were watching wideeyed, an old lady in a wheel chair rolled up to the moving walls and pressed a button. The walls opened and the lady rolled between them into a small room. The walls closed and the boy and his father watched small circles of lights with numbers above the walls light up. They continued to watch the circles light up in the reverse direction. The walls opened up again and a beautiful 24-year-old woman stepped out. The father said to his son, "Go get your mother." experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Candidates must meet requirements within 30 days after the last date for filing applications. EDUCATION Completion of all requirements for a master's degree in an area listed below which has included completion of an internship program in a health administration setting an/or experience in health administration after completion of the master's degree program. Government Administration Hospital Administration Political Science, with major concentration in public administration. Public Administration Public Health NOTE: CANDIDATES MUST HAVE OBTAINED THEIR MASTER'S DEGREE WITHIN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. TRANSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS *** Medical Specialist (Infectious Disease) Closing Date/Time: Fri. 03/12/10 11:59 PM Eastern Time Salary: $94,859.00 - $121,961.00 Annually Job Type: Full Time Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Department: Health Exam Number: 4D03-02-22-10ID Description Benefits Supplemental Questions This is supervisory medical work in the area of specialization. Employees in this class provide technical guidance to public health clinic personnel engaged in examining and treating patients. An employee in the Medical Epidemiology specialty develops, implements and evaluates the City's public health epidemiological activities. The responsibility for directing the activities of a number of medical personnel and for securing and maintaining the cooperation of patients and their families is of significance to the work. NOTE New employees may be appointed at any step in the range depending on Page 25 JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com qualifications. Minimum Requirements: The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Candidates must meet requirements within 30 days after the last filing date for filing applications. 1. EDUCATION Graduation from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy, with a degree of Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy and completion of an internship in an approved hospital; AND Completion of all formal training requirements and certification by the appropriate American Medical Specialty board; AND 2. GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Two years of experience in the field of specialization. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- HEALTH MATTERS FREE HIV/AIDS Seminar The Blizzards of 2010 could not keep us down! We will be holding our, FREE HIV/AIDS seminar along with FREE HIV counseling and testing, on Saturday, March 27th, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Vernon House, located in Vernon Park, (corner of Chelten and Germantown Avenues) Philadelphia, PA 19144 Please pass this along to your constituents. As is our usual custom, we will be granting the 1st 20 people who attend the seminar and get tested, a $20.00 gift card to a local grocery store. John Elliott Churchville, Ph.D., J.D., Chairman/CEO Page 26 A French guest who was staying in a hotel in Edmonton phoned room service for some pepper. "Black pepper, or white pepper?" asked the concierge. "Toilette pepper!" Liberation Fellowship Community Development Corporation 5555 Wissahickon Avenue, Suite 719 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19144-4540 Tel: (215) 848-8511 Cell: (215) 435-4627 jchurchville8@gmail.com www.lfcdc.com “Positive leadership inspires people to believe in and act out the greatness that God has already placed within them.” ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- What’s Really in Your Food? Learn the truth about these four fast-food favorites. By David Zinczenko & Matt Goulding, Men's Health Ever wonder what’s actually in a McDonald’s Chicken McNugget? Turns out, the “chicken” alone contains seven ingredients. And that’s before you even get to the breading. Sadly, many of our favorite foods (especially fast foods) weren’t merely crafted in kitchens, they were also designed and perfected in labs. We uncovered the ugly truth when doing research for Eat This, Not That! Restaurant Survival Guide. What we found wasn’t pretty—or appetizing. Before you mindlessly chew your way through another value meal, take these mini-mysteries (conveniently solved below) into account. Sometimes the truth is tough to swallow. What’s in a Chicken McNugget? You’d think that a breaded lump of chicken would be pretty simple. Mostly, it would contain bread and chicken. But the McNugget and its peers at other fast-food restaurants are much more complicated creatures than that. The “meat” in the McNugget alone contains seven ingredients, some of which are made up of yet more ingredients. (Nope, it’s not just chicken. It’s also such nonchicken-related stuff as water, wheat starch, dextrose, safflower oil, and sodium phosphates.) The “meat” also contains something called “autolyzed yeast extract.” Then add another 20 ingredients that make up the breading, and you have the industrial chemical—we mean, fast-food meal—called the McNugget. Still, McDonald’s is practically all-natural compared to Wendy’s Chicken Nuggets, with 30 ingredients, and Burger King Chicken Fries , with a Page 27 Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold. – Helen Keller whopping 35 ingredients. For more fast foods to watch out for, memorize this list of the 20 Worst Drive-Thru Foods. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Experts say 40 percent of cancers could be prevented Kate Kelland LONDON (Reuters) - Forty percent of the 12 million people diagnosed with cancer worldwide each year could avert the killer disease by protecting themselves against infections and changing their lifestyles, experts said… Read the full story http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6113PX20100202?feedType=n l&feedName=ushealth600 ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Get Fresh! Volunteer with Philabundance Fresh for All You recycle out the wazoo and consider yourself consigliore of the enviro-sack mafia. Hence, a cause you can believe in: Philabundance wants to fill those ubiquitous bags with produce through its new Fresh for All program. And you can help by volunteering. The nonprofit hands out perishables at six sites in the Delaware Valley — where nutritious diet staples are hard to come by, especially in tough times. With a minimum three-hour commitment, you’ll keep busy. Help with admin, approve clients, or do community outreach (posting mailings, making phone calls). Looking for something physical? Take food to sites, divide apples, and dole out the goods. You’ll be doing a major part to help people get the fruits and veggies they need. And that’s a green movement to be proud of. To participate in Fresh for All, contact Tunisia Garnett (215-339-0900 ext. 238 or tgarnett@philabundance.org). For more information, go to www.philabundance.org ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Page 28 JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com Tips for making oatmeal appealing to kids http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mompowergroup/ ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- GREEN PIECE Don't throw your old TVs away! All electronics can be dropped off for recycling at either Domino Lane & Umbria St. or State Rd. & Ashburner St. in Philadelphia at the Streets Department Sanitation Convenience Centers, Monday through Saturday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Weavers Way #5 plastics recycling resumes Fellow Recyclers, Weavers Way collection of #5 plastics, which are not included in the City’s recycling program, will be on the 3rd Saturday of each month: March 20. The collections take place at the co-op's garage, at 542 Carpenter Lane, which is across the street and a bit further down the block from the Big Blue Marble bookstore. Please note that we need volunteers to keep this project going. (Weavers Way members can get work credit for helping us; work shifts are available on co-op's the online calendar.) The #5 category includes yogurt cups, sour cream containers, hummus tubs, some medicine bottles, and more. Your recyclables must be clean and dry to be accepted. Check to make sure there are no other materials (paper, screws, other number plastics) on the items you bring in. Impurities of any kind compromise the recycling process and usually lead to the discarding of an entire batch. Exclude any lids unless they are clearly marked #5. (Most lids from #5 containers are #4 plastic, but this is not always the case.) Page 29 If you would like to report on a recent community event, feel free to send us a brief account of what happened in document format, and we will share it with our readers. Send your information to: News From The Coalition, Inc. All entries for submission should be received by noon, the Monday prior to publish date and in Press Release form. We ask recyclers for a small donation to cover postage costs of mailing the recyclables to the Gimme 5 processing facility in New York. Before bringing your #5s to the collection, be sure that they meet the requirements for Gimme 5: All items must be CLEAN and DRY. If they contained food or any oily or dirty product, make sure they have been washed, not just rinsed. Items stacked when wet tend to stay wet, so allow washed items to dry fully before stacking or packing. The #5 stamp needs to be visible on each item. Lids are separate items. Don’t assume lids are the same number plastic as the container; sometimes they are but usually they are not. Check to make sure there are no other materials (labels, paper, other number plastics, metal) on the items you bring in. Brita filters are also welcome! Let them air dry for several days to make sure they are completely dry. We'll see you soon! Carolyn, Helen, Priscilla and Stevik of the Weavers Way Environment Committee ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Recycling Services Inc. in Pottstown takes styrofoam on Saturday and Tuesday mornings. http://www.recyclingservices.org/ ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- For sustainable enterprise go to Green Jobs Philly http://www.greenjobsphilly.org/news PERSONAL AND HOME SECURITY Protect Yourself When Walking • Avoid walking alone at night unless absolutely necessary. • Make use of “your school’s escort system” when walking on campus after dark. • Call 911 to report suspicious persons or activity in or around your neighborhood. • Avoid shortcuts and dark, isolated areas. • Walk purposefully, know where you are going, and project a no-nonsense image. Page 30 The quality of strength lined with tenderness is an unbeatable combination, as are intelligence and necessity when unblunted by formal education. – Maya Angelou • Avoid potentially dangerous situations. • If you feel threatened, cross the street, locate an emergency phone, or enter a store or place of business even if you have just left it. • Have your door keys ready; carry them in your pockets, not buried in a purse. • If you carry pepper spray, be familiar with how it works and have it available in case you need it. Source: http://police.sdsu.edu/personalsafe.htm For a more aggressive role in your protection: www.selfdefensewithanattitude.com GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS & INSTRUCTION City offering Section 8 housing vouchers For the first time in over ten years, the Philadelphia Housing Authority is offering Housing Choice (a.k.a. Section 8) vouchers, which provide rental subsidies to low-income people living in private apartments or houses. Income eligibility varies depending on the individual or family financial situation. Applications can be made through Monday, March 15th. Those already on the waiting list do not need to re-apply. Currently, the waiting list includes about 17,000 applicants. Applications can be made online or by calling 215-684-1200 between 8am and 7pm. Applicants who owe money to PHA, PECO, or PGW, are registered sex offenders, or have been convicted of a felony in the past three years might not be able to receive vouchers. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- $5,000 Verizon Wireless/UNCF Scholarships for High School Seniors In honor of Black History Month, UNCF and Verizon Wireless (VZNW) have partnered to support high school seniors who are collegebound. The 2010 UNCF/VZNW Black History Month Essay contest is designed to allow qualified high school seniors the opportunity to earn college Page 31 JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com scholarships for the 2010-2011 academic year. If you know of high school seniors with permanent residency in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland or the District of Columbia, please tell them of this opportunity to receive a Verizon Wireless Black History Month scholarship and prize package. Seniors must apply by March 15, 2010. Twenty-five eligible students will be selected for the 2010- 2011academic year. The winners will receive scholarships of up to $5,000 and select students will also receive a personal technology makeover including an HP Netbook, a Motorola DROID cell phone and/or Verizon Wireless gift cards. Tell your high school senior about this contest today. Fred D. Mitchell, Regional Development Director, Northern, Field Operations, UNCF. 120 Wall Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10005, Tel: (212) 820-0146 | Fax: (212) 820-0157 | Cell: (917) 558-4420 ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Fellowship Available to Cover 65th UN General Assembly in New York for Journalists from Developing Nations Fellowship available to cover 65th UN General Assembly in New York Region: Worldwide Journalists from developing nations between the ages of 25 and 35 are encouraged to apply to a fellowship program that will send recipients to New York for approximately two months to cover the United Nations General Assembly. Deadline: April 9. Applicants to the fellowship, called the Dag Hammarskjöld Scholarship Fund for Journalists 2010, must be currently employed by a legitimate media organization. Fellowships will pay travel and accomodations in New York Page 32 on foreign policy: How can you not be all on fire? ... I really believe I shall explode if some of you young women don't wake up --and raise your voice in protest against the impending crime of this nation upon the new islands it has clutched from other folks. Do come into the living present and work to save us from any more barbaric male governments. – Susan B. Anthony for approximately two months as well as a per diem allowance. Applications will not be accepted from Egypt, Pakistan, Phillipines and Ghana, as those were the winning nations of 2009. For more information, visit the Web site here. For specific questions, e-mail: info@unjournalismfellowship.org RT @mediamentor: RT @Media_Freedom: Fellowship available to cover 65th UN General Assembly in New York http://ow.ly/1ds9c ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- 200 Free Scholarships For Minorities (NEW UPDATED 2010 LISTINGS) http://www.blackexcel.org/200-Scholarships.html ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- HIV/AIDS Prevention Workshop Workshop Summary Culturally-Relevant Communication about HIV/AIDS is an interactive and user-friendly workshop. Ivan J. Juzang, MEE President and Founder will examine the environmental influences, attitudes and behaviors and unique communication style of urban, ethnic and other hard-to-reach audiences; review theories and techniques for developing cost-effective and culturally-relevant communication strategies; and then show session attendees how to apply these learnings to their own HIV/AIDS testing programs, prevention services and outreach efforts. Learning Objectives After attending the session, attendees will have the background necessary to more effectively communicate with their target audiences about sex, sexuality and HIV/AIDS. They will also have a clearer understanding of media consumption patterns and other social factors that impact sexual decision-making; and the attitudes, motivations and perceptions of minorities on healthy sexuality and HIV/AIDS prevention, testing and treatment. Such information will help interventionists, community-based organizations and service Page 33 We look into mirrors but we only see the effects of our times on us -- not our effects on others. – Pearl Bailey providers develop innovative and effective messages and services targeted to minority audiences. Workshop Description: Topics explored during the session include: The environmental context, peer group dynamics and social interactions that influence sexual behaviors; How service providers can be more culturally aware, and increase the effectiveness of their outreach, media and materials; and Strategies for attracting the hardest-to-reach audiences to HIVprevention, testing and treatment programs. For more information on other workshops and schedules visit their website To inquire about a MEE Workshop at Your Organization call 215.829.4920 or Email here ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- At- Risk Youth Annie E. Casey Foundation http://www.aecf.org A private charitable organization dedicated to helping build better futures for disadvantaged children in the United States. The foundation offers community-focused grants. The site also has several publications. Provides funding to both 501(c)(3) and local/state government. Organizations wishing to send a proposal to the Foundation should submit a letter of no more than three pages explaining the organization and its project and how the money will be used. Send the letters to: The AEC Foundation; Attn: Office of the President; 701 Saint Paul St.; Baltimore, MD 21202. Phone: 410-547-6600 ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- AOL Time Warner Foundation http://aoltimewarnerfoundation.org The AOL Time Warner Foundation is dedicated to using the power of media, communications and information technology to serve the public interest and strengthen society. However, rather than simply providing grant monies or funding unsolicited requests, the foundation prefers to enter into sustainable strategic partnerships with organizations that have a demonstrated commitment to pioneering innovative ways of meeting Page 34 JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com four priorities: Equipping kids for the 21st century; Extending Internet benefits to all; Engaging communities in the arts; and Empowering citizens and civic participation. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- AT&T Foundation http://www.att.com/foundation The AT&T Foundation seeks to educate, enrich, engage, and empower the communities served by AT&T. The Foundation's funding areas are education, civic and community service, and arts and culture. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Beaumont Foundation http://www.bmtfoundation.com/grants/ The Beaumont Foundation of America (BFA), a non-profit philanthropic organization, is dedicated to the enriching the lives of individuals by providing technology to historically underserved schools and communities. The foundation believes technologies are essential tools for progress in the 21st century, and that given access to digital information, people will have an equal opportunity to advance socially, economically and intellectually. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- The Student Achievement Grants program provides grants of $5,000 each to improve the academic achievement of students by engaging in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students’habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection. Proposals for work resulting in low-income and minority student success with honors, advanced placement, and other challenging curricula are particularly encouraged. Grant funds may be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, software, and scholars-in-residence. Applicants must be practicing U.S. public school teachers in grades K- 12, public school education support professionals, or faculty and staff at public higher education institutions. Visit the NEA Foundation Web site for complete grant program information. RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15016125/neafdn For additional RFPs in Education, visit: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_education.jhtml ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- NIH Summer Institute on Community-Based Participatory Research Page 35 I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not. – Lucille Ball The National Institutes of Health has announced the 2nd summer institute. We are thrilled to see that the organizers have responded to Community-Campus Partnerships for Health’s (CCPH) comments on last year's summer institute. When the 1st NIH institute on CBPR was announced, CCPH expressed concern about its exclusive focus on academic researchers. In CBPR, the community is involved at the very start of the research, so it was incongruent that the institute did not include the community partners or acknowledge the possibility of a community partner as a principal investigator or co-PI. This summer's institute has been designed for community-academic partner teams (see below for details). CCPH has successfully implemented community-academic partner team-based model of CBPR training: http://depts.washington.edu/ccph/pdf_files/2005CBPRInstituteApp3- 25.pdf and http://depts.washington.edu/ccph/pdf_files/2005%20Summer%20Institut e%20Agenda.pdf The training curriculum, "Developing and Sustaining CBPR Partnerships" is available online at www.cbprcurriculum.info. If you're interested in bringing a CBPR training workshop or institute to your location, contact CCPH senior consultant Rachel Vaughn at sliccph@mcw.edu for more information. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Banta Company Foundation The Banta Company Foundation provides funding for at-risk youth and delinquency prevention initiatives. The funds can be used for equipment, general/operating expenses, seed money, program development, as well as other areas. For more information please contact: Banta Company Foundation; 225 Main Street; PO Box 8003; Menasha,WI 54952-8003. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Best Buy Children's Foundation http://communications.bestbuy.com/communityrelations/ The mission of the Best Buy Children's Foundation is to improve the lives of youth aged 5 - 18 in communities where Best Buy maintains a business presence. The Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations with innovative approaches to developing life skills in Page 36 JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com young people through education, mentoring, and leadership development. Funds can be used for: program development; direct project support; specific curriculum development; and scholarship aid for participants in life skills or mentoring programs. The Foundation typically awards grants ranging from $2000 - $10,000 to nonprofits. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Healthy Community Outreach Program will be granted to nonprofit organizations to support grassroots efforts which increase awareness on critical health initiatives through health walks, health fairs and health education outreach. Grants up to $25,000 will be considered. Please provide all levels of event sponsorships on your application. Nonprofit organizations with evidence of IRS 501(c)(3) designation or de facto tax-exempt status may apply for a grant, with the following exceptions: advertising; capital campaigns; grants or scholarships to individuals; multiyear requests; political causes and events; or religious organizations in support of their sacramental or theological functions. http://www.aetna.com/foundation/grants_reg/guidelines.html>Awards Ongoing Deadline ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Ben and Jerry's Foundation Ben and Jerry's Foundation has no specific program areas. The Foundation seeks projects that lead to societal change or address the root causes of problems. The Foundation awards grants ranging in amount from $1,000 to $15,000. Applicants must submit a letter of interest at any time during the year. http://www.benjerry.com/foundation/index.html ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS ARE NOT APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS Even if you do not have a college-aged child at home, please share this with someone who does, pass this scholarship information on to anyone and everyone that comes to mind. Though there are a number of companies and organizations that have donated moneys for scholarship use to African Americans, a great deal of the money is being returned because of a lack of interest. No one is going to knock on our doors and ask if we can use a scholarship. Page 37 JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com Take the initiative to get your children involved. There is no need for money to be returned to donating companies because we fail to apply for it. Please pass this information on to family members, nieces, nephews, and friends with children etc. We must get the word out that money is available. If you are a college student or getting ready to become one, you probably already know how useful additional money can be. Our youth really could use these scholarships. Thanks!! For a list of scholarships please visit our group ‘The Coalition, Inc.’ http://groups.google.com/group/coalition-the ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- SpotLight On Our Efforts CREATIVE KIDS CLUB In 1996, a group of children from Salem Mission Baptist Church needed activities to keep them occupied but funds were low. So the youth group set out to find free fun things for them to do. The very first trip was to a free grandparents’ festival, in Fort Washington, PA. This event gave out free samples of different products to the children; they played interactive games, and had a great time. That trip attended by four families marked the beginning of the Creative Kids Club that now has over 75 families and are still growing. Children in our club must be “creative” in motion in everything they do; this is the purpose of our name. We strive to bring out the creativity of our members through exposing them to art craft workshops, recreational activities and cultural events. The Creative Kids Club members are youth (ages 1 to 18) and their families, of all socioeconomic levels, and diverse multicultural religious beliefs. Whether they’re foster children, youngsters cared for by their grandparents, little one from single or two parent homes or developmentally delayed children, we even managed to create an enriching symbiosis between the club’s special needs members and seniors. We strive to teach our children by being different are what make you special. The developmentally delayed children and youth integrate and increase their self-esteem when they are included as members of the club. Likewise, senior citizens on limited income have gotten in on the Creative Kids Club action; they enjoy the company of Page 38 Dumb and Dumber Carpenters, Inc. were working on a house. The one who was nailing down siding would reach into his nail pouch, pull out a nail and either toss it over his shoulder or nail it in. The other, figuring this was worth looking into, asked, "Why are you throwing those nails away?" The first explained, "If I pull a nail out of my pouch and it's pointed toward me, I throw it away 'cause it's defective. If it's pointed toward the house, then I nail it in!" The other got completely upset and yelled, "You moron! The nails pointed toward you aren't defective! They're for the other side of the house!" the youth who appreciate having a grandparent around. The Creative Kids Club’s programs are design to provide structured developmentally appropriate recreational services in the areas of program development, recreational interaction and training/workshops. Our motto is “You Provide the Family, We’ll Provide the Fun.” MISSION Our mission is to provide recreational and educational events, activities and workshops that empower our families and youth, to strength and enhance personal growth, education, self-sufficiency and leadership. VISION Our vision is to provide recreational resource for individual and families to recreationally interact as a family unit. Creative Kids Club is a member of The Coalition, Inc. See their new websi http://www.creativekidsclub.net/ To contact Creative Kids Club: http://www.creativekidsclub.net/#/contact-us/4537314362 ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Village of the Arts and Humanities The Village of Arts and Humanities, located at 2544 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19133, seeks to build community through its innovative education, social, construction and arts programs. In all of its projects and activities, the Village seeks to do justice to the humanity of people who live in innercity North Philadelphia and in similar urban situations. The need for a new urban landscape in 1986, spawned The Village Arts and Humanities (the Village) of North Philadelphia. Emerging as an outgrowth from a place Arthur Hall named Ile Ife Black Humanitarian Center—Ile Ife is drawn from Yoruba (Nigeria) cosmology and means the birthplace of humanity and also the “House of Love”--the Village was incarnated from a small neighborhood park project headed by Lily Yeh, the Village founder and two African American men in recovery from substance abuse. Since its inception, the Village has transformed a 260 square block area of North Philadelphia, one block at a time through Page 39 If you would like to report on a recent community event, feel free to send us a brief account of what happened in document format, and we will share it with our readers. Send your information to: News From The Coalition, Inc. All entries for submission should be received by noon, the Monday prior to publish date and in Press Release form. a neighborhood revitalization program that has evolved into a major provider of arts-inspired programs including education, land transformation, construction, and economic development. Fast forward 20 years, and you can’t miss the impact of the Village within the community, starting with the larger than life murals, and colorful tile mosaics that punctuate housing projects, parks, even sidewalks as a visual testament to the work being done to improve the lives of North Philadelphia residents. Today, we are a multi-faceted, professionally staffed, arts organization, governed by a community-based board of directors. We have won numerous local and international awards and citations for innovation and achievement, and earned high marks within the community for serving thousands of low-income, primarily underserved African American dwellers. However, North Philadelphia could well be anywhere around the globe where people suffer due to cultural differences or economic inequities; and that is why our program resonates so strongly worldwide. We foster a new multiculturalism that embraces the gifts and the challenges expressed by all cultures and people. Our programs seek to tap into the common threads of all communities that have been labeled at risk, underprivileged, impoverished, undereducated, and stressed to create anomalies in the same undeniable way that the blues, gospel, jazz and even hip hop have done, with cross cultural success. We know that the Arts transcend race, culture, religion, education, socioeconomic background, gender, sexual orientation, age, or ableism. Our work is described as provocative, muscular and risky. We are not limited by convention but instead boldly redefine art to incorporate environmental justice, greening and beautification, as well as community organizing. Solid is the foundation from which we were originated. Lily Yeh endeavored under difficult situations and limited resources to make work that has forever shifted perceptions in the lives of oppressed people living in urban settings. We value our staff, board of directors and volunteers and recognize their ability to affect change. If you are interested in learning more about the Village’s arts and environmental programs, special events, performances, volunteer opportunities, and other ways to help, please contact our Volunteer/Outreach coordinator at 215.225.7830 or volunteers@villagearts.org The Village of Arts and Humanities is a member of The Coalition, Inc. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Page 40 JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com The mission of The Children's Advocacy Project (CAP) is to help bridge the gap between the many quality social service agencies in the Philadelphia area and the families that need their help the most. To bridge this gap, we aim to empower and to inform those that care for the children of Philadelphia through this web site. The CAP will assist families, health care professionals, and social service providers by furnishing the tools necessary to connect families in need to the appropriate social service agencies that serve them. To continue our series of Cap4Kids Hints of the Week and the root causes of violence in our city, let's consider Lead Poisoning. Lead poisoning directly affects our children's developing brain and several studies (see attached PDF from Minneapolis Dept. of Health) show a direct correlation between Lead exposure, anti-social behavior and violence. On the www.cap4kids.org/philadelphia website, under the Safety Handout (http://www.cap4kids.org/philadelphia/parent_handouts/safety.html), there are links to the Childhood Lead Prevention Program of Philadelphia, as well as Free Home Safety inspections to pick up lead in the environment BEFORE the toxic effects affects our children. Daniel R. Taylor, D.O., FAAP http://www.cap4kids.org/philadelphia/ ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Website Offers Revolutionary Green Alternatives for Communities/Nations Greetings. I hope that you and your business/ organizations are all doing well. As we enter into a new year, I expect that many of us have already envisioned what we would like to accomplish in this new year. As long as we have positive intentions for not just ourselves but also our fellow inhabitants on this planet as well as the mother Earth herself, may the Creator of the Universe bless our visions and goals to become a material manifestation. I would like to invite everyone to visit http://africanindependence.org/Projects.aspx Page 41 We are living beyond our means. As a people we have developed a life-style that is draining the earth of its priceless and irreplaceable resources without regard for the future of our children and people all around the world. – Margaret Mead I am one of the co-founders of this organization. While the initiative of this organization focuses on improving the lives of the African Diaspora and building up eco-friendly, peaceful, self sustaining and prosper communities in their ancestral lands, we extend a welcome hand for all to check a part of our vision out by visiting our site. Our site was put in video format for simplicity and visuals to keep the interests of our visitors. When you first click on the provided website address, you will notice that we begin with our goals on dealing with electricity. There are actually two clips explaining the same technology, we recommend the second clip for a more detailed explanation on how this technology works. The following two clips deals with how we plan on providing clean water to the citizens and then water recycling. The fifth video demonstrates how sewer systems are unnecessary. There are many issues that we tackle on our site. We are currently in talks with university and reverse engineers to have these technologies made at a lower cost and with high quality specifications. Any feedback or suggestions is welcome and any donations would be highly appreciated. There is a lot of useful information and we encourage all to take advantage of of it and to view it for themselves, we're confident that you will be excited as we are once you see the potential in such technology. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- ARTS FOR AWARENESS I see little of more importance to the future of our country and of civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist. If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him. Pauline Kael SAVE the DATE for the 2010 West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts Festival Mark your calendars for another fabulous festival in West Oak Lane third weekend in June 2010. For more information about volunteering, vending, and sponsorship, visit www.westoaklanefestival.com . email nkillebrew@ogontzave.org ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Page 42 The cause of Peace has had my share of efforts, taking the ultra non-resistance ground -- that a Christian cannot consistently uphold, and actively support, a government based on the sword, or whose ultimate resort is to the destroying weapons. – Lucretia Mott “Panoramic Poetry Show” Poetry Set “OCTOBER GALLERY” 701 Market Street Bldg. on the 3rd Floor. “Ross Dept. Store” on the Market St. Level, (and it’s the Littman Building, enter thru 8th Street Side. Come to the center, and enter thru glass doors of Mellon Independence Center. This is Cheyney University’s Center City Campus.) “FRIDAY” March 19th, 2010 Starting @ 7:30pm “PANORAMIC POETRY” POETS doing their thing – LYRICAL SPIRITS getting down. ***”ADMISSION FREE” – FOR PERFORMING POETS!!!*** Please don't forget parking is very difficult in Center City. Allow time to park legally and arrive at the October Gallery on time. The reading is $10.00 for audience members, discounted to $7.00 if you call or e-mail to reserve a spot ahead of time. PanoramicPoetry@OctoberGallery.com October Gallery 701 Market Street Bldg. 3rd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19106 215.629.3939 ….. Room #319 www.OctoberGallery.com http://www.myspace.com/panoramicpoetry Panoramic Poetry on Facebook as well…. http://www.myspace.com/Crucialpoet Go to PanoramicPoetry@OctoberGallery.com to SIGN-UP, if you are a Poet wanting to perform. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Jus’ Words at Dowlings Place Page 43 JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com 1310 No. Broad St. Phila Every Thurs. 9pm to 1am • Poets • Rappers • Singers • Spoken Word Artists ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- COMING UP Old School Mt. Airy Groove Party PHILLY'S PLATINUM GRILLE March 26th Time: 9:30 PM - 2 AM Market Square Shopping Plaza 7719 Crittenden St. @ Mermaid Lane Chestnut Hill Philadelphia, PA 19118 Aries Free with I.D featuring R&B, Old School Rap, Bop, Cha-Cha, Salsa and Line dances by DJ Derrick Rose Hosts: Earl Harvey and Rhonda Yancy Phone: 215-247-2312 for information Donation 7.00 after 9:30 www.phillysplatinumgrille.com e-mail earlharvey@aol.com ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- The PA Advisory Board for Stop Hunger Now, Clear Channel Communications, State Representative Tony Payton, Jr., The Sam Dalembert Foundation and a broad coalition of partners are rallying hundreds of Philadelphia area residents to package meals for the citizens of Haiti. With your help we will package 200,000+ meals in one day. Stop Hunger Now will ship all meals directly to partner agencies in Haiti at the conclusion of the event. Join us for a dynamic day of packaging, music, food, prizes and special VIP guests! Please be sure to register for one or more shifts, then join our Facebook Group and follow us on Twitter @philyfeedshaiti for breaking details and be the first to hear about special guests and prizes. Page 44 If you would like to report on a recent community event, feel free to send us a brief account of what happened in document format, and we will share it with our readers. Send your information to: News From The Coalition, Inc. All entries for submission should be received by noon, the Monday prior to publish date and in Press Release form. Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (ET) Sherman Mills (Ridge Avenue & Scotts Lane) Alexandra Hall 3502 Scotts Lane Philadelphia 19129 *Children 5 and older, accompanied by a parent/guardian or adult chaperone are welcome! **Groups leaders may register their entire group, please enter details for each volunteer. Philly Feeds Haiti Partners and Sponsors • The Mercer Advisory Group • Cardenas-Grant Communications • Clear Channel Communications • Office of PA State Representative Tony Payton, Jr. • Come Kleen Productions • Sherman Properties and Sherman Mills • Keystone Outdoor • Sam Dalembert Foundation • Signature RED, LLC • MCTS Media Group "Change Radio Block" This effort is organized by Stop Hunger Now, an international relief agency based in Raleigh, NC (www.stophungernow.org), and the Stop Hunger Now PA Advisory Board, a cross section of area leaders from business, political, non profit, faith and media sectors. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- The Top Secret Rosies of WWII Page 45 An elderly Italian man lay dying in his bed. While suffering the agonies of impending death, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favorite Italian anisette sprinkle cookies wafting up the stairs. Gathering his remaining strength, he lifted himself from the bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom, and with even greater effort, gripping the railing with both hands, he crawled downstairs. With labored breath, he leaned against the door frame, gazing into the kitchen. Where if not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven, for there, spread out upon waxed paper on the kitchen table were literally hundreds of his favorite anisette sprinkled cookies. Was it heaven? Or was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted Italian wife of sixty years, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man? Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself towards the table, landing on his knees in a crumpled posture. His parched lips parted, the wondrous taste of the cookie was already in his mouth, seemingly bringing him back to life. The aged and withered hand trembled on its way to a cookie at the edge of the table, when it was suddenly smacked with a spatula by his wife... "Back off!" she said, they're for the funeral." An Illustrated Lecture by LeAnn Erickson March 30, 1:30 pm Samuel L. Paley Library at Temple University 1210 Polett Walk Philadelphia, PA 19122 In 1942, only months after the United States entry into WWII, a secret military program was launched to recruit women to the war effort. But unlike recruiting Rosie to the factory, this search targeted female mathematicians who would become human 'computers' for the US Army. These women worked round-the-clock shifts creating ballistics tables that proved crucial to Allied victory. Rosie made the weapons, but the female computers made them accurate. When the first electronic computer (ENIAC) was invented to aid ballistic calculation efforts, six of these women were tapped to become its first programmers. Professor LeAnn Erickson discusses "Top Secret 'Rosies': The Female 'Computers' of WWII," a documentary project currently in postproduction that will share this untold story of the women and technology that helped win a war and usher in the modern computer age. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- FUNTIMES MAGAZINE WILL HOLD MISS BLACK AMERICA CONTESTANT SEARCH FunTimes Magazine is partnering with Miss Black America to hold a information search at its offices at 1226 Stiles Street on April 3, 2010. The event will take place from 3pm to 4:30pm. Miss Black America is looking for contestant’s ages 9 to 29. The purpose of this special contestant search is to encourage African and Caribbean women to participate in the Miss Black America Pageant. Interested participants will receive a $50 voucher to waive registration fee. Page 46 "History is no longer just a chronicle of kings and statesmen, of people who wielded power, but of ordinary women and men engaged in manifold tasks. Women's history is an assertion that women have a history." Aparna Basu FunTimes seeks to bridge cultures and bring communities together. Its target audience is African and Caribbean Immigrants and the African Diaspora. The magazine is distributed to major cities in the US, Europe and in Africa. FunTimes Magazine was first published in 1992 in Monrovia, Liberia during the civil war. The premier US edition was published in October 2008. The magazine addresses issues that are important to Africans and Caribbeans like health. FunTimes has participated in community events such as youth soccer tournaments (in Liberia) and a lecture series (USA). The Miss Black America Pageant is recruiting contestants to compete in a Beauty, Talent, and Intellect Pageant. The MBA Pageant’s motto is: “Sow the Seeds of Positivity & Reap the Flowers of Success. The MBA Pageant is more than a contest of beauty. It is a lifetime enrichment and motivational program. It instills positive practices for all participants. Contact: Eric Nzeribe (215) 954-6300 or (610) 809-1656 Email: info@funtimesmagazine.us ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- National Association of Black Social Workers Our 42nd Annual Conference will be held in Philadelphia, PA from April 6-9, 2010 at the Philadelphia Downtown Marriott Hotel. 1201 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 This year’s conference theme is “Keepers of the Village: The Role for Community Organizers”. For more information about the conference checkout the National website at www.nabsw.org Please consider this your personal invitation to join us in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as we launch another decade of championing and supporting our communities. Page 47 JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com The National Conference offers numerous opportunities to enhance your skills, learn about African-centered approaches of implementing human services delivery systems, and examine research conducted by people of African ancestry for the betterment of our community. You will network and exchange ideas and approaches with other committed professionals. You will also be able to nurture your spirit and revitalize your energy. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- * * * Outside PA * * * CELEBRATING THE REVOLUTIONARY PUERTO RICAN WOMAN! This Women’s History Month, join The ProLibertad Freedom Campaign as we honor the contributions of Women to the Puerto Rican independence Movement: ¡QUE VIVA LA MUJER! Recipients of the Doña Adelfa Vera Award for 2010: Lourdes Garcia, Activist/Healer/Artisan Joyce Jones, Artist/Journalist/Activist Gloria Quinoñes, Activist/ProLibertad Support Amy Velez, Activist/ProLibertad Supporter Keynote Speakers: Yasmin Hernandez, Artist/Activist Normahiram Perez, Federacion de Maestros Puertorriqueños Poetry Performance: Prisionera The Women of Bomba Yo Handcrafts and Natural healing products: Olga Ayala, Handcrafts (Hecho a Mano) Lourdes Garcia, Botanicafe Products Proceeds from the Night’s donations will go to the Point’s Program for Young Women Page 48 Over a remote Scottish island a helicopter lost power and was forced to make an emergency landing. Luckily there was a small cottage nearby. The pilot walked over to it and knocked on the door. “Is there a mechanic in the area?” he asked the woman who answered the door. She scratched her head and thought for a few seconds. “No,” she finally said, pointing down the road, “but we do have a McArdle and a McKay.” Friday March 19, 2010 at 7pm: St. Mary’s Episcopal Church 521 W126th St. Basement Between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway Take the 1 train W125th St. Suggested donation: $5 (no one will be turned away) LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED! ---- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- The 1st Annual Harlem Arts Alliance International Arts Festival "CREATING A SHARED GLOBAL CULTURE" Featuring: Bodoma Garifuna (Honduras) IMPACT Repertory Theatre (U.S.A.) New York African Chorus (Continental Africa) Pauline Jean Trio (Haiti) Taeko & Gaika Mass Choir (Japan) Yoshi Amao & Samurai Crew (Japan) Keith 'The Captain' Gamble (U.S.A.) also Visual Artist & Photography video display of HAA member's & HAA member partner's work M.C.'s: Yoshi Amao & Victor Burt FRIDAY, March 19, 2010, 7:00pm HipHopCultureCenter in Harlem 2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd # 124th Street (2nd Floor of the Magic Johnson Theatre) $25 General Public & $20 (HAA Members) www.harlemaa.org Advance Ticket Purchase Recommended Vendor Opportunities Available - contact 347.735.4280 for details. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- "Women Saving Women" Cancer Awareness Forum Page 49 If you would like to report on a recent community event, feel free to send us a brief account of what happened in document format, and we will share it with our readers. Send your information to: News From The Coalition, Inc. All entries for submission should be received by noon, the Monday prior to publish date and in Press Release form. On Tuesday, March 23rd, NYC Council Member Elizabeth Crowley and I will be hosting a "Women Saving Women" Cancer Awareness Forum. The forum is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers New York City Hall We have three panelists speaking that evening: Dr. David Fishman, Director of Gynecologic Oncology Research at Mt. Sinai and Founder of the National Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Program; Dr. Ken Offit, Director of Clinical Genetics Service at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and expert in genetic predisposition to cancer; and Dr. Karen Hiotis, a breast surgeon at the NYC Medical Center and expert in breast cancer detection and treatment. Come join us and receive important information that could help save your life. To RSVP, call (212) 788-7381. If you would like to bring a guest, please be sure to give us their name as well so we can make the appropriate arrangements. Refreshments will be served, compliments of the Mary Haas Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Foundation. Eula Young griotsroll@grouply.com ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights presents its compliments to non-governmental organizations and has the honour to inform them that the Ninth session of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent will take place at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Palais des Nations Room CXI 12 to 16 April, 2010. The ninth session will include an analysis of structural discrimination Page 50 All through the ages the African people have made efforts to deliver themselves from oppressive forces. It is important that a critical mass of Africans do not accept the verdict that the world tries to push down their throat so as to give up and succumb. The struggle must continue. It is important to nurture any new ideas and initiatives which can make a difference for Africa. – Wangari Maathai against people of African descent, including in the areas of access to education, access to health, in the administration of justice, and the use of desegregated data as a tool to combat structural discrimination. The session will also contain a discussion of possible activities in the context of the International Year for People of African descent (2011), as proclaimed by the General Assembly in its resolution A/Res/641169. The Working Group kindly invites all participants to bring with them to the session any proposals they may have concerning possible activities in the context of the International Year for People of African Descent. The discussion of these proposals will assist the Working Group its formulating its contribution to a program of plausible activities for the International Year The opening meeting will begin at 10 am. on Monday 12 April 2010. The provisional agenda will be available on DHCHR website shortly. Interested non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, those non-governmental organizations which were accredited to the World Conference against Racism. Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance as well as those that were accredited to the Durban Review Conference are invited to communicate the names of these representatives by fax +41 22 928 40 50 On letterhead, signed by the appropriate official of their Organization. For further information, please contact Mr. Richard Clarke (tel: +41 22 928 9874 ADUsecretariat@ohchr.org The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights seizes this opportunity to renew to non-governmental organizations the assurance of its highest consideration. ---- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- SPECIAL NOTICE! Skip A Meal For Haiti Most Americans eat at least three meals a day. Some eat more often. Millions of people in Haiti have not had a meal in one week and a good meal in recent memory. Will you skip a meal for the people of Haiti and send the money to a relief agency? Page 51 JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com Will you not eat one meal, on one day so that they can eat for a week? The cost of lunch at almost any affordable restaurant in America is between $5.00 and $14.00. Some restaurants have menus that serve four and five course dinners that can cost as much as $100.00 per person, not including beverages. For as little as two dollars a day, you can help provide food, drinking water and some sanitation supplies for a Haitian child or adult. A $14.00 contribution can help feed and hydrate a Haitian child for a week. We can all afford to make a difference! The Black Star Project is asking you to miss at least one meal this week for the people of Haiti and to send the money that you would have spent on your breakfast, lunch or dinner to a relief fund that is on the ground working in Haiti. Many people say they want to go to Haiti to help those affected by the earthquake. The cost of a round trip flight from New York City to Portau- Prince, Haiti is more than $2,000.00. Decent hotel lodging, which is virtually impossible to find in Haiti, might cost another $2,000.00 for one week. And your mouth would become another mouth to feed of more than 2 million people who need food and water day. Instead of going to Haiti, will you miss a lunch for Haiti and send the money you would have spent on that lunch to one of the on-the-ground relief agencies listed below: The Black Star Project (773.285.9600) recommends that you send your contributions to: Yele Haiti (Wyclef Jean's Relief Effort) at www.yele.org or text YELE to 501501 to donate $5.00 on your phone bill UNICEF at www.unicefusa.org or call 800.367.5437 Doctors Without Borders at www.doctorswithoutborders.org or call 888.392.0392 American Red Cross at www.redcross.org or call 800.REDCROSS (800.733.2767) or 800.257.7575 (Espanol) Partners in Health at www.pih.org or call 617.432.5256 ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- HABESHA, Inc. is planning its 7th Black To Our Roots Educational Tour to Ethiopia/Ghana for the summer of 2011. The Black To Our Roots Educational Tour is a spiritual, cultural, and Page 52 If you would like to report on a recent community event, feel free to send us a brief account of what happened in document format, and we will share it with our readers. Send your information to: News From The Coalition, Inc. All entries for submission should be received by noon, the Monday prior to publish date and in Press Release form. academic experience where youth of African descent learn about themselves by spending several months learning about Africa in general, and Ghana/Ethiopia specifically, through workshops, fieldtrips, fundraisers, and community service projects before they travel to the "Motherland". In order to reclaim our African identity, we return across the Atlantic Ocean where so many of our ancestors suffered on the slave ships during the middle passage. We are currently recruiting participants, including chaperones "Jegnas" and youth, to travel with us during the summer of 2011. We will be having an interest meeting on Saturday, March 27th from 1-3pm at the Georgia State University College of Education Building Room 150, located at 30 Pryor St. Atlanta, GA 30303. You are encouraged to come if you, or someone you know is interested in an opportunity to travel to Africa. To learn a more about HABESHA, Inc. and the Black To Our Roots Program, visit the Black To Our Roots page at http://www.habeshainc.org/BTOR.html. We look forward to seeing you on March 27th! HABESHA, Inc. P.O. Box 1291 Redan, Georgia 30074 US COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY Scared of Mice? Don’t know what to do after you push the power button? Looking for the computer remote? The Free Library of Philadelphia is offering classes all week introducing 20th century-bound adults to 21st century technology. Catch up with the world, learn how to spy on your kids, keep in touch with family and friends all over the world, open an email account and learn how to send mail electronically. Page 53 JOIN THE COALITION, INC! To join The Coalition go to: TheCoalitionInc.net and download a copy of the Pledge of Commitment and return it to us the.pa.coalition@gmail.com Computer Basics Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 10:00AM Lillian Marrero Branch 601 West Lehigh Avenue, 19133-2228 Get started with basic computer skills and learn how to use a mouse and a keyboard. Workshops are available in both English and Spanish. For more information, call 215-685-9794. ###### Open Lab (A) Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 12:30PM Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library 125 South 52nd Street, 19139- 3408 215-685-7424 Bring your own computer projects or questions and get some helpful advice. ###### Senior Technology Awareness Program (STAP) (A) Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 1:00PM Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library 68 West Chelten Avenue, 19144-2795 215-685-2150 Nonprofit Technology Resources presents a series of free technology workshops for seniors. For further information or to register for these workshops, call Wendy Harper at 215-686-1460. ###### Introductory Computer Skills Monday, March 22, 2010 at 6:30PM Page 54 If our people are to fight their way up out of bondage we must arm them with the sword and the shield and the buckler of pride. – Mary McLeod Bethune Central Library 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 215-686-5322 Learn how to use a mouse, get appointments on Free Library computers, use the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system, get started using Microsoft Word, and use a keyboard in this free, 90-minute hands-on class. Space for these hands-on Tech lab classes is limited to 12 people. Tickets will be available at the Parkway Central Library Main Lobby Desk 30 minutes before each class begins. A Free Library of Philadelphia library card is required to receive a ticket. ###### Computer Tutorial Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 10:30AM Cecil B. Moore Branch 2320 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, 19121-2927 215-685-2766 Would you like to learn how to open an email account, complete an online job application, or prepare your résumé? If so, our computer tutor can teach you. Reservations are recommended; for further information, contact the librarian at 215-685-2766 ###### Computer Basics Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 11:00AM Page 55 If you associate enough with older people who do enjoy their lives, who are not stored away in any golden ghettos, you will gain a sense of continuity and of the possibility for a full life. – Margaret Mead Lillian Marrero Branch 601 West Lehigh Avenue, 19133-2228 215-685-9794 Get started with basic computer skills and learn how to use a mouse and a keyboard. Workshops are available in both English and Spanish. For more information, call 215-685-9794. ###### Open Lab Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 1:00PM Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library 68 West Chelten Avenue, 19144-2795 215-685-2150 Work on your own individual project or assignment in the computer lab. No registration required: First Come, First Seated. ###### Facebook Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 10:59AM Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library 68 West Chelten Avenue, 19144-2795 215-685-2150 Sign up for a Facebook account and stay in touch with family and friends. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ------- Group offers low-cost web access to nonprofits Mobile Citizen, a provider of mobile broadband for education and Page 56 If you would like to report on a recent community event, feel free to send us a brief account of what happened in document format, and we will share it with our readers. Send your information to: News From The Coalition, Inc. All entries for submission should be received by noon, the Monday prior to publish date and in Press Release form. nonprofits, will offer a Technology Assistance Grant program beginning in January to provide non-profit organizations with affordable access to the Internet. Available only in Portland, Oregon, Las Vegas, and Philadelphia, the grant includes reduced-price service from Mobile Citizen, with unlimited usage for only $10/month or $120/year per account. It bundles Mobile Citizen’s wireless broadband, powered by WiMAX, a fourth generation (4G) technology from Clearwire Corporation with a variety of benefits available only to grantees, including: -- 12 months of service from Mobile Citizen extended to 15 months at no additional charge. With this, nonprofits receive three free months of service per account. -- Dedicated Mobile Citizen Customer Care customized for non-profit organizations. -- A free one-year membership to NTEN, a nonprofit technology network, ongoing information and news as well as access to a support community. -- A choice of additional benefits including an educational webinar series. For more information, email Kecia Carroll. A HAND UP! Call For Chairs Overbrook Art Center needs chairs ASAP (100 or so) Can also accept stackable chairs. Please email Safiya134@aol.com. Thanks so much. Safiya ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- LIHEAP Extension 1. The LIHEAP program (Cash and Crisis) end date has been extended from March 15 to April 2, 2010. 2. A $100 supplemental LIHEAP Cash payment will be made to all LIHEAP households who are eligible for a cash grant. Households that were already approved for LIHEAP cash will automatically receive another $100 (most payments will go directly to utility/vendor). An additional $100 supplemental LIHEAP Cash payment will Page 57 be made to LIHEAP households with a “vulnerable household member”. Vulnerable is defined as 60 or over, 5 or younger, or with a disability. This supplemental payment will be in addition to the $100 Cash grant supplement which will be provided to all LIHEAP households eligible for a cash grant (discussed in #2). 4. As of February 8, 2010, DPW will accept all regulated utility termination notices, dated February 1 or later for the purpose of providing Crisis grants. In Philadelphia, shut-off notices from PGW and PECO dated February 1 or later will be accepted as proof of a Crisis. Until now, only applicants without heat were eligible for Crisis. 5. As of February 8, 2010, individual households will be able to apply for a second Crisis grant up to the maximum total amount of $400. The “one and done” rule has been waived. A second Crisis grant may be issued to households who have previously received one of less than $400. Both grants cannot total mo than $400. The second grant must be accepted by the fuel vendor or utility company as sufficient to resolve the crisis. The utility must agree to accept the Crisis amount as sufficient to Avert termination until May 1, as per the LIHEAP State Plan. Download LIHEAP Applications in English and Spanish at: http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/LIHEAP/ To apply for LIHEAP Cash and/or Crisis, mail or take the application to: LIHEAP District County Assistance Office (formerly Tioga) 1348 W. Sedgley Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19132 Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. you can also apply for LIHEAP Crisis by going to: Page 58 A liberal is a conservative who's been arrested. A conservative is a liberal who's been mugged. – Wendy Kaminer Elmwood District Boulevard District 5740 Market Street, 1st Floor 4109 Frankford Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19139 Philadelphia, PA 19124 THURSDAYS ONLY TUESDAYS ONLY 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. DO NOT MAIL APPLICATIONS TO THESE OFFICES! WALK-IN APPLICATIONS ONLY! Questions? Contact Thu Tran, ttran@clsphila.org, or Maripat Pileggi, mpileggi@clsphila.org. ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Volunteer In Africa Explore a Continent of Contrasts while Volunteering in Africa For over a decade, Cross-Cultural Solutions has supported thousands of volunteers in Africa on programs in Ghana, Morocco, South Africa and Tanzania. CCS volunteers work side-by-side with local people in community organizations focused on supporting social services, education, and health initiatives. Discover one of the world’s most diverse continents and see firsthand the challenges it faces and how you can make a positive impact with CCS. Go to: www.cross-culturalsolutions.org IT’S HERE!! Our group A HAND UP! Is now open, please go to: A HAND UP! In response to the needs of many grassroots organizations for the basic tools to implement and sustain their ideas and projects, The Coalition, Page 59 WORD-OFTHE- WEEK sui generis \sooeye- JEN-ur-us; sooee-\ Being the only example of its kind; constituting a class of its own; unique. Inc. members have come together to establish a network to facilitate the distribution/re-distribution of unwanted, unneeded, surplus and even repairable items for recycling. To join: A Hand Up! ----- Coalition members! Activate ‘Your’ web link on The Coalition, Inc. web site ----- Remember to support The Coalition, Inc.’s on-air personalities… Civil Alert World with Brother Sabir Bey Saturdays 5:30pm to 6:30pm on WNJC 1360 AM. Also listen in on WKDU 91.7 AM Friday, 12am to 3am Sister Phile Chionesu, organizer of the Million Woman March, “Nu Day Resurrection and Liberation" Show LIVE each Saturday evening 10:30 PM--12:00 midnight EST. "NU Day" is heard in Philly and, worldwide, through the internet at: www.blogtalkradio.com/empresschi Or you can tune in via podcast at 646-652-2232 Call in and give your thoughts, comments, opinions at 1-646-652-2232 or send an instant message to mwmsistahood@aol.com to chat on line.
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