Closing Ceremony For Fellows In Pratiti Program

Poster for the launch of a Pratiti program.

In India, there has been an ongoing problem that has been receiving more media notice in recent years. That is the issue of gender-based violence, primarily focused on women. With so many men feeling entitled to sexually abuse/rape women, there is a need to focus on how to change that culture. PEOPLE FOR PARITY is one organization that is focusing on women's rights and violence against women, particularly since the fatal assault on a young woman in Delhi, and the several publicized cases since.

Pratiti addresses gender-based violence with young adults and youth through a fellowship program, which trains young people as leaders, while providing a safe learning environment for learning more in-depth about this issue. Every year this program awards fellowships to young adults and older adolescents, who apply, desire to learn more about gender-based violence, prevention efforts, and also interact with youth through workshops and programming.



Last year, thirteen fellows spent six months working with five different organizations in Jaipur. The closing event, held on June 15, 2016, celebrated the accomplishments of the fellows. Each fellow created a colorful display, which conveyed what they learned and accomplished, in his/her stall area. The stalls provided an exhibit area, where members of the audience could view the fellows' depiction of their experiences, along with being able to interact and ask questions.

In addition, two groups hosted special events. The Magic Bus team presented a street play (Nukkad Naatak), while the Vishakha team presented a puppet show. Two female cab drivers, recipients of services from Azad Foundation, presented their stories, and that, like them, the women and girls present could overcome any barriers placed in their way. Two elder women from the Smile Foundation sang songs calling for equality between genders.

The Pravah Jaipur team at their stall, in discussion with an audience member.

The Guest of Honor was Manju Sharma Ji, a prominent social worker and advocate, who had also served as Councillor for the area. In addition, many prominent members of the community were present in the audience, showing a strong community presence and commitment. At the end, the fellows shared their personal stories to the acclaim and recognition of the audience members.

Thirteen Fellows with certificates of completion.

Thanks for information from this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/PeopleForParity/about/?ref=page_internal; this blog post on People For Parity: http://the-pratiti-journey.blogspot.com/2016/07/pratiti-in-jaipur-closure-event.html; and the above link.

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Bring Your Imagination To Kids Discovery Museum

Mother and child engaged in an art project.

Do you have children? Have you ever wanted to take them on a trip to a land of imagination, a land where they can explore the way the world works and have fun doing it? If you happen to live on Bainbridge Island in the State of Washington, you've probably heard of KIDS DISCOVERY MUSEUM, and you may actually have visited.

If you like sharing learning opportunities with your children, love to see that smile and laugh of delight on his/her face, seen that lovely moment when he/she "gets it", this is a match for you. Even for children with special needs, this is a place that considers what your child needs.



For instance, the museum opens specifically for children with autism between 10 and 11:30 AM, before the museum is open to the public. That way, these children, who can be easily overwhelmed and overstimulated, can visit when the museum is quieter and staff have the time to be more supportive. The museum does ask that you call ahead, since they admit only a certain number of individuals for the program, if you want to be assured of being able to enter when you go, but if there is room, you are welcome to join.

Sensory Sunday, planned by Magnolia Behavior Therapy will be held on Sunday, June 25. Again the museum offers the same conditions as for the early opening for children with autism. At those times children with sensory disorders and autism will be able to benefit, in addition to the quieter atmosphere, from additional therapist guidance.

Do you like bees? Are you curious about their behavior and how they work together? Charles Schafer, a beekeeper is at the museum, also on Sunday, from 1:30 to 2:30 PM, to give you and you children a closeup look at what bees do in a beehive. And, have your children write down any questions, because Mr. Schaefer will be answering them, too. Find out how vital those pollinators are to plant life. Without them, there would be very little plant life.

Do your children have a passion for art? Then save Saturday, July 8 from 10 AM to 2 PM to bring the entire family to the plaza between Kids Discovery Museum and the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. You can choose from a wide variety of art activities, ones you can do together, or ones that you can watch your child engage in. And if you haven't visited the museum before, you might be able to check it out, since admission is free all day.

Beekeeper Charles Schafer coming to the museum on Sunday.

As you can tell, the Museum has a calendar full of activities for children and their parents. But this is not all they do. There are exhibits designed to engage the attention of children of various ages, and even parents, too. So, if you're in the area, come on down, and make sure to bring the children. It's bound to be a great experience for all!

Story time at the Museum.

Thanks for information from this page on Charter For Compassion:  https://www.charterforcompassion.org/kids-discovery-museum; this post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/142910826275301/?ref=3&action_history=null; this post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1431176446926357/?ref=3&action_history=null; this announcement on Kids Discovery Museum: http://www.kidimu.org/event/family-art-day-free-3/; and the above link.

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CCBC Strengthens Its Humanities Program

CCBC President Sandra Kurtinitis (left), with major donors, Eleanor and Robert Romadka, at the dedication for F. Scott Black Theatre on the Essex Campus.

Community colleges - These are the two-year programs that grant a degree or certificate, indicating education beyond high school and frequently providing entree into highly skilled fields. They can also give those who attend a boost into a four-year college; some have agreements with four-year colleges that can even place a graduate into the third year of a four-year program.

But many community colleges offer even more, from helping to complete high school, to providing college credits to savvy high school students, to providing educational enrichment to local adults who may be looking to increase their knowledge or learn a hobby. That is the rich and diverse role that many of these colleges fulfill.



All of this and more, are part of Baltimore County's COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF BALTIMORE COUNTY (CCBC), which has campuses in Catonsville, Dundalk, and Essex. Extension locations can be found in Hunt Valley, Owings Mills, and Randallstown. Why so many locations? Baltimore County covers 682 square miles, with more than 831,000 people residing in it. So, the County's only community college has to be accessible to its residents.

So, it's no surprise that CCBC gets its share of recognition. Recognition in the form of a grant is very welcome, especially when it comes from the prestigious Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. A $1.725 million combined grant was awarded by the Foundation to CCBC and Johns Hopkins University (JHU) for their Humanities curriculum. CCBC's portion of the grant totals $980,000 and goes to enriching students' academic experience. The reason that both institutions won the grants is because they have been collaborating on their Humanities For All initiative to provide a more dynamic learning environment and make the transition between the two-year program and the four-year program smoother.

Not only is course content enriched, however, but the funds will also be used to help in recruitment, retention, and transfer. Some other features of the grant's use will be in strengthening the connection between the faculty of both programs and provide more incentives for CCBC students to join CCBC's Honors Program, which boasts higher graduation and transfer rates to four-year programs among its enrollees. A new addition will be a Mellon Scholars Program, which will provide more research opportunities and increase the opportunites to interact with JHU's faculty and graduate students.

According to CCBC's President Sandra Kurtinitis, "Thousands of CCBC students will benefit from Mellon's recognition that the democratization of the Humanities in America does indeed begin with the community college. And, the enthusiasm of the faculty involved in developing this program has been inspiring. They all bring a profound commitment to students."

Some of this year's CCBC graduates.

Johns Hopkins University President Ronald Daniels commented, "This great partnership reflects Johns Hopkins' sustained commitment to building bridges so that all students have access to the transformative power of higher education. Creating academic and experiential opportunities that deepen engagement in the humanities and position students for transfer success - whether at Johns Hopkins or other four-year institutions - is critical to ensuring students can reach their full potential."

You might notice these signs around the various CCBC campuses - in celebration of CCBC's 60 years.

So, starting this fall semester, CCBC Honors program students will be paired with JHU graduate students for deep reading exercises and a Topical Lecture series by a visiting JHU professor.

Thanks for information from this page on CCBC: http://www.ccbcmd.edu/about-ccbc/locations; this page on CCBC: http://www.ccbcmd.edu/About-CCBC/Newsroom/news-articles/2017/06/19/15/25/Mellon-Foundation.aspx; and the above link.

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First Women's Crisis Center In The Middle East

Advocacy training session by WCCI in Bahrain.

Although one might not know it from viewing a photo of her, Mary-Justine Todd has been working in the field of women's rights and women's health for more than ten years. In 2013, she took that background, plus her education, and founded WOMEN'S CRISIS CARE INTERNATIONAL (WCCI). Based in the US, this organization provides the first and only domestic and sexual violence crisis intervention program in the Middle East. Through collaboration with the AMERICAN MISSION HOSPITAL in Manama, Bahrain, the organization can provide the physical care needed, as well.

Besides providing treatment for those most affected, WCCI also provides professional training and community education. Their staff have been able to consult with local hospitals and medical centers to provide the caring treatment that the women need. Ms. Todd explains that "helping women to recover from domestic or sexual violence, one by one, assists in promoting overall health and happiness around the world....Just as many women throughout the Arab world are veiled, so too is violence against women."



For Ramadan this year, WCCI held "Rama'dame: Women in STEM" honoring Muslim women who are making contributions in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math. Dr. Sameena Shah, Director of Research at Thomson Reuters in NYC. She specializes in computer engineering and scientific research.

Dr. Shah was educated in India, where she was born and raised, completing her Ph.D at the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi. Her thesis proved to be award-winning, as she won awards from both Google and Microsoft. Currently at Thomson Reuters, she is on a research review panel for several major journals, has published a paper on stock prediction, and holds one patent in her name.

Another honoree is Dr. Rafia Ghubash, President of the Arab Network for Women in Science and Technology. She earned her bachelor's degree at Cairo University and her Ph.D. at the University of London. She continues to practice psychiatry and was previously Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health at United Arab Emirates University. Another accomplishment was opening Bait al Banat, the first museum in the UAE dedicated to the accomplishments of local women.

Today's honoree is Mishaal Al-Shemimry, president and CEO of Mishaal Aerospace in Miami. Florida, founded by her in 2010. The company makes launch vehicles and develops rockets for space applications.

A way of getting the word out about their services.

From Saudi Arabia, this young woman earned her bachelor's and master's degree from Florida Institute of Technology. Her current expertise is in the areas of aerodynamics, wind tunnel testing, vehicle design, predictive simulation and analysis, and rocket stage-separation analysis.

One of this year's Rama'dame honorees.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/mary-justine-todd-womens-crisis-care-international-wcci/; this page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/womenscci.org/about/?ref=page_internal; this post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womenscci.org/photos/a.633313836729057.1073741829.632434250150349/1430392833687816/?type=3&theater; this post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womenscci.org/photos/a.633313836729057.1073741829.632434250150349/1429431767117256/?type=3&theater; this post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womenscci.org/photos/a.633313836729057.1073741829.632434250150349/1431438220249944/?type=3&theater; and the above links.

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Bringing The Voting Voice Back To The People

One of the fundraising posters used to provide funds for Free Speech For People's litigation.

Ever since that day in January 2010 that the Supreme Court recognized corporations as people, free to contribute exorbitant amounts of money to political campaigns, various organization have formed to fight back, in various ways. One of those organizations is FREE SPEECH FOR PEOPLE.

Essentially, Free Speech For People exists to challenge corporate monetary power within politics, while trying to bring political power back to the people. The group is involved in legal advocacy, reducing the exemptions that corporations claim from the law, and developing ways to hold the corporate world accountable to the public.



Free Speech For People has been taking a lawsuit against ten Super PACs through the court system after the case, SpeechNow.org vs. FEC, in which the creation of super PACs was permitted, essentially putting even more money into the political system. Specifically, this lower court case decided that no limits could be imposed on these large independent political committees, because setting any limits would violate the free speech rights of wealthy donors.

In the belief that there was obvious vulnerability in the lower court decision, if it was taken into a higher court, Free Speech For People has pursued court cases, so there are various cases available for the highest court to review.

The first step was filing an administrative complaint with the Federal Election Committee (FEC), asking it to enforce the previous limits against super PACs. The goal was for the FEC to issue a ruling after the SpeechNow.org decision, so the case could then be brought before the Supreme Court. But what happened was that a decision was dragged out, essentially providing no on-the-record decision.

A meeting in Boston to discuss concerns of LGBTQ individuals.

 As a result, the litigants then took the case to court to sue against the delay. Finally, the decision came down, affirming the SpeechNow.org decision of no limits on individual super PAC contributions. Now Free Speech For People can take that decision into the next higher court, on the way to reaching an ultimate decision by the Supreme Court.

Participants in the March For Truth last weekend.

Thanks for information from this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/FreeSpeech4People/about/?ref=page_internal; this blog article: https://freespeechforpeople.org/moving-next-phase-lawsuit-end-super-pacs/; and the above link.

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From Americorps To Baltimore

Community service on Earth Day last year.

Did you know that Americorps has developed organizations through which its members, staff, and volunteers can work in a specific area? I surely didn't know that, and I'm equally surprised to learn that one of its organizations is designed specifically for Baltimore.

Known as CIVIC WORKS, this organization offers job training, skills development, and community service. Building Brighter Futures provides job training in the weatherization, construction, and healthcare industries. Through this program, 600 participants were place in jobs, while 4,000 Americorps members were involved in community service.



Within the Healthy & Green Communities component, the focus is on agriculture, yes, even in the city. The work is on sustainability, land conservation and revitalization, along with economic viability. The Baltimore Orchard Project plants orchards and food trees on unused spaces, and at the end of the growing season, harvests the fruits to be provided to those in need. The Community Lots Team takes vacant lots and transforms them into community gardens and green spaces. Little Gunpowder Farm, located in Baltimore County, grows food with sustainable methods, and provides that produce at reasonable prices to Baltimore residents. In the process, young farmers get valuable skills training in the latest environmentally-friendly methods.

In the area of Safe and Affordable Homes, Civic Works has been making energy use improvements to some 6,000 households, rehabbing and weatherizing approximately 700 homes, and providing employment for 90% of their Green Careers program graduates. The Baltimore Energy Challenge is an educational initiative that reaches out into homes, businesses, and schools to provide information on ways to save energy. Cities for All Ages focuses on elders and helps to make their homes safer to prevent falls. EnergyReady provides appropriate weatherization for local home-owners.

Civic Works at a health fair with their Reach! Partnership school.

Do you remember Earth Day? It was a rainy day here in Baltimore, but Civic Works was on the job in Clifton Park. The group spent the day providing some colorful landscaping for homeowners in the community, and that made a great way for residents to benefit from the spring colors right on their own property. Volunteers also helped homeowners remove trash from their yards to give a chance for the greenery to thrive.

Executive Director Dana Stein on WYPR's radio program.

Thanks for information from this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/civicworks/about/?ref=page_internal; these pages all from Civic Works: https://civicworks.com/building-brighter-futures/; https://civicworks.com/healthy-food-and-green-communities/; https://civicworks.com/safe-and-affordable-homes/; https://civicworks.com/earth-day-2017/; and the above link.

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Supports For Those With Disabilities In South Africa

Scenes of the types of work Uhambo does.

Journey. Many would contend that life is a journey, in which a person does not really know the ultimate destination. Life journeys can also be made up of such journeys as college, trips to various places around the world, a journey of service to others, a career journey.

Back in 2008, Lucinda Kerschensteiner, at that time completing her graduate program, was on a journey to South Africa, Zambia specifically, to do research about the mobility sector and provide business support to a small manufacturer of wheelchairs. That trip sparked some ideas in a person who was already an advocate for those with disabilities and she founded UHAMBO USA, an organization based in the US, which serves those in Africa with disabilities by supporting the work of the Uhambo Foundation in Capetown. Interestingly, "Uhambo" means journey or traveling forward.



From surveys that have been done in South Africa, it was found that "[J]ust over 10 percent of young people with disabilities hardly ever leave or socialize beyond their home. 30% of school going age do not attend school, or a center of learning or care during the day, depriving them of opportunities to develop their strengths and abilities."

A large part of the effort of Uhambo has gone into developing training programs for parents of children with disabilities. That allows the organization to address such issues as this mother, who said, "the family is unhappy because she [the child with the disability] does not make sense when she talks, she does not understand anything and does things wrong," or this parent, who reported, "I was frightened, I sweat when I have to work with him [another child with a disability]." The training program has allowed these family carers to share their concerns and feelings, while receiving the support from others, who understand their situation.

Within the community, parents who have particular expertise and knowledge are trained to help link parents of children with disabilities with support services, These parents are known as Parent Champions. Parent support groups are also offered, providing a safe setting in which parents can take a break and share their issues and concerns with others in the same situation, At the community level, Uhambo also conducts surveys of local families to identify children with disabilities, so that services can be directed to those who need them. The organization also has a Social Work team, which helps families to access grants, connect with schools, and manage any acts of violence directed against them.

Parents sharing resources and challenges.

Because of all of the work being done in South Africa by Uhambo, especially in developing early childhood care, Danika Schultz, part of the team located in South Africa, visited the Posner Center for International Development in Denver to discuss Respite Care development in the US and even had time to participate in a fundraising event.

One of the meetings between the South Africa Team and the Posner Center. 

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/lucinda-kerschensteiner-advocating-for-children-with-disabilities-in-rural-south-africa/; this page: http://uhambousa.org/about-us/ and this page: http://uhambousa.org/community/ from Uhambo; this Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/Uhambo/posts/1346097515477146; and the above link.

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