Little Bits Of Normality For Refugees From Syria

Some of the children working on their activity books.

Syrian children haven't had very much to smile about over the last few years. Many of their families have been displaced as wars are fought right on their doorsteps. And even when these families move to a place that they believe to be out of harm's way, the fighting seems to pursue them, placing them again in the middle of armed conflict.

An American, Jean Bradbury, met some of these refugee children in their sanctuary in Jordan back in 2013, where she was teaching them about art. After providing the instruction, she noticed that none of the children had any supplies to continue art activities in their family's tents.



Ms. Bradbury was already running STUDIO SYRIA, based in Seattle, an organization that is helping to provide arts and crafts activities, along with educational opportunities, to Syrian refugees living in Jordan. Although Jordan has provided a certain amount of safety for the refugees, they aren't recognized as Jordanian citizens, so are denied opportunities for education. Many were also traumatized by what they have observed during the conflict, so art provides a way to express their feelings and find ways to cope.

To address the issue of lack of activity supplies, Ms. Bradbury developed an activity book in the children's language. The book contained math problems and reading activities, along with art projects. The cover was mostly blank and provided a place for children to draw themselves. These were added into a kit of supplies that contained colored pencils, extra paper, and pencil sharpeners.

Her pilot project provided enough supplies for 400 kits. These were given away at camps along the roadside, in fields, and in the middle of cities. The reviews by the kids were enthusiastic. According to Jean, "The need is enormous. The smiles on the faces of the children receiving their books and pencils was moving."

A girl colors a peaceful picture with markers.

The enormity of war in Syria has only added more individuals affected, children and adults. Studio Syria is still one of those organizations reaching out to provide relief and a means to express the pain of their suffering. Their booklets and workshops are providing drops of education to children who have no identity within the countries in which they have received shelter. Every bit is very important to these families and children touched so dramatically by war. They deserve our compassion, not our anger and misjudgments.

Donors sent in warm clothing that helps to keep a family supplied.

Thanks for information from this article by Pollination Project:http://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/jean-bradbury-studio-syria-activity-booklet/; and the above link.

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Martial Arts For Kids With Cancer

Children participate in a martial arts class.

It took a rabbi to create a special program for kids who have cancer. Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, who holds a black belt himself, started a program, KIDS KICKING CANCER, that teaches martial arts to children battling cancer and other shattering life events, entirely for free. Although the rabbi and the program are based in Southfield, MI, it is available nationwide.

A cancer diagnosis is not easy to hear, no matter which family member is receiving that diagnosis, but it must strike particularly hard when the one diagnosed is a child. After all, a child is so young, not yet living much of life, with so much potential and hope for the future, and all of that comes crashing down with the uncertainty about the length of that life and the seriousness of this illness.



But, nonetheless, a family summons up its courage to support their child in what becomes a battle against illness. Not only is the battle physical, aided by strong medication, surgery, radiation therapy, all of which can make a child even sicker, but it's also mental, developing that strength of will to persist throughout the many treatment regimens.

For Rabbi Goldberg, this is rather familiar territory, this diagnosis of cancer. His daughter lost her life at the age of 2 to childhood leukemia. So, he knows in his own heart what the children with a cancer diagnosis are facing.

Martial arts classes are just the right prescription to help children moving through the diagnosis and treatment experience, because they aren't just about physical strength. They have a spirituality that helps strengthen a child mentally, relieving the stress of treatment and empowering them to move forward. An additional benefit has been that children participating in these classes report less pain, providing a relief of pain beyond that provided by pain medications.

Families on an outing to Cranbrook Institute of Science.

Besides the martial arts classes, along with free uniforms, there are also a variety of other services. There is relaxation and meditation training, one-to-one support during hospitalizations and treatment, home visits, outings and family events, end of life and bereavement counseling, transportation to classes and events, community partnerships to raise resources, pain relief techniques, workshops for healthcare professionals, and referrals for other community assistance. Many of these services are provided to both the affected child and siblings. It's a total package; it's wholistic: and it's supportive at a time when the need is great.

Sensei Michael (left) and Rabbi Goldberg on a visit to London.

Thanks for information from this article by Little Things: http://www.littlethings.com/kids-kicking-cancer/; and the above link.

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The Beauty In An Atlanta Farm

Neighborhood children helping to build a mound.

Back in 2014, two people, with similar experience sets, got together and developed an urban farm on the west side of Atlanta, the GOOD SHEPHERD AGRO ECOLOGY CENTER. Their land includes a community center, along with the farm, situated next to the Good Shepherd Community Church.

Both Eugene Cooke and Nicole Bluh came from farming backgrounds and had experience with organic farming techniques. Now, when planning urban gardens, there can also be plenty of room for artistic and design sensitivity.



So, when it came to the land being utilized for the farm, this twosome decided to use a farming method, called hugelkultur, based on mounds. The technique takes woody debris, like logs and fallen tree branches, with other organic debris and soil filler, and places the soil on top of them to create a source of growth nutrients right under the plants.

In addition, because the land had been farmed previously and was also prone to flooding, the mound technique helped to raise that land and also was able to recycle three trees on the property that had died. Volunteers helped with the hard labor of building up the mounds, also giving them a stake in the project. According to Mr. Cooke, "When people build mounds together, they want to touch them, eat from them." Added Ms. Bluh, "When people learn about feeding this giant living organism that feeds us, it's really powerful."

There is one other plus to the mound strategy, as well. The mounds are approximately three feet off the ground. Local seniors, who may not be as spry as younger neighbors, don't have to bend over to tend the crops. And children are attracted to the mounds, which become playground challenges, places to climb, when the soil is fallow, blending into the city park across the street.

Also, among the design features is a medicine wheel, which was built in the center of the property. It is surrounded by three spiral-shaped mounds. Both Nicole and Eugene stated, "Just as the garden can be the grounds for all subjects in life, the Sacred Wheel is a representation of all cycles in life. By entering into the wisdom of the cycle, we may align our physical being with the cycles of nature to gain peace and harmony from wherever we are at."

Plants get a head start in the greenhouse.

In addition, both Nicole and Eugene have developed a website that documents some of the growers around Atlanta, KNOW YOUR GROWER ATLANTA. That's quite a lot of work in just a few short years, done with the help of volunteers, and the enthusiasm of being at one with the land.

There is a geometric beauty in the farm area.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: http://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/nicole-bluh-and-eugene-cook-good-shepherd-agro-ecology-medicine-wheel/; this article by Brooke Hatfield in the Daily Dirt: http://georgiaorganics.org/2014/04/mounds-benefits-hugelkultur-atlantas-west-end/; and the above links.

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A Walk In Four Cities For OCD

Do you ever want to walk for a good cause? Well, lace up your sturdy walking shoes and get ready, because June 4, 2016 is the date of the I MILLION STEPS 4 OCD WALK to support the INTERNATIONAL OCD FOUNDATION (IOCDF). This foundation raises awareness of obsessive compulsive disorder and those who have it, while supporting research and treatment of the disorder.

This walk is being held in four different cities this year and each one has a designated Grand Marshal, an individual who is being recognized for their treatment work, advocacy, or commitment to helping those with OCD.



The New England Grand Marshal (for the Boston Walk) is Massachusetts State Representative Liz Malia, who is being recognized for her work as Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, where she leads efforts to improve access to mental health services, especially in under-served areas.

Rep. Malia commented, "These types of community-building events are powerful and important because they allow folks to more deeply understand mental health conditions and help to dispel stereotypes, misconceptions, and any stigma associated with them."

The Georgia affiliate has named Michael Jenike, MD, as the Grand Marshal for the Atlanta Walk. Dr. Jenike founded the OCD Program at Massachusetts General Hospital and the OCD Institute at McLean Hospital. Because of his work, he has been a committed advocate for those who have OCD.

Dr. Janike expressed his enthusiasm, "The Walk is an ideal way to help create awareness while also raising money to support the work of the IOCDF and OCD Georgia. I am looking forward to being in Atlanta - so if you're in the area, come join us."

In Northern California, Eric W. McClendon was named the Grand Marshal for the Oakland Walk. Mr. McClendon has had the disorder, probably from childhood, and became an advocate after his long journey to diagnosis and, finally, treatment. He has experience as a long distance runner and has been working towards his MSW, so he can participate in helping the large group of individuals with severe mental illnesses in San Francisco, who cannot afford treatment.

One of the family walk teams in Boston last year.

Mr McClendon recounted, "You know, some say that being afflicted with mental illness is a negative impact and detriment in today's society. On the other hand, I believe that these three mental illness diagnoses are a gift that I will instead use to my advantage to pursue many dreams and goals, despite the negative influences caused from today's stigma."

Finally, moving to Texas, the Grand Marshal for the Houston Walk is Austin Vela, a local singer/songwriter, who has written and sung onstage with several stars and appeared on The Voice. He has also been an outspoken advocate for those with OCD and its related disorders, along with being diagnosed with the disorder himself.

Mr. Vela has spoken from the heart, "At the end of the day, we're all in this together. It's time to take a stand. It's time to raise awareness about mental illness (something not socially spoken of). It's time to take a 'disability' and turn it into an 'ability'. It's time for our world to know, it's going to be okay even though it's hard to rationalize at times. I would only be lying if I told you every day is not a struggle. Let's take a stand together!"

Northern California's walk in Sacramento last year.

If you happen to be in any of these areas, or want to organize a walk in your community, get in touch with IOCDF. Remember, anything can be done when we all work together.

Yes, you can still register, even right before the walk.

Thanks for information from this article by Jeffrey Smith in the IOCDF blog: https://iocdf.org/blog/2016/04/29/meet-the-2016-1-million-steps-4-ocd-walk-grand-marshals/; along with the above links.

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Archbishop Spalding Students Provide Service To The Community

The last gathering of the class of 2016 in the school auditorium.

Another one of the Baltimore area's parochial high schoolS is ARCHBISHOP SPALDING HIGH SCHOOL (ASHS), located in Severn in Anne Arundel Country. Approximately 1200 students attend this beautiful and modern facility.

Since Archbishop Spalding follows the Catholic faith tradition, many of the students participate in opportunities to put their faith into action. In February, the school community commemorated Social Justice Action Week. It was a time to bring greater awareness to the concept of social justice and also celebrate the ways students were reaching out to help others in need.



For the first time this year, an ASHS Community Service Fair was held, in which 20 different community service organizations participated. Students had the opportunity to learn about the services they provide directly from the organizations' representatives.

Morning prayers during the week focused on Catholic social teaching and students shared their service reflections. The week concluded with the school's Fast & Sleep Out. Students had the option to undertake a 24-hour fast, listened to speakers discussing homelessness and hunger, received information about issues regarding poverty, had time for reflection, and participated in theme-oriented fun and games.

Students at ASHS spend their four years engaged in service to the community both within and outside of the academic curriculum. Some of this year's seniors paused to reflect about the impact.

Kendall Baker said, "Community service is important to me for many reasons. It teaches you compassion and understanding. I find a lot of enjoyment in serving. It is an honor to be able to help better the community and bring smiles to the faces of people in need. To me, community service is a way of giving back and making people feel as though they matter, because they do matter."

Billy Godrick shared, "Service has definitely impacted my life in many ways, but the most valuable lesson I learned was to not take anything for granted....Now every time my mom makes dinner, I remember how lucky I am to have food on the table, a bed to sleep in, a car to drive, a family to come home to, and a roof to live under. I will be forever thankful for these things, the things we take for granted. Although I have made an impact on other people's lives through my volunteer service work, they made an even bigger impact on mine for we are all One in Christ."

According to Alexandra Hodges, "When I first was told we had sixty hours of service to complete by graduation, I was shocked. Sixty hours seemed like a large sum of hours and I figured it was going to be a drag to complete them all. I thought it would be a waste of my time or a chore, but I regret thinking that. It was not. Not even the least bit. I enjoyed all the service opportunities I took part in and I plan to continue participating in service throughout my life."

Greening by Spalding students, who are recycling electrical equipment.

In total the senior, graduating class of 2016 contributed 30,045 community service hours throughout their high school careers. Congratulations and a tip of the mortar board to this group of students with large hearts.

Some underclassmen who attended Happy Helpers Reception and received service awards.

Thanks to information from this Archbishop Spalding newsletter, p. 5: http://www.archbishopspalding.org/document.doc?id=14620; this newsletter, p. 5: http://www.archbishopspalding.org/document.doc?id=14601; and this newsletter, p. 5: http://www.archbishopspalding.org/document.doc?id=14630.

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Finding A Voice Through Arts

From left to right: glass artist David Powell; artist & AIM volunteer Owen Chaney; Julie Struck; and former UCS volunteer and social work candidate Charlotte Critchfield. All were at a UCS fundraiser.

In 2014 Julie Struck, who had been working as a college art professor, got the idea for a project in her Evansville, Indiana, community. She had been utilizing her ARTSPEAK program to promote healing among program participants, through visual arts and creative writing.

In order to develop and implement the program, she partnered with UNITED CARING SERVICES (UCS), which runs a night shelter for women and transitional housing for men, among its many services. It was these two services with which Julie planned to work. Once she had her planned population, she developed a six-week skill building arts education program, which would also provide healing. Her plan followed her core belief that "art gives people a sense of ownership, control, identity, accomplishment, community, and social engagement."



In addition, an art exhibition was planned to display completed works by those who were homeless, not just the participants in the program. The idea was that by taking the artwork out into the community through an exhibition, the life stories of these individuals would become visible, while the public would become more aware and understanding about the issues of homelessness.

The exhibition took place in September 2014, called Art In The Margins, at the Bower-Surheinrich Foundation Gallery, under the auspices of The Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana. Julie then publicized the exhibition throughout the time it was open, and utilized funds raised for the artists.

Following that, Ms. Struck moved on to Hendersonville, KY, when she accepted a post with Americorps. She continued to provide healing arts programs for other marginalized individuals in her new home. When she completed her stint, she worked with at-risk youth and continued working with individuals who had become homeless in Hendersonville.

A participant, who receives services from UCS, making Christmas cards.

You can follow her at JULIE STRUCK, MFA - WARRIORWOMAN PRODUCTIONS and NOTES FROM THE MARGINS, along with the original blog at the ArtSpeak link.

Some of the completed works by Arts In the Margins participants.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: http://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/julie-struck-artspeak/; and the above links.

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Imagine, Healthy Cakes!

Look for this article in Food Network Magazine.

This is no ordinary cake company. IMERMAN CAKE COMPANY hasn't even been around very long, having launched in 2013. The company got started in Jane Imerman's kitchen, where Jane has made fantastic cakes for her family, including the favorite chocolate chip cake. Along with eldest son, Jeff, mother Jane started sharing her homemade cakes with customers.

What distinguishes the company's cakes is that they are made from all organic and natural ingredients, with no artificial preservatives, GMOs, or pesticides. Jane came by her use of these types of ingredients from her father, who believed that natural, healthy low-fat foods, along with exercise, were key to healthy living.

Ms. Imerman became even more committed after her youngest son went through two episodes of testicular cancer when he was in his twenties. She decided to learn more about organic foods and their connection with an individual's health. That's when she and her oldest son began sharing with the world through their cake company.



Jane stated, "Cancer is so much more prevalent now, especially in young people. Jonny [her youngest son] was very young when he was diagnosed. I feel that the modified foods and preservatives commonly used now have spurred some of the health issues that exist today. I think this practice has evolved with competitive practices that drive companies to commercially produce in large quantities. This has resulted in the use of more pesticides and growth hormones."

For example, that chocolate chip cake that the Imerman family so loved was already made with natural ingredients that were healthier than many other cakes. Both Jeff and Jane spent more than a year perfecting the cake's ingredients. Jeff said, about the process, "We wanted to make the cakes as clean and pure as possible - which included cutting calories, fat, sodium, and sugar - without sacrificing taste. We use all organic ingredients except for the baking soda and baking powder, making the cakes nearly 100 percent organic."

In the beginning, the company sold its cakes at the local farmer's markets, but soon recognition of their wares started to follow. After a local TV anchor broadcast a segment on this little company's wares, sales to larger, big box stores followed. Then Food Network Magazine became interested in this little company that made tasty cakes, and that led to an article in the magazine, which appears this month, the May 2016 edition.

Now, that will extend the reach of the Imerman Cake Company even further. Jeff added, "We are so grateful they wanted to share our story, because we are a small, local start-up company. To be featured in a gold standard magazine helps give us credibility, recognition, and awareness. We have already seen an uptick in sales on our website; we have orders coming in from a number of different states across the country. We are now shipping cakes coast-to-coast. The story also helped us to further progress each of our three missions."

A satisfied young customer with an Imerman cake.

The company's three missions are giving customers the best cakes made from pure organic ingredients, raising awareness of the health benefits of organic foods, and raising awareness for IMERMAN ANGELS, a one-to-one support organization for those who have cancer, founded by Jonny Imerman. As Imerman Cake Company expands, it continues to support the work of cancer nonprofits, especially Imerman Angels. Truly a special company!

You get individually wrapped slices, perfect for any buffet.

Thanks for information from this article on Imerman Angels by Meg Oster: http://imermanangels.org/2016/04/28/the-taste-of-success/; and the above links.

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