Improving The Appalachian Region Through Partnerships

ARC Governors' Quorum meeting in DC.

Let's take a look at an area of the country that covers 420 counties in 13 States and follows the Appalachian Mountain region, known as the Appalachian region. While containing some of the most beautiful areas of the Eastern US, the area has also been home to people who aren't so economically well off. Back in the 1960s, 31 percent of its residents were living at the poverty level, but today that rate has fallen to 17.1 percent.

One of the major forces in the positive changes that have come to the area is the APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION (ARC), which was established in 1965 through an act of Congress, and which combines federal, state, and local governments in a common partnership. The Commission supports activities in five areas - economic opportunities, a ready workforce, critical infrastructure, natural and cultural assets, and leadership and community capacity.



One of the areas in which ARC has been active has been in "gateway" communities, those communities that sit at the border of the Appalachian region. In a sense these communities act as gateways, or places of entry, for those who travel to, and through, the area. In partnership with the Conservation Fund and National Endowment for the Arts, ARC has been helping these communities develop tourism, the arts, and other types of economic development.

In pursuit of this initiative, ARC and its partners have offered technical assistance, assessments pertaining to community tourism, workshops to help with tourism planning, and small grants for implementation projects. The entire effort has come to be the APPALACHIAN GATEWAY COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE (AGCI). In total, it has involved 1,000 communities and 100 counties. Not only has it worked in the communities; it also involves conservation of bordering national and state forests and parks.

One example involves the community of Tracy City, TN. Officials and representatives started out by attending an AGCI workshop that provided key information to connect the Mountain Goat Trail and other trails as part of the community and develop a community park, complete with a gathering space. Because of the workshop, Tracy City was able to enhance their trail system with aspects of nature, culture,  the arts, and active living.

A map of Mountain Goat Trail with Tracy City's downtown project route.

The Conservation Fund is planning a 3-day Advanced Project Implementation Workshop For Appalachian Gateway Communities to be held in Sheperdstown, WV in August. Specifically designed for communities that have already participated in other AGCI activities or are at the implementation stage, the workshop is designed to share information about reassessing and building capacity and planning efforts, along with technical assistance and how to develop an action-based roadmap to completion. National and regional experts will be present to share their expertise.

Some of the participants at the Appalachia Health Investment Design Forum, including Kentucky ARC alternate, Sandy Dunahoo, center.

Thanks for information from this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ARC.gov/about/?ref=page_internal; this page on ARC: https://www.arc.gov/appalachian_region/TheAppalachianRegion.asp; this page on ARC: https://www.arc.gov/appalachian_region/TheAppalachianRegion.asp; this newsletter: https://us12.campaign-archive.com/?u=9bfa82f6fd59f9f14e40259c1&id=206404ffb8; and the above links.

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Supporting Local Police and Fire K-9 Squads

Migi is a narcotics detection dog with Annapolis P.D. She's enjoying a pig's ear provided through Chesapeake K-9 Fund.

In recent years, many police departments are adding a specialized unit to their forces, one that is not completely human. These K-9 forces do a number of different jobs from drug-sniffing, bomb-sniffing, comforting crime victims, to subduing those running away from a crime scene. They can be found with their officer partner in many different venues. But having these canine units can add expenses to the police, and other public, departments that use them, in the midst of tight municipal and county budgets.

That's where an organization like the CHESAPEAKE K-9 FUND comes in. This particular organization is located in Annapolis and got its start in 2016. The group functions primarily as a funding nonprofit agency, helping local police departments acquire and train additional dogs and partners and fund veterinary care, appropriate safety equipment for the animals, repairs for the kennels when the police use them to house the dogs, and food.



In its fund-raising capacity, the K-9 Fund hosts various fund-raising events, which also offer the supporting public an opportunity to meet with officers and dogs from the departments receiving monetary support. In a sense, that helps members of the public learn more about what officers do and promotes better community relations by meeting together in a social setting.

Just this Monday, Chesapeake K-9 Fund was part of a Happy Hour fund-raiser at Stan and Joe's Saloon on West Street Annapolis. It was termed an "Explosive" Happy Hour, since the funds were
being raised for the Fire Department Bomb Squad, including K-9 partners. A Flying Dog Auction was held as a way to raise needed money and members of the Bomb Squad, along with the rest of the Fire Department were special guests. The contributions numbered in the thousands of dollars.

Some of the attendees at the "Explosive" Happy Hour.

Then, this spring, it's time to get on your running shoes for the Chesapeake K-9 Fund 5K. Participants are still being enrolled at this time. You have a few months left, since the event is scheduled for Sunday, May 20, starting at 7:30 AM until 12:30 PM at Quiet Waters Park. Called the "Run For The Dogs In Blue", there are also other attractions available to those who prefer not to run. You can watch live K-9 demonstrations allowing the dogs to show everyone their skills, and an opportunity to get your picture taken with your favorite member of the K-9 squad (Great opportunity for the kids!), and at the end an awards ceremony for the runners. All proceeds go to local law enforcement K-9 units.

Deputy Goodman with her canine partner, Chase.

If you love dogs and want to make sure that police and fire department dogs get the very best, this is a group for you, with fun money-raising activities, and making sure the dogs get the best life possible.

Thanks for information from this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ChesapeakeK9Fund/about/?ref=page_internal; this event page on Chesapeake K-9 Fund: http://www.chesapeakek9fund.org/events; and the above link.

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Basic Needs Provided in Tanzania Villages

Children received Christmas gifts from Operation Christmas Boxes.

The year is 2011. A young woman goes to Africa as a volunteer teacher, training teachers in Morogoro, Tanzania. She had planned to stay for ten months, but she saw the vast need in the area. Not only was the need in education (not enough access to educational settings, not enough teachers, not enough training for teachers), but also in health care.

The young woman, Karah Germroth, ended up founding MOYO WA AFRIKA, based in both Tanzania and the United States, to raise the funds to help the local communities to meet their needs. But, unlike many other organizations, the needs and the ways of meeting those needs, is determined by those who live in the area, those who know the needs best, through their communities.



Once the organization was established, Ms. Germroth recalled an issue at the Arushani Kindergarten in Engaruka, Maasiland. Students were not really food secure, since there were times that there wasn't even enough food to feed them one meal in a day. That's when a project to establish a garden at the school, along with a rain capturing system was devised.

Ms. Gemroth discussed the plans at the time, "We expect that our project will impact the community as a whole by providing education on rain-harvesting and gardening that can be shared and used by others: the students at the school through providing healthy, diverse food choices; and the future students by helping the kindergarten program become more sustainable and able to continue providing early education to future classes." Now, with the garden a reality, it provides additional food sources for over 600 students.

Other programs include a girls' center, which provides housing and up-to-date schooling, for 35 girls, leading up to qualification for certificate programs that provide pathways to careers. A secondary school sponsorship program provides funds for more than 30 students to attend secondary school programs, that lead to higher education. Funding also allows those in need to obtain medical care, including surgery for four patients, vital medical treatment for 20 others, and eye exams and prescription glasses for 100 individuals.

Moyo Wa Afrika even provides the basics with its funding. If you remember back to when you were a child, you might remember how quickly you outgrew your shoes. It's no different in Africa; little ones need shoes. This organization began a Tiny Toes Tanzania program to provide shoes for these youngsters. Since it started, more than 500 children have received shoes.

Young children receive shoes.

Victories in this part of the world are counted individual by individual. It comes in the noting that a young woman completed an education course and went on to become employed, seven students passed a significant exam, a whole class of preschool students received shoes, two women received sewing machines for their home businesses, and a young woman received a school uniform that enabled her to start secretarial school. They all add up to a community doing just a little bit better.

This is Eliamani, who is staying at the Girls' Center while she finishes a day care teacher certificate program.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/karah-germroth-food-security-in-maasailand/; this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/moyowaafrika/about/?ref=page_internal; this page from Moyo Wa Afrika: http://www.moyowaafrika.org/what-we-do/; and the above link.

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Protecting Immigrants Through Organization And Expertise

ILRC distributes these red cards that tell immigrants what to do if an ICE agent comes to the door.

This has to be one of the most difficult times for those who are immigrants to this country, made even more difficult by a xenophobic president. Not everyone born in the United States shares those beliefs; we realize that most of us are here because some family member immigrated to this country. It's this constant input from new people coming over here and seeking better lives that has contributed to this country's development.

I am quite appalled by the hatred displayed by some who call themselves Americans and patriots. That gives me some interest in organizations, like the IMMIGRANT LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER (ILRC), which advocates for immigrants' rights, provides legal training, raises awareness of the issues, extends community outreach services.



Just recently, ILRC released two significant pieces of information. A report, The Rise of Sanctuary, has found a significant increase in the number of areas that provide some form of sanctuary, refusing to honor ICE detainers that violate constitutional rights. Specifically, it was found that 410 localities have strengthened sanctuary policies during the previous year. That makes a total of one-fourth of counties throughout this country refusing to honor ICE holds, which would cause local law enforcement to illegally jail any immigrant cited. Along with this report is an interactive map, which shows jurisdictions which follow and do not allow ICE detention holds.

Lena Graber, Staff Attorney at ILRC, explained, "When it comes to sanctuary cities, President Trump is bullying local electeds and law enforcement to comply with illegal requests from ICE. Trump's anti-sanctuary attacks are so baseless that the Administration has lost every court ruling so far on their unconstitutional attempts to withhold federal grants. It is the Trump administration, not sanctuary cities, who are violating the law and constitution."

Ms. Graber continued, "While 98 percent of counties have no official contract with ICE, there is a great opportunity in 2018 to strengthen and establish new policies that actually protect our immigrant neighbors and do not spend local resources detaining and deporting our community members. Sanctuary policies are a commonsense response to a political agenda rooted in racism and exclusion and a step in helping to keep more families where they belong - together."

The latest report from ILRC.

There are ten counties that are home to the most immigrants; about 30 percent of all immigrants live in those counties. Fortunately most of them have some sort of sanctuary protection. Sanctuary protections include refusal to release information to ICE about release from legal custody, laws prohibiting immigration enforcement, restrictions on inquiries about immigration status, and protections against interrogations by ICE. This information suggests that a significant portion of Americans value our immigrants and oppose separating families by ICE. We need to keep speaking up and supporting the protections that our local and State governments provide.

This poster is part of the advocacy and community awareness function.

Thanks for information from this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/immigrantlegalresourcecenter/about/?ref=page_internal; this article on ILRC: https://www.ilrc.org/new-report-and-map-sanctuary-policies-strengthened-410-counties-across-country-2017-finds-immigrant; and the above link.

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Putting Lives Back Together, One Step At A Time

Raising money for a good cause - BOMFB members and staff.

Many of us have probably used the expression "back on my feet" at least a few times in our lives. We are meaning to say that We're back on track after a setback or have gotten up out of our sick bed and started to move forward again. For those without permanent homes, it may mean a large life turn-around, depending on the issues an individual or family is facing, whether it is drug dependency, sudden job loss, loss of pay, even not being able to afford the water bill.

Back on My Feet, the organization, started in Philadelphia in 2007; BACK ON MY FEET BALTIMORE (BOMFB)started in 2012. Participants are those who are already homeless, or who risk becoming homeless. They must be referred to the program by a referral partner. Once referred, members are expected to run on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. In addition, they receive a wide variety of services, including job training, employment resources, community support, assistance in transitioning from shelter living to a permanent home. Most important is the emotional support, which helps to boost self-esteem, confidence, and inner strength to meet the challenges ahead. As CEO Katy Sherrott said, "Our members are an inspiration, they work incredibly hard in the Back on My Feet program and with our support transform their lives one mile at a time."



Baltimorean Tony Randolph made that commitment to BOMFB for 30 days; showing up at 5:30 AM for the designated 3 days each week. He discussed his decision, "I was at the end of my rope - using drugs at my Mom's house, on the verge of homelessness, feeling suicidal, just tired of myself. My nephew told me about the HELPING UP MISSION...It's a spiritually based program that helps with recovery for people who are broken. I was working in the kitchen, and some co-workers came in looking happy and joyous, and I decided I wanted some of that!"

Once he started the program, Mr. Randolph appreciated all of the support provided by other participants and staff, "[N]obody ever walks or runs alone, everyone starts and stops with you. From the first day, staff showed me they cared even though they don't know me...Running regularly at 5:30 AM gets you into [a] mindset of getting up and going to work, and repetition is good."

Cigna Foundation, one of BOMFB's partners, would go to Tony's residence with Helping Up and do blood pressure checks and other testing for both Mr. Randolph and the other residents. Tony started developing a new mindset about his health, causing him to "commit to my health and pay more attention to my heart, my head, and my feet - they're all connected."

And now, Mr. Randolph has moved along from the Mission. He now has a permanent residence and has his own landscaping business. He had some help from BOMFB in getting his driver's license and assistance to purchase his own riding mower.

Because of his hard work and commitment to his health, his continued participation in the running group, he has received an all-expense paid vacation to Disney World in Orlando. He was planning to participate in the Disney World 5K at the beginning of this month.

Members and other Baltimore runners ready to start a 5:30 AM run.

Mr. Randolph remains grateful for his chance to reclaim his life, "Life is great! Back on My Feet showed me I can do anything., and they gave me the confidence to do it...The confidence BOMFB has given me makes me a much better man and father, and I've gone from being someone you didn't want around to now being the Fred Sanford of the family - whatever you need, call Tony and he'll help you out." Really, what's better than reconstructing a life?

Members and other runners huddle before the run.

Thanks for information from this Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/BackonMyFeetBaltimore/about/?ref=page_internal; this page on BOMFB, https://baltimore.backonmyfeet.org/program; this page on BOMFB blog, https://baltimore.backonmyfeet.org/blog/bal-tony-press-release-2018-0; and the above links.

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Trips To Provide Service

A group of volunteers assess some of the residents.

There are some villages in Africa that are so remote that their residents cannot get to needed health care. There are highly skilled individuals in this United States with knowledge of bringing health care and dental services into areas that need them. Match them up, and you get people who can finally experience a more comfortable life.

However, linking those in need with those who have the skills can be rather difficult. Pediatric nurse, Lauri Ruprecht had visited areas in Ghana where her services were necessary, with a medical mission, complete with supplies and other skilled professionals.  She started the AMERICANS SERVING ABROAD PROJECT (ASAP), to enable other skilled health care professionals to serve in these remote villages in need and to learn about the culture of those who live there.

Ms. Ruprecht explained, "Because it is very difficult to get to the nearest health clinic, people do not often go until they are very sick or not at all. These are areas where local doctors will not go. Sometimes they resort to spending money on traditional medicines which may in some cases do more harm than good."

In addition, ASAP brings medical supplies to local clinics and holds educational classes to teach the residents about such topics as personal hygiene. They hope to bring such equipment as iPads to local schools, so that students can learn about the types of technology available in other places in the world.

Some of the local village children, two with baskets loaded with food.

The organization is planning a trip to Ghana on March 2-16 this year. A planning meeting is to be held on January 14 in Syracuse. ASAP's projects for the trip include healthcare screenings, physical exams, lab testing, medications, treatment, and a care program for street mothers and their babies. Because the program also promotes cultural exchanges, participants will visit a market and craft village, try out drumming and dancing, and tour a castle known for slave trade. Participants are also responsible for their own expenses, and the trip costs $3,000. The trip promises to be both rewarding and inspiring.

One of the village families.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project:  https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/lauri-rupracht-americans-serving-abroad-project/; this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/americansservingabroadproject/about/?ref=page_internal; this announcement on ASAP: https://www.americansservingabroad.com/march-2018-mobile-healthcare-service-trip.html; and the above link.

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Monitoring Columbia River's Water Quality

An aerial view of the Columbia River watershed.

Many of us have had to admit, since the beginning of this year, that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been gutted of its mission by a deliberately negligent leader. As that has become more apparent, our environmental concerns have been placed more in the hands of nonprofit organizations, to maintain the rehabbing of our major rivers, among the various neglected aspects of the EPA.

One organization that guards a body of water moving through several States is COLUMBIA RIVERKEEPER, whose responsibility is the cleanliness and preservation of the Columbia River. Part of a national Waterkeeper Alliance, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., it was formed from a merger between Columbia River United and Clean Water Columbia. Its responsibility is the entire Columbia River, from its head until it drains into the Pacific Ocean, along with all of its living environs.



One of the functions of the organization is training more than 150 volunteers to monitor the Columbia's water quality at approximately 100 sites along the river. In their quest to maintain the river water's integrity, there were several water pollution threats detected, including toxic substances detected in sturgeons and water temperatures that were outside of standards set by the State and that affect salmon migration.

Since 2006, volunteers have monitored an increasing number of sites for conductivity, pH, water clarity, dissolved oxygen level, temperature, and e. coli level. In 2007-2008, volunteers monitored eight of the sites near Wenatchee for aquatic insects. By monitoring these sites regularly, Riverkeeper is able to respond quickly to changes that indicate a toxic inflow and can pinpoint the problem, so it can be fixed.

A trained volunteer monitors water quality at a designated site.

For example, in 2008 volunteers at the Indian Creek site detected an increase in e. coli, which was found to be coming from a damaged sewer pipe, that enabled the damage to be fixed. Throughout their time monitoring the river, volunteers have found that the mainstream temperature of 68 degrees in the summer exceeds the State standard. That temperature causes young steelhead and salmon to be restricted in size, more subject to disease, and more vulnerable to predators. Continued monitoring has also helped volunteers to identify some cool-water tributaries that could be restored into alternative sites more suitable to these younger fish.

By monitoring the river, volunteers discovered the water temperature too warm to sustain healthy steelheads and salmon.

In order to provide accurate monitoring, volunteers receive training from Columbia Riverkeeper and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. (DEQ). That helps maintain scientific accuracy and also performs a service for DEQ, allowing them to have data and report to their citizens the state of the river.

Thanks for information from this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ColumbiaRiverkeeper/about/?ref=page_internal; this page on Columbia Riverkeeper: http://columbiariverkeeper.org/about-us/our-story/; this page on Columbia Riverkeeper: http://columbiariverkeeper.org/water-quality/water-quality-monitoring/; and the above link.

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