A Supportive Response To The Syrian Refugee Crisis

Farzin Yousefian and Samantha Jackson, now married, just after their smaller wedding.

By now, most of us have seen the pictures of Syrian refugee families risking their lives to escape the horrendous conditions of war and terrorism into safer lands. Even the refugee camps in the Middle East have been overwhelmed with the flow of refugees, to the point of not even being able to feed all of those who seek safety.

We have also seen certain grandstanding politicians cruelly denying entry to safer areas in wealthier parts of the world and adding hateful insults to the desperation that the refugees already face. Most of those fleeing the violence and hunger are families with young children. We have watched as some of the youngest refugees have lost their lives trying to get to safety.



In Toronto Samantha Jackson and Farzin Yousefian were planning to get married in March, only a few months away. They, also, noticed the refugees who were risking their lives and were particularly moved by the photo of Alan Kurdi, the three-year-old toddler, whose father was holding his lifeless body, where the boy had washed ashore after drowning, after the family set sail from Turkey in a flimsy boat.

The couple could not ignore the suffering, so they canceled their wedding. Ms. Jackson explained, "We realized right away that our wedding would be a great opportunity to come together with our friends and family to support this cause, and transformed our wedding into a fundraiser with the hopes of helping a Syrian family start a new life in Toronto." Instead, they got married on Oct. 9 at city hall and held a small dinner at which they asked guests to donate money to RYERSON UNIVERSITY LIFELINE SYRIA CHALLENGE, which is raising funds to sponsor at least 75 families (300 people) from Syria for resettlement in the Toronto area. The couple requested no gifts for themselves.

Samantha goes on, "We just called the venue and the caterers and we told them our plan. We said that we wanted to redirect our efforts towards this humanitarian crisis and they were immediately on board as well, which is great because they allowed us to cancel our existing reservation and refund our money to use towards this new cause." With a final goal of raising $27,000, the newly-weds have so far raised $17,500. Samantha has also converted her passion into action and has been working for the Syrian Challenge since June.

The happy couple with Toronto Mayor John Tory.

If you want, you can donate to the cause at the above link and click "Make A Donation". It's one way to show that you welcome Syrian refugees onto the North American continent.

One of the Syrian Challenge sponsorship teams welcomes a Syrian family to Prince Edward County.

Thanks to this article from Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/couple-cancels-wedding-and-raises-money-for-syrian-refugees-instead_564e4af8e4b0879a5b0a4df0?pbx=25&ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000010.

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Out Of The Dark

Argan oil, the product that changed lives of some Moroccan women.

Societies that have restrictive social norms can be rather confining for the women who live within them. Restrictions that leave women with very little power make them vulnerable to violence and discrimination. Opportunities for independent ambitions and actions are limited.

But sometimes it is possible to find those small spaces of freedom that allow women to develop an enterprise, allowing them to reach out to the larger world outside. No longer the silence of life lived in the dark; now the rest of the world hears about them, interacts with them, albeit in a limited way. But the light that enters brings with it opportunities that were never available before, conveying a strength not experienced previously.



Renda Nazzal, Arlo Malmberg, and Haley Blake brought this opportunity to the women of Morocco with THE ARGAN PROJECT. It began with a partnership with a woman-owned cooperative in southwestern Morocco, utilizing the experience of San Francisco based Renda, to bring the coop-produced argan oil to the markets of the San Francisco Bay area.

Renda discussed the purpose of the project, "To make a difference in the lives of Moroccan women, is to support a solution that they have already identified. From that shared conviction, my partners and I have decided to expand market opportunities for argan oil cooperatives." By knowing the origins of the oil, the women's stories become available to a larger public. That gives the women the power of publicity, along with the money-making opportunities that come with opening a new market.

The voices of some of the women who participate shows the importance of this enterprise. Zahra said, "I decided to work at the cooperative to be financially independent and to secure the future of me and my family. Whenever I need money, I have it now. I enjoy being part of this cooperative; we organize excursions, we visit nearby cities, and while working we joke and have fun. I can only think of positive things when I think of this cooperative." According to Hajar, one of the youngest members, "I am 14 years old, I am new at the cooperative. I come to the cooperative when I don't have school. Among the things that I have gained being part of the cooperative is learning how to crack open the argan seeds just perfectly, and I am also getting to know new people in my hometown. I dream to be a successful teacher." As you can see, the women who are part of the cooperative benefit greatly, with the doors opened to better opportunities and a larger world view.

Renda sells some of the products at Golden Hill Park.

Since starting, the products made by the cooperative have expanded beyond argan oil, into pure saffron, cosmetic argan oil, and argan combined with almond butter, all of which can be ordered online from the website. The site's blog shares healthful recipes which utilize the products.

Some of the women in the cooperative working with argan seeds.

Thanks to this article from Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/renda-nazal-argan-project/.

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Rising From The Flames

Harley Dabbs, with her boyfriend, Joshua.

Sometimes there is an event that occurs in a person's life that makes such a profound change that that life is never the same again. What started as just an average life becomes something quite different. This was the case for Harley Dabbs, who was born in Eden, North Carolina, to two very proud parents.

Then when she was three years old, the trailer home in which she and her two sisters resided with their parents, went up in flames. Harley recounted, "My mom was trying to catch up on some laundry and I guess the wires got so hot and they ended up catching on fire." Little Harley was trapped inside until her father dashed through the flames and rescued her, getting burned himself in the process. The young toddler was burned over 80% of her body and was given just a 2% chance of surviving.



But the young girl did survive and she grew, as any young girl would. Her childhood, though, was punctuated by frequent stays at the Shriner's Children's Hospital in Cincinnati for multiple skin grafts and surgeries. Harley shared, "Shriners is my second home. I felt like I was another species and it made me feel okay being there because there were people who looked like I did - I actually felt like I belonged."

However, that wasn't always the case outside of the hospital. Children can be cruel, especially older children. There was no lack of bullies, who directed taunts at this growing girl, because of her appearance. All of the cruelty did get to her too, causing her episodes of depression, punctuated with thoughts of suicide. According to Harley, "I wouldn't go anywhere. I wouldn't leave the house. If I did go somewhere, I would fully cover myself no matter how hot it was outside. I'd wear coats and long pants." That was when she was younger, though.

Now, at age 21, Harley Dabbs is more at peace with herself. She has changed internally, emotionally. To mark that change, she got a tattoo of a phoenix on her back. She discusses her change in attitude, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Now I'm a warrior, I'm tough. I am who I am because I fought to be this person. I went through hell just to come out on top and I will every time."

Her attitude pervades her life, and her life representation online, on facebook. She wants to inspire others who face life challenges by sharing her internal strength. Harley notes, "I hope my story will help others who battle with their scars or birth. No matter what, they can get through their tough times and will be okay."

The fire that changed Harley Dabbs' life forever.

And what does this wonderful young woman have planned for her future? Ms. Dabbs provided an answer, "I hope to become a nurse and a motivational speaker. I'm supposed to help others, burned or not, realize they're beautiful regardless of what society portrays." You can bet that it wasn't easy for Harley to get where she is now. She had quite a difficult pathway, but she is, indeed an inspiration.

Harley Dabbs triumphed over the childhood bullies, who had previously led to her depressed mood.

Thanks to this article from Little Things.com: http://www.littlethings.com/beautiful-burn-victim-vcom/?utm_source=LTcom&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=inspiring.

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Yoga For Young Children

Yoga can be done in whatever available space exists.

The program started out in 2014, an idea developed by two yoga instructors, Beth Stone and Candace Martin. This twosome was interested in bringing the practice of yoga and mindfulness into the ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA, PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. Their idea was to present the scientific side of the practice, so that students' parents could better understand how the students would benefit, and also provide support to the program. The program became THE YOUNG YOGI PROGRAM FOR PEACE AND POSITIVITY.

Beth Stone explained the concept behind the program, when it first began, "Our intention is to bring this program to an F-rated school in a high-risk area, as well as to an A-rated school in a more privileged neighborhood. We feel our program's mission aligns deeply with that of the public school system."



Along the way, this program has branched out from its beginnings. Candace Martin offers teacher training in the same area, for teachers who want to incorporate yoga into their curriculum. Classes are offered in modules. They can be taken in any order, and once the teacher completes the required 95 hours, he/she is eligible for certification by the Yoga Alliance. There is a manual that offers guidance on how to develop lesson plans and incorporate yoga into the teachers' classroom instruction.

Another recent component is the subject of a GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN. The group is trying to finance as many at-risk youth from the Windermere, FL, area, as possible, at a cost of $300 for each camper, for a four-day experience in nature, including the practice of yoga.

Kids and instructor form a pyramid.

Recently, Candace Martin has branched out and developed a new program, PETALS & POSES YOUNG YOGI & YOGINI PROGRAM. The program provides a 10-week course of yoga classes designed for children in kindergarten through grade five. The program can also be presented at a school, community center, or home by contacting Ms. Martin, and it's available for those in the Windermere, FL, area. You can also engage Ms Martin's services for a yoga party for your birthday celebrating youngster. Also, supporting these services, there are embroidered yoga mats and bags, for sale online. Mat sprays are available at YOGA SISTERS.

Yoga class in the park.

Thanks to this article from Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/beth-stone-young-yogi-program-peace-positivity/.

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Thanksgiving Healthy Food Swaps

A gathering around the Thanksgiving dinner.

Thanksgiving is almost here and we all know what that means - get-togethers with family and friends; turkey with all of the trimmings, more than one dessert; and being stuffed to the gills after feasting. Our vegan friends have already figured out how to have healthier celebrations, so there must be some way for the rest of us to make better food substitutions.

Here in the Baltimore area, we are very lucky to have a number of noted health care institutions. PATIENT FIRST, which operates urgent care centers in this area and other parts of the country, has some advice in a blog article by Ashley Young.



We all know that the main attraction tends to be turkey, but you can still have that turkey, with some changes in preparation. Most cooks tend to rub down the turkey with butter, but a healthier alternative can be seasoning with fresh herbs and lemon juice. Possible herb choices that go well with turkey are thyme, sage and rosemary. Replace the butter fat with a tablespoon of olive oil and just a bit of kosher salt. Then roast as usual, making sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees, to assure that the bird is cooked thoroughly.

Now for stuffing. Most people tend to make stuffing with bread, white bread that is. Instead, why not use whole grain bread, giving your stuffing more fiber. Most stuffings also include broth, but this Thanksgiving, try the low-sodium version. Now, I do remember my mother actually putting the stuffing inside the bird, but you reduce the chances of illness when you cook the stuffing separately from the bird.

Next, the mashed potatoes, since most Thanksgiving dinners include them. But instead of using whole milk, replace with skim or 1% milk. With seasoning, use the pepper more generously and be more sparing with the salt. One year my mother added nutmeg to her mashed potatoes and created a taste sensation, but I really don't know how much she used. Now, there are some people who prefer mashed potatoes made with sour cream; that's a high calorie version right there. But this year, try plain Greek yogurt; it provides more protein with fewer calories and will be just as creamy. You can even mash half the usual amount of mashed potatoes and make the other half cooked cauliflower; just make sure to blend them thoroughly.

At the end of a delicious meal comes dessert. That can really heap on additional calories, especially if any of your family members are like my father was, requesting a serving of each dessert. Okay, what is healthier - apple pie or pumpkin pie? It turns out that pumpkin pie wins that prize; it contains fiber and vitamin A. You can even reduce the calories in the pumpkin pie by using skim milk in place of heavy cream or half and half.

Measuring the internal temperature is key to making sure everyone stays healthy.

Finally, most of us, when we see that bounteous Thanksgiving feast spread before us, are tempted to just shovel it in until we can barely roll away from the table. But slow it down and take smaller bites. Savor the food. That way you give enough time for the satiety center to provide the signal that you're full and can't eat another bite. You'll feel better and you won't have to let out any waist bands, either.

The Patient First Center in Clinton, Maryland.

Thanks to this article from Health Matters, a Patient First blog: http://www.patientfirst.com/blog/a-guilt-free-thanksgiving-enjoy-a-few-healthy-tweaks-to-the-feast.aspx?PostId=42&tabid=819.

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Buying A Whole Store For Good

Carol Suchman (right) packing up store items, with a volunteer.

Hudson Party Store in NYC's West Village had recently gone out of business. There was a sign on the door, reading "FOR RENT", and the remaining stock was still on its shelves. Then, Carol Suchman, a local philanthropist and director of her family's New York Venture Partners, happened to walk by, and noticed the stock that remained in the store.

Ms. Suchman explained, "I thought it was so sad that all the toys were just sitting inside this closed store. When I saw the FOR RENT sign go up, I got the idea to call the owner and see if the toys were for sale."

After she did a quick inventory of the toys in the store, she made an offer for the entire stock. The owner was quite satisfied, especially after she found out where the toys would be headed, because, you see, it was Carol's intention to donate the toys. She noted, "She though it was great that the toys would be donated. She has been very helpful by opening up the store for the volunteers and helping us to organize the pickups."



Buying the inventory was the easy part, but where to send the items to those in need was another challenge. Carol contacted Liz Hopfan, executive director of FREE ARTS NYC and Antonio Rodriguez, special events coordinator of NYC DEPARTMENT OF HOMELESS SERVICES, for help with identifying homeless shelters with children. When she had contacted Mr. Rodriguez, he was probably awe-stricken, to say the least. She said, "I emailed [Mr. Rodriguez] and said, 'I just bought a toy store, can you help?' He got right back to me and laughed and said, 'No one has ever said that before.'"

Obviously, Ms Suchman had help from volunteers, who collected and labelled the toys and other items from the store. When all was said and done, the spokeswoman for the Department of Homeless Services, Nicole Cuerto, provided an official thank-you, "They've packaged all the toys and they're ready to be distributed. We're very excited. These kids really go through a lot. We have resources to help these kids in their time of need. The fact that the community is coming together to add yet another layer of kindness for these children - especially during the holiday season - is really a beautiful thing and really impacts these kids in a positive way."

The Hudson Party Store, which was going out of business.

As for Ms Suchman, she's used to giving anonymously, but broke that anonymity on this occasion, not for the publicity for her actions, but hoping to inspire others to be kinder. When that Christmas Day comes, when the children at the shelters receive their gifts this year, they may notice an extra visitor at the shelter, watching them open their gifts. For, Carol is planning to be at one of the shelters when it's time for the kids to unwrap their gifts. As she said, "My family and I feel very lucky. We were able to build a business and thrive in New York City and we always think of how we can help out to maybe help someone have some good luck too." Here's hoping she also brings the rest of the family, to pass on her wisdom and kindness to the next generation.

Carol Suchman, ready to pack up a stuffed monkey.

Thanks to WSB-TV2 Atlanta for this article: http://m.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/woman-buys-entire-store-donate-toys-homeless-child/npRRg/; and to Today for this article: http://www.today.com/kindness/i-just-bought-toy-store-woman-donates-thousands-toys-kids-t57061.

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Seeking Rent Stabilization

Shireen Daytona (left), with Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells.

It's happening in most large cities and even smaller urban area. It's a phenomenon known as gentrification. Wealthy individuals come into urban areas, buy up distressed properties and turn them into modern dwellings that have a wide range of amenities and are priced too high for the poor to afford. It results in more homelessness as marginalized residents are displaced, with very little hope of ever being able to get a permanent residence in that area again.

Gentrification can also lead to increased rents in buildings already in existence, sometimes doubling and tripling in the space of a year. That started happening in Culver City, California, where renters were feeling that they had very few rights. That's when tenant-activist Shireen Daytona started a rent control movement, that remains active today, CULVER CITY (CA) RENT CONTROL/STABILIZATION PROJECT.



The group's first action was to submit a petition with 500 signatures calling for rent control statutes. At first, the petition was thought to apply to the small 12-unit complex where Ms. Daytona resides, so the City Council referred them to the Landlord Tenant Mediation Board, whose members came mostly from the financial and real estate industries. Well, you know whose interests that Board favored, so they only decreed 60 days-worth of a stabilized rent for only one tenant. Shireen said, "We tried the mediation, it didn't work....It didn't do anything because everyone had to leave." The rents still became unaffordable.

Ms. Daytona was aware of the specific problem, "The trouble is the laws are behind the landlords, and that limits the effectiveness of the [city's] Landlord Tenant Mediation Board. The landlords know what the laws are and that they don't have to pay" for relocation of their tenants. Local government officials weren't seeing a need to act for a change, either.

These days, the Project helps those interested in seeing rent stabilization established, to apply for membership on the Landlord Tenant Mediation Board. They publicize the number of openings and make the application forms available through online links. They have also publicized their agenda, which includes "*A cap on the percentage of allowable rent increase, tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), *A prohibition of more than one rental increase per year, *Only just cause evictions will be permitted, [and] *That relocation fees be paid by the Landlord in the event that tenants are required to move through no fault of their own".

A packed City Council meeting, where rent control was discussed.

The Project also keeps its public informed of the issues by citing articles in various publications and maintaining a platform for interested parties to remain involved. There are also stories about how various tenants have been affected by the current system. Sometimes it takes a period of years to get one's issues noted and regulated in some form, showing that an organization devoted to that issue is necessary to keep it on the radar.

A logo used for this advocacy group.

Thanks to this article from Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/shireen-daytona-culver-city-rent-control-project/; and this article from LA Weekly: http://www.laweekly.com/news/culver-citys-gentrification-sparks-rent-control-fight-4416291.

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Sacrificing To Fight Wildfires

The blaze in northern Washington, resulting in three deaths and one severe injury.

They occurred throughout the hot and bone dry summer in the far western US - forest fires. There were so many destroying so much acreage that even the number of firefighters became scarce. Ah, yes, those firefighters, who bravely fought all of those blazes, to try to save property, lives, and even parts of the natural environment.

Many volunteered, some do this same task every year. Some are injured and some even die, fighting those fires that have become more numerous, one of the consequences of climate change. On August 19, four firefighters got caught in a flare-up while fighting a wildfire in northern Washington state. All four got into the firetruck, hoping to outrace the fire, but the truck crashed over a 40-foot embankment. Richard Wheeler, Andrew Zajac, and Tom Zbyszewski died that day, as the flames overtook the crashed vehicle.



There was one survivor, Daniel Lyon, 25 years old, burned over more than 60% of his body. Recovery hasn't been easy and it's still ongoing. Anyone who knows about what burn care involves knows that it is a painful journey. Yet, Daniel has survived and continues to fight his way forward. So far, he has endured eleven surgeries to save his life and to provide alternative skin covering through grafts. His hands were so badly damaged that the tips of his fingers had to be amputated.

He has scarring all over his body, including on his face and head, some from burns, others from providing the tissue for the skin grafts. He has to wear a mask and elasticized clothing to keep the scarred areas flattened and supple. They help to reduce the muscle contractures from the deep burns, so his body can retain as much movement as possible.  Daniel has been in the hospital since the day of the accident, but two days ago, he prepared to leave for the first time, with both of his parents by his side.

There is no doubt that Daniel misses the firefighters with whom he tried to escape the blaze that day back in August. He has fought for, and dedicated his recovery to the memory of his brother firefighters who lost their lives in the crash. He said, "Those guys are the reason that I'm here today. For Andrew, Tom, and Rick, and their families - I don't want their legacy to stop here. These guys are truly brothers to me. We shared a lot of great moments together. It's hard for me to believe that I'm here today, so I thank them all for that, and especially my parents, who have been here every day to wake me up in the morning and they tuck me  into bed at night."

Daniel was confined to a hospital bed and unable to walk until about a month ago. Even the doctors have been pleased by his recovery. It had been thought that his lungs were severely injured in the blaze, but over the months it was found that the injury was not as severe as originally thought. And that's good news for this rookie firefighter, who had undertaken this job primarily because of his love of working outdoors.

This young man was able to express his happiness at being able to leave the hospital finally. He said, "I can't wait to get home, see my dog, be more active, just be outside. [B]eing outside is truly where I feel at home." He is also thankful for the amount of support he has received, from fellow firefighters, family, and people he doesn't even know. Daniel said, "That support has been truly the best therapy for me."

Daniel Lyon before his firefighting days.

Whenever you see a story in the news about massive wildfires, whatever the cause, give a thought to three young men who gave their lives and one who survived and continues to fight his way to recovery. These are the brave, the ones who struggle to save lives and property before they also become consumed by out-of-control wildfires.

Daniel Lyons has paid a high price fighting this summer's wildfires.

Thanks to this article from The Seattle Times: http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/northwest/firefighter-badly-burned-in-twisp-blaze-finally-heads-home/; and this article from the Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3325193/Hero-firefighter-25-left-horrific-burns-body-Washington-state-wildfires-leaves-hospital-three-months.html.

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Providing Service To Those With Developmental Disabilities

Jeff Weber, singing and playing guitar for worship services.

One of my favorite organization in the Baltimore area is CATHOLIC CHARITIES, probably because they provide so many different types of services to people in need, from new immigrants to seniors to children with behavioral issues to those with developmental disabilities.

One of the providers under the Catholic Charities umbrella is GALLAGHER SERVICES. Although the main campus is in Timonium, there are group home locations around Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County. Their services cover a wide variety of needs for those who have developmental disabilities within their service area.



Of course, as part of a larger nonprofit organization, Gallegher utilizes volunteers, who serve in various capacities. One of those is Jeff Weber, who has been volunteering there for about fifteen years. In the beginning. Mr. Weber wasn't sure how he could best serve, so he started out by helping with arts and crafts activities, and on occasion he would take some clients off grounds for haircuts and other types of errands.

Then, somehow, staff found out that Jeff played the guitar, and, as he said, "[T]hat's all she wrote." Thus, he found that special talent that led to his involvement with worship services every other Sunday. He also reads the gospel for that Sunday and provides a lesson based on the readings.

Worship has always followed a particular format, but there are unique and touching moments. Mr. Weber remembered Tara and her prayer intentions, almost always for her best friend, who usually sits next to her during the service. He recounted, "Tara always requests prayers for her friend Courtney, who is sitting right next to her. Courtney always gets a big kick out of it, laughing. We should all be so grateful, for others' prayers."

He also recalled Tony, who was confined to a wheelchair and has since passed away. He and his best friend, Ralph, always attended services, and both would perform a "praise dance" after communion. Ralph would push the wheelchair, with Tony in it, as both danced together.

Kathleen Roberts, spiritual development director at Gallegher, talked about Mr. Weber's service, "Each week at Gallagher's Sunday Service, Jeff plays 'This Little Light Of Mine' on his guitar, joyfully accompanied by the singing of Sally and the other members of our congregation....Jeff lets his light shine at Gallegher through his music ministry, sharing the Gospel and his friendship. Jeff brings us joy!"

A group of men who live at a group home run by Gallagher.

Mr. Weber cited the influence of both his parents as the basis for his wanting to serve others, "My father, who passed when I was 18, set my heart in that direction - looking out for others. [My mother's] example of faith and of service to her friends and to our family has been steadfast and a very real encouragement and inspiration. Through the years she has demonstrated what love is by her example."

Some of the clients of Gallagher Services make a gingerbread house on an outing.

Thanks to this article by Catholic Charities: http://www.catholiccharities-md.org/volunteer/volunteer-stories/spreading-joy-with-music.html.

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Humane Care For Feral Cats

Logo for Elgin Alley Cats.

It started out in Elgin, Texas. A group of people with a love for cats got together and formed ELGIN ALLEY CATS. This organization came together when there were no shelters for companion animals in the area.

Part of the group's function was educational. Many of us who work with animals are aware of the issue of stray animals. The focus was on cats, so many of them just around, without human owners. Most urban and suburban areas become involved with what to do about these stray animals, which are also termed feral.



When you get down to what is involved, it becomes an issue of numbers. For the longest time stray cats weren't spayed/neutered and did not receive shots, at least not until rescue groups became involved and started TNR, meaning trapping, neutering (also vaccinating), and returning. It is the humane way and it also helps to reduce numbers. For, a cat that can't have babies won't be adding to the cat population.

Consider this, over a period of seven years, a cat and her/his kittens can produce 420,000 offspring. That's quite a number in just a small, localized area. Granted, feral cats don't live as long as indoor cats, but still, that is a high number for a small area to absorb. But when cats are TNR'd, that number is drastically reduced. Yes, humans maintain these smaller cat colonies, but the fact that this colony cannot reproduce keeps the numbers down and of a reasonable size. If an entire city or county engages in this type of population control, and there are enough people to house all of the cats in an area, there will no longer be a problem with strays.

Now, Jody Krankel and her team at Elgin Alley Cats started doing all of the recommended actions to reduce the local cat population. They found an organization in Austin that helped them cover the costs of spay-neuter surgeries. They distributed brochures, educated the public, advertised, held yard sales, and even adopted out cats. Jody commented, "We are all cat lovers. Some of our members have adopted some of the feral cats."

Team members involved with TNR in Elgin.

Now, of all things, Elgin has a new organization, COMPANION CONNECTION, which rehomes animals from local shelters. They house animals in a shelter and consider themselves to be a rescue. They don't accept surrenders, but do help those considering surrender to keep their furry friends. And, yes, they continue to promote TNR, just like Elgin Alley Cats did. Oh, and Jody Krankel works for this group, too.

One of the cats receiving care at Companion Connection.

Thanks to this article from Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/jody-krankel-elgin-alley-cats//; and the above links.

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