Care Farm Demonstrates Harmony With Nature And Farm Animals

Students at John R. Wooden High School go hands on at Kindred Spirits.

For a number of years, there was a farm at John R. Wooden High School in Los Angeles, but no one was taking care of it. That neglected farm did not go unnoticed, however. Karen Snook, a local businesswoman, and some of LA's youth got together, cleaned it up, planted some crops, and the available garden plots started producing.

The farm became known as KINDRED SPIRITS CARE FARM, a place where nature, animals, and people meet. This type of farm draws on a traditional small farm model, common in Europe, in which youth provide the care, the animals live life naturally, and people come to visit to experience the harmony of a natural setting. Fruits and vegetables are harvested, after being grown using the principles of permaculture.



Ms. Snook explained further, "Care farms, by definition, are all about bringing healing and wellness to vulnerable people. Our version of care farming brings in vegan values of compassion to all sentient beings by introducing people to individual farmed animals and showing them that farmed animals are as worthy of love, compassion, and care as any companion animal or other sentient being. The organic gardens teach nutrition and self reliance to at-risk kids to empower them to be less reliant on those who might exploit or abuse them, and it is done in a sustainable way so that the earth is not compromised in service to human survival."

Students have rebuilt some of the farm buildings and now the animals have a safe place to live. All animals housed at the farm have been rescued from abuse situations. Recently, students put together a large greenhouse that offers space for planting and teaching. UCLA has also partnered with Kindred Spirits to create a high school level science-based curriculum based on farming activities, probably the first of its kind.

You can be surrounded by tomatoes in a tomato tunnel at Kindred Spirits.

This year Kindred Spirits Care Farm became the venue for Food Day LA 2016. There was tasty vegan food to sample, farm animals to meet up close and personal, and a chance to get a look at the newly-constructed greenhouse. There was spirited dancing by Bryson and the Pierce College Dance Group, face painting for the kids, an opportunity to see the giant tomato tunnels (tomatoes grown over arches that form a tunnel), a visit to the bunny barn, an enclosure where goats and people could check each other out, time to feed fruit to a llama, a selection of games where kids could learn about kindness. So much to do, and so much enjoyment and peace. A wonderful place for anyone to spend a day.

A visitor to Food Day LA tries some vegan food, served by Sharyn Wynters from 118 Degrees.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/karen-snook-kindred-spirits-care-farm/; this article on Kindred Spirit Farm: http://www.kindredspiritscarefarm.org/what-is-a-care-farm/; this post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KindredSpiritsCareFarm/posts/1410720278957452; and the above link.

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A Generator Of Worker-Owned Businesses

A worker at Wellspring Upholstery.

Springfield, Massachusetts, is the home of the WELLSPRING COLLABORATIVE, which serves as a generator of worker-owned companies in Springfield's inner city. The strategy involves partnering with anchor institutions, like hospitals, colleges, and other nonprofits, that, as a group, purchase more than $1.5 million worth of goods. Then new businesses, worker cooperatives, that provide those goods, are created in low-income areas. They are owned and operated by those in the neighborhoods. They, in turn, become a source of living-wage jobs for neighborhood workers. These workers are trained on the job by skilled managers, and, as employees, they share in the company's profits, so they can build their own wealth and be able to move out of poverty.

So far, the Collaborative has established Wellspring Upholstery Cooperative, which makes quality furniture for institutional and commercial customers. In addition, this enterprise is readying phase 1 of Wellspring Harvest, which will bring healthy produce to area businesses, hospitals, and residents. The first phase involves building a quarter-acre hydroponic greenhouse that will allow year-round operation. It, too, will be operated as a worker-owned cooperative. In future phases, this new enterprise will become involved in educational efforts in partnership with Springfield Public Schools and Springfield Parks Department.



In September, Wellspring Collaborative held an Invest In Your Values event. There were refreshments, and demonstrations of healthy cooking and hydroponics. Guests could then learn about investment opportunities in Wellspring Harvest. In a sense, this new enterprise would become the first urban large-scale hydroponics agricultural company in western Massachusetts. Essentially, the idea was to bring in $200,000 in seed money investment.

Drawing of the facilities for Wellspring Harvest.

Investors could buy a share in Wellspring Harvest for $1000 (with qualified investors being able to invest a minimum of $5,000). As a result of this event, the Collaborative reached its original goal of $200,000 in just four months. There is a current investment round of $50,000 underway. Those investing will support sustainable urban agriculture, growing of local fresh produce, job creation, worker ownership, building wealth and economic democracy, training students and the local community in sustainable urban agriculture, and developing a model for a community-based greenhouse that is worker-owned.

Community members engage in hand-on learning about container gardens at a workshop.

Thanks for information from this article on Wellspring Collaborative: http://wellspring.coop/about/overview; this article on the same site: http://wellspring.coop/co-op-businesses/upholstery-cooperative/overview; this article on the same site: http://wellspring.coop/co-op-businesses/greenhouse-cooperative; this article on the same site: http://wellspring.coop/employment; and the above link.

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Award-Winning Alternative Investment Firm

Team work extends to smart fashion choices.

Located in Hunt Valley, MD, ARTHUR BELL CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS has focused on the arena of alternative investments, where hedge funds, venture capital companies, commodity pools, and private equity form the bulk of investment types. Not only that, but Arthur Bell provides full service accounting services to those engaged in these types of investments. There is also a family office services arm that supports the needs of high net worth families.

Just this month, a post on Arthur Bell was warning about a new type of tax scam that applies to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The extended income tax filing deadline for individuals is approaching its close, leading to a new set of scam emails. Generally, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) completes a Form CP 2000 notice when there is a discrepancy between the filer's reported income on the tax return and a third party, like an employer. The scam utilizes these Form CP 2000, but with some errors.



Fraudulent CP 2000 notices usually have these distinctions - being sent electronically; sent from an Austin, TX, address; the issue relates to the ACA requesting information about 2014 coverage; the payment voucher included has the number 105C; and the payment voucher requests a check to be made out to "I.R.S." to the "Austin Processing Center" address.

Now, here's the thing: The IRS never sends this notice in an email; it is sent through the US Postal Service. The information on the form must match the information on your tax return. If you happened to receive this type of email, don't click on any links or any attachments. You can forward the notice to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.

Every year CTA Intelligence presents its annual CTA Service Awards; this year's awards were presented in February. Arthur Bell received "Best Tax & Audit Firm" and "Best Valuation Firm". Arthur F. Bell, Jr., managing member of the firm, commented, "We have worked closely together with the CTA community since the firm's beginning. We are grateful to know the industry appreciates and recognizes our talent and our commitment to supporting the success of managed futures as the space continues to evolve."

Part of the Arthur Bell Roundtable Series on trends and outlook.

The CTA Service Awards recognize companies that have provided exceptional support and services during the previous twelve months. They reward CTA specialists who have shown growth, innovation, and excellent customer service. Success is considered to be a mix of customer and revenue growth, brand or product development that shows new thinking, and provides significant success and positive customer feedback. Awards are judged by industry experts, based on a list of performance criteria: commercial success and business growth, sales/market share numbers, demonstrated product innovation and market response to the concept, future development prospects, and submitted customer testimonials.

Arthur Bell's awards from CTA Intelligence.

Thanks to information from this article on Arthur Bell: http://www.arthurbellcpas.com/fund-accounting-firm/our-history/; this article on Arthur Bell: http://www.arthurbellcpas.com/news/2016/10/tax-scammers-intensify-tactics-to-include-affordable-care-act-aca-notices/; this article on Arthur Bell: http://www.arthurbellcpas.com/news/2016/02/cta-intelligence-awards-arthur-bell-best-audit-tax-and-best-valuation-firm-2/; and the above link.

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Bringing Life-Saving Skills To Resource-Poor Areas

Some of the staff at Nyakatsiro Health Center learning the life-saving protocol.

That moment when a new life takes his/her first independent breathe is extra special. It marks the introduction of a newborn into human life. But it's a critical moment, too. That baby must start to breathe, or life stops. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about one million babies worlwide die each year from failure to take that first breath, or birth asphyxia.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has understood how important that critical moment of first breath is and developed a program to train birth attendants with the crucial first steps to be taken in order to assess that newborn and stimulate breathing. This is especially important in resource-poor areas, where there is a lack of equipment and health care professionals.

Started as Helping Babies Breathe, the program's name has changed to HELPING BABIES SURVIVE. The curriculum gives every birth attendant the skills to assess the newborn, support body temperature, stimulate breathing, and provide assisted ventilation, if needed, within the first "Golden Minute" after birth. The focus is on meeting the immediate needs of every newborn infant.

Since this program requires knowledgeable teachers to spread the training, one registered nurse, Debra Clairville, utilized her knowledge and skills to present the program at Nyakatsiro Health Center in Mitooma, Uganda. Along with the Center's trained midwives, she presented the neonatal assessment and resuscitation protocol to the Center's staff.

Ms. Clairville stated, "During my time here, I have seen too many babies die due to late initiation of rescue breaths and insufficient knowledge on appropriate emergency care techniques by the health center staff. Ten percent of babies face difficulty breathing in their first few minutes of life. Immediate skilled care means the difference between life and death in these situations. I believe that with proper training and resources, the health care workers in my area can help save the lives of babies who are born with breathing complications."

Class members hold certificates of completion; instructor Debra Clairville holds a young child.

In order to provide the training, an instructor can obtain the implementation guide by downloading it on the site. But the equipment needed for the workshops has to be obtained through LAERDAL GLOBAL HEALTH, like the newborn simulation doll, ambu bag, suction bulb, and the resuscitation charts. Laerdal accepts donations to help with providing the equipment in some African nations.

A staff member practices her skills on resuscitation doll.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/debra-clairville-saving-babies-in-southwest-uganda/; this article on Helping Babies Survive: http://www.helpingbabiesbreathe.org/about.html; and the above links.

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A Series Of Thought-Provoking Films

Leslie Neale, the social justice filmmaker.

Combine an award-winning film team with a passion to promote understanding and change, and you get CHANCE FILMS, a group that produces powerful documentary films. Among the venues for their films are included broadcast, public forums, fundraising, and education. In many cases, the film subjects become a platform to inform a wider audience about issues which various advocacy groups want to promote, and become a way to educate the public about issues that aren't on top of their radar screens. Sometimes, those films have also served as conduits for change.

Let's take a look at some of the films that Chance Films has made. Rhythm of the Heart tells the story of the tradition of gospel music, with its origins in the Aftican American church and tradition. Both today's "gospel warriors", as well as those who pioneered the genre, have dedicated their lives to this singing for the Lord. The film explores the influence of this musical tradition, along with those dedicated to its spread.




A Healing Presence documents the Medical Mission Sisters of the West, who started their community in 1925 in Washington, DC. From their background in India to their mission today in the US, the film documents how this community serves the sick in our current world with both love and compassion.

Ironwood, a film that is only six minutes long, shows the graduation ceremony of a group of inmates at Ironwood Prison from the program provided by Palo Verde Community College. This program is donated by the community college and costs the taxpayers nothing. But this program gives so much more, especially a sense of hope for the inmates, their families, and the community, by showing a way out of the trail of recidivism.

Another film, Juvies, looks at the issue of kids being tried and sentenced as adults. This award-winning film delves into the stories of kids who have fallen into the adult criminal justice system and how they got there. It also examines how society came to look at these youngsters as so evil and without redemption, even with the mounting evidence that the minds of teenagers work differently than those of adults.

Filming an inmate.

Two other films look at different aspects of the prison system. Road To Return looks at prison aftercare, specifically the leading aftercare program designed by a former inmate and a college professor. It assists ex-inmates to adjust to life outside prison and to transition to becoming productive citizens. Unlikely Friends looks at the concept of forgiveness through a program that helps victims meet the perpetrators of their crimes, leading to forgiveness and development of unique friendships. It's a unique program that also helps both inmates and victims in their journey towards healing.

The award-winning film, Juvies.

Thanks for information from this article on Chance Films: http://www.chancefilmsinc.com/about; the film write-ups on Chance Films; and the above link.

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Helping One Family At A Time

Available on the sales racks at Ups & Downs Thrift Store.

There's an area in Alabama, known as The Shoals. It's located in the northwestern corner of the Stated, defining a grouping of four cities. It's also an area that struggles with high levels of poverty. It can certainly be notable when someone raised in this particular area makes it, becomes a success.

That actually describes the life trajectory of Melissa Hargett, a girl from The Shoals, who grew up and made a name for herself in business. But, as many who grow up in a particular area of this vast United States, she was marked by her childhood and had family ties to the area.



So, yes, indeed, this successful young woman with a career in business and internet marketing found herself headed back to her childhood origins to care for her mother, who had become ill. But she was also a different young woman than the one who had departed, a woman with skills, a knowledge of the area, and compassion in her heart. Not only did she come to care for her mother, but also to care for her community, helping families who are struggling, get that all-important leg up, that small assistance needed to get over a hurdle of crisis.

So, Melissa Hargett started the SHOALS AREA FAMILIES FOUNDATION (SAF), which is designed to help local families in financial crisis temporarily to meet their expenses. When families need assistance with a bill, they can apply for that assistance, and if the Foundation has the funds, it pay the bill. In return, those families become involved in the "give back program".

Here's how the "give back" works. For every $100 the program pays, families are required to work for four hours in the SAF thrift store. As the families fulfill their commitments, SAF gets to know them better and finds out more about their needs. For instance, many adults have not received a high school diploma or GED. In order to fill in some of the gaps, SAF teaches their families about job interview skills, budgeting, how to apply for jobs, and other skills. In a sense, SAF helps one family at a time rise out of poverty through developing life skills.

As Melissa said, "Our goal is to help them complete an education, teach them new skill sets, and to empower them to have a better life. SAF wants to do more than just help with a bill...we want to break the cycle of impoverishment." It's a definite plus when the leader providing assistance is helping families to take the pathways that saw her out of poverty just a few years previously.

As the sign says, purchases from the Thrift Store support assistance to SAF families.

As part of their programming, SAF runs and accepts donations for their thrift store, Ups & Downs Thrift Store. This is the arm where the families who receive assistance pay back what they receive in hours worked. A nice side benefit is that the family adults can learn on-the-job skills in the various careers involved in running and maintaining that store.

Some of the clothes that can't be sold at the Thrift Store can end up being used by families in Africa and India.

Thanks for information from this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ShoalsAreaFamilies/about/; this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/melissa-hargett-shoals-area-families/; and the above link.

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Campaign To End Unsafe Traditional Practices

Jaha Dukureh

Not many of us are aware of the practice of female genital mutilation, much less know someone who has survived that practice. Jaha Dukureh is a survivor, and she has taken her unfortunate experience into organizing to end that practice.

Did you know that approximately 200,000 girls here in the US are at risk to experience that practice here in the US, according to Ms. Dukureh's estimates? It is because they are in families and from areas in the world, where the cutting of female genitals is practiced as part of the culture.



But rather than just discussing this issue, Ms. Dukureh has formed an organization, SAFE HANDS FOR GIRLS, that addresses this issue and other forms of gender-based violence, while also assisting survivors of this practice. But, this organization doesn't just come in after a girl has been forced to submit to this practice, it actually steps in and saves girls from it. Jaha has directly intervened and saved more than 100 girls from this practice.

In addition, Safe Hands For Girls has been instrumental in bringing this practice into public awareness and has also pursued legislation that prevents girls from being transported abroad for the purpose of submitting to this practice. Because of the organization's work, President Obama has also directed the CDC to investigate the occurrences of FGM here in the US.

Regarding her own experience, Jaha has said, "I am passionate about FGM because I have experienced it firsthand and I know that it is a violation of the rights of girls and women. Female genital mutilation has been declared as a human rights violation by the World Health Organization. I don't think any girl deserves to be mutilated in the name of culture."

More activists in Ireland.

In March, Ms. Dukureh traveled with other women activists to Gambissara in Gambia to challenge some of the longstanding traditions, including FGM. For Jaha, the trip also took her to her hometown, where her mother died, and she might actually encounter the woman who did the FGM cutting.

Young female Gambian activists challenging tradition.

The younger women in Gambia have been making a more liberal interpretation of culture and tradition. Three young female activists have challenged the group of women elders about the harmfulness of these traditions, especially FGM. Local residents welcomed the guests with music and songs. This trip offered the opportunity for Jaha to network with the young female activists carrying on the work of challenging harmful traditions.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/jaha-dukureh-campaign-to-end-female-genital-mutilation/; this article on Safe Hands For Girls: http://www.safehandsforgirls.org/what-we-do; this article on Safe Hands For Girls: http://www.safehandsforgirls.org/single-post/2016/03/12/Trip-to-Gambisara; and the above link.

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Preserving And Promoting Day Laborer Rights

Some of the workers participating in the second week of Hardscape classes.

Some of us residents of the US are familiar with how some immigrants obtain work - through day labor centers. I used to see these workers around the residential treatment center after a resident had flooded a living area, and it's not uncommon that immigrant workers do gardening, lawn maintenance, and housekeeping in the common areas of the apartment complex where I live.

However, frequently enough, with day labor hiring facilities can come abuses, such as low pay, no benefits, long hours, verbal and physical abuse. So, when you see a day labor center that has much better practices, you really take note. That is true at the GRATON DAY LABOR CENTER in West Sonoma County, California. The center is run by workers and strives to maintain the dignity and rights of its workers. It seeks to negotiate a fair and transparent hiring process between workers and employers. Those who run Graton have fifteen years of experience in organizing workers, so are familiar with the type of work conditions that lead to a dignified and respectful work setting.



The center has also established a program, Women's Action and Solidarity Alliance (ALMAS), which focuses on female domestic workers. This program strives to build the power of the women they service through leadership programs and workforce development. This program comes at a time when there has been some focus on human trafficking, with some tendency of employers of domestic workers to engage in this exploitive and abusive enterprise. By having ALMAS, the women of the Sonoma Valley become more empowered and can organize against the forces that promote those violations of their rights.

By the way, if you are an employer seeking to hire these hard-working and skilled workers, Graton has a pay scale for its jobs that are posted on the web site. A striking thing about the wage scale is that it authorizes pay at a living rate, that allows its workers to afford housing and other necessities. Its lowest wage starts at $15 per hour, for those engaged in general labor, and lists the work tasks for which these workers can be engaged.

Some of the panelists at a discussion of Realities of Agricultural Farmworker Women.

Today, Graton Day Labor Center, along with the Committee for Social Justice in Mexico (CJSM), has invited the public to a talk with Father Alejandro Solalinde. Father Solalinde is director of a migrant hostel, situated on the route from Central and South America, to the US border. His organization provides humanitarian assistance to those making the journey. Father Solalinde has frequently spoken out against the abuses of criminally-engaged transporters and brokers, along with some Mexican authorities, who frequently abuse and exploit those who are migrating to the US border. He has been so vocal about these issues that his life has been threatened.

Joining together at a community celebration.

Thanks for information from the Graton Day Labor Center home page; this article on Graton Day Labor Center: http://www.gratondaylabor.org/almas; this post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/611207175706443/; and the above link.

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A Park Vision Becomes Reality

Working on a colorful mosaic.

It started out as a dream, and then became reality. It started as a tragedy; it ended up bringing hope to a community. Can't you hear the angels sing?

Baby Ryan Szczybor was diagnosed with leukemia at the tender age of six months. After many doctor's visits and treatment, young Ryan died at the age of 15 months, leaving his parents, Kelli and Andy Szczybor deeply saddened. It's not easy when you lose a child at such a young age, before you've even seen the possibilities in that small life.

Out of their sadness, however, the young couple decided to create something positive. They were thinking of a place where young children could come and be safe, whether they were well or ill, whether they had disabilities or not, and be able to play with other children, while other family members relaxed and enjoyed each others' company.



As they continued to ponder, they thought of a garden, teeming with nature's beauty, a place of memory and calm thinking, even meditation. Then what about adding some unique and colorful play equipment, that could be used by all, not just the able. Then they added in a place where those who were artistically talented could share their skills with others. Wouldn't that just be a wonderful place?

It would take a lot of effort, and more people than just Kelli and Andy. As word spread, more and more people, who were inspired by this dream, came together. Money was raised; those people who  joined in added their time and talents. Before very long the building of the dream has reached a point that it's ready for a grand opening.

So, what is this, this special place, built as a dream, but now as solid as reality? It's ANGEL PARK, located in Perry Hall, MD. It's almost a wonderland, built for children and adults. It's got an all-access playground, lovingly put together, through the hard work of a community.

On Sunday, Oct. 30, from 12 to 5 PM, the official dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held; the actual ribbon cutting will occur around 1 PM. During opening week, each of the schools that participated in designing the park will have their own special day. Students can come in and see the results of their hard work and try out the equipment that they helped to design.

Working on roofing for a section of the park.

By the way, this park has already won an award, before it is being open to the public. It has won the Baltimore County Accessibility award for 2016. Everyone who built this park should be proud of their efforts. Now, may they all enjoy.

A completed portion of the playground.

Thanks for information from this article on Angel Park: http://www.angel-park.org/our-story; this post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perryhallangelpark/photos/a.229619213898329.1073741828.221181131408804/560260444167536/?type=3&theater; and the above link.

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