A Trip To The Bank Brings Financial Literacy To Life

A little pizza goes a long way in helping to learn math concepts.

GARRISON FOREST SCHOOL is one of several independent schools in the Baltimore area. It provides an education for girls in grades K to 12, and it also has a boarding component. Its pre-K program is coeducational.

Fourth grade students are receiving a financial literacy education as part of their curriculum, in association with M&T BANK, while other students in the lower school also receive a financial education, designed for their grade levels.



From playing the market in the Maryland-wide STOCK MARKET GAME to learning about stocks, budgeting, markets in general, savings and checking, etc, the students are receiving a comprehensive financial education and enjoying their learning. Particularly impressive is how savvy and smart the girls have become through their participation.

Just a few days ago, the fourth graders embarked on a short trip to the M&T BANK BRANCH ON REISTERSTOWN ROAD before it was open for business. Dana Livne, part of the 4th grade team that teaches the curriculum, noted, "What an incredible and unforgettable experience for the girls! We enjoyed a complete tour of the bank before it opened to the public, which is very rare."

Getting a little help from a teacher while working on a project.

Ben Wade, the bank's vice president, was all ready to greet the students and lead them on a tour of the bank. Students got to see both vaults and the area where customers are assisted with drive-through banking. They even got to push the button to receive and return items to the customers through the tube system. Then the M&T bankers, who had been working with the students, joined them, including Lennore Brownley, branch manager; Renee Trueheart, teller manager; Kaila Jenkins, marketing support; and Debra Parks, manager-in-training. Both Ms. Brownley and Ms. Trueheart discussed their roles at the bank and what it was like in the teller role, to serve a line of bank customers. Then the students got the opportunity to role-play the teller role, before returning to the school.

One of the students trying out the bank teller role.

Thanks for information from this article on Garrison Forest School website: http://www.gfs.org/news/detail/index.aspx?pageaction=ViewSinglePublic&LinkID=6854&ModuleID=50&&NEWSPID=1; and the above links.

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A Near-Miss In The Stands

The Cunningham family in a post-game interview.

Baseball and spring training - a chance to get an early look at the MLB baseball team that you follow at home; a chance to experience the sun and fun in those areas of the country that get milder weather at this time of year. And so it was for father, Shaun Cunningham and his son, Landon, together to watch the Atlanta Brave play the Pittsburgh Pirates in a pre-season game.

This father-son duo were up in the stands, cheering for their team. It was Landon's first time at a professional baseball game and he was excited. So excited that he just had to message his mom and sister, still at home, with a photo of one of the players that he had taken a bit earlier.



But at that very moment something happened that could have ended in severe injury for Landon. Danny Ortiz, in the batter's box, lost control of his bat and the bat sailed into the stands, headed toward young Landon's head. And he couldn't even see it, he was so absorbed in messaging.

A shudder and gasp went up from those in the stands, just a moment's reaction. And what father, Shaun, did next made all the difference. At a time when anyone, who saw the careening bat, would have reacted to duck, this awesome father lunged toward his son, blocking the bat with his arm. As the bat then sailed past, it clipped Shaun on the shoulder. But his reaction saved his son. Shaun said, "I didn't have a lot of time to think. I just did anything I could to block it or deflect it."

Since the ball game was an early birthday present for Landon, he was hoping to catch the eye of his favorite player, Freddie Freeman, the Braves' first baseman. When Freddie found out about the near-miss by Danny Ortiz' bat, he decided to send Landon a signed baseball jersey, something that really excited this birthday boy.

Mom, Ashley, had a bit of a hard time with how close the bat came to hitting her son's head. She cringed and became nauseous when she realized how close the bat came to Landon's head. But this whole incident did not deter dad's love of the game. He said, "We're both fine. I'm a little bruised, but I'll survive. I've been through worse."

The bat sailing into the stands and just missing Landon's head (with dad's deflection).

Dad also had a few words of encouragement for Danny Ortiz, "It was an accident; things happen. I wouldn't want it to affect his play. He's a good ballplayer and he's got a shot. I want him not to worry about it. This kid's fine. He's tough."

Landon holds the bat that just missed him.

Thanks to information from this article by Little Things.com: http://www.littlethings.com/dad-protects-baseball-bat-vcom/?utm_source=LTcom&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=deeds; and this article from The Two Way on NPR: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/03/08/469639227/father-and-son-discuss-the-quick-action-that-saved-son-from-flying-baseball-bat.

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Keeping The Power On

The day the solar equipment arrived.

Back in 2014, while working as a volunteer at a monastic school in Nepal, Michelle Welsch noticed how often power blackouts occurred. Each day for up to sixteen hours, the power just went off. Electricity provided by the government grid was unreliable.

That means no power, especially during the colder and darker months from October to July; power was severely restricted. Locals had to rely on newspaper announcements and downloaded apps to find out the hours when there would be no power and rearrange their lives accordingly.



At first, Michelle suggested utilizing generators. But there are some problems with generators. For one, they rely upon unsustainable fuel resources. For another, they have to be placed so that the emissions don't overcome the humans using them. Specifically, these generators produce carbon monoxide, and keeping them in an enclosed area, away from the elements, can asphyxiate whomever happens to be in the building. So, this was ruled out.

So, Michelle and her team consulted solar power experts in Nepal and the US. The experts were able to develop a hybrid solar power model that utilized the grid when it was on, and the power provided by the solar cells when it wasn't. With this system, the monks could provide solar power for up to two days of electrical blackout, allowing the school to operate less expensively. What had been previously spent on using candles and flashlights could be used to pay teachers, once paying for the solar infrastructure was covered.

They partnered with GHAM POWER to provide the equipment and training. Funding was provided through INDIEGOGO. The fund-raising was a success and solar power with a load shedding feature was installed. No longer do students have to walk the halls with only candles and flashlights as their only light source. Students can walk the grounds and the lights remain on. They show smiles of appreciation for those who contributed to funding their solar grid and keeping their power on.

Michelle Welsch

Meanwhile, Michelle has continued her work in Nepal. She has become co-founder of KHATA: LIFE, dedicated to helping the people of the Kaski community continue to build through various leadership and educational projects. Besides funding some of the teachers and students, this organization maintains classrooms, provides a Dental Clinic for students, built a Learning House, and offers seminars for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs.

The services accommodated by The Learning House.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: http://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/michelle-welsch-bringing-light-to-matepani-solar-for-school/; and the above links.

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Searching For Family Photos

Andrea, with the grandfather she loves so much.

Thomas Cain is now 84 years old, and this suprise happened about two years ago. Before he had reached his teen years, he had lost both of his parents, but he has lived a full life, a marriage of 61 years to his best friend, Margaret, plus children and grandchildren.

It was one of his grandchildren, Andrea Ferrell, 29, who decided to search for images of Thomas' parents, because she knew he had never had any. His mother, Ora Mae Blackmon, had died from pneumonia complications in 1943; his father, Henry Cathay Cain, had died a few years before that.
Andrea said, "Everyone says that my grandpa is the greatest guy in the world. He loves family. I've always known that he's wanted [a photo of his parents] so I just kind of started looking."



We all know how the internet has changed lives, especially when you are searching for information that you couldn't find before the technology was there. Andrea began her search in 2011, starting with Ancestry.com. Although she was able to get in touch with some distant relatives, none had photos of Thomas' parents.

Then, she contacted the local newspapers (the family comes from Bladenboro, NC, and has lived there since before Thomas was born). The Bladen Journal published a story about Andrea's search. There were a few leads, but then the trail became cold. But she persisted, "I didn't give up, but I didn't pursue it as hard after a while."

Then, just by chance, in 2013, a woman who had been reading about the quest for a photo, connected with Andrea. She had a photo of Ora Mae, handed down to her from a distant relative. Finally, she had the photograph - and what a family resemblance! Andrea was struck by it, "I immediately knew who it was. [My grandfather] looks exactly like her; I can see the facial features of him and my mom - his daughter. I just was flabbergasted. I could not wait to give this to him."

The right occasion came between Thomas' birthday on June 6, and Father's Day, in 2013. The framed photo was wrapped in bright green paper. Andrea was there to video her grandfather's reaction, as he tore away the paper. Andrea reported, "Up until that point, I've never seen [him cry] just because he's always the strong person." But the tears did flow as he spotted the face of his mother, something he hadn't seen for more than 70 years. In the end, as she said, "I could not have asked for a better reaction. I love this man so much!"

Ora Mae Blackmon, Thomas' mother.

Obviously, the search hasn't ended yet. Although Thomas now has a picture of his mother, he still lacks one of his father. So, if you have a photo of Henry Cathey Cain, born in 1904 in Bladenboro, NC, please let Andrea know through her FACEBOOK PAGE, so the family circle can be complete.

Thomas, holding the very special photo of his mother.

Thanks for information from this Youtube post: https://www.youtube.com/watch?;v=hsfXpsD7n68&feature=youtu.be; from this article on Aol.com: http://features.aol.com/video/man-sees-moms-face-first-time-70-years; and this article from A. Pawlowski on Today.com Parents: http://www.today.com/parents/grandfather-sees-moms-face-first-time-70-years-t15051.

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Serving Southern Indiana's Children And Youth

Some of the youth who participate in summer activities.

Located in New Albany, Indiana, in the southern region of the State, sits OPEN DOOR YOUTH SERVICES. It's been in existence since 1982, originally known as the Floyd County Youth Services Bureau. It started out with a shelter for troubled children and youth, but has added a variety of programs over the years. Currently, programs reach over 700 children each year.

Of course, the residential portion of the program is still running, providing a haven for youth, who need a few days to unwind from a family crisis, or who need to stay longer because of ongoing difficulties in the family home. They can stay for a few days or a few years, depending on the need. Other programs are New Directions, an after school program for elementary students that utilizes the Social Decision Making Model. There is a Teen Court, which provides diversion for first-time offenders, providing a legally-binding court with a true jury of peers. The idea is to adjudicate in an atmosphere that helps to support the involved youth to stay out of future difficulties, and frequently provides treatment.



Telemedicine provides long distance psychiatric care, in alliance with Bloomington Meadows Hospital, providing the full scope of outpatient services without the need for a family to travel long distances. Diagnostic And Evaluation Services offers psychological testing to determine an appropriate program to meet a youth's needs from the beginning. The Prevent Child Abuse Programs Of Clark And Floyd Counties, focusing on prevention and education, also operate under this broad umbrella. Plus, there are also a variety of local programs offered for both youth and parents.

According to the most recent newsletter, Kalenn has been one of the beneficiaries of the resident program, since October. After she studied for the GED, she was able to pass the test recently. She was also participating in the Etsy Entrepreneurial program, which teaches business and marketing skills. This was the first time this program was offered and she was among those in the first group of graduates. Her goal is to open a savings account with some of the earnings from her first paycheck. In future, she would like a career working with children, since she loves children and wants to be able to help them. Congratulations, Kalenn!

Kalenn in a relaxed moment.

Another recent happening has been Open Door being named the only nonprofit from southern Indiana to participate in IGNITE LOUISVILLE, a program that develops the next generation of leaders. So far, the program has helped redesign Open Door's website, started the Etsy program, and rebranded some of the already-established programs. Executive Director Leah Pezzarossi, commented, "Ignite Louisville has really come in with enthusiasm and energy and they are helping to propel us forward." Allie Johnston, Community Liaison, is also delighted, "We are very lucky to have our Ignite team, they are an extremely talented group." By the end of April, they will have wrapped up their contributions and will present a report on the results.

Some of the children engaged in an indoor activity.

Thanks to information from the newsletter: http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/?u=4436a0afa845d50152a5cefbc&id=0b0974cb4a; and the above links.

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Selling Yourself To Prospective Employers

Barbara Gradet (L), JCS Executive Director, and Ronald Attman, JCS Board President.

Wherever in the US that a large number of Jewish people have settled and grown, you can also be sure that the generosity of this group of citizens also glows. Through the Associated: Jewish Community Federation Of Baltimore, JEWISH COMMUNITY SERVICES (JCS) extends a helping hand into our area and offers social supports for people in need, regardless of religious affiliation.

For those who need a helping hand while searching for a job, JCS offers a Career Center, which provides assistance in the job search process. Some of these services include career assessments, job coaching, resume services, and vocational rehabilitation. Among the online services is included a blog about the job search process. Recently, there was an article about making an impression on potential employers.



Although many of us, who have worked for an employer, may believe that we know what employers are seeking, JCS Career Center has the advantage of experts who serve as liaisons between employers and job candidates who utilize these services. So, taking advantage of this knowledge, what do they believe employers are seeking?

*Likeability - JCS account representative Lauren Harrison places this characteristic at the top of her list. She said, "It all comes down to chemistry and connecting with the employer. Positive energy and a smile go a long way." It's almost like match-making, seemingly, that special connection that tells an employer that there is a fit with this candidate.

*Experience - This is something that many employers seek, your background in working in a similar, if not the same, area. In any case, the career experience contains skills relevant to the job that employers are seeking to fill. According to JCS representative, Lisa Cohn, experience may even take priority over education.

*Positive Work Values -  This is often referred to as a work ethic. What values does that person display? Some of the most valuable are flexibility, responsibility, friendliness, professionalism, and diplomacy.

*Excellent Track Record - What has been your reputation when working for other employers? How long have you remained with an employer? It certainly doesn't look very good when you've been hopping from job to job.

*Organization Fit - This is the match between the person and the company. If a company is investing and committing to a job candidate, then they usually appreciated someone who is interested in moving around the company, committed to being trained in other areas, and interested in moving up in the company.

*Well-Rounded - A person who isn't just focused on the company but has other hobbies and interests, or is active in the community, is highly desired. Communities need volunteers, board members and committee members, so companies are interested in those who bring the company's name out with them, when they engage in these activities.

*Special Skills - Included would be such things as security clearance, certification in CPR (not just for health care workers), fluency in other languages, willingness to work other shifts, and proficiency with computers and social media. According to JCS representative Michael Epstein, any of these characteristics can bring you into top consideration.

*Focus And Drive - Having your own career and educational goals, separate from the goals of the organization.

Although each workplace is different, JCS representatives offer these characteristics as a good starting place when thinking about what an employer is seeking. At the least, these suggestions can give you some ideas about how to market yourself during your own job search.

Winners of Employer Partnership Awards, 2014-2015.

By the way, for employers in the Baltimore region, JCS representatives would like to get to know you, too. They are inviting you to come to STRICTLY BUSINESS, a networking and awards breakfast, on April 5 at 7:30 to 9:30 AM at Woodholme Country Club.

Keynote speakers for Strictly Business.

Thanks for information provided by Robyn Geller's blog post on Jewish Community Services: http://www.jcsbaltimore.org/2016/work-wonders/making-an-impression-on-potential-employers/; and the above links.

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A Selfless Wish

Amelia Meyer, a girl with a wish.

It's not often that you'll hear an eight-year-old child wish that she could "take care of the world", but probably even less when that child is battling cancer and is granted a wish by MAKE-A-WISH MISSOURI. For Amelia Meyer, who is battling brain cancer and just completed her chemo treatments, she wanted nothing more than to be able to clean up local parks with her friends.

Both Make-A-Wish and HELZBERG DIAMONDS got together to make the wish come true. Utilizing its social media clout, Helzberg recruited hundreds of volunteers to join in cleaning one of four Kansas City parks, all to help make Amelia's wish come true.



Jill Meyer, Amelia's mother said, "We were very touched by it, but not surprised, just very touched. It was a sweet wish." According to Pat Duncan with Make-A-Wish Missouri, "Most wishes are to meet someone or go somewhere. This one is a bit unique."

Besides the two organizations helping to sponsor the park cleanups, Mayor Sly James has stepped up, too. He appeared at Swope Park this most recent Saturday and proclaimed it Amelia Meyers Day. Among his remarks, he thanked Amelia for "selfless dream" and "for being such a really neat kid."

Even though Amelia didn't say much, she launched enthusiastically into picking up debris and spending time with her friends. The Meyer family, including older brother, Carson, was present to lend support. Jill Meyer mounted the podium after Mayor James to convey the family's gratitude to the participants, "We're so touched by what you have all done for our little girl. It brings her such a smile."

The Meyer family with Mayor James' proclamation; Amelia receiving big hug from brother Carson.

And perhaps that is the bigger idea behind special wishes for kids battling cancer, uniting community support behind a family trying to get through a difficult time, with no promises about the ultimate outcome. They all receive a big emotional lift from the community coming together. But one little girl provided that - and more - for her family and community. A concern about the future, making a nicer environment for all. And isn't that a wonderful thing?

A day of hard work produces trash bags full of debris.

Thanks to information from this article by Morning Express on HLN: http://www.hlntv.com/shows/morning-express-robin-meade/articles/2016/03/02/ameliaswish-girl-battling-brain-cancer-uses-wish-to-clean-up-parks; this article on fox4kc.com: http://fox4kc.com/2016/02/23/8-year-old-with-brain-cancer-wants-to-make-the-world-a-better-place-heres-how-you-can-help/; this article on The Charlotte Observer: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article63076002.html; and this article from KMOV.com: http://www.kmov.com/story/31328684/girl-with-cancer-makes-selfless-wish.

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