Changing Detroit's Wellness Trajectory

Darcia Dubose Cheeks and husband, Clifford Cheeks, received a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Clifford Cheeks and his wife, Darcia Dubose Cheeks, have been committed to healthy practices for quite some time. They have a business, Cheeks Colon Care, LLC, which provides colon-hydro therapy in the city of Detroit and surrounding communities. But, even so, the couple were aware that they could do so much more to bring healthy practices to area families. So, they started THE WELLNESS ADVOCATES OF DETROIT, with the mission of teaching yoga therapy, peer wellness groups, and youth leadership development to their urban community. The organization was a way to initiate changes in lifestyle that would change individual and community health trajectory.

Mr. Cheeks believes that "wellness is achieved when individuals commit to lifestyle change." The Wellness Advocates has a variety of services and packages available to the community. Yoga therapy is provided free or for a donated fee. There is also reflexology, foot detoxification, colon-hydro therapy, and six different wellness packages, for which fees are charged, for clients of all different ages.



In addition, wellness programs are divided into adult groups and youth groups. Adult groups are comprehensive, with various aspects of wellness being explored, along with gardening, exercise, and referrals for further treatment.

Youth groups take into account the risks to which African-American youth are exposed in an urban environment. It incorporates mentoring and the steps towards change in the Teaming Model. Youth receive a comprehensive assessment that goes beyond the physical, into leadership, social skills, academic skills, and employability.

Then follows 12 sessions over four weeks, addressing community service, leadership development, conflict resolution, employment skills, social skills, wellness, and elimination of self-defeating behaviors. Youth, in turn, must remain in good academic standing, stay in school, and stay out of legal difficulties. After completion of the sessions, there is a six-month follow-up, with any needed outside referrals being provided.

The Wellness Advocates Of Detroit works hard to provide  African-American youth with the skills to lead a better life.

True to the organization's plan from the beginning, The Wellness Advocates also held a Wellness Conference For Men And Women this past October at the Detroit Yacht Club.

Poster for Wellness conference held last October.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: http://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/clifford-cheeks-the-wellness-advocates-of-detroit/; and the above link.

Click here to view more details

Click here: NO HANDS SEO

Travel Stays With Native Peoples

A local Ladakh woman cooking a meal.

Have you ever thought of taking a trip to the Himalayans, where you could view the world's highest mountains? It's an area where mountain climbers set off to accomplish their goal of climbing Mount Everest. It's where Sherpa, Ladakh, Dzongu and Lepcha, and Spiti peoples make their homes.

Don't want to stay in a hotel? Want to see how the native peoples live their lives? Welcome to HIMALAYAN HOMESTAYS. They specialize in booking homestays with the various native peoples who live in the area. There are some advantages to this type of travel. Visitors staying with a family learn more about the customs and lifestyles of the local people, support a local family's income to preserve the lifestyle common to their ancestors, and don't add to the wealth of large hotel chains, plus it's eco-friendly.



Back in 2002. Himalayan Homestays started among the Ladakh people, with the help of the Snow Leopard Conservancy, the Mountain Institute, local tour operators, and villagers. The first Homestays were started in Hemis National Park, where snow leopards abound and then more were added in Sham. Since visitors were quite interested in snow leopards, locals learned the value of preserving these animals as a source of income for tourists.

Tourists receive quite a few comforts, while experiencing the culture of the Ladakh people. Lighting is provided by candle or solar power; traditional Ladakh meals are cooked with eco-friendly methods, showers can be taken with solar-warmed water, dry-composting toilets are furnished, and local nature guides can be easily booked.

The Dzongu and Lepcha peoples provide the Sikkim homestays. Visitors have access to scenic views of Mount Khangchendzonga and the Khangchendzonga Biosphere. The Spiti experience is in an area known as Little Tibet; homestays are provided in one of five villages. This area is the home of the Tibetan wolf and Blue Sheep, along with the snow leopard. It is an area of beauty, with access to several trails that introduce visitors to various aspects of local life.

Some Sikkim area villagers with wedding drums.

Details of how to book accommodations and visits are found on the website. So, if you are interested in a culturally immersive experience and meeting local people in their home environments, Himalayan Homestays will provide you with that unique experience.

Dhankar village, in the Siti area.

Thanks for information from the above link, particularly the onsite links to the three areas that offer these trips.

Click here to view more details

Click here: GLENN HARROLD HYPNOSIS DOWNLOADS

Research On Lung Cancer In Women

Some ALCF leaders were present at ribbon-cutting for new Briston-Myers-Squibb building.

I've always liked organizations, which have a longterm goal of eliminating a devastating illness, like cancer. The BONNIE J. ADDARIO LUNG CANCER FOUNDATION (ALCF) focuses on the elimination of lung cancer through a combination of research, early detection, education, and treatment. Established in 2006, this Foundation has raised $25 million dollars towards meeting its goal.

In partnership with the AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION, ALCF has established a joint research award, the 2016 Momentum Research Award: Defeating Lung Cancer In Women. The award is designed to support novel, innovative, and translatable research that has the potential to provide a huge clinical impact in the early detection of lung cancer in women. The research must also demonstrate a recognition of gender differences in lung cancer incidence, pathophysiology, treatment results, and prognosis.



This award provides $250,000 to that early career scientist, who meets the criteria of the award, for furthering research addressing the unique aspects of lung cancer in women.

Further, the award recognizes the need for this type of research:
"*Over the last few decades, the rate of new lung cancer cases has approximately doubled among women while decreasing about 25 percent among men.
*More women than ever are dying of lung cancer.
*Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of women - yet only 1% of women report lung cancer as a top-of-mind cancer concern.
*It is estimated that lung cancer will represent more than 1 in 4 female cancer deaths in 2016.
*Close to half of all women/one in two women with lung cancer will die one year after diagnosis.
*The five year survival rate for women with lung cancer is only one in five.
*Lung cancer kills 193 women every day - 8 per hour, one death every 7.5 minutes."

Sacramento team captains at a dinner with the events team.

Again, this award seeks to recognize early-career researchers, who can think outside the box, are focused on researching women's unique experiences and qualities regarding lung cancer, and have the capability of producing meaningful and significant research results.

Part of the lung cancer living room series, supporting those with lung cancer.

Thanks for information from this article on the ALCF site: http://www.lungcancerfoundation.org/research/momentum-award/;; and the above links.

Click here to visit Green Lifestyle Film Festival.

Click here: GETTING STARTED IN HYDROPONICS

Bridging The Digital Divide At The High School Level

The initials of Computer Angels, made in computer parts.

Sometimes it takes an observant high school student to notice a need. That observant student was Joseph Valenti, who noticed that some of his classmates had to do their homework at school, using the school computers, because their families couldn't afford to buy one.

Joseph, a student at a high school in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, came up with a way to help. He formed an organization, COMPUTER ANGELS OF STEM (CAS), and he started collecting old computers. He also began collecting money so he could refurbish those computers with upgraded RAM, updated USB and ethernet ports, adding a new hard drive, and providing the latest version of operating system.



Once the computers were humming again, he gave them to classmates and local families, who couldn't afford a home computer. Now, the classmates, who had previously stayed at school to use those computers, could go home and use their home systems. Also, by providing these computers to local families, Joseph had hit upon a method of reducing the technology gap among his fellow students. That means that even during their free time and vacations, the students, who had previously had no technology access in their home environments, could become more proficient and catch up with their technology-endowed classmates.

Mr. Valenti's generosity was no surprise, either. He has always had a passion for helping others in need, especially when that difference impacts their ability to succeed. Indeed, he has also encouraged other students to take their passion and provide similar opportunities for those who would not otherwise have them.

Joseph is hard at work with another computer.

Computer Angels has a Facebook page, where those who follow this organization can check out a daily computer tip. Every so often, there is a video about the accomplishments of this group in tearing down and restoring used computers. So, if you happen to be a techie student with a little free time, you can also do something similar and help to bring technology to the homes of students who previously had none.

Joe loading up a refurbished computer for delivery.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: http://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/joseph-valenti-comptuer-angels-of-stem-science-technology-engineering-and-math/; and the above link.

Click here to view more details

Click here: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SOLO ADS

Loyola Blakefield On The Move

Members of the varsity track team.

Tradition abounds in an area, like Baltimore, that has a history that reaches back several centuries. That means that some of its organizations have also been around for many years, or even centuries. LOYOLA BLAKEFIELD, a Catholic high school for boys, can date its start from 1852. But that doesn't mean that students don't benefit from the latest innovations nor does it mean ignoring the latest information.

Just this week, students in Mr. Pongchit's chemistry class were completing their projects regarding ways to contain the Zika virus. A class on information that is still emerging and, with new discoveries being made, can present exciting learning opportunities.



Although Zika virus first became known in the 1940s on the African continent, its latest presentation has centered in South and Central America, with Brazil being at the epicenter. Students were tasked with doing research on a chemical compound that has played a role in managing this illness. Students were divided into groups and had to build a molecular model of their compound. Then, utilizing video, the group presented characteristics of that compound, such as its action, history of use, possible future applications, and its effectiveness. That led into a debate with other teams about which compound would offer the best usefulness in preventing or treating the illness.

Another activity, in which students at all grade levels were involved, was the 4th Annual Runners For Others, held on Saturday. Along with students from Christo Rey and Loyola University, Loyola Blakefield's students participated in this fun event, which raised money for Jesuit social ministry programs. Now, remembering back to Saturday, the weather was something of a factor, since it felt more like a cold winter day, instead of spring, and it was also raining.

A cold, rainy day for Runners For Others.

Nonetheless, participants were eager to start, and when it came to finishers, Loyola Blakefield's 17-year-old Kevin Wegner, no stranger to distance running, crossed the finish line first, with a time of 16 minutes, 58 seconds. He beat last year's winner Brendan O'Kane, Director of Campus Ministries. But the best part was knowing that all of the efforts of the runners and organizers resulted in a total of $52,000 raised for people in need.

Students ready to deliver food to St. Gregory's community in the city.

Thanks for information from this article: https://loyolablakefield.org/campusnews?=&storyid9719=15344&ncs9719=3; and this article: https://loyolablakefield.org/campusnews?=&storyid9719=15330&ncs9719=3, both by Loyola Blakefield.

Click here to view more details

Click here: CONTENT UPGRADES PRO

Sailing On The SF Bay With Local Youth

One of the youngsters takes a turn at the wheel.

Inner city youth learning the joy of sailing. It all happens in San Francisco, courtesy of the BLUE WATER FOUNDATION. While enjoying the sights and sounds of a short voyage in the San Francisco Bay, away from their usual neighborhood haunts, these youths learn about the tasks involved in making that sail so enjoyable.

The Foundation has been working closely with San Francisco public schools. Available to every public school student in the area, the group offers three-hour sails on the Bay, beginning every Thursday at noon, with students required to be at the marina by 11:30 AM. One of the perks for the students is being given that chance to navigate at the wheel.



Because of storms during March, some of the sails had to be rescheduled. But those circumstances led some of the boat captains to search out and purchase inexpensive raingear for the students, so that sails could still take place under rainy, but not stormy conditions.

Captains Ron and Tim coordinate the above sails, which are known as the Exploration Sails Program. This particular program has been in operation for about 25 years. As part of their community outreach program, police officers will be joining the sails as volunteers.

Another set of programs occur as Community Group Sails, led by Captain Les. They usually take place on board Bear, departing from San Francisco. The Student Conservation Association has been participating, mostly on Sundays, with the next sail being April 17. Project Avary, which serves students who have an incarcerated parent, has also been participating. Their next sail is May 21. There is a hope that Honor Jackson or Mike Carter, both ex-NFL players, can join the sail.

Then Ocean's Gate Program, which serves probation departments, is expanding. The Alameda County Probation Department students from Camp Sweeney have been participating in these sails. They sailed on the Benjamin Waters last month and are scheduled to for monthly sails through late spring. The girls program at Camp Sweeney is where the expansion occurred. The girls sailed for the first time on April 9, with an all-women crew, under the direction of Captain Bill.

The El Dorado Probation Department has been involved in monthly sails and will also have one this month; Captains Bill and Lee are in charge. Other probation departments are being asked if there is any interest in the Ocean's Gate Program for their students. Program leaders are arranging for meetings this month.

One of the boats used by the Foundation.

There are also additional programs, sails, and events, taking place at the Foundation. That even includes various certification trainings. We wish all of those participating in sails a happy voyage and great learning adventure.

A group of girls on board for a sail.

Thanks for information provided by Blue Water Foundation's newsletter: http://www.bluewaterfoundation.org/system/files/documents/BWF%20Newsletter%20Mar%208%202016.pdf; and the above link.

Click here to visit RapFundamentals.com.

Click here: CB PRESS MARKETPLACE WORDPRESS PLUGIN

From The US To Uganda - For The Animals

The children from Laminadara taking their field trip at the rhino sanctuary.

There are animal welfare groups in many parts of the world. Some, like THE BIG FIX UGANDA, working primarily in northern Uganda, have arms that reach out into more developed countries, where there are more resources, for critical assistance and supplies. In the countries that they serve, frequently the people who have the animals need as much help as the animals themselves. So, their services must be broader, serving the people as much as the animals.

Sarah Schmidt, who is secretary of The Big Fix, noted the lack of resources in the local schools. Books were scarce, both in the schools and in students' homes. That gave her an idea, which became story, Adongpiny & TamPira, about a woman and her dog, written by both Sarah and Dr. Wilfrid Opira. In addition, older children were enlisted to make coloring book-type drawings, corresponding with the text (in both English and Luo).



Once written, the book was printed and has been distributed inexpensively into the local schools for the children to enjoy. The next step was organizing Animal Kindness Clubs for children. A total of 28 clubs with about 30 members each, have been established in schools and with local advocacy groups. Club leaders meet about every two months for support and direction in completing the next portion of the Club's activity schedule. Each year there is a special trip for the most active club. The Laminadara Animal Kindness Club was rewarded with a trip to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in January.

Some of the Clubs' activities have included: a "Wash Your Dog" event; learning dog training with positive rewards; participating in radio talk shows; giving educational talks and performances; and looking out for cases of animal neglect in the villages. Children learn about the special bond between people and animals, about treating animals kindly, and about animal rights, through participating in the activities.

Some of the other activities of The Big Fix Uganda include The Comfort Dog Project, which uses the healing power of dogs to help those who have been traumatized in Uganda's conflicts; Mission Rabies, which provides free rabies vaccinations, particularly in areas where rabies has been reported; spay/neuter services; free comprehensive veterinary care for people residing in the impoverished villages; anti-cruelty investigations; and various types of animal education experiences. The group is raising money to complete construction of an animal hospital, with a target opening date in June 2016.

The Big Fix Uganda conducting outreach in the schools of Gulu district.

There is even a Volunteer Adventure trip being offered for one week in July of this year. Volunteers will work with staff of The Big Fix, helping to immunize vulnerable animals. The trip is under the sponsorship of MISSION RABIES. There are other ways to help out, including monetary donations. And the part of the organization that isn't in Uganda is located in Olympia, Washington. And that is what makes the connection with the more developed country, where there are more resources available to help.

Animals and their owners line up for a field clinic conducted in March.

Thanks for information from this article by Pollination Project: http://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/sarah-schmidt-adongpiny-tam-pira-a-coloring-book-for-animal-rights/; and the above links.

Click here to visit RapFundamentals.com.

Click here: SOLDOUTA SUBSCRIPTION