IMPORTANCE OF NONPROFITS: State grants decline

"Disability is not a 'brave struggle' or 'courage in the face of adversity'.  Disability is an art.  It's an ingenius way to live."
 Quote from Neil Marcus: October is Disability Awareness Month. Learn more and buy posters and tshirts at the IOD Store, Institute of Disability Institue at University of New Hampshire.
The award-winning film Including Samuel, a highly personal, passionately photographed film, is available on loan from the Outer Banks Peace and Justice Interfaith Coalition Film Series.  Please contact Nancy for more information.

Thursday,November 4, 2010 , 11:00 - 2:00, Duck Woods Country Club. Proceeds benefit the Virginia Dare BPW Scholarship Fund. Registration: $35 in advance  Reservations are necessary. Includes delicious lunch, seminar, silent auction, raffle and door prizes.For more information call Fran at (252)202-8467 or e-mail fkapinos@aol.com. Featured Speakers include,  Betty Shotton, CEO of LIFTOFF LEADERSHIP,   Rosie Bucherati, Gail Harper, President of Business & Professional Women's Club/NC Federation , and Carol Rogallo Sparks.  

For those children who do tell, it is imperative that they be met with the least traumatic investigative process, followed by proven-effective therapeutic intervention. KIDS First helps children who have been sexually or physically abused to heal and to realize that what someone else has done to them does not make them defective.  Without intervention, most of these children grow up thinking they were somehow responsible for the abuse they endured. Many turn to alcohol or drugs for self-medication to help with the anguish; others suffer from various mental health problems that may limit their ability to function; others wind up in the prison system; many simply continue to suffer in silence, unable to trust others (or even their own judgment).

Since 1992, Kids First has been serving abused and/or neglected children in northeastern North Carolina from its central office in Elizabeth City and from office space provided in outlying counties by Departments of Social Services.  The therapists are specialists in child abuse treatment. Services are offered at an child-friendly facility in Elizabeth City. All services are provided free of charge to our clients' families. Kids First provides Evaluation, treatment, advocacy and support services to child victims of sexual & physical abuse and/or severe neglect, therapy for child victims and their families. It also provides Prevention and community education programs.

You can help Kids First and getting the word out about this incredible resource in our community;  Invite Kids First to speak at groups or churches;  hold a fundraiser to benefit  abused children.  Visit their website to learn more. 

 by Jim Wallis
 I joined thousands of others across the country who believe that bullying should never be tolerated at any time, at any place, or for any reason. I wore purple to commemorate "Spirit Day," in memory of the many young people who have taken their own lives as a result of harassment and bullying inflicted on them because they are gay. I wore purple because I am a follower of Christ.

A bully is a person who habitually intimidates, harasses, or commits violence against those who are smaller, weaker, or more vulnerable because of their "outsider" status. A bully stands in opposition to all of what Christ taught and lived. There is broad opposition within the Christian community to bullying, especially the sort that leads to the deaths we have seen as of late. This sort of harassment is indefensible. And the stories of young kids being so bullied that they take their own lives has been heartbreaking to hear.

The fact that bullies target gay and lesbian people should mean that Christians give extra attention to protecting and standing up for them. The fact that any community or group of people is regularly the target of harassment and hate means Christians should be on the front line of defense against any who would attack.

But, most bullies don't know that they are bullies. A bully might think that his or her words don't matter that much or affect others that greatly. A bully might think that he or she is being funny or just kidding around. A bully might think that he or she is just saying what everyone is thinking or speaking out about what everyone thinks.

There is disagreement within the Christian community when it comes to issues of human sexuality. But, there should be a united front against all who would disrespect, disparage, or denigrate anyone created in the image of God. I  hope you will join me in a message of hope for any person who has been teased, harassed, or bullied by another because of his or her sexual orientation. More than that, no matter what your views of homosexuality are, I hope you will join with me in standing in the way between bullies and their victims.

There are many videos on bullying on the internet.  This is one that touched me deeply.  Nancy

Be part of the Flying Pirate Half Marathon, Outer Banks Triathlon or the Outer Banks Marathon races without running a step!  Thousands of volunteers are needed to staff and set up water stations, work the Expos and offer support to runners at the Starts and Finish. Don't miss out! Volunteer teams and themes welcome!  Click Here  to volunteer for the Outer Banks Marathon, Half Marathon, 8K, 5K and Fun Run, November 12-14, 2010. The benefits of becoming an OBSE Race Crew Volunteer include a Race Crew t-shirt, the satisfaction of helping others and you'll have a great time! Volunteer for the RAce Expo, the Start Lines, Throughout the Course, and the Finish Line. Be part of the 5th Anniversary of the Outer Banks Marathon. Contact Merry Mendelson for information.

In the last four years, the Outer Banks Marathon has raised over $675,000 for two charities to reinvest in our community. (2009: $253,000; 2008: $184,000; 2007: $143,000; 2006: $95,000) 100% of proceeds benefit

•  The Outer Banks Relief Foundation assists local citizens suffering from debilitating diseases such as cancer, families suffering from loss due to fire, the death of a spouse and families in crisis. 
• The Dare Education Foundation promotes excellence in education in Dare County Schools. Proceeds support the AVID program targeting those students not normally considered college ready in all Dare County secondary schools, provide grants for creative classroom projects and promote 21st Century Skills among students. 

As you well know, wandering is an enormous concern for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and their families.  The Alzheimer's Foundation of America is teaming up with Breadcrumb, a technology company, with the intent of marketing a new, innovative locator device specifically designed for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias who may wander. To move this forward, the Foundation is currently seeking individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, and their family caregivers to participate in a free, 30-day pilot project.  As a thank you, participants will be able to continue to use the locator device for one year at no cost (a value of approximately $600+).

 

Breadcrumb is a small wristband-type device strapped to the individual, and uses a cellular system to identify the location of a participant who wanders out of doors and to display the person's route and real time location on a map or Smartphone. The device regularly reports the person's location to the Breadcrumb call center around the clock, and pre-identified caregivers are notified via text message and/or phone call when the person leaves a designated geographic field.

 

We will provide participants with the system and operating instructions, and ask that they use the system for 30 days and fill out pre-, mid- and post-surveys, as well as data for the call center.

 

If you are interested and/or want more information to please contact Christine Valentin, an AFA social worker and project coordinator, at 866.232.8484 or cvalentin@alzfdn.org.