Stepping Out Archives

October 3, 2008

Iran Behind the Headlines

Friday, October 10: A Personal Look at Iran’s People and Culture by Duke Duchscherer. Digital slides, stories and experiences bring to life the people behind the media rhetoric. He is a nonviolent communication expert and wants to share What Does Iran Mean? This enlightening talk begins at 7:00 pm at the Baobab Cultural Center, 728 University Avenue. For more information, contact Moka Lantum, 563-2145, or baobab.center@yahoo.com.

Native Americans and Education

Saturday, October 18: Can Native Americans Be Educated and Remain Native Americans? This is panel dialogue and education. Panel participants include T. Jane Doctor, Ginny Fifield, and Peter Jemison. The panel discussion begins at 6:30 pm at the Baobab Cultural Center, 728 University Avenue. For more information, call Moka Lantum, 563-2145 or baobab.center@yahoo.com.

Welcoming Diversity/Dismantling Prejudice

Wednesday, October 29: The Rochester (Upstate) NY Chapter of the National Coalition Building Institute is pleased to offer a full-day community workshop. Extending generosity and respect in a complex world depends on our ability to thrive while navigating the cultural landscapes of language, behavior, beliefs, and values regardless of our own ethnic, religious, economic, or social identities. This session will be held at LDA Life and Learning Services, 4th Floor Conf Rm, 339 East Avenue, Suite 420. Cost is $65 and pre-registration is appreciated by October 24. The session is from 8:45 am – 4:00 pm with morning refreshments and lunch provided. For more information, contact Steve Jarose at 263-3323 or email sjarose@ldagvi.org.

September 18, 2008

City at Peace

Saturday, September 20th: There will be an open group audition from 2:00 pm (sharp) until 4 pm at Gardiner Recreation Center, 75 Grover Street, Rochester. This is a youth-led program (ages 13-19) that uses the performing arts to empower teenagers to transform their lives and improve their communities. They will perform with a purpose, have a voice, and work with professionals in the arts. No prior performing experience is necessary, participants are not chosen based on talent, Just come and have fun. They meet on Saturdays from October 4 through late June. For more information call 748-6391 or email sara@artpeace.org or david@cpnational.org.

Salvation Army Project Bundle-Up

Saturday, September 27th: A wonderful, heart-warming experience for volunteers. JC Penney Stores (at Eastview, Marketplace, and Greece Malls) will open their doors to about 300 children whose family cannot afford proper winter clothing. Each child is paired with a volunteer to help them shop for a winter coat, hat, mittens, scarf, and jeans. No cost to volunteers. Children will arrive between 8-8:15 am. Volunteers will need to arrive at 7:30 am. For more information and to register as a volunteer, sign up at www.rochestersalvatonarmy.org.

System of Care Family Roundtable

Wednesday, October 1st. A platform for voices of families of children with emotional, mental, and behavioral challenges and promote and facilitate the family-driven model in child serving systems throughout Monroe County held at 320 North Goodman Street, Rochester.  Contact Karen Draper by September 29 at 325-3145, x131.

Poverty and Violence: Assault on Human Rights

Friday, October 17th. This a dialogue and call for action. It’s time to end economic injustice and be clear about its connection to violence in our community. Located at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams Street, Rochester from 8:00 am to 5:15 pm. Registration, $20, includes lunch. Visit their web site at swaarochester.org. Email is Info@swaarochester.org or call 395-5509.

Making the Invisible Visible

Thursday, October 23 and Friday, October 24 at St. Mary’s Hospital (East/West Auditorium), 89 Genesee Street, Rochester. The focus of this conference is Exploring the Intersections of Trauma and Socio-Cultural Oppression in the Therapeutic Process. Keynote speakers include Dr. Kenneth Hardy, PhD, Dr. David Nylund, PhD, and Julie Tilsen, MA. Cost is $125 for both days includes lunch (postmarked before September 19); $135 after September 19; $75 one day one includes lunch; or both days for students (with ID) of those with financial need; $115 per person when 3 or more are from the same agency. This conference is spearheaded by St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center. For more information and to register, call 325-5260.

Healthy Home

This is a field trip / project opportunity for classes. This is a residential house at 700 West Main Street, Rochester where people can learn about home-based environmental health hazards (lead, asthma triggers, fire safety, injury prevention etc) and more (youth development, dental hygiene, community gardening etc). Three medical residency programs are regularly visiting the Home. Visit http://www2.envmed.rochester.edu/envmed/ehsc/outreach/Community Partners/CommunityPartners.html. Email is healthyhomerochester@gmail.com.

April 16, 2008

SEED Meeting will be held on April 19 at 10:00 AM at Outreach Community Center (447 Genesee Street).  Lunch and childcare will be provided.  Please RSVP to 328-0887.

Understanding the Connection Between Mental Health and Chronic Pain – featuring Dr. Jeffrey Allen.  This event will be held twice – on April 22 in Livingston County and on April 30 in Monroe County.  The April 22 program will be held at St. Timothy Lutheran Church on Route 20A in Geneseo from 6:30 – 8:00 PM.  For either program there is a $10 registration fee (scholarships are available).  The Monroe County program will be held at the Brighton Town Hall Auditorium at 2300 Elmwood Avenue from 6:30 – 8:00 PM.  Attend one of these programs and learn how chronic pain and our emotional well-being are connected.  Hear about treatment options and coping strategies that can improve your quality of life and find out about the challenges of treating chronic pain.  Call the Mental Health Association at 325-3145 for more information.

March 31, 2008

The Empire Justice Center is collecting new and gently used professional attire for donation to the Volunteers of America’s Working Wardrobe Program.  Working Wardrobe Program provides business clothes, shoes, coats and handbags free of charge to local men and women in need who are seeking employment, working at an internship or just starting out at a new job.  Donations are being collected April 7-11 in the lobby at One West Main Street, the Honorable Michael A. Telesca Center for Justice.  All sizes and styles are needed.  Donations are tax-deductible and receipts will be available.  If your office or agency would like to schedule a pick-up for a large office-wide or group donation, or if you have any questions, please call Alison at 295-5816. 

The Reality Tour will take you on a bus tour of poor neighborhoods in Rochester, as well as locations that represent some of our community’s real priorities.  Learn about the daily problems faced by the poor as well as the entire community. Saturday, April 12 – board the bus at 11:45.  Tour ends by 3:00 PM.  Depart from the parking lot at 845 St. Paul Street (near Steve’s Empire Collision.  First come, first serve, seats are confirmed when payment is received.  Call 395-5562 or realitytour@swaarochester.org for more information.

East House presents:  American Psyche:  Ethics, History, Face and Mental Health by Harriet Washington, award-winning ethicist and author of Medical Apartheid on Monday, April 14 at 2:00 PM at the Rochester Academy of Medicine, 1441 East Avenue (between Culver and Winton Roads).  General admission tickets are $10, Discount tickets at $5 are offered to students and consumers.  Seating is limited.  Call 256-3800, extension 213 for more information.

2008 Monroe County Children’s Mental Health Conference – The Faces of Trauma will be held on Friday, May 9 from 8:00 – 5:00 PM and Saturday, May 10 from 8:00 – 3:00 PM at the Rochester Crowne Plaza Hotel at 70 State Street.  The Key Note Speaker on Friday is Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD, author and senior fellow at The Child Trauma Center in Houston TX.  For more information, please contact Annette Powell at 753-2699 or apowell@monroecounty.gov  

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s (AFSP) first annual Preserving Hope Gala will be held at the Robach Community Center (Ontario Beach State Park – 200 Beach Avenue) on May 17 from 5:00 – 10:00 PM.  The Key Note Speaker is Tom O’Clair of Timothy’s Law.  For more information please contact Renae Carapella at 607-368-0977 or rcarapella@afsp.org

February 12, 2008

How do you cope with stress?  The Strong Black Woman:  Pain, Strength, and Resilience Workshop is free and open to all women.  Two dates available:  Saturday, February 16, 2008 and Saturday, February 23, 2008 from 3:30 – 5:30 PM at the Family Restoration Project, Inc. located at 360 Wellington Avenue in Rochester.  Free child care is available.  No registration is needed.  For information call:  273-1612.

Downtown Community Forum - The Power of Forgiveness – Exchanging Ideas, Exploring Issues – A Community Service of St. Mary’s Church at St. Mary’s Place on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 from 7:00 – 9:15 PM.  There is no charge for this program, but an RSVP is due to March 7 to 121-7168 due to limited seating. 

The Ruby Slipper Gala to benefit Mt. Hope Family Center – “There’s No Place Like HOPE” – Saturday, March 29, 2008 from 7:00 – 10:00 PM at Artisan Works (565 Blossom Road).  For information about tickets ($125/person or $1,200/table of 10), please contact Sarah Smith at sarah_smith@urmc.rochester.edu or 275-2991 x 238

December 10, 2007

BABIES CAN’T WAIT – TEENS WON’T WAIT

Ten things you need to know about the education of children in the child welfare system.  This session will be a talk about needs and entitlements through the use of particular scenarios.  The presenter is Judith Gerber, Esq.  She is the Education Consultant and member of the New York State Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children.  This session will be held on Thursday, December 13, from 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM in the Hall of Justice, 99 Exchange Boulevard, Room 303.  No registration is required – more information can be obtained at 428-4068.  This is a brown bag and 1 ½ CLE hours will be offered.

THE STRONG BLACK WOMAN:  PAIN, STRENGTH, AND RESILIENCE WORKSHOP 

This workshop will be held on Saturday, December 15 from 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM at the Family Restoration Project at 360 Wellington Avenue.  Please call to confirm with Regina at 328-9270.  Snacks and drinks will be served.

Funding Announcements from the Office of Mental Health Promotion:

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AWARD

The Office of Mental Promotion invites proposals from faculty-community teams to pursue new collaborations that aim to improve the mental health of community populations. More information about this award is found here.

2008 Innovations on Community Scholarship Award

The purpose of this award is to support the development, maintenance or evaluation of community-university partnerships and collaborations in mental health that do one of the following:  conduct or facilitate community- or place-based research, prevention, intervention, education or dissemination of research findings into practice or policy.  These are generally one-time awards, limited to one per faculty member per year, for new or ongoing projects that require funds to reach new partners or to create new collaborations.

To apply, send – as an electronic attachment only – not more than a one-page document (form is attached) to Yeates Conwell MD, Ann Marie White EdD and Sue Diesel

January 10th, 2008

Babies Can’t Wait – Teens Won’t Wait – Thursday, January 10 from 12:30 – 2:00 PM at the Hall of Justice in Room 303 – The topic is “Teen-Age Substance Abuse.”  Presenters are a teen panel who will share their experiences.  CLE’s will be offered:  1 ½ hours.

Peace in the Valley – Hope and Meaning in the Care of People with Terminal Illness will be held on Thursday, January 17 from 5:30 – 9:00 PM at the University of Rochester Medical Center – Arthur Kornberg Medical Research Building in the LeChase Assembly (G-9576).  This event is open to professional healthcare providers, including physicians, Pas, Nurse Practitioners (NPs), nurses, social workers, clergy, and pastoral care/ministers representing all faith groups.  This event is free, however, seating is limited.  To reserve your seats of for more information, please call Ginny Ruderman at the Monroe County Medical Society – 585-473-7573.

Latino Health Care Symposium – presented by the School of Medicine and Dentistry, the Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology on January 17 at the RIT Inn and Conference Center.  Registration and Light breakfast buffet starts at 7:30 AM.  This symposium hopes to assist all health care providers in understanding health disparities in the Latino community, as well as to stimulate discussion about strategies needed to close this gap.  The symposium will also update the audience on the current state of the most common chronic conditions that affect Latinos and what we can do to improve outcomes.  For a registration form, please contact either the Office of Continuing Professional Education Office or Sue Diesel (275-3571).

Moving Beyond Racism – “Pathways to Healing:  Building Inclusive Communities” – a day of facilitated discussions, small group exercises, reflection, dialogue and consideration of the interplay among the concepts of Power, Oppression Theory, Overlapping Identities and Responsibility.  This group will meet on Friday, January 18, 2008 from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM in Room 509 of the School of Nursing’s Loretta Ford Education Wing.  Continental breakfast and lunch will be available.  Please RSVP by January 11, 2008 to Ulandus Powell-Quinn at 275-7883.

WXXI – The BizKid$ Bash – will be held on January 26, 2008 at WXXI Studios at 280 State Street from 10:00 AM – Noon.  This will be a morning of fun and celebration with family activities, refreshments, prizes, a drawing for $100 in a new credit union savings account and a sneak peek at the program.  Please RSVP by January 18 to WXXI at 585-258-0200. 

Mt. Hope Family Center provides both excellent care to our community and training opportunities to mental health professionals.  Some of us have had the benefits over the years of senior faculty mentorship, our own clinical training, and the ability to refer clients to quality care.  Although Mt. Hope is under the umbrella of the University of Rochester, research grants cannot account for some operation costs.  Additionally, many community residents and practitioners remain unaware of what Mt. Hope provides.  In the hope of raising awareness, and raising some unrestricted dollars, Mt. Hope is hosting its first annual Gala on March 29th.  There will be a box in Sue Diesel’s office until March 1st for those who wish to contribute items for the silent auction.  The items can be gift cards or small items which can be bundled into larger baskets.  As you go about your post-holiday shopping to return items – or seek out bargains – think about Mt. Hope.  If you have any questions, or are interested in attending, feel free to contact Sarah Smith at 275-2991 – extension 238 or sarah_smith@urmc.rochester.edu

January 30, 2008

A Horse’s Friend – is looking for responsible people with horse experience or willing to learn to help care for the horses used in a youth program (in exchange for riding time).  If you are interested, please contact ahorsesfriend@yahoo.com or Matthew Doward – Executive/Program Director at 585-503-4087.  This program qualifies for community service contribution – to find out more about the program, please go to www.ahorsesfriend.com

AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS FILM SERIES at WXXI every Saturday in February from 1:00 – 3:00 PM.  Admission is free and open to the public.  There will be a discussion after each film.  For more information, please contact Shelley Figueroa at 585-258-0278 or sfigueroa@wxxi.org

• February 2 – The Pact – a gritty, provocative true-life story of three friends from the ‘hood who made a pact in high school to find a way to go to college and then medical school.  They not only accomplished this, but they’re now spreading the word to inspire other inner-city kids to stay off of drugs, out of gangs and to take the educational route to a better life.
• February 9 – American Blackout – in this Sundance prize-winning indictment of the election process, guerilla journalist Ian Inaba follows the efforts of Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney to expose the disturbing tactics that systematically disenfranchise black voters and silence dissent.
• February 16 – A Panther in Africa a film by Aaron Matthews – the story of Pete O’Neal – one of the last exiles from the time of Black Power, when young rebels advocated black pride, unity, community service and sometimes violence.  This event is a collaboration with P.O.V., PBS’ award-winning nonfiction series.  Visit http:www.pbs.org/pov/
• February 23 – Fannie Lou Hamer:  Courage & Faith – using archival footage and interviews with those who knew her well and were affected by her actions, this program chronicles the extraordinary life of Fannie Lou Hamer and introduces her to a new younger generation.  ALSO, Malcolm’s Echo:  The Legacy of Malcolm X – this program centers around the pilgrimage to Malcolm X’s burial site that has taken place every year on his birthday since his assassination in 1965.

MOCHA PROJECT, INC. presents National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Luncheon:  Prevention is Power.  Keynote Speaker is Damon L. Humes, MHS, the new Executive Director of MOCHA Project.  This will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2008, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Clarion Riverside Hotel (120 East Main Street).  For more information, contact Michael Booth at 585-420-1400 extension 14 or mbooth@mochaproject.org

NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY – The Black Men Latino Men Health Crisis, Inc., Finger Lakes Health System Agency, Finger Lakes Association of Nurses in AIDS Care and Monroe County Department of Public Health presents:  “The Forgotten Family Member:  HIV Prevention for Black Heterosexual Men” – Town Hall Meeting on February 7, 2008 from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.  Registration is from 8:30 – 9:00 AM at the Edgerton Community Center in the Stardust Ballroom at 41 Backus Street.  Lunch will be provided.  Keynote Speaker and Call to Action:  Gil Robertson, Author, Not in my Family (nominated for 2007 NAACP Image Award.  For additional information, please call 585-753-2989 or 585-696-1358

EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR ADULT DEPRESSION – February 7, 2008 from 7:00 – 8:30 PM at the Brighton Town Hall (Community Room) located at 2300 Elmwood Avenue.  The registration fee is $10.  This program will provide information about adult depression, including an overview of the types of treatment and an example of a treatment intervention for each type.  The effect of Timothy’s Law on treatment, as well as special considerations, such as co-existing programs from alcohol or substance abuse and addiction, eating disorders, personality problems, chronic depression, and adult depression within couple and family relationships will also be discussed.  For more information, please call the Mental Health Association at 325-3145.