Healthy Reform in the Community

Building a Healthy Exchange

The African American Leadership Forum's (AALF) Health and Wellness committee is joining the Minneapolis Urban League and TakeActionMNfor an event to ensure you have "voice and choice" on health care exchanges a critical element of Affordable Care Act

What: Building a Healthy Exchange: A Community Conversation about Health Reform in Minnesota, with special guest Commissioner of Commerce Mike Rothman

When: Sunday, March 25th. Registration starts at 2:30pm, meeting is from 3pm to 5pm

Where: Kagin Commons on the campus of Macalester College, 1600 Grand Ave, St. Paul, 55105

Violence Against Women and Girls PSA's Air During MN Sports

A big thanks to Chuck Derry at Gender Violence Institute for the notification.

Anoka County Domestic Violence Council/CBIM in Anoka County has partnered with Fox Sports North, and other state partners, including MNMAN, to develop public service announcements to be played during Minnesota Wild, Timberwolves, and Gopher hockey games in January

Fox Sports North has also developed a Coaching Boys Into Men web page with excellent short video clips and blogs focused on Coaching Boys Into Men. http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/pages/north_supports/

Do your part and help support or gather new ideas to create a on-going dialogue about respect and fair play among kids and adults in your life and community. Use this as a tool, opportunity to reinforce messages of respect for women and girls


*Promo spots will be 1 - 2x during a game, equaling 30 placements for the month.

January 2011 Scheduled Dates (although subject to change)*

Gopher Hockey: Friday and Saturdays only

MN Timberwolves: Monday/Wednesday Games,(Tuesday/Thursday/Friday)*

MN Wild : Tuesday/Thursday, (Saturday/Sunday)*

*check website for specific days on each teams scheduled games

For information contact:

Chuck Derry- Gender Violence Institute
P:320-558-4510 or E:gvi@frontiernet.net

Men's Action Network
MN Men's Action Network
15510 Huber Avenue NW
Clearwater, MN 55320

VICTORY TIME

October 18, 2009
　

Victory-noun,
a success or triumph over an enemy in battle or war.
the ultimate and decisive superiority in any battle or contest
a success or superior position achieved against any opponent, opposition, difficulty, etc.


Morning!

At some point you have to claim “IT” for yourself - I know you may be tired, preoccupied with life, don’t have time and the list may go on but repeat after me:

I know what I want,
I'll rewrite the rules
I know my value,
I’m(Insert:______________)’s precious Jewel”
(name of Renewal Source/Higher Power)

When I heard this song playing today, I was tempted to do the same thing I did two years ago which was to shout and say Yes, Thank You Karina, beautiful song indeed. You are more then welcome to say those words above every morning or just when necessary, I don’t mind.

Music can be a gateway to healing, I would leave this alone because that in itself is a statement but I want to explore with you further, so for Today only when you read this, at whatever time it comes across your eyes do me a favor, yes YOU take a moment by yourself, in your car, with friends then, PAUSE.

Okay, find that one song , you know the one, when you hear it compels you to move from the inside, the one that makes you want to rock, nod your head, fist pump, jump, the one thing that will make you scrunch up your face because it starts to feel good umph, it is about to catch you, permission granted..get ugly with it !

Are you ready ? Would you like to suggest or exchange ideas ? You can tell me, well while I’m waiting for you to share and get comfortable. I must admit this to you, I have several songs that fit this category, I will share my Victory Song first because we are in this together.

Are you with me ladies? Do I have your attention men?

Let’s practice with your choice… say it, hum, write it down or sing it . I love it! If you are like me you just may be belting it out WORK IT!

My song today is: “CAN’T BRING ME DOWN” by Karina P.(young lady is a powerhouse) feel free to utilize. Here are some words from the song:

“Trust me, I know they will try
But they won’t bring me down
I know what I’m made of inside
They can’t bring me down
It ain’t over until the last round
Will they bring me down? No!
If I stumble I won’t hit the ground
They can’t bring me down” - Lyrics from Can’t Bring Me Down by Karina

　

The song you pick for your moment will start to move you in the smallest of ways, feel the momentum, maybe even a slight smile on your face, ladies and gentleman at that point it should feel organic, familiar. What is that? Your core, a feeling, your inner-self ,that connection, that says YES…I am ready today.

Go ahead! You have my permission to Enjoy, Tap into it and ROCK OUT.

Remember, When you are unafraid and unashamed to LOVE yourself , you HELP to create a small opening where ___________(fill in the blank) can meet you right there as if to say Jamila,(put your name silly)

I recognize your power, I acknowledge you strength, your potential, your gifts...
I want in
I want a piece
I want you”

**Believe me, they “whoever” or “whatever” it will be, rightfully should want that newness.

Success is only truly measured from the inside, congratulations, the road to healing has never felt so good.

I appreciate, celebrate, applaud YOU because you, yes YOU all by yourself picked a great day to enrich yourself and start again.


Jamila

CVS PETITION to UNLOCK CONDOMS in CONCENTRATED MINORITY AREAS

I received this in a personal email and think it's important to share, not only because I do know some people who have been affected by HIV/AIDS but because this has been an important issue for me from my days of having a candy dish/plate full of condoms in my room for my friends and family alike to take--no questions asked--to attending college and passing out Condoms on campus. Listen, Minorities will always be in a loosing battle if we are not equipped or willing to take care of ourselves and our families.

You can show you care by reading this blog, passing the info on to family, friends and colleagues. signing the petition, http://www.amplifyyourvoice.org/curecvs

CVS is one of the nation's largest pharmacy and drugstore chains. With more than 6,000 stores across the country, they are a major provider of condoms to people of all ages. However, a recent study showed that CVS stores in low-income and minority neighborhoods tend to lock up condoms. Often times these stores are in communities where the rates of HIV infection are the highest.

Advocates for Youth, in partnership with the Cure CVS Campaign, is working with college organizations to push CVS to adopt a policy that would prohibit stores from locking condoms behind glass. CVS's largest competitor, Walgreen's, already has a policy in place forbidding locked condom cases. It's time that CVS does the same!

Report taken from Amplify.org:

a report released by Change to Win highlights the fact that in many low-income and minority neighborhoods CVS stores display condoms only in locked cabinets. Those who want condoms must find a store employee and wait for them to unlock the cabinet – which might make some people turn right around and not buy the condom at all. The study looked at stores in Detroit, Los Angeles, Houston, Philadelphia, New York City and Miami between September 2007 and January 2008. In some cities, the percentage of CVS stores with locked condoms was more than three times higher in communities of color than in areas that are predominately white.The cities listed also have some of the highest numbers of AIDS cases in the country.

CVS says they lock up condoms “based on whether shoplifting is to such a degree that they’re becoming unavailable for customers to purchase.” However, competitors Rite Aid and Walgreen's both have policies against locking up condoms.

Don’t let CVS create barriers for young people who want to act responsibly and protect themselves. Join Advocates for Youth and Change to Win in demanding that CVS adopt a corporate policy against locking up condoms!

Want to help make a difference Like I just did , sign the petition:

http://www.amplifyyourvoice.org/curecvs

learn about Advocates for Youth, Click Here! http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/

Save The Date 4/20 starts week long”Awareness” for Men

I received this in an email and thought it was important to share with you. I'm not just saying this because I want everyone to be aware of, and speak out against, violence, but because this is something you can do that won’t cost you thing. Nevertheless I can guarantee you that value will be long-lasting.

In the state of Virginia during the week of April 20th-27th marks the White Ribbon Online Campaign which is held in recognition of Sexual Assault Month (April)

Participants are asked to keep the White Ribbon image as their profile picture on social networking sites for at least one week. They are also are asked to explain the meaning behind white ribbon should anyone inquire about it and to encourage others to change their profile picture as well.

Visit the White Ribbon Campaign website at http://www.whiteribbon.ca/to learn more about the campaign, men’s violence against women and how they can help with prevention.

The goal of this campaign is to show your friends online that you have had enough and are taking a stand against men’s violence against women.

I am definitely joining in, Will you do your part fellow Facebook and MySpacers? You can make a bold statement against the Violence of Women. Interested? Here’s how to do what I just did, Simply clink the link http://www.vahealth.org/Injury/sexualviolence/whiteribbon.htm

By participating in this campaign you are pledging that you will never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women.

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