Category Archives: Intentional Communities

The only thing standing between the people of this planet and an even worse catastrophe than the one we are enduring are institutions and bureaucracies, neither of which were enjoying much good press before the virus hit. Bad press was the least of it. As Dana Milbank demonstrated in The Washington Post, the virus hit at the end of four decades that were largely defined politically by a desire to shrink the government and cuts its budget, hoping that markets would pick up the slack.

The apotheosis of the anti-government, libertarian ideology in Milbank's telling was the Tea Party movement, its ethos summed up by anti-tax activist, and Republican Party king maker, Grover Norquist saying, "I don't want to abolish government. I simply want to reduce it to the size where I can drag it into the bathroom and drown it in the bathtub." That was a more aggressive stating of Ronald Reagan's quip that "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help." The viewpoint had acquired a great deal of social Darwinism along the way and was strengthened in numbers, but not in moral vigor, when it became aligned with racism in the Obama years.

It is said that vices, like virtues, tend to run together, so it should not surprise that this anti-government ideology found a way to align itself with President Donald Trump, a man of no known ideology. Under the tutelage of Steve Bannon, Trump gave voice to the "blow it all up" populism that was building up across the land. To the racism of the Tea Party he added the xenophobia, and the mantra, of the "America First" movement. And Trump added his own narcissism to the mix, lessening the ideology but strengthening the political movement with a fascistic devotion to the caudillo. Who else would discuss the TV ratings for his press conferences while people are dying?

Hence the demeaning of reporters who ask important questions, the concern with appearances over substance that resulted in a delayed national response to the threat, the effort to blame China, the continued questioning of "the deep state," the suggestion that the federal government not help states whose governors are insufficiently servile to him.

If anything is glaringly obvious in these dark days of the coronavirus, it is the value of institutions. Where would we be without the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases? Where would we be without unemployment insurance, administered by state government bureaucracies? Where would we be without the bureaucrats at the Small Business Administration who are implementing these millions of dollars of loans to companies across the land so that they can keep avoiding furloughing even more millions of people? Where would we be without the U.S. Postal Service, whose fearless employees continue to do their job while the rest of us hunker down?

The value of institutions and bureaucracies is not limited to the governmental sector. Unemployment insurance was first enacted in Wisconsin in 1932 and the Social Security Act of 1935 encouraged other states to follow suit, but it was proposed in 1919 by the nascent U.S. bishops' conference. For all of my disagreements with the bishops' conference, none of which I retract, the staff at the conference has played a critical role in preventing cuts in food stamps, in preserving the Affordable Care Act and supporting a vast array of anti-poverty efforts during these 40 years of anti-government fervor.

Our Catholic hospitals and nursing homes are on the frontlines of the coronavirus fight. Our parish food pantries are helping those who have lost their jobs. Catholic Charities, at the national and local level, is deeply engaged in almost every aspect of this national crisis and Catholic Relief Services is at work helping those around the world for whom the virus is only the latest of many plagues. Jubilee USA is pushing for debt relief for developing countries and anyone familiar with attempts to help the suffering people of Puerto Rico knows that Jubilee USA has been at the forefront of that fight.

So, with that in mind, I was horrified by an essay published here at NCR last week written by Mary Hunt. She, too, has brought her ideological blinders to the discussion: Not once did she express any empathy for those who are suffering but, instead, could scarcely contain her excitement that this pandemic might further her ideological agenda, arrived at long before. She welcomes homegrown liturgies at which "no male priest is in sight," writing, "This is change, progress." If only the virus had come sooner!

Bringing all the care of an arsonist to our most venerable Catholic traditions and beliefs, she opines that a "wholesale rethinking of Eucharist is all that prevents these groups, and many other local faith communities, from engaging in the customary celebration of Communion." Except, that is not customary, is it? And, how can the Eucharist, which is God's gift to the whole church, be subjected to any "wholesale rethinking" and by whom?

Will the "women-church groups and other intentional eucharistic communities" Hunt celebrates be able to pick up the slack if the much-maligned "institutional church" is crippled? I am sure they are as capable of generosity as any other people, but if you are serious about loving others in a complex society, you need to think about building institutions to do so. "Those who love peace must learn to organize as effectively as those who love war," said the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I note, as well, that two of the most important institutions of our institutional church at this moment, the Catholic Health Association and Catholic Charities USA, are both led by highly competent religious women. Thank God for Mercy Sr. Mary Haddad and Dominican Sr. Donna Markham and the institutions they lead. Yes, I would like to see women in more leadership roles in the church but it is these highly competent women who will make that hope more likely, not any theological rants that are so far outside of our Catholic theological tradition, they are self-marginalizing.

Hunt provides no survey data to support her sweeping conclusion that change is in the offing and will resemble the kind she wants. There are no historical analogies, no sociological modeling. The greatest difficulty, however, is moral: What is the moral difference between Trump ignoring the suffering of millions of people to tout his ratings and Hunt's view of the epidemic as a mere pretext for the enactment of her ecclesial vision?

Am I being too harsh? True, the consequence of Trump's failures will be measured in the thousands of additional lives lost. But, the cost of Hunt's failures is the self-marginalization of progressive Catholics at a time when both the country and the church need the insights and the vision of progressive Catholics. If demanding intellectual and moral rigor from prominent spokespeople is too much to ask, then we deserve to be marginalized. The distinction between seeing the pandemic as an occasion to advance a prior ideological agenda and recognizing that our moral and intellectual commitments can help alleviate the suffering and rebuild a society that is more just and more safe from pandemics because it is more just, that is no small distinction. No one would suggest that institutions are above reproach. Yet, throughout the world in these dark days, people in need are turning to the institutions of government and of the church to help them through this crisis. It is morally irresponsible to denigrate institutions or turn this tragedy into a vehicle for an ideological agenda, no matter who does it.

[Michael Sean Winters covers the nexus of religion and politics for NCR.]

Editor's note:Don't miss out on Michael Sean Winters' latest.Sign upand we'll let you know when he publishes newDistinctly Catholiccolumns.

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In praise of bureaucracies -- in the government and church - National Catholic Reporter

Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz announced last year that her third term would be her last, opening Position #1 on City Council. Candidates from a variety of backgrounds are vying for her seat.

The Skanner interviewed each of the four leading candidates on their unique backgrounds and specific visions for Portland. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Tim DuBois is a professional construction worker completing his graduate degree in Urban and Regional Planning at Portland State University. DuBois qualified for funding from the citys Open and Accountable Elections program, which gives candidates $6 of taxpayer funding for every $1 of campaign funds raised. Eligible candidates agree not to accept large contributions, and must demonstrate "broad community support."

Why did you feel called to run?

Im just tired of losing all progressive battles. I think it's because we pretend we live in a high-tech nation, a socialist society, but we dont. And so we lose sight of the economic reality were in. And this is definitely what I feel is happening in city hall right now. Theres not enough emphasis on what we can actually afford. Our City Council is over-promising and under-delivering. I like to believe, just as anyone else running for office, I can supply that change that I see needs to happen.

What is unique about your background and lived experience that you can bring to the council?

Ive been a working-class carpenter and woodworker for 18 years now. There's a lot of talk about the working class, yet there seems to be a disconnection between our politicians and what its really like. I dont really fit that working-class image. My wife is quite educated, and Im the primary beneficiary of that. I kind of joke that when Im at work, Ill get lunch from a convenience store, but then for dinner, I know what its like to go to an upscale restaurant. I believe I can bridge that divide in a useful way. I dont have much public record to run under, and thats just the reality I live in.

I recognize that Im a White male, and that I and many other people are kind of tired of white male politicians. I have always surrounded myself with people who look and are different than me. My wife and I are in an interracial relationship. Im very fortunate to have a duplex, and my renters are African American. A room in our house is occupied by a Mexican immigrant. These are things that are really important to me, and I become a richer person for these connections and relationships I have.

What do you believe the role of city-recognized neighborhood associations should be?

I was a board member for two years in the Sellwood-Moreland Improvement League (neighborhood association). Certainly with the absence of geographical representation at city hall, theyre a very powerful tool to negotiate with the leaders in the city.

That is an infrastructure I don't think needs to go away. At the same time, when it comes to land use and anything building and change related, they are the primary blocker of all of it, and that is harmful for the city. There definitely needs to be a rethinking of its roles, while still making sure the good things the neighborhood associations do live on.

What do you feel is missing on City Council?

Its that laser-eye focus on fiscal responsibility. The fiscal recklessness and not focusing on the numbers is starting to make all the good things our bureaus do not happen. Theyre killing it. Whether we like it or not, financial viability is a prerequisite for everything.

Every major project, (the city) is so far off on scale and on the final cost. I think theres political reasons for that, because its really hard to go to people and say something will cost $1 billion. Its much easier to say $400 million, and then just jack the price up. Thats reckless. Weve promised the residents this, and there starts to be a disconnect.

Commissioner Fritz is assigned to the Office of Equity and Human Rights. What would you do to increase racial and socioeconomic equity in Portland?

To really promote equity, its going to require actually tilting the balance away from White people and to the disenfranchised communities. But you can run into legal problems. So you have to be creative, you have to have the positions available. In my administration, I need to make sure that first and foremost, its about getting back into the communities that have been underrepresented, so that they can be in that line for that job. I will definitely make sure Im reaching out with positions in my administration, into the communities that have not had as much voice.

Candace Avalos (candaceforportland.com) is a student advisor specializing in civic engagement at Portland State University, and serves as acting chair of the Citizen Review Committee. Avalos qualified for funding from the citys Open and Accountable Elections program.

Why did you feel called to run?

I am a first-generation Blacktina. My Black family comes from southern Virginia, Jim Crow South. My mom was brought here by my grandparents in the 1970s from Guatemala. I have these two really distinct American life stories.

At PSU, I teach classes on civic engagement and leadership. Im prepping (students) for how to be those ethical, communicative, transparent leaders we all want to see.

I'm also the current acting chair of the Citizen Review Committee, the citys police accountability board. (In working with city government), the form of government kept coming up as a barrier. The way our (city) government is currently structured, not only do we not have district representation, but also the way commissioners interact with each other and make decisions on bureaus, was just totally siloed. That pronounced for me just how dysfunctional in so many ways this form of government is.

What is unique about your background and lived experience that you can bring to the council?

For me, another important part of my run is I feel I represent a generation that is being left behind by the economy. We are unnecessarily cost-burdened, whether it be student loan debt, other kinds of debt young people have been forced into, and we are unable to progress in our young adulthood.

In the aftermath of COVID-19, which has been a very glaring spotlight on all of these inequities, I think this is going to be a super pivotal moment to say, ok, whose voices arent at the table? I really think that my candidacy is bringing forth an energy around (the fact that) we can do things differently. And its clear in how were seeing our response to COVID-19, we actually could provide multiple sanitation and water stations for the houseless.

What do you believe the role of city-recognized neighborhood associations should be?

I think that while the intent was good, it was a bandaid approach to a larger problem, which is that people feel they arent represented in how decisions get made, especially land use and development. I can understand and respect the unique role neighborhood associations have played in Portland, but I think we really need to shift some of that power back to organizations that have been left out.

How people engage with neighborhoods is a lot different when youre able to plant your roots somewhere. This outside voice that dominates those conversations is from people that have had their houses for decades, which is really not the reality for most of us. But we can negotiate how neighborhood associations can still play an important role.

What do you feel is missing on City Council?

Obviously, the younger generations voice is severely missing on City Council. I also think how we engage with the people, and how we reflect the 21st century, and how people engage with each other is really missing.

I helped facilitate three community conversations with Jo Ann Hardesty, and there was such a palpable thirst the people had to just be heard. Thats unacceptable that one commissioner is going out of her way to have those conversations, why is there not a united effort from everybody to do that?

What would you do to increase racial and socioeconomic equity in Portland?

Right now were experiencing on all levels of government, lots of people that are retiring, and were having trouble recruiting young people to be excited about those jobs and to want to go into that sort of career.

There are really intentional things we can do to recruit people to get invested younger into the work of the city, and to give them insight into how these jobs have purpose...I would love to start an internship program for the city. Ive already done that infrastructure at Portland State. Theres so many ways we can be leveraging these local institutions like PSU and PCC and have young people invest their ideas back into the city. And I think that thats whats going to create the buy-ins thats going to bring in these voices that we need.

Carmen Rubio is the executive director of the advocacy nonprofit Latino Network. Rubio qualified for funding from the citys Open and Accountable Elections program.

Why did you feel called to run?

I come from a family of migrant workers, my grandparents and my dad are from Mexico, and my parents met in a labor camp in North Plains, Ore. I think seeing the struggles that my family went through, and sometimes having no recourse or path to justice really stoked a fire in me for justice

I never honestly had any desire to run for office; it wasnt until Trump was elected. As a nonprofit director and seeing the fear and terror and trauma and devastation in the communities I work with and am from, around what was going to happen with immigration and the hateful rhetoric and the racist speeches, I thought, I have to be in a position where I can have some agency to act more definitively with the authority on things that impact all of our communities that are being targeted.

What is unique about your background and lived experience that you can bring to the council?

Ive worked at the county for elected officials, Ive worked at city hall for two elected officials there.

For the last 10 years Ive worked in the community, running a community-based organization (Latino Network). I feel uniquely prepared, because I've been in the building, and Ive been outside of the building, pushing the building to do better.

I have some things to share, and also the right people to pull in from our community, organizations that (the Latino Network has) deep and long and trusting relationships with, like SEI, Coalition of Communities of Color, (Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center), all those folks, we all work together. Were critical partners, so we are very aligned in a lot of our advocacy. In that way I feel like I will definitely be held accountable, and that people definitely feel like they would have access to me.

What do you believe the role of city-recognized neighborhood associations should be?

I think that neighborhood associations are fine and should be recognized on an equal level as every other organization. I think we all have something to contribute, and I think that was the spirit of intent of a lot of the changes -- to broaden the participation for more people to join the table. It doesnt mean taking anything away, it means building more power in more communities that traditionally havent had access.

What do you feel is missing on City Council?

I think the voice of someone whos been working more recently in communities, and has been part of and experiencing the pulls and strains and pressure, or working with populations that are experiencing all these things right now. For example, the challenges of people struggling to find a place that they can afford to rent and live in this city are being pushed out of this city.

I often feel like were at odds with our own goals as a city, because we're trying to promote climate justice, which Im a very big advocate for, but then how can we be true climate justice advocates if were not paying attention to the affordability of housing for our most vulnerable communities?

What would you do to increase racial and socioeconomic equity in Portland?

I think that we need to be serious and walk the talk, and that means budgeting to your values and budgeting for equity. And it means using a lens and using demographic data, data of disparities, looking at where underserved areas are, and overlaying that with the history of how our city has acted, or the past behaviors, because there are some areas where it might require redress.

I would also look at data for workforce. Im very interested in making sure that I can lend my voice to ensure we increasingly prioritize being responsive and reflective of our served community. Nonprofit and culturally specific organizations were born out of, in my opinion, the failure of government and other institutions to really reach those marginalized communities, and we had to start helping ourselves. That should never be the default by government. Government should always strive to make sure were constantly adapting, re-calibrating to make sure were responsive and that we are reflective of those communities, and that we have a respect for the diversity in our community, so our workforce is able to engage in a way that is respectful and responsive and relevant to their life.

Philip Wolfe is a disability rights advocate who serves as a commissioner for the Portland Commission on Disability. Wolfe, who is deaf, spoke with The Skanner by phone through an ASL interpreter.

Why did you feel called to run?

I ran my first campaign in 2018 against incumbent Nick Fish. Although I knew Nick was going to win, I ran on my platform to voice awareness (for disability rights) and get people to know who I am as an individual.

This time, I have a lot of concerns on where the city fails to address police accountability, the houselessness crisis--with the coronavirus (outbreak), theres no fountain water, everything is closed. Theres no health care. Its just getting worse.

I bring a lot of representation: Im a deaf man, Im Jewish, and I am poor. Its really important for me to bring representation into politics.

What is unique about your background and lived experience that you can bring to the council?

I grew up poor. I ran away from home when I was 16, and Ive been on my own ever since. My first experience was protesting with the National Organization for Women, and Ive been involved in protests since then. Ive been in Portland 10 years, and in 2013, I became a commissioner for the Portland Commission on Disability, where I served for seven years.

Then in 2015, I worked to push through an ordinance requiring that all televisions in public places display closed captioning, for equal access.

Ive lived in many cities and Ive traveled through Europe for three months by myself. Having that experience of traveling around the world, (Portlands accessibility) is just getting worse and worse from what Ive been seeing. For instance, at each intersection on the roads, Ive noticed they have a yellow braille for the blind, in the crosswalk. But then theres none on the opposite streets. I notice there are several missing gaps in between. Ramps are missing as well. The lack of representation for the disabled community means the citys leadership doesnt understand whats going on with the accessibility aspect of that. So thats why I am involved in trying to convince the leadership to try to do better.

I was involved with the Community Oversight Advisory Board from 2015 to 2017, and I did extensive research about policies and law in order to improve police training. In 2018, I was hired by the state for a six-month contract with the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. My role was to teach the new officers how to work with deaf people through many different role plays, giving different scenarios.

What do you believe the role of city-recognized neighborhood associations should be?

I do not support neighborhood associations whatsoever. They are not supportive of people going through the houselessness crisis. The associations dont fit the values of Portland residents.

I think there absolutely should be geographical representation. And there are only five city councilors. Thats not enough representation for the whole city of Portland. The system is old and broken.

What do you feel is missing on City Council?

Representation. Thats whats missing. And empathy. Its not there.

Ive been watching the City Council since Mayor Wheeler took over. Ive been watching for four years, and its really toxic. Theres a lot of arguments during the city council meetings, a lot of tension; it's an extremely toxic environment. I just feel like City Hall is very White-oriented. And the police (presence) is very heavy in the town hall. Its not safe.

On empathy: In 2018, there were 92 people who died on the streets (in Multnomah County). What was the citys response? They didnt have a response to that whatsoever. They weren't held accountable, they didnt hold any speeches of the sort. They failed continually.

What would you do to increase racial and socioeconomic equity in Portland?

When we talk about systemic racial injustice, we need to include disability justice (in the conversation).

I would reach out to leaders of color, and I would provide them a platform and support them and advocate for them. City Council is mostly White. Do they represent us? No, they do not. So my goal is to represent those people by advocating for them by creating a platform for them.

View original post here:

Candidates Run to Replace Retiring Commissioner Fritz - The Skanner

G16

Apple hints at Samsung Galaxy fold in which people removing the protective film caused the device unusable by dead display, whereas Apple devices will work without any issues even when the film protector is removed

P7423

Just a reminder, bezeless as traditionally defined by mobile manufacturers is horizontal. Not vertical. I know that doesn't make sense but starting back from the Mi Mix, bezeless phones all had bezels on the top and bottom. The focus was removing the bezels from the sides.

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Anonymous, 10 hours agoThe iOS 5 year update system is a giant scam. You get latest features 5 years late on an avera... moreAndroid is ahead in terms of security? Don't make me laugh.

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Anonymous, 10 hours agoOnly midgets are buying this phone.4.7 inches display is outdated compared to the 6.5 inch a... moreYou know nothing about smartphone business pal, this iPhone will be the best selling smartphone and I am android user, but beeing fanboy is pathetic.

K

I find it funny how they flaunt "touch id" on this ad and yet they excluded it on their more expensive models.

H142

Fun video. I remember when my parents first got the iPhone 4 and complained about the sound quality of their earpiece. Turns out my mom didn't take the film off the screen which muffled the ear piece.

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Anonymous, 10 hours agoOnly midgets are buying this phone.4.7 inches display is outdated compared to the 6.5 inch a... moreGuess you never owned a phone before 2013 LOL

Wow... thats harsh.... insulting not only the midget community, but also all the petite girls around the world. Hey, while you're at it, why not also tell off those hot instagram babes/celebrities for using iPhones, I'm sure you'd be sooo popular with them 🙂

p289

It'll probably be just another awkward, overpriced baguette that can't get simple features right. It's sad, because their compact phones used to be great.

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Anonymous, 10 hours agoThe iOS 5 year update system is a giant scam. You get latest features 5 years late on an avera... moreA rubbish comment I see. Definitely not tried iOS before and saying Android is too general (Android has many skins).

Intentional throttling after 3 years of usage may be an issue but its 5 years support is not a scam. Even old iPhone 5s received security update in 2019. Most Androids (aside OneUI and MIUI) can be rooted very easily-whether you want SuperSU or Magisk. Functionality depends on which Android skin. OneUI has best functionality and features, but severely bloated and slow. Some Chinese skins have balanced, but is preloaded with adware (especially MIUI).

Not saying that you must buy an iPhone especially with this Sh*tE 2020 junk, but if you have not tried then don't comment.

Anonymous, 10 hours agoOnly midgets are buying this phone.4.7 inches display is outdated compared to the 6.5 inch a... moreAnd then you remembered days when you didn't have to take a 7" tablet with you.Sure 4,7" is mostly non-comfortable for usual user, but average size of a 2019-2020 phone is another stupid trend just as well. I am quite curious if Sony (I know, I know, I am well aware Sony always messes things up) will bring Xperia 5 II as a probably last decent compact phone of 2020.

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HerroPris, 11 hours agoThe sad part is that Android phones for the same price will only receive two OS updates (if yo... moreThe iOS 5 year update system is a giant scam. You get latest features 5 years late on an average. Android is light years ahead of iOS in terms of functionality, customizability, security and ease of use. Android from 5 years back can do things iPhone can't.

The upcoming iOS 14 will finally get an app drawer and fully functional widgets,Lol these are things that existed on Android years back.

Plus with every subsequent update, your battery and cpu are deliberately slowed down by Apple (Yes, they are paying fines for this malpractice) whereby one is forced to upgrade after a few years.

H

Most people just need a cellphone without all the bells and whistles. Who's worry about what the phone is made of as long as it get the job done. If you don't like a phone buy what you like and stop being negative because you don't like the company.

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Anonymous, 15 hours agoThey are so afraid of apples most basic phone will destroy all their cheap budget android phon... moreOnly midgets are buying this phone.4.7 inches display is outdated compared to the 6.5 inch average of Android phones.Content consumption, gaming, web browsing everything is better on bug screen.Heck even using a keyboard on tiny 4.7 inch screen is cumbersome for most users.

IPhone SE is a niche device which will only be preferred by people who want smaller compact phones. Majority of the users aren't going to sacrifice the big screen real estate.

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Anonymous, 14 hours agoApple should produce mid-ranges as competitor of samsung A series & Xiaomi redmi seriesApples gonna release a 400 dollar flagship killer iphone if they want to beat redmi or xioami

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HerroPris, 11 hours agoThe sad part is that Android phones for the same price will only receive two OS updates (if yo... moreEven flagships too so users have to rely on XDA and other communities for support. Disgusting.

Sad to see only two players.

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Anonymous, 13 hours ago480 aint cheap bro it costs more than a mid range android phone. The sad part is that Android phones for the same price will only receive two OS updates (if you are lucky) and one more year of security updates, while this will be supported for 5 years.

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LilPhone, 14 hours agoSo what? Seriously, it's a bad idea to buy an Apple budget device, such as the SE 2020. In App... moreapple puts less effort into its budget offerings... thank you sherlock.

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They are not showing the touch ID either. 🙁

bjorg18, 16 hours agoApple knows how to make a damn good commercialIMHO they sure are flashy, but they are not good.They are meant to excite people, but usually they are incredibly dumb as a bag of bricks - iPad Pro, Homepod, PORTRAIT ONE (that one was downright offensive to human inteligence), this one, you name it. It's hard to make a good ad, that is not condescending or made in a way "do not use your brain, pretty please".

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Anonymous, 15 hours agoThey are so afraid of apples most basic phone will destroy all their cheap budget android phon... more480 aint cheap bro it costs more than a mid range android phone.

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Leaked iPhone SE (2020) video ad is all about peeling off the protective film - comments - GSMArena.com

With many searching for answers and feeling helpless during this unprecedented time of the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Rhonda Travitt is using her gifts to help families rebuild by counseling people on breaking addictions, battling depression, and building healthy relationships.

Travitt is a pastor, certified Christian counselor, certified life coach, and the author of four books. She also founded Transformation of a Nation, a movement that assists those that are voiceless and gives them a more successful life through mentoring, job placements, counseling, and faith.

We believe that there is potential in all of us. There is always something greater in great, meaning each person possesses the ability to bring change, Travitt says. When one individual receives the answer and help they desired in life, then they become the answer for someone else to change their life. Lives changed one by one transforms a nation!

Black Enterprise caught up with Dr. Travitt to discuss the issues shes counseling people through now and why its more important than ever for us to maintain healthy relationships.

What are the most common issues people are bringing to you that theyre struggling with during this pandemic?

The most common issues that Ive encountered have been fear, anger, and uncertainty. People had become accustomed to having some form of control and freedom over their daily lives. Many people have been left with a sense of helplessness in our country.

How is coronavirus affecting our existing issues, such as depression and addiction?

This pandemic is shining a brighter light on existing issues. Depression has increased at an unprecedented level due to the loss of family members, job loss, and a lost of normalcy. The increase in depression is a consequence partly because of the guilt that many feel of not being able to be present with a dying loved onedenying them of the opportunity for proper closure.

It has been noted that professionals in the medical field, however highly trained, were nowhere near prepared for the level of morbidity they would see, adding to the many new cases of addictions and higher levels of depression.

People are [normally] able to mask issues with the requirements of day-to-day life such as work and being busy, but many are now having to slow down and deal with the issues of self and their current realities. The reality that home isnt safe, jobs arent secure, and having to be teachers to their children when pressures of uncertainty are mounting. Police departments are reporting an increase in domestic and family disturbances during this time, which points to the direct effects the pandemic is having on our communities.

Right now we dont have physical access to the support we might usually rely on. How can people still get help?

There are tons of local resources that are available at no cost during this time online. The person-to-person interaction is extremely important when providing support, and technology has really assisted by providing platforms such as Whats App, FaceTime Counseling, Skype, and video chats allowing you to schedule appointments as well as be seen virtually by live doctors. We are no longer limited to an in-office visit to receive or offer the mental support that so many need.

Unfortunately most corporations will not know the depth or extent of the post traumatic stress until workers normal or regular business operations have resumed. There are resources that are necessary to get to the other side of this crisis that people are in need of and those that have yet to be identified.

Only time will tell what that looks like. We have to recover mentally and emotionally. Its not an overnight process, not even days or months, were talking years. This process I believe will take us as a people back to the heart of humanity: having regard for our human life, our neighbors, strangers, the elderly. No more sizing our sisters and brothers up based on perception. Every joint really does supply. We are all truly in this together and none of those things matter this time around!

How important is it to have healthy relationships right now, and what does that look like in these times of quarantine?

With feelings and emotions at an all time high, its necessary to build strong bonds and reinforce support systems. Having a healthy relationship is essential during this crisis, and I firmly believe that every relationship has been tested if not pushed to the limit.Right now people are faced with spouses and children that theyve only spent a couple of hours a day with. In this time of crisis, they are sometimes spending 16 hours a day with them and getting to know one another more intimately. This is a time of discovery which is relevant in all phases and types of relationships.

Maintaining a healthy relationship during this quarantine means forgiving quickly and being intentional with everyone, specifically those relationships with children and spouses. It takes commitment and work! To come out of COVID-19 with a healthy relationship, we must first be willing to listen to each other, learn and relearn each other, make time for reflection, and not give in to the negative tendencies. Love, respect, and forgive.

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Christian Counselor Shares the Key to Healthy Relationships During Coronavirus - Black Enterprise

In every group, there's the 'odd bunch,' so to speak. For JDM.-lovers, it's ricers. For motorcycles, they're called "squids," and so on and so forth. The truck community too has its fair share of ugly ducklings. Not all of them are bad, though, but the ones that are truly stand out.

Whether it be modifications, driving styles, or a litany of other reasons, there are many things truck drivers do that we absolutely can't stand. So, without delay, let's dive head-first into fifteen of the worst things that truck owners do...

RELATED:15 Used Pickup Trucks You Should Avoid With A Ten-Foot Pole

For the first issue, we have something that isn't ugly (per se), but annoying. What we're talking about are freshly mudded off-road trucks that kick up their dirt onto other cars. Nothing feels like more of a waste of time than spending hours washing your car, only to have it dirtied by some careless truck owner. For the sake of everyone else around you, please, clean your car!

Pulling up to a seemingly empty parking space, only to find a SmartCar hidden there is bad enough. What's worse, though, is when someone takes up too many spots unnecessarily. Sadly, this characteristic is all too frequent in a number of truck drivers. Just because you've got a big vehicle, doesn't mean that you get a free "Park however you want" pass...

The trucking community isn't free from the usual problems plaguing car culture as a whole. Here and there, you can find some absolutely disgusting body kits on old, cheap, pick-ups;reminiscent of those on '90s Honda Civics. And therein lies the point: if you're going to spend a couple hundred bucks for an eBay kit, you might as well just get a Civic instead.

Having a huge, lumbering off-road machine can give undue confidence to the driver. Similar to sports car owners, they may feel that their purchasing their car also buys them the skill. It doesn't. As such, you'll find plenty of instances where truck drivers got too big for their britches: like trying to beat traffic, road-raging, etc.

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Those not intimately familiar with truck culture probably have no idea the extent to which these enthusiasts obsess over toolboxes. Instead of being a literal tool, some turn them into different designs; often flaunting theirs over others. There's nothing wrong with customizing your ride, that is until you start shoving it into people's faces; turning it into a competition instead of a design choice.

What do we mean by 'poser?' Well, a good place to see this first-hand is in younger communities, such as high schools. Often times, students may drive large trucks, wave a rebel flag, and proclaim their "country" status. In reality, though, the only thing that links them with hard-working farmers is their taste in vehicles. Nevertheless, a truck can help a suburban teenager L.A.R.P. as a 'redneck' for a little bit.

For those who have never heard of this term before, allow us to elaborate. "Rolling coal" refers to the process of dumping a large amount of black, diesel, smoke from their exhausts. Not only is it harmful to the environment, but it's also used as a tool to cover bystanders/cars in a deep coat of black soot.

Air-ride suspension (better known as the act of "bagging") is awesome on a ton of cars. That being said, though, there is still a lot that should avoid bagging all together. One of those is pick-up trucks, especially on models that could do much better. We get that it's someone's personal taste, but we still can't help disliking the concept.

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Earlier, we discussed a truck owners' tendency to overvalue their capabilities in a big, jacked-up truck. Naturally, this leads to some precarious situations, like the one pictured above. On the interstate, you may've seen F-150's cutting through grass medians to beat traffic, attempt to enter sectioned off areas, etc. Having Monster Energy stickers all over your truck doesn't make you B.J. Baldwin...

This one is, by far, the worst of the bunch. Obviously, we're talking about a truck owner's superiority complex; also referred to as "compensating." These fools believe that simply having a big, gas-guzzling, pick-up makes them God of the road! They'll cut people off, have no concern for fellow motorists, cause accidents, and so on. Honestly,driving a truck like that doesn't make you better, it makes you an a**.

Underglow was popular back in the early-2000's, primarily due to The Fast and the Furious' fame, but that's the past. The trend is (rightfully) seen as cheesy and unattractive on most vehicles, but not trucks. For some reason, the stigma surrounding underglow is almost absent in particular groups. Normally, removing stigma would be a good thing, however, when it's concerning underglow, it is best to keep it in the grave.

This phenomenon has been around for quite some time. Surprisingly, it's still very popular, regardless of how childish and dated the joke is. Of course, these tow-hitch mods resemble testicles, which is funny to anyone younger than 11. Mature adults, on the other hand, find it to be in bad taste, as well as weird overall.

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There's slamming a truck too low (which is bad enough) and then there's lifting it to the heavens. For some reason, a handful of individuals can't seem to find that perfect middle ground, going for something that mimics a monster truck instead. These kits are useful for off-road competitions, yet, we'd be willing to bet that barely any of them are used for that purpose. It's kinda like swing-arm extensions on crotch-rockets.

Skipping leg day will prove to be a bad move over time, both in the gym and with cars. What do we mean by that? Wheels are, sometimes, compared to the legs of a car. They help support them, as well as contribute significantly to the overall aesthetic. However, like leg workouts, wheels are also frequently overlooked. It does make for a hilarious visual, though, whether it's intentional or not.

A 'Bro-dozer' is what happens when you combine the last five points: a superiority complex, underglows, lift kits, and tiny wheels. Sometimes, just one eye-sore isn't enough, so they go all out. As a result, these particular types of trucks have fallen into their own category: Bro-dozers. No relation to the Monster Jam truck...

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James Jacobs is a freelance writer and U.C.F. Undergraduate student. I've been a busser, food-runner, host, and tutor previously. Now, I work for Valnet and HotCars as a writer, discussing and analyzing my passion: Cars and the automotive industry in general.

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15 Things Truck Owners Do That We Can't Stand | HotCars - HotCars

Brighid Kleinman and Jennifer Price, Opinion contributors Published 12:14 p.m. ET April 15, 2020 | Updated 12:17 p.m. ET April 15, 2020

What's it like to take a group exercise class at home? The CJ's Kirby Adams sweats with members of Distilled Fitness to show you what it is like. Louisville Courier Journal

As we move through another week of staying at home because of COVID-19, Kentuckians are wondering how to cope with at least several more weeks homebound.

The good news is that our social-distancing efforts appear to be working Kentucky seems to be successfully flattening the curve, with the hopeful result that fewer of us will flood hospitals and overflow their capacities. However, our mental health is under added stress, both from the uncertainty of the virus and the substantial changes in our daily lives.

We know from psychological science that specific features of stressful events increase anxiety, and unfortunately, this pandemic hits the trifecta: uncertainty and unpredictability about the future, lack of control, and high perceived risk are all factors that heighten anxiety. Most of us have some things we do to help cope in the short term, but it is very difficult not knowing how long we will have to do them. Additionally, some of our usual healthy coping strategies (like going to the gym or going out to eat) are unavailable. Combine this with increasing financial worries for many of us, and this situation is a recipe for significant anxiety and depression.

[This story is being provided for free to our readers during the coronavirus outbreak. Consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to The Courier Journal atcourier-journal.com/subscribe.]

Psychological science also tells us that we can expect this increased distress to have certain characteristics including exhaustion, lack of motivation, trouble sleeping, irritability, poor concentrationand deteriorating work performance. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you arent going crazy. A lot of people are feeling like this.

Brighid Kleinman(Photo: Courtesy of Brighid Kleinman)

These are natural reactions to an unusual situation, and its normal to have some amount of anxiety during a big stressor. Its simply your bodys way of preparing to take action against a threat. Dr. Elizabeth Cash, associate professor of psychology and director of research for the University of Louisvilles Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Disorders, explains that when we are feeling anxious or stressed, the body releases two hormones, adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline activates the 'fight-or-flight'response to allow our body to escape immediate threat. When cortisol is released, it signals the body to mobilize energy so it can keep moving.

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For short-term stressors, like a minor car accident or upcoming medical procedure, there are many ways to cope since they will soon be over. In our pandemic situation, however, we dont know how long it will last and therefore you will need to be intentional about developing longer-term coping strategies. Cash explains that our bodies have natural rhythms of alertness and arousal that get disrupted with long-term stressors. Situations that continually or repeatedly activate our stress response systems can trigger more cortisol releases, which contribute to difficulties concentrating, relaxing and sleeping, she says.

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We can learn to rebalance our minds and bodies during a long-term stressor such as this pandemic, but we need to be intentional. Kentucky Psychological Association members recommend the following strategies to help you cope during the COVID-19 emergency. We recognize that not all individuals have the resources to do all of these, so we recommend you do what you can and help others if you are able.

Jennifer Price(Photo: Courtesy of Jennifer Price)

Please seek help if you find yourself unable to cope or if you experience any of the following symptoms: urge to harm yourself or others, suicidal thoughts, inability to get out of bed or to do necessary tasks, overreliance on drugs or alcohol.

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Most psychologists and other mental health professionals are doing telehealth treatment so you can get help virtually. The Kentucky Psychological Association keeps a list of providers on their website atwww.kpa.org, or you can contact your insurance company to get a list of providers.

Thanks to each and every one of you who is social distancing and changing your lifestyle to keep our communities safe and healthy. You are doing a great job!

Brighid Kleinman is a licensed psychologist, andJennifer Price isKentucky Psychological Foundation president.

How are you coping with life during the coronavirus pandemic in Kentuckiana? That's what we want to know, and we started a series to find out. Louisville Courier Journal

Read or Share this story: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/2020/04/15/coronavirus-kentucky-mental-health-tips-stay-healthy-home/2975634001/

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Here are tips to strengthen your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic - Courier Journal

by Jennifer L. Williams | April 9, 2020

Now that the William & Mary community has seen that COVID-19 will affect many things this spring semester, adapting to living and working in the world it has created is next that was the takeaway from the universitys latest community conversation.

Ive described it as were all learning to ride a bicycle in a hurricane, said Peter Atwater '83, founder of Financial Insyghts and adjunct professor of economics, as he described the multiple roles students, faculty and staff have taken on with their many responsibilities at home.

W&M President Katherine A. Rowe led the virtual talk that was broadcast from the Presidents House on April 8 as part of a weekly series featuring different guests and discussion topics on Wednesdays at noon through May 13. She encouraged community members to continue to send questions to leadership as a way to guide future sessions.

Our focus now is on decisions about how we adapt, Rowe said. In the short term how we adapt, and in the longer term, in a way that sustains what we value most about this institution and about our community. So the big question that all of us are grappling with is how to make decisions about the best ways to adapt when our uncertainty is so high and very little seems to be in our own control.

So thats the question that is our focus for today. What happens to how both individuals and communities think when uncertainty is high and control is low?

Marjorie Thomas, dean of students; Eva Wong, director of international students, scholars & programs and Atwater were guests for the discussion.

Rowe summed up from many of their comments that looking out for each other, and giving ones self and others a break, particularly over the next couple of weeks, will be important.

Thomas said she has found solace in reaching out to others, in being more intentional and intimate in her time with other people.

Remember, we are still very much connected, that we still belong, Wong said. And try to find those connections one way or another.

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W&M community conversation turns to living, working adaptation amidst COVID-19 - William & Mary News

W hen Stan Alost and Rebecca Sell handed out the topic assignments for the Soul of Athens project this year, they never expected the challenges theyd face or the overwhelming connection the students would create.

For 13 years, Ohio Universitys visual communication program has provided an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to work together on a project where teams of students explore different areas of Athens culture that make up the place students and residents know and love.

Its an opportunity for students not just VisCom students and what we try to do is take what students have been learning and give them the chance in a publication environment to do it, Alost, one of the instructors for Soul of Athens, said, to figure out all the ins and outs of how do you start up this project from scratch, how do you figure out what kind of content to give to the audiences and then how youre going to deliver it.

Alost prides the program on equipping students with skills like team building and time management as well as increasing the complexity of the course each year by integrating new technology and different topics

For all of the students involved, Soul of Athens has been an incredible learning and life-changing experience. But it didnt just appear over night. Building and maintaining the project takes hard work, dedication and a lot of soul.

Building a tradition

Soul of Athens began in 2007 when two visual communication classes decided to join forces and make something great. Synthesis Storytelling for Visual Communication, or VICO 3921, met with the Interactive Capstone: Advanced Interactive Media, or VICO 4188, and Soul of Athens was born.

Though the project is born out of two courses, its a student-run production. The project is guided by Alost and Sell, two professors who help to determine the project topics and assist with questions but mainly gear the lesson toward letting students figure out how to collaborate among themselves.

The projects begin when the students are grouped together by the instructors based on their skill sets. The goal of splitting up the students into groups is to even out the playing field so theres at least one designer, one person who knows how to code and one content provider. Once the groups are arranged as evenly skilled as possible, theyre ready to choose the topics provided by the instructors.

This year, there are five groups with five story focuses: veterans, medical access, intentional communities, lore and religion.

Evann Figueroa, a graduate student, is a part of the religions group. The groups plan was to find people within the community who are involved in different religious faith or spiritual groups and highlight why their religions are important to them and to Athens as a whole. The point is to showcase Athens as a microcosm of religion compared to the surrounding area and how its easy to be accepted within the Athens bubble.

Thats a part of what makes Athens unique, Figueroa said. You can come here, no matter what youre practicing, and be accepted and able to find people similar to you.

The group is now working on expanding the three interviews they obtained before spring break to make an interactive story that highlights each individual faith group of their sources.

Lara Perrin, a senior studying visual communication interactive design, is in the veterans group and has weathered the challenge of taking such a broad topic and narrowing it down for a more effective project.

Her groups story will focus on 9/11 and post-9/11 era veterans because they felt those veterans can be underrepresented.

You think of older people, I think, when you think of vets, so we wanted to focus on the experience of that younger generation and then tying in the resources or lack thereof for veterans in Appalachia, Perrin said.

A lot of their research came from seeking out what Athens provides as resources for veterans, and they found two gentlemen who had served recently and did an individualized story about them in the context of their larger research.

Some students have had such a positive experience with Soul of Athens that theyve taken it multiple times. Nick Bolin, a graduate student, is on his fourth round of taking Soul of Athens. He took the course during his undergraduate degree and is taking it again now in his second year of graduate school.

The semester-long project seemed to be going along swimmingly. Everyone had a handle on their topics and sources, and both Alost and Sell were proud of how everything was progressing.

That is, until they were hit with the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

Facing challenges

Once the coronavirus shut down in person classes at OU, Alost and Sell had to scramble to figure out an alternative.

It happened right at a point where they really hit their stride as a collaboration. They really understood where they were heading. They had their plans together ... So all of the sudden having to go online and not in person with that has been a big adjustment, Sell said.

The students were already about 10 weeks into their projects, so no one wanted to stop there. They quickly transitioned into online classes, with meetings through virtual services, like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, and working on the projects through Adobe Creative Cloud.

Though some students like Figueroa had sources fall through last minute due to the chaos of the pandemic, most of the groups have been able to take the research and interviews they already had before they left for spring break and expand on them to finish their projects.

All those things that they had figured out: how to work together, how to collaborate, how to communicate, the types of projects and stories they want to tell, those have maintained, Sell said. Ive been so impressed with how theyve held on to that.

Though the pandemic proves to be a challenge with communication, some groups are working to incorporate the pandemic into their projects as a way to make the best of a bad situation. All of the students are working hard to stay communicative and collaborative with their peers, an aspect that Alost and Sell greatly admire.

For undergraduate seniors like Perrin and Nicole Dinan, its been a heartbreaking experience to have to finish the remainder of the project and college in general virtually. However, with all of the progress made on their projects, they know its important that they put their disappointment aside to finish what they started.

Its super disappointing to have the last part of the semester change so drastically, Dinan said in an email. We already put a ton of time and effort into creating these projects, and we all want to see our hard work be rewarded.

Putting their souls into it

Alost, Sell, Bolin and Figueroa agree with Perrin and Dinan that though the semesters end is not as they had anticipated, the tradition of Soul of Athens deserves to be executed as if nothing stood in their way.

I think its a matter of creative problem solving, Figueroa said. I dont think anybody ever thought, This is it. Were not going to finish this semester. I think because of our specific field, theres so many options that there was no way we could have ever been halted completely.

Not only do the professors and students feel its important to continue with the projects, but they also have appreciated having that connection with each other during this chaotic time.

Its really helpful to see peoples reactions and hear their voices, Perrin said. I dont think I really understood how important that was until this situation happened, and now its like, Oh, my God. I cant wait to be back in person with these people.

All of the past projects for Soul of Athens can be found on its website, and all of the 2020 projects will launch on the website on April 21.

See more here:

Putting Their Souls Into It - The Post

(Illustration by iStock/sv_sunny)

Amid a disaster like COVID-19, the culprits of some of the worst abuses of power are the very systems and structures that we often turn to for leadership. The abuses can be committed with calculated awareness, such as when US Senators privately sold off millions in stocks while publicly downplaying the threat of the virus. Other times, institutional aid efforts unintentionally create ripple effects that disproportionally and severely affect vulnerable communities. In the San Francisco Bay Area, for example, shelter-in-place policies and the curtailment of public services have devastated families with precarious employment and people without homes.

Whether harm differs by being intentional or structural, it is the same in one critical way: Top-down, centrally managed systems of power can end up creating havoc due to the lack of their understanding of local communities.

In my role as research director with Accountability Counsel, a nonprofit organization that protects communities' human and environmental rights around the globe, and in previous positions, I have witnessed numerous failures of top-down responses to crises. While coordinating international assistance into northern Syria at the Syrian-Turkish border for several years, I observed millions of dollars wasted on ineffective programming, and countless millions more spent on projects that led to increased violence, instability, and suffering for thousands of people. Compounding the problem, a lack of local knowledge and context prevented project designers from seeing the effects of their actions, and even the most destabilizing projects were continually renewed and expanded over time.

Our team at Accountability Counsel has seen the same dynamic play out in Myanmar, where top-down conservation efforts in response to a deforestation crisis have instead paved the way for further environmental exploitation, violated human rights, and threatened the fragile peace in a conflict zone. Without appropriate care and due diligenceand without proper consultation with impacted communitiesit is remarkably easy for a project designed to help people or the environment to instead result in untold harm.

That's just a couple of examples among many. Studies of disasters in New York, Argentina, and other locations have identified myriad ways that relief by outsiders canundermine the recovery it is intended to produce.

In the context of our current global crisis, community-led responses to COVID-19 have a clear advantage over those coming from distant centralized bastions of power, which, intentionally or not, often reflect and reinforce existing inequities.

Community organizations here in the San Francisco Bay Area, such as theArab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC), have provided invaluable support to vulnerable families who have been overlooked by official state responses, while tying their relief efforts to broader campaigns of mutual aid, collectivity, and solidarity. AROC explicitly uses its community support work to highlight the importance of health care as a right, anti-racism, climate change activism, and mutual solidarity for women, workers, migrants, incarcerated populations, people with disabilities, and the homeless. Accountability CounselsGood Ally policy aims to support civil society initiatives like AROC's. For example, our research team repurposed a community surveying tool to send SMS and voice messages to farmers across Haiti to help AROC identify vulnerable families in San Francisco.

It is important to remember that the vulnerabilities of these communities existed before the crisis cast them in such stark relief. With COVID-19 sharpening our awareness, we have an opportunity and responsibility to improve our social systems to better support society's most vulnerable not just during this crisis, but after it passes.

Many pathways toward a better world are being laid bare by the altruistic mutual aid efforts arising in cities around the globe. These locally designed and collaboratively built acts of solidaritywhich view the vulnerable as participants in their survival rather than passive consumers of assistanceinform a model of community resilience and collective empowerment with implications far beyond their immediate impact. They reject responses to the pandemic that value political hegemony and expediency over the well-being of the homeless, victims of domestic violence, people with disabilities and many other marginalized members of society.

The coronavirus pandemic has shaken the globe, and it is likely that things will never return to the way they once were.While we fight to mitigate the damage the crisis has wrought, we should learn lessons from the mutual solidarity and community resilience that it has unveiled. It will ensure the world that comes after the crisis is a better one for all.

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Lessons From Mutual Aid During the Coronavirus Crisis - Stanford Social Innovation Review

Communities of color continue to be disproportionately impacted by gun violence across the United States. Unfortunately, communities that are most impacted by gun violence are often plagued by structural inequities that perpetuate this violence. That is why when we look to address gun violence, we must have a holistic conversation to ensure that those most impacted are being centered in this conversation and moved from the margins.

Lauren Footman

To have a holistic conversation, we must address root causes (such as poverty, income inequality, underperforming schools and under-resourced public services) while also advocating for equitable resources for community-based programs and addressing easy access to firearms. Moreover, once we are clear on the solutions, we have to keep the most impacted communities at the forefront of this conversation. This work heavily relies on data and the data shows us who is most impacted, so we must be intentional to prioritize the most impacted communities in our work when setting policy and programmatic agendas.

When discussing data and trends of gun violence, we cannot help but notice the ages of the victims. Data shows us that black youth both females and males are disproportionately impacted by gun violence. Our analysis of CDC data states Black boys and youths aged 0-19 were over 14 times more likely to be killed by firearm homicide than White (non-Latino) boys and youths, while Black men aged 20-34 were nearly 17 times more likely to be killed by firearm homicide than their White (non-Latino) counterparts. Black girls and youths aged 0-19 and Black women aged 20-34 were each nearly 6 times more likely to be killed by firearm homicide than their White (non-Latino) counterparts (5.92 and 5.63 times, respectively).

This data is sobering, but when you hear these stories firsthand in community meetings you are hit with the harsh reality: There are too many young people who do not get to experience lifes milestones, and there are too many families and communities forever changed due to gun violence.

As we think of the stories of those most impacted by gun violence, we must not forget the humanity of the communities we are looking to amplify and support. A huge part of this space must be ensuring that we are not doing harm in our efforts to support communities.

This means that we are building authentic relationships with the communities, and that they are recognized as the experts of their communities and of this work, as often they have been organizing for years unrecognized and unsupported. Outside of building meaningful relationships, it is imperative that we work to position communities and individuals to get the structural support to do violence prevention work, as so much of this work can be volunteer.

In addition, this work entails facilitating intentional relationships to have their work become sustainable, but also making sure state and national organizations are reflective of those most impacted. The only way we can continue to build a robust holistic movement is ensuring this movement is hiring members of the communities that are most impacted.

Gun violence is a multifaceted challenge that demands a holistic set of solutions to stop the cycles of daily gun violence in the most impacted communities. Those who are closest to the pain need to be closest to the power.

At The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, we recognize that we must engage impacted communities specifically communities of color in our work to reduce gun deaths. We do this by first building genuine relationships with community members. We then use a research-grounded toolkit called Education to Action to turn these relationships into self-sustaining Community Action Networks that advocate for policies to reduce gun violence.

The Community Action Networks are self-sustaining advocacy groups from communities statewide. They advance an evidence-based, holistic approach to tackle gun violence in communities of color by hosting workshops and events that bring together law enforcement, community members, faith leaders and politicians.

They create a space for individuals who were disengaged from the political process to become active leaders within their communities, fighting for policies that will build healthy communities free of violence and inequity. They also act as a forum for skill-building, for instance in public relations and communications, and provide an opportunity for members to collaborate on the development of violence prevention programming.

Lauren Footman is a community engagement coordinator at The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence. She has been working in the violence prevention movement for seven years at the intersection of communities and policy.

Originally posted here:

Communities of Color Must Be Centered in Gun Violence Prevention Movement - Juvenile Justice Information Exchange