Waynewood School of Hope Open House – Friday, July 25, 2008
The Waynewood School of Hope, located at 1000 University Avenue in St. Paul will be having their open house on Friday, July 25, 2008 from 3- 7pm. You are encouraged to attend this history making event. The schools Founder and Director, Ms. Beverly Waynewood says, “The staff and I sincerely want to stimulate the hearts and minds on our students to achieve excellence. We want children and their families to become excited about their education and hopeful about the future.”
About the Wanyewood School of Hope:
Their slogan, “Building Young Minds for a Global World” is based on the schools rigorous curriculums, character development, culture, self appreciation and responsibility. The
Waynewood School of Hope program benefits include:
· Small Classes
· Transportation
· Uniform Dress Code
· Nutritious Meals
· Teachers and Staff who value HIGH expectations
· Respect is NUMBER ONE
The Waynewood School of Hope is a Public Charter School for grades 6, 7, 8. Our goal is to support the positive development of your child’s Cultural self-awareness and self-esteem with a commitment to high expectations to give you and your child an inspired vision of the future and the skills to take control of his or her destiny.
The culture of the Waynewood School of Hope will use the two most basic and fundamental principles that are found in many cultures: Respect and Community. Human-to-Human Respect and Community will be used as the vehicles that drive the school staff and fashion student success.
The Waynewood School of Hope is currently accepting students for their 2008-2009 school year. You can register your child by calling (651) 917-3085 or visit Waynewood‘s website at www.waynewoodschoolofhope.org for more information.
A Community Celebration in Honor of Clarence Hightower
Join us Tuesday, July 22, 2008 starting at 6:00 p.m., as we say farewell to a friend. Every once in a while, a person comes along who makes an impact in countless people’s lives.
Clarence Hightower is such a person.
Join the Minneapolis Urban League, Proactive Urban Initiatives and Front Street Public Relations for a Community Appreciation and Celebration for Mr. Clarence Hightower. The event will take place at the Minneapolis Urban League, Glover-Sudduth Center for Urban Affairs and Economic Development located at 2100 Plymouth Avenue North (corners of Penn Avenue and Plymouth Avenue N.), dinner will be provided and you are encouraged to reserve your individual ticket or table of 8 by calling Mr. Todd Barnes at (612) 302-3180. There is no cost to attend this event and community is welcomed to attend.
About Mr. Clarence Hightower:
Hightower, who had indicated his intention to explore his options after completing the agency’s 10-year strategic plan, told his staff and the MUL Board of Directors that he greatly appreciated the opportunity to work for the most important organization he’s ever been a part of and with some of the most dedicated social service professionals in the nonprofit sector. Hightower is proud of his tenure with the Urban League, noting that ten years ago, when first charged with implementing a strategic plan that called for the League to launch the first capital campaign in its history, he was determined to carry it out with distinction. The outcome was the construction of the Glover Sudduth Center for Economic Development and Urban Affairs on the north side, and the Sharon Sayles Belton Community Services Center on the south side. Both new centers have created a better atmosphere for staff, program participants, and the community.
Hightower helped the organization to restructure internally, which created a stronger focus on marketing. As a result, the Urban League is marketed in a way that it had not been before. There is now a higher visibility of the work of the Minneapolis Urban League, and the impact that it continues to have on its constituents and the city as a whole.
Just recently Mr. Hightower worked with the Board of Directors to complete a new Strategic Plan that will chart the course for the Minneapolis Urban League through December 31, 2011. “Although there is no perfect time, transition gives us the opportunity to change and grow. I will be leaving an organization that is sound and has a clear direction for its future,” says Hightower.
Hightower met this morning (June 24, 2008) with the League’s Executive Committee to thank them for their support over the years. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Chair Clayton Tyler offered the following statement: “The Board of Directors is deeply saddened by the resignation of Clarence Hightower. He has been an able steward of the Urban League for the past 10 years and has achieved many great accomplishments, among them an outstandingly successful capital campaign.” Vice Chair Cathy Wassberg stated: “The skills and energy that Clarence Hightower brought to the Minneapolis Urban League have been a tremendous asset and contributed immeasurably to our status as a premier service and advocacy organization. We wish him well in this next chapter of his life.” Tyler added that the Board will look forward to working with Mr. Hightower in the transition as they begin the task of identifying a new President/CEO.
Hightower will leave the Minneapolis Urban League after July 31 to assume the position of Executive Director with the Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties.
Do you live in a Home where there is a smoker and a non-smoker? The University of Minnesota wants to know!
Ms. Marcquilla Allen and Dr. Janet Thomas from the University of Minnesota are doing a study about “smoking in the home.” They both have been kind enough to share information about their study and want people from all walks of life to participate. After you read the information below, please contact Marquilla Allen at (612) 626-3899 to set up an appointment. All qualified participants are compensated for their time.
1. What is the purpose of area of research?
We all know that cigarette smoking is an addiction and that exposure to tobacco smoke is harmful to the smoker and to non-smokers in the home and public environment.
We also know that certain groups are targeted by the tobacco companies to start smoking and to continue smoking once they start.
What we know less about, and what I want to learn in my research, is the messages that really speak to smokers that make them want to eliminate exposing tobacco smoke to others in their environment and motivate them to want to quit.
Specifically, I want to learn how a non-smoker who lives with a smoker might support their smoker to make their home smoke free. Our study is designed to develop and test whether biomarker feedback documenting home exposure to environmental toxins might increase home smoking restrictions and motivate the smoker to make a quit attempt.
This program of research addresses the unfair share of the burden of tobacco-related health problems among underserved communities including high rates of childhood asthma and adult cardiovascular diseases.
Further, our program of study builds upon the important role of the family in health behavior change.
Dr. Thomas has recently received funding from the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association for research to increase the adoption of smoking bans in family homes. The study is designed to develop and test whether biomarker feedback documenting home exposure to environmental toxins might increase home smoking restrictions and motivate the smoker to make a quit attempt.
2. Main outcomes of research?
We hope to move all families towards having a home that promotes the best start and best health possible for children in the home. By learning what messages promote private policies/bans against smoking in the home and car and motivate smokers to quit, we will be better able to help all families.
3. Who is the Principal Investigator of this research?
Janet Thomas, PhD, joined the Program in Health Disparities Research in August 2006. Thomas, a University of Minnesota Department of Medicine Assistant Professor, gained an interest in health disparities from her graduate work in Clinical Psychology at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. There she developed an appreciation for the persistent sense of optimism and faith among those dealing with a plethora of major life stressors including poverty, violence, child mortality, and chronic illness, and a curiosity to understand the psychological mechanisms behind this “audacity of hope” She brings to the Program a strong research background in smoking cessation and weight management among African American communities. She is particularly interested in investigating the role of social support as a tool to motivate health behavior change.
*Dr. Thomas has recently received funding from the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association for research to increase the adoption of smoking bans in homes. The study is designed to develop and test whether biomarker feedback documenting home exposure to environmental toxins might increase home smoking restrictions and motivate the smoker to make a quit attempt.
Says Dr. Thomas, “It is vital that we identify innovative ways to eliminate exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). ETS is a recognized cause of heart, lung, vascular disease, and cancer in adults and respiratory diseases including asthma in children.” African Americans have twice the rate of premature death due to heart and vascular disease, the highest overall cancer death rates of all racial groups, and African American children have the highest rates of asthma, sudden infant death syndrome, and low birth weights. She hopes her research may help to address these health disparities.
4. What is the UMN, Program in Health Disparities Research?
The Program in Health Disparities Research is housed within the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Center for Clinical Research. Established in 2006, the Program is dedicated to eliminating health disparities among minority and other underserved populations through interdisciplinary research, education, and community partnership. Dr. Kolawole S. Okuyemi is Director of the Program, and has a strong research background in smoking cessation in African American and other underserved populations. The Program fosters multidisciplinary research in collaboration with community members and academic partners. Program researchers have and continue to receive funding from the American Medical Association, National Institutes of Health, American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Science Foundation, Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, among many others.
For more information, call Marquilla at (612) 626-3899
“First Thursdays?” (July only) Power Networking Event x3 at Babalu Restaurant, Thursday - July 3, 2008 6-9 p.m.
There’s a great way to celebrate the short work week and the wonderful 4th of July weekend. Join Connection Consulting and Twin City Business for Vive Now!, Thursday, July 3, 2008 at Babalu Restaurant located at 800 Washington Avenue North in the historic warehouse district. Don’t miss your chance to network with the Twin Cities top professionals. The only cover for this event is a business card or your information on as piece of paper!
It’s Offical, Minneapolis Urban League President/CEO is Leaving
Offical Release provided by Lisa Bryant, Director of Communications/PR MUL
MINNEAPOLIS, June 24, 2008 — Ten years after taking over the position of President/CEO of the Minneapolis Urban League, Clarence Hightower today announced his resignation. Hightower will leave the Minneapolis Urban League after July 31 to assume the position of Executive Director with the Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties.
Hightower, who had indicated his intention to explore his options after completing the agency’s 10-year strategic plan, told his staff and the MUL Board of Directors that he greatly appreciated the opportunity to work for the most important organization he’s ever been a part of and with some of the most dedicated social service professionals in the nonprofit sector. Hightower is proud of his tenure with the Urban League, noting that ten years ago, when first charged with implementing a strategic plan that called for the League to launch the first capital campaign in its history, he was determined to carry it out with distinction. The outcome was the construction of the Glover Sudduth Center for Economic Development and Urban Affairs on the north side, and the Sharon Sayles Belton Community Services Center on the south side. Both new centers have created a better atmosphere for staff, program participants, and the community.
Hightower helped the organization to restructure internally, which created a stronger focus on marketing. As a result, the Urban League is marketed in a way that it had not been before. There is now a higher visibility of the work of the Minneapolis Urban League, and the impact that it continues to have on its constituents and the city as a whole.
Just recently Mr. Hightower worked with the Board of Directors to complete a new Strategic Plan that will chart the course for the Minneapolis Urban League through December 31, 2011. “Although there is no perfect time, transition gives us the opportunity to change and grow. I will be leaving an organization that is sound and has a clear direction for its future,” says Hightower.
Hightower met this morning with the League’s Executive Committee to thank them for their support over the years. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Chair Clayton Tyler offered the following statement: “The Board of Directors is deeply saddened by the resignation of Clarence Hightower. He has been an able steward of the Urban League for the past 10 years and has achieved many great accomplishments, among them an outstandingly successful capital campaign.” Vice Chair Cathy Wassberg stated: “The skills and energy that Clarence Hightower brought to the Minneapolis Urban League have been a tremendous asset and contributed immeasurably to our status as a premier service and advocacy organization. We wish him well in this next chapter of his life.” Tyler added that the Board will look forward to working with Mr. Hightower in the transition as they begin the task of identifying a new President/CEO.
