We are a little over twelve hours into a new year as I write this and I pray that the beginning of your life’s next chapter has begun well. I had a fabulous time ringing in the new year with friends last evening – the fun was so good I didn’t make it to bed until 5 a.m.! Needless to say, today has been pretty relaxed!
The beginning of a new year is a time of reflection, anticipation and resolving to do things differently. You know the usual – lose weight, join the local gym, eliminate the bad things in your life. The unfortunate part of this story is that statistically we as a people are not good at keeping our resolve after February.
I have never been one to make resolutions; however over the last several years I have challenged myself to do new things and set personal growth goals.
This year I will once again attempt to do a 365 Photo Challenge. Utilizing the Capture Your 365site for ideas I will begin my journey here today.
Today’s fitting theme is Fresh Start and the photo below is of my husband as we start a fresh chapter in our lives. There were many other photos, but barring any conversations about my plans for their pictures I chose not to use.
What is he thinking? I can never really tell when I shoot his picture, that is unless I catch him off guard.
I hope you will join me for the next 366 days as I document this 365/366 project – it’s a leap year!
Local photographers and volunteers offer a flash of hope to Cleveland families in transition
These are the memories we will help to make tomorrow during the annual Help-Portrait event at the Greater Cleveland Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Complex.
Tomorrow, photographers around the world will gather for the eighth annual Help-Portrait event. In 2008, Help-Portrait began as an idea that transformed into a movement in just three months. The idea behind Help-Portrait is simple: 1. Find someone in need 2. Take their portrait 3. Print their portrait and 4. Deliver their portrait.
Since the launch, more than 70,000 volunteers have given more than 350,000 portraits. Help-Portrait is a global movement in more than 2500 locations in 67 countries. The annual Help-Portrait event takes place on the second Saturday of December each year in addition to special events as the need arises.
For the fourth year, local writer and photographer Shelley M. Shockley will bring the movement to Cleveland as she and a team of volunteers join forces with the Salvation Army’s Zelma George Family Emergency Shelter to provide portraits to some of Cleveland’s transitional families.
The enthusiasm from site participants is exactly what Shockley was hoping for when she began organizing this effort, “When I learned of this movement and saw some of the photos from other parts of the world I wanted to bring that same sense of joy to the Cleveland community.”
The effort is also appreciated by the Salvation Army. “It is truly amazing! The impact of such a practical program that Shelley and the volunteers do each year for the participants in our Family Shelter. We are thrilled and thankful that they are coming back to Zelma George,” said Beau Hill, Executive Director, The Salvation Army Harbor Light Complex.
From 1-5 p.m., Shockley and a team of volunteers including barbers, hairstylists, makeup artists, photographers and other volunteers will gather at the shelter and set up “mini-studios” to bring the Help-Portrait movement to Cleveland at the Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Complex, 1710 Prospect Ave.
Celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart formed Help-Portrait, a non-profit organization, in 2009 as he contemplated using his skills and expertise to give back to those who may not have the opportunity for a professional photo. The idea is that a photographer has the unique ability to help someone smile, laugh and return their dignity. It is a movement, a shift in photography.
From Bangalore, India to Ghana, Africa, the language of Help-Portrait crosses cultural and socioeconomic barriers.
About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. For more information, go to http://www.salvationarmycleveland.org.
Local organizations to unveil winning artwork in “Anti-Gun Violence Art Competition”
Cleveland, OH – Gun violence is pervasive in our communities and Rid-All Green Partnership has joined with several local organizations to bring awareness to the problem while promoting their mission of sustainability through the creation of beautiful artwork using recycled toy guns.
On Saturday, September 12th a celebration will be held at The Rid-All Green Partnership, 8129 Otter Road (off East 82nd and Kinsman) to showcase the work of student and adult artists and to unveil the winning piece from the “Anti-Gun Violence Art Competition” held last winter in conjunction with the first “Toy Gun Buy Back Program.”
The Competition was one component of the “Toy Gun Buy Back Program,” sponsored in conjunction with The Gloria Pointer Teen Movement and Inner Visions. Both of these organizations work within the community to combat violence and create community dialogue around these issues.
The community leaders will also take a moment to honor local journalist Rachel Dissell with the Community Humanitarian Journalism Award. Yvonne Pointer said of Dissell, “Rachel is a godsend! She not only tells the stories of Cleveland, but also goes out of her way to help effect change during her free time. She has been a tremendous help to the “Toy Gun Buy Back Program,” and we just want to say a proper thank you to her.”
Rachel Dissell, left, will be honored withe the Community Humanitarian Journalism Award. She is pictured with Yvonne Pointer and Jennifer Richvun late last year. (Photo Courtesy of Yvonne Pointer)
Damien Forshe, co-founder of Rid-all Foundation said, “This is a celebration to recognize all of the participants and to show the community the wealth of talent we have amongst our young people.” The celebration will be held from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. and will include fun activities for the entire family along with food and entertainment. This event continues the foundation’s goal to raise awareness around the issue of gun violence and to engage youth in alternative activities.
About Rid-All – Our mission is to transform communities, starting with 3 acres in Cleveland’s Kinsman Neighborhood, known as the Forgotten Triangle. We’ve reclaimed the land for growing fruits and vegetables, farming fish, creating soil from food waste discarded by others and more. We’ve constructed two green houses, four hoop houses, a tepee and an edible trail to add to our fish farming. The Rid-All organization has also developed a keen interest in youth development and has implemented programs such as essay contests, science education programs for Cleveland Metropolitan School students and a summer Youth Farmer Leadership Program. Visit ridall.org for more information.
About Gloria Pointer Teen Movement – Our purpose is to honor unsung heroes who are committed to stopping violence and saving America’s children. Our concept is to provide events that will raise awareness and provide continuous dialogue that lead to change in communities across the country.
About Inner Visions – Our mission is to create a safe, thriving region where inequities are eliminated and relationships of mutual benefit are formed. We connect people across neighborhood boundaries to work on meaningful grassroots community improvement projects.
Award presented during 6th Annual Health Education Network Health Fair
Cleveland, OH – In an effort to close the gap on disparities in health education among minorities and the under served in Cleveland, FMA Health Education Network presents its 6th Annual Health Education Network Health Fair this Saturday, July 25th from noon – 5 p.m. in the parking lot of St. Luke’s Pointe (the old St. Luke’s Hospital), 11201 Shaker Blvd.
The goal of the Health Fair is to present health education information, and other vital information to the residents in the immediate vicinity of St. Luke’s Pointe. With more than 700 community members serviced last year, the Associates expect an even larger audience this year.
Some of the offerings will include glucose, oxygen and circulation screening in addition to blood pressure checks and the Grand Opening of The St. Luke’s Low Cost Pharmacy featuring a “Brown Bag Review” of prescriptions for any potential medical interactions. Services and information will be provided by practices within St. Luke’s Pointe Medical Center, Faith Medical Associates and St. Luke’s Dental Clinic among others.
A fair would not be complete without activities for children including the City of Cleveland Smoke House, Metro Park Nature Tracks, pony rides, face painting and entertainment provided by the City of Cleveland Department of Recreation’s Show Wagon.
A brief award ceremony will include the presentation of the Service Community Award to Michelle Knight in honor of her work in the community.
Event organizer Dora Appling, said the event demonstrates “Where faith and medicine work together” the people will not only survive they will thrive.
Rid-All Foundation to host second “Toy Gun Buy Back Program” this Saturday, June 27th from Noon – 5 p.m.
A section of Rid-All Farm, an urban farm in Cleveland, OH.
Cleveland, OH – Gun violence continues to plague our communities and the Rid-All Foundation will continue to raise awareness around this issue with a second “Toy Gun Buy Back Program” on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at the Rid-All Urban Farm, 8129 Otter Road (off East 82nd and Kinsman) from Noon – 5 p.m.
During this event, the Foundation will also unveil the sixth edition of its Brink City Comic Book, which is a special edition focused on the dangers of guns and gun violence. The comic books serve a two-fold purpose – educating youth on the effect that “woes” such as contaminated soil and food deserts have on our communities, and to give them an alternative perspective on how they can improve their health and support their community. The “Toy Gun Buy Back Program” is an opportunity to remove these “toys” from the streets while at the same time providing an alternative to “guns as toys” while offering parents information on more sustainable and productive activities for their children.
The buyback furthers Rid-All’s “Shoot Hoops Not Guns” program started a few years ago with the support of local stars such as retired Cavaliers point guard Austin Carr, and local caterer Tom Paige. “The goal of our programming is to raise awareness for parents who purchase guns for their children, and to put something else in their hands (rather than a toy gun) that is safe and sustainable,” said Damien Forshe, co-founder of the Rid-All Foundation.
As part of Saturday’s program, the first 100 parents who bring their child or children to turn in a toy gun (including pellet or replica guns) will receive a $25 Dave’s Gift Card and each child will receive a Rid-All comic book. The gift cards are limited to one per family. The afternoon will also include free hot dogs, music and a tour of the Rid-All farm. For more information on the Toy Gun Buy Back, please contact Rid-All at 216-990-8191.
About Rid-All – Our mission is to transform communities, starting with 3 acres in Cleveland’s Kinsman Neighborhood, known as the Forgotten Triangle. We’ve reclaimed the land for growing fruits and vegetables, farming fish, creating soil from food waste discarded by others and more. We’ve constructed two green houses, four hoop houses, a tepee and an edible trail to add to our fish farming. The Rid-All organization has also developed a keen interest in youth development and has implemented programs such as essay contests, science education programs for Cleveland Metropolitan School students and a summer Youth Farmer Leadership Program. Visit ridall.org for more information.
Shelley Shockley's Views from Collinwood 