National Depression Awareness and National Domestic Violence Prevention Month
By Kris Powers | October 14th 2014
October is National Depression Awareness and National Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness Month. Organizations and communities across the United States will use this time to educate the public about the various signs and symptoms of depression and domestic violence. For those who suffer, there is help.
Depression Awareness
According to the National Institute of Mental Health website at www.nimh.nih.gov, depression can strike anyone at any time and has no single cause. “Depression can be the result of a combination of genetic, biochemical, environmental and psychological factors”. [1]
The National Institute of Mental Health lists the following as common signs of depression:
Back to School Shopping – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
By Kris Powers | August 5th 2014
As you begin thinking about what supplies and items might be needed for the upcoming school year, please keep Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in mind. If you need to purchase a new item, please find an eco-friendly home for your previously used items.
Happy Veteran's Day!
By Kris Powers | November 11th 2013
Veterans Day is an official United States holiday celebrating the service of all U.S. military veterans. November 11th of each year is the day that we show veterans just how much we deeply appreciate the sacrifices they have made to keep our country free. However, we can and should honor our veterans 365 days of the year. There are many different ways that one can thank a veteran and a number of organizations have been established to make it easier to do so. Here are just a few:
1. The Coming Home Project
The Coming Home Project is a non-profit organization devoted to providing expert, compassionate care, support, education, and stress management tools for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, service members, their families, and their care providers.
2. Disabled American Veterans
Celebrating Diversity
By Kris Powers | November 7th 2013
Recently, I had the pleasure of working with a gentleman born in India who has been in the United States for almost 25 years; working, raising his family and contributing to his community. During breaks in our conference schedule, he shared with me his views on diversity and the steps he takes both in his personal and professional life to promote an understanding and acceptance of all types of people. These conversations led me to think deeply about diversity and the conversations I have in my own home, as well as diversity in the public school system, my community's workforce and the neighborhood in which we live.
“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” ― Maya Angelou
Make a Difference Day - October 26, 2013
By Kris Powers | October 22nd 2013
USA WEEKEND Magazine and Points of Light have joined together for over twenty years to sponsor Make A Difference Day, the largest national day of community service. On this day, millions of volunteers from around the world unite in a common mission to improve the lives of others. This year’s Make a Difference Day is Saturday, October 26, 2013.
The examples of past Make A Difference Day events below show that anyone - regardless of age, location or resources - can accomplish wonderful things when they address a need they see in their community. Let their stories inspire you.