[Community-Service] April 2021 Newsletter

[Maggie Stringer]

*National Federation of the Blind Community Service Division*

*A family that Zoom’s together, SERVE together, STAY together*

April 2021 Newsletter



*“If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the
present, touch a flower. If you want to touch the future, touch a life.”*

Written by: Unknown



*BREAKING NEWS!* Whether you are near or far, know that you can serve
wherever you are! Start up by celebrating volunteer month and stop in for
volunteer week!



*April 18th at 5:00 p.m. EST on Clubhouse! *

*“The Value of one, The Power of Many”*

*https://www.joinclubhouse.com/event/m2E3y1Yq
<https://www.joinclubhouse.com/event/m2E3y1Yq>*



*April 19th to April 24th @ 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST on Zoom*

Meeting ID: 829 9395 2378

Passcode: 470360



-         *Monday, April 19th: Technology *

Kamille Richardson - “LET’S GO SHOPPING”

Julie Mosses - “SCREEN READERS 2 THE RESCUE”

Angus Kola - “OPEN THE WINDOWS TO EMPLOYMENT”

Libra Robinson - “ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A SMART A PHONE?”



-         *Tuesday, April 20th: Orientation & Mobility *

Charlie Warren & Casandra Xavier - “WALK IT OUT WITH CONFIDENCE”



-         *Wednesday, April 21st: Braille Rockstars *

Daria Bannerman, Brianna Terry, Lara Sowell, & Yolanda Harris - “FEELING
THEIR WAY TO SUCCESS”



-         *Thursday, April 22nd: Physical, Mental, & Emotional Health
Matters*

Kendra Brown - “KNOWING YOURSELF”

Mellissa Jackson - “KEEP IT MOVING”

Jeanetta Price - “THE RIGHT TO HEAL: LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL”

Jason Jones: Peer Support & Outreach Specialist



-         *Friday, April 23rd: No Peeking While Cooking *

Hattie Hammerson, Marvin Griffin, & Bongee Boyce III - “IN THE KITCHEN WITH
NO VISION”



-              *Saturday, April 24th: Resources & Organizations *

“STAY CONNECTED”



*Serving skills, support, and smiles, Zoom in y’all!*



*Join Zoom Meeting Monday through Saturday:*

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82993952378?pwd=ZERRTEYvOFUrQVRzM29EbXdSVUxFQT09
Meeting ID: 829 9395 2378

Passcode: 470360

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,82993952378#,,,,*470360# US (Houston)
+12532158782,,82993952378#,,,,*470360# US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location: +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston

Meeting ID: 829 9395 2378

Passcode: 470360

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kjl1xjXOu
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fus02web.zoom.us%2Fu%2Fkjl1xjXOu&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGGXp4u3-xova8VJEvzj2IwNWC68A>



*#STRONGER TOGETHER *

Written by: Daria Bannerman



I’ve seen the hash tag stronger together slogan around somewhere. On the
internet or maybe I heard it through some televised advertisement. I’m
honestly not sure. However, what I am certain of is that though this phrase
may sound cliché, it does convey observation we cannot turn away from or
ignore. All the challenges of Covid-19, the disease that would try to ruin
everything and everyone in contact. Abruptly, the whole world stopped and
everything was at a standstill. On a simple morning, I would be sitting on
Grandma’s front porch either alone or with someone else. I started noticing
how empty the highway would be. Hearing complete silence outside was pretty
strange to me, and I sometimes felt as if I were living in another-time.
Though I was used to isolation, the kind of isolation a pandemic cause is
vastly different. Sure, I could leave the house for a while. But I couldn’t
walk into any stores just yet. Food had to be picked up curb side. However,
COVID-19 could not stop us from serving. The way we have completed
community service activities went from seeing everyone face-to-face became
virtual events or required us to cut back on the amount of people we could
interact with in person.

Although this pandemic changed our lives, The NFB Community Service
Division has proven that we are stronger together. No matter where we are
in the country, we can still impact people across the nation with the ways
we serve our communities. We still inspire, laugh, and have fun all while
serving throughout the pandemic. With every joke, every chuckle, and every
encouraging word, the impact we have is still noticed for our work within
our community and beyond. #strongertogether



*TAP TAP AROUND THIS WORLD *

The month of April recognizes:

-         Volunteer Month

-         Sexual Assault Awareness Month

-         Poetry Month

-         Humor Month

-         Child Abuse Awareness Month

-         Donate Life Awareness Month



*BRAILLE FROM THE HEART *

A Wilted Rose

Written by: Maggie Stringer



There is that one, that one person you know.

The one that seems to attract, plenty of whispers,

The one that has us scattering away, when they are about.



There is that one, that one person you know.

The one, that no one has seen potential in.



He could be the one that you have worked with, side by side.

She could be the one that you have walked next to, stride for stride.

He could be the one that lives alone, across the ridge.

She could be the one with a brown paper bag, under the bridge.



His mirrored image, losing its color.

Her restless nights, battling for peace.

And a long dirt road, to an unforgiving desert.



We are eager to dismiss, ignore the worth, and dwell, on our own.

We are quick to judge, condemn the unknown, and focus, on self.

Where is the love, for a wilted rose?



Think of that person, that one person you know.

The one that could be blessed, by your generous smile.

The one that is comforted to know, there is a friend, when you are about.



Think of this person, that one person you know.

You could be the one, the one person, that makes the difference in them.



*THE HEARTBEATS OF HEAVEN *



What is the role of a CASA?

The child is removed from home and placed in foster care. A CASA (Court
Appointed Advocate®) volunteer is a dedicated member of the community who
is appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interest of an abused or
neglected child in the state's care.



How do I volunteer for CASA?

You must pass a background check, participate in a 30-hour pre-service
training course and agree to stay with a case until it is closed (a year
and a half on average).



Education Required for a Child Advocate

Most states require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Behavioral
Sciences field of study (e.g., Psychology, Social Work, Sociology etc.) to
become a Child Advocate. Many states require a Master of Social Work degree.

https://www.humanservicesedu.org



How do I become a CASA volunteer in Texas?

To Become a CASA volunteer means you are:

1.      Willing to commit at least one year of your time

2.      Able to effectively communicate orally and in writing

3.      Willing to participate in an in-depth training program

4.      Able to pass criminal and CPS history background checks

5.      Over age 21.

For more information:

https://casaforchildren.org/advocate-for-children/be-a-casa-volunteer/



*WE’VE GOT SUNSHINE*



*How do you know flowers are friendly? *

*They always have new buds! *



*What did the dirt say to the rain?*

*If this keeps up, my name will be mud!*



*Can bees fly in the rain?*

*Not without their yellow jackets!*



*ROLLING OUT THE RED CARPET*



*Community Service Division: I Got It From My Mama!*

May 1st @ 1:00 p.m. EST



*Represent Your State:*

South Dakota State Convention

Friday, April 23rd & Saturday, April 24th, 2021

www.nfbsd.org



Vermont State Convention

Saturday, May 1, 2021

www.nfbvt.org



Hawaii State Convention

Thursday, May 13th to Saturday, May 15th, 2021

www.hawaii.nfb.org



*Save these dates! Don’t be late, make sure you clear your slate and serve
with style.*



Share your service with us, double tap on the link and get involved! Say it
with me, *“Challenge accepted!”*



We can’t stop, won’t stop serving! The NFB Community Service Division
thanks you for accepting the challenge. We have experienced some testing
times during this pandemic, which is a prime example of us being
#StrongerTogether as we spread the power of giving anywhere and everywhere.
Service can certainly start here and continue here with our division’s
challenge.  This challenge will help keep us united in service throughout
our various neighborhoods across our country.  What follows is a
questionnaire designed to collect detailed information of your volunteer
efforts starting January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021.



https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8HWsUDqzaairJZg1p_RcFe3pFemWYDXXSatdaG_n6AjeTiw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&usp=mail_form_link&usp=embed_facebook



*How we spell April: Active! Passion! Respect! Inspiration! Love!*



NFB Community Service Division

President Jeanetta Price

Email: price.jeanetta at gmail.com

Mobile: (409) 344-1005



Editor: Maggie Stringer

Email: Ravensfan784 at gmail.com

Mobile: (443) 750-0070



*The NFB One Minute Message*



The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. We are survivors!



www.nfb.org
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