London Cobbs is a young man on the rise. His family, school, church, and North Lawndale community are proud of him and excited about prospects for his future.
London graduated this year from Holy Family School. He will be attending St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Wisconsin this fall at great sacrifice to his family. They gathered July 15 at Blessed Sacrament Church, 2134 South Central Park, to celebrate London’s accomplishments, wish him well, and raise some much-needed money for his journey.
London is an Honor Roll student who excels at math and communication. He is the Head Acolyte for the Chapel. He led the Holy Family Angels Basketball Team to the State Tournament and was named to the All Tournament Team. He was MVP for the Chicagoland Classic Basketball Tournament. London’s long-range goal is to pursue a college degree in Business Administration.
Friday, August 12, 2011
HUNDREDS CREATE HUMAN UNITY CHAIN IN 11th & 15th DISTRICTS PRAYING FOR PEACE
Residents, civic leaders, local police, and elected officials lined Madison Street from Austin Boulevard to Pulaski Road June 29 creating a human Unity Chain praying for peace in the streets this summer and an end to the epidemic of violence affecting the West Side Austin and Garfield Park neighborhoods. The event was sponsored by the 11th and 15th District CAPS organizations’ Faith-Based Subcommittees. The prayer chain lasted from 6:00 to 7:00 PM.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Wake Up & Face The Truth! AUSTIN PEOPLES ACTION CENTER LAUNCHES DIABETES PREVENTION & CARE CAMPAIGN
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| West Side residents participate in a Diabetes Education Workshop presented by Austin Peoples Action Center in their Nutrition Education Center. (Photo by Charles Smith) |
By James Williams
It is estimated that 23.6 million Americans (or 7.8% of the population) have diabetes, with nearly 1/3 undiagnosed and untreated. It is believed that 479,141 Chicago residents are living with diabetes.
Diabetes is one of the most costly health problems in the United States, running an average of $174 billion annually, including loss of productivity. Diabetes is also one of the deadliest diseases. More people die from complications of diabetes than from AIDS and breast cancer combined. Diabetes causes blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, and results in amputations.
It is estimated that 23.6 million Americans (or 7.8% of the population) have diabetes, with nearly 1/3 undiagnosed and untreated. It is believed that 479,141 Chicago residents are living with diabetes.
Diabetes is one of the most costly health problems in the United States, running an average of $174 billion annually, including loss of productivity. Diabetes is also one of the deadliest diseases. More people die from complications of diabetes than from AIDS and breast cancer combined. Diabetes causes blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, and results in amputations.
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| Donyall Garett, 12, is the poster child for APAC’s diabetes prevention & education campaign. He has lived with diabetes since he was 3 years old. (Photo by Charles Smith) |
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of the disease. It is associated with older age, obesity, physical inactivity, and ethnic background. Diabetes is more than twice as prevalent among African Americans as among Hispanics and Whites. Type 2 Diabetes is nearing epidemic levels due to the increased number of older Americans and the growing rate of obesity and sedentary lifestyles, and is increasingly being diagnosed in children and adolescents.
Austin Peoples Action Center is calling its outreach program Wake Up & Face The Truth! It is geared toward diabetes awareness, education, and prevention. The program is dedicated to the memory of APAC CEO Cynthia Williams’ brother Birchie, who died at age 45 from complications of diabetes. The campaign is funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The goal is to target diabetes risk factors with prevention education and treatment.
Austin Peoples Action Center is calling its outreach program Wake Up & Face The Truth! It is geared toward diabetes awareness, education, and prevention. The program is dedicated to the memory of APAC CEO Cynthia Williams’ brother Birchie, who died at age 45 from complications of diabetes. The campaign is funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The goal is to target diabetes risk factors with prevention education and treatment.
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| With APAC CEO Cynthia Williams, Donyall Garett emphasizes that good nutrition – including fresh fruits & vegetables – are vital to successfully managing his diabetes. (Photo by Charles Smith) |
APAC is offering to hold workshops and seminars for community organizations, churches, sororities & fraternities, schools, and youth groups. All workshops are facilitated by licensed medical professionals, including Project Director Dr. Kara Davis, a practicing physician, member of the American Diabetes Association Executive Council, author of Spiritual Secrets to Weight Loss: A 50-Day Renewal of Body, Mind and Spirit, and author of The Weigh of Life Journal.
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| APAC offers cooking classes every Thursday under the direction of Registered Dietician Gwendolyn Franklin, teaching diabetics and non-diabetics how to prepare healthy, nutritious & balanced meals. (Photo by Charles Smith) |
Project Coordinator is Priscilla Williams, RN, of Northwestern Memorial Hospital and American Diabetes Association Executive Council. She has a 12-year-old son who has been living with juvenile diabetes since age 3.
The Outreach/Trainer is Patricia Cattenhead, licensed Paramedic who has worked in the University of Chicago Emergency Room for many years. APAC is offering cooking classes every Thursday, taught by Gwendolyn Franklin, Clinical Dietician at West Suburban Medical Center, showing how to prepare healthful, nutritious and balanced meals for diabetics and everyone.
The workshops are presented as interactive open lectures or PowerPoint presentations followed by Q & A. APAC provides literature and glucose screenings. Organizations interested in scheduling workshops should contact Priscilla Williams at 708/890-6781 or Patricia Cattenhead at 708/372-6184. People wishing to learn more about diabetes or the cooking classes may call the Austin Peoples Action Center at 773/921-2121.
The Outreach/Trainer is Patricia Cattenhead, licensed Paramedic who has worked in the University of Chicago Emergency Room for many years. APAC is offering cooking classes every Thursday, taught by Gwendolyn Franklin, Clinical Dietician at West Suburban Medical Center, showing how to prepare healthful, nutritious and balanced meals for diabetics and everyone.
The workshops are presented as interactive open lectures or PowerPoint presentations followed by Q & A. APAC provides literature and glucose screenings. Organizations interested in scheduling workshops should contact Priscilla Williams at 708/890-6781 or Patricia Cattenhead at 708/372-6184. People wishing to learn more about diabetes or the cooking classes may call the Austin Peoples Action Center at 773/921-2121.
REP. YARBROUGH NAMED ASSISTANT HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER
“When I first learned that I was selected as an Assistant House Majority Leader, I immediately thought of all the people I have met throughout my career in public service, and how I would be able to better serve them in this new capacity. Even though I’m now a member of the leadership team in the Illinois House, I am still first and foremost an independent state representative for the 7th District and will always put the needs of my constituents first,” Rep. Yarbrough states.
“Most rank-and-file legislators work very hard, but oftentimes they struggle to enact positive change because they don’t have a seat at the table. Though I have been able to pass significant pieces of legislation dealing with poverty, predatory lending, and clean indoor air – all before I became a member of leadership – I will be an even more effective voice for the people I represent now that I am able to help shape the policy direction of our state,” she explains.
For information on state programs and legislation, contact Rep. Yarbrough’s Constituent Service Office at 708/615-1747.
WALMART 2011 COMMUNITY-BUILDERS AWARD RECIPIENTS RECEIVE TROPHIES
Alderman Deborah Graham presents a Walmart 2011 Community-Builders Award to James Cole, Proprietor of The Shoe Shine King, 338 North Central Avenue, as Outstanding Corporate Citizen, on behalf of THE VOICE Newspapers. He started his shoe shine business while a student at Marshall High School, has provided jobs to numerous ex-offenders, and assisted teenagers escape gang involvement. Cole was Vice President of the Austin Business Council, helped organize the Austin Chamber of Commerce, and served on the board of the Austin YMCA. The Community-Builders Awards were presented at a June 28 Luncheon hosted by THE VOICE Newspapers. Cole was unable to attend. (Photo by Brad)
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| Andrew Griffin, Entertainment Editor of THE VOICE Newspapers, presents a Walmart 2011 Community-Builders Award to Linda McWright for Outstanding Youth Mentoring Services. She is responsible for launching the show business careers of many West Side performers as Activities Director at Clark Park and CEO of Umbrella Productions, Inc. McWright is well-known for staging popular talent shows and community festivals. She taught modeling classes for the Chicago Public Schools & Park District. Linda McWright has touched the lives of generations of West Side young people. (Photo by Brad) |