Congratulations to Jimmy Jimenez, a client of the SHIELDS ARK Program, for winning the 2012 Al-Impics Theme Contest!

Every year SHIELDS participates in the AL-Impics, a sort of Olympic games for individuals, families, and agencies involved with treatment and recovery. This year, the AL-Impics Planning Committee held a theme contest and out of 126 submissions -  the entry for “Join the Dance of Life” by SHIELDS ARK Program client Jimmy Jimenez was chosen as the official theme for the 2012 Los Angeles AL-Impics. The theme is a central unifying factor among the various participating agencies and individuals. Join the Dance of Life will be used on team uniforms, banners, in the official program, and on other event materials and [Jimmy] will be recognized during the opening ceremonies. (AL-Impics Host Planning Committee).

Congratulations Jimmy! We look forward to participating in the 2012 AL-Impics under your theme “Join the Dance of Life”!

Healthy Families - Protecting the Ties That Bind: A Closer Look At Our Safety Nets.

HEALTHY FAMILIES-PROTECTING THE TIES THAT BIND
(A CLOSE LOOK AT OUR SAFETY NETS)

Presented by:
Healthy African American Families (HAAF)
Building Bridges to Optimum Health

When: Friday, October 21, 2011
8:30 AM to 3:00 PM

Where: The CALIFORNIA SCIENCE CENTER
700 State Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90037

Agenda-At-A-Glance

8:00 AM: Registration (Free to the Public)
What Community Perceives as Strengths/Challenges Within the Safety Net
Best Practices Within the Safety Net System
Working in Partnership with Safety Net Systems-Extending the Reach of Services
Planning Families Before the Cradle
Call to Action

Food and Refreshments Provided

Sponsored by:
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The California Legislative Black Caucus
Please RSVP by phone at 323.292.2002
On the web at www.haafii.org
By fax at 323.292.6121
Spanish Translation will be provided.

Click HERE for registration form

Panda Express Double Happiness Fundraiser

This month, Panda Express is sponsoring two SHIELDS for Families Days on Wednesday, October 26th and Thursday, October 27. With each SHIELDS for Families Days flier presented at Panda Express between 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., Panda Express will donate 20% of the sales to fund SHIELDS. 

Make sure to spread the word to your friends, family, and contacts...  the more people that show up with the flier,  the more SHIELDS will benefit!

Remember, you MUST present the SHIELDS for Families Days flier on Wednesday, October 26th and/or Thursday, October 27 between 11:00 a.m. and 9:00p.m. when eating at Panda Express, 2187 W. Rosecrans Ave, Compton, CA 90220 for your purchase to count towards SHIELDS. 

Youth Education & Employment Conference

County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation, Russ Guiney, Director

Presents

Youth Education & Employment Conference "Opportunities for Educational and Employment Success"

An event strictly for youth involved with the probation and/or foster care systems.

Ages 14-18, Come meet Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation along with a variety of educational, employment, and community resources ready to provide personal assistance for planning your next steps to a better future.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Watts/Willowbrook Boys and Girls Club

1339 E. 120th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90059

FEATURING Keynote Speakers Education/Career Workshops Internet Access for Job Search Online Application Preparation College Advisory Vocational Trade Advisory Resource Advisory			WORKSHOPS Education/College Planning Finding $$ for School Job Readiness Resume/Application Prep Get Ready to Work
LIGHT LUNCH PROVIDED	RAFFLE		PRIZES		PARENTS/GUARDIANS WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE
.

For more information contact: (323) 357-3030

Mental Illness Awareness Week

October 2-8 is Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) and an opportunity to learn more about mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.  Advocates across the country sponsor a variety of events to promote community outreach and public education concerning mental illnesses. The aim of the week is to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and dispel some of the fears we have about people with mental illness. Congress established the first MIAW in 1990 in recognition of the efforts of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to raise awareness about mental illnesses.

Mental illness can affect anyone. In fact, one in four adults will experience a mental disorder in any given year. Help us spread the important message that mental illnesses are medical illnesses, and treatment is available.



Brought to you by MSW@USC Masters in Social Work