Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Al-Impics 2012 Is Coming!

Torrance, Ca – Al-Impics 2011. The SHIELDS for Families kids dance and move to the beat during last year’s dance competition.

Competition is in the Air
Countdown to the 2012 Al-IMPICS is here, “Join the Dance of Life”!  With the 2012 Olympics in London right its heels, the SHIELDS for Families athletes, participants and staff, are gearing up for the highly anticipated annual event.    This year’s Al-Impics tournament is sure to be filled with the joy and excitement of friendly competition.  SHIELDS, is stepping up to the challenge and plans to dominate all competitive categories like, track and field, volleyball and dance.   As well as reclaim the title for the best artistic expression in the coveted uniform design category.   Creativity and innovation are flowing!  The event will surely entertain all spectators and supporters.  We invite you come out and cheer on your favorite team.  This year’s event will take place Saturday, May 12, 2012 at El Camino College Compton Community Educational Center, 1111 E. Artesia Blvd, Compton, CA 90221.  Please visit the Al-Impics.org link for additional event and location details.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

SHIELDS Featured On Road To Recovery


SAMHSA has selected SHIELDS for Families for their Road to Recovery Family Show set to air June 6th 2012. Filming for the documentary featured the SHIELDS EXODUS program and took place at the Keith’s Village location in Compton, California.

The episode is entitled Families Are the Frontline: Preventing, Treating, and Recovering From Substance Use and Mental Disorders.

It is well understood that prevention, treatment, and recovery in behavioral health requires a multifaceted approach in which individuals, families, schools, and communities all play a vital role. The show will focus on one of these critical success factors, FAMILIES!

The episode will cover a range of SHIELDS’ family-based approaches and programs.  These programs demonstrate the importance of families being on the frontline of behavioral health for their family members. A strong family support environment, is a proven protective factor in the prevention of substance abuse and mental health. The show examines questions such as, how can we break the cycle of addiction and why does a child follow the parent into addictive behavior? Many children are in foster care because of parental addiction; how can these children be best supported in leading healthy and productive lives?

To get a better understanding of the everyday operations at Exodus, on-site staff members, who contribute to the program’s success were interviewed.  They gave their perspectives on the issues that many of the program’s families face.  Interviews were conducted by Linda Brown, EMT Associates, Inc. and interviewees included SHIELDS’, Heros & Sheros Youth Development Program Manager, Danielle Lowe, Director of Children and Youth Programs, Charlene Smith, MA,  Director of Children and Youth Programs, and Substance Abuse Administrator DaLonda Groenow, MA.  Among many others, including families currently enrolled in the Exodus program.

The episode is set to air on the Dish Network, Channel 9412, and will premiere on June 6th, 2012. It will also be available for internet download on June 6th at the SAMHSA National Recovery Month website. Additionally it will be broadcast on multiple public education and government access TV stations.  For air times in your area please refer to your local listings guide.  

SHIELDS is appreciative of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and any association dedicated to improving the lives of members of our community with the mission of empowering and advocating high-risk families.



Thursday, April 12, 2012

CBCF Scholarships Now Available

Congressmember Karen Bass recently announced two Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) scholarships that we encourage you to apply for before Thursday, May 31, 2012.  

CBCF is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research and educational institute that aims to improve the socioeconomic circumstances of African Americans and other underserved communities. Each year, CBCF rewards students across the nation with academic scholarships. As a Congressional Black Caucus member, Karen Bass had the opportunity to award two students from the 33rd Congressional District with one of the following scholarships:

CBC Spouses Education Scholarship
The CBC Spouses Education Scholarship is a national program that awards scholarships to academically talented and highly motivated students who intend to pursue full-time, undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degrees.
Deadline: May 31, 2012

CBCF General Mills Health Scholarship
This scholarship program focusing on health was established in 1998 as the CBC partnered with the naming sponsor, General Mills, to increase the number of minority students pursuing degrees in the fields of medicine, engineering, technology, nutrition and other health-related professions.
Deadline: May 31, 2012 

For further information about each scholarship or to apply, please visit CBCF's website at http://www.cbcfinc.org/scholarships.html

Monday, April 9, 2012

Free Mini Workshop: Self Awareness for Goal Setting and Personal Growth

SHIELDS for Families Launch at Jordan Downs

The SHIELDS for Families kickoff event on Saturday, March 24, 2012 was a huge success! The weather was favorable, the entertainment was enjoyable and families of Jordan Downs came out and had a great time. Children participated in coloring, face painting and other fun activities, while the adults received valuable information about the various social services offered at the Jordan Downs Community Center.

The purpose of the kickoff event was to announce SHIELDS for Families as the on-site partner offering programs and services to the residents of Jordan Downs. Many of the partnering agencies that work with SHIELDS for Families displayed information about their services at the vendor tables. Residents were offered the opportunity to “sign-up” for an appointment with the SHIELDS for Families staff in an effort to schedule an initial intake and assessment.

As part of the Jordan Downs Redevelopment Family First Plan, the goal is to conduct family household needs assessments and tailor a family action plan with the support of a family coach to assist families in reaching their goals.

Photos: Planning and Policy Director John King with the Pineda family, SHIELDS for Families Executive Director Kathy Icenhower with Jordan Downs kids.