On July 11, 2009, the Greensboro branch of American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) hosted their first Take Charge of Your Future:  Resources for Alternative Jobs and Service fair.  The fair was co-sponsored by NC Choices for Youth, a truth in recruitment group; Fund for Democratic Communities (F4DC); and the NC Occupational Safety and Health Project (NCOSH), which works with injured workers, and conducts workers’ rights and occupational safety and health education.

The fair, which was attended by about one hundred people, brought together resources in the community to publicize alternatives to the military, and to explore positive ways of coming together to improve the economy and community for all of us.  Nearly thirty organizations, businesses and individuals set up resource tables to discuss the following:

• Life Visioning:  This group consisted of people who specialized in career counseling and life coaching.  They were able to offer guidance about possible career or life directions, and general information about pursuing your hopes and dreams.
• Education & Training:  In this area, individuals were able to learn about opportunities to further their education beyond high school, as well as how to finance additional education and training.
• Opportunities:  Resource people in this area represented those present who were looking for volunteers, interns and/or employees.
• Reducing Expenses:  This section highlighted creative ways to reduce expenses and share resources, such as riding a bike or utilizing public transportation, and participating in cooperative living/housing.
• Improving the Community:  Here you were able to find organizations working to increase opportunities and improve the community.  This included information about workers’ rights, the local Raise the Wage campaign, and efforts to improve neighborhoods and access to health care.
• Cool Jobs:  This section was a place to informally talk with people who held interesting jobs. People were able to share information on how they started their respective business, or landed their current cool job.

Many resource people discussed the importance of the networking opportunity, and the feeling of being part of something larger, creating a stronger, more sustainable community for all.

In its first year, Take Charge of Your Future (TCYF) received great feedback.  Attendees said they really enjoyed the fair, and many changed their perspective on future plans as a result of attending.  In response to a question about how their future plans have changed as a result of the fair, one attendee stated, “I’ve opened my mind to new possibilities.”  Another individual reported, “I’ve seen the good health of the grassroots movement for democracy and community empowerment.  A silent revolution is taking place.”

*Please visit takechargefair.wordpress.com to read TCYF’s mission statement, and to stay up to date on future resource fairs*

Take Charge of Your Future:  Resources for Alternative Jobs and Service

When:  Saturday, July 11, 2009

Where:  Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 607 N. Greene St., Downtown Greensboro, NC

Time:  10am - 2pm

Get information on:

• Training & Apprenticeships
• Internships, National Service, and Volunteering
• Green Jobs
• Paying for College
• Next Steps and Creating the Life You Want
• Creative Ways to Make Ends Meet

Visit http://takechargefair.wordpress.com for more information.

Can your race affect your cancer treatment?

In 2008, the Greensboro Health Disparities Collaborative, in partnership with the Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center and UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, conducted a study with local breast cancer survivors to better understand complexities in the system of breast cancer care which may contribute to a woman’s deviation from reasonable breast care.

They spent time with the women to learn about their cancer journey, and are hosting a forum to share their findings and hear your opinions.

Time: 6pm - 8pm

Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Location: Greensboro Public Libarary (Central Library), 219 N. Church St. - Nussbaum Room

The North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, a Fall 2008 F4DC grant recipient, will host a crack research focus group and intervention project on Saturday, March 28, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The Crack Intervention Research Project seeks to develop deeper insight as to how to tailor crack intervention so it best suits the needs of local crack users and decreases the incidence of HIV, hepatitis C and other infectious diseases. The focus group will be held at The HIVE located at 1214 Grove St. in Greensboro, NC. Lunch and snacks will be provided and all participants will be paid $10 per hour for their input. Space is limited to a “first-come, first serve” basis. For more information, contact Louise Vincent at (336) 543-8050. You can find out more about NCHRC by visiting their website.