May 6 is National Nurses Day, the first day of National Nurses Week, which ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale. Nightingale became known as the founder of professional nursing for her pioneering work during the Crimean War. National Nurses Week was first observed in October 1954, the 100th anniversary of Nightingale’s mission to Crimea. She became known as “The Lady with the Lamp” due to her habit of making nightly rounds by lantern light.
Blue pinwheels can be seen on the lawns of businesses across Genoese County in the month of April. Why? April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the color blue and the pinwheels are the nationally recognized symbol for child abuse prevention.
The Links Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation established in 1946, according to Linda Morris Belford, a longtime member of the Flint Area Chapter. The organization’s membership is comprised of professional women of color who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. “It is one of the oldest and largest volunteer organizations in the country,” she reports, adding that there are now over 300 Chapters and approximately 43,000 members in 41 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
According to the Flint & Genesee Literacy Network Fact Sheet, 29 percent of 4th graders in Genesee County are below the State of Michigan’s standard in reading. The link between childhood literacy and adult success, including a link between low literacy and incarceration rates, has been documented. In order to improve the lives of the future generations in Genesee County, many new literacy initiatives are in the works. One of the newest is the CONNECT program.
Today’s electronic networking – via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media platforms – didn’t exist back in 1980, when the Flint Women’s Forum (FWF) first began.
Trayvon “Cam” Johnson, seventh grader at Carman-Ainsworth Middle School, never thought about attending college before meeting Chris McLavish, the founder of the non-profit CMB Basketball and Johnson’s coach. McLavish hand-picked him three years ago, during a try-out to play point guard on his CMB Runnin’ Rebels Boys Elite Amateur Athletic Union Flint Travel Basketball Team, which is ranked top five in the state of Michigan.
In February, the nation honors the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history. The observance became a month-long celebration in 1976. This month was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. It is a time to reflect on the past, how far we have come and how far we still have to go. Here are some of the planned events happening in Flint to engage in and celebrate Black History Month.
IN late December, Cathedral of Faith, home to a YMCA Safe Places after school program, received the gift of lasting music. Chase the Music, a nonprofit from Lyons, Colorado, raised the funds to supply Flint youth with instruments and seed money for music instructors.
On January 15, millions around the country honored the work and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by volunteering and participating in special events. Here’s a sample of what was going on in Flint.
A fond tradition during the holiday season is to make a lasting memory with a family photo! And Mott Community College students, faculty and staff want to help make the holidays picture perfect for the community. MCC photography students will provide free, professional-quality photo portraits during the Sixth Annual HELP Portrait Event at the campus this Saturday from 12-4 pm in the Event Center, Mott’s Flint campus at 1401 E. Court St. Individuals, families, and friend groups are all welcome. The program is free and open to the public. Appointments are not necessary.
There are many ways that The Salvation Army helps in the prevention of homelessness, feeding the hungry and helping others who are struggling in our community during the holidays. And, there are many dedicated and hardworking volunteers who help fill a Genesee County child’s heart with delight through the season.
