Community News
Featured story:
Community Development Television (Gotham Gazette. November, 2005) Story on public access television -- The opportunity for community development on public access television may change if pending federal legislation is passed –- because there may no longer be any public access television as we know it.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Monday, November 28, 2005
Featured story:
The Observer | International | Hollywood dances to a new Latin beat Several U.S. production companies are battling to the first to make a film about reggaethon.
The Observer | International | Hollywood dances to a new Latin beat Several U.S. production companies are battling to the first to make a film about reggaethon.
Friday, November 25, 2005
Featured story:
Northpinellas: Loggerhead turtle's flight delayed again Bosco keeps trying to head to his new home at the Puerto Rico Zoo, but he keeps getting bumped from his flights: too big, too heavy.
Northpinellas: Loggerhead turtle's flight delayed again Bosco keeps trying to head to his new home at the Puerto Rico Zoo, but he keeps getting bumped from his flights: too big, too heavy.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
My Sweet Minister
By Samaris Ayala
My minister sweet minister. He touched many lives,
yet he is humble.
When I call he speaks with much sympathy.
His name is Reverend Alfredo Cotto - Thorner
I remember the Thanksgiving dinners at the church for
the poor.
I remember you inviting my fiancé and I to dinner.
I remember you visiting me in the hospital.
I remember you never talking about hell in the
pulpit.
I remember giving me a 350 dollar scholarship from
the church.
I remember when I went away, you asked the
congregation to mail me cards.
I remember you praying for my family, even when my
poppy was mean.
I remember you starting a substance abuse half-way
house.
I remember you giving me permission to have a
boyfriend.
I remember you helping my mom, when she was confused.
I remember sending me postcards when you were on
vacation.
I remember letting me teach Sunday school to the
children.
I remember giving me Christmas gifts.
I remember how you allowed me to get close to your
wife, Mrs. C
I remember when you gave me discipline, when poppy
wasn't around.
I remember having summer camp for the children, and
allowing me to be a counselor.
I remember you teaching me Spanish folk songs.
I remember you welcoming my boyfriends to church.
I remember Sunday mornings, we were a family.
You made me happy.
New York City-based writer Samaris Ayala contributes her poetry to Puerto Rico Sun. This poem is dedicated to her minister. You may reach her at sallypatches@yahoo.com.
By Samaris Ayala
My minister sweet minister. He touched many lives,
yet he is humble.
When I call he speaks with much sympathy.
His name is Reverend Alfredo Cotto - Thorner
I remember the Thanksgiving dinners at the church for
the poor.
I remember you inviting my fiancé and I to dinner.
I remember you visiting me in the hospital.
I remember you never talking about hell in the
pulpit.
I remember giving me a 350 dollar scholarship from
the church.
I remember when I went away, you asked the
congregation to mail me cards.
I remember you praying for my family, even when my
poppy was mean.
I remember you starting a substance abuse half-way
house.
I remember you giving me permission to have a
boyfriend.
I remember you helping my mom, when she was confused.
I remember sending me postcards when you were on
vacation.
I remember letting me teach Sunday school to the
children.
I remember giving me Christmas gifts.
I remember how you allowed me to get close to your
wife, Mrs. C
I remember when you gave me discipline, when poppy
wasn't around.
I remember having summer camp for the children, and
allowing me to be a counselor.
I remember you teaching me Spanish folk songs.
I remember you welcoming my boyfriends to church.
I remember Sunday mornings, we were a family.
You made me happy.
New York City-based writer Samaris Ayala contributes her poetry to Puerto Rico Sun. This poem is dedicated to her minister. You may reach her at sallypatches@yahoo.com.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Monday, November 21, 2005
Featured article:
:: Welcome to Manila Bulletin Online :: Our very own Vivian Lake, who has served as book editor of the Puerto Rico Sun, is featured on The Manila Bulletin Online for what else: her work as a litblogger. Check it out.
Congratulations Viv!!
:: Welcome to Manila Bulletin Online :: Our very own Vivian Lake, who has served as book editor of the Puerto Rico Sun, is featured on The Manila Bulletin Online for what else: her work as a litblogger. Check it out.
Congratulations Viv!!
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Opinion
CourierPostOnline - South Jersey's Web Site Ex-Puerto Rican Gov. Sila M. Calderon offers valuable lesson in New Jersey
CourierPostOnline - South Jersey's Web Site Ex-Puerto Rican Gov. Sila M. Calderon offers valuable lesson in New Jersey
Saturday, November 19, 2005
PR013
Beckerpecker wrote:
"I left Puerto Rico running away from certain people...just kidding! This is "La Rogativa". This sepia effect adds to what I want to accomplish."
"I left Puerto Rico running away from certain people...just kidding! This is "La Rogativa". This sepia effect adds to what I want to accomplish."
Friday, November 18, 2005
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Featured story:
village voice > news > La Victoria de Freddy by Jarrett Murphy The ethnic dimensions of Ferrer's "defeat"
village voice > news > La Victoria de Freddy by Jarrett Murphy The ethnic dimensions of Ferrer's "defeat"
Monday, November 14, 2005
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Friday, November 11, 2005
The New Yorker: Fiction
Here's an article I just read that I thought I'd share:
The New Yorker: Fiction "THE BEST YEAR OF MY LIFE" by Paul Theroux
The New Yorker: Fiction "THE BEST YEAR OF MY LIFE" by Paul Theroux
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Monday, November 07, 2005
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Friday, November 04, 2005
New York City - Politics and Boricuas
Featured story:
New York City - Politics Will Mike make history?
New York City - Politics Will Mike make history?
Thursday, November 03, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SOURCE: NCLR)
Nov 3, 2005
NEW RESEARCH FINDS THAT A FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH IS CRITICAL TO IMPROVING OVERALL HEALTH OF LATINOS
Long Beach, CA – A report released today by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) Center for Latino Community Health, Evaluation, and Leadership Training finds that Latinos are at a disproportionately high risk for depression and other conditions associated with mental illness, and are also much less likely to seek treatment or receive quality culturally- and linguistically-competent care. The report, Critical Disparities in Latino Mental Health: Transforming Research into Action, also provides education and treatment recommendations that would improve Latino mental health.
"Latinos are often reluctant to discuss mental health, but it affects our community disproportionately. When we talk about improving the health of Hispanics and of all Americans, we must address mental health. Only when we begin to see that mental health is as important as physical health will we be able to give these issues the attention they deserve," stated Janet Murguia, NCLR President and CEO.
While the report shows that nearly one in five Latinos living in the U.S. will suffer from major depression in their lifetimes, more than 90% do not contact a mental health specialist and more than 80% do not contact a general health care provider. Lack of knowledge of where to seek treatment and lack of health insurance are major factors associated with the small proportion of Latinos that seek treatment. Another key factor is the disproportionately low number of Latino mental health professionals - who account for less than 1% of all licensed psychologists - as well as insufficient numbers of mental health specialists who speak Spanish and understand Latino culture.
In addition to highlighting the current status of mental health in the Latino community and the factors that contribute to depression, the paper stresses the need to integrate mental health into discussions and treatment related to overall health status. "We are hopeful that this new research will encourage the community, providers, and policy-makers to take steps that will improve treatment of depression and other conditions that affect the well-being of Latinos."
The report provides specific recommendations for policy-makers and those within the health care field to improve mental health treatment, services, and outcomes for Latinos, including:
• Mental health should be integrated into overall health care treatment and services.
• Language gaps and cultural barriers must be addressed at all levels, through training and education for providers; increasing the number of Spanish-speaking and culturally-relevant staff at clinics, shelters, and other service areas; and expanding the availability of Spanish-language materials and translation services.
• Providers and others should collaborate with community-based organizations to expand effective strategies - such as the use of promotores (peer health educators) - and to improve access and treatment.
"Like physical illnesses, mental health conditions benefit from early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The paper shows that strategies are within reach to increase awareness, access to services, and treatment and that we can take action - especially for our youth - to improve the overall well-being of Latinos and others affected by depression and related diseases," Murguia concluded.
For more information and to obtain an executive summary or full copy of Critical Disparities in Latino Mental Health: Transforming Research into Action, please visit www.nclr.org.
Nov 3, 2005
NEW RESEARCH FINDS THAT A FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH IS CRITICAL TO IMPROVING OVERALL HEALTH OF LATINOS
Long Beach, CA – A report released today by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) Center for Latino Community Health, Evaluation, and Leadership Training finds that Latinos are at a disproportionately high risk for depression and other conditions associated with mental illness, and are also much less likely to seek treatment or receive quality culturally- and linguistically-competent care. The report, Critical Disparities in Latino Mental Health: Transforming Research into Action, also provides education and treatment recommendations that would improve Latino mental health.
"Latinos are often reluctant to discuss mental health, but it affects our community disproportionately. When we talk about improving the health of Hispanics and of all Americans, we must address mental health. Only when we begin to see that mental health is as important as physical health will we be able to give these issues the attention they deserve," stated Janet Murguia, NCLR President and CEO.
While the report shows that nearly one in five Latinos living in the U.S. will suffer from major depression in their lifetimes, more than 90% do not contact a mental health specialist and more than 80% do not contact a general health care provider. Lack of knowledge of where to seek treatment and lack of health insurance are major factors associated with the small proportion of Latinos that seek treatment. Another key factor is the disproportionately low number of Latino mental health professionals - who account for less than 1% of all licensed psychologists - as well as insufficient numbers of mental health specialists who speak Spanish and understand Latino culture.
In addition to highlighting the current status of mental health in the Latino community and the factors that contribute to depression, the paper stresses the need to integrate mental health into discussions and treatment related to overall health status. "We are hopeful that this new research will encourage the community, providers, and policy-makers to take steps that will improve treatment of depression and other conditions that affect the well-being of Latinos."
The report provides specific recommendations for policy-makers and those within the health care field to improve mental health treatment, services, and outcomes for Latinos, including:
• Mental health should be integrated into overall health care treatment and services.
• Language gaps and cultural barriers must be addressed at all levels, through training and education for providers; increasing the number of Spanish-speaking and culturally-relevant staff at clinics, shelters, and other service areas; and expanding the availability of Spanish-language materials and translation services.
• Providers and others should collaborate with community-based organizations to expand effective strategies - such as the use of promotores (peer health educators) - and to improve access and treatment.
"Like physical illnesses, mental health conditions benefit from early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The paper shows that strategies are within reach to increase awareness, access to services, and treatment and that we can take action - especially for our youth - to improve the overall well-being of Latinos and others affected by depression and related diseases," Murguia concluded.
For more information and to obtain an executive summary or full copy of Critical Disparities in Latino Mental Health: Transforming Research into Action, please visit www.nclr.org.
EDUCATION CORNER
The Sallie Mae Fund National Bus Tour Stops in NYC Area to Address Need to Educate Latinos on College Financial Aid Options
Paying for College Tour Empowers the Growing Latino Community to Achieve Their Dreams Through Higher Education
WHAT: The Sallie Mae Fund Paying for College Tour will be in Metro NYC to help local Latinos close the financial aid information gap that has been restricting college attendance. The mobile tour bus will be parked in sixteen area locations, where Latino students and their families can access information on scholarships, grants, loans and federal aid in both Spanish and English, through the vehicle's computer resource center, as well as attend an interactive workshop on financial aid to be presented by college graduates. One scholarship will be given out at each workshop to a youth in attendance!
WHY: (additional local and national statistics available)
In the state of New York, only 16-percent of Latinos over the age of 25 hold college degrees. New York County's Latino population is over double the national average at 27.2-percent.
1 in 2 Bronx County residents are Latino (48.2-percent of the population).
Nassau County's Latino population has increased by 172-percent in the past 10 years -the largest increase of any demographic - according to the US Census.
New Jersey will see the number of Latino high school graduates increase 50-percent in the next 10 years, yet only 16-percent of Latinos over the age of 25 hold college degrees.
Forty-three-percent of Latino young adults and more than half (51-percent) of Latino parents reported, in a national study commissioned by TSMF, that they were not aware of a single source of college financial aid.
WHEN: Wednesday, November 9 THRU Saturday, November 19
(6 local school stops scheduled for schools' students only - the 10 below are open to the public)
WHERE:
11/9 6:30 - 8:30pm: Uniondale High School 933 Goodrich St, Uniondale
11/10 6:30 - 8:30pm: Valley Stream Central High School 135 Fletcher Ave, Valley Stream
11/12 12:30 - 2:00pm: Sonderling High School 1st St & 6th Ave, Brentwood
11/14 6:00 - 8:30pm: Environmental Studies High School 444 W 56th St., New York
11/15 6:00 - 8:30pm: Bronx School for Law/Eagle Academy 224 E 163rd St, Bronx
11/16 6:00 - 8:30pm: Truman High School 750 Baychester Ave, Bronx
11/17: 6:00 - 8:30pm Passaic Community College Tech Ctr. 1 College Blvd, Paterson
11/18: 8:30 - 9:15am Univ. Academy Charter High School 275 West Side Ave, Jersey City
10:45am - 1:30pm James J. Ferris High School 35 Colgate St, Jersey City
11/19: 10:00am - 12:30pm Mary McLeoud Bethune Life Center 140 MLK Dr, Jersey City
WHO: -Local Latino students and families (at each workshop, one lucky student will be awarded a scholarship for attending)
-Daisy Alfaro and Orlando Espinosa, TSMF national spokespeople
-Local financial aid and admissions counselors and partners from schools and youth-serving organizations
ABOUT THE SALLIE MAE FUND
The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae, achieves its mission-to increase access to a post secondary education for America's children-by supporting programs and initiatives that help open doors to higher education, prepare families for their investment, and bridge the gap when no one else can. For more information, visit www.thesalliemaefund.org. ###
Source: Posting in the NAHJ Region 2 listserv
The Sallie Mae Fund National Bus Tour Stops in NYC Area to Address Need to Educate Latinos on College Financial Aid Options
Paying for College Tour Empowers the Growing Latino Community to Achieve Their Dreams Through Higher Education
WHAT: The Sallie Mae Fund Paying for College Tour will be in Metro NYC to help local Latinos close the financial aid information gap that has been restricting college attendance. The mobile tour bus will be parked in sixteen area locations, where Latino students and their families can access information on scholarships, grants, loans and federal aid in both Spanish and English, through the vehicle's computer resource center, as well as attend an interactive workshop on financial aid to be presented by college graduates. One scholarship will be given out at each workshop to a youth in attendance!
WHY: (additional local and national statistics available)
In the state of New York, only 16-percent of Latinos over the age of 25 hold college degrees. New York County's Latino population is over double the national average at 27.2-percent.
1 in 2 Bronx County residents are Latino (48.2-percent of the population).
Nassau County's Latino population has increased by 172-percent in the past 10 years -the largest increase of any demographic - according to the US Census.
New Jersey will see the number of Latino high school graduates increase 50-percent in the next 10 years, yet only 16-percent of Latinos over the age of 25 hold college degrees.
Forty-three-percent of Latino young adults and more than half (51-percent) of Latino parents reported, in a national study commissioned by TSMF, that they were not aware of a single source of college financial aid.
WHEN: Wednesday, November 9 THRU Saturday, November 19
(6 local school stops scheduled for schools' students only - the 10 below are open to the public)
WHERE:
11/9 6:30 - 8:30pm: Uniondale High School 933 Goodrich St, Uniondale
11/10 6:30 - 8:30pm: Valley Stream Central High School 135 Fletcher Ave, Valley Stream
11/12 12:30 - 2:00pm: Sonderling High School 1st St & 6th Ave, Brentwood
11/14 6:00 - 8:30pm: Environmental Studies High School 444 W 56th St., New York
11/15 6:00 - 8:30pm: Bronx School for Law/Eagle Academy 224 E 163rd St, Bronx
11/16 6:00 - 8:30pm: Truman High School 750 Baychester Ave, Bronx
11/17: 6:00 - 8:30pm Passaic Community College Tech Ctr. 1 College Blvd, Paterson
11/18: 8:30 - 9:15am Univ. Academy Charter High School 275 West Side Ave, Jersey City
10:45am - 1:30pm James J. Ferris High School 35 Colgate St, Jersey City
11/19: 10:00am - 12:30pm Mary McLeoud Bethune Life Center 140 MLK Dr, Jersey City
WHO: -Local Latino students and families (at each workshop, one lucky student will be awarded a scholarship for attending)
-Daisy Alfaro and Orlando Espinosa, TSMF national spokespeople
-Local financial aid and admissions counselors and partners from schools and youth-serving organizations
ABOUT THE SALLIE MAE FUND
The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae, achieves its mission-to increase access to a post secondary education for America's children-by supporting programs and initiatives that help open doors to higher education, prepare families for their investment, and bridge the gap when no one else can. For more information, visit www.thesalliemaefund.org. ###
Source: Posting in the NAHJ Region 2 listserv
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)