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pages 5-13 Join us this month with our special section celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Where do you being, how did this even get started, what products can you use to help the planet...? We’ve got it all covered!
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pages 12-13 In honor of Earth Day, this
Joey Coakley Beck Publisher & Owner jbeck@beckmediagroup.com
month all our Bella Finds are green, good for the planet and good for YOU! Check them out!
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editorial
page 14 Money management and building long-term financial health is a careful balancing act between long- and short-term financial needs. Now is the perfect opportunity to re-examine your goals with these helpful hints.
For editorial consideration: features@beckmediagroup.com Contributors: John Heritage, Dr. Natalie Hoffman, Wendy Maxey, Member One Federal Credit Union, Hayleigh Worgan
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page 17 We’re spotlighting the newest book, Good Clean Beauty, from sisters and global entreprenuers Caroline and Isabel Bercaw (of Da Bomb Bath fame). It features over 100 simple natural beauty and skin recipes to make at home!
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advertising
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For general inquiries: bella@beckmediagroup.com Sara Coakley Office Manager
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page 19 Feeling constantly busy can create a drag on dinner, but preparing in advance and finding ways to save precious minutes for family moments can turn mealtime back into a shared event. We have simple ways to rethink your dinner routine in 5 easy tips!
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page 21 Foster care gives children and teens a home they need and deserve as they move from one chapter in their lives to another. Commonwealth Catholic Charities can help a prospective foster parent explore this important decision.
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LLC
P.O. Box 107 Roanoke, Virginia 24002 (540) 339-6117 Bella Magazine is the property of Beck Media Group LLC. It is a free publication printed monthly and is distributed throughout Southwest and Central Virginia and beyond. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse ad space for any advertisement or editorial content the staff deems inappropriate for our readers. The concept and design of Bella Magazine, as well as the design, advertisements, art, photos and editorial content is property of Beck Media Group LLC and may not be copied or reprinted without written permission from the publisher. ©2006-2020 Beck Media Group LLC All Rights Reserved. PRINTED IN VIRGINIA
page 22 Don’t miss these two spotlighted events in April! An exhibit of Hollins University alum Ann Hopkins’ work will take place April 18 and 19. She was a trailblazer in U.S. antidiscrimination law and is feautred in an exhibit put together by Hollins students at Taubman Museum. And in honor of Foot Health Awareness month, be sure to stop by Shenandoah Podiatry’s Spring Open House event April 24! All the details are on page 22. ap ri l 2020 •
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Earth Day 2020
Article courtesy EarthDay.org
The enormous challenges—but also the vast opportunities—of acting on climate change have distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary. Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable. At the end of 2020, nations will be expected to increase their national commitments to the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. The time is now for citizens to call for greater global ambition to tackle our climate crisis. Unless every country in the world steps up—and steps up with urgency and ambition—we are consigning current and future generations to a dangerous future. Earth Day 2020 will be far more than a day. It must be a historic moment when citizens of the world rise up in a united call for the creativity, innovation, ambition, and bravery that we need to meet our climate crisis and seize the enormous opportunities of a zero-carbon future.
BUILDING ON THE EARTH DAY LEGACY
The first Earth Day in 1970 mobilized millions of Americans for the protection of the planet. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans—10% of the U.S. population at the time—took to the streets, college campuses and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance and demand a new way forward for our planet. The first Earth Day is credited with launching the modern environmental movement and is now recognized as the planet’s largest civic event. Earth Day led to passage of landmark environmental laws in the United States, including the Clean Air, Clear Water and Endangered Species Acts. Many countries soon adopted similar laws, and in 2016, the United Nations chose Earth Day as the day to sign the Paris Climate Agreement into force. “Despite that amazing success and decades of environmental progress, we find ourselves facing an even more dire, almost existential, set of global environmental challenges, from loss of biodiversity to climate change to plastic pollution, that call for action at all levels of government,” said Denis Hayes, the organizer of the first Earth Day in 1970 and Earth Day Network’s Board Chair Emeritus. “Progress has slowed, climate change impacts grow, and our adversaries have become better financed,” said Earth Day Network president Kathleen Rogers. “We find ourselves today in a world facing global threats that demand a unified global response. For Earth Day 2020, we will build a new generation of environmentalist activists, engaging millions of people worldwide.” So, where do YOU begin? How can YOU help? Start by visiting www.earthday.org. Then attend any of the thousands of world-wide events, make a change at home—even if just a small step—and continue the work of others. Every single thing makes a big impact. ap ri l 2020 •
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Written by JOHN HERITAGE Courtesy EarthDay.org
Arvada High School students DENVER’S FIRST EARTH DAY, 1970
Fifty Years On
Earth Day 2020 Must Achieve Awakening for Climate Change
The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, turned out 20 million people in response to pollution across the United States. This day created a national awakening to the deteriorating environment. Fifty years later, Earth Day 2020 can achieve a similar awakening for climate change, as extreme weather events and mass extinctions spread around the world. Earth Day 1970 began with a meeting of just three people in early September 1969. The meeting included the founder of Earth Day, Senator Gaylord Nelson, and two assistants, including myself. Senator Nelson told us to begin organizing environmental teachins on college campuses: essentially lectures or discussions about environmental degradation and what we can do to reverse it. Meanwhile, the senator recruited Denis Hayes from Harvard as national coordinator. Hayes built a national staff of 85 to promote events across the country. I have often felt that nothing could have stopped the creation of that first Earth Day. People were ready for change and wanted to see results. In the several years after that first Earth Day, public support for legislative action grew tremendously, with U.S. Congress passing and President Richard Nixon signing key environmental laws that form a basis of our protections today. Now, as global awareness of climate impacts grows, the seeds are in place for once again enacting major legislative change, this time coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Make no mistake: We are confronting a planetary crisis that will require a sustained global response. Humans cannot maintain a continually improving state of being unless we cope with the rise in global temperature and its impacts. We need mass mobilizations—like we saw when people pressured international governments to pass the Montreal Protocol, or when citizens dedicated their energy to World War II efforts—for governments to take action on climate change. Earth Day 2020 has the potential, as a critical historical moment, to facilitate that kind of public pressure on elected officials. Nearly all the world’s governments, through the United Nations, are working to meet carbon goals set by the 2015 Paris Climate Accord. Unfortunately, the United States, which has provided leadership in the past, is in the process of withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. A loud and unified public voice for action, like we saw in the first Earth Day, may change the direction of U.S. climate policy. As millions take to the streets on April 22 for Earth Day 2020, we must push our elected officials toward significant legislative action against climate change. Register to join the EARTHRISE movement for the future of our planet, and sign up to receive updates at www.earthday.org. John Heritage worked for Senator Gaylord Nelson, the founder of Earth Day. He is a retired environmentalist and writer living in Washington, D.C.
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Sustainable Home Upgrades for
Better Health
When you’re on a quest to create a home environment that promotes wellness, it can be difficult to know where to begin. One easy solution is to look for small changes that improve your personal well-being while also promoting a better environment overall. Consider these sustainable projects and changes for a healthier, happier household:
Rethink window treatments. Windows can affect a home in numerous ways, both good and bad. On the upside, ambient light is a natural mood-boosting alternative to energy-hungry fixtures. Windows add character, and the right window treatments can play an essential role in a decorative scheme. In the winter, windows can also be natural conveyors of the sun’s heat, reducing your reliance on energy. You may also be surprised to learn that the window treatments you choose to help manage light and climate can play a big role in your home’s health and sustainability. Drapes can be difficult to clean, which means they can trap dirt, dust and other allergens that tarnish air quality. Many blinds use synthetic materials, making them less than ideal earth-conscious options. Your best bet is bamboo or wood treatments that are certified as eco-friendly and easy to keep clean. Lessen the laundry load. Reducing the
amount of laundry you do not only saves time but is also better for the environment. Washing clothes accounts for 15-40% of the water consumption for an average family of four, according to Home Water Works, and the annual energy consumption of typical electric clothes dryers often equals the cost of running a new enerpage 8 •
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gy-efficient refrigerator, clothes washer and dishwasher combined. An alternative like a heated towel rack uses less energy than a standard dryer (about the same amount of electricity as a few light bulbs). Not only does an option like an Amba heated towel rack save energy and time by reducing the frequency of washing towels, it keeps them dry and free of mold and mildew between washes. Plus, wrapping up in a warm towel can help reduce joint stiffness and muscle spasms, according to research by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. With 150 affordable mounted and free-standing models made from 100% recyclable, marine-grade stainless steel, and custom color options available, it can be easy to add a stylish accent to bathrooms, laundry rooms or mudrooms.
Reduce household chemicals. It may seem that the
stronger, the better is the best approach when it comes to fighting dirt and germs, but in fact, there are many negative health and environmental impacts from harsh cleaners. Opt instead for more natural formulas that deliver the same clean with fewer synthetic ingredients. Aside from cleaners, there are likely numerous other sources of potentially risky chemicals throughout your home, including furniture, clothing and bedding that requires dry cleaning. Products containing chemical dyes and synthetic materials are not only potential irritants, they often also carry the weight of lesser earth-friendly production practices. Linens made from natural materials may help you avoid unnecessary exposure to chemicals, and you can readily find options that help alleviate concerns about allergens and allow you to support sustainable manufacturing practices. Learn more about sustainable products and ideas for a health-conscious home at ambaproducts.com.
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Save the Planet:
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Start Small
Saving the Planet Begins at Home
We know “saving the planet” is a daunting task. I mean, seriously, what can WE do? Well, we’re breaking it down to one simple task to get you on the right path: Start with what you clean your home with. That’s simple, right? You CAN do this! Household cleaners are one of the largest polluters of the planet, not to mention the plastic bottles they come in. Think of products you use where gloves are needed. What exactly are you putting in your home? Would you allow your child to eat something that fell on the counter or floor you just cleaned with your traditional cleaner? Probably not, so why even have that in your home in the first place? Most commercial products come with so many safety warnings (death, burns, blindness...), imagine what happens when you flush them down the drain. Cleaning products are everywhere in our homes and offices: on dishes, countertops, furniture, clothes, floors, windows, and floating through the air. But in our war on dirt and germs, we may often actually be making things worse. Most of the conventional cleaning products we all grew up with are petroleum-based and have dubious health and environmental implications. Instead of opting for cleaning products that annihilate everything in their path, there are plenty of natural products and methods that keep a house clean and fresh-smelling without the toxic side effects.
Where to Start?
Make Your Own Products. There are plenty of resources for making your own cleaning products and honestly, this can be an easy switch because most ingredients are probably already in your pantry. You can find endless recipes and ideas online with a quick search. Buy the Best Green Products. Today there are lots of companies who have taken on the mission of creating green cleaning products for us with non-toxic ingredients and ethical practices. Here are 3 of our favorite brands we’ve been using that makes your ‘green cleaning’ switch so much easier: Squeak, Clean Well and Truce. Squeak: This mom-created brand uses hardworking ingredients like reverse osmosis water, natural and organic essential oils, organic vinegar, organic witch hazel that contribute antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties to SQUEAK’s delicious smelling formulas. www. getsqueakywithus.com Clean Well: CleanWell’s plant-based products include hand sanitizers, household cleaners, and foam soaps that are good for the environment and for your household. All of Clean Well’s products are free of harsh chemicals. All of their products are made with Thymol, an active, botanically derived ingredient that breaks down quickly so it doesn’t harm our ecosystem. www.cleanwelltoday.com Truce: An eco-friendly line of cleaning products all made using simple and natural ingredients, like borax, essential oils, baking soda, distilled white vinegar and aloe vera. The All-Purpose Cleaner is naturally antiseptic and is antibacterial against harmful bacteria like E. coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa, klebsiella pneumonia, staphylococcus and more. Truce offers a wide variety of products to cover all your germ-fighting and cleaning needs, from the all-purpose cleaner, hand sanitizer, soaps and more. The refill solutions help reduce waste as well! www.truceclean.com
Clean Out the Clutter. The more stuff you have, the more stuff you have to clean. Maybe it’s time for a thorough house-cleaning? You don’t need to go completely minimalist, but spend the time to clean out closets, drawers, nooks and crannies. This step will take a while—and is ongoing—but it will be worth in the long-run when your home is “clean” at all times. Bella publisher, Joey Coakley Beck, took this task on a few years ago with surprising results. “I no longer spend hours or entire days cleaning the house! We purged so much that now we can see what needs to be cleaned and we clean as we go... we have freed up so much time and waste that, as a family, we have taken on a whole new lifestyle.” Not only is less cleaning good for the planet, but it’s good for your quality of life and time spent on better things! For more information on this, Joey recommends starting with the Marie Kondo Method— though a little extreme—and tailor it to your own family’s lifestyle and what works for you. It is worth it in the end for so many reasons. ap ri l 2020 •
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Eco Lips EcoLixir Cleansing Facial Oils
Our publisher’s current favorite! Ecolixir boats the power of oil to promote your skins’ overall health. A part of a natural wellness regimen, its perfect for the clean beauty advocate. Highly absorbable, this daily vegan facial oil touts Australian Kakadu Plum Oil, packed with vitamin C and will keep you skin glowing all day. www.ecolips.com/collections
Miniware’s GrowBento Box
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This earth-friendly luncbox will grow with your kids from baby food to school lunches! The ultra-durable Bento container fits up to four removable silicone pods that you can use to freeze and heat any foods. leak-proof lids, extra durable food-grade coating and easy to store. www.miniware.com
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Hint Deodorant
Made with 100% plant-derived ingredients and free of aluminum, baking soda, parabens, and preservatives, this eucalyptus and lemon-scented translucent, non-staining, non-sticky formula eliminates odor for real, offering long-lasting protection all day without compromising what counts. (From the makers of Hint Water!) www.drinkhint.com
Keep What You Love
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Decluttering can be a daunting task. Keep What You Love: A Visual Decluttering Guide can help with this charming, pocket-size visual guide to getting rid of excess stuff. www.workman.com
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Proven Insect Repellant
Developed on the notions of health conscious and highly effective, Proven offers insect repellant sprays and lotions that are DEET-free, gentle, good-for-the-planet and effective for 12 hours, while being people and animal friendly. www.provenrepellent.com
Rae Wellness Supplements
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Rae Wellness, the supplement brand designed for women making moves are now available at Target. Previously, the direct-to-consumer wellness company was sold solely online and quickly garnered a strong digital presence among consumers. Looking to alleviate the impact of everyday stress or aiming to enhance your own personal wellness journey through a comprehensive ecosystem of targeted solutions? Check out Rae Wellness’s entire line of wellness and beauty supplements. www.raewellness.co
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Oatsome Oat Milk
BetterBody Foods has truly brought the best oat milk to the market! Oatsome contains clean ingredients and beneficial nutritionals while tasting delicious. Certified organic, non-GMO and gluten free! Try this delicious dairy alternative. www.oatsome.com
Alio Freshener Pouch
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These eco-friendly odor neutralizing pouches will give your space a breath of fresh air. Use in drawers, linen closets, shoes, gym bags or any place that needs a little refreshing! 100% cotton pouches filled with natural wood resin beads with a powerful odor neutralizing formula and subtle fragrance. www.aliohome.com
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Mongo Kiss Lip Balm
Made from organic Mongongo oil from Africa and organic Fair Trade certified cocoa butter, this ultra-hydrating balm provides essential nutrients for your lips. www.ecolips.com
Hyland’s Young Adult line
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Teens are going thru one of the roughest patches of their lives. Hyland’s Young Adult line was created to address the challenges teens face so they can get back to being their best self. Their products are all-natural, homeopathic and non-habit forming to help with the symptoms of stress, teen acne and skin issues, menstrual cramps and more. www.hylands.com
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Smart Saving Strategies Money management and building long-term financial health is a careful balancing act between long- and short-term financial needs, and now is a perfect opportunity to re-examine your goals. People sometimes focus on short-term needs, making sure they can cover routine bills and living essentials. However, many Americans do not have the resources to cover an unexpected expense, much less save for the future. Data from the U.S. Financial Health Pulse shows that Americans are savings-constrained, over-indebted and underinsured. In fact, despite it being the longest period of economic expansion in modern times, 79% of Americans are not financially healthy, and many live paycheck to paycheck just to cover bills, rent and basic living expenses. As a result, 60% of households are unprepared for a financial shock, with 41% unable to cover an unexpected $400 expense without borrowing money or selling a personal item. This makes saving incredibly challenging, especially for many low-income households. “The data makes it quite clear that a significant segment of America is struggling to create a meaningful savings account, whether it’s intended as an emergency fund or a means of attaining a goal without incurring debt,” said Deborah Winshel, global head of social impact at BlackRock. Last year, the firm launched its Emergency Savings Initiative, a program designed to help people living on low incomes gain access to, and increase usage of, savings strategies and tools to help establish important safety nets. As with any financial matter, there’s no one “right” way to save. Individual circumstances require a customized approach to determine the best method to fit needs. In addition to traditional saving methods, Common Cents Lab, Commonwealth and the Financial Health Network are working with financial institutions and other enterprises on an initiative to create new and experimental programs that address the challenges many consumers face when it comes to saving money. If you’re not sure where to start, consider these options and consult with your credit union, employer or financial institution to learn more about the options available to fit your unique lifestyle and savings goals.
income, it’s an easy method that allows you to consistently funnel money into savings with a one-time setup process.
Automated Savings
To learn more about the savings problem and some of the work being done to help employees, customers, gig workers and students take essential steps toward long-term financial well-being, visit savingsproject.org.
Often offered as an option through employer payroll, this approach allows you to designate a portion of your paycheck to be deposited in a savings account. Whether you choose to make it a flat amount or percentage of your page 14 •
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Round Up
Some financial institutions offer programs in which every transaction you make on your account, or perhaps just those made using your debit card, are rounded up to the nearest whole dollar. The difference between that whole dollar amount and your actual purchase amount is then directed into your savings account.
Prize-Linked Savings
Marrying the fun of winning prizes and a savings account, this type of program incentivizes personal saving by offering an on-going, risk-free chance to win a prize, such as additional cash, by making savings account deposits. Promising both security and opportunity (and perhaps some fun), the amount deposited by the account holder is never at risk, unlike lotteries and games of chance.
Windfall Moments
When you receive a substantial amount of money from a source like a tax refund or a work bonus, it can be tempting to splurge on immediate needs or something fun, like a vacation. Allowing yourself to enjoy a portion of the money isn’t a bad idea, but you can also take advantage of the unplanned income as an opportunity to launch, or grow, your savings account.
Collective Savings
Accountability is a common barrier to better saving habits, but when others are counting on you to contribute your share, there’s a greater level of responsibility at play. A collective savings account may be a good solution for a shared goal like a trip, special project or funding a special event for a loved one.
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Good Clean Beauty Over 100 Simple & Natural Beauty Recipes to Make at Home
Tired of endlessly searching for safe and natural makeup lines free of harsh, chemical-laden ingredients, Caroline and Isabel Bercaw decided to create their own. Good Clean Beauty includes their thoroughly researched recipes, perfect for those looking for natural and clean beauty alternatives. Using only natural ingredients such as cocoa butter, almond oil, essential oils, and oats, you’ll know exactly what you’re putting onto your face and body. If you have allergies or sensitive skin, you’ll appreciate and benefit from the non-toxic makeup ingredients. Sisterpreneurs™ Caroline Bercaw and Isabel Bercaw are best known for cofounding a multimillion-dollar bath and body products company called Da Bomb Bath. Over the past few years, their faces have graced the cover of Entrepreneur Magazine and they were included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2019. All of this while juggling high school, friends, and running their company! But did you know they also have a passion for DIY makeup? Growing up, the teens would spend countless hours playing with eye shadows, trying on different shades of lipstick, and admiring their mom’s collection of blushes. Naturally, this translated into a hobby of creating makeup recipes of their own. (They’re even planning to expand their current line of products to include some beauty related offerings.) So, when they were given the opportunity to write a book all about natural beauty products, they couldn’t refuse! They are also the authors of Fizz Boom Bath. Find at your favorite bookseller.
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Save Time with Easy Meal Hacks If it feels as though your life is too busy, you’re not alone. Many families experience the feeling of constant busyness, but there are ways to save time around the house and lift some of those burdens. In fact, one of the easiest places you can add extra minutes to your day is in the kitchen. Common meal preparation tasks like chopping vegetables, collecting spices, measuring ingredients and heating the oven can eat into time you could be spending with loved ones. Add in trying to follow a recipe on your phone or tablet with dirty hands or trying a new dish that doesn’t work out as planned means putting dinner on the table can waste quality time. Innovation and technology can make meal prep easier, and kitchen hacks like turning to ready-to-heat meals that take just minutes can enhance your productivity. Consider these simple ways to rethink your dinner routine in an effort to create more moments with loved ones: * Look for recipes with as few ingredients as possible. Dishes that include longer ingredient lists typically require more legwork in the kitchen, which usually involves additional prep steps and sometimes longer cook times. Plus, you’re more likely to already have the necessities on-hand for recipes that call for 5-10 ingredients rather than lengthy lists. * Buy pre-cut vegetables to trim time spent on prep work. One of the processes that can surprisingly consume more time than you realize is cutting, chopping and dicing veggies prior to even really diving into a recipe’s instructions. If you’d still prefer prepping your own fresh produce, try completing your work the night before when it doesn’t interfere with quality time spent with family. * Meal kits certainly save time in the store, but be careful to avoid options that still include a lot of prep and cleanup. Focus on frozen kits that contain pre-chopped and measured ingredients that are ready to go. * Stock your pantry with the basics to make cooking quicker and easier. From condiments and canned goods to seasonings and spices, keeping the essentials on-hand means less time scrambling for a quick run to the store and more moments spent at home. * For one of the ultimate ways to trim kitchen time and cleanup, try a one-pan meal solution like Aqua Star Smart Seafood Sautés. Available in seven flavors ranging from Kung Pao Shrimp to Spanish-Inspired Seafood Paella, the meals are ready to eat in just 10 minutes, meaning more time to make dinner a fun event with additional moments shared at the table. Feeling constantly busy can create a drag on dinner, but preparing in advance and finding ways to save precious minutes for family moments can turn mealtime back into a shared event. Find more time-saving solutions at aquastar.com.
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{{ bella families }} ARTICLE COURTESY Commonwealth Catholic Charities
Foster Care. Foster Hope.
Foster care gives children and teens a home they need and deserve as they move from one chapter in their lives to another. A supportive and nurturing family can instill hope where there was doubt; love where there was loneliness; security where there was fear. Children come into foster care for different reasons. Most often they have experienced abuse and neglect. Sometimes a child has more needs than his or her family can meet with the limited support that they may have. Whatever the reason, the underlying needs are the same—a home where each child can be supported, guided, accepted and encouraged to thrive. Foster parenting is a special calling. “We are always in need of strong, caring and flexible foster families who can meet the challenge of parenting children with traumatic backgrounds and multiple needs,” says Lydia Strawbridge, Program Manager, Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC) Treatment Foster Care in Roanoke.
The Decision to Become a Foster Parent
The decision to become a foster parent is a decision that most foster parents have thought about and talked about for a good while before approaching an agency. Discussions with friends and loved ones are important to making a decision to move forward. Foster Parent Specialists, such as those with CCC, can answer questions and help a prospective foster parent explore this important decision.
What’s Involved?
“It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.” -Anonymous foster parent
The process to become certified as a treatment foster parent includes a home study, background checks, several visits with the Foster Parent Specialist and completion of an intensive preservice training curriculum. The process is intended to assess and prepare the foster family to open their hearts and home to vulnerable children in need. Foster care is best provided as a team and CCC’s Foster Care staff provide ongoing support, extensive training and workshops, and 24/7 emergency assistance to foster parents. Foster parents receive stipends to assist with daily living expenses, coverage for the child’s medical expenses, and stipends to cover additional service needs when needed. According to Strawbridge, one of the most frequently asked questions we get through the initial screening stage is, “Do I need to be Catholic to foster a child through you?” “And the answer is that we work with anyone who has a heart for nurturing and caring for children. We not only work with families of any faith, we need families of all faiths to help children and youth from diverse backgrounds feel comfortable in their home.” Foster parenting requires dedication, love, patience, flexibility and a good dose of humor. Fostering cannot be done alone. “Our staff goes out of their way to make sure that foster parents have the support and knowledge they need so they and the child can experience progress and a measure of success in their work together,” says Strawbridge.
May is Foster Care Awareness month.
More information about Foster Parenting and joining the CCC team is available online at www.cccofva.org and by calling CCC’s Roanoke office at 540.342.0411.
_________________________________________________________________________ The mission of Commonwealth Catholic Charities is to provide quality, compassionate human services to all people, especially the most vulnerable, regardless of faith. The vision of Commonwealth Catholic Charities is to envision a world where poverty is alleviated, people of all races and faith are treated with respect, and all are inspired to serve. Commonwealth Catholic Charities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering and restoring hope, dignity and opportunities to Virginia’s residents since 1923.
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Hollins Students Honor Trailblazer in Antidiscrimination Law with Taubman Museum Exhibit Students from Hollins University are recognizing a landmark court decision on sex discrimination with an exhibit at Roanoke’s Taubman Museum of Art on Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19.
Ann Hopkins, a 1965 Hollins graduate, was the litigant in the U.S. Supreme Court case Price Waterhouse
v. Hopkins, a seven-year battle against Hopkins’ employer for gender bias. Despite her considerable accomplishments as a manager and in landing valuable clients for her firm, Hopkins was denied partnership because she was viewed as aggressive, difficult, and unfeminine.
The court’s 1989 ruling in Hopkins’ favor helped expand the reach of protection for women, minorities,
and gay, lesbian, and transgender persons in the workplace. As a recent article about the case in Hollins magazine stated, “Many women who have encountered the glass ceiling in their careers have cited the Hopkins lawsuit as precedent, as have others who experienced harassment at work based on their sexual orientation. The decision also set the standard of proof for employers who claim they did not discriminate in hiring or promotion.”
Students in Associate Professor of Communication Studies Lori Joseph’s Introduction to Gender and
Women’s Studies and Organizational Communication classes have been researching an impressive compilation of papers related to the case, which Hopkins donated to Hollins’ Wyndham Robertson Library. The collection includes newspaper and periodical articles, court transcripts, personal and professional correspondence, a scrapbook album, materials related to Hopkins’ 1996 memoir, So Ordered: Making Partner the Hard Way, and other documents.
Relying on narrative theory to guide their study, the students explored the multiple stories contained
within the texts and also conducted interviews and focus groups to gather current stories of gender discrimination in the workplace. After thoroughly analyzing the Hopkins papers and interview data, the students have partnered with the Taubman Museum to create an exhibit intended to inform a variety of audiences about discrimination and stereotyping, and their effects on various populations.
The Taubman Museum is open 10am-5pm on Saturdays, and Sundays from noon-5pm. Admission to the
Hopkins exhibit is free. www.hollins.edu
Foot Health Awareness Month Open House Join us Friday, April 24 from 1-3pm for an open house in honor of foot health month for an afternoon of foot education and demonstrations by some of the top vendors in our area. There will be foot assessments, blood pressure readings, door prizes, snacks, and much more! Dr. Keller and Dr. Hoffman will be available throughout the open house to meet you and answer any podiatry related questions you might have. There will be many vendors attending including Encompass Home Health, Kindred at Home, University Physical Therapy, Fleet Feet, Footmaxx and more! Shenandoah Podiatry in located at 60 Summerfield Court, Suite 102 in Roanoke, beside the Botetourt Athletic Club. Visit their Facebook page or website for the latest information. www.shenandoahpodiatry.com
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