400 LIFE SEPTEMBER 2021
Light at the end of the tunnel How this foundation guided local nonprofits through a pandemic
Also: Lawyer helps those exposed to harmful chemicals at work | Tips for reducing stress from health & wellness coach
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contents from the editor When the pandemic hit well over a year ago, local nonprofits scrambled to help exisiting clients and the many, many more that needed help. But they needed help to do that. That’s when the North
4
Georgia Community Foundation stepped up.
Helping nonprofits support the community through a pandemic
The foundation created a fund for COVID-19
Nonprofits in Forsyth County and surrounding communities found additional support during the pandemic from the North Georgia Community Foundation.
and distributed it to 121 nonprofits in the north Georgia area. We talked to a few of those. Read their stories inside. Health and Wellness coach Sudie Crouch helps us find the right methods to reduce stress. Whether through meditation, gratitude journaling or just getting more sleep, there are ways to combat everyday stressors. Local lawyer Steven Leibel helps clients who have been exposed to harmful chemicals in the
12 Feeing stressed out? Find your calm.
workplace. — Tracie Pike
From surviving a pandemic to everyday life stressors, learning how to cope with the effects of stress has been something we all have been trying to figure out. Learn some tips from health and wellness coach Sudie Crouch.
contributors Publisher Stephanie Woody
Director of Revenue Leah Nelson
Managing Editor Tracie Pike
Advertising Tim Anderson Stacy Clark
Staff writers Sabrina Kerns Special contributors Sudie Crouch Cover photo by Diego, Unsplash
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10 KNOW YOUR RIGHTS:
What to do if you have been exposed to harmful chemicals in the workplace.
14 Make a filling meal with potato soup. 15 How to be a great campsite cook. September 2021 | 400 LIFE | 3
Nonprofits in Forsyth County and surrounding communities found support in the North Georgia Community Foundation.
‘We can’t be defeated’
North Georgia Community Foundation helped Forsyth County nonprofits through pandemic Story by Sabrina Kerns
J
oni Smith, president and CEO of The Place of Forsyth, felt the world turn upside down when the COVID-19 pandemic hit more than a year ago. Many in Forsyth County will always remember how devastating the pandemic has been, especially last year when the community did not yet have access to a vaccine. Residents struggled to keep jobs, families weren’t sure how they could continue to pay for groceries or rent, and some business owners were forced to close. “Almost overnight, our food pantry saw an increase of over 400% in the number of families coming to The Place for food support each week,” Smith said. Hit especially hard by this pandemic, nonprofits such as The Place worked overtime to help community members in need with the suddenly limited resources. 4 | 400 LIFE | September 2021
The Place of Forsyth stocked up with donations from the community.
Support from the North Georgia Community Foundation and their donor-advised funds were instrumental in keeping our doors open. - Joni Smith, president and CEO of The Place of Forsyth
Joni Smith, president and CEO of The Place of Forsyth, and other staff members scramble to organize donations for the community.
Fortunately, The Place and other nonprofits in Forsyth County and surrounding communities found additional support in the North Georgia Community Foundation. In March 2020, the foundation established a fund for COVID19, adding $350,000 of its own disaster relief money to the total. It has since given more than $1.2 million through 14 rounds of grants to 121 nonprofits impacted in the region. CEO Michelle Prater said North Georgia Community Foundation normally works to get funding to nonprofits and communities in need, but the COVID-19 relief fund was set aside specifically for critical needs such as child care services, food, education, rental assistance and health care costs. To make it easier for nonprofits to request funds, Prater got rid of complicated forms, and asked that nonprofits email her directly with specific needs. “We didn’t want to make it a really difficult process, because this is such a difficult time,” she said. “When they needed the money, we needed to get out there quickly.”
Prater said she has received more than 1,200 requests from nonprofits in and around north Georgia. The requests are then vetted by a committee that verifies the organization and how its needs are tied to the pandemic. Community members also came together during the crisis to help the foundation and other nonprofits. Megan Martin, the foundation’s vice president of marketing and development, said many in the community called to see what they could do to help. The foundation broke $100 million in charitable fund assets for the first time, reaching $116 million at the end of last May. Throughout the pandemic last year and into the beginning of this year, nonprofits in Forsyth County saw this same support from community members and the foundation. “Support from the North Georgia Community Foundation and their donor-advised funds were instrumental in keeping our doors open,” Smith said.
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Ruth Goode, United Way of Forsyth County’s executive director, met with representatives with local charities, food banks and churches in March 2020 to discuss how they are dealing with concerns over COVID-19.
Grants received from the foundation allowed The Place to find new ways for them to help as many in the community as they could. At one point The Place had enough funds to buy frozen meals from local restaurants who were struggling for business instead of buying from wholesalers. “It didn’t seem like a big deal at the time, but for these restaurants it meant their staff had work,” Smith said. The Place was ordering about 400 meals per week from several Forsyth County restaurants, including Tam’s Backstage, which is owned by Brian and Kelly Tam. Martin said she remembers Brian coming out to The Place’s food pantry to hand the meals out himself, thankful for the support from The Place and the opportunity to support other local families. Smith said the partnership really benefited everyone involved. She remembered that, during the second week of them handing out frozen meals, one mother began crying because she was so grateful. The woman also told her she had always wanted to try Tam’s Backstage but had never been able to. The meals, easily heated up in the oven, meant everything for her and her family during such a difficult time. “We realized then just how significant these meals were for our families,” Smith said. “It reduced their stress. It reduced their worry. And at times, it gave them more than a sense of normalcy, it gave them a surprise – a treat – as something that had been out of reach for them financially, became a gift during the pandemic.”
Helping our youth continue to grow Leaders and counselors at the Bald Ridge Lodge also found themselves in a bind at the beginning of the pandemic when
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schools suddenly closed last spring, leaving virtual schooling as residents’ only option. Executive Director Angela Dike said, at the time, they simply did not have the technology infrastructure they needed for their 12 teenage boys and the administrative staff to work online each day. A case manager was working to facilitate virtual meetings with medical professionals, workers from placing agencies and families from an old laptop that simply could not support the workload. The staff also needed a centralized server for collaborative projects and file storage as many of them worked remotely. The community foundation’s relief grant significantly helped the Bald Ridge Lodge, its staff and residents continue working through the pandemic. Dike said one of the residents had missed 51 days of the 201920 school year before he was placed at the lodge in April 2020 during the beginning of the pandemic. Thanks to the foundation’s grant, they were able to upgrade the technology, and he was able to complete the school year virtually along with the other residents. When the 2020-21 school year started last August, he was still able to attend the same out-of-county school because he had reliable technology to take his classes online. Dike said he worked hard in his classes and with a volunteer tutor to eventually bring his grades up to all A’s. “As he returns to school face-to-face in the near future, he enters with a renewed focus on achievement which was made possible by his consistent access to his education virtually during COVID-19,” Dike said. Along with the support for the boys, the technology also gave staff the chance to work without barriers and help residents the best they could throughout the pandemic.
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If we work together and everybody does what they can and does their part, then we can’t be defeated. - Ruth Goode, United Way of Forsyth County’s executive director
The Place of Forsyth eventually had enough funds to buy frozen meals from local restaurants, like Tam’s Backstage, who were also struggling.
Supporting those who help others United Way of Forsyth County received several grants from the foundation last year, which went directly to families struggling with rent and to other nonprofits in both Forsyth and Dawson counties. Officials with United Way decided to match the first grant they received in March 2020, setting aside $50,000 to send to nonprofits and organizations in need. They helped source PPE and sanitizing supplies for Georgia Highlands Medical Services; they acquired food items and provided masks to RIC-Rack Food Bank in Dawsonville; and they helped to supply smaller food pantries in Forsyth. “We knew that our larger food pantries here in the county were receiving funding to support food insecure folks, so we supplemented with cleaning supplies, toiletry items, children’s activity bags and school supplies in both Forsyth and Dawson counties,” said Ruth Goode, United Way of Forsyth County’s executive director. The United Way of Forsyth has worked to support the county and surrounding communities in any way they can since the beginning of the pandemic, but Goode said about half of the funds they received from the foundation were used to keep fami8 | 400 LIFE | September 2021
lies in their homes last year. Many in the community lost jobs or saw a reduction in pay, and with issues securing unemployment benefits, residents were left feeling panicked, clamoring to find a way to pay for rent and utilities. Goode remembers receiving calls from residents who said they had never asked for help before but had nowhere else to turn. “It’s something that I’ve never witnessed before,” Goode said. “This truly was a disaster that has hit so many folks, even here in Forsyth County. It’s something you just don’t forget.” Beginning in March of this year, U.S. Treasury funds for rent and utility assistance have become available to Forsyth County. The Place and United Way of Forsyth are both currently processing applications for the program for residents to continue receiving funds and support from the county. Goode said she is incredibly grateful for the foundation’s support through the pandemic. Thanks to the grants, United Way of Forsyth was able to help more struggling families than they ever thought possible. “If we work together and everybody does what they can and does their part, then we can’t be defeated,” Goode said. Connor Evans contributed to this story.
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September 2021 | 400 LIFE | 9
400 legal
The dangers of harmful chemicals in the workplace
There are many dangerous chemicals in our environment. Many of these chemicals prove to be harmful to the health of a person. Always beware of chemicals placed in the workplace and homeplace that have assurances from the manufacturer that they are safe. Our law firm is interested in helping people identify those chemicals, where lawsuits may be the only remedy to help get just compensation. One dangerous chemical is called Paraquat, which is an agent used in farming. It was a chemical that was supposed to be safe. Unfortunately, when a farmer gets harmfully exposed to Paraquat, it can cause severe damage to their neurological system. Parkinson’s Disease is a common side effect of exposure to Paraquat. A different dangerous chemi-
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cal is in talcum powder. Many women who have suffered from exposure to toxins in baby powder get cervical cancer from that product. Steven Leibel Talcum powder cases have resulted in multiple million-dollar verdicts against the manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson. By placing unsafe chemicals in the home forces people to bring lawsuits to receive compensation. Another chemical that has been at the forefront of the news media is the pesticide Roundup. Roundup contains the chemical Glyphosate. Many people who have had
exposure to Roundup develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia. Typically, veterans who worked in the boiler rooms during WWII develop Mesothelioma, affecting their lungs. A former client of mine brought claims for Mesothelioma up due to unlawful exposure to asbestos resulting in compensation for his family because, unfortunately, he passed away during the pendency of the claim. Product liability laws protect innocent users from unlawful exposures to dangerous chemicals. Our society entrusts lawyers to keep manufacturers’ honest. Unfortunately, the only way that people can get compensated for their losses is through the legal system. It is crucial for people who believe that they have been in
contact with chemicals such as, Paraquat, baby powder, Roundup and asbestos, to get in touch with an attorney to review their claims. Our product liability laws are imperative safeguards for our society to have. Allowing people to bring suits and claim against manufacturers for unlawful exposures; creates an environment where manufacturers and others are more careful. Steven Leibel is the Principal Attorney at Leibel Law. He is a Georgia Super Lawyer in personal injury and is rated preeminent AV by Martindale.com. If you have any questions, please feel free to email at info@leibel.com or call (404) 892-0700. — Sponsored content
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mental health
Less Stress — More Calm!
By Sudie Crouch tress, it seems, has become an ever-present occurrence in our lives. From surviving a pandemic to everyday life stressors, learning how to cope with the effects of stress has been something we all have been trying to figure out. Sometimes, the methods we turn to for stress relief may not be the healthiest options. Some people turn to emotional eating or increase alcohol intake, and may exacerbate other health issues, which creates a vicious cycle of circumstances that increase stress levels. It’s important to note that stress itself is not a disease or even a syndrome, but our coping response to events and situations. Stress isn’t something that will ever fully go away or be erased from our lives, so finding some meaningful, impactful ways to help manage how we deal with stress can be important. Chronic stress has been found to be a contributing cause to 50 percent of major diseases, and a major contributor to heart disease and cancer, so finding ways to reduce stress can help not only improve our quality of life and happiness, but our overall health and wellness. However, many people don’t know where to start when it comes to reducing stress levels. Job-related stress is one of the most prevalent, but remedying that stressor may not be easy unless we win the lottery and even that comes with some stress! Some jobs naturally come with more stress — law enforcement, emergency response, medical field — but stress can arise from any setting or situation. Simple yet effective changes to our lifestyle can help us manage our stress levels considerably. These changes don’t have to be big either — sometimes, just starting with small, doable steps can be the best approach!
S
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Some tips to help reduce stress: Meditation Being able to quiet our mind can help us to be present in the moment, which can help us shut off some of the worry and fear that may be creating an additional layer of stress. Focusing on a single thing, like our breathing, can be beneficial. There’s several different meditation techniques and apps that can help you learn how to meditate. The key is to not overthink it. We often struggle with meditation because it is so hard to be still, quiet, and focused, but you don’t have to spend tons of time practicing this. Even five minutes can help.
Sleep When we’re stressed, this may be one area that suffers, but working on our sleep can help us deal with our response to those stressful situations and help our bodies to rest and re-charge. Working towards eight hours of sleep each night can make a huge difference. If that’s not possible, aim for better sleep by limiting your screen time before bed so you will have more restorative sleep.
Walking Walking, or any exercise, can help reduce our stress levels considerably. The reason walking is recommended is because it’s easy and the only thing you need to get started is your feet. You don’t have to walk for a long time to see benefits either. Even just a few minutes can help you clear your mind, lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone that is linked to weight gain), and help improve our mood. Not to mention, it helps us get in some movement.
Talking it out Sometimes, just having someone listen can help tremendously. Therapy and coaching can be a great way to help you create and set goals towards managing your stress and making the lifestyle changes you need.
Gratitude journaling Journaling can be an effective way for us to process our experiences, but gratitude journaling in particular can be super helpful. What we focus on tends to be magnified, so looking for the things we are grateful for can help us find more positive things in our lives to celebrate, thereby boosting our mood and emotions. As you may see, everything is connected when it comes to our health and wellness and being able to reduce our stress can greatly impact other areas of our lives. Small, meaningful changes can help and make a difference towards managing our stress. Sudie Crouch is a health & wellness coach, helping clients create healthy, attainable changes using positive psychology and cognitive behavior approaches.
SOME SIGNS STRESS IS AFFECTING YOUR BODY • Chronic headaches • Insomnia • Digestive issues • Weakened immune system • High blood pressure • Weight gain
Source: www.stress.org/mental-health-apps
These are just some of the symptoms that stress can manifest as, and they can be serious. Sometimes they even occur concurrently. These symptoms can also mimic or be symptoms of other more serious ailments so it’s so important to listen to your body and know when you may need to get prompt medical care. Pay attention to how your body reacts to certain situations and events so you can be more aware of what signals it’s sending you. When we start to recognize our stress triggers and notice how our body responds, we can take steps to manage our responses.
Erriko Boccia, Unsplash September 2021 | 400 LIFE | 13
400 eats
Potato soup makes a filling meal Many Irish dishes focus on simple, fresh ingredients that can be purchased close to home. Potatoes long have been a staple of Irish cooking. Brought to Europe by Spanish explorers from the New World, the potato put an end to famine in regions of northern Europe, like Ireland. Smithsonian notes that, by the end of the 18th century, roughly 40 percent of the Irish ate no solid food other than potatoes. If that sounds like a boring diet, it’s good to note that all that was necessary to make potatoes desirable and more versatile was a little creativity. Potato soup is one way to experiment with potatoes. There are many different takes on potato soup, but most classic Irish recipes feature potatoes, stock, leeks, and onions. But that does not mean potato soup can’t be enhanced by other ingredients, like those found in this recipe for “Potato, Escarole and Country Ham Soup” from “The Culinary Institute of America Book of Soups” (Lebhar-Friedman Books).
Potato, Escarole and Country Ham Soup 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 onion, diced (about 1/4 cups) 1 leek, white and light green parts minced (about 1/4 cups) 1 celery stalk, diced (about 1/2 cup) 1 garlic clove, minced (about 1/2 teaspoon) 1 quart chicken broth 2 yellow or white potatoes, peeled and diced (about 2 cups) 1 sprig fresh or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 2 cups chopped escarole (about 8 ounces) 1 cup diced country ham 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste Makes 8 servings
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There are many different takes on potato soup, but most classic Irish recipes feature potatoes, stock, leeks, and onions.
Directions Heat the butter in a soup pot over low heat. Add the onion, leek, celery, and garlic; stir until they are evenly coated. Cover the pot and cook until the vegetables are tender and translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the broth, potatoes and thyme. Simmer the soup until the potatoes are tender enough to mash easily, about 20 minutes. Remove the thyme and discard. Puree the soup. Return the soup to the pot and bring to a simmer. Add the escarole and diced ham and simmer, 12 to 15 minutes, or until all the ingredients are tender. Season with salt and pepper. Serve the soup in heated bowls. Tip: Country hams have an altogether different taste and texture from that of boiled hams. They have been cured for lengthy periods and have a unique salty, smoky taste. Ask your deli manager or butcher to help you find country ham or a suitable substitute.
How to be a great campsite cook Nature enthusiasts often cherish the time they get to spend around a campfire. Whether you’re telling scary stories, having a few drinks after a long hike or just relaxing and gazing up at a starry sky, time spent around a campfire is a unique experience that can make for an ideal getaway from the hustle and bustle of daily life. There’s much campers can do around a campfire, and that includes cooking. Campfire cooking may not require campers to learn advanced techniques practiced by their favorite celebrity chefs. However, there are a few tricks campers can try as they attempt to create a well-balanced, nutritious and delicious campfire meal. • Create a menu and gather ingredients ahead of time. No one wants to take a spice rack with them into the woods. But that doesn’t mean campfire cooking has to lack seasoning and other special touches that are easy to add when cooking at home. Make meal planning part of your pre-trip preparation. Measure out ingredients ahead of time and store spices and other items in their own sealed and labeled ziplock bags. • Pack some fresh ingredients as well.
Fresh ingredients like garlic cloves can be brought along without taking up much space. Vegetable lovers can chop their greens the night before their trip and store individual servings in their own labeled ziplock bags to ensure fireside meals are as nutritious as they are delicious. • Bring some small tools along. Small cooking tools that won’t take up much space can be brought along to up the flavor factor even more. For example, a garlic press is about the size of a screwdriver and can be used to peel, crush and mince fresh cloves. The garlic can then be added to the pan in which you’re sauteing some fresh vegetables for some instant, easily created flavor. Another small and handy tool to take along is a portable digital food thermometer. This can ensure meats and poultry are cooked to perfection, helping campers enjoy foods that don’t dry out over the flame. • Don’t forget foil. It’s easily overlooked, but aluminum foil is a useful commodity for a campfire cook. Campfire cooking surfaces may not be large enough to prepare every camper’s food all at once, forcing cooks to cook courses or sides one
at a time. Aluminum foil can keep cooked foods hot while the rest of the meal is still over the flame. Foil also can be used as a way to cook foods like vegetables over a flame without causing them to dry out. Campfire cooking can be taken to a more flavorful level with a few simple tricks.
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