By Dr. Larry A. Brown

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‘DIAPER’ from cover

community distribution partnership with St. Louis County Library and St. Louis Public Library so that families and individuals could readily have access to the items they need.”

And with those innovations the nonprofit is working on initiatives to continue assisting the community with access to diapers and the part of their mission, menstrual supplies.

“The St. Louis Area Diaper Bank is currently working on increasing access to period supplies in schools,” Smith says. “As well as, ensuring that diapers and period supplies are not taxed as luxury items, so that people can afford to purchase these items when they need to.”

The price of diapers and menstrual supplies, necessities that are often overlooked when discussing poverty and access, can be an additional cost that puts families and those with periods in difficult financial positions. The St. Louis Area Diaper Bank recognizes this precarious situation and wants the public to understand the significance of its work.

“St. Louis Area Diaper Bank strives to make a health, social and economic impact by not only providing diapers and period supplies but by connecting them to these resources and other resources through our partner agencies,” Smith says. “Providing families and individuals in need with free diapers and period supplies influences a range of positive outcomes, such as positive changes in parental mood (reducing the risk of childhood abuse), improved child health and happiness (nurturing their ability to learn), and increased opportunities for childcare, work stability and school attendance.”

Normandy seeks qualified, dedicated candidates at recruitment fair

The Normandy Schools Collaborative is seeking qualified and committed individuals to join its team of professionals. If that’s you, visit the Normandy Recruitment Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 9 at Barack Obama School at 3883 Jennings Station Road.

The collaborative has openings in a variety of areas including classroom teachers, administration, information technology, custodial/maintenance, and transportation (bus drivers).

“We have amazing opportunities for the right individuals to do great work and make a positive impact on children and the community,” said Sarah Jamison, Normandy Director of Human Resources. “Normandy is in the midst of an exciting transformation, and we have the right opportunity for those who want to be a part of what’s next. That opportunity is in a variety of areas, all with the ability to impact the lives of students.”

Normandy offers a competitive compensation package, along with campuses located near local interstates and main

Photo courtesy Normandy Schools Collaborative

Teacher Juanita Johnson instructs a student in her Washington School classroom. The Normandy Schools Collaborative school district is holding a recruitment fair April 9 for openings in a variety of areas including classroom teachers, information technology, transportation, and custodial/maintenance.

thoroughfares. The Normandy footprint is also home to the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Express Scripts, and historic neighborhoods like Pasadena Hills and Bellerive Acres. Voters in the district recently approved Proposition V, which will provide $26 million to make needed renovations and additions at Normandy High School. To see a list of all employment opportunities, please visit the Job Opportunities section on the Normandy website, www.normandysc.org.

COMMUNITY VOICES: Doing things the right way

By Dr. Larry A. Brown

Often we are told to “do things the right way.” Sometimes, we want to be sure to do things the right way! Sometimes, we don’t know how to do things the right way. Sometimes, the way we know, may not be the right way at all. Sometimes, there may be more than one correct way.

Since our society is in a state of change because of the COVID phenomena, this question and comment is being made more frequently than ever and should not be treated lightly or ignored. More and more, people will have to make independent decisions in this regard without the watchful or experienced feedback from others.

It is, therefore, very important that one establishes expectancies before one begins solution- oriented behaviors. One needs to know what to expect and if there is only one right way, or several possible ways, to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion or solution.

There is the personal expectation and certainly a financial expectation that might be considered. There is also the time factor that must be considered, and the short-term and longer-term results that need to be looked at. Then there is the effect that your decision might have on others and if that needs to be a consideration.

In short, doing things the right way is very complicated and therefore, must not be treated lightly or impulsively. That is a primary reason why there are so many protocols that must be initiated before our president can order us into war or cause certain bombs and systems to be employed.

We must take time to think of the effect our decision will have, not only for us, but on others.

Our decision making is definitely influenced by our upbringing and belief systems. Often, individuals may decide to do things totally different and look for totally different types of outcomes based on their belief systems. Perfect examples of this phenomena may be found in the various readings and observed actions present in cases of racial discrimination.

We must begin to take life more seriously and understand that our behavior and decisions affect others and may have a very longterm effect on their lives.

We must ask ourselves the question, “Do we want a decision that is good for us, or for others and us, or just for others?”

Often, the ultimate decision is actually a compromise when it involves pleasing ourselves and others. The fact is that in most cases, we are faced with situations requiring us to make decisions that we can live with, but that are in the best interest of others. Therefore, we must always work at being more and more sensitive to the needs of others.

Do we seek solutions that 1. Save us money, 2. Save us time, 3. Make us feel good or feel like we are in charge? Is everyone better off as a result of the solution we chose, or are we the primary or only beneficiary of the decision?

Remember, if we look at these decisions or actions from another’s viewpoint, can we say that the choice we made was a good one?

I believe that most of us would like to think that we are doing the right thing as we make constant decisions in life.

If you are looking for a good choice to make that will benefit everyone including yourself, contact www.gracechapelministries.org. or call me at 314-995-5013.

Dr. Larry A. Brown is a retired Chairman of the Board and co-founder of Worknet, Inc., which has a national ten year contract with the Social Security Administration to find jobs for people with disabilities who are interested and qualified to enter the traditional workforce. He is also co-founder and president of Grace Chapel Ministries, former president of National Cable Training Centers, and president of Woodstock Industrial Products Group.

The opinions expressed in this column are the columnist’s alone and do not reflect the opinion of the owners or staff of Community News.