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TABLE OF CONTENT Editors Note Editors Note
Deborah Risper...............................................................................................................4 Deborah Risper ..............................................................................................................4
Athlete Of The Month Athlete Of The Month
Darius Brown...................................................................................................................6 Darius Brown...................................................................................................................6 Halloween Fun...........................................................................................................8 Halloween Fun...........................................................................................................8
World Mental Health Day
I’s Never Too Late | Brandi Readus 7 Nyla Wright......................................................................................................................9 Back To School Prayer | Christina Marie 10
Domestic Violence Awareness
The Expansion Of Happiness | Roc Shabazz 12 Deborah Risper............................................................................................................. 12 Back To School… Excited Vs Scary | Nyla Wright 14
Tik Tok
The Healing Power Of Art | Georgette Huston 16 Maliyah Risper & Mearah Francis.........................................................................14 Brown Beauty Of The Month | Decarah Myers 18
Brown Beauty Of The Month
Sickle Cell Anemia | Robin Newsome 20 Kotera Heard.................................................................................................................. 16 Deborah’s Fall Favorites | Deborah Risper 22
Men’s Physical Health
Gabori Partee Sr...........................................................................................................18
Her Fight Is My Fight Deborah Risper............................................................................................................ 20
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EDITORS NOTE Deborah Risper
Happy Fall Y’all!!!
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’m so excited for the season change and the change of wardrobe! I love all things fall. Sweater, hot drinks, blankets, fuzzy socks annnnddd the colors that come along with fall. Aside from fall this edition is
near and dear to my heart. This month W.O.E celebrates breast cancer awareness and domestic violence awareness. This edition is dedicated to my late grandmother Mary King. Her fight is my fight and her legacy will forever live on in spite of breast cancer. On a more serious note, domestic violence awareness is necessary for this edition. Many women and men are suffering in silence. Here at W.O.E we want to be the voice. Please enjoy this edition and never get up the fight! XoXo, Deborah
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ATHLETE OF THE MONTH Darius Brown
Each month W.O.E take pride in featuring talented athletes. This month we had the pleasure to feature Darius Brown. Darius is a talented quarterback at Heritage Academy. Darius is no stranger to football and has been playing for some time. Darius grew up around football with his uncle, D.J. Alexander being a former NFL player. Take a look at what Darius had to share with us about football and life. Darius, W.O.E is proud of your many accomplishments thus far. We know that the future has a lot in store for you. W: Outside of sports, who are you? D: I am just a student at Heritage that like to do normal high school student things. W: Why did you choose football? D: I chose to play football because at the time my uncle was playing and I liked the college he played for which was Oregon State. W: How long have you played football? D: I have been playing football since I was 6 years old W: What position do you play? D: I play many positions but my favorite position is corner. My position is important to the team
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because I have to cover for my teams at all times; even during downhill and tackles. W: What has football taught you? D: Football has taught me to be patient because even though others on your team may have offers you still have to keep grinding until your time comes. W: What does teamwork mean to you? D: Teamwork means alot to me because I believe if we aren’t working together, how could we possibly win? W: Do you see yourself playing this sport for life or as a professional? D: Yes, I do see myself playing this sport for life for sure. W: What are your goals for this sport now and in the future? D: My goal is to make it to the league like my uncle. W: What advice would you give to newbies playing football? D: For newbies I would say they can’t be soft because football is a very physical sport W: Do you have any exciting news you’d like to share with the readers of W.O.E? D: Our football team is 3-2 right now. My hope is that we go all the way and win the championship. 7
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HALLOWEEN FUN Decorate your home Carve creative pumpkins Visit the pumpkin patch Set up a hot cocoa station Scavenger hunt Watch scary movies Make s’mores Make candy apples Flashlight tag Dance to Thriller
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WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY Nyla Wright
OCTOBER 10, is world mental health day. It is the day that we raise awareness of mental health issues around the world. It is also a day to share information worldwide about businesses that offer services for mental health. Due to Covid 19 there has been an increased number of people all around the world that are suffering from mental health issues.
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Many people have lost loved ones, been isolated from loved ones and scared that their loved ones wouldn’t make it because of Covid 19. As cases of Covid 19 have gone down people are still left with mental health issues that need to be addressed. We all need to be aware of mental health issues and how so many people have placed stigmas
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on others that suffer with mental health issues. Today is the day that we all come together to reflect, educate ourselves and learn what we can do to help those that are affected by mental health issues. There are numerous businesses that offer support and services for people that are suffering from mental health issues. Even if your business is not focused on servicing people that suffer from mental health issues, we should all make it our business to support other businesses that do offer services for mental health. Whether we want to acknowledge that mental health issues are a huge problem in the whole world or not, this is a huge problem that is often overlooked and frowned upon. I am a business owner of a company (Eye For It Organizing) that’s main focus is on using non-invasive methods to help those that suffer from mental health issues. Eye For It Organizing offers services to help families and businesses that might suffer with mental health issues with organization
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services. Our company also works with non-profit behavioral health and special needs agencies by offering classes on life skills and techniques to reduce some of the effects from mental health issues. How To Make Mental Health Your Business ● Educate yourself on mental health ● Have compassion for people that suffer from mental health issues ● Support mental health businesses Reach out to me, I have an AAS degree in Advanced Behavioral Health and also provide services as a Professional Organizer specialized to help people with or without mental health disorders . My contact info is listed below. Website: www.eyeforitorganizing. com Email: nyla@eyeforitorganizing. com Facebook: Eye For It Organizing Instagram: eyeforitorganizing
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS Deborah Risper
“Shut up!”. “You’re stupid!”. “I’m doing this cuz I love you!” Sounds familiar? Hopefully your answer is no but in case your answer is yes, you may be in a domestic violence situation and my prayer is that you get out. October is domestic violence awareness month. Here it W.O.E our goal is to say a prayer for those who may be suffering in silence along with bringing awareness of such a traumatic experience. I can recall growing up in a home that was filled with chaos, screaming, arguing and physical fight. As a kid I thought that what I was experiencing wasn’t normal but I trusted my Mom wouldn’t let anything happen to me. Children trusting parents is a big part of why many children are becoming blind sided and gaslighted by parents unintentionally. What some parents W.O.E
fail to realize is the effect it has on themselves and children. While domestic violence isn’t always the easiest to get out of, there is help for those who want it. My first suggestion is to understand and process what is truly happening to you. Do NOT ignore red flags. Red flags can come in the form of children telling you what they feel, unkind and hurtful words, threats and mistreatment. If it is off, then believe the off feeling that is occurring. Seek counseling and other help to begin to build a plan to leave. So many women and men stay in relationships due to fear. Fear from what may happen if they leave along with wondering if they’ll remain alive after or during the process of leaving. The fact of the matter is, you life is important and you are worth fighting for.
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Know the signs of abuse and seek help. Below are signs of abuse and resources available to domestic violence victims. • Telling you that you never do anything right. • ●Showing extreme jealousy of your friends or time spent away from them. • ●Preventing or discouraging you from spending time with friends, family members, or peers. • Insulting, demeaning, or shaming you, especially in front of other people. • Preventing you from making your own decisions, including about working or attending school. • Controlling finances in the household without discussion, including taking your money or
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refusing to provide money for necessary expenses. • ●Pressuring you to have sex or perform sexual acts you’re not comfortable with. • ●Pressuring you to use drugs or alcohol. • ●Intimidating you through threatening looks or actions. • ●Insulting your parenting or threatening to harm or take away your children or pets. • ●Intimidating you with weapons like guns, knives, bats, or mace. • ●Destroying your belongings or your home. For help: Call: 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) Resource: https://www.thehotline. org
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TIK TOK Maliyah Risper & Mearah Francis
Tik tok is a very great app to thousands of people around the world . I think kids could learn a lot of things on Tik tok such as how to draw,how to take care of their skin and learn how to do tik tok dances which are really fun. Another great feature is the ability to get a good workout out of dancing. Tik tok it is great to connect with friends you haven’t seen in awhile. Like all social media that children have access to, there’s some things you might wanna restrict on your page for safety. I know that some parents think there are all bad things happening but that’s not always the case. Either way, parents have to do what they have to do to protect their children. Tik tok is a fun outlet. Enjoy it. Be safe and don’t forget to have fun!! Bye for now! Maliyah & Mearah W.O.E
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BROWN BEAUTY OF THE MONTH Kotera Heard
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otera Heard was born and raised on the westside of Chicago. She is the proud mother of three beautiful children; two amazing sons and a little diva. Kotera is currently an active real estate agent, helping people fulfill their dream of homeownership. She loves educating people, mainly minorities, on becoming an entrepreneur and the steps needed to get themselves in a position to own their own property. Kotera believes this is a very important part of life that most people were not taught. Given the current day and age we live in, she believes people can’t really depend on anyone or job for their financial freedom. Kotera vows to teach her children the value of quality living and financial freedom. Take a look at some of Kotera’s highlights below. Congrats Kotera on all you achieved thus far. W.O.E magazine is proud to feature you!
MacCormac Community College ’17 (Associates Business Admin) Real Estate License ‘21 Business: Customer Service 16yrs Allow Me Cleaning (started 12/2012) Illinois Notary Public 12/2021 Real Estate Agent 3/2021 Things Kotera Enjoy; Dancing Traveling Spending Time With My Children Exploring New Ways To Gain Additional Streams Of Income Connect With Kotera FB: Kotera Heard FB Business Page: Kotera Heard-Exp Realty IG: Kotera_therealtor
Education: Kellman Elementary ‘01 Best Practice High School/ Argo Community High School ‘05
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MEN’S PHYSICAL HEALTH Gabori Partee Sr
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ello my name Is Gabori M Partee Sr, also known as the Fitness Representative. I’ve helped hundreds of men and women lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. As a certified fitness and nutrition professional, and former U.S. Marine Sergeant, I know a little bit about what it takes to perform at a high level. I also know the importance of stamina, and how it can negatively affect a male’s performance, when we lack it. Working out and eating healthy are two of the biggest factors that can kill or thrill in those areas. Working Out has many benefits to offer in the realm of performance and stamina. One of the most important is weight management. Maintaining a healthy weight helps with energy, blood flow, and the ability to move the skeletal structure. Another important benefit of working out and staying active is the body’s ability to perform for extensive periods of time. Besides that, working out helps release the mood-altering sensors in the brain. Making you feel better instantly, and over a longer period. It improves both physical and mental endurance. Both which are needed when the stakes are high, and you are called on to produce. Eating healthy is just as or even more beneficial then staying active. Looking to perform better in everyday activities as well as your sex life, then you better start eating healthy. Food plays such a big part how we look, feel, think, and most definitely perform. Eating healthy can make you look better on the outside, feel better on the inside, and give you the strength and energy to exert yourself over longer periods of time. All endurance is increased, and sex is the number one thing people who start eating healthy grow to appreciate.
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Here are a few tips in health and fitness that will ensure that you perform better and have the stamina needed to go the distance. Working Out. Make sure your workout routine is one that focuses on aerobic fitness, strength training, core exercises, balance training, and flexibility and stretching. A wellrounded fitness training program is essential in improving performance. A weekly workout plan should consist of 4-5 days of exercise. Be sure to get a good total body warm up before exercise, and a good cool down and stretch upon completion. These extra efforts will help in performance and ensure that you are in optimal health. Healthy Eating. Eating the right food is paramount. A balanced diet should consist of the following. Protein: Fish, Chicken, Red Meat*, Dairy Products*Healthy Fats. Avocados, Flaxseed, nuts and oils. Carbohydrates: Fruits, starchy vegetables, whole grains, beans, and legumes *For non-vegans and vegetarians, you can use substitutes. As I stated before, the importance of a healthy diet and workout regimen is the key to optimal performance and stamina. It’s also the key to a fulfilled life, inside out. So be sure to stay active and eat the foods that aid in longevity, quality of life, and long lasting performance. Your body will love you for it. Inside and out! -The Fitness Representative
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HER FIGHT IS MY FIGHT Deborah Risper
“Your grandmother is sick and not doing too well.” These were the words murmured from my Dad’s mouth when he called to tell me about my grandmother being sick. In my mind I’m thinking it was something my grandmother could recover from. But 18 years ago I didn’t want to believe that she would leave us so soon. My Nana was the first of my grandparents to leave me and I didn’t want to accept that she wasn’t going to get better. I finally decided to go by and see her and that was not the grandmother I knew and who helped raise me. Why did this happen?! Was it something we could have done to prevent this?! It seemed that no matter how much I questioned what was happening, my grandmother was transitioning before my eyes. Cancer alone is deadly no matter where it’s detected. What I do know is although she left us sooner than we wanted, Mary King left a strong legacy. I am proud to be a part of her legacy and even more proud that I have just a tad bit of her strength & determination. My grandmother fought the good fight and loved all that had the
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honor of knowing her. She fed many during her time and her beauty was undeniable. Her fight will forever remain my fight and I vow to make her proud in all that I do. If you are a woman over 35 or have a family history, I urge you to check often for any unfamiliar lumps in your breast or armpit. In 2017, I had a personal scare and all I could think of was my grandmother. I did not want to feel weak or think about not returning to my children but I did what I had to do to ensure the lump I found was benign. Thankfully it was and my prayer is that we become women who are proactive instead of reactive. Know the signs of breast cancer. Check and check often to remain proactive. Breast cancer is one of the number one killer of women. Listed below are signs of breast cancer. • • • • • • • •
New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit). Thickening or swelling of part of the breast. Irritation or dimpling of breast skin. ●Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast. Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area. Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood. Any change in the size or the shape of the breast. Pain in any area of the breast.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/symptoms.htm
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Disorganization can cause stress, anxiety and a feeling of being out of control. Many mental health disorders such as depression, ADD, ADHD and hoarders etc, would benefit from the services of a professional organizer
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