2018 Dec Unite

December 2018 Volume 28/ Number 12 • A Monthly Publication by Unite of Southwest Missouri, Inc • www.unitenewsonline.org

UNITE.

Scholarship Resource Guide For Minority High School Students See Guide on Page 9

Building Empowering Connections In Our Diverse Community

Former Springfield Councilman Denny Whayne Honored At Nov Council Meeting

Councilman Denny Whayne, center

Springfield, MO—City Council unanimously passed a resolution honoring former Councilman Denny Whayne for his service on Council and his decades-long commitment to justice and equal rights. The Busch Municipal Building’s fourth-floor conference room is now known as the “Councilman Denny Whayne Conference Room.”

“We felt it was fitting to name this particular meeting space after former Councilman Whayne because it’s where we have our weekly council workshops and continued on page 2

Kwanzaa: A Celebration Of Family, Community & Culture

Ladies Civic League host Annual Springfield Kwanzaa Celebration

Springfield MO—The 2018 Kwanzaa Celebration will be held at Turning Point Church, 1722 N. National at 6:30 p. m. Saturday, December 29, 2018.

Hosted by the Ladies Civic League, the celebration will include dancing, spoken word, singing as well as the traditional food tasting! Everyone in the community, young and old, is invited to this free event to see continued on page 2

2016 Springfield Kwanzaa Celebration at the Creamery

Biz417 Magazine Recognizes 100 Leaders Springfield, MO­—Visionary.

Tenacious. Innovative. These are just a few words that describe the 2018 list of the most powerful and influential business leaders in 417-land. This year, you’ll find 17 new faces—including Person of the Year, Gov. Mike Parson—and discover new achievements by their returning honorees.

The Biz 100 is selected by Biz 417’s editors, publishers and advisory board members each May. They evaluate current and

Lyle Foster

John Oke-Thomas

prospective honorees based on their individual business success, their impact on the local business community and their community involvement.

Francine Pratt

Current honorees are eligible to appear again, but as people retire, leave the area or otherwise take a step back, they can continued on page 2

Page 2 December 2018 | Unite News

Denny Whayne Continued from Page 1

council committee meetings and frequent community-wide collaborations occur,” said Mayor Ken McClure. “In the many years I have known Denny, he has always been about bringing communities of people together.”

Whayne was the first African-American elected to City Council since the Council/

Manager form of government was adopted in 1953 and served as the Zone 1 representative for two consecutive four-year terms.

First elected in 2001, Whayne served until 2009 and was a member of the Finance, Plans and Policies, Administration and Public Involvement committees.

“My time on council was one of the best experiences of my entire life,” Whayne has said. “My mindset on council was to try

to move the city of Springfield forward.”

Whayne, who grew up in Springfield, joined the NAACP at 11, later participating in the Freedom Rides of 1961. He continued his civil rights work in Tulsa, where racial tensions were high in the late 1960s. He moved back to Springfield in 1972 and served as president of the Springfield chapter of the NAACP from 1980 until 1988. He worked for the City’s Finance department from 1975 until 1985.

Kwanzaa

Continued from Page 1

how lives can be improved when they live by the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa: Unity, Self-Determination, Working Together, Supporting Each Other, Purpose, Creativity and Faith.

Call 417-830-4616 or 417-3430976 for additional information.

100 Leaders

Continued from Page 1

be taken off the list. Leaders can come from any industry and hold any title; however, the magazine is looking for people who truly can move the needle in one or more areas listed above. Some leaders on this list might prefer to avoid the limelight, but we have chosen to brag about them anyway. For more information or to tell us who we missed, visit biz417.com/nominate.

Three individuals from the list we thought Unite readers might be interested in are Lyle Q. Foster, John Oke-Thomas and Francine Pratt.

Lyle Q. Foster 3rd year on the list CEO, Big Momma’s Coffee and Espresso Bar Macalester College, B.A. in political science, urban studies and sociology; Brown University, M.A. in sociology; Yale University, M.A. in religion; University of Missouri–Columbia, Ph.D. in educational leadership Lyle Foster and the Big Momma’s team have been creating community and driving cultural development on Historic Commercial Street for 11 years.

Foster’s community involvement doesn’t stop there. In conjunction with a colleague and a community group, Foster launched the Springfield-Greene County African-American Heritage Trail this year as a “chance to share the stories, experiences and history that otherwise may have been lost,” he says.

John Oke-Thomas 3rd year on the list President and CEO, Oke-Thomas + Associates Inc. Drury College (now Drury University), B.Arch John Oke-Thomas has led architectural and construction management firm Oke-Thomas + Associates for more than 20 years. He is a founding member and past president of Minorities in Business, and the U.S. Small Business Association named him the 2011 Minority Business Person of the Year. He and his wife, Helen, have four children.

NEW IN 2018: Oke-Thomas joined the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce board continued on page 9

Page 3 December 2018 | Unite News

IN THIS ISSUE 4 The Library Is Opening It’s First 24/7 Outdoors Kiosk

6

by Kathleen O’Dell, Springfield-Greene County Library District

8

A new kind of library is opening in mid-December on the city’s west side: It’s a 24/7 outdoor kiosk that lets you use your library card to browse and check out books, DVDs and CDs, pick up holds Kathleen O'Dell and return items.

The Library Express West is on the parking lot of Orchard Plaza, 3848 W. Chestnut Expressway. It can hold up to 340 items, and provides free Wi-Fi. It’s within walking distance of several west-side neighborhoods and businesses, the Max and Una Lilley Park, and next to a Springfield City Utilities bus stop. Visitors can use it in any weather – it’s under a lighted, protective canopy. It can also be a convenient stop for people traveling to and from work or school on the west side.

The Library Express West is funded by the Friends of the continued on page 11

Community News Mistakes Are Opportunities for Learning

by Gwen Marshall Business News

Why You Should Get it in Writing

Volume 28, Number 12 PUBLISHER Unite. of Southwest Missouri, Inc. MANAGING EDITOR Samuel G. Knox

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lyle Foster Tyra Knox Gwen Marshall Kathleen O'Dell Mariah Oke-Thomas Francine Pratt John Sellars Sativa Boatman-Sloan

by Sativa Boatman Sloan

10

UNITE.

Entertainment News Catch a Movie ...Now!

by Lyle Foster Health News Caring for Our Elders, Part 3

by Tyra Knox

GORMAN-SCHARPF FUNERAL HOME, INC

The Quality And Care That You Expect In 242 Years Of Combined Experience W. Bruce Howell Robert J. Lohmeyer Don R. Lohmeyer Heather K. Howell Angela N. Collins Harley R. Williams 886-9996 Clint W. Mease Russ Allen

(417) 886-9994 • Fax: (417) 1947 E. Seminole Springfield, Missouri 65804

City Employment Link The City of Springfield offers a variety of municipal career opportunities for individuals interested in public service.

Job opportunities are updated each Friday and can be accessed through a number of mediums: Web: http://www.springfieldmo.gov/jobs; or TV: CityView on Mediacom Cable Digital Channel 80; or In Person: visiting our offices at 840 Boonville, Room 324, Springfield, MO 65802.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability. Individuals with disabilities should request reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act prior to testing or appointment. Proof of United States Citizenship/Authorization to Work in The United States as established by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986 is a condition of employment. Pre-employment drug testing required.

PHOTOGRAPHY Tondaleigha Jones Erin Gamble

The Unite. publication is a monthly newspaper published by Unite of Southwest Missouri, Inc. a 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization.

Distribution of Unite. is by free circulation at various locations.

However, request for home delivery by mail may be directed to Unite.

P. O. Box 1745, Springfield, Missouri 65801 and accompanied by $25. for one year’s postage and handling.

Those wishing to make a contribution or become a monthly sponsor should direct correspondence to the same address.

Readers comments and questions are welcomed. The opinions expressed in these pages do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite. of Southwest Missouri, Inc. “The Unite Publication in accepting advertising in this publication, makes no independent investigation concerning the services of products advertised and neither endorses nor recommends the same and assumes no liability therefore.”

For further information, you can contact us at (417) 864-7444.

Email: unitepublication@yahoo.com

Page 4 December 2018 | Unite News

CommunityNews Mistakes Are Opportunities for Learning a fixed mindset he would have failed. Instead, he chose to think positively and embrace a growth Albert Einstein once said, mindset. Einstein’s mind“Failure is success in set propelled him beyond progress.” Einstein failure, obstacles, and was an interesting boy setbacks to new heights who had trouble makin science. People with ing friends and whose a fixed mindset avoid educators thought challenges, stay in their he was insubordinate comfort zone and never and incompetent. If Gwen Marshall risk looking inadequate.

Einstein had possessed

By Gwen Marshall Unite Contributing Writer

Springfield Black History Moment A Christmas card out of the past. This greeting from Alberta’s shows the famous local haven for weary travelers as it looked around 1960.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone from the History Museum on the Square.

— John Sellars, History Museum Executive Director

People with a growth mindset, however, are characterized by a willingness to try new strategies to find better results.

Most classrooms have twenty or more students with twenty or more brains and ways of learning. These classrooms can become loud and unpredictable. The only constant you have is that your student will make mistakes.

The question is how will you help your student navigate their mistakes? I would like to share with you three steps from The Growth Mindset Coach by Annie Brock and Heather Hundley that will help.

Normalize mistakes: Inform your child that they will make mistakes and mistakes will help

them learn and grow. Share some of yours with them, along with what you learned.

Value mistakes as a learning opportunity: Turn mistakes into valuable learning opportunities (which also helps to normalize

them. Show your student the mistake, ask for input about what went wrong, and talk about ways to repair it. This process models important metacognitive continued on page 9

Springfield Branch NAACP Elects New Officers for 2019

Provided by

History Museum On The Square

Open Monday ~ Saturday from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm Adults $5 ~ Children $3 ~ Museum Members Free In our historic Fox Theatre at 157 Park Central Square, Springfield MO

Springfield, MO— The Springfield Branch NAACP held it election for new officers on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at the Carnegie Branch Library, 397 E Central St. The election results are: Toni Robinson, President; Delilah Jackson, Vice President; TJ Appleby, Treasurer;

Cheryl Clay, Secretary; Marty Moore, Board Member; Shurita Thomas-Tate Board; Sabrina Brinson Board; JR Chappell, Board; and Isabelle Walker, Board. Each officer will serve a 2 year term beginning January 1, 2019. For more information contact the NAACP office at 417-873-6386.

Page 5 December 2018 | Unite News

Do You Know About the SKILLUP Missouri Program? and is puts them one step closer towards more advanced training Springfield, MO—SKILLUP Misand career opportunities. souri offers free college tuition The MO Job Center will provide and support services (if needed) SKILLUP information sessions to individuals receiving at the Sunrise Office in Food Stamp benefits.

Springfield on TuesThe program is admindays and Thursdays istered through the from 9:30 to 11:30 Missouri Job Center in A.M. The address is partnership with Ozarks 2900 E. Sunshine - just Technical Community call 417-887-4343 for College (OTC). A person additional information. can contact OTC to see Francine Pratt Assistance is also if they qualify to enroll in available, in most cases, free college credit and certificate if a person was receiving TA courses. Through the MO Job benefits or food stamps and had Center, they can now assist para sanction placed against their ticipants receiving food stamps benefits that caused a reduction with employment or training in benefits or a stop in benefits. assistance. OTC has many shortThe individual should contact the term programs that require one MO Job Center for assistance in year or less in training for the reestablishing benefits. In most following areas of employment: cases, they are able to help par• Construction ticipants if they stay in contact • Health with their case worker, monthly, • Information Technology who can help establish and/or • Manufacturing update an individual employment • Transportation plan. The employment plan is OTC College Advisors can customized to the individual’s help individuals select the best needs to empower them to meet program for them and the MO the goals they set for employJob Center can help secure ment. transportation and child care Unfortunately, the days are assistance. After earning a long gone where a high school certificate or degree, The MO diploma is enough to obtain a Job Center can help find employgood paying job. Today, a good ment through their partnerships paying job needs to be about with local employers, eager to $12.50 per hour just to take care hire employees with good job of basic needs (rent, utilities, skills. Industry specific certififood, healthcare, childcare, etc.). cates obtained through OTC are 98% of all jobs require additional realistic to achieve, they prepare education beyond high school a person for local job openings also known as postsecondary

By Francine Pratt Unite Contributing Writer

attainment. The MO Job Center’s Change 1000 program offers employability training certification with a two-week course (36 hours). Scholarships are available for some individuals if they meet the income requirements. If a person is working and needs to develop their skills, they may want to ask their employer if they could sponsor the $400 cost if they do not qualify for a scholarship. The Prosper Springfield website also has information about resources and services www.prosperspringfield.org.

Prosper Springfield is a collective impact initiative focused on a shared community vision to improve economic mobility in the Springfield community. The Prosper Springfield mission is to

build community relationships and align community resources to create pathways that help move people to prosperity. The column runs every other Thursday. Today’s column was written by Prosper Springfield Director, Francine Pratt.

For more information about Prosper Springfield, contact Francine Pratt at 417-888-2020.

Prosper Springfield - Uniting Resources. Improving Lives.

Subscribe To The Unite Publication For A One Year Subscription Call: (417) 864-7444

Working Together to Power Springfield Whether you have a material to sell or offer a great service—CU is looking for reputable vendors to help us keep our business up-and-running.

Call 417-831-8363 or log on to cityutilities.net, key search “Purchasing”, to learn about ways for us to work together.

It is the policy of City Utilities to offer equal opportunity to individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

City Utilities of Springfield • 301 East Central, Springfield MO • 417.863.9000 • cityutilities.net

Page 6 Deceember 2018 | Unite News

BusinessNews Why You Should Get it in Writing

By Sativa Boatman-Sloan, Attorney at Law Unite Contributing Writer

trust of the other party, especially if it is with a family member.

Your business contracts should protect your own business interSpringfield, MO—These may be ests first. the four most important Written business words for an entrepreagreements and conneur or small-business tracts accomplish the owner who often operfollowing: ates on a “handshake” Defines The Relationship principle: Get it in Business agreements writing. and contracts provide The challenge and the details of the exexcitement of starting Sativa Boatman Sloan pectations of each party. If a new business can lead everyone knows what they to entering business agreements are supposed to do and what haphaphazardly or with complete

pens if they don’t, issues when they arise (and they will arise) can be resolved much easier.

Reduces potential costs from a dispute and/or litigation.

The reason that verbal contracts can cause problems is that parties change, memory fades, and details get fuzzy. Without a written agreement, a judge or jury will have a hard time determining which party is right. It becomes a “he said/she said” scenario. A well-written business agreement or contract with parties that you do business with is a

basic best business practice and one that you should not ignore.

“Get it in writing” may be the best business advice you can receive, but also keep in mind that just writing down an agreement is not the same as having an enforceable contract to protect your business. That is why it is important to seek an experienced attorney’s advice when entering into a business agreement. It is well worth the investment as the cost of misunderstandings or disputes could be much more costly in the long-run.

Google Announces Commitment to Help Black Businesses Grow Through Tech

by Jeffrey McKinney Black Enterprise Magazine

In a landmark partnership, the National Business League and search giant Google are

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Are you inspired to create a better future for yourself and others?

If so, Missouri State has a place for you.

With a campus community filled with diverse perspectives, voices and opinions, Missouri State is fulfilling its commitment to address the needs of a changing society.

Missouri State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Minority/Female/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity Employer and Institution. Employment will require a criminal background check at university expense.

ARE YOU READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? APPLY TODAY AND

www.jobs.missouristate.edu

teaming up to increase the growth of black businesses globally.

The organizations are uniting to offer a vast array of strategic initiatives to black and minority-owned businesses, including online training programs, business coaching, workshops, and access to Google’s cloud-based solutions and tools, Ken Harris, NBL’s president and CEO, told Black Enterprise.

The partnership aims to close the digital divide for black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs of color, provide black businesses the tools to transition into and be successful in the digital econo-

my and provide them resources to grow and generate more revenue in America and internationally.

“For black businesses to be able to compete and grow their market share, technology is absolutely critical in that development, Harris says.

The alliance brings together the nation’s oldest trade association for black businesses and the world leading search engine provider, a global leader in cloud-based technology.

Harris says black businesses have a large technology gap that has to be closed. He says the deal will bring to the marketplace opportunities continued on page 7

Page 7 December 2018 | Unite News

Google

Continued from Page 6

for black entrepreneurs who have been disproportionally isolated, marginalized, or disconnected from resources to grow and position themselves for the future.

Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed. But its leaders swear the effort is vital to the development of black businesses, supporting current and future African American entrepreneurs.

Businesses will get a free website, domain name, e-mail address along with search engine optimization gadgets. Plus, they will have full access to Google’s cloud-based G Suite, including

Gmail, Docs, Calendar, and other services. Non-NBL members can get the services for free by becoming members of the NBL, which charges $19 annual for the annual membership.

The new program was kicked off Monday in Detroit, where the NBL is based. It will be launched to regional hubs in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. next year and expanded to over 365 of the trade group’s business leagues nationally and internationally by 2020. Harris says the NBL now has over 15,000 members but its goal is to boost that to 1 million with the partnership in the next two years.

He believes the goal is attainable largely because black-owned businesses are growing three

times faster than other businesses nationally, with black-owned women businesses leading the pace, according to the most recent U.S. Census data.

The deal comes a year after the Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce acquired the NBL, a business group founded in

1900 by Booker T. Washington.

The MBCC transitioned to the National Business League and kept its name. Harris says the NBL will become the first virtual Chamber of Commerce providing cloud-based solutions to black entrepreneurs in the U.S. and the black diaspora. continued on page 9

NOW ON SALE! FEB 27 – MAR 10

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Page 8 December 2018 | Unite News

Arts&EntertainmentNews Catch a Movie...Now! courtesy of the big screen and with Tiffany Haddish who has overnight turned into a mega star in it…well, we know that Springfield, MO—Well it’s holilaughs were coming. The plot day season and the movies are of Night School is of course coming out of the woodwork. not the most sophisticated but I’m sure you are familiar with rather Kevin Hart needing to go the statement “feast or famto night school to get his GED. ine”......well sit down and get out Need I say more. Well I your best table settings guess I have to because because we are about Tiffany Haddish is the to feast. We have mennight school teacher. tioned in this column It probably is not even before that Hollywood necessary to go into has gotten on the divertoo much depth in this sity train and some of review because it was the projects that were outlandish, stupid, ridicstarted recently are ulous and yes funny.

Lyle Foster now headed to your The other words are for favorite movie screen. the plot of course because Kevin Tyler Perry and all of your Hart has a few classmates with favorite directors have new projhim and they complete the fun ects out ranging from Creed to with their own shenanigans. In Widows to Nobody’s Fool. So case you need an example the the next few months should be characters are all exaggerated full of movie fun. and each has their own specific And by the way this collearning challenges. Are we umnist wishes all of the Unite supposed to be making fun of family the best holiday ever and learning difficulties? Well, anya time of blessings and celebrahow they break into the school tion. at night to get the answer sheet Today’s column because of so they can pass the test. Oh, the plethora of films is going to I forgot the school takes place try to at least mention two films at night….well I figured you that were recently at the theatre would guess that from the title. that you may have missed….

The end almost makes sense Night School and The Hate You and if you need some holiday Give. These films are in comcheer find a way to watch so plete opposite directions which that you and family/friends in some ways may help to balcan laugh and giggle a bit. Mr. ance one another.

Hart is his typical self and Ms. I am not a big Kevin Hart fan Haddish proves again why she but there are those times that is taking Hollywood and audiyou just want to have a laugh

By Lyle Foster Unite Contributing Writer

ter life. Amandla Stenberg porences by storm. Will Packer trays the character Starr Carter produced this film and it opened and I think she does a more in October at the top of the than admirable job. The role box office for the weekend and is complex and some scenes made all of its budget back the are particularly first weekend relevant in the And as we all to lives of people well know at the of color. Russell end of the day if Hornsby who the movie makes plays her father money the plot really spoke to is not always that me as he capimportant. tures the chalThe Hate You lenges of trying Give is just to prepare chilthe opposite dren for a very speaking to polarized world. contemporary The entire cast issues of police is admirable but violence and the obviously some challenges that actors stand out African-American more than othcommunities Twentieth Century Fox (2018) ers. I don’t mind have to endure it sharing that the movie got to is poignant and intense. It is me and made me a fan in many one of those films that makes ways. I have heard some criyou confront what sometimes tiques of the film and always you don’t want to and puts it in people want to compare it with your face. It is based on a book the book. I usually respond by the same title and the book a film and a book are two difreceived considerable press and locally was in the news as a local ferent genres but the book teacher had assigned it for class- inspired the film.

If you care about contemporary room reading. The book was issues and the pulse of our written by Angie Thomas. The youth and younger adults it basic plot is of a female Africanmight just be worth it to underAmerican teenager who witnessstand the issues in a different es the killing of her childhood way. friend in an officer involved It gets my vote and I am a shooting. She lives in the delifan.

Again Holiday blessings! cate balance of her urban mostly Night School……85 out of 100 black neighborhood and the The Hate You Give….90 out white private school her parents of 100 send her to for a hoped for bet-

Page 9 December 2018 | Unite News

100 Leaders

Continued from Page 2

of directors and is designing a 40,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing plant.

NEW IN 2018: Foster accomplished a lifelong goal and completed a doctoral program in educational leadership.

Francine M. Pratt 2nd year on the list Prosper Springfield Director University of Phoenix, B.S. in business management Francine Pratt worked for the state of California and held professional positions in the corporate world before moving to Springfield to work in the nonprofit sector. Now, she holds a position that she says “belongs to the community,” as the director of Prosper Springfield. The initiative works to reduce poverty across Springfield through a collaborative model. Pratt hopes the organization can “work to enrich the lives of others.”

NEW IN 2018: Prosper Springfield marked its first year with a breakfast meeting to share its progress with the community.

Learning

Continued from Page 4

strategies that help them develop strength and skill in how to think through problems.

Coach your student through setbacks: When your child is having a problem they cannot resolve, step in and coach them through. It is easy to seek to

console or lessen the blow for them, but helping them think what else they might have done, helps them grow and become more resilient from the setback, which is a part of life for ALL of us. One strategy that may be useful to share is “Ask three then me.” Encourage them to ask three other people then ask for help. This technique promotes collaboration in problem-solving.

Students need the opportunity to experience failure so they will understand that failure is not something to fear or cover up.

Failure is an important natural experience from which to learn.

On behalf of the SPS, Office of Equity and Access, we would like to wish you a Happy Holiday Season.

Coming Events: Winter Break: December 24, 2018 - January 1, 2019

Google

Continued from Page 7

The National Business League’s tech-enhanced website powered

by Google will be launched early next month.

The NBL and Google aim to reach the 2.9 million blackowned businesses nationally, of which, Harris says, 90% have one to five employees. But many of those firms don’t have the technology infrastructure needed to sufficiently grow. The partnership will allow them to reach new markets and help companies diversify into new industries and sectors.

Scholarship Resource Guide For Diverse High School Students Name of Scholarships:

For Guidelines Contact:

Central Bank of the Ozarks Diversity Scholarship/ Internship

Central Bank of the Ozarks 1800 S. Glenstone, Springfield, MO 65804

For minority seniors interested in the area of Business attending college in the area Clifton F. & Lorane S. McCormic Endowed Scholarship For graduating African American students at Central High School Thomas L. & Ursalee Cole-Darton Endowed Scholarship For graduating African American and Hispanic students who want to continue their education Dr. Calvin Allen Minority Scholarship For graduating minority preference to Central High School Wallace & Libby Walter Scholarship For African American students from Springfield, MO NAACP Springfield Branch Youth Scholarship For graduating minority students Jacquelin Waugh Foster Scholarship For graduating minority students

For Guidelines Contact: Foundation for Springfield Public Schools, 1131 Boonville, Springfield, MO 65802

For Guidelines Contact: Foundation for Springfield Public Schools, 1131 Boonville, Springfield, MO 65802

For Guidelines Contact: Community Foundation of the Ozarks, P.O. Box 8960, Springfield, MO 65801 For Guidelines Contact: Lawrence Anderson, Office of Equity & Access, 1359 E. St Louis, Springfield, MO 65802 For Guidelines Contact: Springfield NAACP, P.O. Box 8983, Springfield, MO 65801

For Guidelines Contact: Springfield NAACP, P.O. Box 8983, Springfield, MO 65801

For guideline details on any of these scholarships listed, please contact Lawrence Anderson, Office of Equity & Access, Springfield Public Schools (417) 523-0064

Page 10 December 2018 | Unite News

HealthNews Caring for Our Elders, Part 3

By Tyra Knox Unite Contributing Writer

sation goes silent?” “am I saying too much or talking too loud?”

Springfield, MO—This past week These are all good questions to I had the pleasure of visiting with ask. an elderly neighbor.

Perhaps you can choose a day Although we have been when you have a little neighbors for many extra time from your years, a lot has changed daily routines to make in our lives to where we that visit. Even though both can now relate to extra time may seem losing someone near and like something you are dear to our hearts. unfamiliar with, repriorSometimes, we get itizing a couple things Tyra Knox caught up in our own and spending time with world affairs and fail to an elderly person, whether realize that there is something a family or friend, will make you inside of us that God has placed feel good inside. there that we are to share with Your visits don’t have to be I remember meeting a perothers. long. It is better to be brief and son in the nursing home named I remember as a child my meaningful than long and in Emily. She was always reserved mother seemed to enjoy visiting silence. and stayed to herself whenever I with people living in nursing Find out about some things would visit my mom. One day a homes. For some reason she they are interested in. Providing man was there and was singing to always seemed to take me with soothing music, a hug, a lotion Emily. He sang one song after anher. It was a very frightful thing hand massage, reading a story or other and she sat there in a blank for me as a child. I could not just listening while they tell their stare. He kept singing as though understand why “those people” story are some places to start. she was joining in each song. wanted to reach out to touch me Taking time to say “I love you” But, during his visit I heard him or just stare at me as if I had done goes a long way as well. say, “Emily, I love you.” Oh my something really bad.

As I got older and became an adult, that awkward feeling was Things to consider when visiting an elderly person: still inside of me.

• Your visits don’t have to be long I think we sometimes avoid • Find out about some things they are interested in visiting the elders (whether in • Providing soothing music their homes or in a skilled care • Give a hug, or Read a story facility) because we may be afraid • Listen carefully while they tell their story we won’t know what to do or say • Taking time to say “I love you,” or “I appreciate you” during the visit. We ask ourselves, “how long should I stay?”, “what happens when the conver-

God, the biggest smile came on her face. I will never forget that moment. I don’t know if Emily really knew the man or connected to the songs, but I do know she connected to “I love you.”

Over the years I have learned to jump right into the world of the elderly person I am visiting with. The story may be long, or boring or unbelievable, but I find myself being apart of the story in some way or another. I have lost that childhood awkward feeling somewhere along the way. I don’t really know where or when it happened but I became the person my mother modeled to me as a little child.

Let’s celebrate our elderly no matter what they look like. Consider it a gift to yourself for being that one who stepped out of their “norm” and brought a smile, a feeling of worth and hope to a senior.

Page 11 December 2018 | Unite News

Library

Continued from Page 3

Library and a Library Services and Technology Act grant through the State Library. The kiosk is the first of its kind in Missouri and one of only 10 in the United States.

The project came about in response to west-side residents’ requests for a more conveniently located library branch, said Library Executive Director Regina Greer Cooper. The library district doesn’t yet have the money to add a new branch there, so this 24hour library allows us to provide services to another area of the community without the overhead and expense of adding a new building, she said.

••• Get ready for a fun family event to take the chill off. It’s Sunday Make ‘n’ Play: Family Edition, Winter Minute to Win It, at 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at the Schweitzer Brentwood Branch for age 3-grade 4 and families.

••• Make plans to hear “The Journey Continues,” African-American History of Springfield from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, in the Library Station Frisco Room.

Missouri State University sociology professors Lyle Foster and Tim Knapp will discuss their project, “The Journey Continues,” which examines the experiences of African-Americans living in Springfield. The program, based on interviews, letters, photos and other sources, provides a new understanding of the African-American history of Springfield.

Deliverance Temple Holds It’s Annual Christmas Concert Dec 16 Springfield, MO—Deliverance Temple Ministries will hold it’s annual Christmas Concert Sunday December 16, 2018, 6:30 pm at 2101 W. Chestnut Expwy. The concert will feature host Praise Team Urban Praise along with a variety of choirs and soloists from around the city.

If you are looking for hand soulful spirit filled music, come and join the annual holiday event.

Admission is free of charge and everyone is welcome. Doors will open at 6:00 pm.

For more information please go to DT Live Facebook page.

Kathleen O’Dell is community relations director of the Springfield-Greene County Library District. She can be reached at kathleeno@thelibrary.org.

Subscribe To The Unite Publication Call: (417) 864-7444

Service Times: Sunday 10:30 am & Wednesday 6:00 pm.

Deliverance Temple is a Non-Denominational Multi-Racial congregation. For more information, go to: www.deliverancetemple.org

Page 12 December 2018 | Unite News