2020 September Unite

September 2020 Volume 30/ Number 9 • Find Digital Version @ www.unitenewsonline.org •

Free Take One

UNITE.

Preparing Your Child For School

ARIYA CELEBRATION

Black History Summer Academy for

2020

Photo Gallery On Page 12

Building Empowering Connections

Helping your child prepare for whatever their classroom will look like this school year Page 5

Virtual Women Conference

See Details on Page 7

Featured Graduates from 6th Annual Black History Summer Academy Ariya Liberal and Conservative Agree: Fathers Matter, Case Closed Page 8

Youlanda Herron joins Leadership at Boys & Girls Clubs Page 5 Youlanda Herron

Family recipe turns into “Mama’s Worldwide Famous Barbecue Sauce” Page 6

‘Updated COVID-19 Community & Public Health Resource Directory See Information on PAGE 13

Targeting Communities of Color for COVID-19 Assistance Springfield, MO—Unite of Southwest Missouri, Inc has partnered with CPO Caring Communities, Springfield NAACP and Prosper Springfield to launch a COVID-19 resources and services outreach campaign. A grant was provided by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.

The grant is being used to contact targeted community members to obtain names and mailing addresses of residents needing vital COVID-19 health information. African American families or individuals can sign-up for a free six month Unite News subscription now until November 2020, please contact (417) 864-7444 or email your: • Name • Mailing Address to unitepublication@yahoo.com Predomanant African American Churches or Organizations, you can get assistance with: • masks, • gloves, and or • hand sanitizer Please contact: Brooke Ash, CPO at 417-888-2020.

Fall into a Career at CU Fall is right around the corner. If you’re looking for a change then look no further than CU. CU offers jobs in a variety of fields and one may be the right fit for you. For more information about job opportunities and the benefits offered by CU, log on to cityutilities.net.

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 2 Building Empowering Connections | Unite News

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

COVID-19 Community & Public Health Resource Directory: See PAGE 13

Tableof Contents Education

Help your child prepare for whatever their classroom will look like this school year

Page 5

Business

Ina Graham turns Family recipe into “Mama’s Worldwide Famous Barbecue Sauce”

Page 6

Church Annoucement: PITTS CHAPEL to host TACO TUESDAY!!!

Community

Youlanda Herron joins Leadership Team at Boys & Girls Club

Page 5

SCORE Virtual Women’s Sept 23/24 Conference, Keynote Speaker, Cynthia Williams

Page 7

Tuesday, September 29, 2020. Pitts Chapel United Methodist Church will host Taco Tuesday during lunch and dinner. Lunch will be served from 11:00 - 2:00. Stop by for dinner from 5:00 - 7:00. Event will be held in the fellowship hall of Pitts Chapel, 600 N. Benton. All proceeds will benefit the Pitts Chapel Capital Campaign for the church building renovation. For information, please contact Kim Jones at 417-861-5025 or Kim Berry at 417-827-5070.

Community

Featured Graduates from 6th Annual Black History Summer Academy Ariya

Page 12

Heath & Wellness

Is the Voice In Your Head Trying to Tell You Something?

Page 10

Opinion & Editorial

Reflect and Connect

Page 8

Unite News Building Empowering Connections | Page 3

The Unite News Publication is published by Unite. of Southwest Missouri, Inc.

Brentwood Chapel - University Chapel Crematory - Columbarium

UNITE. Volume 30, Number 9

MANAGEMENT MANAGING EDITOR & PRESIDENT Samuel G. Knox ASSOCIATE EDITOR Tyra K Knox

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Locally owned and operated for over 70 years

CONTENT CONTRIBUTING WRITER, Melesha Bailey CONTRIBUTING WRITER, Sativa B-Sloan CONTRIBUTING WRITER, Gwen Marshall CONTRIBUTING WRITER, Kathleen O'Dell CONTRIBUTING WRITER, Daniel Ogunyemi CONTRIBUTING WRITER, Francine Pratt CREATIVE TEAM PHOTOGRAPHY, Erin Gamble FESTIVAL GRAPHIC DESIGN, Bradley Knox COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP COMMUNITY ADVISORY MEMBER, Christopher Palma COMMUNITY ADVISORY MEMBER, Jasmine Bailey COMMUNITY ADVISORY MEMBER, Diana Vargas

Sunday 11 am Call: (862) 799-9004 to hear Church Service

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

Page 4 Building Empowering Connections | Unite News

The Unite. publication is a monthly newspaper published by Unite of Southwest Missouri, Inc. a 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization. Our mission is to promote a broader understanding and appreciation of the ethnically diverse talent, community resources and opportunities available in the Springfield/Greene County area. 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. Reader’s 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.

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Make Your Contribution Today!

If you would like to make a contribution to the Unite News Publication and it’s mission, please mail your gift to Unite, P.O. Box 1745, Springfield, MO 65801 or contact our office at (417) 864-7444.

“Let’s build a stronger community together.”

- Samuel Knox

Managing Editor

Community: News, Events & People Help your child prepare for whatever their class -room will look like this school year

Springfield, MO— This 2020-2021 school year stressful for everyone. But research shows that is shaping up to be unlike any before. As stufighting uncertainty can be worse. He recomdents, parents, teachers, and schools mends that we teach our students to be approach the start of a new school able to accept situations as they come year, there are still many questions which allows them to accept the emoabout exactly what school might look tions that come with those situations, like in the midst of the COVID-19 and to learn positive coping skills. Repandemic. member that it is okay to be realist with With so many questions about school your children. Most importantly you reopening, many parents don’t know can help them focus on what is imporhow to prepare their student for tant and things they can control such Gwen Marshall the upcoming year. For guidance, we as wearing a mask correctly and proper turned to Erica Lee and Heather Potts, handwashing instead of all the things psychologists in the Department of Psychiathey cannot do. try at Boston Children’s Hospital.

If your child is returning to school help Heather Potts suggests that we need to them think about the positives of going back help our student understand that while there to school instead of the negatives especially if might be a plan for going back to school, that they are feeling anxious. Talk to them about plan may not happen accordingly and we must the excitement of seeing their teachers and be flexible. While we might expect and really friends again. And if you are homeschooling hope for one thing, such as going back to their or doing online learning, make sure you build classroom, it might not happen and that’s okay. in positive activities, such as having sometime Continued on page 12 Erica Lee says dealing with uncertainty is

Herron joins Leadership at Boys & Girls Clubs Springfield, MO— Youlanda joins our team of the organization align with her “Passion for with 15 years of Human Resources experience, People” motto. a demonstrated commitment to diversity, During her spare time, she enjoys family equity, & inclusion, and a passion for time with her spouse, children, and helping the kids and families who grandchildren. She loves cooking, need us most. dancing, fishing, and volunteer work She specializes in creating thrivfor her church. She is a graduate of ing workplaces driven by positive Missouri State University with a BS employee relations. Her past experiin Business Management/Human ences as a Senior HR Generalist, HR Resources. She is a member of SHRM Manager and HR Director have aland plans to expand her knowledge Youlanda Herron lowed her to become a passionate adby obtaining her SHRM-SCP. vocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

She will be an excellent addition to our team Her concentration of fostering an environment and we cannot wait to see the incredible things where promoted awareness and understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion for all levels she does for Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield.

Masks Required At The Friends Of The Library Fall Book Sale Sept 16-20 At The E-Plex The huge Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale is finally here, Sept. 16-20, at the E*Plex, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. Friends will observe all safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by requiring masks, allowing for social distancing and providing hand sanitizer.

Friends Night Preview Sale is Tuesday, Sept. 15, 5-8 p.m. Friends members admitted free; or pay $5 at the door and join anytime that night. Regular sale is free, Wednesday-Friday, Sept. 16-18, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 19, Half-Price Day, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 20, Bag Day, 1-5 p.m.

The prices are amazing! New or like-new adult, young adult and children’s books and most audiovisuals are $1 or less; better books are $2 and up. This is also a great source of books for students schooling at home or in person this fall.

••• We’re making it easy for students – and any Greene County resident – to get a library card right now. They can apply online for a free temporary library card.

That will provide wide access to the Library’s online homework help and research resources, all library databases and digital audiobooks, e-books and magazines.

They must convert a temporary card to a free permanent one to check out physical materials. Do that at any drive-up window or library service desk. Applicants must provide a valid form of identification and proof of current address.

••• Thinking of voting absentee with a mail-in ballot in November? The Library Center and Continued on page 7

Unite News Building Empowering Connections | Page 5

Family recipe turns into “Mama’s Worldwide Famous Barbecue Sauce”

by Bon Tindle UniteNews Contributing Writer Ina Graham was born in Clinton, Missouri.

The town was much smaller then, but she has many fond memories of growing up with the neighborhood kids, walking just a couple of blocks to get to the general store or play. “Most of us were kin in some way,” she said while describing her youth. It was there that she learned to love food, and cooked alongside her mother. Not only did it create memories, but would eventually lead to something bigger than anyone ever anticipated.

Family is important to Graham, and was the foundation of Mama’s Barbecue LLC, which produces barbecue sauce. Mama’s Worldwide Famous Barbecue Sauce has met great

success since its recent launch this year.

Though her mother passed away twenty-two years ago, her influence carries on in her recipes and the daughter who brought it to the world.

Graham says that they always had a vegetable garden growing up, and that freshness made all the difference. She grew up on meals made from scratch, and that carried over into sides and sauces. One of her initial challenges was meeting with a co-packer to formulate the big batch recipe and balance the flavors in such a large quantity. When cooking the sauce with her mother, measuring was informal and you knew when it tasted right because you just knew. That is the reality of most family recipes, but can be difficult to reproduce in the lab. Graham is very hands-on and shopped around to find a specialist in sauces, and before

Page 6 Building Empowering Connections | Unite News

long it was ready for manufacturing. Since November of 2019, Graham has taken an idea and run with it. After several meetings to get the industrial recipe just right, the first batch was produced in June, 2020 and Mama’s Worldwide Barbecue Sauce was on shelves the first week of July.

Most businesses in this industry turn to festivals and farmer’s markets for feedback and proof of concept, but Graham took an unusual path. She was confident in Mama’s sauce, so she went straight to local retailers. She made some calls and reached out to local distributors, and Mama’s Worldwide Famous Barbecue Sauce is currently available at Hy-Vee and Harter House, and the results have been positive.

She plans to incorporate new flavors as well as expand her territory. But first, she is catching her breath from the unexpected speed with which she has grown. Despite only being in Continued on page 11

Library Column

continued from page 5

Ina Graham in the middle holding her product

Library Station now offer notary service for absentee ballots. The free service is offered by appointment at the Library Center, 8835341, and the Library Station, 616-0683.

About Absentee Voting: If a person has, or is in an at-risk category for COVID-19, they may vote absentee without a notary in the November 2020 elections. All other voters can vote by mail, but are required to have their ballot notarized. Applications for absentee ballots

can be obtained through the Secretary of State’s office, or the Greene County Clerk’s office. More information about absentee voting in Greene County is on the Greene County Clerk’s website, https://greenecountymo. gov/county_clerk/.

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

Unite News Building Empowering Connections | Page 7

Liberal and Conservative Agree: Fathers Matter, Case Closed

by Larry Elder, The Sage from the South, August 13, 2020 America has witnessed months of civil unrest in cities around America following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Many of the protesters decry income and net worth “inequality.” But the most serious “inequality” is the unequal percentage of fathers in Black households, a phenomenon that has been encouraged by government policies that normalize and reward out-ofwedlock births.

In 1965, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, assistant secretary of Labor to President Lyndon B. Johnson, published “The Negro Family: The Case for National Action.”

At that time, 25% of Blacks were born outside of wedlock, a number that this former adviser to President John F. Kennedy, future adviser to President Richard Nixon, future U.S. ambassador and future Democratic senator from New York said was catastrophic to the Black community.

Moynihan wrote: “A community that allows a large number of young men to grow up in broken homes, dominated by women, never acquiring any stable relationship to male authority, never acquiring any rational expectations about the future — that community asks for and gets chaos. Crime, violence, unrest, unrestrained lashing out at the whole social structure — that is not only to be expected, it is very near to inevitable.”

Moynihan, according to his daughter, “was crucified by the

left,” many of whom considered the book racist. Maura Moynihan said, “To this day members of the New York and D.C. elite insult and attack me at cocktail parties for being his daughter.” But since the publication of her father’s controversial report, the percent of Black children entering the world without a father in the home has almost tripled.

One of the most prominent, if not the most prominent, liberal think tanks in America is the Brookings Institute. On the right, one of the most prominent, if not Continued on page 11

Reflect and Connect

by Daniel Ogunyemi Unite Contributing Writer

goals, family priorities, community commitments, religious obligations... All while trying to Think about the last time you be a great friend, fit (& witty) got a chance to just sit, relax, enough for the perfect Instagram and take a real break. Were you picture/caption, and juggle life on the beach? Were you in all while striving for your own bed? Were you enough sleep to make it in the Rocky Mountains? through to week to the Were you with anyone? weekend. If 2020 has Were you reading a book? taught us nothing else, it Watching a play, show, or has forced us to slow way Daniel Ogunyemi down. I have had numermovie?

Or did you work out toous conversations with day, eat healthy foods, and get 7-8 friends that talk about how this hours of sleep? Did you practice year has enabled them to learn doing something YOU enjoyed? more about themselves, spend Have you done something that time (virtually or in-person) with had you carefree within the last loved ones increased, job require48-72 hours? Has “time flown” bements to shift, and new hobbies cause you are having fun lately...? to be formed. Before now, noMany times, we find ourselves body ever asked why and how we in a constant state of busyness. get so busy. Though many people Career aspirations, personal will report they enjoy what they

Page 8 Building Empowering Connections | Unite News

do, many of those same people believe they are overworked, underpaid, under-appreciated, tired, frustrated, not enough time in the day, and full of wishes/what-ifs.

You have probably heard the famous Benjamin Franklin quote, “Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.” I have heard and witnessed plenty of people that live their lives as if everything boring has to be completed TODAY (or before Friday afternoon) which reserves the weekend for the “fun stuff.” But I ask, what is wrong with putting some things off until tomorrow?

What would be the harm in extending deadlines? Who is to say Friday, Saturday, and Sunday have to be the only fun days?

Perhaps I can help make more of a case for why slowing down is Continued on page 16

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Page 9 December 2018 | Unite News

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

George Floyd & David Dorn

Dr. Calvin Allen Minority Scholarship Scholarship

For graduating student emonstrate interest For minority preferin promoting a society that is just, ence to Central High School equitable and inclusive of all Wallace & Libby Walter Scholarship For African American students from Springfield, MO

-

NAACP Springfield Branch Youth Scholarship

ve

For graduating minority students

ve e The o

Jacquelin Waugh Foster Scholarship For graduating minority students

ART EXHIBITS EDUCATION WORKSHOPS CLASSES FOR

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

hours of operation:

KIDS & ADULTS

Monday:

Closed

GUEST ARTISTS

Tues-Wed:

10am - 6pm

Thursday:

10am - 8pm

Fri-Sat:

10am - 6pm

Sunday:

1PM - 5PM

SIGNATURE EVENTS

1111 East Brookside Drive Springfield, Missouri 65807

tours

free admission

417-837-5700 · SGFMUSEUM.ORG

@SGFMUSEUM

*Closed on city & national holidays

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

For Guidelines Contact: For Guidelines Contact: Missouri State University Community Foundation of Foundation the 300Ozarks, S Jefferson Avenue P.O. SuiteBox 1008960, Springfield, Springfield, MO MO 65801 65806 For Guidelines Contact: Lawrence Anderson, Office of Equity & Access, 1359 E. St Louis, Springfield, MO 65802

diverse career opportunities serve your community Make an impact!

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

Call: 864-1607 /CityofSGF

City of Springfield, Missouri

@CityofSGFjobs

@CityofSGF

Unite News Building Empowering Connections | Page 9

Health & Wellness News Is the Voice In Your Head Trying to Tell You Something?

by Melesha Bailey Unite Contributing Writer

problem. They may have overlooked those inclinations until it reached a crisis point.

How many times As a health coach, have you said to yourprevention is key to self, I truly need to addressing potential start taking better care issues before they of my health? That feelbecome a crisis. I use ing comes from your a system of steps to creheart. Your heart is ate a mind-body concommunicating that it’s nection. These steps Melesha Bailey time to pay attention. are necessary and vital Many seek medical care because for creating a journey to optimal they have felt that nagging feelhealth that will stand the test of ing that says, it’s time to address time. an issue before it becomes a It starts with a step by step

This and That: Cartoons by Bob Palmer September 5 – November 29, 2020 Springfield Art Museum

The Springfield Art Museum is opening a new exhibit on September 5 featuring original cartoons by local cartoonist Robert “Bob” Palmer.

Palmer was Springfield’s longest-working cartoonist, creating over 10,000 political cartoons for the Springfield News-Leader beginning in April 1953 through July 1991. Palmer was the last local cartoonist; since his retirement, the paper has moved to syndicated cartoons. His political cartoons poked fun at everyone from Springfield City Council members to Presidents Nixon and Reagan, and covered issues ranging from peace negotiations in the Middle East to Springfield’s overflowing landfill.

He retired from the Springfield News-Leader in 1991 and passed away in 1999. The exhibition features 150 original cartoons, arranged thematically, pulled from the Museum’s permanent collection. This and That was specifically scheduled to coincide with the 2020 Presidential election to provide historical context behind many issues still facing Americans today.

See cartoon on next page...

Page 10 Building Empowering Connections | Unite News

process that builds upon each other. The results establish a mind-body connection that leads to a path of creating a life that is full of life-sustaining skills that will have a significant impact on the health of families and communities.

Steps to Better Health Step #1-Drink more water. Our bodies are 70% water. Water removes toxins, helps with weight management, effects energy, and brain function. When you are thirsty, you are dehydrated, which can be deadly. Drink up!

Step #2-Cook more often. Home cooking is healthier, saves money, better portion control, and brings families together. By eating at home and incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet, it may increase your chances of dealing with chronic diseases better.

Step #3-Eat less processed foods.

Processed foods are full of sugar, bad fats, sodium, artificial ingredients, and empty calories. These are foods that come from a box, baked goods, processed meats.

They contribute to obesity and many illnesses.

Step #4-Create healthy relationships. All relationships contribute to our overall health. They should make you feel secure, happy, and fulfilled.

Step #5-Make self-care part of your lifestyle. Take time to make you a priority helps with stress management, affirms your worth, and your self-esteem. You are

saying to yourself that you are valuable and you are worth it.

Step #6-Develop a spiritual practice. Having a connection to God benefits your mental and physical health, and could add years to your life.

Step #7-Get regular physical activity. You will be amazed at how much just 30 minutes of movement a day can impact your overall health.

These are just a few things that are easy to integrate into your lifestyle. It will take focus, intention, and dedication to yourself to overcome any blocks or hesitations to begin and continue a journey toward better health.

You may need a support system to keep you encouraged and on track. Seek friends, relatives, mentors, or health coach. Having that accountably helps to keep you motivated to stay the course.

As a nutritional health coach, my focus is to create a system to assist you through the steps, keep you on track with motivation and guidance so that you can achieve success.

Pay attention to that voice in your head. It’s trying to tell you that the time is NOW to make YOU a priority regarding your health.

Contact me for a Free Consultation to help you start by visiting my website www.love4lifewellness.com or email me at melesha@love4lifewellness.com.

Mention the Unite article for special discounts.~Coach Melesha Bailey

Barbecue Sauce

continued from page 6 business a few months, during a pandemic to boot, she has met little resistance in expanding.

Graham is a savvy businesswoman, but she didn’t start out that way. Remarkably, she does not have prior business experience and has not worked in the food industry. Her success relies on a top-notch family recipe, hard work, and learning as her path became clear. Sound business principles and a work ethic taught

by Mama herself equipped Graham to take the leap when she was ready. She also heavily credits her faith for helping her find her way and make principled decisions. “The Bible says to honor thy mother and father, and that doesn’t just mean while they’re alive.” Graham wants the world to enjoy her mother’s handiwork, and to ensure that the credit goes where it is due. Her mother’s photograph is on the label so that customers know where the magic started.

Her tenacity was instrumental in creating the business and preparing to launch. Licensing, red tape and careful planning were key to a smooth transition, and this work paid off when she immediately got shelf space in two locations. This pleasant surprise gave her a boost right from the start, which has only grown.

To her amusement, her display was next to Guy Fieri of Food Network’s famous show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

When asked if she had any advice for entrepreneurs in such unusual times, Graham recommends finding your own personal strength and making the most of it. She firmly states

her belief that every person has a gift, and that doesn’t just help you find a path, but the right path for you. “We all have something to give, but we might not know what that is until we try,” she said. “It doesn’t always look the way you think it will.”

Graham’s love for family doesn’t just reach back to those summers in Clinton. She has children and grandchildren who she keeps close to her heart when making decisions. “I believe in building for the generations to come,” she said. She wants her mother’s legacy to extend to future generations and provide for them. Any family business has a personal investment for owners, but that bond is especially strong because this very sauce was served in their family home. That taste, shared by generations of her own family and now with the world, gives them many reasons to be proud.

Not every child raised by a single parent will suffer from the experience, but, on average, a lone parent has fewer resources — both time and money — with which to raise a child. Poverty rates for single-parent families are five times those for married-parent families. … The growth of such families since 1970 has increased the overall child poverty rate by about 5 percentage points (from 20 to 25 percent). …

“Recent research suggests that boys are indeed more affected than girls by the lack of a male role model in the family. If true, this sets the stage for a cycle of poverty in which mother-headed families produce boys who go on to father their own children outside marriage.”

In 2014, Brookings also published “The Unequal Burden of Crime and Incarceration on America’s Poor” by former Brookings expert Benjamin H. Harris and nonresident senior fel-

low Melissa Kearney. They wrote: “(F)or an African American child whose father does not have a high school diploma, there is roughly a 50 percent chance that his or her father will be in prison by the time of the child’s fourteenth birthday. That so many of our nation’s children — poor, minority children, in particular — grow up with an incarcerated parent makes their chances of success that much harder.”

“Some of this difference in poverty is due to the fact that single parents tend to have less education than married couples, but even when married couples are compared to single parents with the same level of education, the married poverty rate will still be more than 75 percent lower.

Marriage is a powerful weapon in fighting poverty. In fact, being married has the same effect in reducing poverty that adding five to six years to a parent’s level of education has.”

Fathers Matter

continued from page 8 the most prominent, conservative think tanks is the Heritage Foundation. Yet despite their ideological differences, they agree on America’s most important domestic issue: Fathers matter.

In 2015, Isabel V. Sawhill, a senior fellow at Brookings, wrote “Purposeful Parenthood” and said: “The effects on children of the increase in single parents is no longer much debated. They do less well in school, are less likely to graduate, and are more likely to be involved in crime, teen pregnancy, and other behaviors that make it harder to succeed in life.

Unite News Building Empowering Connections | Page 11

2020 Black History Summer Academy’s 6th Annual Ariya Celebration

This school year

continued from page 5 together, or being able to take a lunch break and some fun outdoor activities if the weather permits. We are living in uncertain times and focusing on the positive aspect of any situation we find ourselves in is a good way to deal with stress.

If you find that your child is struggling academically be flexible and forgiving with them and yourself for this is a new endeavor for many parents and students.

Don’t hesitate to get the assistants you need. Help them learn how to structure their time, make to-do lists, break down tasks, get their work in on time, and communicate with their teachers if they are having a difficult time in any area.

Most importantly remember that children are usually resilient by nature but as a parent you can model that resilience for them.

Keep it positive for them and let them know if anything changes we will work it out as a team and we will come up with a new plan together.” COVID-19 has presented us with many challenges but as we focus on the positive it has taught both young and old important life skills and we are rising as a Nation and a school district to the occasion.

For more Information About Springfield Public Schools Reentry Plan: https://drive. google.com/file/d/1lDE5SdrLtp6ZOfkE_VlRmmz3fLcck2Lx/view

From L to R: - Alyeah Durham (Parkview High) - Karlyana Jamerson (Central High) - Adora Snead (Willard High) - Essence Stiles (Parkview High)

Page 12 Building Empowering Connections | Unite News

More resources listed online at: unitenewsonline.org • RENT OR MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE • CHILD CARE & TUTORING • EDUCATION PRE-K to 12th GRADE & BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) COMMUNITY & PUBLIC HEALTH RESOURCE DIRECTORY

PUBLIC HEALTH RESOURCES Help Ozarks

Help Ozarks is the City of Springfield’s main website to share official directions to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). This website provides direct links to information on the latest Springfield-Greene County health updates, resources for job seekers and employers, and a pledge citizens, businesses and institutions can voluntarily take to show commitment to slowing the spread of the Coronavirus during Recovery orders. For more information visit: https://www.springfieldmo.gov/5107/Help-Ozarks

Springfield-Greene County Health Department | COVID-19 Resources

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department’s website has guidelines for good hand and respiratory hygiene habits, tips for at-risk groups that may be more affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and guidance for travel and isolation/quarantine timelines. The health department’s website also shows testing sites—Cox Virtual Health Visits and MyMercy—available in Springfield. For more information visit: https://www.springfieldmo.gov/5068/ Coronavirus or call 417-874-1211.

Cox Health Visits

Cox Healthcare System is providing free virtual visits to screen patients for COVID-19 and provide more guidance about the appropriate actions to take if they are sick with the Coronavirus. Virtual visits are online appointments that are available for people ages two years and older and include a COVID-19 Risk Assessment and if needed, a prescription referral to a pharmacy. For more information visit: https://www.coxhealth.com/services/virtualvisits/ or call 417-269-3000.

Mercy Health

Mercy Health provides virtual care options to seek medical treatment without exposing others to illness. MyMercy is a free, easy-to-use application to manage your whole family’s health online. This app allows users to access information about their health and care team 24 hours a day. For more information visit: https://www.mercy.net/patients/mymercy/ or call 417-820-2000.

Missouri Food Stamp

Pandemic Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (P-SNAP) provided all households currently eligible for SNAP to receive the maximum amount for their house size for March through June 2020 to prevent Food Stamp benefits from ending during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting July 1, 2020, Missourians are required to complete a periodic recertification process to verify the household still qualifies for Food Stamp/SNAP benefits.

For more information visit https://mydss.mo.gov/covid-food-stamp-info.

Food Resources in Springfield and Greene County

Food resources in Springfield that are available to the general public, children and older adults who are 60 years and above during COVID-19 Stay-atHome and Recovery orders can be found at the following Google Spreadsheet. The list is updated with new resources when they become available and contains the location, hours, type of food service, ways to access food services and who can access services: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1v3UBVz5i68INI3agcZLM7ULys-O3jHOKm6zwJXWqJB0/edit#gid=0

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PUBLIC HEALTH RESOURCES WIC

Effective March 18, 2020, all satellite WIC locations were closed until further notice. All appointments are handled over the phone. The WIC program is housed at Jordan Valley Community Health Center and provides free services for qualifying participants such as health screenings, nutrition education and additional food packages, breastfeeding support, referrals to health care providers or social services agencies. For more information visit: https:// www.jordanvalley.org/services or call 417-864-1540.

Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS)

Most DSS offices are still closed to the public at this time, but some offices are taking in person visits by appointment only. Please visit the DSS website to see how the Family Support Division, Child Care Subsidy, MO HealthNet (Medicaid), Children’s Division and Division of Youth Services will conduct business during this time period if assistance is needed at https://dss.mo.gov/covid-19/

MO HealthNet (Medicaid)

Telehealth is available to MO HealthNet participants. There will be no copays for COVID-19 testing for MO HealthNet participants. Coverage will be extended to Missourians ages 19 to 64 who test positive for COVID-19. Requirements for prescriptions refills will make sure participants have access to essential medications. For more information visit: https://dss.mo.gov/mhd/ or call 573-751-3425.

JOB SEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS Missouri Job Center

The Missouri Job Center has reopened to the public and offers a variety of job options and job training programs during Recovery Orders to make sure individuals can get back to work stronger than ever before with events and opportunities such as: Aspire (youth program), MO Works Together, Green for Greene, Career Services, America’s Promise, SkillUP and Franklin Apprenticeship & Dislocated Worker programs. The north location job center has relocated from the Cox building to the N. W. Project, located in the on Fairbanks. For more information visit https://www.springfieldmo.gov/1007/Workforce-Development or call 417-887-4343.

Prime, Inc.

Prime, Inc. is a logistics company with a Driver Training Program that allows individuals to earn their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) while getting paid. CDL training classes start each week and gives driver’s real-world experience to prepare for any situation they may encounter on the road. Prime also offers in-house job opportunities to ensure the safety, success and reliability of operations. For more information visit https://www.primeinc.com/ or call 1-877-774-6356.

SRC Holdings

SRC Holdings is a manufacturing company that remanufactures products for major industries that allows individuals to gain real-world experience, pursue an education and avoid student debt through apprenticeship, internship and tuition reimbursement programs. Participants receive one-on-one mentorship, earn wage increases at work milestones and learn cutting edge technology practices from Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC). For more information on how to apply, students may contact their high school counselor or OTC’s Career Center. All others can visit https://www.srcholdings.com/ career-development or contact them at 417-862-4510.

File for Unemployment | Missouri Department of Labor

The Missouri Department of Labor’s website provides information on how to file or manage an unemployment claim or claim benefit eligibility. The website also features information on worker’s compensation and discrimination complaints for businesses and workers. Businesses can file unemployment for groups of employees they may have to lay off due to COVID-19. For more information visit: https://labor.mo.gov/coronavirus.

US Small Business Administration (SBA)

The US Small Business Administration website describes areas eligible for SBA disaster loans and the steps to apply for a loan. SBA can provide small businesses who have experienced substantial suffering due to COVID-19 with low-interest federal disaster loans to overcome temporary loss of revenue.

For more information visit: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ or call 1-800-877-8339.

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EDUCATION PRE-K TO 12TH GRADE & BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL Springfield Public Schools (SPS)

Springfield Public Schools (SPS) has an online resource center to help adjust to schooling from home to create an environment for your student to learn well at home. Resources include tips to schedule a routine for homeschooling children at each grade level, special education and English Language Learner (ELL) resources. For more information visit https://www.sps.org/Domain/57 or contact your child’s school.

Kahn Academy

Kahn Academy is offering free resources to parents, teachers, schools and districts to keep everyone learning. Their website offers resources such as daily schedules, weekly learning plans for students in remote learning environments. For more information visit https://keeplearning.khanacademy.org/.

Fast Track Program

Fast Track is a financial aid program from the Missouri Department of Higher Education that helps adults obtain an industry-recognized credential in high need job areas. Students who receive the Fast Track grant have any remaining college tuition and fees covered after using other state and federal aid programs. Individuals 25 years or older or who have not been enrolled in school within the last two years and are seeking to earn a bachelor’s degree are eligible to apple. Participants must earn under $40,000 per year or $80,000 filing jointly.

For more information visit https://dhewd.mo.gov/initiatives/fast_track.php.

Ozarks Technical Community College

OTC is a community college in Springfield, Missouri. Students can earn a one-year certificate, two-year Associate of Applied Science degree or Associate of Arts degree. They also have a variety of apprenticeship programs. For more information visit https://www.otc.edu/ or call 417-447-7500.

Missouri State University

MSU is a public, comprehensive university system with a mission in public affairs. Their purpose is to develop fully educated persons with a focus on ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement. For more information visit https://www.missouristate.edu/ or call 417-836-5000.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES Community Health Advocates | Springfield-Greene County Health Department

Community Health Advocates help individuals navigate Springfield resources and work with individuals to determine their needs and provide personalized referrals to employee assistance, affordable housing, healthcare, pregnancy and parenting services, education, disability services and childcare assistance. To make a referral visit: https://www.springfieldmo.gov/CHAreferral or call 417-874-2477.

U.S. Census 2020

The U.S. 2020 Census invitations began arriving at households March 12. For the first time, nearly everyone will be invited to respond online, by phone, or by mail. Along with the invitation, households will receive a census overview, description of language assistance in English and 12 additional languages, and a census ID number. More information about when most people will receive their invitations can be found at 2020census.gov. https://2020census.gov/en.html?utm_campaign=20200312msprts1ccpupnl&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Tax Filing New Due Date

TThe 2019 tax filing deadline was extended to July 15, 2020 due to COVID-19. For individuals with simple returns to file, Community Partnership of the Ozarks is hosting Tax Clinics through September 30, 2020. If individuals have access to a computer, they can also use the following website suggested

by Community Partnership of the Ozarks: www.myfreetaxes.com. For more information visit https://www.cpozarks.org/financial-literacy/ or call 417-720-2000.

Prosper Springfield Website: “Get Help & Get Informed”

This website has information on current resources and services available in the Springfield/Greene County area. Click “Get Help” to find information related to almost any area of need related to education, health, housing, job/financial assistance and transportation.

Please visit: www.prosperspringfield.org.

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Internet Access, Internet Affordability, Tutoring, Mentoring and Outreach for Job Skill Options Internet Access, Internet Affordability, Tutoring, Mentoring and Outreach for Job Skill Options, August 25, 2020 Springfield Area organizations that focus on providing assistance to students of color and students who qualify for free and reduced lunch and/or are Pell Grant eligible can seek assistance to help any age active student with internet access, affordability, devices, mentoring, tutoring as well as information on job skill training and local apprenticeships.

If you are a community-based organization or a faith-based organization, and you provide assistance to students of all ages, please contact Francine Pratt, Executive Director for the Missouri College Access Network (MOCAN). MOCAN received a grant from the Greene County CARES Act Relief Fund to assist students in Greene County who had internet access barriers and other learning needs disrupted last semester and this semester.

MOCAN is in partnership with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Work Force Development (DHEWD) and

Reflect and Connect Continued from page 8

important. Biologically speaking, our bodies are designed to cope with a reasonable level of stress.

Our brains are designed to first be a survival brain in which it is constantly monitoring our surroundings to ensure our safety is maintained. For example, if you woke up to a bear...

Err, bearcat (proud SBU alumnus) in your bedroom, chances are high that you will go into an automatic response of either fight, flight, or freeze- terms you are likely already familiar with. This type of high stress puts us on high alert and causes our bodies to be in a heightened state (i.e. increased heart rate). Healthy stress, such as the awareness of an upcoming work or school deadline, prompts us to take action which often releases a euphoric feeling

which reinforces appropriate body regulation. In short, toxic stress is disabling, healthy stress is empowering.

The ultimate stress is trauma.

According to the American Psychological Association, trauma “is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, [sexual abuse], or natural disaster.” The response to trauma is individualized, meaning, people may respond differently to the same traumatic event/ experience. However, the effects of trauma can lead to symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress, Depression, Anxiety, and other mental health defects. Why? Because our brains and bodies are NOT naturally designed to cope with these types of stressors.

Generally speaking, the more severe the trauma or the longer exposure to the trauma, the more of an impact it has on us.

Can we all agree that 2020 has

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the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to determine how to address barriers to internet access across the state starting with grant funds that will only be used for students of all ages in Greene County.

Ms. Pratt stated, “I am so grateful that MOCAN was asked to join DHEWD and DESE in this work to focus on the student’s needs. One of MOCAN’s key areas of focus is internet affordability and accessibility. I am also extremely thankful for the Greene County Commissioners and the grant process that was utilized to award MOCAN the grant. Knowing about the threetiered review process made MOCAN even more appreciative for receiving the grant that will only serve students in Greene County and will help DHEWD and DESE determine what can work in other parts of Missouri.” For more information, please contact Francine Pratt at FPratt@mocollegeaccess.org or 916-541-1675.

been traumatic?!?! We are living through a global pandemic which has literally changed life as we know/knew it. The other major function of our brain seeks connection with others. This, too, helps reinforce euphoric experiences that strengthen our brains resilience and health. The more connections you have with others, the more likely you are to feel a sense of security.

The less threatened you are, the safer you feel. COVID-19 forced us to feel unsafe and disconnected. That is trauma. The social unrest helped resurface reminders of the inequities that exist in America built off generations of racism. This is a different type of trauma, yet still trauma. Let’s not forget that some of us have had to cope with the loss of loved ones, jobs, normalcy...

So, again I ask you to think about the last time you got a chance to just sit, relax, and take a real break? The

need to build up vacation time, save thousands of dollars, or develop a courage to fly in an airplane is irrelevant as it relates to habitual practices of setting your glass down (s/o to Burrell Behavioral Health’s Be Well Community). Just as our busyness is an act of intention, so should our commitment to self-care.

This is an encouragement to explore you. This is an invitation to discover you. This is a plea to care for you. This is a charge to normalize abnormality- delineate mental health stigmas. This is a call to action. Take time to count your blessings and consider the wins/successes that you have achieved up to this point. Even if you are just holding on by a thread, count it! You deserve it!

“Never let the future disturb you.

You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today are you against the present.”

Marcus Aurelius