2021 July Unite

July 2021 Volume 31/ Number 7 • Find Digital Version @ www.unitenewsonline.org •

Free Take One

UNITE. Building Empowering Connections

The 2021 Black History Summer Academy presents the

7th Annual Ariya Rites of Passage Celebration

Honoring High School graduates exhibiting excellence in education and community service Page 8

Tekaira Finley

Solpneuma Horton

Springfield Reunion Club Cancels 2021 ParkDay Reunion Event The event is planned to resume the first weekend of August 2022 Page

5

Keyanna Lewis

Juneteenth Event Draws Crowd of 200+

Families with kids and teens, turned out amid 90-degree temperatures for Springfield’s 2021 Juneteenth celebration Page 6

Brielle Looney

The Importance of Eye Care

Your eyesight is one of your most important senses: 80% of what we perceive comes through our sense of sight. Page 10

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

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"I have big feelings.

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DRIVE-THROUGH until August 2021!

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Page 2 Building Empowering Connections | Unite News

Big Feelings helps children navigate the emotional challenges they face in their daily lives.

What should we do when things don't go as planned? We may feel mad, frustrated, or overwhelmed, but by talking it through, compromising, and see another point of view, we can start fresh, begin anew.

Directions: Unscramble the words.

1. gfal _________________________ 2. estipr_______________________ 3. edfermo____________________ 4. rtass________________________ 5. lube_________________________ 6. dre__________________________ 7. twihe_______________________ 8. wroksrfie___________________

Answer Key: 1. flag 2. stripes 3. freedom 4. stars 5. blue 6. red 7. white 8. fireworks

Mission: to educate, connect, empower, advocate for children and families.

Ujima Language and Literacy is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

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

Tableof Contents Community

Health & Wellness

Springfield Reunion Club shares a message and honors love ones on memorial page

Page 5

Father’s Day: Fatherless, America’s Top Domestic Problem

by Larry Elder

Community

Vaccinations

Page 11

Springfield Greene County Health shares information on where you can get the COVID-19 vaccine

Charlotte (Johnson) Cosby has written a children’s book showcasing the life of the living legend Colonel Frederick Drew Gregory

Page 7

Page 6

Scientists, health and medical experts, and researchers agree that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. It is one of the most important tools to help our community.

Education

Honoring graduates exhibiting excellence in education and community service

by Gwen Marshall

Page 8

Health & Wellness

On a Clear Day Can You See?-The Importance of Eye Health

by Melesha Bailey

Page 10

Low vaccination rates impact all of us. Experts agree that it takes a 70% vaccination rate to reach herd immunity. Locally our vaccination rates have not passed 40%. Until vaccination rates increase, many are vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19.

Celebrate National Good Neighbor Day Sept 28, 2021

With vaccines we can OVERCOME. If we’re going to beat COVID-19, it will take all of us. Getting the vaccine not only protects you, it protects your family, your neighbors, and your community.

Visit VACCINE417.COM for more vaccine information and a map of local vaccine opportunities. For questions about the vaccine or to schedule you free vaccine today, SCAN THE QR CODE or call our COVID-19 Call Center at 417-874-1211.

WE HAVE ENTERED THE FINAL LEG OF THIS MARATHON, BUT WE NEED TO FINISH STRONG.

Tell what act of neighboring you or your family did during the week, if you witnessed an act of neighboring, or if you were the recipient.

Top Neighbor Award of $250 Page 12

National Good Neighbor Day Sept. 28, 2021

Celebrated locally with:

1,000 Acts of Neighboring Challenge Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2021

Acts of neighborliness are often simple gestures that help us be a good neighbor, lift up others, or make our community a place we love.

We invite you to take part in our 1,000 Acts of Neighboring Challenge for one week -- Sept. 26 to Oct. 2 – as a way to celebrate National Good Neighbor Day on Sept. 28.

Tell us what act of neighboring you or your family did during the week, if you witnessed an act of neighboring, or if you were the recipient.

If it’s something visual, take a photo and send it via email at greeneco@missouri.edu.

Examples will be shared on social media.

The goal is for our Greene County residents to achieve 1,000 acts of kindness toward neighbors living near them.

Enter for prizes by sharing what you have done or received at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NationalGoodNeighborDay or find the link at http://extension.missouri.edu

For more information contact Greene County MU Extension office at (417) 881-8909.

Or contact David Burton, county engagement specialist by email burtond@missouri.edu This flyer is paid for by Greene County MU Extension and the many partners that have helped to make this program possible in 2021.

Unite News Building Empowering Connections | Page 3

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

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UNITE. Volume 31, Number 7

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

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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.

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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.

Email: unitepublication@yahoo.com

Make A 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, People & Events

A Message from the Springfield Reunion Club

The Springfield Reunion Club wants to thank the community for your continued support past and future. The last time we were all together was August 2019, and what a time we had. Due to several circumstances influenced by COVID-19 pandemic, we regret to announce there will be no park day activities in August 2021. It is our plan to return with a robust three day event in 2022, as we make plans, we advise the community to do in accordance also. May God continue to bless and keep us all.

2020 Robert Purdom Nathan “Butch” Armstrong Clifford Burton Angel Adams Tonish “Tony” Lynn Fewell, Sr. Sadie Johnson Sue Marshall Halton McKinney Ford Tony Lavell Sterling Jacqueline “Jackye” Pasley Delores Jean Davis Perkins Janette Sue Laddimore Marcus Eugene Shockley, Jr. Garland Adams Manuel Lee Finley Rev. Leo King, Sr.

Memorial Page from Springfield Reunion Club Brenda Sue Dodd Brown Paul Boyd Bobby Joe Young Kathryn Louise Jeffries Bronson Velma Bedell Cheryl Robinson Carolyn Karen Bracken Anna Mae Burdette Bessie Marie Brown Gloria Louise Morris Charles Logan Mary Ann Adams Queenester Lowe Roxanne Bedell Taylor Barbara Patterson Carol Burton James Louis Parrish

Lenora O’Neal Sorrell Mary Jean Price Wall Yetive Regina Huddleston Davonta Terrell White James Edward Sigh Charles Leroy Adams Lula Henderson Dorothy Woods William “Bill” Allen Charles Cobb Brenda Lindsay Brian Knight Jay Colson Tamika Shena Fewell Miller Mark Collinwood Brown Cleophus Minter Ernestine “Tina” Looney

Clay Henry Walker, Jr. Edith Lucille Spencer Claude Elsworth “C.E.” England Daniel Grant Carolyn Alice Cobb Mervin Young Zack Tolliver 2021 Herbert Farmer, Jr. Nathaniel Henry Adams Beverly Beatty Sharon Denise Thomas Nathaniel Mosley Theodore Roosevelt Higgs, Jr. Jeremiah Williams, Jr. James Alvin Hawthorne, Jr.

Marcellous James Aaron Collins Robert Foster Anthony William Bradley Elwin Pierre Adams Hollis Bernard Scott Delores Marie Dunn Macer Charles “Butch” Marshall Dexter McCrimmons II Annie Wells Eric Walls Billy Joe Richardson Adriano Clark Lester Baker

Unite News Building Empowering Connections | Page 5

Children’s book showcasing the life of Colonel Frederick Drew Gregory Charlotte (Johnson) Cosby has written the 1st Children’s Hardcover showcasing the life of the living legend Colonel Frederick Drew Gregory; The nephew of famed medical researcher Dr. Charles Drew.

Dad’s Mission: A Pictorial Biography of Colonel Frederick Drew Gregory is Available worldwide with online venues where books are sold including Amazon.

Families & Friends Meet to commemorate Juneteenth Event

com, Barnes and Noble.com, Walmart and Target.com

A group of friends pose at 2021 Juneteenth Celebration

Springfield, MO—At least 200 people of many races, many of them families with kids and teens, turned out amid 90-degree temperatures and sunny skies for Springfield’s 2021 Juneteenth celebration. It was put on Saturday afternoon by the local chapter of the NAACP at Silver Springs Park, long a geographical center of Black recreational activities in Springfield.

Juneteenth was first formally celebrated by the NAACP in Springfield in 1997, according to News-Leader archives. But the American holiday’s history goes much further back, commemorating the day in 1865 when news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, the last Confederate state to have the proclamation announced as the Civil War came to an end.

Since 2003, Missouri has declared June 19 Emancipation Day and made it an officially recognized state holiday, according to the website of the Missouri Senate.

Laron Coleman was an attendee at Saturday’s Juneteenth at Silver Springs, helping tend a small barbecue grill roasting hot dogs at the T-Mobile booth. Coleman said he is a calling center coach for T-Mobile and serves in the company’s multicultural alliance to work on diversity and inclusion efforts. The company is recruiting right now and wanted to get out the message at Juneteenth, he said.

Coleman said he moved to Springfield “seven or eight years” ago from St. Louis and attends Juneteenth each year. Springfield’s Juneteenth celebrations are smaller than the ones in the Arch City, Coleman said, but this year’s Springfield festival seemed like the biggest local one that he’d seen to date.

“They’re both a really big celebration with the same core message,” Coleman said. “We want to recognize and acknowledge that day.”

Page 6 Building Empowering Connections | Unite News

Scientists, health and medical experts, and researchers agree that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. It is one of the most important tools to help our community.

Low vaccination rates impact all of us. Experts agree that it takes a 70% vaccination rate to reach herd immunity. Locally our vaccination rates have not passed 40%. Until vaccination rates increase, many are vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19.

With vaccines we can OVERCOME. If we’re going to beat COVID-19, it will take all of us. Getting the vaccine not only protects you, it protects your family, your neighbors, and your community.

Visit VACCINE417.COM for more vaccine information and a map of local vaccine opportunities. For questions about the vaccine or to schedule you free vaccine today, SCAN THE QR CODE or call our COVID-19 Call Center at 417-874-1211.

Unite News Building Empowering Connections | Page 7

WE HAVE ENTERED THE FINAL LEG OF THIS MARATHON, BUT WE NEED TO FINISH STRONG.

Graduates Profiles of the 7th Annual BHSA Ariya Springfield, MO—This year the Black History Summer Academy (BHSA) was held at Drury University, and we were able to reach a vast audience.

Because of our sponsors we have been able to honor our Gwen Marshall commitment to Founder & Coordinator of BHSA share the global contributions of African American in the areas of entrepreneurship and innovation.

The event is wrapped up with the 7th Annual Springfield Ariya Rites of Passage presentation at Deliverance Temple Ministries.

We are honoring young ladies who have recently graduated from high school. They have exhibited excellence in education and community service.

Tekaira Finley

Nyeti Na Ya Kujali “Sensitive and Caring” Tekaira resides in Springfield, Missouri. Her parents Tekaira Finley are Tyron Finley and Nichole Couvrey.

She has four siblings. Tekaira attended Central High School.

While at Central, Tekaira was a part of the girls’ basketball team that brought a championship win to Central. The last championship win was in 1987 thus ending a 34-year time span for the Lady Bulldogs.

Tekaira made the All-Conference Academic Team as a result of her 3.7 GPA and her skills on the court.

When she is not studying or on the basketball court, Tekaira enjoys kayaking and hiking.

Her continuation into higher education will be done at Ozark Technical College.

Group photo of the Ariya Kwanzishas and their escorts Her major area of study will be Business. Her career goal is to become a flight attendant.

“Give 110% in everything you do.

Rise above those who doubt you.

If plan “A” fails, remember there are 25 letters left in the alphabet.” ­—Tekaira Finley

Solpneuma Horton

Roho Nzuri “Lovely Spirit” Solpneuma was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She resides in Strafford Solpneuma Horton with her parent Senuray Horton. She has 2 brothers, Charles and Bryant. The family attends Landmark Church.

Solpneuma is a graduate of Strafford High School. While in high school, she participated in volleyball, track and cheerleading.

Solpneuma has shown a strong work ethic by maintaining employment all four years of high school.

She plans to attend Missouri study will be nursing. She plans to become a Registered Nurse upon

Page 8 Building Empowering Connections | Unite News

Valley in Marshall, Missouri. Her area of study will be nursing. She plans to become a Registered Nurse upon completion of her studies. Solpneuma received a scholarship toplay volleyball while attending Missouri Valley.

“When you have a dream, don’t wait for the right moment, create the right moment.”

—Solpneuma Horton

Keyanna Lewis

Neena Na Ya Mbinguni “Graceful and Heavenly” Keyanna was born in Augusta, Keyanna Lewis Georgia. She now resides in Nixa, Missouri with her parents, Ken and Christin Lewis.

She has two sisters, Laquonna and Crisha, along with three brothers, Tyquon, Tyrone and Kevon. The family attends Greater Metropolitan Church where her father, Rev. Ken Lewis is the Pastor.

Keyanna is very active in her church. She is a member of the

Praise Dance Team. She has been practicing the art of Praise Dance since she was six years old. She is also a youth leader at church.

Keyanna is a graduate of Nixa High School where she maintained a 3.7 GPA. While attending Nixa High School, Keyanna participated in volleyball and track. Her volunteer efforts while in high school included coaching seventh and eighth graders in volleyball during the after-school program at SPARC. Keyanna has decided to go into the Air Force. Her intended area of study is biology where she is setting her sights on becoming a pediatric oncologist nurse.

“Don’t change so people will like you.

Be yourself and the right people Will love the real you.”

—Keyanna Lewis

Brielle Looney

Kuamua Moja “Determined One” Brielle resides in Springfield, Missouri. Her parents Brielle Looney are Nichole Looney and James Heard. She has one brother, Brandon and three sisters, Danielle, Dominque and Jasmine.

Brielle is a graduate of Parkview High School. Her school career was a major focus for Brielle. She was able to graduate a semester early to begin her future goals. Her goals include getting her business license in order to begin work in a hair salon thereby achieving her goal of becoming a cosmologist and professional hair braider.

Her activities and hobbies include styling hair using braiding techniques, hanging with her friends and family.

“Anything lost can be found again, Except for time wasted.”

—Brielle Looney Continued on page 9

These young men serve as protectors and escorts of the Kwanzishas.

Zion Black Parkview High School Parents: Kenyae & Shannon Black

Dominic Thomas Hillcrest High School Parents:

Nicholas Thomas & Tiffany Whiteley

Ro’Land Ky’Rell Travis Hillcrest High School Parent: Ra-Keisha Roland

Zorian Black Parkview High School Parents: Kenyae and Shannon Black

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT PAYING RENT OR UTILITIES DUE TO COVID-19?

If you are struggling to pay your rent or utilities due to COVID-19 and live in Greene County, contact the number below to see if you qualify for assistance.

Community Partnership of the Ozarks 417-888-2020

THIS PROJECT IS BEING SUPPORTED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY FEDERAL AWARD NUMBER ERA0293 TO COUNTY OF GREENE BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY.

Unite News Building Empowering Connections | Page 9

Health & Wellness News On a Clear Day, Can You See? - The Importance of Eye Care

by Melesha Bailey Unite Contributing Writer

cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Rates of vision loss and blindness caused by Springfield, MO—They say the eye disease are increasing because eyes are the windows to the soul. they are not addressed and go unWhat would happen if you couldn’t checked until the loss of sight gets see your grandchildren, the stars to a crisis point. in the sky, the mountains, In 2011, the Glauor the trees? coma Research July is Healthy Vision Foundation found that Month. glaucoma is the primaThe National Eye ry cause of blindness Institute is focusing on among African Amerispotlighting the imporcans. We are 15 times tance of creating diversimore likely to lose our ty in the eye health field. vision caused by glaucoWe need more black and ma than white AmeriMelesha Bailey women optometrists to cans. It’s one of the leading address the major eye issues that causes of blindness and is preventmany African Americans face from able with proper vision checks and health issues that lead to poor eye better health care. health.

Glaucoma often develops as a Your eyesight is one of your result of increased eye pressure most important senses: 80% of that damages the optic nerve. what we perceive comes through African-Americans seem to develop our sense of sight. Unfortunately, glaucoma about ten years younger many African Americans are at than whites, and having diabetes higher risk for eye diseases like or a family history of glaucoma

Join our Team thearcoftheozarks.org

increases the risk.

There is still much research on the reasons for the increased risk.

However, according to the Bright Focus Foundation, some studies show that there may be a genetic difference in the optic nerve structure that increases this risk.

Hypertension and diabetes are primary chronic health conditions that affect eyesight and are widespread in African American communities. With estimates that 18.7 % of Black Americans over the age of 20 have diabetes, the American Heart Association has stated that over 40% of Black people have high blood pressure. These statistics put African Americans at a higher chance of eye diseases and overall loss of vision.

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that causes ongoing damage to the vessels that supply the retina. Progression in damage can lead to vision loss and even complete blindness.

African-Americans, and Hispan-

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Page 10 Building Empowering Connections | Unite News

Continued on page 11

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ic-Americans, are at a higher risk of diabetic retinopathy than other ethnic groups because they have a higher rate of diabetes, including undiagnosed diabetes.

Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye. According to YourSightMatters.com, African Americans are 1.5x more likely to develop cataracts and 5x more likely to develop related blindness.

A review of Optometry suggests that Black people do not respond to medical and surgical treatment for glaucoma comparable to whites. In addition, they state that the chemical compounds in medications for glaucoma bind to the heavy ocular melanin found in African Americans. Therefore, these drugs need to be administered in higher doses.

Black people have thinner corneas than whites, which can cause doctors to underestimate the intraocular pressure, delaying diagnosis and treatment.

The month of July is Healthy

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Father’s Day: Fatherless, America’s Top Domestic Problem

by Larry Elder Guest Columnist A new powerful new documentary called “The Streets Were My Father” features three Chicago men, two Hispanics and one Black, who grew up without fathers. All three did hard time for serious offenses, including murder.

The film, with no narrator, just lets the men talk. None blames “systemic racism.” All concede they made bad choices, but choices nonetheless. All talked about the pain they felt growing up without a father figure to instruct, scold, guide, motivate and instill confidence and direction. I highly recommend it.

In Barack Obama’s first book, “Dreams From My Father,” he talked about the hole in his soul, having last seen his father, briefly, when Obama was 10: “There was only one problem: my father was missing. He had left paradise (Hawaii), and nothing that my mother or grandparents told me could obviate that single, unassailable fact.

Their stories didn’t tell me why he had left. They couldn’t describe what it might have been like had he stayed.”

My brothers and I were fortunate. We grew up with two strong, hardworking parents, both born in the Jim Crow South. But when I grew up, most kids came from two-parent households. My father, on the other hand, never knew his biological father. A man named Elder was in his life longer than most of his mother’s boyfriends.

He was an alcoholic, who routinely beat my father’s mother and would beat my father when he tried to intervene. Dad’s illiterate mother

sided with her boyfriend during a quarrel with my dad and threw him out of the house at the age of 13. He never returned. This was in Athens, Georgia, deep in the Jim Crow South, at the beginning of the Great Depression.

He took a series of menial jobs before becoming a Pullman porter for the railroads. As a porter, he traveled all over the country and was amazed when he traveled to California, where he eventually relocated, and could actually walk in the front door of a restaurant and get served. My father joined the Marines, did duty in Guam during World War II and became a staff sergeant in charge of making sure the “colored” troops were fed.

When he returned, he sought a job as a cook but was told, “We don’t hire (N-word)s.” So, he worked two jobs as a janitor and cooked for a white family on the weekends. After a grueling day of work, he attended night school two or three times each week to get his GED. He took courses on restaurant management and then started a small cafe when he was 47 years old, an ancient age for a first-time entrepreneur. The cafe was successful. He owned the property and bought some rental property before retiring in his early 80s.

He tolerated no excuses and always gave my brothers and me the following advice: “Hard work wins. You get out of life what you put into it. You cannot control the outcome, but you are 100% in control of the effort. Before you complain about what somebody said or did to you, go to the nearest mirror and ask yourself, ‘What could I have done to change the outcome?’ And, no matter how

hard you work, how good you are, bad things will happen. How you respond to those bad things will tell your mother and me if we raised a man.”

I wrote a book about the eighthour conversation I had with this crusty old Marine, whose oldschool discipline my brothers and I did not appreciate at the time.

The hardback is called “Dear Father, Dear Son,” and the paper-

The Importance of Eye Care Continued from page 10

Vision Month to raise awareness and prevent vision loss because of race and the need for more black optometrists.

Healthy Vision Month creates awareness in young black students

back is called “A Lot Like Me.” Several readers who, like my dad, grew up without a father wrote to me and said that the book “changed their lives.” Many readers who, like my brothers and me, grew up with tough Depression-era World War II dads said the book changed how they saw their fathers.

Fathers matter. of the need for Doctors of Optometry, and choosing optometry is a viable career option. Wouldn’t it be nice to get our eyes examined by a young black doctor?

Use this month as a call to take care of your health to keep your vision intact.

diverse career opportunities serve your community Make an impact!

Call: 864-1607 /CityofSGF

City of Springfield, Missouri

@CityofSGFjobs

@CityofSGF

Unite News Building Empowering Connections | Page 11

National Good National Good Neighbor Day Neighbor Day Sept.

28,2021 2021 Sept. 28, Celebrated locally with: Celebrated locally with: 1,000 Acts of Neighboring Challenge

1,000 Acts ofSept.

Neighboring 26 to Oct. 2, 2021 Challenge Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2021

Acts of neighborliness are often simple gestures that help us be a good neighbor, lift up others, or make our community a place we love.

Acts of neighborliness often gestures that help us be a good neighbor, lift26up others, We invite youare to take part simple in our 1,000 Acts of Neighboring Challenge for one week -- Sept. to Oct. 2 – as a way to celebrate National Good Neighbor Day on Sept.

28. or make our community a place we love.

Tell us what act of neighboring you or your family did during the week, if you witnessed an

We invite you part inorour 1,000 Acts of Neighboring Challenge for one week -- Sept. 26 actto of take neighboring, if you were the recipient. to Oct. 2 – as a way to celebrate National Good Neighbor Day on Sept. 28.

If it’s something visual, take a photo and send it via email at greeneco@missouri.edu.

Examples will be shared on social media.

Tell us what act of neighboring you or your family did during the week, if you witnessed an The goal ourwere Greene residents to achieve 1,000 acts of kindness toward act of neighboring, or isif for you theCounty recipient. neighbors living near them.

If it’s something visual, a photo and sendwhat it viayou email at greeneco@missouri.edu.

Enter for take prizes by sharing have done or received at Examples will be shared on social media.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NationalGoodNeighborDay

or findCounty the linkresidents at http://extension.missouri.edu The goal is for our Greene to achieve 1,000 acts of kindness toward neighbors living near them.

For more information contact Greene County MU Extension office at (417) 881-8909.

Or contact David Burton, county engagement specialist by email burtond@missouri.edu

Enter for prizesThisby sharing flyer is paid for by Greenewhat County MU you have done or received at Extension and the many partners that have helped to make this program possible in 2021. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NationalGoodNeighborDay or find the link at http://extension.missouri.edu

For more information contact Greene County MU Extension office at (417) 881-8909.

Or contact David Burton, county engagement specialist by email burtond@missouri.edu This flyer is paid for by Greene County MU Extension and the many partners that have helped to make this program possible in 2021.

Page 12 Building Empowering Connections | Unite News

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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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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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.

More resources listed online at: unitenewsonline.org

EDUCATION PRE-K TO 12TH GRADE AND BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL • RENT OR MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE • CHILD CARE & TUTORING

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#DanceLikeaDad #DanceLikeaDad YOUR HEADLINE HERE Instructions: Click on text box and hold down Ctrl+E to adjust size and text formatting (bold, italics, underline) YOUR MESSAGE HERE Instructions: Click on text box and hold down Ctrl+E to adjust size and text formatting (bold, italics, underline)

Becoming more involved in your child’s life can take a lot of different forms. At every stage your children can benefit from your involvement. Read with young children. Join the elementary school parent teacher organization. Chaperone a school event. Volunteer as a coach, or ask your child’s coach in what way she/he could use your help. Take a rainy Saturday and turn it into a family movie night.

Take time to be a positive and supporting part of your child’s life. The resources and links here are a great starting place to learn more.

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YOUR MESSAGE HERE Instructions: Click on text box and hold down Ctrl+E to adjust size and text formatting