P I C T U R E O F H E A LT H
SECR E TS TO A G OOD L I F E
Changing the Game This Atlanta resident is giving underserved communities a home-court advantage
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HOUSE CALL
A Time of Transition About 6 to 10 years before menopause begins, perimenopause occurs. “The ovaries don’t turn off like a light switch,” says Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director of the North American Menopause Society. “They kind of flicker and flutter a bit before they stop working.” Perimenopause symptoms often come as a surprise. They can be similar to those associated with menopause, like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and mood swings. It’s important to continue using contraception during this phase (if you choose), Faubion notes, as it’s still possible to become pregnant. Find a local provider educated in menopause at menopause.org.
by BETSY CRIBB
FROM LE FT: COURTESY A RT IN THE PAINT; COURTESY DR. STEPHA NIE FAUBION
[we invest in], basketball courts are where everyone goes,” says Arelious Cooper Jr. “They’re places where people have traditionally gathered for fun, whether that be for games or cookouts.” But when the courts begin crumbling, they tend to deteriorate quickly, he notes. “You’ll go out there and see needles, pipes, and liquor bottles. It’s pretty terrible,” Cooper says. He is on a mission to change that. Through his Atlanta-based organization Art in the Paint (@artinthepaintorg), he refreshes dilapidated courts around the world, hiring local artists to transform resurfaced concrete into colorful murals. In addition to larger national partners, the initiative relies on community support as
“ IN T H E N E I G H BO R HOODS
well. “When we are creating the murals, we use a sort of paintby-number system so that anybody in the neighborhood who wants to can get on the schedule and help with the project,” says Cooper. Once the courts are complete, Art in the Paint’s real work begins. They run a safe, free basketball league for kids, and the play spaces double as open-air community centers. “We partner with other organizations [such as UnitedHealthcare and Quest Nutrition] to bring programming to each one we work on, with a focus on STEAM [science, technology, engineering, arts, and math], financial literacy, and mentorship,” he notes. The outreach is not just for the kids. Art in the Paint also hosts voter-registration drives and produce giveaways at their courts to benefit the entire family. But beyond the league or the workshops, it’s each youth’s newfound pride that Cooper says is the most rewarding part of all. “For at least one moment, they are treated like any other kid,” he explains. “No one cares about how much money they or their parents have. They get a great outdoor facility and brandnew uniforms; are treated with respect and taught respect; are eating [healthy meals]; and are able to be normal kids without worrying about prequalifiers like race, gender, or anything else. They just get to play.”
