Lend A Hand All Year Long

 

The holiday season may be drawing to a close, but that shouldn’t curb our desire to Lend A Hand. Keep giving back all year long.

Make a New Year’s Resolution to support Dignity & Respect. Sign our petition and follow the tips! Then support Dignity & Respect by volunteering your time, donating food, clothes or funds, or just by helping out a friend or neighbor in need.

Lend A Hand this holiday season and make sure everyone is treated with Dignity & Respect. And if you have a charitable organization that you would like to spotlight, share it with us on our Facebook wall!

Season’s greetings and Happy New Year!

Lend A Hand this Holiday Season: Spotlight on Amnesty International

 

 

It’s not too late to give back this December . Lend A Hand this season! Amnesty International makes it easy for anyone to help spread Dignity & Respect to all people around the world. Whether you can volunteer, donate, or just sign a petition, you can make a big impact in the lives of every human being:

Whether you have 5 minutes or more time to spare we've got a way for you to make a mark in this world.

Our strength lies in collective action. With over 3 million Amnesty members and supporters, we help individuals around the world whose human rights are being violated.

Here are 10 ways you can make a difference:

1. Take action right now! With so many issues happening all around the world, sign a petition on one of the many human rights issues facing our communities around the world.

2. Attend an event. Events are a great way to get to educate yourself and others about human rights and meet other like minded people in your community who want to take action together.

3. Become a member. We are a movement of people. Each time a new person joins, Amnesty’s light shines brighter on the injustices occurring at different places around the world. Join today.

4. Donate. Your gift helps keep our movement free from corporate influence and independent from government agendas. Donate now!

5. Volunteer. Our network of volunteers have the chance to try almost anything—from phone banking, writing letters and organizing a group to responding to a crisis, leading a lobby effort or carrying out our campaigns—we invite you to explore the diverse volunteer opportunities available to you around the country.

6. Join a Group. Together, the members of our groups take action, reach out to new communities and educate the public about how they can make human rights a reality for all.

7. Follow a Campaign. Are you passionate about a certain issue? Join a network of activists around the country who are using campaigns to teach communities about torture, abolition of the death penalty, ending poverty and more.

8. Shop for a Cause. At our online store you can shop t-shirts and a variety of gifts with a purpose.

9. Write for Rights. Join over 17,000 people in one of the largest events on behalf of political prisoners, human rights defenders and others whose rights are being violated by their governments or corporations.

10. Partner with us. Through collaborations, partnerships and collective action, we can improve the state of human rights here and abroad. If you represent a university, association or agency, explore the ways you can support Amnesty International.

Learn more about how you can help here: http://www.amnestyusa.org/get-involved

Lend A Hand this holiday season and make sure everyone is treated with Dignity & Respect. And if you have a charitable organization that you would like to spotlight, share it with us on our Facebook wall!

Lend A Hand this Holiday Season: Spotlight on Best Buddies International

 

Still looking for a way to Lend a Hand and give back this holiday season? Why not learn a little more about Best Buddies International:

Best Buddies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to almost 1,500 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States, and in 50 countries around the world. Best Buddies’ seven formal programs – Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies, Jobs and Ambassadors – positively impact nearly 700,000 individuals with and without disabilities worldwide. Best Buddies volunteers annually contribute, at no cost to their communities, support services that equate to more than $164 million USD.

As a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with IDD secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships.

Check out a full account of the exciting contributions Best Buddies makes in the everyday lives of people with IDD here: http://www.bestbuddies.org/best-buddies

And if you would like to Lend A Hand, Best Budies is always looking for volunteers! Even something as simple as becoming an online eBuddy can change the life of a youngster. Become an email pen pal and brighten someone’s day while they learn important social and communication skills. It costs nothing but can mean the world. Learn more here: http://www.ebuddies.org/

Lend A Hand this holiday season and make sure everyone is treated with Dignity & Respect. And if you have a charitable organization that you would like to spotlight, share it with us on our Facebook wall!

Lend A Hand this Holiday Season: Spotlight on Paws With a Cause

 

Still looking for a way to Lend a Hand and give back this holiday season? Paws With A Cause is a national organization that trains and provides assistance dogs to people with disabilities. Their mission is to encourage independence by training assistance animal and reaching out through education and support programs. Assistance animals and service dogs help their owners in a variety of ways:

“Hearing Dogs learn to alert individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to basic sounds such as a smoke alarm, a ringing telephone, a crying baby or a doorbell. The dog is trained to alert the individual of a sound and then lead them to the sound. If the sound being alerted to is a smoke alarm, the dog then accompanies the owner out of the building. All PAWS Hearing Dogs are taught basic American Sign Language commands.”

“Service Dogs are custom-trained to assist people with physical disabilities or seizure disorders. Service Dogs can perform tasks such as opening doors, turning light switches on/off, or picking up an object as small as a dime. Should the client fall, the dog can even be trained to act as a brace so the person can regain position.”

“To children with Autism, everyone, everywhere and everything is 'outside' of their world. Dogs can break into this world by always being there when they are needed by the child; dogs don't pass judgment on a child, like humans tend to do. By nature, the dog does not care that the child has Autism; they only care that they are a part of the child's life.”

Read about all these trained animal companions can do here: http://www.pawswithacause.org/Clients/AssistanceDogs/tabid/700/Default.aspx

If you would like to Lend A Hand to this organization, Paws With A Cause welcomes your donation but also is in need of volunteers. You can foster an animal or learn to become a trainer! Learn more here:

http://www.pawswithacause.org/GetInvolved/RaiseaFutureAssistanceDog/tabid/701/Default.aspx

Lend A Hand this holiday season and make sure everyone is treated with Dignity & Respect. And if you have a charitable organization that you would like to spotlight, share it with us on our Facebook wall!

Announcing November’s Dignity & Respect Champion Bracken Burns

 

 

This month we recognize Washington County Commissioner Bracken Burns as the November 2011 Dignity & Respect Champion of Greater Pittsburgh.

Bracken has tried to build a regional community that embraces diversity and encourages its citizens to love and respect each other.  He often reminds others that "inclusion is not just about race, it also includes gender, age, geography, income, folks with handicaps, etc."

Serving as Washington County Commissioner since 1996, Bracken decided not to run for a fifth term in office. Since taking office 16 years ago, Bracken's accomplishments include spearheading construction of the 50 bed Alzheimer's Unit at the Washington County Health Center, developing an Attendant Care Training Program to aid elderly and disabled citizens, leading historic preservation efforts to restore and utilize the old jail as a Family Court Center, and more.

Commissioner Burns is known for starting all of his public comments with the phrase, "It's a great day in Washington County."  He feels that we all have an obligation to be a "cheerleader for our community."

If you would like to nominate a Dignity & Respect Champion, visit us here. Let us continue to recognize everyone who works tirelessly for inclusion!

Lend a Hand this Holiday Season – Spotlight on Habitat for Humanity

 

Still looking for a way to Lend a Hand and give back this holiday season? Did you know that when you give to Habitat for Humanity, your gift might have twice the impact!

Investing in a Habitat family creates a brighter future for the children in Habitat homes.
Did you know that children who live in inadequate housing have lower educational achievement and are more likely to be impoverished and unemployed as adults? The good news is that, according to the Harvard Center on Housing, a dollar invested in housing has a greater impact on a child’s long-term well-being than a dollar invested in health or education.

Check to see if your employer will match your donation here: http://www1.matchinggifts.com/habitat/ It’s a great way to give doubly for the holidays!

And if you own a business, you can encourage your employees to give back this season by joining Habitat for Humanity’s Gift That Builds program:

http://www.habitat.org/support/giveatwork/Company_giving_guide.aspx

And here are some more ways you can help:

Share your enthusiasm about Habitat for Humanity with your colleagues. Here are some ideas of how you can support Habitat at your workplace:

· Identify Habitat for Humanity supporters in your company.

• Encourage others to take advantage of your company’s matching gift program
• Ask your Human Resources team to add Habitat for Humanity to your workplace giving campaign.
• Raise money for Habitat by collecting donations and allowing donors to wear jeans on a designated day.
• Host an event in the office to raise funds for a specific Habitat project.
• Organize a group of coworkers to volunteer on a Habitat build site or go on a Global Village volunteer trip.

What will you do to Lend a Hand this holiday? Share your ideas and favorite charities with us!

Tip #29: Lend a Hand! Reaching Out to People in Need this Holiday

 

A few weeks ago, Parade Magazine featured a wonderful article entitled “Can You Help? Lend A Hand This Holiday Season. ” In this article Parade Magazine lists several charities that would welcome your help this holiday season:

Christian Appalachian Project
Gradient Gives Back Foundation
National Fuel Funds Network
New Mexico Community Foundation
Operation Homefront/Hooah Lounge

Operation Peacekeeper
Oregon Food Bank
School District of Joplin R-VIII Foundation
Southern AIDS Coalition
United States Olympic Committee

(Read the original article here: http://www.parade.com/news/2011/11/giving-issue.html)

Because Dignity & Respect Tip #29 is also “Lend a Hand,” we would like to invite our friends and followers to join us this holiday season by giving back. Choose one of the charities from this list or just pick your favorite charity that you support. Share your stories about why we should support this charity too or tell us how you are giving back this holiday season by posting to our Facebook wall:

http://www.facebook.com/DignityandRespectCampaign

Inspire us! And most importantly: Lend A Hand!

Give Back this Holiday Season!

 

As we move into the holiday season, it is all too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the busiest shopping season of the year. But we here at the Dignity & Respect Campaign encourage everyone to focus on giving back this year. Here are some simple ideas to get you started.

1. Say “Thank You!” Write a note to someone who has helped you out this year.

2. Donate to your local food bank

3. Donate to your favorite charity

4. Donate old clothes especial any winter coats that are still in good repair

5. Volunteer at your local soup kitchen

6. Send a care package to a soldier

7. Foster an shelter animal in need

8. Shovel snow for your neighbors, especially neighbors who are physically infirm

9. Pick up trash at a local park or around your community

10. Visit patients at your local hospital or nursing home

And if you have ideas on how to help your friends, neighbors and community, please share them with us!

Billy Strayhorn

 

This week we join with Kelly-Strayhorn Theater in celebrating the posthumous birthday of founder and music great Billy Strayhorn:

This is the fourth year for the birthday celebration, which the theater started in 2008 as a tribute to Strayhorn. Both he and Gene Kelly’s birthday’s are celebrated yearly.

The former Regeant Theater was renamed the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in 2000 in honor of both Kelly and Strayhorn.

“Billy Strayhorn’s legacy isn’t really known here or appreciated as well as it should be. It’s known nationally and internationally, but it’s not always connected with Pittsburgh,” said Kelly Strayhorn Executive Director, Janera Solomon.

The evening promises to be beautiful as it will feature local and nationally known Jazz musicians including Roger Humpheries and a six-piece Jazz ensemble with three vocalists singing Strayhorn’s music; spoken word artist Leslie “Ezra” Smith will read a work that was commissioned for the occasion. Former Pittsburgh resident and Billy Strayhorn’s nephew, Dr. Greg Morris, will join in the celebration.

“We’re excited to have the program filled with Jazz artists and young artists,” said Solomon. “Ezra is an incredible young poet. People can expect an evening of great live music filled with classics.”

Billy Strayhorn was born in Dayton, Ohio, but his family moved to Pittsburgh’s Homewood section where he attended Westinghouse High School. His musical career began in the Golden Triangle when he studied music at the Pittsburgh Music Institute. Strayhorn met band leader Duke Ellington in 1939 after a performance in Pittsburgh. At that time, Strayhorn informed Ellington how he would have arranged one of Ellington’s songs. Strayhorn’s boldness enticed Ellington enough for him to invite his band to hear Strayhorn. Next, Ellington invited Strayhorn to New York and Strayhorn worked with Ellington for the next quarter century as an arranger, composer pianist and collaborator until Strayhorn’s death from cancer in 1967.

“It took me a while before I knew what kind of music he composed. But when he would come home to Pittsburgh, there would be a big celebration. When he got involved with Duke Ellington he sent me postcards from all over the world. I knew he was something special. I knew he was something very big. But I didn’t have a sense of how widely known he was and the music he made until after he died,” said Morris who now lives in Arizona.

Read more about the celebration and Billy Strayhorn’s interesting career here: http://www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5897%3Abilly-strayhorn-birthday-celebrated&catid=44%3Aentertainment&Itemid=48

Honoring Former Dignity & Respect Champions: KEYS Service Corps

 

As we continue to take time to remember past Dignity & Respect champions, let us honor Aaron Gray and KEYS Service Corps, last April’s recipient and the first organization to win as a whole.

The KEYS (Knowledge to Empower Youth to Success) Service Corps is an education-based AmeriCorps program that provides at-risk youth safe places with structured activities, assisting with homework and class work, implementing community service/service-learning projects, and involving community volunteers in service.

Aaron Gray and the KEYS Service Corps were nominated by Jamie Scarano and have been chosen as the April Dignity and Respect Champion their work in implementing and supporting tutoring programs, community service, and learning opportunities and operations for at-risk youth.

If you would like to nominate a Dignity & Respect Champion, visit us here. Let us continue to recognize everyone who works tirelessly for inclusion!

Tip #5 -- Say “Thank You”!

 

Gratitude is a gift that’s never too small to give. We hope everyone is having a Happy Thanksgiving. Today is a great day to not only give thanks to your friends and family, but to give back to your community as well. Here are a few ideas to get you started courtesy of the Huffington Post:

Send a holiday care package to a soldier abroad
Our service men and women who are out of the country during Thanksgiving often long for the comforts of home. By sending a care package through Any Soldier, you can show them your gratitude for their duty and make them feel loved. Any Soldier has provided care packages to 96,371 service members and has an extensive list of popular items that have been requested by soldiers if you need ideas for what to include in your package.

Deliver a Thanksgiving meal to housebound neighbors
Don't forget seniors or the seriously ill during this holiday. By volunteering with a local Meals on Wheels Program to bring a hot dinner to those who may not be able to join family or friends. They'll appreciate the food and, more importantly, the time you share with them at their homes.

Feed families with pocket change
According to a recent government report, 49 million Americans went hungry last year, so you can bet that many families are facing slim pickings for Thanksgiving this year. Help change this by participating in Feeding America's Thanksgiving Feast for 9 Million. By donating $1, you can provide seven meals this holiday, and $50 will provide 350 meals for hungry families.

Run a "Turkey Trot"
All over the country this Thanksgiving, companies and nonprofits are hosting 5k races to benefit local charities and good causes. San Francisco's fun run will benefit a local high school's Track & Field team and Ann Arbor's will benefit local animal shelters and community groups. The bonus? Most of these races are Run/Walks that encourage full family participation and you can work off some of dinner before you even sit down at the table. Runs are planned for on and around Thanksgiving day and some require advance registration, so be sure to mind the rules specific for your area.

Serve Thanksgiving Dinner at a Homeless Shelter
All the donated food that is raised during Thanksgiving time has to have willing hands to help cook it. Lend yours by volunteering this thanksgiving at a homeless shelter to prepare and dish up a meal with all the trimmings for those who don't have a home to go to this Holiday. The National Coalition for the Homeless has a searchable directory to find homeless shelters in your area.

Sponsor a Family in Need
Thanksgiving is only one day out of the year that U.S. families go hungry. Why not do a little to help one family a lot during the whole year? Family-to-family.org can help you connect with individual families that you can help by providing food, clothing and other necessities throughout the year. Or, open a family-to-family branch in your area.

Be sure to read the whole article for more ideas: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/24/9-ways-to-show-your-grati_n_369825.html

Can you think of any other ways to give thanks not mentioned on this list? Why not share them with us!

Honoring Former Dignity & Respect Champions: Esther Haguel

 

As we continue to take time to remember past Dignity & Respect champions, let us honor Esther Haguel , April 2010’s Dignity & Respect honoree chosen for the award because of her extraordinary dedication to creating an environment of inclusion for children each day.

Esther Haguel doesn’t believe success has a race, gender, or socioeconomic level – she believes and lives by the principle that success stems from an individual’s strengths. Haguel works every day to teach children that when people bring out the best in each other, everyone benefits. A counselor at Northside Urban Pathways Charter School, Haguel is the recipient of the Dignity and Respect Champion Award for her work in breaking down barriers for children, and leading them to lives of success.

A native of New York City, Haguel moved to Pittsburgh in 1990 after earning a master’s degree in social work from Tulane University in New Orleans. Haguel helps Urban Pathways serve more than 300 students and works with children in sixth through ninth grades who may be struggling with schoolwork, home life, or other personal obstacles.

If you would like to nominate a Dignity & Respect Champion, visit us here. Let us continue to recognize everyone who works tirelessly for inclusion!

Joining Forces Initiative

 

Last Friday was Veterans Day! What did you do to show your respect for our fighting men and women? If you are still looking for ideas, here is something that might be of interested to you:

Joining Forces is a comprehensive national initiative to mobilize all sectors of society to give our nation’s service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden encourage all Americans to recognize, honor, and support our military families. The campaign seeks to create greater connections between the American public and the military.

Select a volunteer opportunity in your community to honor service members, veterans, and military families.  (Examples: mentor a child, clean up a park, plant a garden, donate to a particular charity, make a meal for a neighbor in need, etc....)  If you're already volunteering in your community, you can dedicate your service to honor the service of the military community. When you find the right project for you, don’t forget to register and pledge your hours of community service as well:joiningforces.allforgood.org

You can also get involved by sharing your message of thanks with a military family, and it will be delivered by the USO:  whitehouse.gov/joiningforces/message

To learn more about the Joining Forces Initiative, visit:   whitehouse.gov/joiningforces

This Month’s Dignity & Respect Champion is… Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski

 

This month we recognize Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski, director of The Washington Hospital Teen Outreach and President of Academy for Adolescent Health Inc., as the October Dignity & Respect Champion of Greater Pittsburgh.  

Nominated by Washington County Commissioner Bracken Burns, Mary Jo was selected as the October Dignity & Respect Champion for her work at the Academy for Adolescent Health and the Washington Hospital Teen Outreach.

The Academy for Adolescent Health, Inc., which Mary Jo founded in 1988, provides programs for teens and youth and works to create a community in which young people are respected and able to enjoy physical and mental wellness. The organization serves as an advocate for youth, parents, professionals, and community members to encourage wellness.

The Washington Hospital Teen Outreach holds an annual Ambassador for Respect Program in which 20,000 students participate in a "pass it on" activity that encourages recognition of respectful behavior. Each year the program centers around a different topic, including focusing on the word "respect" and what it means, listening to a speaker who talks about poverty among African Americans, a focus on self-respect and how young people think about themselves, and most recently, respecting people of all abilities.

Mary Jo is modest about receiving the award, as the passion for her work is driven by the youth, and not recognition.

Kelly-Strayhorn Theater Presents the Third Annual “My People Film Series”

 

If you are a Pittsburgh resident, be sure to check out this great month-long event at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater:

Through film, discussion, and performance, My People Film Series: Queer Legacies, a four-part series highlights the lives and experiences of queer people of color. The series will be presented Tuesdays at 7 pm, beginning on November 1 and runs through November 22 at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater (5941 Penn Avenue in East Liberty). A discussion featuring filmmakers and local leaders will follow the film screening as issues of human rights, trans identity, and racism are explored.

This year’s series includes a collection of films that connect a rich history and contributions of generations of queer people of color to the present. To kick off the series a work-in-progress showing of The Untitled Black Lesbian Elder Project profiles participants ages 60 to 80 with archival footage that reveal black lesbian underground movements, life, and a vibrant presence within American black history. Pittsburghers have an opportunity to be profiled by submitting an application found on the theater’s website (www.kelly-strayhorn.org).

The schedule for My People Film Series: Queer Legacies is as follows:

• Tuesday, Nov 1, the series opens with the film The Untitled Black Lesbian Elder Project;

• Tuesday, Nov 8, features five films: Billy and Aaron; Rex vs. Singh; More Than Love (a trilogy by Jullian Peña); Tomboi Gatoey Mango and Tom/ Trans / Thai;

• Tuesday, Nov, 15, Zero Degrees of Separation;

• Tuesday, Nov 22, Billy and Aaron and Brother to Brother.

At each screening a filmmaker is present in person or via Skype. Among others, audiences have the opportunity to engage in discussion with Rodney Evans, filmmaker of Billy and Aaron and Brother to Brother. Evans is the recipient of The Independent Feature Project's Gordon Parks Award for Screenwriting and the Special Jury Prize in Drama at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. Other visiting filmmakers include Tiona McClodded and Lisa C. Moore, Jillian Peña, Jai Arun Ravin, and Elle Flanders.

Individual tickets are $10 for each event or $30 for a film pass to the entire four-week series.

To learn more or purchase tickets be sure to visit http://www.kellystrayhorn.org or call 412-363-3000.

Celebrating Former Dignity & Respect Champions: Will Thompkins

 

As we continue to take time to remember past Dignity & Respect champions, let us honor
Will Thompkins, our first ever Dignity & Respect honoree back in February 2010 for his work as the director of community and outreach at The Pittsburgh Project, a nonprofit community development organization with a 25-year track record of developing leaders and serving the city’s most vulnerable residents.

Thompkins said a strong faith foundation and a desire to make his family proud are what it takes for him to live a life filled with dignity and respect, but it all began with his parents. “Anything I did in my life, I never wanted to do any dishonor to them. Wherever I lived and traveled – in college and the military – I tried to carry myself in a way that my parents would be very proud of me.” Today, his two sons serve as a daily inspiration. “I want to live in a way that they would want to emulate,” Thompkins said.

Will’s community service also includes work on the following boards - KidsVoice, Pittsburgh Branch NAACP, Children 2 Champions, Northside Old Timers, Pittsburgh United, and The 100 Black Men of Western Pennsylvania. Will has a special affinity for interacting with and counseling youth and young adults. He is very caring, actively involved in community work, and occasionally runs and shoots pool.

If you would like to nominate a Dignity & Respect Champion, visit us here. Let us continue to recognize everyone who works tirelessly for inclusion!

Have a Respectful Halloween

 

As Dignity & Respect Month draws to an end, we want to wish you a very Happy Halloween. Let us celebrate the last day of Dignity & Respect month by letting the lessons we have learned inform the season. Make sure you use Halloween as an opportunity to practice the Dignity & Respect tips. Just follow these short rules for a more respectful Halloween:

1. Respect the rights of those who do not want to take part

2. Be grateful for any treats by saying “Thank you.”

3. Do not play tricks on people like spraying someone with shaving cream or silly string – these can be frightening or even accidentally dangerous

4. Vandalism and throwing objects like eggs, toilet paper, and flour – can result in a fine or even a prison sentence

5. Make sure your costume does not exploit stereotypes or insult groups or people for a gag

6. Respect your body by not overindulging in sweets

Happy Halloween everyone!

Celebrating Former Dignity & Respect Champions: Alan Jones

 

 

As we continue to take time to remember past Dignity & Respect champions, let us honor
Alan Jones, June 2010 Dignity & Respect honoree for his work  as a prevention counselor with the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force.

In the early ‘90s, Alan Jones lost more than 160 clients and friends during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis. During a time when families were abandoning their own who had been diagnosed, Jones was there to lend support during their darkest days. He was inspired by the struggles people faced when battling AIDS, and took on many personal emotional obstacles as he lost hundreds of AIDS patients that he worked with on a daily basis. Jones stood by them in the face of the powerful and negative stigma that surrounded the disease, and said that while that stigma has somewhat subsided, it still exists, preventing many people from getting tested.

Jones’ work at PATF on Penn Avenue in East Liberty includes providing free counseling, free testing, and lending support to a diverse group of people – each facing a different situation. No matter what situation people face as they come to PATF to get tested, Jones said each and every one of them should be treated with dignity and respect in the face of fear and human struggles.

If you would like to nominate a Dignity & Respect Champion, visit us here. Let us continue to recognize everyone who works tirelessly for inclusion!

Strong Women, Strong Girls

Strong Women, Strong Girls encourages and mentors girls with its national school program, and this October they are teaming up with the Dignity & Respect Campaign for Dignity & Respect Month!

This year’s Cultural Sensitivity lesson utilizes the D&R campaign and the pledge as its cornerstone. This means 1,400 girls participating in SWSG across the country will be learning about the D&R campaign, taking the pledge and bringing home information about the campaign. They are strongly encouraging our college mentors to do the Cultural Sensitivity lesson/pledge the week of October 24^th and will be hosting a live-streaming event to get the word out!

Strong Women, Strong Girls college mentors in Pittsburgh will be conducting the Cultural Sensitivity lesson and Dignity & Respect pledge the week of October 24th. This event will be available live via web-streaming, so check out some of the events and videos at:

http://video.magpi.net/videos/livestreams/page1/

This special presentation by Charlie Batch and moderated by Maureen Pedzwater will be followed by a Q & A session and will stream from 9:30 – 10:00 a.m. (EST). At 9:30 a.m. the program will begin with introductions of Dr. William Kinavey, Superintendent of Steel Valley School District and Dr. Linda Hippert, Executive Director of the Allegheny Intermediate.  At 9:32 a.m., each remote school participating though videoconference will introduce their school.

Join us for this event, and join us all week long as we encourage girls of all ages to stand up for Dignity & Respect!

Celebrating Former Dignity & Respect Champions: Leonard Carter

 

As we continue to take time to remember past Dignity & Respect champions, let us honor
Leonard Carter, May 2010 Dignity & Respect honoree for his work  as a coach and teacher. Leonard Carter wants to create a gigantic circle of respect as he prepares a generation of children for life through his football coaching and music teaching. “I teach them a lot about the Golden Rule, to treat other people the way you want to be treated, and that is your responsibility – even if others are not treating you with respect,” he said. “If we all operated that way, we’d live in a much happier world.”

Carter works every day to create an environment of inclusion for children as he is a music teacher at Conroy Education Center and also as a football coach at Peabody High School in East Liberty. Carter, the recipient of the Dignity and Respect Campaign Champion Award for the month of May, was nominated by Arlene Petite, who said he provides opportunities for all students to learn music and life lessons at the highest level possible. Carter lives his life in a way that directly represents the Dignity and Respect Campaign’s mission – to achieve cultural and behavioral change in lives, organizations, and communities by ensuring that inclusion is at the core of what people do each day.

If you would like to nominate a Dignity & Respect Champion, visit us here. Let us continue to recognize everyone who works tirelessly for inclusion!

Lend a Hand!

 

The Dignity & Respect Campaign recognizes October, Dignity & Respect Month, by practicing Tip 29 Lend a Hand, with two community projects on Saturday, October 22 -- Lawrenceville Community Clean-up and Downtown Beautification Project.

Join us for the Lawrenceville Community Clean-up from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. We will be working during those hours to make Lawrenceville a clean, safe, and attractive neighborhood. Volunteers will be provided with gloves, garbage bags, and various tools and will travel throughout the community to clean up priority sites.

The Downtown Beautification Project will be held from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The goal of the project is to find properties in various neighborhoods that could use a quick “beautification” treatment and help reshape Downtown. If you want be part of this transformative effort, please come down!

We are looking for volunteers on these projects. Click here to sign up for Lawrenceville Community Cleanup, and here for the Downtown Beautification Project. See you there!

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

October is Dignity & Respect Month but it is also National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer impacts the lives of almost 1.3 million women annually and is the most prevalent cancer in the world today. While the causes of breast cancer are unknown, let us use this month to change the tide of this disease. Here are a few things you can do courtesy of Susan G. Komen for the Cure:

1. Know your risk
• Talk to your family to learn about your family health history
• Talk to your doctor about your personal risk of breast cancer

2. Get screened
• Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at higher risk
• Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk
• Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at 20, and every year starting at 40

3. Know what is normal for you and see your health care provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes:

• Lump, hard knot or thickening
• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
• Change in the size or shape of the breast
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
• Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
• New pain in one spot that doesn't go away

4. Make healthy lifestyle choices
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Add exercise into your routine
• Limit alcohol intake

Show yourself respect by protecting your health. Find out more information about this disease and its treatment, click here.

Recognizing Former Dignity & Respect Champions: Nieves Stiker

As we continue to take time to remember past Dignity & Respect champions, let us honor Nieves Stiker, March 2010’s winner her work in empowering women and changing lives.

During her daily work, Stiker connects with women in tough situations in the New Choices/New Options program, which is a state-wide career development program designed to help single parents and displaced homemakers. Stiker also helps to provide free literacy programs to adults through the Community Education Center, which currently serves 400 people.

Stiker lives her life in a way that directly represents the Dignity and Respect Campaign’s mission – to achieve cultural and behavioral change in lives, organizations, and communities by ensuring that inclusion is at the core of what people do each day. Stiker said that while she works to break down barriers women face, she feels that it is a privilege to be a part of their lives just as they are looking to make a positive change.

If you would like to nominate a Dignity & Respect Champion, visit us here. Let us continue to recognize everyone who works tirelessly for inclusion!

Celebrate Gay & Lesbian History Month!

October is also Gay & Lesbian History Month! What will you be doing to promote a message of Dignity & Respect for the LGBT Community? Share it with us! And in the meantime, learn more about this background of this celebration courtesy of Equality Forum:

In 1994, Rodney Wilson, a Missouri high school teacher, believed a month should be dedicated to the celebration and teaching of gay and lesbian history, and gathered other teachers and community leaders. They selected October because public schools are in session and existing traditions, such as Coming Out Day (October 11), occur that month.

Gay and Lesbian History Month was endorsed by GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association, and other national organizations. In 2006, Equality Forum assumed responsibility for providing content, promotion and resources for LGBT History Month.

The LGBT community is the only community worldwide that is not taught its history at home, in public schools or in religious institutions. LGBT History Month provides role models, builds community and makes the civil rights statement of our extraordinary national and international contributions.

To find out how you can participate, check out some interesting ideas here.

Announcing September’s Dignity & Respect Champion: Everett McElveen

 

This month we recognize Everett McElveen, president and CEO of Life'sWork, as the September Dignity & Respect Champion of Greater Pittsburgh.

Life'sWork is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunity, employment, and independence to individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Life'sWork began in 1927 and assists more than 2,000 individuals each year.

Everett, who lives in Ohio Township with his wife, has been with Life'sWork for seven years.  He said his job frequently reminds him how blessed he is. He feels that it is important for able-bodied and able-minded people to be grateful for what they have.  He also believes that treating others with dignity and respect is important to our daily lives because we are all one and the same.

If you would like to nominate a Dignity & Respect Champion, visit us here. Let us continue to recognize everyone who works tirelessly for inclusion!

Recognize the Signs of Bullying

 

In the wake of recent tragedies involving bullying and cyber-bullying, it is important that we all keep a careful eye out for the signs of peer-abuse. Changes in your child’s behavior might be sending the message that your child is suffering at school or online. Here are a few red-flags you should look out for:

• Your child is hesitant to be online or becomes anxious when an Instant Message, text message or Email appears
• Your child becomes upset after using the computer or cell phone or suddenly avoids it
• You child quickly clears the computer screen or cellphone screen when you enter the room
• Your child wants to avoid school

• Your child has unexplained cuts, bruises, and scratches

• Your child takes a long, “illogical” route when walking to or from school
• Your child withdraws from friends and social activities

• Your child complains frequently of headaches, stomachaches, or other physical ailments
• Your child becomes withdrawn, teary, or depressed
• Your child’s grades begin to slip
• You receive suspicious phone calls or other missives at your home

To get more information about bullying and cyberbullying, check out this great article: http://knowbullying.wordpress.com/

Let us all lend a hand to promote Dignity & Respect for all.

Take a Healthy Step!

 

Part of Dignity & Respect is respecting yourself. Make sure you respect yourself and your body by following some of these helpful health tips!

There are many energy and sports drinks on the market that promise hydration, energy, wellness, and more. Although these beverages offer some benefits, they come with added sugar and calories, which could end up slowing you down. The most important drink for your body is good, old-fashioned water. Water makes up more than half of your body weight, so when rehydrating, it only makes sense to put back in what you lost.  Some functions of water include:

· protecting body organs and tissues

· regulating body temperature

· lubricating joints

· carrying nutrients and oxygen to cells

After a long exercise or game, pick up a bottle of water instead of the popular sugar-based sports drink. Your body will be hydrated and healthy, without the added sugar and calories.

Just how much water should you drink each day? Depending on your health, where you live, and how active you are, your water needs vary. You lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine, and bowel movements. As a general rule, doctors recommend eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.

With our busy schedules, it can be difficult to have eight glasses of water each day. To fulfill your daily water intake, try fruits and vegetables such as watermelon and tomatoes, or beverages such as milk and juice. These all have a sufficient amount of water in them and can help your body stay hydrated.

Recognizing Former Dignity & Respect Champions: Lindsay Losasso

 

As we continue to take time to remember past Dignity & Respect champions, let us honor Lindsay Losasso, last March’s winner for empowering and tirelessly advocating for Pittsburgh’s diverse population such as refugees, immigrants, and internationals.

Lindsay Losasso believes that a crucial part of the human experience is to be treated with dignity and respect. As the program & grants manager at the Squirrel Hill Health Center (SHHC), a comprehensive primary healthcare center that provides the highest quality medical care and social services, she works to put projects and programs into place that will improve the office, services for patients.

Along with her multi-lingual staff, she works closely with patients to ensure there are no barriers between income or insurance status and healthcare, showing special concern for patients’ religious beliefs, race, national origin, primary language, and disability status.

Over the last several years, Lindsay has successfully led Translation and Interpretation Sub-Committee of the Department of Human Services Advisory Council for Immigrants and Internationals. Under her leadership, the Sub-Committee, comprised of local service providers serving immigrants and internationals, formulated plans to create Pittsburgh Language Bank.

If you would like to nominate a Dignity & Respect Champion, visit us here. Let us continue to recognize everyone who works tirelessly for inclusion!

Recognizing Former Dignity & Respect Champions: Jared Jackson

As we continue to take time to remember former Dignity & Respect champions, let us honor Jared Jackson, last January’s winner for seeking racial and economic justice, inclusion, and improved education for all at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

As an assisting priest at The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Squirrel Hill, volunteer professor at the Metro Urban Institute of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and board member of Pittsburgh Interfaith Network (PIIN), Jared lives dignity and respect daily. Jared believes treating one another with dignity and respect would create the peace we seek and the peace our society needs.

If you would like to nominate a Dignity & Respect Champion, visit us here. Let us continue to recognize everyone who works tirelessly for inclusion!

Congratulations to Debbie Slocum: August’s Dignity & Respect Champion!

 

We would like to announce this August’s D&R Champion Debbie Slocum, personnel analyst at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services! 

Nominated by Brendan Hanschen, Debbie was recognized for promoting dignity and respect in her everyday life, as well as at her job. "Debbie seizes every opportunity to include dignified and respectful treatment of her colleagues. She has been the driving force of the Dignity & Respect Campaign in the Department of Human Services, and has truly shown herself to be a champion in every way,"  Brendan says. Debbie thinks that it is important to treat each other with respect because it would make everyone feel appreciated and recognized, and brings the community together.

To learn more about our current D&R Champion or to nominate your own candidate, click here.

National Hispanic Heritage Month

 

September 15th is the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

There are many things you can do to discover the Hispanic heritage and celebrate it with your friends and family. For example, brush up on your history and read a book such as Chronology of Hispanic-American History: From Pre-Columbian Times to the Present. If you want to end the summer with a party, plan for a fiesta with Hispanic games, food, and traditions such as making Arroz con Leche and having piñatas.

There are many books and recipes for the whole family that can contribute to your learning and celebrations of important people and events in our history. What will you be doing to celebrate? Let us know!

Recognizing Former Dignity & Respect Champions: Elisabeth Healey

 

As we continue to take time to remember past Dignity & Respect champions, let us honor Elisabeth Healey, last January’s winner for her work to ensure anyone with disabilities and special health care needs leads rich and active lives, and participates as members of the community.

As founding executive director of PEAL, or Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership Center, she finds it rewarding to be able to help those with disabilities. Treating others with dignity and respect is important to what she does. As the mother of a child with significant disabilities, Elisabeth Healey believes that she needs to help others who are in similar situations.

As she says, “Many people in our community lead isolated lives. If we make people feel welcome, we impact the quality of our own life, and the lives of everyone else, both in big and small ways.”

If you would like to nominate a Dignity & Respect Champion, visit us here. Let us continue to recognize everyone who works tirelessly for inclusion!

Honoring Past Champions: Mark Douglas

As we continue to take time to remember past Dignity & Respect champions, let us honor Mark Douglas, last December’s winner for his work with disadvantaged youth.

As a foster parent to teenagers, Mark Douglas has helped disadvantaged youth his entire career. And as director of the Pittsburgh Job Corps Center, Mark has been responsible for all training and academic programs, and supervision of daily enter operations, with 232 staff members whose belief is that everyone should feel valuable.

With 850 students, Pittsburgh has the largest college program in Job Corps. Mark and his staff practice positive reinforcement, and rewards the students for all their accomplishments.

If you would like to nominate a Dignity & Respect Champion, visit us here. Let us continue to recognize everyone who works tirelessly for inclusion!

Remembering the Struggles of the Past

This past Sunday marked the 48th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr's epic March on Washington. To commemorate this and all Doctor King’s contributions to obtaining Dignity & Respect for all, a Martin Luther King memorial was unveiled this week. This thirty-foot tall memorial is the only memorial on the Mall not dedicated to a war, politician or white man.

Let us do our part to remember King’s legacy this week. To help us all out, let us remember his words:

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."

Find the entirety of his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech here: http://www.mlkonline.net/dream.html

Remembering Past Dignity and Respect Champions: Pastor Cheryl Ruffin

 

As we continue to take time to remember past Dignity & Respect champions, let us honor Cheryl Ruffin, last November’s winner nominated for her work as the pastor of St. Paul AME Church in Pittsburgh in counseling, mentoring, and listening to others in times in need.

Cheryl Ruffin finds that listening to others is the best way to demonstrate respect to her peers, colleagues, family, friends, and the people around her.

“When people walk into my office, they need to be heard. When individuals enter into the sanctuary, they need to be acknowledged. I think that is probably the basis of who I am. Just making sure that people can be heard and their presence is acknowledged,” Ruffin said.

Cheryl is also a mentor through Amachi Pittsburgh, where she guides children who have an incarcerated parent. She finds that just listening and sharing another’s emotions can go a long way. She believes that working together is the key to making the community and world a better place, all starting with dignity and respect.

If you would like to nominate a Dignity & Respect Champion, visit us here. Let us continue to recognize everyone who works tirelessly for inclusion!

Join Us at the University of Pittsburgh New Student Orientation

 

It’s Back-to-School time for many schools, colleges and universities. What are you doing to promote Dignity & Respect this school year?

If you are in the Pittsburgh area, why not join the Dignity & Respect Campaign at the University of Pittsburgh New Student Orientation. We will be manning an awareness table and will be collecting pledges! Stop by and visit us! We will be spreading our message of inclusion to incoming freshmen at the Student Union (5^th Avenue side) on:

·         Wednesday, August 24, 2011 from 9am to 1pm

·         Thursday, August 25, 2011 from Noon (after the Pathway program) to 4pm

·         Friday, August 26, 2011 from 1pm to 5pm 

We are also very fortunate to have 4,500 awareness bracelets donated to us. These will be placed in all new student care bags upon arrival to orientation. 

So start the semester off right and do your part to promote Dignity & Respect on your campus too!

Honoring Past Dignity & Respect Champions: Jessica Mock

 

As we continue to take time to remember past Dignity & Respect champions, let us honor Jessica Mock, last October’s winner for her work at the Center for Hearing and Deaf Services (CHDS) in helping the deaf community.

Jessica Mock is giving a voice to people who are sometimes left in a world of silence. A 27 year old Johnstown native, Jessica works as an administrative assistant and assistant staff interpreter at CHDS. She first learned sign language in high school so she could communicate with a deaf friend, and her commitment continued during her college years. She attended Bloomsburg University in eastern Pennsylvania where she earned a bachelor's degree in interpreting.

Jessica moved to Pittsburgh after graduation and started working at CHDS, where she interprets at least once weekly, accompanying clients to doctor appointments, physical therapy, counseling, and other medical occasions that require both discretion and confidentiality.

Jessica said she was surprised and honored that she is being recognized for treating others with dignity and respect, and said that it’s important for everyone to incorporate the values into daily life!

If you would like to nominate a Dignity & Respect Champion, visit us here. Let us continue to recognize everyone who works tirelessly for inclusion!

Become a Mentor You Can Help Others Realize Their Potential

 

October is Dignity and Respect Month! Why not to celebrate by participating in the 12^th Annual National Disability Mentoring Day? Get motivated by checking out this energizing story:

UPMC has committed to making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities and on Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 will be participating National Disability Mentoring Day.  National Disability Mentoring Day brings students and other job seekers with disabilities into the work place, affording them the opportunity to learn firsthand about career opportunities.  Last year, over 50 students from Pittsburgh visited various UPMC locations and shadowed employees, while finding out more information on careers in healthcare. 

If you are part of the UPMC community, please consider hosting a group of students for 2011 National Disability Mentoring Day.  By hosting a group of students, you will have the opportunity to educate individuals about future careers available in the healthcare field.    In addition, you will be mentoring students, and helping them realize their potential.

You will be provided with all the tools you need to have a fun and insightful day with the students including a sample agenda and activity ideas.    This year, all mentors will be receiving information on the students including their career areas of interest and hobbies.    Therefore, all you will need to do is make the commitment to host students.

Contact K.C. Hoffert, Project Coordinator, at hoffertkc@upmc.edu or 412-864-4167 by Monday, September 12, 2011 if you are interested in hosting students for National Disability Mentoring Day on Wednesday, October 19th, 2011.   When contacting K.C., please indicate the number of students you would like to invite to you site.   More information on the names of the students assigned to your location will be provided in early October.

Learn more about the program and how you can mentor a student at your business here. How will you be participating and making a difference in a student’s life?   

Enter Our “Picture a Better World” Photo Contest!

 

Do your pictures always capture the right moment? Now is the time to put your photography skills to the test!

Attention all amateur photographers and artists: The Dignity & Respect Campaign would like to announce our “Picture A Better World” photo contest! Participation is easy:

Each week from now through October, we will ask you to submit a photograph that you believe best represents one of the Dignity & Respect Tips on our Facebook page.

This week, submit a picture that best represents Tip #21: Get Someone else’s point of view!

How to enter:

Step 1: Become one of our Facebook fans by clicking "Like" at the top of the Dignity &Respect Campaign’s Facebook Page. Once you are a fan,share your best photo on our Facebook wall. Be sure to include your name and a short caption as part of your Facebook post explaining why you think your photo best represents the Tip!

Step 2: Once your picture is posted, our Facebook fans will be invited to vote for their favorite photo by “Liking” the photo that positively represents the Tip. The one photo with the most likes will be our winner, so don’t be afraid to generate support for your entry: Ask your Facebook friends to vote for you!

The Prize: The winner will receive at $50 Visa gift card generously donated to us by one of our sponsors!

This prize may be redeemed anytime and all photo entries may be used by the Dignity & Respect Campaign for future awareness campaigns. Photos that are not appropriate for all audiences will be deleted and not entered in the contest. Contest dates and conditions may change, so follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on all our announcements!

So get started practicing the Tips today and start snapping! 

Remembering Past Dignity and Respect Champions: Barbara Murock

 

 

As we continue to take time to remember past Dignity & Respect champions, let us honor Barbara Murock, last September’s winner and Health Policy Specialist with the Office of Behavioral Health for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

Barbara works in health care policy related to different vulnerable groups of people that the Department of Human Services serves, including the aging, mental health and drug and alcohol, children, youth and families, those with intellectual disabilities, and community services. She also manages an initiative for immigrants and international citizens. She believes and lives each day under the philosophy that everyone wants to be included – and there is a place for everyone. Treating others with dignity and respect is simple – and is the vital life and fabric of the community. With an advisory council of people from around the world, Barbara is helping to develop a language bank for the community where different organizations can go for translators, and also works with an employment mentoring program for immigrants, and also works with a program aiming to make foster care more culturally competent.

If you would like to nominate a Dignity & Respect Champion, visit us here. Let us continue to recognize everyone who works tirelessly for inclusion!

Honk if you love equality!

 

 

The Human Rights Campaign’s “On the Road to Equality” bus tour begins this week! The HRC will be traveling nationwide to bring a message of dignity and respect for the LGBT community. The twelve week tour will travel to 17 cities in 11 states and D.C to raise awareness in areas where living openly and honestly can be difficult.

The tour will be visiting:

· Aug 12-14 Salt Lake City, UT

· Aug 18-21 Omaha & Lincoln, NE

· Aug 24-27 Lawrence, KS & Kansas City, MO

· Sept 1-5 New Orleans, LA

· Sept 8-10 Austin & College Station, TX

· Sept 15-18 Little Rock, AR

· Sept 22-25 Louisville & Lexington, KY

· Sept 30-Oct 3 Washington, DC

· Oct 6-9 Atlanta, GA

· Oct 14-16 Birmingham & Tuscaloosa, AL

· Oct 20-23 Jacksonville, FL

· Oct 27-30 Orlando, FL

… so be sure to come out and show your support! And if you don’t live along the tour route, you can still show your support by downloading the HRC equality car signs here.

Honk if you love equality!

Honoring Past Champions: August 2010 Dignity & Respect Champion Michael Smith

Through the upcoming weeks we will be recognizing past winners of our Dignity & Respect Champion Award. This week we honor Michael Smith, our August 2010 Champion.

Helping people find work who have not been given a chance before is exactly why Michael Smith loves his job. By helping those with mental challenges and financial struggles to lead more independent lives, Smith sees everyday how transforming opportunities restore dignity and respect in both individuals and communities. Nominated by Arlene Robinson and Kim Simpson, his colleagues at Goodwill, Smith is the recipient of last August’s Dignity & Respect Champion Award for his work as CEO, along with his dedication to the organization for the last 20 years.

There is still time to nominate your favorite champion of dignity and respect for our August 2011 honor. Do you know a person who works tirelessly to promote inclusion in your community? Let us know and let them be recognized!

Winner Announcement: July’s Champion of Dignity and Respect!

 

The Dignity & Respect Campaign would like to congratulate this month’s D&R Champion, Hilda Pang Fu!

Hilda Pang Fu, president and founder of Luminari. Nominated by Candi Castleberry Singleton, Hilda was selected for her work to broaden minds, inspire innovations, and promote a cultured community.  "With the I Want To Be An Ambassador! camp, Hilda has found an inspiring way to expose students to the art of diplomacy, and to challenge them to become better negotiators by letting them see for themselves that differences are barriers to progress only if we allow them to be,"  Candi says. Hilda exhibits dignity and respect in her daily life without giving it a thought, as she says it comes naturally to her.

Nominate your favorite dignity and respect champion and learn more about past champions here!

Multicultural Food Fest this Wednesday!

Let Us Continue to Honor All Our Dignity & Respect Champions!

We will soon be announcing this winner of July’s Dignity & Respect Champions Award!  

But there is still time to nominate your candidate for August: We invite everybody to go to the Dignity & Respect Campaign’s website and nominate a person who you believe best promotes inclusion, dignity and respect in your community. And in the upcoming weeks, we would like to take time out to remember some of our past champions as well.

Last July, Linda Demoise was awarded this honor for her daily work with students as the academic support coordinator for Investing Now, an engineering tutoring program at the University of Pittsburgh for high school students as well as college students in Pittsburgh. Linda Demoise said her job is the perfect opportunity to give back, challenge young people, and help them shape successful futures for themselves in exciting fields.

Demoise works directly with Hands-On-Science programs for pre-college students, where children get a chance to visit universities and learn more about careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Nominated by her colleague, Terri Kennelly-Cook, Demoise demonstrates her belief in treating all people with dignity and respect every day as she helps children to realize their potential, no matter their situation.