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• Your child becomes withdrawn, teary, or depressed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!