PARENTING ● EDUCATION ● ASSISTANCE ● SUPPORT
MAGAZINE/NOVEMBER 2012 WWW.PEASINTHEIRPODS.COM
Christian has a rare medical condition known as citrullinemia
CHRISTIAN FERGUSON MISSING SINCE 6/03 COMPOSITE PHOTO AGE 18
AGE 9 Disappearance
NOVEMBER
FEATURED MISSING CHILDREN
CATCH THEM YOUNG, INC.
SCHOLARCHIPS JILL STARISHEVSKY PROSECUTOR CHILD ABUSE AND SEX CRIMES
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PARENTING ● EDUCATION ● ASSISTANCE ● SUPPORT
P.E.A.S Magazine
Vashaun Riley-Vance
P.E.A.S Magazine mission, feature the faces of our missing children from state to state, along with details about disappearance, vital statistics, law enforcement contact information. It is very important that our children get as much media attention in locating, every second is critical. Every single day media headlines are reporting stories about our children being abused, neglected by persons who are suppose to love, nuture, encourage and support, the numbers are quickly growing. Something is very wrong! They say it takes a village, then we have to do better…. Peas in Their Pods P.O. Box 390296 Snellville, Ga 30039 Business: 770-686-4612 Missing Kids: 516-338-6873 or 301-501-7595 www.peasintheirpods.com
In This Edition Jill Starishevsky Joy Stevenson Yasmine Arrington Gaetane Borders Sharon Fox Ressurrection Graves Pat Holmes Nicki Sanders Paula Whitebear-Burton
Prosecutor State of New York Catch Them Young Inc. scholarCHIPS Parenting Corner Peas Magazine Food Editor Child Abuse Advocate Monthly Treat Teen ToolKit Encouragement
Missing 08/03/2012 Detroit, Mi Detroit police say a 5-year-old boy has been reported missing after his father didn't return him back to his mother in early August. Police said Vashaun Riley-Vance was last seen July 30 in the 14900 block of West Chicago when he was picked up by his 24-year-old father, Rico Vance. The father was supposed to return the boy to his mother on Aug. 3 but didn't. Since then, police said the father hasn't returned any of the mother's phone calls and can't be located. Vashaun is described as 3 feet tall, 45 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing a blue shirt that had a Spiderman logo on it, jeans and red/black/white Nike gym shoes.
November Featured Missing Children Peas In Their Pods Strives In Making Children Our First Priority First 2
ADOPTION
MONTH
AWARENESS
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CHRISTIAN FERGUSON MISSING SINCE JU Christian has a rare medical condition known as citrullinemia On June 11, 2003, at approximately 6:09 am, a disabled 9-year-old child named Christian Taylor Ferguson was reported missing from St. Louis, Missouri. Christian’s biological father told police that he was using a pay phone when some-
PARENTING CORNER
one drove away in his SUV. Christian was said to be ill and lying in the vehicle when this crime took place. The father was taken to the police station for further questioning about Christian’s disappearance, but he refused to cooperate with law enforcement. Hours later, the SUV was recovered, but the whereabouts of Christian remain unknown. The family of Christian Taylor Ferguson has not given up.
with Gaetane Borders /Peas In Their P
Internet Safety Would you put an ad in the newspaper encouraging strangers to visit your home at any time of the day and night? Would you leave your front door and windows wide open while you went on a week long vacation out of town? They answer is, most undoubtedly, no. The reason being is that this would be unsafe. However, did you know that by allowing your child or adolescent to surf the internet unsupervised is equally unsafe? One in four US teen girls reported that they met strangers off the Internet. One in seven boys admitted they did as well. While most of these “Internet friends” turn out to be another teen or preteen, that’s not always the case. Unfortunately, children
are now dying at the hands of Internet child molesters. Child predators have existed for ages. What has changed is that they are no longer confined to parks and playgrounds. Internet predators have become such a threat that police have dedicated entire departments to catching them. These officials frequent chat rooms and try to attract predators by pretending to be teenage girls or other types that are attractive to predators, then arresting them. One of the most important things you should teach your children is that the Internet is not a toy. Oftentimes children have a false sense of security on the • Internet because it seems anonymous and harmless. However, the reality is that having the internet theoretically allows millions of strangers into • your home. Many of these individuals are pedophiles who await naïve adolescents in order to begin “courting’ them in chat rooms, and the very popular social networks. • These skilled predators will bait children 4into giving them personal information such as what school they •
UNE 2003 Nine years later Christian’s mother (Theda Thomas) remains hopeful that Christian will return home. Any parent of a missing child would do the same thing. Christian’s mother continues to keep Christian visible in the media thru interviews, candlelight viguals, community events, community participation. “I feel like I should know where he is, what happened to him and I don`t have closure,” said Theda Wilson, Christian`s mother.
If anyone has any information that will help the authorities and especially the family in bringing Christian home, please don’t wait any longer. Every second that goes by is critical. Please contact St. Louis Police 314-444-5327 any and all leads are important.
Pods President attend or any other identifying information. Often, these predators will masquerade as children themselves in order to gain trust. Your child may think that they are talking to a peer, when in fact they are not. It is critically important that In addition to education, you must put in place parental controls and monitoring tools to help protect your child.
• If your child has a website or blog, monitor it daily. • Keep computers in communal spaces in your home. This allows for easy monitoring. Place website blocking software on your computers.
Parents are encouraged to do the following: Restrict the hours that kids can spend online. As a general rule, the later at night one is on line, the more suspect the activity that occurs. Ask your child what they are doing online. Sit down with them from time to time to see what they are doing. Point out stories in the newspaper about cyber predators. Make sure your child does not give out information over the Internet that would lead a person to find your child in real life. Do not allow your child to participate in chat rooms.
Internet predators are a real danger to anyone who has a child and a computer. Their ability to be anonymous makes them a viable threat. Police and other advocate groups are going to great lengths to stop and catch Internet predators, but you, too, can help. Notify law enforcement of any suspicious online activity you may know of. Most importantly, keep the lines of communication open between you and your child so that they will come to you if they are approached by someone on the internet. 5
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Changing the Social Stigma of “At Risk Youth” to “At Promise Youth” Catch Them Young, Inc. is a non-profit organization reversing the staggering statistics that plaque today’s embattled youth by promoting standards of excellence that will change the social stigma of “at risk youth” to "at promise" youth. Catch Them Young, is committed to the challenge of combating the negative plight that continues to hinder the growth and development of this generation and generations to come. Catch Them Young, Inc. (CTY) is a leading non-profit organization of excellence serving youth in the Washington Metropolitan Area since 2003. Our mandate is to reverse the staggering statistics that plaque today’s embattled youth by promoting standards of excellence that will change the social stigma of “at risk youth” to “at promise youth” while giving power to the powerless. With the proliferation of youth gang violence, teen drug use, sexual behavior, internet addiction and other negative societal ills, we are driven to provide youth program alternatives designed to combat these social problems that often promote and produce failure in the lives of these children. "Protecting the Powerless"! Joy Stevenson is the Founder of "Catch Them
Ms. Stevenson was born and raised in the Washington Metropolitan Area. She attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts where she majored in vocal music. She holds degrees in Business Administration with an emphasis in Project Management. She studied Early Childhood Development and has obtained many certifications in this area. Ms. Stevenson has extensive biblical training from Jericho Christian Training Center. She also possesses a Ministerial Degree from the Spirit of Faith Bible Institute, where she is a Licensed Minister of the Gospel. She attributes much of her successes and strong faith to the teachings that she has received while under the leadership of her Pastors Dr. Michael & Dee Dee Freeman. She is the mother of one daughter, Autumn, a son in law, Terry and two beautiful grandsons, Jalen Christopher 3, and Micah Asher 1. Ms. Stevenson’s passion to see change and increase in the lives of the youth has been a catalyst toward her many achievements. She has been afforded the opportunity to interact with children of many different cultures and nationalities. She has a vision to impact the world with her God given gift of LOVE! www.catchthemyoung.org/
Young, Inc." She has vowed to make a change in the lives of children that due to negative environments are geared toward failure. She currently conducts motivational seminars/workshops in schools, community centers, parenting meetings, etc. She has been given a mandate to, "Cry Out for the Youth". Having faced the plights of teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, and other perils of life, she has experienced first hand some of the social ills that plague many of todays’ youth.
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Gabrielle Swainson Columbia, SC. (August 18, 2012) Gabrielle’s family/friends need your help in bringing her home A Midlands mother has spent the week-
that the only thing missing besides Gab-
Swainson, interviewing
end looking for her 15 year old daughter
biee is her cell phone. "I don't see where
acquaintances, family,
Gabrielle Swainson. Elvia Swainson last
she's taken anything with her other than
and friends, while also
saw her daughter early Saturday morning what she may have had on, which was
following any leads.
when she left her house in South East
her pink and black pajama pants and a
Authorities say the pre-
Columbia to go to work for a few hours,
black tee strap tank," said Swainson.
liminary investigation
b.y the time she returned Gabby was
Swainson also said that Gabbiee has been showed no signs of
gone. The Richland County Sheriff's De-
busy this summer with guitar lessons and foul play. The informai-
partment reports that Gabbiee went miss- cheerleading. She recently made the JV
ton compiled by inves-
ing between 3 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Satur-
cheerleading squad at Ridgeview High
tigators about Gabbiee and the situation
day, Aug. 18.
School.
are not traditional temperaments of a
Immediatley after realizing Gabbiee was not home, Swainson called her
Gabbiee is set to start back to school
runaway.
as a sophmore this Thursday. "I believe
daughter's cell phone. The phone rang at she was really excited about that. I don't
If anyone has any information about Gab-
first, but when she called again it went
feel like she walked out of here or left
biee please contact Crimestoppers at 1-
straight to voicemail. Swainson called
here on her own," Swainson said. Rich-
888-CrimeSC.
authorities and an investigator came to
land County Sheriff's Department is inves- www.midlandsconnect.com/news/
her house. The mother says it appears
tigating the whereabouts of Gabbiee
story.aspx?id=790312#.UDOOsaMvB3U
Brittany Robinson June 27th 2012 MOBILE, Ala Age 14
It's been more than five weeks now since 14-yearBrittany Robinson's mothe seen her daughter. The tee mother, Tiana Hogue, said have been no calls, no sig ...and no leads. She is frus but holding on to hope. "I'm taking it one day at I'm just relying on God an help from my family to ge through it," said Hogue. S constant contact with dete 8 who she said assure her th
Danydia Betty-Jacqueline Thompson (April, 30 1997 Scars: Small mole on arm, small scar on forehead. Clothing worn: Purple and white Style worn: Worn in ponytails which checkered short sleeved shirt with a are secured on the tips with elastic white T-shirt underneath, black denim bands that have large black balls on the ends. Teeth: 1 front tooth is larger type jeans, black belt, and white and green LA Gear tennis shoes. Also than the other because she has one baby tooth and one permanent tooth. wearing blue underwear. She was carCircumstances: Danydia had gone rying a flower type bookbag with turquoise trim. In the bag is reverable to Marlboro Elementary to have jacket, blue on one side and blue with breakfast. She then went on to the red trim on the other side. playground with other children. She AKA 'Ne-Ne' to family and 'Dewas seen on the playground with an De' to friends. There is a $6,500. reunknown black male, described as follows: Age: 25 to 26 years old, Hgt: ward for the arrest and conviction of the person responsible about 5' 10" Wgt: 150 lbs.
e -old er has en’s d there ghtings, strated,
a time. nd the et She's in ectives, hey are
following all leads related to Brittany's disappearance. "I guess they are waiting until they get something conclusive to tell me because it's been pretty frustrating, and you know, upsetting to me that everything they have done so far have run into a dead-end," said Hogue. Hogue said her daughter was rekindling a relationship with her father, Demetric Hooper, and Brittany planned to spend a weekend with him last month.
THE SUSPECT Age: 25 to 26 years old, Hgt: about 5' 10" Wgt: 150 lbs. Hair: short afro about 3" in length Complexion: dark Other: slender nose and a thick mustache that reached the corners of his mouth. Clothing: wearing a black waist length jacket, black baggy jeans and light colored tennis shoes. They were last seen 2 blocks east and 3 blocks north of the playground on foot and Danydia was being carrying piggy back style.
Hogue said that's the last time she saw her daughter. I get phone calls from her friends almost every other day. ‘Ms. Robinson, Ms. Tiana, have you talked to Brittany? Have you seen Brittany?’" Hogue now spends time trying to think of anything from her ex's past that may help this case. She said she remembers him having a collection of out-ofstate ID's. "It's like Detroit,
Michigan, Ohio, Kansas, Texas, and Arkansas," said Hogue. On Monday, Hogue said plans on contacting courthouses in those states to stop any attempt by Hooper to apply for custody of Brittany. Brittany's mother said detectives have learned that Demetric has contacted family members in Mobile. UPDATE Mobile police have now put out a warrant for the father of a missing teenager. 9
Lamika Evans Missing from Darlington SC (August 2012)
The family of a 17-year-old Darlington teenager is askin
Darlington Police say the family of Lamika Evans reported her missing ...after she w Lamika went to answer a knock at the door and was never seen again. "She walked so someone must have picked her up," said Lamika's mother, Eva Mae Evans. Eva M ing anyone to stop by the home. In addition, Evans said she registered Lamika for of school this week.
Though Evans said her daughter has had some disciplinary problems in the past, sh safety. "I hate to see her go like that and to think she's maybe somewhere out ther I hadn't heard anything and I don't know who she's with," Eva Mae Evans said. Dar seen wearing a long, black dress and has black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with in 398-4028.
End Child Sexual Abuse with The Innocence Revolution Jill Starishevsky Prosecutor of Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Global event to educate the public and take action against childhood sexual Jill Starishevsky is an Assistant District Attorney in New York City, where she has prosecuted hundreds of sex offenders and dedicated her career to seeking justice for victims of child abuse and sex crimes. Outside the courtroom, Jill's fondness for writing led her to create thepoemlady.com, where she pens personalized pieces. Her mission to protect children, along with her penchant for poetry, inspired My Body Belongs to Me. A mother of three, Jill is also founder of HowsMyNanny.com, a service that enables parents to purchase a license plate for their child's stroller so the public can report positive or negative nanny observations. While recent headlines such as the Jerry Sandusky trial and sentencing have helped raise awareness about child sexual abuse, awareness alone is not enough. Instead, it is time to take action worldwide to end this crime against children. That worldwide movement kicks off on April 14, 2013, with The Innocence Revolution: A Global Day to End Child Sexual Abuse. Designed to educate the public and begin the end of the crime of child sexual abuse, The Innocence Revolution: A Global Day to End Child Sexual Abuse takes place in cities around the world and marks
the first time an event like this has been held. “We are committed to making the discussion of child sexual abuse prevention as basic as teaching your child how to cross the street,” says Jill Starishevsky, Co-Founder of The Innocence Revolution, a prosecutor of child abuse and sex crimes, and author of the child sexual abuse prevention book, “My Body Belongs to Me.” “Child sexual abuse prevention must be taught at home and reinforced in school – but the first step is to educate adults to properly protect their children. We are taking the issue
of child sexual abuse to a new level.” Events linked to The Innocence Revolution: A Global Day to End Child Sexual Abuse vary from one city to the next, and will include walks, concerts, art exhibits, interactive displays, and 5K runs. Volunteers are sought to coordinate activities at both the state and city level. To find out how you or your organization can become involved, contact The Innocence Revolution at TheInnocenceRevolution@gmail.com or visit www.TheInnocenceRevolution.net 10
ng for the public's help to locate her.
was last seen in her Joe Louis Blvd. home in Darlington Thursday evening. (August) Evans' family says d out of the house and left the door open and I went to the door and called her name and there was no answer, Mae Evans said Lamika gave her family no indication as to who was at the door or whether or not she was expect her senior year at Darlington High School last week and said the teen seemed to be looking forward to the start
he also said that everything appeared to be going well in Lamika's life and she now fears for her daughter's re in the streets or something and maybe could be killed or something, I don't even know where she's at‌ rlington Police are asking for the public's help to try and locate the missing teen. Lamika is about 5'2", was last nformation on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Darlington Police Department at 843-398-4026.
November National Adoption Month Siblings Waiting To Be Adopted - Alabama Korenshia was born in May 2000. Korenshia is very excited about being adopted. She would prefer that her forever family have a mother and father. Korenshia wants her parents to be young and able to do fun and exciting things with her. She has traveled to Disney Land in California and wants to travel more. Korenshia enjoys camping, playing school and reading. She would like to have a pet, particularly a dog. Korenshia is enthusiastic, loving and affectionate. Korenshia has an older brother and sister. It is important that she maintain contact with her siblings. Korenshia is slow to warm up to people but when she does, she talks incessantly! She is very inquisitive. Karleshia, born July 1998 has big brown eyes and beautiful smile. She likes to read but really loves watching High School Musical and Hannah Montana. She is very much a "tweener." She loves to watch television shows that feature kids close to her age. She is very fashion conscious and loves to feel glamorous. Karleshia likes to play dress up and make believe. She loves to dance and listen to music. A family interested in Karleshia would need to be patient and kind hearted. Karleshia has an older brother and a younger sister and it is important to her to maintain relationships with them.
Antonio, born May 1998 is known to be a good student. His favorite subject in school is science because he likes "the stuff" (experiments) that students perform. In his previous school he was in classes for "gifted" students and he is on an advanced level at his current school. He loves the outdoors. Antonio can be described as somewhat "stand-offish" or "independent. He is less affectionate than his younger brother who tends to love to cuddle and praise his older brother. Antonio will need a loving, but firm home with clear and consistent rules and consequences. He will also need a family who is willing to be patient while he learns to trust them and accept their love. Robert, born March 2000, might be considered a "charmer" compared to his older brother. He usually appears to be somewhat shy on the surface but will quickly open up. He is constantly smiling and his eyes light up when he is excited. He needs help dealing with major changes in his life. He needs extra help in school because of a language disorder. He tends to communicate through art and he has art skills that stand apart from his same-age peers. As his teacher described his work, his pictures "reach for you", i.e., his faces he sketches may show an emotion or a "stare" versus a simple smiling face. Robert also needs redirecting from time to time as he will obsess on certain issues and events. Robert and Antonio would like to be adopted together. http://www.adoptuskids.org/
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Thanksgiving Recipes/Greeting with Sharon Fox Thanksgiving is approaching. I have always heard that we seem to celebrate this day for all that has been given to us. Rightfully so, as we are a very blessed country. We have many things to be thankful for. Yet, for some reason this thought hit me about thanksgiving that I had not considered before. The word Thanksgiving has two words in it. It has the word "thanks" and the word "giving". We offer thanks for things given to us. Yet we maybe need to look at this a little closer. We need to give thanks for God giving us the ability and or the resources to give. If it were all about what we get it would be one-sided. The greatest joy is being able to give to others. Scripture even says that we are to: LUKE 6:38... Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Because the Lord has given us the ability to give, it causes us to receive. We can be thankful then that God has allowed us to have things to give so that it comes back to us. I think our motive must be just to minister to the needs of others. Getting back for doing so is a result, not a motive. I think about the scripture that says: 2 CORINTHIANS 9:10... Now he that ministers seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness. God gives us seed to sow. He then multiplies our seed if we do sow into others. Some unfortunately eat their seed and never get God's blessing. Their seed is never multiplied back as they just use it on self. Those of you that have learned that Thanksgiving is all about giving gain a blessing from the Lord and have your seeds multiplied by God. For this, we all can be thankful this year that God so graciously gave to us seed to sow that He multiplies it back, as we are obedient. So for this Thanksgiving I pray that you can be thankful for not only what has been given to you, but also that God has enabled you to give and be a blessing. Obedience to Him and His Word then brings a blessing back to you. Thank You Lord! Happy Thanksgiving All!
Author Sharon Fox is the author of ‘COMFORT FOOD for the Mind, Body, and Soul’. Working as a Cake Designer, Caterer, Cooking Instructor, Private Chef, 12 and Party Planner has given Sharon over 35 years of culinary experience.
THANKSGIVING SIZE LEMON PIE Recipe for 2 pie crusts: 1 2/3 c flour 3/4 tsp salt 2/3 c shortening 4 Tbsp cold water Combine flour and salt in medium sized mixing bowl. Cut shortening into flour with pastry blender until pieces are the size of large peas. Sprinkle with water and stir with fork, in circular motion, until mixture forms a ball - just barely holds together. Divide in half for 2 crusts, or roll out slightly larger than your cookie sheet for this large pie. Carefully place onto cookie sheet. Press dough up the sides of pan. Prick with a fork all over, and bake at 350 degrees until slightly brown. Cool.
Lemon Filling (double the recipe for this large pie) 1 cup sugar 5 tablespoons cornstarch 1 3/4 cup water. . .mix into the sugar and cornstarch in a 6 cup glass measuring cup Add 5 beaten fresh egg yolks (whites set aside in a large metal or glass bowl) dash salt the lemon zest of 1 lemon 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice I throw it all into the microwave and stir it every 2 minutes on high until it has come to a bubbly boil. Add 3 tablespoons of soft butter. If you'd rather cook it on top of the stove, just put all ingredients in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in 3 Tbsp. butter. Pour onto cooled pie crust on cookie sheet.
Meringue:
6 egg whites 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar 1/2 cup sugar 1 Tbsp. cornstarch Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Slowly add sugar and cornstarch. Whip until stiff glossy peaks are formed. Put the meringue on top of filling while it is still hot to keep it from weeping. Return to oven (350 degrees) until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely before placing in refrigerator. Do not cover the pie in refrigerator. This 13 keeps the crust from becoming soggy. To keep meringue from sticking to knife while cutting, run the knife under warm water.
HERB ROASTED TURKEY 1 Tbsp. rubbed sage 1 Tbsp. poultry seasoning 1 Tbsp. paprika 1 Tbsp. seasoned salt 2 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. black pepper 3/4 tsp. ground nutmeg 1 turkey (12-14 lbs.), thawed 1 large onion, cut into wedges 6 bay leaves 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil Place oven rack in lowest position. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Place roasting rack in shallow roasting pan. Mix sage or poultry seasoning, paprika, seasoned salt, garlic powder, pepper and nutmeg in small bowl. Rinse turkey; pat dry. Place turkey, breastside up, in prepared pan. Sprinkle about half of the seasoning mixture inside of turkey. Stuff with onion and bay leaves. Brush turkey breast with oil. Spread remaining seasoning mixture over entire surface and under skin of turkey. Add 1/2 cup water to pan. Cover turkey loosely with heavy duty foil. Roast 1 hour. Remove foil. Roast 2 to 2 1/2 hours longer or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (175 degrees F in thigh), basting occasionally with pan juices. Remove turkey from oven. Let stand 20 minutes. Transfer to platter or carving board to slice. Reserve pan juices to make gravy or to serve with turkey.
ULTIMATE MAC AND CHEESE 2 cups dry elbow pasta, cooked until almost al dente 8 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded 8 ounces Monterey pepper jack cheese, shredded 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg 4 tablespoons sour cream 1 large egg, beaten 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup half-and-half 8 oz. shredded cheddar, for topping In a large bowl, toss together hot pasta with 8 oz. cheddar and 8 oz. pepper jack cheeses and pour into the baking dish. In a large bowl mix together the flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, nutmeg and sour cream, egg, heavy cream and half-and-half. 14 Pour over the pasta and cover with remaining 8 oz. shredded cheddar. Bake uncovered until top is just beginning to brown, about 35 minutes.
MEXICAN CORNBREAD STUFFING 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter 3 poblano peppers, seeded and chopped 2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1 1/2 bunches green onions, sliced 2 (1-pound) packages frozen corn, thawed, divided 3 eggs 2 tablespoons maple syrup 2 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 1/2 pounds prepared cornbread, coarsely crumbled (9" square pan) Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9- x 13 -inch casserole dish; set aside. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add poblano and bell peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until just golden and tender. Add onions and 1 bag of corn and continue cooking until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Set aside to let cool then drain some of the liquid if too wet. Meanwhile, pulse remaining bag of corn in a food processor with eggs, maple syrup, salt and pepper until well combined and almost smooth. In a large bowl, combine cooled pepper mixture with corn mixture then gradually fold in cornbread. Do not over mix; stuffing should have a coarse texture. Transfer to prepared dish, cover with parchment paper, then snugly with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden brown on top, about 15 minutes more.
SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled cooked and mashed 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 cup unsalted butter, melted 4 eggs 1/2 tsp. nutmeg 2/3 cup evaporated milk 2 teaspoons vanilla Pam cooking spray, to grease pan
Topping: 2 cups brown sugar 1 stick of unsalted butter, softened 2/3 cup all-purpose flour 2 cups pecans, chopped 1 teaspoon cinnamon Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, beat together all the filling ingredients with an electric mixer. Pour into a greased, 9×13baking dish. In a separate bowl, mix all the topping ingredients together with a fork to form a crumbled mixture. Spread crumb mixture on top of casserole and bake in the middle of the oven for 35-40 minutes. *Top with mini marshmallows, return to oven to brown. (optional) Remove from oven and allow casserole to cool for at least 10-20 minutes before serving.
COLLARD GREENS WITH SMOKED TURKEY 2 1/2 lbs of collard greens 2 smoked turkey legs 1 medium white onion , chopped 2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 1 tsp of minced or chopped garlic 1/2 tsp of seasoning salt 15 oz of chicken broth 6 cups of water Start off by boiling your smoked turkey legs in 6 cups of water for until the meat falls off the bone. When the turkey is done remove the meat from the water( save it, don’t toss the water!) Remove the meat from the bone, then place the meat back into the pot. Now add your onions, jalapenos, garlic, and collards. Stir the ingredients. Add the seasoning salt, then the chicken broth. Stir. Cover the pot with the lid, and cook on low medium heat for about 1 hour. Be sure to stir periodically. Add more water or chicken broth 15 if needed. Adjust seasonings. Serve!
Helping graduating seniors who pare ScholarCHIPS Motto: The Tassel is Wor
Black Girls Rock 2012 M.A.D. (Making A Diff Yasmine Arrington founded ScholarCHIPS For Children of Incarcerated Parents, her junior year of high school. ScholarCHIPS awards scholarships to high school graduating seniors with parents in prison, who are pursuing a college education. She formulated the idea while she participated in a one-year enrichment program called LearnServe international, a Washington, DC based non-profit that helped her and other local teens formulate social entrepreneurship skills and also provided support. In addition, Arrington felt the strong desire to pursue this idea, as she is a child of a perviously incarcerated parent. Her father was in and out of prison for about 16 years of her life. Arrington is only 19. With her mother passing away her freshman year of high school, being cared for along with two younger brothers, solely by her single grandmother, she knew truly the meaning of financial and emotional struggle that results from the absence of a parent, and in her case both parents. As of June 2012, ScholarCHIPS has awarded eight college scholarships totally $11,000. "The recipients are phenomenal young people," She says. "They are incredibly resilient and positive regardless of the struggles they've had at such a young age. They remind me of myself...and after meeting them,
I knew then that this ca worth while." Arrington fundraising and grantin ships each summer. Ar rently a sophomore at E sity majoring in Strateg cations and History. She is a scholar wit organizations and has ous awards for her com vice including her Girl S Outstanding Communit Black Girls Rock Incorp nowes Leadership Awa gospel choir, is a poet, personality on WSOE 8
“In the near future I as ture I envision being a
For m
16
ents are incarcerated rth the Hassle!
ference) Award Recipient
ause was plans to keep ng scholarrrington is curElon Univergic Communi-
thin numerous won numermmunity serScout Silver and Gold Awards, a Jefferson Award for ty Service, a Making a Difference (MAD) Girl award from porated and Black Entertainment Television and the Liard for Unsung Heroes. I addition, Arrington sings in the motivational speaker, and plus size model, also a radio 89.3 Elon, Burlington.
spire to be a journalist/News Anchor and in the fua TV Host and philanthropist!�
more information about the scholarCHIPS program please visit: yasminearrington.blogspot.com yasminearrington.webs.com/ about.me/yasminearrington93 17
RILYA Alert: How
Rilya Wilson - Missing Trial began on Monday
Finally her trial began on Monday, November 6, 2012. Against all odds, I kept the faith. I expected a smiling little girl with pig tails and chubby cheeks to say, “Hi, Ms. Wilson!” I was not ready, and certainly not willing to give up on finding Rilya Wilson. As we begin Rilya’s murder trial on Monday we all have to deal with the cold reality that Rilya is gone. When Rilya went missing she was four years old, and if she were still alive today she would have been a 16year-old teenager in the prime of her life. As Rilya’s story started to unfold, I was serving in the Florida Legislature. As I learned about the details surrounding Rilya’s disappearance, specifically the utter disregard and lack of concern displayed by the Department of Children and Families, I was sickened. I was sickened by the thought that DCF employees would falsify records indicating that Rilya was OK. I was sickened to learn that Rilya was one of thousands of children under the supervision of DCF whose whereabouts were unaccounted for and I was sickened to learn that Geralyn Graham, the roommate of the woman entrusted to care for Rilya allegedly had abused Rilya. Graham lied to DCF employees, but those employees would have known this had they performed their jobs diligently. Rilya’s case exposed plenty of shortcomings at
DCF, and I was proud to pass the Rilya Wilson Act in response to these failures. One of the most troubling aspects of Rilya’s case was the fact that Rilya had been withdrawn from school. If she were still in school there would have been eyes watching; and somebody would have known that she was missing. Instead of falling victim to DCF’s incompetence, and her caretaker’s negligence, Rilya could have been saved by procedures that we now have in place. Under the Rilya Wilson Act, children in DCF custody must attend school. If a child in DCF care is reported as absent from school, the school is obligated by law to report an unexcused absence to the child’s caseworker. The caseworker is then obligated by law to visit the child and determine whether or not that child is within the custody of the foster parent. If that child is missing, the caseworker must notify law enforcement, and law enforcement will then proceed to take the necessary action to locate the child. We do not know exactly when Rilya went missing; but we do know that it took 18 months for the DCF to report it. I think about Rilya every day. Her picture hangs in my office, and I continue to fight for Rilya in Congress. The federal adaptation of the Rilya Wilson Act, H.R. 3741, mandates that a state must have procedures to report missing children to law enforcement authorities for entry into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, and to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. This bipartisan bill has more than 100 co-sponsors and is supported by my fellow members of the South Florida Congressional delegation. These common sense solutions at the 18
it came to be
at age 4 y, November 5, 2012 state and federal level can assist in the recovery of missing children, and keep our children safe from harm. Let us not forget that Rilya and children like her are all of our children. When the state removes a child from the biological parents and places them in foster care, the state and all of its residents become the guardian of those children. So Rilya technically belongs to all of us. I am thankful for all of the wonderful people who take in foster children as their own, but I worry about children like Rilya who are not as fortunate. We must fight for Rilya Wilson while the nation’s eyes are on us. Florida always finds itself at the center of controversies involving children; I pray that a scenario similar to Caylee Anthony is not repeated. We must fight for Rilya because her murder trial, like Caylee’s murder trial, deserves the national spotlight. Nancy Grace and the national media should dedicate their time and resources to Rilya’s trial, and simply not ignore her because she is a child of color. This happens too often. While the Rilya Wilson Act put in place a procedure to protect children, and although administrators within DCF were forced to resign as a result of their incompetence, justice is what we seek for Rilya. Justice demands that Rilya’s killer be held accountable, and justice demands that Rilya’s death not be in vain. I pray for justice, and I pray for Rilya who is gone but never forgotten.
RILYA Alert Criteria• The abduction is of a child age 17 years or younger The parent must have contacted law enforcement to report child missing. A RILYA Alert may also be issued if the child is classified as a runaway by the police. If the parent has reported missing child and has convincing evidence that child does not have a history of running away, an alert will be initiated within the 1st hour. We recognize that at times, not all information is readily available (ie. license plate numbers, name of abductor, or witness to abduction. In such cases, the available information will be reviewed and verified prior to RILYA Alert. • The law-enforcement agency believes the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death. • All children of color meeting the criteria for the Amber Alert will also receive the RILYA Alert If these criteria are met, alert information is assembled for public distribution. This information may include descriptions and pictures of the missing child, the suspected abductor, and a suspected vehicle along with any other information available and valuable to identifying the child and suspect.
U.S. Rep. Frederica S. Wilson represents District 17 in Miami-Dade County.
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TIMEKA DONYALE PRIDGEN (May 12, 2001) North Carolina Timeka was last seen at 10:15 p.m. in her residence on South Street in La Grange, North Carolina on May 12, 2001. She has never been heard from again. Authorities initially considered her a runaway and believed she may have traveled to Goldsboro, North Carolina. However, they now think she may have been forced out of
her home by someone after she let the person inside. She was barefoot at the time of her disappeatance and left all her belongings behind. Eric Earl Mercer Moore, a friend of Timeka’s family, is considered a person of interest in her disappearance. He’s currently in prison for the second time for sex crimes against minors. He hasn’t been charged in connection
with Timeka’s case, and it remains unsolved. If you have any information concerning this case, please contact: La Grange Police Department 252-527-5117 Circumstances: When Timeka was last seen she had braces on her teeth and light brown highlights in her hair. Her ears are double pierced. She may go by the nickname Meka
Celebrate National Adoption Month 2012 media to build States’ capacity to recruit and retain parents for the 104,000 children and youth in foster care waiting for adoptive families. Visit this link to learn more about National Adoption Month – Virtually: Adoption in the Digital Age.
November is National Adoption Month. National Adoption Month has been celebrated for 17 years. Every November, a Presidential Proclamation launches activities and celebrations to help build awareness of adoption throughout the nation. Thousands of community organizations arrange and host programs, events, and activities to share positive adoption stories, challenge the myths, and draw attention to the thousands of children in foster care who are waiting for permanent families. The 2012 National Adoption Month initiative targets adoption professionals by focusing on ways to use social
foster care to be adopted on National Adoption Day, on November 17, 2012. National Adoption Day Coalition partners include Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Freddie Mac Foundation, Children’s Action Network, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and The Alliance for Children’s Rights. Learn more on National Adoption Day celebrates the adoption of children in foster care. the National Adoption Day website. It is a collective national effort to raise awareness of the more than 100,000 Nicki Sanders, MSW, Chief Vichildren in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families. This ansionary Officer nual, one-day event has made the dreams of thousands of children The Teen Toolbox come true by working with policymak- provides youth ers, practitioners and advocates to portfolio developfinalize adoptions and create and ment and civic encelebrate adoptive families. gagement and academic empowerment strategies to In total, National Adoption Day helped help teens set goals for life after high nearly 40,000 children move from fos- school and create a road map to ter care to a forever family. Communi- reach those goals through its PACKties across the county celebrate the AGED FOR SUCCESS™ Programs. Saturday before every Thanksgiving. 20 This year the National Adoption Day Coalition expects 4,500 children in
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No Longer Hidden, No Longer Ashamed
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Monthly Treat
Pat Holmes
BUCKEYE BROWNIES 19.5 oz. pkg. brownie mix 2 cups powdered sugar ½ cup plus 6 tablespoon butter (softened and divided) 8 oz. jar creamy peanut butter 6 oz. Pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Prepare and bake brownies mix in a greased 13x9 pan according to package directions. Let cool. Mix powdered sugar, ½ cup butter and peanut butter. Mix well and spread over cooled brownies. Chill for one hour. Melt together chocolate chips and remaining butter in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Spread over brownies. Let cool; cut into squares.
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Still Standing Where does your faith lie…is it in your own actions, in the actions of others, or is it in God? This is a question that we all have to and should stop to think about because this is what determines the outcome of every situation that we encounter. It is the ending result in where we fall in line when it comes to a resolution of the trials and tribulations that we experience no matter how great or small that they are. For me, writing the encouragement letter “Just Stand” said it all, and so now I’m telling you all that I’m “Still Standing”…has it been easy…no way, and every day that I go through is a challenge, but I know in my heart of hearts that I can’t give up, that I have to keep going. Challenging my storm is what I do daily, and while it’s hard, at the end of the day I say “thank you Lord anyhow” and I know that
Paula Whitebear-Burton the good Lord knows what that means and where my heart is on that. I know that the Lord knows me better than I know myself and He knows exactly what I can and can’t handle even when I say I can’t. A journey is what we are faced with on a daily basis and our inclusions not exclusions to the obstacles that the journey will bring is not a recipe of defeat. We have to look towards the future and not at the past as the past is nothing that we can change. Even when you are down, you are not out; even when you’ve felt alone you are not considering none of us are immune to the trials and tribulations of life. Victory is the prescription that we all posses and that is something that we must hold fast to. As we crossover into the month of Thanksgiving, we all have a lot to
be thankful for even when it feels like we are at our wits end. We have our life to be thankful for as many did not make it to view the day that we are able to view, to take in the sights around us that God has shared His grace with us to experience. No matter what we go through, no matter how hard it may get, even in the moment where we feel that things haven’t worked out as we’d hoped, even when we say there is so much to shake our heads on when we think about the things that we’ve had to deal with in our lifetime, some more devastating than others; the reality is that we’re here, we have been blessed to see another day and make it through another storm...we are Still Standing.
Tavia Sills 18: Shot & killed by boyfriend On September 9, 2008 Lamondre Tucker went to the house of Tavia Sills, whose was five months pregnant, his ex-girlfriend. He told her he wanted to take her to meet his sister on his father side. Instead of taking her there he took her to a pond in the Mlk area and shot her three times and dumped her body in the pond. She was missing three days and three nights it was then two fishermen found her body floating in the water. Vicki Britton (Tavia’s Mom) want people to know that because the first investigator would not release her picture we had to look for her ourself. He said she was a runaway and was laid up with someone and did not want me to know, when she was in reality in the pond shot to death. In honor of her daughter Vicki Britton has become another voice in bringing awareness to the violence plaguing our communities all across this country. As a volunteer with Peas 24 In Their Pods, helping to bring awareness for our missing children by sharing information in alerting the public. It takes a strong, loving person who grieves and help others at the same time.
Ressurrection Graves is a relationship mentor who advocates on behalf of child sexual abuse awareness, prevention and healing. She maintains a blog at: www.ressurrection.wordpress.com Ressurrection has created an online petition to end child sexual abuse by making child grooming a felony.
Sponsor-A-Teen: 26th Anniversary Tour Historically Black Colleges and Universities few years ago, and raised $1800 by pitching herself, handing out brochures and other fundraising efforts. Her money was forfeited to the organization, and she was unable to attend the trip. Her GPA is currently a 3.7 and she intends to major in Political Science or Pre-Law.
Not all teens get an opportunity to go on a college tour, especially one that is not school sponsored. The Prince George’s County Alumnae Chapter (PGCAC) of Delta Signma Theta Sorority, Inc. in association with the Prince George’s County Delta Alumnae Foundation (PGCDAF) have come together to do a 26th Anniversary Tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities for 10th, 11th and 12th grade students. A bright student, she was slected for People to People a
As of today, she has called colleges, churches, and various organizations who all tell her that they do not have money to support her collegiate efforts. The hosting organization does not have funds for students. And, they do have a few spots left, after leaving one open for the above teen. This is a call-to-action. I am asking all of those who consider themselves leaders, business owners and supporters of education, and youth-serving organizations to put this teen on the bus this Sunday. The trip will commence November
11-16, 2012. She will visit Morehouse College, Shaw University, Spelman College, Johnson C. Smith University, North Carolina Central University, St. Augustine, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, Claflin University, Clark Atlanta University, South Carolina State University, Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and more…. If you are an alumni of any of the above colleges you understand the importance of trips like this which promote independence, encourage leadership and impress enthusiasm in students who are trying to figure out post high school options. If you want to help this student with her tuition of $450 please call me, Ressurrection 202.717.7377 so 25 teens that I can share the information
Shy'Kemmia Shy'rezz Pate (September 4, 1998) Georgia Missing since September 4, 1998 from Unadilla, Dooly
The authorities were summoned
County, Georgia Classification: Lost, Injured, Missing Vital
after Pate's family was unable to locate her later in the night.
Statistics: Date Of Birth: October 29, 1989 Age at Time of
She has never been seen again. Authorities have received
Disappearance: 8 years old Height and Weight at Time of
numerous tips regarding Pate's disappearance, but no solid
Disappearance: 4'4" (132 cm); 59 lbs (27 kg) Distinguishing
evidence has been located to guide them to her where-
Characteristics: Black female. Black hair; brown eyes. She
abouts. Investigators explored the possibility that Quentin
has braided, shoulder length hair with twirls in the front.
"Droopy" Kendrick, one of her family's neighbors in 1998,
There are 10 to 12 small gold beads in the twirls. Marks,
may have been involved in her case. Kendrick was arrested
Scars: She has a surgical scar along her waistline. Clothing:
in 2001 and charged with several counts of sexual assault.
She was wearing a bright, neon green, button-up shirt with
He resided approximately 300 yards from Pate's home at
the word "Braves" in red on the front; Levi blue jeans; and
the time she vanished. A search of his property did not yield
white K-Swiss tennis shoes. AKA: She needs medication for
any clues as to Pate's whereabouts. Kendrick is not believed
her asthma. Medical: Shy-Shy
to have been involved in her disappearance. Authorities be-
Circumstances of Disappearance: Pate was last seen near lieve that Pate may have been abducted by someone she her family's residence on Crumpler Avenue near The Roxy
was familiar with at the time. Her case remains unsolved. If
Club in Unadilla, Georgia at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Sep-
you have any information concerning this case, please con-
tember 4, 1998. Her family planned to attend a football game tact: Dooly County Sheriff's Department 229-268-4128 Or that evening and her older sister noticed Pate was missing.
GBI Tip Line 800-597-8477
Kynande Kalehje Bennett (September 29, 2002) North Carolina Kynande was reportedly last seen that day. Investigators claim that there is no eviby her mother, Vartasha "Tasha"
dence that Kynande was even in the state at the
McCullough, at a K-Mart depart-
time. No one other than Kynande's parents saw
ment store at 5:00 p.m. They re-
her in the two days before she was reported miss-
sided in Conway, South Carolina ing. and were visiting Kynande's uncle Authorities later discovered biological evidence in Whiteville, North Carolina that day. At first McCullough claimed Kynande disappeared in an aisle of the store, but she later
in McCullough's apartment that suggested a physical assault had taken place. The evidence was matched through DNA to Ky-
changed her story and said she walked into the
nande, aiding and abetting, unlawful neglect of a
store and thought Kynande was behind her, but
child and inflicting great bodily harm on a child.
turned around and she was gone. Nobody remem- The judge sentenced her to 20 years in prison. bered seeing the child with her mother in K-Mart
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What Are You Thankful For..??
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PEAS IN THEIR PODS MAKING OUR CHILDREN PRIORITY
www.peasintheirpods.com
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