Conversaciones de Salud E-Newsletter November 2024
Conversaciones de Salud E-Newsletter
...serving the Hispanic/Latinx/Latine/Latino/Afrodescendientes/Indigenous-Latino and Asian-Latino communities.
INTRODUCING CONVERSACIONES DE SALUD BOOK CLUB
PAGE 2
YOUTH COMMUNITY JOURNALISM
Episode 4: Fixing the
Education System
with Adriana Cerrillo, Ray Aponte and Araceli Martínez
PAGE 6
UNSUNG HERO AWARD PAGE 4
END OF THE YEAR DONATIONS With Elvis Rivera PAGE 5
ADRIANA CERRILLO -A warrior for Our Children´s Education PAGE 7
HENNEPIN COUNTY OPIOID RESPONSE PAGE 8
ESQUINA CULTURAL Día de los Muertos PAGE 10
Beyond the Surface is My Calling with Rev. Mary Whitney PAGE 11
Conversaciones de Salud Book Club
Dear Readers,
Conversaciones de Salud dedicates the November 2024 Día de los Muertos issue to the mentors who planted the seed for my path in journalism: Mario Duarte, Héctor García, and Rubén Rosario. We honor these storyteller pioneers by introducing our “Book Club” section to nuestras conversaciones.
Join us for a meet and greet on November 19th, when our Youth Community Journalists will visit with Dr. Marc Gorelick, CEO of Children’s Minnesota, for a robust conversation on the topic of the gun crisis. His book, “Saving Our Kids: An ER Doc’s Common Sense Solution to the Gun Crisis,” which provides a public health perspective on the subject of gun violence, will be available for purchase (Click here)
All proceeds from the book will be invested back into Children’s Minnesota’s gun violence prevention work.
During this month of gratitude, we would like to thank you for your support, encouragement, and involvement with the Conversaciones de Salud E-Newsletter. A special gracias to the Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation - Youth Community Journalism Institute for supporting the publication of Conversaciones de Salud NewsMagazine!
Enjoy this November 2024 issue!
Carmen Robles
UNSUNG HERO
Ortega and Shannon Pergament and family picuted with Aida Tosca SoLaHmo Community Researchers (Somali/Latino/Hmong) https://cuhcc.umn.edu/solahmo
executive director, was named one of the National Community-Based Organization Network (NCBON) 2024 Unsung Heroes. The honor is for his leadership of our work to help youth and families build stronger communities through investments in education, economic opportunities, youth development, community journalism, and healthy lifestyles. Congratulations also to Carmen Robles, the founder and president of community engagement firm Carmen Robles and Associates LLC, who also was recognized as an Unsung Hero for her work with Conversaciones De Salud (Health Conversations) and Jovenes de Salud (Youth Health). Carmen is the publisher of Conversaciones de Salud, the premier media partner of the Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation and our Youth Community Journalism Institute. She has saved the lives of many youth with her work. NCBON, in collaboration with the University of Minnesota’s Clinical Translational Science Institute’s (CTSI) community engagement team (CEARCH), is celebrating its 19th Annual Celebration of Community and Culture, honoring and showcasing those who are doing great work in the Twin Cities.
AWARD
Luis
Yareli Peña Howard, Carmen Robles, Eric Ortiz and Araceli Martínez Chaz Sandifer Founder,CEO
theNEWmpls: https://thenewmpls.com/ and Carmen Robles
AWARD
DONATIONS END OF THE YEAR
by Elvis Rivera
As it relates to the tax benefits on donations to nonprofit organization. I’m not a tax professional but here are some general thoughts:
When a business donates to a nonprofit organization, it can benefit in several key ways that help reduce taxable income and improve financial standing while contributing to the community. One of the primary advantages is the tax deduction for charitable contributions. Businesses, including C corporations, S corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships, can deduct donations to qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofits as a business expense, with C corporations typically limited to 10% of their taxable income, though excess contributions can often be carried forward for up to five years.
For businesses donating appreciated assets, such as stocks or real estate, that have been held for over a year, there’s a significant benefit: the business can usually deduct the asset’s full market value while avoiding capital gains taxes on the appreciation. In addition to direct tax benefits, charitable giving enhances a company’s brand image and public relations, creating goodwill within the community and fostering customer loyalty and employee satisfaction. Sponsorships and advertising with nonprofits can further provide a strategic advantage, as these expenses can often be structured as deductible business expenses rather than traditional charitable contributions.
Elvis Rivera helping lead financial literacy classes in the Twin Cities (not a tax professional).
Connect via LinkedIn (Click here)
Young Hispanic Corporate Achiever 2023 | HACR (Hispanic Association for Corporate Responsibility) Award Recipient Inclusive Employer of the Year 2023 | Latino Chamber of Commerce Awardee
Coors Light Lider of the Year 2023 | Molson Coors Honoree
If you want to support our youth community journalism solutions program, you can make a tax-deductible donation here.
Youth Community Journalism
on Providing More
Educational Opportunities
By Eric Ortiz
YOUTH COMMUNITY JOURNALISM
Every day is an opportunity for students to learn. Every day they miss school is a missed opportunity. Those daily missed opportunities turn into persistent missed opportunities. Before long, opportunities disappear.
The National Library of Medicine finds that school disengagement, or a student’s lack of involvement in education, can lead to many detrimental outcomes, including chronic mental health difficulties, conduct and delinquent behaviors, criminal involvement, and unemployment in adolescence and adulthood.
This is a big issue. But it is solvable.
Our fourth episode of the “Youth Community Journalism” focused on education. Produced at SPNN (Saint Paul Neighborhood Network) on Nov. 1, the show examined how we can make school more engaging and education more equitable for all students, families, and communities.
Our guests:
• Adriana Cerrillo, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) board member
• Ray Aponte, Andersen United Middle School principal in Minneapolis
• Aracely Martinez, abuela (grandma) of eighthgrade student at Battle Creek Middle School in St. Paul
Youth (ages 9-15) on our youth community journalism team at Strong Mind Strong Body Foundation‘s Youth Community Journalism Institute led the production.
Our hosts:
• Jesus Rojas, grade 10, age 15, Edison High School
• Lyric Rogers, grade 9, age 14, South High School
• Yareli Peña Howard, grade 8, age 13, Battle Creek Middle School
• Christian Flores, grade 9, age 14, South High School
If
Adriana Cerrillo — A Warrior for Our Children’s Education
"The struggle is real, and our children desperately need warriors like us to fight for them," Cerrillo states. "I am using my power as an elected official. The state, county, and city need to do more. I am working
Education System, Cerrillo joined other community
critical need for reforms
that can make education more engaging and equitable. Her commitment to this cause is evident, as she continues to advocate for all students and inspire youth journalists to amplify important community issues
Adriana Cerrillo is a strong, unapologetic voice for undocumented human beings in this country we call the United States of America.
Opioid Crisis
Opioid epidemic
The misuse of and addiction to prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl is an increasing crisis that affects families and communities throughout the U.S.
Learn how Hennepin County is responding to the opioid epidemic.
Hennepin opioid events:
Opioid Summit 2024
• Thursday, December 5, 2024
• For residents of Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins and St. Louis Park.
• Learn about your city’s response to the opioid crisis and resources to keep you, your family, and community safe.
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE
November opioid meetings and services
• Includes recovery meetings and services that are open to the public
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE
November training and events
• Includes Naloxone trainings and community events that are open to the public
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE
Syringe Services and Harm Reduction Calendar
• Twin Cities
• Greater Minnesota
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE
Crisis
Minneapolis Health Department unveils City's first Mobile Medical Unit
The City of Minneapolis’s first-ever Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) aims to bridge healthcare access gaps and reduce barriers in underserved communities. More than $1 million from opioid settlement funds covers the cost of the new MMU, equips the vehicle with medical supplies, and helps hire staff to address diverse needs across the city.
The state-of-the-art vehicle represents a significant investment in the health and well-being of Minneapolis community members that will:
• Reduce opioid overdose deaths
• Increase access to treatment
• Promote long-term recovery
• Expand access and delivery of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)
Minneapolis launches first Narcan vending machine
Minneapolis is testing a new strategy to combat the opioid crisis: a Narcan vending machine.
Mayor Jacob Frey and city staff unveiled the new machine in south Minneapolis at Fire Station 21 Wednesday. It’s designed like a regular vending machine, but it’s stocked with a hundred boxes of naloxone, an opioid anti-overdose medication.
“This will help keep families together,” Frey said. “This will help prevent someone from dying, and this will ultimately help someone to live a brilliant life to get the care that they need.”
The boxes are free. Each comes with two doses of Narcan.
The HUE-MAN Partnership, led by Clarence Jones, and the Hawthorne Huddle, directed by Diana Hawkins, are at the forefront of the fight against opioid misuse in Hennepin County, Minneapolis. Alongside Carmen Robles, director of Conversaciones de Salud, these dedicated leaders are working to combat the opioid crisis within the community. Through collaborative efforts, education, and community outreach, they aim to raise awareness, provide resources, and support those affected by opioid misuse. We thank them for their commitment and tireless efforts to create a healthier, safer community for all.
Esquina Cultural
DE LOS
Celebrando la Vida y Honrando a Nuestros Ancestros
El Día de Muertos es una celebración mexicana que fusiona tradiciones indígenas y elementos cristianos, con orígenes que se remontan a las antiguas culturas mesoamericanas como los mexicas, mayas y purépechas. Durante esta festividad,
que se lleva a cabo el 1 y 2 de noviembre, las familias honran a sus seres queridos fallecidos con altares llenos de color, flores de cempasúchil, velas, fotografías y ofrendas de sus alimentos y bebidas favoritas.
Esta tradición, inscrita como Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial de la Humanidad por la UNESCO, no solo celebra la memoria de los que ya no están, sino que refleja una filosofía de vida donde la muerte es vista como una parte natural y continua de la existencia. En los altares, elementos como el pan de muerto y el papel picado simbolizan la dualidad entre la vida y la muerte, y crean un vínculo espiritual entre los vivos y los muertos.
Hoy en día, el Día de Muertos es una festividad que une a las comunidades y mantiene viva la herencia cultural de México, transmitiendo sus valores y creencias a las nuevas generaciones, en un homenaje lleno de color, amor y respeto. Click aquí para saber MÁS
Cultural
Beyond the Surface Is My Calling
Reverend Dr. Mary Whitney
I was saved in 1996 after hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached by an Evangelist out of St. Louis. The anointing of the Holy Spirit upon my newfound life has preserved me from that moment until this very day. I have never looked back.
However, my understanding of God began long before my salvation experience. As the eldest child in a small country town in the state of Tennessee, with my childlike knowledge of knowing there was somebody bigger who loved me regardless of all the traumatic experiences I had endured through sexual abuse from the age of six to eleven. My adolescent life was filled with violent verbal and physical attacks that continued into my adulthood. The lack of proper care, protection, and love from my parents and others who were in my life led me to search for love in all the wrong places which led to being human trafficked. But God was still calling me unto Himself as the real true love that could heal me from every violation I had ever endured at the hands of those who should have protected me as a beautiful child, teen, and young woman. I can attest to this day that Jesus was there all the time, even throughout all the hell I endured.
If I had never gone through all that I did, I would not have been called to save those who had been wounded, blinded, and caught up in their transgressions. I knew if I had not gone through something I would have kept falling for anything. From the very core of my being, I work with men, women, and youth exiting corrections or fleeing domestic violence situations. I’ve learned a lot about providing services to those who gave up, felt lost, and believed all was over. We know better and do better with the right equipment in our toolboxes. It takes a different kind of resilience that others might never understand to get to freedom of self.
As a Reverend, Author, Circle Keeper, Restorative Practice, and Transformative Trauma Coach I am gifted with the heart to change lives, and gleam as I train others, that we are all in this human
race together. If you call me in to help diversify your organization, I will not be there to shame or condemn you into doing anything you’re not willing and ready to let go of - this walk through life is all yours to behold.
If interested in my training, speaking, or just ministering to your flock. I can be reached at 612-558-5721, my website is www.sunnylovellc. com and my email is sunnylovellc@gmail.com. I look forward to connecting, gleaming, and working alongside you and those you are in communication with.
