The grant provides funding for the nursery’s Safe Stays Crisis Respite Care program. The crisis nursery – one of only four in California – is the only crisis nursery licensed to provide overnight crisis childcare in Yolo County.
“Our vision at the nursery is that every child grows up in a safe, stable, and loving home,” says Yolo Crisis Nursery Executive Director Heather Sleuter. “We are thrilled to partner with SAFE Credit Union on this grant. It will enable the nursery to care for more vulnerable children and their families in our community.”
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, an estimated one in four children in the country experience abuse or neglect in their lifetime. The most recent available data from KidsData, an organization that promotes the health of children in California, shows 43 reports of abuse or neglect per 1,000 children were made in Yolo County in 2020.
The Safe Stays program provides between 2,000 and 2,500 stays for children annually, including 100 parents and children in crisis benefitting from the program that offers a caring and home-like environment for visitors.
“We are so humbled and proud to be able to provide funding for such an extraordinarily impactful program in our area,” says SAFE Credit Union Vice President of Community Relations and Financial Education Rebecca Delmundo.
The Yolo Crisis Nursery, founded in 2001, offers free, 24-hour nurturing childcare for infants and children up to the age of 5 and provides wraparound services for parents and caretakers.
About SAFE
SAFE Credit Union is a not-for-profit, state-chartered credit union in Northern California with over $4.7 billion in assets and more than 236,000 members. Insured by NCUA.
“As the recent USDA data shows, the mission of Feeding America is even more important today to ensure we end food insecurity and put food on the table for our neighbors facing hunger,” said Shawn Phelan, Chair of the Management Committee. “Everyone at Thompson Coe is committed to helping others and finding ways to make a difference for those in our community.”
Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, they have helped provide 5.2 billion meals to 40 million people in need last year.
For 73 years, Thompson Coe has been recognized as a top tier litigation firm and a national authority on insurance and sophisticated coverage issues. The Firm opened the Austin office in 1999, the Houston office in 2001, the St. Paul office in 2002, the New Orleans office in 2016, and the San Antonio office in 2021.
About Thompson Coe Founded in 1951, Thompson Coe has been providing legal services to clients both regionally and nationally for 70 years. Thompson Coe is 200+ attorney firm with offices in Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; and St. Paul, Minnesota. The firm is highly recognized for its civil litigation capabilities and our diverse group of attorneys has the experience, resources, and capacity to respond to the multi-service demands of our clients across multiple states and industries. Thompson Coe offers comprehensive legal services in areas of Insurance Litigation and Coverage, Products Liability, Mass Torts, Property and Casualty Litigation, Labor and Employment, Business & Commercial Litigation, Professional Liability, Appellate Law, Insurance Regulation, State Legislation, and Business Transactions, among others.
“We are extremely excited about sharing the unique experience of the Crunch brand with the residents surrounding our newest location in Wesley Chapel,” said CR Fitness Holdings CEO Tony Scrimale. “We can’t wait to show you how we combine top-notch equipment, extraordinary classes, and personal training at an unbeatable value.”
Fusing fitness with entertainment, Crunch Wesley Chapel features top-quality strength training equipment, an extensive selection of premier cardio equipment, a Group Fitness Studio, HIITZone™, a Cycling Studio, a Training Hub, Dry Saunas, HydroMassage®, tanning facilities, and spacious locker rooms, among other amenities.
The CR Fitness team, led by industry giants Vince Julian, Geoff Dyer, Jeff Dotson, and Tony Scrimale, boasts a collective experience of over 150 years in the fitness realm. Today, CR Fitness Holdings operates 61 Crunch Fitness locations, spanning across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas. Crunch Wesley Chapel will be CR Fitness’ 59th location with locations #60 and #61 opening as well on December 27th in Dallas Texas. Crunch Wesley Chapel will be the 21st Crunch Fitness location to open in the Tampa Bay – Sarasota region. This expansion not only brings a new fitness destination but also contributes to creating more employment opportunities.
About CR Fitness Holdings CR Fitness Holdings is the leading franchisee of Crunch Fitness. The company is rapidly expanding its club footprint throughout Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas and is led by a veteran management team with over 150 years of combined experience in the fitness industry. With a comprehensive fitness offering and affordable price point, Crunch Fitness offers unmatched value to its members regardless of fitness level and is well-positioned to take advantage of consumers’ increasing focus on health and wellness.
About Crunch Crunch is a gym that believes in making serious exercise fun by fusing fitness and entertainment and pioneering a philosophy of No Judgments. Crunch serves a fitness community for all kinds of people with all types of goals, exercising all different ways, working it out at the same place together. Today, we are renowned for creating one-of-a-kind group fitness classes and unique programming for our wildly diverse members. Headquartered in New York City, Crunch serves two million members with over 435 gyms worldwide in 37 states, the District of Columbia, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Portugal, Puerto Rico, and Spain. Crunch is rapidly expanding across the U.S. and around the globe.
Collaboration Helps Bring U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw’s Douglas Mike Day Psychedelic Therapy to Save Lives Act, legislation that will direct the Defense Department to create grants for studying psychedelic treatments for active duty service members.
CORONADO, Calif., Dec. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS), a leading non-profit organization dedicated to ending veteran suicide, is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking milestone with the inclusion of the first-ever provision for psychedelic research in the recently signed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This marks a significant step forward in expanding access to psychedelic-assisted therapies for veterans and active-duty military personnel.
Amber Capone, CEO and co-founder of VETS, shared her perspective on this historic achievement, saying, “The inclusion of psychedelic research in the NDAA marks a pivotal turn in our journey to revolutionize mental health care for our military. The unwavering support and dedication of our community, combined with the collaborative efforts of policymakers like Rep. Crenshaw, have been instrumental in achieving this milestone. This is more than a legislative success; it’s a beacon of hope, promising innovative and effective treatments for those who have selflessly served our nation.”
The successful integration of this provision is a testament to the collective efforts of the supporters, who engaged with legislators through calls and letters. Representative Dan Crenshaw, the driving force behind this initiative, actively sought bipartisan support, collaborating with VETS and other organizations to shape the legislation.
Representative Crenshaw stated, “I’ve led this two years in a row in the House, and now finally got it into the final bill with the Senate. I’m thrilled. This will save lives and potentially revolutionize the way we treat all types of PTSD and TBI.”
Over the past two years, VETS representatives engaged in Congressional office meetings and press conferences, conducting an intensive educational campaign on Capitol Hill. This extensive effort culminated in the introduction of the Douglas “Mike” Day Psychedelic Therapy to Save Lives Act in June 2023. Simultaneously proposed as an amendment to the NDAA, this legislation received unanimous approval from both the U.S. House and Senate on December 7, 2023.
In addition to this historic achievement, VETS reaffirms its commitment to advancing at least two additional pieces of legislation in the coming year to further support the military community. This proactive advocacy demonstrates our dedication to creating tangible change.
Founded in 2019, Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to end the veteran suicide epidemic by providing resources, research, and advocacy for U.S. military veterans seeking psychedelic-assisted therapies for traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, and other health conditions. VETS envisions a world where our veterans have access to the most advanced healthcare options to heal from the mental and physical wounds of war.
Brian McNabb, the franchise owner and local resident behind this upcoming TruBlue location in Northern Vermont, says he is equally excited about the opportunity: “After co-founding the Green Mountain Montessori School for children and steering businesses to empower Vermonters in IT careers, I have now shifted my focus to supporting two demographics where I can see a stark need firsthand: Enabling active adults to spend time with their children and helping the state’s greatest generation enjoy their retirement safely.”
With a blend of experience as both a business owner and corporate employee, McNabb’s first venture at 27 was launching an I.T. adult education business and leading the first-ever IT apprenticeship program in the U.S. This experience, focused on transforming the underemployed into senior IT professionals, was not only a professional milestone but also a personally fulfilling endeavor for McNabb, marking his early affinity for making meaningful impacts in people’s lives. TruBlue is looking forward to expansion opportunities throughout the state of Vermont, with the capacity to fill a number of future territory agreements in the state. A study conducted by the University of Michigan for Healthcare Policy and Innovation revealed that 88% of people between the ages of 50 and 80 said it was very or somewhat important to them that they live in their homes as long as possible, but only 15% said they’ve given a lot of consideration to how their home may need to be modified as they age, while 47% have given it little or no thought. Considering these statistics, TruBlue is in a prime position to come in and help those seniors in need. TruBlue assists seniors with home modifications and maintenance, both inside and out, so they can stay in their homes longer. Services encompass a wide variety of home modifications for safety and convenience ranging from installing grab bars, ramps and new lighting to updating door handles and modifying bathtubs for easy access.
TruBlue’s highly sought-after Home Ally Maintenance & VIP subscription services guarantees regularly scheduled visits from a handyman to handle home maintenance tasks such as filter replacement, hose line shutdowns and other to-do list items like storing patio furniture, changing batteries and lightbulbs, fixing holes in walls or repairing leaky faucets. TruBlue is dedicated to ensuring seniors avoid potentially dangerous maintenance tasks, like climbing ladders.
“Just like it’s important to maintain your car, it is equally as important to maintain your home, typically our customer’s most valuable asset,” said Fitzgerald. “For busy adults and seniors, it can be hard to keep up with the demands of their homes. With various customizable, subscription-based services, customers can select a TruBlue home maintenance service package that fits the specific needs of their home and family, so they can enjoy hassle-free living.”
With affordable startup costs between $65,000 and $91,000, TruBlue franchise owners can take advantage of the efficient operational model to offer their community three sought-after services: general handyman assistance, ongoing home maintenance programs, and senior home modifications for aging in place. This versatility also makes TruBlue an attractive addition for entrepreneurs already involved in the home services industry.
“We are a high-margin, low overhead business,” said Fitzgerald. “When you have a low cost of operations monthly, with high demand and high margins, that’s a great formula for success. Every location is fully scalable — there’s no limit to the amount of in-home services a franchise owner can provide, so you don’t have to open a second location in order to grow.”
“The senior population is increasingly in need of our trustworthy and premium home services, which is why TruBlue has been expanding rapidly over the past few years,” said Fitzgerald. “We are looking for qualified, passionate and community-driven professionals to help us expand our footprint and establish ourselves as the leading provider of home modification and maintenance services for busy adults and seniors.”
TruBlue is actively seeking new franchise owners in markets across the country and has identified Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville and Naples, Florida, as well as Houston and Dallas, Texas, as key development markets. To learn more about franchising with TruBlue, please visit http://trubluefranchise.com/
About TruBlue Home Service Ally: TruBlue Home Service Ally® provides a unique and affordable approach to helping busy adults and seniors live a worry-free life by offering trustworthy handyman, home maintenance and senior modification services. Helping you maintain your home both inside and out, TruBlue’s services include handyman projects and to-do list chores, preventative home maintenance programs, kitchen and bath remodels, seasonal work, and senior modification services, all handled by professional, bonded and insured Tru-Pro® Technicians. TruBlue franchise owners are required to complete senior home safety certification programs through the NAHB and Age Safe America. As certified specialists, TruBlue franchisees are able to perform aging in place home safety assessments and can make recommended safety modifications as needed.
Bergen County’s Kumar Davis Fitness Introduces Shakes, Unveiling a Holistic Oasis in Nutley for Mind-Body-Spirit Transformation.
NUTLEY, N.J., Dec. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Donald Kumar Davis, the visionary behind Kumar Davis Fitness, proudly introduces performance-enhancing shakes to his transformative fitness community dedicated to nurturing a holistic lifestyle encompassing mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Positioned as the motivator of superior quality of life, Kumar Davis Fitness sets the stage for exceeding daily expectations through comprehensive performance training, aiming to uplift individual consciousness one step at a time.
Located in North New Jersey, Kumar Davis Fitness offers a diverse array of sports-specific programs catering to basketball, football, baseball, softball, lacrosse, volleyball, and boxing enthusiasts. Their vision revolves around fostering a profound connection between athletes and their craft, enabling a mental and physical alignment that breeds momentum, and cultivating high-level athletes across youth, high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Their vision also instills a powerful culture of mentorship, as former athletes return to guide and inspire the next generation, perpetuating an impactful cycle of growth and success.
At Kumar Davis Fitness, an assertive focus on restoration, development, and active recovery takes center stage. Recognizing that the key to peak performance is consistent availability, the program also offers performance-enhancing shakes and emphasizes supplementation, prioritizing recovery as diligently as peak performance, acknowledging its fundamental role in achieving and sustaining excellence.
Beyond athletic pursuits, the program extends its benefits to adults, offering an athletic regimen designed to enhance core strength, movement patterns, flexibility, and joint strengthening. This holistic approach ensures optimal daily functioning, making fitness an integral part of their lifestyle.
Kumar Davis Fitness takes a community-friendly approach to membership, offering a practical payment plan tailored to individual needs, allowing for daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or yearly installments. This unique method fosters a strong family-oriented retention rate, fostering a collective growth environment for both members and the business itself.
With over a decade of success, Kumar Davis Fitness has demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach in aiding individuals on their journey to self-improvement and success. Joining Kumar Davis’s fitness team promises to be an unforgettable experience, ensuring remarkable results for you, your family, and your loved ones.
Embrace the present moment and join the fitness family at Kumar Davis Fitness. Experience a transformation that lasts a lifetime.
According to the lawsuit, Lujan was forced to endure an alleged pattern of relentless sexism and racism in the United workplace, which included the exhibition of sex toys and spanking paddles at the office, an anti-Mexican and sexist “poem” being recited and circulated over email by a male United manager, and the mocking display of a baby bottle in retaliation for Ms. Lujan’s complaints.
“United’s alleged unrelenting sexism and racism were demoralizing and dehumanizing,” said Ms. Lujan. “Being mocked and humiliated by these male managers was compounded by United’s alleged decision to completely ignore my complaints.”
“Blatant workplace harassment like this cannot be tolerated in 2023,” said attorney Sam S. Yebri of Merino Yebri LLP. “Major American corporations like United Airlines must do more to protect female and minority employees from the cancer of racism and sexism.”
Ms. Lujan’s lawsuit, filed on December 21, 2023 in San Mateo County Superior Court, is captioned Lujan v. United Airlines, Inc. et al., Case No. 23-CIV-06106.
As drug overdose deaths intensify in Skid Row, local organizations team up to promote fentanyl awareness.
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — On a sunny late-autumn afternoon in downtown Los Angeles, dozens of men and women gathered in a pocket park, pounding out beats in a drum circle, eating a picnic lunch — and receiving free anti-overdose medication. It was just like any neighborhood block party, except the gathering’s purpose was to address rampant fentanyl and methamphetamine use, and the block was in the middle of Skid Row, an area known for high levels of homelessness.
A November 2023report from A-Mark Foundation highlights the disproportionate impact of fentanyl on homeless communities around the country, with a focus on Los Angeles, where fentanyl overdose deaths skyrocketed by 1,280% from 2016 to 2021. Drug overdoses accounted for more than one-third of all deaths among people experiencing homelessness in L.A. County from 2020 to 2021, and unhoused individuals were 38.9 times more likely to die of a drug overdose than the housed population.
The Nov. 30 event, held at Gladys Park, was the second community resource fair in Skid Row in 2023 aimed at providing information and resources to a population dealing with the problems related to increasing drug overdoses, specifically from fentanyl, as detailed in the report.
The aim of these events, which are sponsored in part by A-Mark Foundation in partnership with the LA Mayor’s Office, was to deliver resources and information to prevent further losses of life. Illicitly manufactured synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are fueling the ongoing opioid crisis. With a potency 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin or morphine, fentanyl is extremely addictive, and even small doses can be deadly.
City organizations and independent nonprofits set up booths offering free clothing, and other tents and booths distributed pamphlets, program signups, and stacks of two-pack boxes of Narcan, an emergency nasal spray used to counteract fentanyl-related overdoses.
The report from A-Mark Foundation offers more details on possible solutions to the problem of fentanyl among the unhoused community, including investments in affordable housing, health care, mental health services, and substance use treatment alongside short-term measures such as Narcan and fentanyl test strips.
Founded in 1997, A-Mark Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to provide unbiased, nonpartisan research and information on critical issues. For more information, contact [email protected].
We could not be more delighted to provide financial assistance to one student who rose to the occasion and stepped up for their family when he was needed most.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Highly respected in the legal community, Blossom Law offers a $1,000 scholarship to an undergrad or graduate student who has served or is a caregiver for a loved one. Few jobs are more difficult than caring for a loved one in their time of need. Tending to the needs and concerns of another person is a selfless act deeply rooted in compassion. We could not be more delighted to provide financial assistance to one student who rose to the occasion and stepped up for their family when he was needed most.
As such, Blossom Law proudly announces that Tydearian Cocroft, a graduate student pursuing an MBA, has been named the Blossom Law Caregiver Scholarship winner for the Fall 2023 semester. When Tydearian’s sister was sent to prison, her son, Tydearian’s nephew, was left without a mother. Tydearian watched in agony as his own mother struggled to provide for the family and take care of his nine-year-old nephew. Instead of leaving his family behind, Tydearian acted selflessly, including taking in his nephew to live with him in Washington, DC.
As Tydearian picked up stellar work experience at his job at an elementary school, he saw the effects of children at his school growing up without familial guidance. It was then that Tydearian decided to do everything he could to ensure his nephew grew up in a supportive, loving environment where the sky was the limit and no dream was too great.
Today, Tydearian is a shining example of the old saying, “Tough times don’t last; tough people do.” Not only did Tydearian serve as a caregiver to his nephew, but he also stepped up in his family as a beacon of hope and unshakeable fortitude. At Blossom Law, we are humbled to provide financial support to Tydearian as he pursues his MBA. Through this scholarship, we hope Tydearian will be reassured of his selflessness and steadfast desire to be the best person he can be.
About Blossom Law Blossom Law is a consumer law firm that compassionately represents clients facing challenging circumstances. Through our compassionate and forthright legal services, we take the lead on certain matters of consumer law and guide families through the difficult bankruptcy process while ensuring they are set up for success once the process is complete. Our profound knowledge of particular matters of consumer law allows us to help people get on with life.
To learn more about Blossom Law, visit https://www.blossomlaw.com/. Call 704-256-7766 for a free consultation.
Prevent Blindness provides free glaucoma educational resources, including a new promotional toolkit for “The Glaucoma Community,” glaucoma patient testimonial, and medical expert interview videos
CHICAGO, Dec. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Prevent Blindness, the nation’s leading eye health and safety nonprofit organization, is once again participating in January’s National Glaucoma Awareness Month to provide patients, care partners, and professionals with a variety of helpful resources to educate on glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. In addition to a dedicated webpage at PreventBlindness.org/glaucoma, Prevent Blindness offers a variety of downloadable fact sheets, including a listing of glaucoma financial assistance resources, shareable social media graphics in English and Spanish, and educational videos. These awareness month efforts are supported by funding from Glaukos.
Glaucoma is often referred to as the “silent thief of sight,” because symptoms can begin gradually, usually affecting peripheral vision first. Late in the disease, glaucoma may cause “tunnel vision.” However, even central vision can also be seriously damaged. Once vision is lost to glaucoma, it cannot be restored.
To help support patients and their care partners, Prevent Blindness and Responsum Health offer “The Glaucoma Community,” a free, comprehensive platform available via a web browser or through a mobile app for Apple or Android users. Available in multiple languages, the program offers educational glaucoma content, a personalized newsfeed, and the moderated “Community Chat,” where users can connect to share their experiences and advice, along with providing a source of support. The Glaucoma Community members are also invited to join the dedicated Facebook group.
Printable Flyers: Designed to be placed in clinic lanes, waiting rooms, or to be distributed to patients, especially those who have been newly diagnosed with glaucoma.
Social Media Graphics and Texts: Tailored for each social media platform, these may be posted to encourage patients, clients, and community to learn more about The Glaucoma Community.
PowerPoint Slides: Created to share in various ways, including as part of waiting room television content, a screen saver in a clinic room computer, or in presentations, etc.
All Glaucoma Community content is written by professional health writers and reviewed by the Expert Advisory Council for The Glaucoma Community. Program partners for The Glaucoma Community include the BrightFocus Foundation, The Glaucoma Foundation, Glaucoma Research Foundation, and the National Medical Association (NMA) Ophthalmology Section.
As part of National Glaucoma Awareness Month, Prevent Blindness will be debuting the new “Focus on Eye Health Patient Story: Glaucoma” video, featuring Prevent Blindness Associate Director of Eye Health Services, Tasha R. Lockridge, sharing her personal journey with glaucoma. She provides a unique perspective of her years helping others with vision health issues, and later being diagnosed with the eye disease.
Additionally, Constance Okeke, MD, MSCE, glaucoma specialist at Virginia Eye Consultants, and Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Eastern Virginia Medical School, speaks with Prevent Blindness President and CEO Jeff Todd for the “Understanding Glaucoma” and “Information and Resources for Glaucoma Patients” episodes in the Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Expert Series.
“With early detection and adherence to treatment, sight can be saved from glaucoma,” said Mr. Todd. “We invite everyone to utilize our free resources to learn about glaucoma and the steps that must be taken today to preserve vision for years to come.”
For more information and materials on glaucoma, visit PreventBlindness.org/glaucoma or the “Living with Glaucoma” resource from Glaukos at LivingwithGlaucoma.com. For information on glaucoma financial assistance programs in English and Spanish, please visit https://preventblindness.org/glaucoma-help.
About Prevent Blindness Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, visit us at PreventBlindness.org, and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn and YouTube.
