Category Archives: Society

The Latest news about what is effecting Society in North America, These PR articles, bring the newest technologies, initiatives and helpful tools to those who need them.

Society: Christianity

Author Explores the Human Element behind Jesus’s Disciples

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SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. (PRWEB)

Personal exploration of her own faith led Holly Michaels to realize that there was not a lot of information about Jesus’s disciples. She took it upon herself to learn as much as possible about those who were seen as the closest to God, and combined that research into her new book, “The Disciples: The Lives, Stories and Careers of Jesus’s Most Beloved Disciples.”

In her book, Michaels dives into the history and personal lives of the Disciples. She explores how each disciple was a unique person, not unlike Christians today.

“The Disciples were just people,” Michaels said. “They were a group of misfits- unimportant, unassuming people who Jesus hand-selected to follow him.”

“The Disciples” approaches the individual Disciples as human, rather than grand biblical figures. Michaels wants readers to feel like they know the Disciples as if they were friends.

“Jesus chose the Disciples to follow him, just like he chose you,” Michaels said. “Normal people can experience the same love that the Disciples did.”

Michaels’ goal is to share her years of research, and encourage readers to look deeper into the pages of the Bible.

“The Disciples: The Lives, Stories and Careers of Jesus’s Most Beloved Disciples”

By Holly Michaels

ISBN: 9781664265738 (softcover); 9781664265752 (hardcover); 9781664265745 (electronic)

Available at Westbow Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Holly Michaels is a lover of Jesus and is dedicated to introducing people to the riches of Jesus’ love. She has won several awards for her poetry and has been published in several literary magazines and newspapers. The Lord blessed her with her own flourishing photography business when she was just 18 years old, which she does full time while working with students in special education. Michaels lives in Central Pennsylvania with her husband.

General Inquiries:            

LAVIDGE – Phoenix                        

Ashley Fletcher

afletcher@lavidge.com

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Society: Disabled Issues / Disabilities

The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center Sets Exciting Agenda for 2023

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ROCKVILLE, Md. (PRWEB)

The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, a member of the National Network of ADA Centers, is pleased to share the details of its agenda for 2023.

The organization will launch new initiatives and continue successful programs, building on its 26-year history as the region’s leading source for training, information, and free technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for people in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

The Center works closely with the Mid-Atlantic Assistive Technology (AT) Consortium, which includes the six AT projects in the region. The AT Champions project, a new program developed by the Pennsylvania Initiative on AT (PIAT, or “TechOWL”), will use a peer-to-peer approach to reach young people with disabilities from disengaged populations and show them how AT can support them in the community and the workplace.

A flexible package of content tools, including social media posts, TikTok videos, Instagram stories, customizable group presentation material, and conversational coaching will help AT Champions make connections, spread the word about the benefits of AT, and empower their communities.

“As the ADA enters its 33rd year in 2023, our entire Mid-Atlantic ADA Center team is honored to serve neighbors in the mid-Atlantic region with new projects, while continuing to provide information dissemination, training, and free technical assistance around the rights and responsibilities of citizens, businesses, and public entities under this critical civil rights law,” said Ann Deschamps, Director of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center.

The Center will also continue its Equity in Focus initiative to improve outreach and services to marginalized and underserved populations and build coalitions among stakeholders, including businesses, state and local government agencies, faith-based organizations, and individuals with disabilities.

The Center plans to expand its collection of videos to provide information on a broad range of ADA topics. To watch the Center’s video series created in collaboration with The Arc of Northern Virginia and the Fairfax County, Virginia Police Department on improving communication between people with disabilities and law enforcement officers (including Talking with Police, Traffic Stops, and Calling 911), visit the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center’s YouTube channel.

“We are excited to invite more people to engage with us if they have questions about the ADA,” said Ann Deschamps.

About the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center provides technical assistance, information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), tailored to meet the needs of businesses, government entities, organizations, and individuals in the Mid-Atlantic Region (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, and WV). The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) grant number 90DPAD0008.The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center is a project TransCen, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to improving education and employment success of youth and young adults with disabilities. Connect with the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center on Facebook.

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Society: Disabled Issues / Disabilities

Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness Partners with Horizon Therapeutics to Provide Grants for Low Vision Equipment for Illinois Residents in Need

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The Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness, and Horizon Therapeutics are partnering to provide grants for low vision aids to Illinois patients in need.

“Unfortunately, low vision equipment, which can be very expensive, is not covered by health insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid,” said Elyse Fineman, executive director at ISPB. “Thanks to the generous support of Horizon, we can now expand our program to provide these tools to those in need.”


CHICAGO (PRWEB)

As part of February’s Low Vision Awareness Month, nonprofit organization Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness (ISPB) is partnering with Horizon Therapeutics, a global biotechnology company focused on rare, autoimmune and severe inflammatory diseases, to provide much-needed low vision equipment to the underserved in Illinois as part of the ISPB Low Vision Equipment Reimbursement Program. The program provides reimbursement for low vision aids, scleral lenses, and eyeglasses, to those who cannot otherwise afford them. Horizon is supporting the program with a donation of $50,000.

Low Vision is defined as vision loss that cannot be corrected by medical or surgical treatments, or conventional eyeglasses, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS) estimates that there are more 243,000 Illinois residents experiencing vision loss.

Since its inception, the ISPB Low Vision Equipment Reimbursement Program has provided thousands of patients with no-cost low vision aids and glasses. These tools help children succeed in the classroom, adults to continue to work, and seniors to remain independent.

Since 1916, ISPB has developed relationships with community partners, many of whom treat underserved communities, to identify low-income patients. These partners find the most effective low vision equipment and ensure that it fits the needs of the patient before applying for the ISPB reimbursement program. Current ISPB partners include Lurie Children’s Hospital, The Rosenbloom Center at the Illinois Eye Institute, The Center for Sight and Hearing, and The Chicago Lighthouse.

“Unfortunately, low vision equipment, which can be very expensive, is not covered by health insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid,” said Elyse Fineman, executive director at ISPB. “Thanks to the generous support of Horizon, we can now expand our program to provide these tools to those in need.”

“Through our work with the Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) community, we’ve seen the important role that accessibility tools and adaptive technology can play for those living with low vision,” said Matt Flesch, vice president, communications and patient advocacy, Horizon Therapeutics. “However, those tools and resources can be incredibly cost prohibitive. These grants will help remove some of those financial barriers and help people who are blind or living with low vision access necessary equipment to live more independent lives.”

Horizon also recently supported the launch of the newly redesigned Prevent Blindness resource, “Living Well With Low Vision.” The site, designed for patients, care partners and professionals, offers a wide variety of resources including patient guides, a low vision news feed, database of Low Vision Resource Directories, and much more.

For more information on the ISPB Low Vision Equipment Reimbursement Program, please visit https://eyehealthillinois.org/financial-support-for-visual-aids/. (Patients should contact partnering clinics directly for an appointment.) To visit the Living Well With Low Vision resource, go to LowVision.PreventBlindness.org.

About The Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness (ISPB)

ISPB was founded in 1916 to reduce preventable causes of blindness. ISPB has a rich history of promoting vision and eye health in the state of Illinois and was instrumental in advocating for passage of several sight-saving bills before the Illinois legislature. Dedicated to the care, protection, and preservation of sight, ISPB programs today continue to stress education and safety; access to care for glasses and low vision equipment; and research grant opportunities. We also provide speakers and screening booths at health fairs and other events. The work of the ISPB is supported by the generosity of individuals, businesses, organizations, corporations, and foundations. Contributions, remembrances, wills, bequests, and grants make our important work possible. For more information, visit us at EyeHealthIllinois.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

About Horizon

Horizon is a global biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of medicines that address critical needs for people impacted by rare, autoimmune and severe inflammatory diseases. Our pipeline is purposeful: We apply scientific expertise and courage to bring clinically meaningful therapies to patients. We believe science and compassion must work together to transform lives. For more information on how we go to incredible lengths to impact lives, visit http://www.horizontherapeutics.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

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Society: Disabled Issues / Disabilities

Rett Syndrome Research Trust Awards $1.1 Million to Emerald Innovations to Develop Novel Invisible Biosensor for Objective Measures of Rett Symptoms

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We are very excited to advance the Emerald device in this rare disease to facilitate better patient management and support the assessment of therapeutics in development.


TRUMBULL, Ct. (PRWEB)

The Rett Syndrome Research Trust (RSRT) is excited to announce a $1.1 million dollar research award to Dina Katabi, PhD, and her team at Emerald Innovations. The funding will enable Dr. Katabi and Emerald Innovations to continue developing cutting-edge technology to directly and objectively assess symptoms of irregular breathing, sleep disruptions, and movement in individuals with Rett syndrome. The new study builds upon pilot results that demonstrated Emerald’s feasibility to assess Rett syndrome symptoms at home, capturing significant disruptions in sleep and breathing over a four-week period — all without touching the patient.

Emerald technology is invisible, meaning it assesses a patient’s physiology when they are in the vicinity of the device, keeping it in a distinct class from wearable technologies that require constant contact. Emerald also preserves privacy — it does not use cameras or microphones, or capture audio or video. Instead, it uses artificial intelligence (AI) to measure movements, sleep, and vital signs from very low power radio waves in the environment, advancing a new era to collect continuous data at home. It allows families and their loved ones with Rett to go about their daily lives while enabling detailed characterization of various symptoms to generate highly specific representative datasets. Alba Tull, a member of RSRT’s Board of Trustees, investor, and philanthropist generously donated $500,000 to support the upcoming study for Rett syndrome.

Dr. Katabi is the president and co-founder of Emerald Innovations, a spinout from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where Dr. Katabi serves as the inaugural Thuan and Nicole Pham Professor in the Department of Engineering and Computer Science, director of the MIT Center for Wireless Networks and Mobile Computing, and leader of the Networks at MIT Research Group in the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab. She is a member of the National Academy of Engineering as well as the American Academy for Arts and Sciences, a MacArthur Fellow, and the recipient of various prestigious awards, including the Sloan Research Fellowship and the ACM Computing Prize. In 2015, she presented Emerald to President Obama at White House Demo Day, which focused on breakthroughs in technology.

“We are very excited to advance the Emerald device in this rare disease to facilitate better patient management and support the assessment of therapeutics in development,” said Dr. Katabi. “The breathing and sleep patterns we observed in Rett individuals are quite disrupted, and we are confident that Emerald’s ability to systematically and objectively assess symptoms unobtrusively at home will improve the lives of patients and their families.”

Dr. Katabi’s most recent publications, in Science Translational Medicine and Nature Medicine, demonstrate the power of the technology in Parkinson’s disease. Emerald was able to predict risk of diagnosis, and more sensitively detect prognosis and medication effects than current standards. She hopes insights from Emerald will similarly benefit Rett syndrome.

Members of RSRT’s Biomarker Consortium, consisting of subject matter experts and representatives from biopharmaceutical companies developing genetic medicines for Rett, provided constructive feedback on the study design and will have early access to the data. The Emerald sensor is currently being utilized in drug development for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and several immune diseases. Validation of the device in the upcoming Rett study will make it easier to support Rett clinical development efforts as well.

“The Emerald provides direct, objective measures of symptoms captured continuously over days, weeks, months, or longer, generating significantly richer data in shorter timeframes than can be obtained in traditional in-clinic studies,” said Jana von Hehn, PhD, RSRT’s chief scientific officer, who will oversee study operations. “We are excited to continue this important work with Emerald, guided by our Biomarker Consortium and FDA advice, to facilitate more efficient clinical trials and truly effective therapeutics.”

ABOUT THE RETT SYNDROME RESEARCH TRUST

RSRT is a nonprofit organization with a highly personal and urgent mission: achieving a cure for Rett syndrome and related disorders caused by defects in the MECP2 gene. Since its founding in 2008, RSRT has awarded $66 million, more than any other Rett organization in the world, to leading scientists pursuing targeted research on Rett. RSRT funds and spearheads global scientific and clinical activities advancing the most promising curative approaches. To date, every biopharmaceutical company pursuing a cure for Rett syndrome is doing so because they leveraged discoveries and resources incubated with RSRT funding. To learn more, please visit http://www.reverserett.org.

ABOUT EMERALD INNOVATIONS, Inc.

Emerald Innovations, Inc. is a spin-out from MIT that is transforming digital health monitoring from wearables to invisibles. It is based on an artificial intelligence-powered sensor that continuously measures movements, vital signs, sleep, and behavior by analyzing the wireless signals bouncing in the environment. Emerald’s passive technology eliminates the need for patients to wear devices on their body. Emerald is being used by the world’s largest pharma and biotech companies, and leading disease research foundations in clinical trials in all phases, and in a variety of therapeutic areas — neurology, immunology, and rare diseases. For more information, please visit https://www.emeraldinno.com/.

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Society: Christianity

Christian Community Credit Union Donates $5,000 for Emergency Relief in Turkey and Syria

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Christian Community Credit Union donated $5,000 towards IM’s relief effort in response to the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. (Photo courtesy of IM)

It is our calling to support those in need during times of crisis to show our solidarity and a message of hope to the affected families.


SAN DIMAS, Calif. (PRWEB)

Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU) donated $5,000 to International Ministries (IM) emergency relief efforts for survivors of the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023, which was followed hours later by a second powerful jolt. Many buildings collapsed including hospitals, schools, and apartment blocks. Thousands of lives were lost, and those who survived were left without homes and basic necessities.

The funds for the donation come from CCCU’s “Cards that Give to Missions” program, in which a portion of the Credit Union’s interchange income (fees merchants pay to card issuers) is donated when cardholders use their Christian Community Credit Union-issued credit cards for purchases.

“We are deeply saddened by the impact of this disaster on the communities in Turkey and Syria,” said Blair Korschun, Christian Community Credit Union President and CEO. “It is our calling to support those in need during times of crisis to show our solidarity and a message of hope to the affected families. We encourage our members and the community to make donations to reputable organizations, such as IM’s One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) campaign, that are working on the ground to help those affected.”

Help Support IM’s Relief Efforts

International Ministries has launched a One Great Hour of Sharing campaign to raise much needed aid in Turkey and Syria. Donations will be used to support the efforts of local humanitarian organizations providing emergency food, shelter, and medical assistance to those affected by the earthquakes. To support IM’s relief efforts online, please click here. To send checks, please make it payable to International Ministries and designate “Turkey/Syria Earthquake Relief” on the memo line of your check. Mail checks to International Ministries, Attn: Gifts Processing, 1003 W 9th Avenue, Ste A, King of Prussia, PA 19406.

International Ministries, also known as the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society, works cross-culturally to invite people to become disciples of Jesus Christ and to proclaim, through both word and deed, God’s reign of justice, peace, and abundant life for all creation.

One Great Hour of Sharing is administered by the World Relief Committee of the Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA. The Committee facilitates American Baptist emergency relief, disaster rehabilitation, refugee work, and development assistance by establishing policy guidelines and overseeing the distribution of the annual OGHS offering received by churches.

Christian Community Credit Union is a faith-based, purpose-driven financial cooperative whose mission is to serve Christ followers to live and give more abundantly. CCCU has over $880 million in assets and 30,000 members nationwide. For over 65 years, the Credit Union has provided individuals and ministries with the financial tools and knowledge they need to grow and thrive financially, so they can transform our world through their generosity.

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Society: Christianity

The Life of a Believer Should Always Include an Element of Service

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Nothing God creates does not have a purpose to serve


MIAMI (PRWEB)

Author Alison Marcellus reminds believers of the basics of service in The Heart of Servanthood: The Purpose of Mankind is Found in Servanthood ($14.49, paperback, 9781662869228; $6.99, e-book, 9781662869242).

Service to others is certainly a biblical concept, but it has many everyday parallels with which readers can relate. Marcellus reminds them that, in many jobs, the quickest route to promotion is to provide great service. In the book, she provides relatable examples of servitude, and explains the responsibility of believers to maintain their “saltiness” of servanthood.

“Nothing God creates does not have a purpose to serve,” said Marcellus.

Alison Marcellus is an ordained minister, author and preacher who preaches the Word of God with the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. A native of Nassau, Bahamas following her parents’ strong example of godly service, she is also a current student at the University of the Supernatural Ministry in Miami, FL.

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Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the world’s largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. The Heart of Servanthood is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

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Society: Christianity

You Do Not Have to Make a Choice Between God and Science

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This book shows that science and faith aren’t in mutual opposition, but highly complementary


MCLEAN, Va. (PRWEB)

Author James A. Cannon, Ph.D. explains the faith behind physics in Finding the Light: Science and its Vision ($15.99, paperback, 9781662865787; $29.99, dust jacket, 9781662865794; $7.99, e-book, 9781662865800).

Contrary to the popular belief that science opposes Christian faith, Cannon teaches that historical physical science, as well as modern physics, follow faith’s universal promptings within the human heart. He demonstrates how both have flourished together in the lives of prominent scientists throughout history, and argues that faith in God is a guardian of classical realism, the philosophical foundation of science.

This book shows that science and faith aren’t in mutual opposition, but highly complementary.

Dr. James A Cannon (b.1933 – d.2020), after serving in the US Navy during the Korean war, studied and practiced journalism as managing editor of the Fordham University newspaper. Then he switched his area of concentration to physics. He earned an MA at Columbia and a B.S. and Ph.D. at Fordham. He did basic research at Bell Labs, but having the heart of a teacher, he left to pursued a career spanning five decades as a revered professor of physics and chemistry at Pace University in New York. A neurological injury led to retirement. He suffered for a dozen years until complications from Parkinson’s and Covid-19 took his life. During this time, with of the able assistance of his devoted wife, Monica, Dr. Cannon wrote Finding the Light: Science and its Vision, a testament to his life’s work, his Catholic faith, his love of science and his love of teaching.

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Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the world’s largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. Finding the Light is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

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Society: Christianity

A Study for Anyone Desiring to Come Before God Like a Little Child

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The reason for the title of this book, Your Miraculous Child Within is that, according to Christ, that dormant child within us all literally holds the keys to happiness on earth and will open wide the gates of Heaven!


ABERDEEN, N.J. (PRWEB)

Author Xavier Rossini clarifies Jesus’ meaning when He said we must become like little children in Your Miraculous Child Within: Happiness Now and Forever ($14.49, paperback, 9781662870170; $7.99, e-book, 9781662870187).

Christ’s answer to His disciples’ question about who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven has puzzled many and sparked many a debate. Rossini hopes to clear up this misunderstanding and help God’s children approach Him as such with this study into this seemingly simple response.

“The reason for the title of this book, Your Miraculous Child Within is that, according to Christ, that dormant child within us all literally holds the keys to happiness on earth and will open wide the gates of Heaven!” said Rossini.

Xavier Rossini. is a Certified Whole Life Coach and is the author of the highly acclaimed book Before the Beginning Began and the award-winning poem “Perfection”. After he was honorably discharged from the Marines he was recruited by a national financial organization and within five years became the General Agent of that company’s main financial branch in NYC. He earned the award of the “Top of the Table” the highest achievement in international finance. He received his Masters in a specific form of individual psychology and created “Syntropy”, a self-awareness seminar. He then wrote the veteran’s administration sponsored program for entrepreneurial veterans “Teams for Vets”.

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Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the world’s largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. Your Miraculous Child Within is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

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