GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT for NYC Goddesses!

Thanks to the "Living in the Village Economic Empowerment Group - Together...We Can Endure" group on Facebook for this grant announcement. Details are below...

EMPOWERED TO THE THIRD DEGREE, INC. seeks to serve women by creating opportunities for and removing impediments to the achievement of self actualization. It is an outlet through which evolving women give back to the community and motivate through the provision of workshops, mentoring relationships and enrichment funds.

BACKGROUND

EMPOWERED TO THE THIRD DEGREE, INC. is a small not for profit organization birthed from a monthly gathering of women that began in April of 2006. Since its inception, the driving passion of our small group has been personal enrichment. However, this was never the group’s only goal. Consistent with the slogan of this group, “Empower me. Empower you. Empower us,” Empowered to the Third Degree, Inc. saw the extension of services, beyond this small group, as the necessary course of its’ evolution. In 2009 this group sought to obtain not for profit status. Since this time, not for profit status has been attained. In addition, the operations of this group have been approved and authorized by the State of New York’s, State Education Department.

Services provided by this not for profit organization have the aims of:
1. Assisting constituents in identifying where they are, as well as where they want to be.
2. Increasing self awareness to identify counterproductive attitudes & practices.
3. Aiding constituents in developing concrete plans to achieve their aims.
4. Providing necessary tools to make these dreams a reality.

At any one time, a service offered can embody one or all of these aims.

ENRICHMENT FUNDS
ENRICHMENT FUNDS are funds provided to women in career or vocational transition that have a financial need. These funds serve as a stepping stone, empowering recipients to accomplish these aims when they otherwise would not have been able to.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria. Women from all over Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, The Bronx and/or Manhattan are encouraged to apply. It must be established that these funds will be used for a specific purpose. The purpose must pertain to career or vocational goals. Exceptions will be made for mothers who need funds in order to secure otherwise unattainable provision for their family. Grant amounts are not specified in the application as funds will be distributed based upon availability and need. At this time it is recommended that requests not exceed $250. However, requests greater than this will be considered. Determination of grant recipients will be made jointly by the organizations board of directors. These grants will be administered quarterly providing funding permits. Recipients will be notified by either phone or mail of their granted request.

Recipients will be selected based upon:
• Financial need.
• Leadership and exemplary character or drive.
• 1-2 paragraphs stating how the grant will help them and why they should get it.
• Minimum of two references
Grant Process Timeline.
Application deadline: August 21, 2010
Deliberation: August 21, 2010 to September 6, 2010
Grant Distribution: Week of September 6, 2010 and September 13, 2010.

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Healing Time: New Orleans 4 Years Later

I took that picture this April walking back from the 40th Annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fest, probably the biggest annual live music festival hosted by the city. As I walked by, belly full of assorted varieties of crawfish, all I could think about was Spike Lee's "When The Levees Broke" and learning that the spray-painted X found on many of the homes, indicated the number of dead people found in that home. These chilling and humbling reminders remain throughout the city four years later, a symbol that the struggle for recovery continues.

Today marks the 4th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, completely changing the landscape of the Gulf Coast, and particularly New Orleans, undeniably one of the country's greatest historical and cultural centers. I don't want to focus on the negative because there are a lot of beautiful things that remain, have returned, or have emerged post-Katrina, but it is undeniable that the city and its people need our help. Yes, OUR as in American citizens, as humanitarians, as fellow humans.

Princeton University professor, MSNBC commentator (and brilliant, fierce, down-to-earth diva) Melissa Harris Lacewell and 2010 New Orleans mayoral candidate and Executive Director of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center (GNOFHAC) James Perry, have been on the soapbox (rightfully so) making rounds, speaking out on the needs of the New Orleans community and Gulf Coast, offering perspective on how Katrina affected, and continues to affect, the entire country. Their thoughtful piece "Katrina Nation" asks the government and this country to look past racialized politics, to start connecting human development with economic development, and to concretely invest in infrastructure. Not only are these 2 a dynamic force in advocating for the future of New Orleans, they are a fly power couple following in the footsteps of our favorite image of Black love, Mr. and Mrs. President Obama. My heart smiles :)

Also in the wake of the 4th anniversary of Katrina, the Institute for Women's Policy Research, released their report "Women in the Wake of the Storm: Examining the Post-Katrina Realities of the Women of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast". Apparently pre-Katrina, women in NOLA were already subjected to lower wages, having one of the worst gender gaps in pay out of the 50 states. Post-Katrina the trend has worsened along with less health and child care facilities, along with a rise in sexual assault and violence due to the severe housing shortage. Many women are living in dangerous situations, just to have a roof over their heads. The report also offers solid policy recommendations, and with a commitment from Obama, we hope to see special attention given to the special needs of Gulf Coast women. When the women are unwell, a community cannot survive.

The report notes the New Orleans Women's Health Center which I've just found out has closed because they can't find a medical director who is willing and able to work with trans-women. This clinic served primarily women of color, low-income women, and trans-women, a part of the community in dire need of services, especially since Charity Hospital has never been re-opened, and will now become part of Tulane University's massive industrial medical complex (which is not being designed to replace the Charity's services). According to RaceWire, the complex is also displacing 600 NOLA residents from their homes, 88% of those people are people of color. Let me not get started on that. This article from Feministe has more details, so in the meantime, please support the work of INCITE: Women of Color Against Violence; their New Orleans chapter is at the forefront of this movement.

There's a bunch of organizations doing direct service work around New Orleans that you can donate to, ensuring your money is helping actual people. One is YOUTHanasia Family, which operates the Teen Center for Non-Violence providing mental health services for young people. They will close on Monday, August 30th, if they do not raise enough money. From what I've read, there's a scarcity of mental health services, specifically for post-traumatic stress. Please help young people process these events through peaceful means.

Josh Charles, a pianist, singer/songwriter, who has been heavily influenced by New Orleans, is donating ALL proceeds from his song, "Healing Time," dedicated to the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans. In an interview with Tavis Smiley, he talks about moving to New Orleans 4 days before Katrina hit, and his dedication to the city ever since. Although he hasn't moved back, he considers himself a traveling champion for the cause. You can purchase his song on Amazon, and on iTunes, it's only 99 cents, but will go a long way!

The Katrina Information Network, a national colloboration of groups working for change, has a page dedicated to how you can support New Orleans organizations through political advocacy, donations, or even joining their Facebook and Twitter pages to stay informed. They only ask for 5 minutes a day, or even each week.

If you are visiting New Orleans, venture off of Bourbon Street and visit local museums that represent African-American culture and history in New Orleans, such as the Backstreet Museum in historic Treme, and The House of Dance and Feathers in the Lower 9th Ward. Learn about Mardi Gras Indians culture, paying homage and respect to the historic connections between Native American and Black peoples. Support local businesses and artists.


(Member of the Mohawk Hunters from July 4th tribute to the Ancestors, Algiers Point)

Survivors are also telling their stories through documentary films, notably Sundance winner, "Trouble the Water." A couple with no means to evacuate turns the camera on themselves, capturing the storm and their 2 year struggle to fight for their city. It's finally available on DVD after receiving critical acclaim and being featured at IFC theaters and various other independent art houses. Check out the trailer below:



This was a long one...and I still don't feel I've even scratched the surface. I feel like I left a lot out. New Orleans changed my world. I fell in love. I'm still in love. It opened my heart, my soul and my eyes. There's an indescribable energy there, perhaps a thin veil between living and unliving that touches your spirit. I wish I had been able to experience it before Katrina, where locals and folks who visited say it was even more vibrant, COLORFUL, musical and downright amazing. Kinda unfathomable. It's one of my biggest regrets. Perhaps this is why I'm committed to the fight to maintain this magical city. Everyone is richer for knowing her.

Here's a few additional online resources that are doing important work in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. I am sure I'm missing some but the beauty of Facebook is we are all probably connected.
Ashe Cultural Arts Center
Katrina Warriors: Facebook and Twitter
New Orleans: A Labor of Love: Facebook
Operation Kids: Facebook and Twitter

I have to end with my favorite brass band, New Orleans staple, the Soul Rebels. I saw them in February 2008 at their annual Lundi Gras jam session bash at the Blue Nile. I had no idea...incredible! It was my first trip to New Orleans and I haven't been the same since. Truly. Thanks to GR contributor, NPR Fan, for introducing me to them, I couldn't have asked for a better birthday present :) Below they talk about re-grouping after Katrina and love for their city. There truly is no place like home.

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