[StBernard] June News from the Community Center of St Bernard

Westley Annis Westley at da-parish.com
Sat Jun 19 18:40:12 EDT 2010


St Bernard Parish Oil Spill Update


Today the residents of St Bernard Parish, who have survived hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Gustav, are facing another disaster as the Gulf Oil Spill continues to spread.

With government estimates showing that more than 800,000 gallons of crude oil are now spilling out every day, the situation is becoming increasingly desperate. The federal fishing bans now cover one-third of the Gulf Coast, and commercial fishermen and other St Bernard residents who depend on the commercial and recreational fishing industries are signing up for the Community Center's food pantry so that they will be able to feed their families until they can find other work. The demand for basic services like food, clothes, and information are all up by more than 20% for the past month, with more families needing help every day.


To assist residents during this time of crisis, the Community Center has set up an information resource page at www.ccstb.org/oilspill <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?CommunityCenterofStB/4ddf5d083d/fb884231b7/17574daa16> . The resource page is designed to help families who have been personally affected by the oil spill and need to file a claim or get unemployment help, or those who have questions about volunteering or other spill-related issues. The site is updated daily, including the latest reports from the New Orleans Times-Picayune and St Bernard Parish government.


St. Bernard Health Center offers Healthy Summer Tips on June 24


St. Bernard Health Center's Healthy Lifestyle Solutions Team will be at the Community Center of St Bernard, 1107 LeBeau St, Arabi, La 70032 on Thursday, June 24, 2010 from 10 AM until noon to offer health tips for the summer.

The team members will pass out flyers on “Healthy tips for planning activities during the summer,” including information about hydration and sunscreen protection when in the sun prolonged periods of time.

For more information about nutrition and healthy lifestyle solutions, please phone the St Bernard Health Center at 504.281.2832 or 504.281.2825. For questions about the Mustard Seed Food Pantry at the Community Center of St Bernard , please phone the Community Center office at 504.281.2512.


Louisiana Spirit Coastal Recovery Program now at the Community Center


Representatives from the Louisiana Spirit Coastal Recovery Program are at the Community Center on Thursday mornings to offer crisis counseling to those impacted by the oil spill. The Gulf Coast Recovery Team includes trained outreach and specialty counseling workers who help clients build resiliance, recover, and move towards self-sufficiency.

The Coastal Recovery Program is designed to provide short-term, face-to-face support to help individuals and communities return to their pre-disaster levels of mental well-being. Team members help with emotional support, counseling, information and referrals. No appointment is needed to talk to a Coastal Recovery Team Member. For more information, please phone 1.866.310.7977


Registration for Free Computer Class Begins On July 5


The Community Center's next round of free computer classes will begin on July 20. To enroll, please phone the Community Center at 504.281.2512 on or after July 5. NO REGISTRATION WILL BE ACCEPTED BEFORE 9 AM ON JULY 5. Class size is limited to 8 members for each class with a waiting list of 4 members.

COMPUTER CLASS SCHEDULE

Day 1: Introduction to Windows — Understanding basic Windows elements and settings (toolbars, start menu, display settings, power options, user preferences).

Day 2: Using Windows — Using Windows Explorer and common file and folder commands (delete, rename, properties, views).

Day 3: Using Windows II — Using essential services including Windows Help and Windows Search and printer setup. More work with files and folders including cut, copy, paste and handling multiple files.

Day 4: Word Processing — Microsoft Word. Creating new documents, using cut, copy, paste and undo commands.

Day 5: Introduction to the Internet – Searching, using web addresses, maps, directions, image searches.

EVENING CLASSES: Tuesdays 5—6PM on July 20, 27 and August 3, 10, 17

MORNING CLASSES: Thursdays 10—11AM on July 22, 29 and August 5, 12, 19


Ride Across America/St Bernard Completed!


This spring riding partners Jim Lombard and Gary Hill got together for the adventure of a lifetime - bicycling more than 3,000 miles from San Diego CA to St Augustine FL. They left CA on April 23 and arrived safely in St Augustine on June 14!!! CONGRATULATIONS, Jim and Gary, on reaching your goal! And Thank You so much for sharing your trip with us - it's been a great adventure every step of the way! !Here's a slideshow with some highlights of their trip, including a few photos from there time in St Bernard:



Job Opening: 2 AmeriCorps Louisiana Delta Service Corps Members Needed at the Community Center of St Bernard


The Community Center of St Bernard is assisting many families who are being affected by the Gulf Oil Spill. We need help with our food pantry, clothing bank, volunteer management and recruitment, and community outreach so that we can effectively help these families as the oil spill crisis continues.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Recruit volunteers for the food pantry, clothing bank and hot meals program at the Community Center
* Oversee and train volunteers in the food pantry program
* Assist the food pantry manager with food pantry enrollment, reports and recordkeeping.
* Provide information and referrals to clients
* Update the Center's social media sites
* Update the Community Center's referral guides and resources
* Identify unmet client needs and develop ways to solve these problems
* Assist with development of food pantry database software and food exchange software (either directly, or by recruiting outside assistance)
* Represent the Community Center at various civic, recreational and scholastic events in the community.

ELIGIBILITY :

AmeriCorps Louisiana Delta Service Corps candidates must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident, be team-oriented, and be willing to take on a wide range of challenges. For the position at the Community Center of St Bernard , you must have at least an associate's degree or have completed 2 years of college. You must be at least 17 years old. There is no upper age limit, and many Delta Service Corps members bring significant work and life experiences to their assignment. Self-initiative, flexibility and organizational skills are a must. Also, you must be available to serve full-time for 11 months (September 2010 - July 2011).

BENEFITS OF SERVICE :

* Earn - $11,800 for the year
* Receive health insurance
* Receive child care reimbursement if eligible
* Student Loan forbearance
* Extensive personal and professional development training
* Be a part of a team and learn how to create sustainable service projects
* Upon successful completion of the program earn a $5,350 education award to use to go back to school or to pay off student loans
* Attend two out of town retreats and monthly team meetings
* Network with other non-profits and local organizations
* Build your resume and make friends for life!

SKILLS NEEDED:

* Excellent organizational and communications skills
* Ability to work independently
* Strong analytical skills
* Able to learn new materials and techniques easily
* Familiar with at least basic social networking tools (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc)
* Detail-oriented.

To apply, please fill out the application at http://www.ladeltacorps.org/ <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?CommunityCenterofStB/4ddf5d083d/fb884231b7/444da4dc8c> by July 9.


Second–Hand Books Needed!


The Community Center is looking for donations of used books to put in our reading area and give out to local residents. Books should be suitable for children and families to enjoy and should be in average condition (no mildew, missing covers, or missing pages). Hardcover and paperback are both fine. Books can be dropped off at the Community Center of St Bernard , 1107 LeBeau St , Arabi from 9AM - 5 PM on Monday - Friday. THANK YOU!


New Faces!


The Community Center is very happy to welcome Patricia Velez and Krystle Johnson to our staff! Patti just joined us in May and is busy overseeing our hot meals program at the Community Center. She's most recently worked at the Carolina St Bistro in Saratoga Springs, NY and at Camp Hope 3 here in St Bernard Parish. We're very glad to have her with us!

<http://pr.ak.vresp.com/d1e8b0e58/www.ccstb.org/images/clear.gif?__nocache__=1> <http://pr.ak.vresp.com/a4f896409/www.ccstb.org/images/patti.jpg?__nocache__=1> <http://pr.ak.vresp.com/d1e8b0e58/www.ccstb.org/images/clear.gif?__nocache__=1> <http://pr.ak.vresp.com/8064bb43d/www.ccstb.org/images/krystle.jpg?__nocache__=1>

Krystle is our new Mustard Seed Distribution Manager. She's a graduate of Georgia State University, currently working on her Master of Science through Capella University. Krystle has recently worked with Catholic Charities, Metropolitan Center for Women & Children, and the St Bernard Battered Women's Program, and we're glad to welcome her to the Community Center!


Oil Spill T-shirts Support CCSTB


Buy a t-shirt to support the Community Center! We need your help so that we can continue to provide essential services like food, clothes, hot meals and other assistance to St Bernard residents during this emergency.

<http://pr.ak.vresp.com/d1e8b0e58/www.ccstb.org/images/clear.gif?__nocache__=1> <http://pr.ak.vresp.com/c78a9fec6/www.ccstb.org/images/tshirts.jpg?__nocache__=1>

The SAVE OUR COAST t-shirts are available in a wide range of colors and styles for all ages, with prices starting at just $12.95. Order online now through www.zazzle.com/billyccstb <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?CommunityCenterofStB/4ddf5d083d/fb884231b7/165784639a> . 10% of all sales benefit the Community Center of St Bernard.

Thank you for your support!






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