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August 2008
Who Is My Neighbor? by Susan Corrado
Community Parish Nurse
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Typically
our neighbor is the person/family who lives near us. In
Christian circles our neighbor is anyone we encounter,
especially if they are in need. In Africa there is a saying “I
am, because we are”, in other words we only exist as a person
because we exist as a community.
When we share space like an apartment building, a street,
or a neighborhood, we have the chance to see each other
repeatedly. When that familiarity is there, our society
expects that we will be civil and respectful to one another,
and in strong communities, that respect becomes friendlier and
warmer. Any one who has lived with another person knows that
it isn’t always easy, just as it isn’t always easy being
neighbors.
Figuring out how my space and needs overlaps with your
space and needs can be hard. The better we know someone,
however, the easier it is to respect their space and needs.
Because Allied is a very open community with lots of activity
on the street, everyone seems to know everyone, and it is
common for people to help each other out; because of this, it
is a strong community.
On the other hand, there is a lot of drug activity and
violence compared to most neighborhoods, many people are so
immersed in their own problems that they aren’t interested in
what’s going on for anyone else, and many people who don’t
want to get involved in some of the negative stuff so they
just keep to themselves, which makes for a fragile community.
If we work to strengthen this community, it has to begin
with an attitude of caring…. caring about the crime, caring
that my neighbor is in need, caring what someone has to say,
wanting to figure out how to overlap space and needs, and
wanting to get to know each other. Our lives become richer
when our hearts are touched by other people. Communities
become stronger when neighbors strengthen their connections.
Those connections happen when you are friendly, when you
help each other and when you share in something together.
Those connections are made stronger still through
participating in the Neighborhood Association, volunteering in
the neighborhood, coming to community meals etc..
We have started a Welcome Program to begin giving that
message of care with new people moving into the neighborhood.
There are many people in different buildings who are
“Welcomers” who will be that friendly person you can go to if
you have questions about the neighborhood. They have resource
information and a gift bag for the new residents. We get
together every other month for a dinner.
If you are interested in being a “Welcomer” for your
building let me know. If you are new to the neighborhood and
haven’t been welcomed, come and visit me at the Allied
Wellness Center.
A connected community is a healthy community. |
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The Allied Wellness Center is all about encouraging people
to make healthy choices and to live life in all its fullness.
Wellness means taking care of your mind, body and spirit. Life
doesn't always make it easy to do this, but with information,
caring support, access to resources and valuing health;
wellness can be yours. There are a number of programs and
activities that happen routinely at the Wellness Center,
participate and take advantage of what's available:
- Alcohol and Drug Program: Allied Area Partnership
Toward Recovery is a neighborhood program for anyone who
struggles with alcohol or drug abuse. Offering
respectful, confidential, support and encouragement no
matter what stage of use you are in. Individualized
counseling available, call to schedule an appointment.
- Nurse: Available Tuesdays and Wednesdays
8a.m.-4:30p.m. and Fridays 8a.m.-12 noon to do health
assessments, emotional support, health education,
information and referrals and help problem solve what
prevents you from maintaining your health.
- Doctor Is In: A doctor is here 1st Wednesday, 2nd
Friday (speaks Spanish), 3rd & 4th Tuesday of each month,
10am-12noon. Free physician consultation, and
assessment.
- Coffee Clutch: Every morning 9-11 am at the JFF
site.
- AIDS Network: Every Thursday, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.,
HIV testing, education and counseling.
- Sista to Sista: Every Tuesday 6:30pm. Supportive
women gathering.
- Stories of Change: Every Friday 6pm at the JFF
Building. Hear encouraging personal stories of recovery
from substance abuse from guest speakers, and get the
support you are needing in your own recovery journey.
- Prayer Meeting and Bible Study: Every Monday
6p.m.-7p.m. led by the African American Council of
Churches neighborhood chaplain, Alice Howard. Light meal
included.
- Badger Care Sign Up: Does your family need health
insurance? Come talk to Elena every Tuesday and Thursday
morning 8:30-12 noon to see if you are eligible to sign up.
Special Events:
- Community Meal: Friday August 22, 6 pm at the Boys and
Girls Club (Jenewein ).
Mobile Food Pantry: Saturday, August 23, Boys and Girls Club
10 am
- Biking for exercise interested in biking with others?
Let's start a biking club, even if you have no bike... talk
to Susan and lets see if there's enough interest.
Call Susan Corrado for questions about the Wellness Center
and programs, 274-7006 or stop in at 2225 Allied Drive #2Call Susan Corrado for questions about the Wellness Center and
programs, 274-7006 or stop in at 2225 Allied Drive #2
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Hugs in the
Community
Project
HUGS provides services to Dane County families, community
members and professionals free of charge. We collaborate and
receive referrals from school districts, law enforcement,
social workers, AODA and mental health providers, human
services, and social services agencies.
Parents often self refer when they
hear about HUGS services. families served represent all levels
of the continuum - from prevention to early intervention
through court mandated treatment, detention and out of home
placements.
Project HUGS is a 501(c)3
organization funded by Dane Co DHS, United Way of Dane County
and Generous Supporters
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Come
and visit us in our new offices at 2225 Allied Drive!!
Jenny Grether, Susan Corrado, Stacy Knoll, Emily Thibedeau
and Lindsay McClernan. |
Allied Wellness Center Schedule.
The Allied Wellness Center is all about encouraging people to
make healthy choices and to live life in all its fullness.
Wellness means taking care of your mind, body and spirit. Life
doesn't always make it easy to do this, but with information,
caring support, access to resources and valuing health;
wellness can be yours. There are a number of programs and
activities that happen routinely at the Wellness Center.
Please participate and take advantage of them.Alcohol
and Drug Program: Allied Area Partnership Toward Recovery
is a new program for anyone who struggles with alcohol or drug
abuse. Offering respectful, confidential, support and
encouragement. Individualized counseling available 9-11 am
Monday-Friday & Saturdays 9am-2pm at JFF site and Mondays
8am-2pm, Thursdays 6-9 pm & Saturdays 8-12 at the Wellness
Center site. Call to schedule an appointment. Also, every
Friday from 6-7:30pm there will be a guest sharing their story
of change at the Wellness center.
Nurse: available Tuesdays and Wednesday
8a.m.-4:30p.m. and Fridays 8a.m.-12 noon to do health
assessments, emotional support, health education, information
and referrals and help problem solve what prevents you from
maintaining your health.
Dental Hygienist: there will be a dental hygienist
on the third Tuesday of the month from 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon.
The hygienist will be available to do a visual inspection of
your teeth and provide education and recommendations for oral
health.
Doctor Is In: A doctor is here (3) three times a
month: first Wednesday of the month and third and fourth
Tuesday of the month, from 10 a.m.- 12 noon; Free physician
consultation.
Women's Group Coffee Clutch: every morning 9-11 am
at the JFF site.
AIDS Network: every Thursday, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., HIV
testing, education and counseling.
Upcoming Special events:
- Every Monday 11:30 am 'Allied Celebrity Fit Club', come
and exercise and enjoy a light lunch, Boys and Girls Club
gym
- Every Tuesday and Thursday 6pm, 10/16-11/15. 'Within My
Reach' A series of 10 sessions to learn how to strengthen
your relationships. Dinner, college credit and child watch
offered. MUST sign up ahead of time, call 274-7006.
Call Susan Corrado for questions about the Wellness Center
and programs, 274-7006 or stop on by, 2225 Allied Dr. #2- Note
New Address |
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