Serving Allied Dunns Marsh Neighborhoods and Beyond
We are each other's most valuable resource.
Address : PO Box 1163, Madison 53701
Phone: 608-770-2049; Email: editor@madisonvoices.com

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August 2008
Who Is My Neighbor? by Susan Corrado
Community Parish Nurse

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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Extended Web Coverage & Links to More Resources:
[Special Report:  Youth & Technology]
[Alcohol Awareness] [Brain Matters]
[Career Exploration] [APA History]
[Math Matters] [Women's History]
[African American Heritage]
[
Homage to Coretta Scott King]
[The Children's March]
[School Matters] [Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King]

Allied Wellness Center

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
 

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
 

Voices Home ] Voices News ] Features/Columns ] Our Viewpoints ] [ Healthy Living ] Comm-Unity Photos ] Comm-Unity Photos 2 ] Naturally Cool ] Current VOICES Pages & Archive ] 
[ Top ]

Extended Web Coverage & Links to More Resources:
[Special Report:  Youth & Technology]
[Alcohol Awareness] [Brain Matters]
[Career Exploration] [APA History]
[Math Matters] [Women's History]
[African American Heritage]
[
Homage to Coretta Scott King]
[The Children's March]
[School Matters] [Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King]

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

Voices Home ] Voices News ] Features/Columns ] Our Viewpoints ] [ Healthy Living ] Comm-Unity Photos ] Comm-Unity Photos 2 ] Naturally Cool ] Current VOICES Pages & Archive ] 
[ Top ]

Extended Web Coverage & Links to More Resources:
[Special Report:  Youth & Technology]
[Alcohol Awareness] [Brain Matters]
[Career Exploration] [APA History]
[Math Matters] [Women's History]
[African American Heritage]
[
Homage to Coretta Scott King]
[The Children's March]
[School Matters] [Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King]
 
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