This Week's Program: Jordan Johnson, Life House During COVID-19
Jordan Johnson, Executive Director of Life House will join us virtually and share how he and his staff are still actively and passionately serving the homeless youth of our area during this difficult time. Now, more than ever their services are needed and they are providing meals, sheltering youth, assisting with filing for unemployment and moving young people and families into housing.
Jordan is a researcher, educator and community health leader committed to creating, implementing, and sustaining innovate strategies and practices to advance the health and wellness of individuals, families and communities. His work is embedded in establishing relationships and collaborative partnerships that are result oriented, which is critical to enhancing the vision and mission of organizations, programs and projects.
It has been the decision of the executive committee for the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival that we cancel this year's (2020) festival due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 virus. The executive committee has asked the board members from each of the three clubs involved (Harbortown, Superior Club 40, Superior Sunrise) to respond with an answer if we would be willing to support the festival in 2021 and beyond.
We as a board have elected to postpone this decision until later in the summer to hopefully gather more knowledge and information on if Harbortown is willing to support this festival moving forward. Below is a link to a short survey, if you could be so kind as to fill out to determine what is the willingness to support this going forward. Please add any comments, concerns or ideas you may have. Please complete this survey by the end of the week so we can discuss our options.
You are invited to participate in a COVID-19 #RotaryResponds one-hour Telethon to raise critical funds for disaster response. This Facebook Live event will be simulcast on the Rotary International Facebook page. The goal is to raise more than $1 million dollars.
Rotary’s 1.2 million members across the globe have taken swift action to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than $3.4 million in Rotary Disaster Response Grants have already been put into action on the front lines to battle COVID-19. Additionally, millions more have been raised by our #PeopleofAction - they have responded quickly and are truly saving lives. Now, we need to do more and the need for additional funding is a priority.
Join this live event to hear stories of hope, inspiration and gratitude from Rotarians, Rotaractors and friends of Rotary from across the globe as they share what they are doing to help their communities. The telethon will also showcase how our polio eradication infrastructure is helping to combat COVID-19.
How can you participate:
1. Participate in the telethon on Facebook Live on 2 May at Rotary International's Facebook Page (facebook.com/rotary). The live stream will be simulcast in eight languages.
2. Share this event & spread the word through your social media channels.
3. Invite friends, family, and members of your community to watch and see first-hand what Rotary's People of Action are doing to combat COVID-19.
4. Post on social media during the broadcast and on the day of the event using the hashtag #RotaryResponds.
6. Encourage your Rotary District to donate District Designated Funds (DDF) at https://on.rotary.org/ddf-donate. (Note: DDF received between April 22st and May 3rd will be considered part of the telethon fundraising total.)
Thank you for all of your assistance in creating awareness about this opportunity to do more Good in the World!
I want to thank all the Rotarians and Clubs that supported the Tocopilla Bolivia Medical Clinic, and Mano a Mano Bolivia and International for their work to complete the medical clinic that became operational this month. We had planned to have a grand opening on March 19th but had to reschedule due to the covid19 concerns, however you are all invited to join us for the dedication on our Bolivia adventure in 2021. I just finished the final report and it is so appropriate to this month’s Rotary theme for Maternal and Child Health Month. The goal of the project is to provide improved medical facilities for the families in the region who lack access to quality medical care due to the remoteness of the region.
Bolivia’s maternal death rate during childbirth is very high, and is the highest in Latin America, a rate that can be reduced dramatically through appropriate pre and post-natal care and attended deliveries. ChildFund International states “According to the World Bank, the child mortality rate is around 51 deaths per 1,000 live births, and in rural areas where access to health care is sporadic, it can be even higher. The leading causes — infection, hemorrhaging and other obstetric complications — of maternal mortality in Bolivia are preventable.” My photo below on the left shows a young lady who gave birth the previous night (who was gracious enough to give permission for me to use the photo); representing the old clinic conditions in the village when I visited there in 2018, they lacked the necessary medical facilities. The new clinic and staffing by Doctors will greatly improve the health care in the region, as shown in the photo to the right of the similar Jatun Mayu clinic that we dedicated later that week during my visit.
(Photo provided by Mano a Mano Bolivia)
The women of the community were very involved in promoting the importance of the clinic project. The initial request for the new medical facility reflected strong female representation and participation. It was clear to the Rotarians on our visit in 2018 that the women of the community had a voice and were instrumental in advocating for the health and welfare of children and families. I don’t speak Quechua, the native language, y me hablo espanol muy poco; but a picture is worth a thousand words and these are the local community members who attended the initial discussions when we were evaluating the site.
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During this time of confinement, I am sure that everyone is drinking more coffee than normal.
Well the good news is we have LOTS of Rotary Blend coffee left to sell.
Some more good news is that Jerry has most of it stored at London Road Rental Center, 1710 London Rd. More good news yet, we are open.
If you want coffee or need more coffee, you can get it anytime between 7:30-5 M-F and Saturday 7:30-12. Just email Jerry (jerry@londonroadrental.com) or Jan (admin@harbortownrotary.org) so that we bill you for it.
For news, announcements, event promotion social media, media releases and more, please contact Charity Johnson (csjohnson@starbasemn.org or 218-788-7288).
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
If you are hosting the program speaker, please copy Charity on the speaker's name, organization and email. If you are the chair of a Harbortown Committee, please update Charity on relevant information regarding grants and awards, meetings or news. Charity will use this information to create more dynamic and engaging content to share with potential club members and on social media.
It is my goal to continue to share the good work that Harbortown Rotary is doing in our community, so your help and support is greatly appreciated!
