THE PILLAR OF HOPE, INC.
Serving the Community by Impacting One Family at a Time
JANUARY MONTHLY AWARENESS
SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Across the nation, law enforcement and organizations strive to eliminate human trafficking. Join the effort to raise awareness and prevent human trafficking in your community. - National Day Calendar
NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO DONATE BLOOD.
Due to increased seasonal illnesses during the winter months and inclement weather conditions, donations of blood and platelets decline and demand increases. The American Red Cross and Blood Banks of America encourage everyone who can donate to continue their donations. - National Day Calendar
MAKE A DIFFERENCE. BE A MENTOR.
National Mentoring Month is an annual designation observed in January. This month, focus on how we can all work together to increase the number of mentors to make sure young people in our communities have dependable people to look up to and follow in their footsteps. - National Day Calendar
FEBRUARY MONTHLY AWARENESS
BLACK HISTORY. CELEBRATING YOUR HISTORY.
Slavery in America started in 1619, when the privateer The White Lion brought 20 African slaves ashore in the British colony of Jamestown, Virginia. The crew had seized the Africans from the Portugese slave ship Sao Jao Bautista.
Throughout the 17th century, European settlers in North America turned to African slaves as a cheaper, more plentiful labor source than indentured servants, who were mostly poor Europeans. - History.com
DONATE BLOOD. NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME.
Due to increased seasonal illnesses during the winter months and inclement weather conditions, donations of blood and platelets decline and demand increases. The American Red Cross and Blood Banks of America encourage everyone who can donate to continue their donations. - National Day Calendar
BE A MENTOR. MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
National Mentoring Month is an annual designation observed in January. This month, focus on how we can all work together to increase the number of mentors to make sure young people in our communities have dependable people to look up to and follow in their footsteps. - National Day Calendar
VALENTINE'S DAY RESOURCES
APRIL IS NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
This is a topic that pulls at my heart. As a survivor of child abuse, I know how tough it is to need help but not know what to do and where to turn. It is my prayer that these resources will answer questions that gnaw at you. Prayerfully, these resources will point you in the right direction and give you relief, healing, comfort, peace, and hope as you move forward in life. If you need a listening ear or mentoring, please do not hesitate to contact me. - Rhovonda Brown, CEO
CHILD WELFARE
The 2021/2022 Prevention Resource Guide recognizes that there are actions we can take as a society and within communities, organizations, and families to address the root causes of child abuse and neglect. The child abuse prevention guide seeks to highlight the innovative ways that communities around the country are doing purposeful prevention work to help children and families thrive. The protective factors have always been central to the Resource Guide. A protective factors approach focuses on positive ways to engage families by emphasizing their strengths, in addition to identifying areas where they have room to grow with support. Focusing on protective factors helps children, youth, and families build resilience and contributes to positive outcomes.. - Child Welfare Information Gateway
MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH, AMERICAN STROKE AWARENESS, AND NATIONAL HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE EDUCATION MONTH
It begins with the right kind of thinking. If our mind is clear and healthy, we can improve in the other areas of our lives. Below are some resources to help you grow mentally and physically. If you need a listening ear or mentoring, please do not hesitate to contact us.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FROM A-Z
Verywell Mind is a trusted and compassionate online resource that provides the guidance you need to improve your mental health and find balance. - VeryWell Mind
STROKE IS THE FIFTH-LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States. Every year, more than 795,000 people have a stroke. Without oxygen, brain cells and tissue become damaged and begin to die within minutes. - Healthline
TIPS FOR REDUCING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Fruits and vegetables are loaded with healthful nutrients that reduce the risk of chronic disease, help with weight control, and even manage blood sugar. - FoodandHealth.com
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE EDUCATION
You can maintain healthy blood pressure by changing your lifestyle or combining lifestyle changes with prescribed medications. - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
JUNE AWARENESS
National Black Family Month
National Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Month
NATIONAL BLACK FAMILY MONTH
"July is National Black Family Month... Established in 2006 to promote the enrichment of families through education, health, and self-improvement, this observance also encourages us to support our loved ones, reflect with one another, and invest in and inspire our young." - The Black Women's Agenda, Inc.
NATIONAL BLACK, INDIGENOUS, PEOPLE OF COLOR (BIPOC) MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
“Mental health conditions don’t discriminate, and neither should our mental health system. We are calling for systematic change and improved access to culturally competent care, so no one feels alone in their journey.”
(Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., CEO of NAMI National)
Image from https://www.rd.com/article/what-does-bipoc-stand-for/
HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?
How bad do you want to live a healthier life? How hard are you trying? Are you consistent? Do you have a support system in place? Have you made the necessary changes to be a healthier you?
Well, I encourage you to do your part. Don't try to follow someone else's regiment or journey. You do you! Who knows you better than yourself (besides those who are closest to you.)? You know what works for you. Now, don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying that you shouldn't get expert advice and have support, because you should. What I am saying is choose which method or resource works for you, and with the help of an expert or a coach do what you need to do to reach your goals.
For words of empower to motivate you to reach and exceed any goals, join our mailing list and have 12 Statements of Affirmation sent your email. And remember, do you and be hopeful!
Choose activities that you enjoy and can do regularly. Fitting activity into a daily routine can be easy — such as taking a brisk 10 minute walk to and from the parking lot, bus stop, or subway station. Or, join an exercise class. Keep it interesting by trying something different on alternate days. Every little bit adds up and doing something is better than doing nothing. Get tips for increasing physical activities from ChooseMyPlate.gov
HAVING A HARD TIME SLEEPING?
SLEEP, WORK, AND COVID-19: IN-DEPTH STUDY
"...how is the “new normal” of working from home affecting our productivity? How many people have gone from working at a desk in their office to a bed in their home? How is that affecting their sleep, and consequently their productivity?" - Tuck
HOW TO BUILD A BEDTIME ROUTINE
"How often does this happen to you? You hop into bed, turn out the lights, get cozy under the covers, and then … nothing. Your mind is racing, your body is wired, and you can’t fall asleep. If this is something that happens to you a lot, you might need a healthier bedtime routine." - Tuck
FOODS THAT HELP YOU SLEEP BETTER
"Eating well can help ensure restful, deep sleep every night. If you have trouble falling asleep or just want to sleep a bit better, there are foods you should incorporate into your diet, and some that you should avoid before bed." - Tuck
SLEEP INFORMATION
"If you’re looking for sleep tips, help, resources, etc. you’ve come to the right place! Below you’ll find everything from the best sleep consultants in the US to priority polls/survey/studies we’ve run over the years. Learn about sleep below and if there’s something you’d like us to cover that you don’t see, please give us a shout!" - Tuck
MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA
