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Beat the Florida Heat

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Beat the Florida Heat with HVAC Green Energy Tips

By Jathy Garcia

As a native Floridian I am use to feeling the nice hot Florida sun, I prevent sun burns by daily applying sun block & taking care of my skin and always try to park my car in a shade even if it means walking an extra 500 steps just so when I get back the excess heat won’t cause me to faint or burn my rear when I sit on the seat. Why discuss all these things simply because we all know the sun’s rays can damage our skin and in the end even cause health damages. So how does it affect our Air conditioning system which sits outdoors 24 hours a day 7 days a week? Well you can imagine not taking proper care to your AC system means its health can deteriorate as well. So that is why I find it just as important to keep my whole house AC system working at its peak & I prepare before the real summer months hit.

Here’s some great information that I’d like to share with you all:

  • First, change your filters in your heating/cooling system. Change them regularly as recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Next change your thermostat over to “cool” and test the system by turning the temperature down. If the air conditioner does not turn on, first check to make sure no breakers are tripped. If you can’t figure out the problem, call your heating and air conditoning repair person. Calling early may keep you from making an “emergency” call when the temperatures are soaring and the repair people are too busy.
  • If your cooling system turns on, make sure it is putting out adequate cooling. If it’s not, and you can’t figure out the problem, call your air conditoning repair person. Make sure you set it at 78 degrees minimum to prevent mold buildup- yes we live in Florida & humidity builds up quickly which make mold easy to grow.
  • If your air conditioner needs replacement do it BEFORE the HOT WEATHER HITS so you can most likely beat the crowd & save money too.
  • And more than likely, some other things around your home need attention as well. Your air ducts may need testing for leaks and then sealed.
  • Your attic insulation probably has compacted, so you may need to add more.
  • Your windows and doors and other parts of the building envelope may need caulking and weather stripping.
  • You may need solar window film to keep out the heat which helps reduce electric costs by up to 25%
  • Consider changing your old thermostat to a programmable one. You can save up to $100 a year by using a new set-back thermostat. If your thermostat is really old and uses a mercury switch (a glass tube filed with silvery substance) call your local public works department to find out how to dispose of this toxic material.
  • Consider installing a whole-house fan that uses cool air in the evening to cool the entire house and push hot air out of the attic area.

Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air is considered the expert in green Plumbing & HVAC solutions. They are a licensed and insured in the State of Florida and has been serving residential and commercial customers throughout Palm Beach County for over 16 years. They understand the needs of their customers and because of that, offer same day service, 24/7 emergency service with up front pricing and they guarantee your satisfaction. Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air works hard to earn your business and goes the extra mile to keep it!

For more information call Your Plumber In A Skirt at 561-790-6966 or email

[email protected].

Credits To http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/tips/summerize.html

Adopt-A-Family & Lynora’s Join Together To Throw ‘Great Give’ Happy Hour on May 3

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Adopt-A-Family & Lynora’s Join Together To Throw ‘Great Give’ Happy Hour on May 3

fam

(PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL) – Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches is getting set for Palm Beach County’s biggest 24 hour fundraising campaign, The Great Give, by partnering with Lynora’s, the famed Italian restaurant in Downtown West Palm Beach, for a Happy Hour Pizza Party on Tuesday, May 3, 2016.

Guests will be welcomed at Lynora’s, 207 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, from 4-7 p.m. With a minimum $20 donation to Adopt-A-Family through the Great Give online portal (at the event or the day of Great Give), each patron will receive a ticket for a drink and pizza that can be redeemed during the event.

Every donation made to Adopt-A-Family is partially matched through the Great Give, which is a 24-hour fundraising campaign for nonprofits throughout Palm Beach and Martin Counties. To increase the impact, the dedicated board members of Adopt-A-Family have created a unique matching pool of $5,000.

“We are so excited to be a part of Great Give 2016, and we want to share that excitement with our supporters, board members, volunteers and donors,” said Matt Constantine, CEO of Adopt-A-Family. “We hope that once people are at Lynora’s, ready for a great time, they will be inspired to give because every dollar is matched by our board and then matched again by the Great Give bonus pool to support Project Grow. For every dollar donated up to $5,000, Adopt-A-Family receives a dollar-for-dollar match by the board of directors. We can’t think of a better incentive for a Happy Hour.”
Project Grow is Adopt-A-Family’s afterschool and out of school program, which fosters a stable and educational environment for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. The program is customized to meet the unique challenges of formerly homeless and low-income youth in the Lake Worth community. The program incorporates an innovative STEAM curriculum that introduces career fields of the future to our students.

For additional information on this event, or to learn more about Adopt-A-Family, please call (561) 253-1361 or visit http://adoptafamilypbc.org/GreatGive2016. For more info on Lynora’s please visit www.lynoras.com.

About Great Give:
Great Give Palm Beach & Martin Counties is a 24-hour online giving event led by the Community Foundation for Palm Beach County, United Way of Palm Beach County and United Way of Martin County designed to raise as much money as possible for local nonprofits in a single day. This community-wide event, to be held on May 3 from midnight to midnight, celebrates the spirit of giving and the collective effort it takes to strengthen our community by raising critical funds for local nonprofits.

Every local gift made during the 24-hour period will be multiplied by additional dollars from a bonus pool raised by the Community Foundation. Great Give Palm Beach & Martin Counties will make May 3 even more exciting by providing cash or otherwise valuable prizes each hour. Local businesses and individuals are encouraged to support this unique opportunity for our community to raise significant funds that will make a direct, positive impact on the lives of our neediest residents.

ABOUT ADOPT-A-FAMILY:
Adopt-A-Family, located in Lake Worth, is a Palm Beach County agency dedicated to providing programs that empower families in crisis and offering solutions for self-sufficiency. Adopt-A-Family’s mission and core activities center on the belief that a family’s basic needs must be met before change can occur within the family or individual. To achieve this mission, the agency provides physical housing units, rental assistance, homeless prevention services, youth educational programming and supportive services. The organization has proudly received Charity Navigator’s 4-star rating, the highest rating a nonprofit can receive, nine consecutive times for their stellar financial management. The agency is in its 33rd year of operation and has helped more than 45,000 families attain self-sufficiency. For more information about Adopt-A-Family, please call (561) 253-1361 or visit www.adoptafamilypbc.org.

ABOUT LYNORA’S
Lynora’s, located on Clematis Street in the heart of Downtown West Palm Beach, is the current home of the Abbenante family’s culinary traditions, which began in South Florida in 1974 when Raffaele and Maria Abbenante immigrated from the tiny Italian island, Ponza, and began selling pizza by the slice in South Florida.

In 1976, the small family pizza shop evolved into an Italian dining destination in Lake Worth where Maria Abbenante used her mother, Lynora’s, traditional Italian recipes and culinary secrets of traditional Italian cooks to prepare dishes using the finest, locally sourced ingredients. For more than 35 years, the Abbenante family served thousands at Lynora’s in Lake Worth, which was known as one of the best Italian restaurants in South Florida. In 2004, the Abbenantes closed the restaurant and planned to retire, but when presented with another opportunity, they came out of retirement. In 2014 opened the next generation of Lynoras on Clematis Street. Today, Lynora’s combines its best Old World recipes with new fusion dishes that Maria still prepares. Seven days a week, the casually sophisticated restaurant draws countless guests that continue to enjoy memorable dining experiences redolent with the full flavors of Italy.
Lynora’s, 207 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, Tel: 561. 899.3117 www.lynoras.com

Do the Write Thing

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Area students share how violence and bullying have affected them in 

Do The Write Thing Challenge

 

2016 Ambassadors and other Top Ten Finalists to be honored at

May 10 Awards Ceremony and Program at Convention Center

 

One girl’s experience with a high profile gun-related death and the devastating effect it has had on her family and a boy’s poem about how a bully can be confronted and converted into a compatriot are two moving accounts of the effects – and ideas to reduce teen violence shared by the 28,379 students from 33 Palm Beach County public middle schools participating in this year’s Do The Write Thing Challenge (DTWT).  From the thousands of participating students, Kirsten Brown, a seventh grader at Don Estridge Middle School in Boca Raton and Quinton Williams, a sixth grader at Howell L. Watkins Middle School in Palm Beach Gardens, were selected as Ambassadors from Palm Beach County.

 

Brown and Williams will travel to Washington. D.C. this summer to represent Palm Beach County during National DTWT Recognition Week.  They will have the opportunity to present their views and solutions to youth violence with such national leaders as Representatives Lois Frankel and Ted Deutch and other members of Congress, the U.S. Secretary of Education, the Attorney General of the United States, and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.  The week culminates in a special evening event at which the students, their parents and educators are honored.

 

Palm Beach County DTWT Campaign Chairman Bill Bone announced that the pair, along the other 310 “Top 10” students will be honored at a May 10 luncheon at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. All of theses will be published and catalogued in the U.S. Library of Congress. Attendance at the luncheon is by invitation only.

 

In addition to Brown and Williams, the 2016 finalists are:

 

Girls

1st Runner Up Helen Gutierrez, 8th grader at Palm Springs Community Middle School

2nd Runner Up Celina Phal, 7th grader at Loggers Run Middle School in Boca Raton

3rd Runner Up Emily Briceno, 7th grader at Conniston Community Middle School in West Palm Beach

4th Runner Up Bailey Nathan, 6th grader at Independence Middle School in Jupiter

 

Boys

1st Runner Up Jaydon Hood, 7th grader at Crestwood Middle School in Royal Palm Beach

2nd Runner Up Sam Kassel, 8th grader at Boca Raton Community Middle School

3rd Runner Up Christian Nakotey, 6th grader at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Riviera Beach

4th Runner Up Devin Locke, 7th grader at Western Pines Middle School in Royal Palm Beach

Jaydon Hood, "Do the Write Thing"
Jaydon Hood, one of the “Do the Write Thing” finalists

Local DTWT Campaign Organizer Pepe Fanjul said that the challenge is beneficial to each of the thousands of students involved as it provides a forum for the discussion of bullying and teen violence and provides a safe way for students to express their feelings about events they have experienced, while sharing ideas and solutions for reducing violence.

 

“When you read what they have written you can’t help but be moved by what some of them have endured, while at the same time being inspired by their courage in moving forward and their intellect in suggesting ideas and solutions that we as adults should really consider,” Fanjul said.

 

The 2016 Do The Write Thing Challenge is part of the National Campaign to Stop Violence. This is the tenth year Do The Write Thing Challenge has been conducted in Palm Beach County. Sponsors include Florida Crystals, The William H. Pitt Foundation, Inc., The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Trust Fund, Sue and James Patterson and the law firm of Larmoyeux & Bone Trial Lawyers.

 

The essays and poetry were read and evaluated by representatives from the offices of Congressman Ted Deutch, Congresswoman Lois Frankel, State Attorney Dave Aronberg, Public Defender Carey Haughwout, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw,  The Criminal Justice Commission, The School District of Palm Beach County, The West Palm Beach Mayor’s Office, and Florida Crystals corporation.

 

For more information, please visit

 

Excerpts from the ten finalists in the 2016 Do the Write Thing Challenge Palm Beach County:

 

Kirsten Brown, 2016 Ambassador

7th Grade, Don Estridge High Tech Middle School in Boca Raton

A tragic incidence of violence that is in the news – the fatal shooting of her fellow church member Corey Jones at the hands of a police officer — profoundly affected Kirsten’s sense of security and has made her aware “that the decisions that I make today ultimately affect my choices tomorrow.”   Kirsten writes:  “I have witnessed close friends whose family members have been victimized.  I have witnessed how it has torn families apart.  I know that I don’t want the same for my family. It has affected the choices that I now make. I constantly find myself paying attention to my surroundings and being very select of my choices of friendships.”  Kirsten summarizes her approach with this statement:  “I can show others that it is okay to be smart and cool at the same time.  I want to be the person that can stand as an exemplary role model for those students that aren’t on the right track to look up to and say, ‘Hey, I can do the same.’ ”

 

Quinton Williams, 2016 Ambassador

6th grader at H.L. Watkins Middle School in Palm Beach Gardens

Born with the condition of Hydrocephalus, Quinton endured bullying and unwelcome curiosity about his condition as a little boy. But when it came to writing his entry for the Do The Write Thing Challenge, he chose to write a poem, taking on the persona of a friend who had endured bullying but confronted the bully and disarmed him, turning him into a friend.  A portion of his poem reads:  “Maybe I can help, you should give it a chance, the bully stared back with an empty glance.  Because you have more friends than I, he said with a subtle reply. Then I knew there was hope for the end of this violence!”  In Quinton’s poem, the bully’s reply when given the chance to explain his behavior to his victim, is:  “I’m sorry I bullied you, I shouldn’t have intended to.  I hope we could put this to an end and come together and be the best of friends.”  His advice to his peers is:  “You don’t have to be friends with everybody, but you do have to be friend to everybody.”

 

 

Helen Gutierrez – 1st Runner Up – Girl

8th Grade, Palm Springs Middle School

Although not a direct victim of bullying or teen violence, Helen shares how the violence she sees in society and at school has affected her and inspires her to do her part to stop it. “Realizing the grim reality of youth violence has deeply affected me,” she writes.  “Seeing the violence among youths causes me to live in fear of the future of our society and makes me feel dejected.  Viewing stories on the news about gun violence and school shootings causes me to worry about the possibility that something so abysmal could happen in my school or in my neighborhood.”  Helen wants to make a difference: “It is important to set an example by refraining from committing acts of violence and others will follow,“ she writes. She also suggestions starting “a group with people who have been victims of violent actions or people who simply yearn to stifle the madness.” Helen also suggests showing compassion: “We can be amicable to the adolescents who commit violence in order to kill the hate that they feel with kindness. “

 

Jaydon Hood – 1st Runner Up – Boy

7th Grade, Crestwood Middle School in Royal Palm Beach

Jaydon’s family suffered the death of his cousin from gunfire on a Miami area playground where he and three others was gunned down by a gang.  He writes: “That great destructive force changed my family forever. It didn’t just take away a high school football playing senior, it also opened my eyes to the fact that I did not want to be a part of the ugliness of violence.”  Jaydon said he has been taught by his mother that “having a violent personality does not just happen overnight….The traits of the parent become the tendencies of the child.  It starts with families joining together to build each other up and being involved in things that are positive. …Doing the right thing means living beyond these statistics and challenging yourself to do more than your environment (might predict).  I learned that we all have choices and these choices include choosing to be better than our parents and grandparents or even brothers, sisters and cousins.”

 

Celina Phal – 2nd Runner Up – Girl

7th Grade, Loggers Run Middle School in Boca Raton

Celina is the child of Cambodia immigrants who were brutalized by the Khmer Rouge before escaping their native land to come to America.  Her father suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from his war and refugee experience as a young child.  Her mother, she writes, “explains her experience with the war in great detail, and makes sure that my sisters and I take absolutely nothing for granted.”      Celina has become an advocate for non-violence.  “I can reduce violence by promoting the use of settling arguments with words and not fists,” she writes.  “This way, it will not start a physical feud.” She continues:  “Promote anti-violence.  Be mature with your arguments. Stick with people you trust and if you ever witness a crime, report it.  Sometimes, being quiet can make the world more violent.”

 

Sam Kassel – 2nd Runner Up – Boy

8th Grade, Boca Raton Middle School

Sam calls violence “the epidemic that never sleeps.”  He says he has been bullied for his various disabilities his whole life.  “I have been laughed at, rejected, excluded and treated as less than others all of my life.  People have shaped me into something I never wanted t become.  I am a spiky shell of the happy, loving, innocent, carefree kid I used to be.  Bullies broke me.”  Sam said it will take everyone’s efforts to reduce bullying and youth violence.  “I cannot do anything to stop youth violence.  Not alone.  I need everyone.  Hear my story.  I cannot stand to have any more children be depressed, or for me to see another fight, or find anymore fake Instagram pages about myself or others.  I feel as if my story can empower everyone to work to make sure that nobody else ends up like me. I am a young boy with a voice. I beg you to carry this voice. “

 

Emily Briceno – 3rd Runner Up – Girl

7th Grade, Conniston Middle School in West Palm Beach

Two young men wearing ski masks, with a gun, rope, bags and pillow cases burst into Emily’s home and robbed her family in front of her eyes.  While not physically harmed, Emily was traumatized by this violent crime.  “Now I am afraid to be alone,” she writes. “I cry for no reason and I get sad more often.  I have lower self-esteem and feel I must have done something to bring on this violence or why couldn’t I stop it?…I am part of the statistics of youth violence”  But the experience has not defeated Emily.  Instead she ”has a strong desire to help others.”  “I want to make my community a better place to live,” she writes.  “I want to help others.”

Christian Nakotey – 3rd Runner UP – Boy

6th Grade, John F. Kennedy Middle School in Riviera Beach

“My approach to solving youth violence is to focus on family values and structure,” writes Christian.  “No one is born to be a violent person but the circumstances and the environment in which people find themselves shapes their lives positively or otherwise. “  Christian writes that he is “grateful to my parents for creating a violence-free environment for my siblings and I.  Dad and Mom always remind us before we leave for school never to fight.  Fighting bullying with physicality is never the right approach. “  He also shares that “with the increased rate of public violence and gun crime, my approach is to be alert at all times and play dead if I ever find myself in a bad situation.  I am too young to have this mindset but this is the world we are living in now.”

Bailey Nathan – 4th Runner Up – Girl

6th Grade, Independence Middle School in Jupiter

Violence in school sports forced Bailey to stop playing on her teen basketball team. ”Violence from fellow players can cause a person to feel fear, intimidation and self-doubt,” she writes.  “This can cause permanent damage to a player’s self-worth or way of thinking about themselves or others.”  Bailey urges those experiencing some type of bullying or violence to realize that “the bad times will end.” “Everyone can persevere through hardship,” she continues.  “Sometimes you can feel small, unimportant and not self assured…but people must always know that everyone can make a difference, no matter how big or small  they feel.”  “Take action,” she urges her fellow teens as well adults.  “Don’t just be a bystander.  Communicate with the bully and show them the compassion that they may be missing from their life.”

 

Devin Locke – 4th Runner Up – Boy

7th Grade, Western Pines Middle School in Royal Palm Beach

Hoping to attend West Point Military Academy and attend medical school through the military, Devin experienced bullying when he decided to go to school with his hair dyed pink in support of his aunt who was battling breast cancer.  Although it bothered him, he writes that his parents’ counsel helped him understand the bullying and overcome the hurt it caused.  “My parents taught me that the cause of youth violence is because the bully doesn’t feel good about themselves and takes it out on other people.  Maybe they have been neglected, abused or bullied.”  This insight led Devin to suggest a few ways that bullying can be effectively addressed, including a Bully Drop Box at each school where bullying can be anonymously reported to officials as well as peer counseling to discuss situations involving bullying or violence.  “If just one person sticks up for you, the bully may stop,” he concludes.

YWCA’s Final Brown Bag Lunch of Season

The YWCA of Palm Beach County’s last “Brown Bag Lunch” of the season is scheduled for Thursday, May 26, 2016, 12:00 noon, at the YWCA Corporate Office, 1016 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach.

 

The speaker will be David E. Holland of Ameriprise Financial Services who will present “Strong Women, Powerful Financial Strategies.”

Learn ways to:
• Gain control over your financial situation
• Protect the people and things you love the most
• Make informed financial decisions
• Care for the people you love, even after you’re gone
Holland joined Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor in 2008, moving over from the practice of law where he focused on estate planning, real estate and corporate transactions. He later joined Ameriprise to focus more on financial and estate planning. He is a Certified Financial Planner and a Chartered Financial Analyst. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Yale University and received a Juris Doctorate from Hofstra University. He lives in Jupiter, Florida with his wife, Jeanine, a 2nd grade teacher at the Benjamin School, and two daughters, Emily and Jessica.

Feel free to bring your lunch with you. The YWCA will provide beverages and dessert. There is no charge to attend, but space is limited, so please reserve your spot now. If you would like to attend, please reply to Carol Henry, 561-640-0050, Ext. 134, or [email protected].

Oak Bistro and Wine Bar

Tasting Table Photo Credit: Website
Tasting Table
Photo Credit: Website
Wine Bar
Wine Bar
Photo Credit: Steve Axelrod

The Oak Bistro and Wine Bar is a hidden gem located in the Southern Palms Crossing shopping center. As soon as you walk through the door you are made to feel welcome and at home. Friendly staff greet you and seat you. The owners and chefs Lisa and Brian Jacobsen warmly and enthusiastically interact with the diners. Even the guests are friendly! And the food is delicious, fresh and seasonal. All of that and over 70 different bottles of wine with over 30 by the glass, as well as a variety of craft beers to choose from. The ambiance is warm and cozy and the walls are adorned with original artwork from local artists who are members of the Wellington Art Society.

Oak Bistro
Oak Bistro and Wine Bar
Photo Credit: Website

OaK Bistro and Wine Bar seems to me to be the perfect combination of classy and casual where you can come to “Wine Down” after a long day. You will find a well thought out eclectic menu of small plates and your server will be most helpful in suggesting the perfect beverage pairing. In addition to tapas they also serve nightly entrée specials ranging from grilled steaks, to fresh fish And if you don’t see what you’re looking for just ask, they truly aim to please. They are also very aware that many of their customers may have special dietary needs and are Gluten-free friendly, Paleo and AIP friendly.

Fried Halloumi
Fried Halloumi Platter
Photo Credit: Steve Axelrod

My husband and I went on a Wednesday night because it was our anniversary and Steve didn’t want me to cook. Small plates are what we like most because we get to taste a few menu items and not feel guilty about ordering dessert. We decided on a trio of dishes. Two that we selected and a third that our waiter told us was addictive. Our choices were the Fried Halloumi Platter and the Italian Panini. The fried halloumi was fabulous. The cheese batons were lightly coated in panko for a crispy crust and the cheese was rich and chewy. The accompaniments of kalamata olives, grilled flat bread and artichoke salad really added to the enjoyment of the dish. The panini was so yummy. What could be bad? Toasted ciabatta stuffed with salami, capicola, ham, provolone, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, pepperoncini and Italian vinaigrette. But the real star was the T’s Chickpeas that our waiter had suggested. The bowl of fried chickpeas dusted with just salt and pepper was truly addictive, just as he said.

T's Chickpeas
Fried Chickpeas
Photo Credit: Steve Axelrod

The term small plates might be a bit misleading. The portions are not small at all. The plates are generously filled and perfect for sharing which only adds to the convivial atmosphere. We were so taken with the fried chickpeas that the diners to the left and right of us as if they were really as good as we made them sound. So we let them all have a taste! They all agreed and said they would be sure to order them next time they went to the Oak Bistro.

Oak Bistro
Flourless Chocolate Cake and Gluten-free Lemon Cupcake
Photo Credit: Steve Axelrod

But that’s not all we had. We had dessert. Yes, fabulous dessert. I had the Flourless Chocolate Cake with Fresh Strawberries and my husband the Gluten-free Lemon Cupcake. Both desserts were amazing! And, yes, we did share.

Oak Bistro
Owners Lisa and Brian Jacobsen
Photo Credit: Steve Axelrod

Oak Bistro and Wine Bar is open everyday for dinner and on Saturdays and Sundays they also serve brunch.

Oak Bistro and Wine Bar

11051 Southern Blvd. Suite 210

Royal Palm Beach, FL

561-753-6217

Gulfstream Goodwill’s 5th Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser a Hole-in-One

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Nearly 100 golfers gathered at the newly renovated Ironhorse Country Club in West Palm Beach on April 22, 2016 for Gulfstream Goodwill Industries’ 5th Annual Golf Tournament presented by Max Davis Associates, Inc. This event, chaired by Amy and Bruce Testa, raised more than $25,000 benefiting the non-profit agency’s more than two dozen health, human and social services programs.

GoodwillGolf

As in previous years, Schumacher Auto Group offered a 2016 Volvo XC90 from Volvo of the Palm Beaches to whoever could make a hole-in-one.

“The 2016 Gulfstream Goodwill Golf Tournament at Ironhorse [Country Club] was a blast. I will 100 percent be back next year,” said committee member and golfer Philip Staff.

Gulfstream Goodwill Industries would like to thank the following sponsors of the 5th Annual Golf Tournament: Presenting Sponsor Max Davis Associates, Inc.; Awards Sponsors South Florida Fair and Palm Beach County Expositions, Inc.; Lunch Sponsors Gator Electric & Communications, Inc. and Valley National Bank; Breakfast Sponsor SunTrust Bank; Par-Tee and Play Sponsors DataPrint, Noble Properties and Sapoznik Insurance; Corporate Sponsors Forte Interactive, Inc., Hyvac Mechanical Services, Iventure Solutions, Regent Bank, Roger Dean Stadium and UBS Financial Services, Inc.; and Golf Cart Sponsors Patrician Capital and United Water Restoration Group, Inc.; Official Vodka Sponsor Tito’s Handmade Vodka; Official Rum Sponsor Code Rum; the Garden’s Mall; Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Leyenda Cubana Cigar Store.

To see photos from the 5th Annual Gulfstream Goodwill Industries Golf Tournament visit gulfstreamgoodwill.org/photo-gallery.

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About Gulfstream Goodwill Industries:
For 50 years, Gulfstream Goodwill Industries has been a leading non-profit organization that assists people with disabilities and other barriers to employment to become self-sufficient, working members of our community. We provide more than two dozen health, human and social service programs for individuals in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties.

Alumni Gives Back with Feature-Length Film ‘The Awakening’ To Be Shot at Filmmakers’ Alma Mater – G-Star School of the Arts

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Alumni Gives Back with Feature-Length Film ‘The Awakening’ To Be Shot at Filmmakers’ Alma Mater – G-Star School of the Arts

G-Star

Palm Springs, Florida, April 18, 2016– G-Star School of the Arts for Film, Animation and Performing Arts’ (www.GStarSchool.org) alumni and independent filmmakers Wally Aime, Raymond Knudsen, and Rashard Martin head to produce their feature-length film drama, “The Awakening.” The film is scheduled to shoot at the G-Star Studios throughout the entire month of June 2016.

“The Awakening” will be the first feature length film created by G-Star alumni in the school’s history,” stated, Greg Hauptner, Founder and CEO, G-Star School of the Arts. “We’ve had many alumni short films produced here, but this is the first full-length movie written, produced and filmed by graduates of the school.” We are excited they are producing it here,” added Hauptner.

The film is written and directed by Rashard Martin, a notable alumni of G-Star who was heavily involved throughout the school’s film program and student government activities. Cinematographer and musician Wally Aime and producer Raymond Knudsen have been award winners at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival and Palm Beach International Film Festival in the recent past are also among the crew. Knudsen was also a 2014 Burt Reynolds Scholarship winner for his achievements at G-Star School of the Arts.

The story of The Awakening, follows two recovering drug addicts whose paths cross in a coming of age story of recovery, compassion, and redemption. The goal of the three filmmakers is to bring worldwide awareness to drug abuse of all kinds. “Our film is going to show the extreme side effects and consequences of drug abuse, and how this is a multi-generational problem that needs the utmost attention possible in order to make an impact in people’s lives,” Knudsen says, who is the producer of this project.

Martin says he and his team are thrilled at the opportunity to head back to their high school to film their first feature film together, “One of our goals is to involve as many student actors and filmmakers in our film. This is the place where we began our filmmaking careers, and even though we are extremely focused on making the best film possible, it’s also time to give back to our school as well,” said Martin.

To schedule an interview with any of the production or CEO of G-Star and for location coverage access, please contact [email protected].

About:

G-Star students come from across Palm Beach County as well as from all over the world to attend this school. Students study in the fields of film production, 3-D animation, and acting. Students that attend must take art classes as well as their normal academic classes. G-Star offers a complete college preparatory education with honors classes, Advanced Placement classes, and the International Baccalaureate World School Programme. The school also trains students in Writing, Directing, Producing, Acting and all aspects of film and TV production in front of the camera and behind the camera.

Accolades: G-Star is an “A” rated school 6 years in a row. It is academically in the top 1.2% of all high schools in the nation according to the Washington Post. The U.S. News & World Report named G-Star one of “The Best High Schools in America”. G-Star awarded “The Number One High School for Film in the World” in London by the Raindance Film Festival, Europe’s largest independent film festival. G-Star graduates 99% of its students with 97% going on to college. G-Star students have been accepted into Juilliard, Oxford University (England), West Point, Naval Academy at Annapolis, NYU, USC, UF, FSU, UM and many more. Where are our graduates today? Here’s a brief list: Sound Engineer for the Jimmy Fallon Show, Universal Studios, Warner Bros. Studios, Disney, reality star of Syfy Channel’s FACE OFF, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop (Muppets), Hulu, several own their own production companies, traveling the world doing documentaries, and much more. G-Star has partnered with the Palm Beach International Film Festival as their mission aligns with dedication to making a difference in the lives of future filmmakers.

Purple Rain, a Mixed Drink in Honor of Prince

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Purple Rain, a Drink to Honor Prince

By Krista Martinelli, ©2016

PurpleRain-MixedDrink

In honor of Prince (RIP), this is a lovely mixed drink – “Purple Rain” or “Purple Reign.”  We are fortunate to have a mulberry tree in our backyard (which I like even better than blackberries).  But either will work.  Like a mojito, you are going to fill up a glass with crushed ice – and pour this mixture over it.  You could use either Basil or Mint or just berries as a garnish.  I like the basil, as it lends a more exotic, Thai flavor to it.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Blueberry Vodka (Smirnoff)
  • 1 oz Orange Juice
  • 1 oz Pineapple Juice
  • 8 mulberries or blackberries- plus 3-4 for garnish
  • Club Soda
  • Basil (for garnish)
  • Garnish: Extra whole blackberries, 1 or 2

Directions

  • Muddle the berries in the bottom of a glass.
  • Fill with crushed ice, then add blueberry vodka, orange juice and pineapple juice and stir.
  • Fill with club soda and garnish.

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“Compassion is an action word with no boundaries.” – Prince

April, 2016 – The 8th Annual Run for the Animals

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8th Annual PBSO Run For The Animals
Saturday April 30th, 2016 9:00 AM until 03:00 PM
Location: Okeeheelee Park (561) 966-6600
Map: 7715 Forest Hill Blvd. West Palm Beach FL 33413
See all of the animals attending this event.
Mark your calendars for 8th Annual Run for the Animals and Family Fun Day!  (AT THE MICANOPY PAVILION); April 30, 2016; 8 am for the run; 9 am for all other activities to 3 pm Admission: Free for most of the day’s activities – active.com for run registration Benefiting: All adoption groups or shelters in the community.  Fun for the entire family all day long.  5K run and 5K walk in the early am – 1 mile dog walk also.  Lure coursing – pony rides – dog contests – bounce house – rock wall – food trucks – vendors for pet items – LOTS OF FUN ALL DAY LONG!!!! For more information, please call 561-688-3981 or email [email protected].

RunfortheAnimals

Father Joseph – Building and Re-Building Haiti

Father Joseph – Building and Re-Building Haiti from the Ground Up

An Interview with Father Joseph of Haiti and John Honaman, CEO of the U. of Fondwa (UNIF)

By Krista Martinelli, © 2016

“The world is like a circle.  If you are my neighbor, I cannot be successful if you fail.”  – Father Joseph

R to L: John Honaman and Father Joseph
R to L: John Honaman and Father Joseph

This April I was fortunate enough to see many of the films in the Palm Beach International Film Festival, including a documentary about this man, who is changing the face of Haiti – Father Joseph.  I spent an afternoon with Father Joseph Philippe of Haiti and his new Chief Development Officer for the University of Fondwa John Honaman.

It’s hard to fathom the amount of good that Father Joseph has done and continues to do for the poor in Haiti.  He’s working with people who have very little – no access to running water, electricity or other resources. And now he is seeing positive results in the next generation – for example, the children of these people returning with a college education or medical degree.  Father Joseph has been doing this for over 30 years, so he has been able to see this kind of real progress.

The Fonkoze USA Insight Team
The Fonkoze USA Insight Team

Father Joseph has founded four major institutions.

1) APF which is the Association of the Peasants of Fondwa, in 1988 – www.apfhaiti.org,

2) Fonkoze – www.fonkoze.org, Haiti’s largest bank for the poor, the Bank of Fonkoze, which has given literacy training and financial opportunity to hundreds of thousands of peasant women and their families. Founded in 1994. Fonkoze is actually a family organization, made up of 4 components:

  1. a) Fonkoze – the Foundation which provides non-financial service,
  2. b) SFF ( Fonkoze Financial Services) a MIF which provide financial services,
  3. c) Fonkoze USA: a 501C3 organization in the US supporting Fonkoze’s work in Haiti
  4. d) Fonkoze, S.A: a shareholding company receiving equity investments for SFF

3) The Congregation of the Sisters of St Anthony of Fondwa, founded in 1996

4) UNIF ( the University of Fondwa) Haiti’s first and only rural College, founded in 2001.

 

The APF mission is to reinforce the local grassroots organizations’ efforts to create wealth in rural Haiti. Actually, APF is a national NGO (non-government organization) in Haiti.  In Fondwa, APF has a community center, a 700-student K-14 school, an orphanage, a clean water project, a reforestation program, a health clinic, and a radio station .Yes, Father Joseph has a lot of energy and doesn’t seem to ever slow down.

APF-Orphanage
From the “APF Haiti” Facebook page. “We are thankful that 3 girls from APF’s orphanage are studying at UNIF! Two in business and one in agronomy. Routh Geneste is graduating and already has a good job lined up. We are thankful that our current children have such inspiring women to look up to!” https://www.facebook.com/APFHaiti/

Joseph Philippe was born in Fondwa, a mountainous part of Haiti.  He returned in 1988 to begin his work.  He had to start from scratch because there was no road.  And no running water.  In fact in Haiti, 92% of the people have no easy access to running water.  On average, a woman or child from each family in rural Haiti will walk one to two hours to obtain water, each way.  And if you can imagine this, the children as early as in elementary school will walk as far as four hours each way to get an education.  In fact, when Father Joseph was growing up, his walk to school was four hours long.  So the next time your elementary school child complains that they have to get up so early for school or that there is no WiFi in a restaurant, you might remind them that there are children in this world who are so hungry for an education that they walk four hours each way to school.

Many organizations report that Haiti is one of the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.  The devastation from the Earthquake in 2010 still goes on. “This is something people do not understand about Haiti right now,” says Frank McKinney, founder of The Caring House Project in Haiti, another friend of Father Joseph.  “Yet people in the United States can help – in Florida, we are just a 90-minute flight away from Haiti.”

To truly grasp the scope of Father Joseph’s work in Haiti, you can see the 5-minute trailer for the film “Father Joseph.”  The film will be released in September, 2016.

Watch the “Father Joseph” film trailer: https://youtu.be/2clIyNpKa88

 

With the help of many peasants in Fondwa, Father Joseph began building a community center in 1990 – everything was done by hand.  It was completed in 2002.  He also began building a health care clinic in 1991.  He built a credit union, a radio station in 1996, and a guest house for international visitors who want to express their solidarity with him in his work in Fondwa. In the last ten years he has more than 30 international volunteers who come and work with him for one year or two. Besides that there are short-term volunteers who come for one week to help with his various organizations (often more than 30 at a time, mainly from Duke University and Family Health Ministries).  He built an orphanage.  He founded the University of Fondwa (UNIF), which is the only rural university in Haiti.  For just $5,000, donors can educate a student for one entire year.  Meanwhile, he started a water collection program from 1991 to 1993 and eventually brought plumbing and running water to many locations in Fondwa.  “It’s very mountainous in Fondwa, so it was hard in the beginning to get people organized to work on these projects,” says Father Joseph.  He launched a re-forestation program, planting 50,000 trees per year.  One of his most difficult projects (which had to be started in secret, due to the political tension in Haiti) was building the Bank of Fonkoze (a financial institution that the organized poor can call their own).

CEO of the Bank of Fonkoze Anne Hastings
CEO of the Bank of Fonkoze Anne Hastings

Sadly, one of his best representatives for the bank, Amos Jeannot, was kidnapped and murdered in the early years of establishing the bank in 2000, as covered in the film “Father Joseph.”  “Amos is my hero,” says Father Joseph. “It’s like he has given his life for me.” And Father Joseph continues on in his work, unstoppable and apparently unflappable in his pursuit to create the infrastructure people desperately need in Haiti.

Things were moving along, as people of Fondwa were starting to have access to water, health care, education, wood and democratic rights.  However, Father Joseph realized that  while he was succeeding in promoting organizational democratic principles, there was a big missing piece. “The people did not have financial rights,” he says.  In Haiti, one percent of the population owns over 50% of the land. “Reflecting on that,” he says, “We realized we needed a bank.”  With the help of Anne Hastings, who spent 17 years of work on the bank, they have succeeded in the business of micro-finance, especially in carrying out small loans to the women of Haiti.  An average loan is just $100 for usually 3 or 6 months.  This loan can help women build up their business in the marketplace, selling their wares. Today there are 45 branches of this bank in Haiti with approximately 1,000 employees, 200,000 savings clients and 60,000 loan clients.

“The older he got, the more his vision became clearer. If you want to really, truly move the country out of the state that it’s in, empower the women,” says Linda Boucard, Director of Communications for Fonkoze USA.

As a side note, Father Joseph had asked Anne Hastings to give up her job as a business consultant in Washington, D.C. and help him for one year in Haiti.  She was skeptical.  “He asked me to help him found a bank. And he said, ‘We should also teach people how to read and write while they are in the bank.’ And I wondered, How are we going to do that?” Hastings recalls, laughing about it.  Hastings ended up staying with the cause and remained in Haiti for 17 years, becoming the CEO of the Bank of Fonkoze.

About Father Joseph

Father Joseph2

Father Joseph Philippe was born in Fondwa, Haiti. He would walk regularly to school in Leogane, a four-hour walk.  He began staying near his school for the whole quarter, making the walk less frequent and focusing on his education.  “My parents were very poor,” says Father Joseph. “At seven years old, I decided that I wanted to be a priest. However, I worked as an accountant, at first, to support my family.”  Father Joseph Philippe was born into a large family, with 4 brothers and 5 sisters.

After three years of doing accounting, Father Joseph introduced his younger brother to the profession of accounting.  Passing the baton, he told his brother to “take care of our family, and I told God that I would take care of His people.”  Father Joseph went on to study in Canada and joined the Spiritans (the Holy Ghost Fathers) in Montreal. The Congregation of the Holy Spirit, or Spiritans, founded  Duquesne University as an act of service to the children of poor immigrants who lacked educational opportunities.  Father Joseph left Canada to continue his studies at CTU (Catholic Theological Union) in Chicago in 1984.

He remained focused on a mission to “put prayer and political struggle” together in a positive way. He studied and furthered his education on this subject on his own in Canada and then Chicago, learning techniques for implementing change.  Before founding the Bank of Fonkoze, he also flew to Paris to meet with two retired banking industry leaders to help him develop a strategy for his bank in Haiti.

“I have spent the last 30 years of my life working to empower the poor to transform their lives and to teach them to give back,” says Father Joseph. “My spirituality is based on giving back.”  Today when Father Joseph works with the peasants of Haiti, he aims to get the people organized, help them identify their own priorities, empower them to transform their lives and teach them to give back.

“We are history makers,” says Father Joseph.  We are talking about what we have been doing, what we have been able to accomplish to transform the lives of people who are involved with us. We educate young people at the University of Fondwa to become job creators rather than job seekers for their future and the future of our country.”

Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day
Teach him how to fish and he’ll eat forever” – Arrested Development
 

A Conversation with God

When you meet Father Joseph, you are instantly aware of his relationship with God, his ongoing conversation with God.  “God is my reason to live,” he says.  Sometimes he complains to God, sometimes he jokes with God, sometimes he asks God for something, often he thanks God, but you can be sure that Father Joseph is always talking with God, For instance, some of his favorite prayers to God are: “Take your time, but please hurry up” and “send me your best friends and keep the others for yourself.”

New Chief Development Officer for the University of Fondwa John Honaman refers to Luke 22:28 -30 in The Bible. “You are those who have stood by me in my trials.  And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” In other words, interprets Honaman, those of you who have “walked with me…can sit around the table with me,” according to Jesus.  “We live in a time of mercy,” says Honaman. People forget that “this is heaven right now, heaven on Earth.”  He points out that, like Father Joseph, we have to do the most good that we can, while we can.

“We are all human beings, and God is patient, as long as we turn to God,” says Father Joseph. “We are not from dust to dust, but rather from God, returning to God.” And when he dies, Father Joseph realizes that it’s not going to be about how many belongings he has acquired.  “It’s about what we have shared with others.”

However, just for fun, Father Joseph likes to ponder a hypothetical question about death. If you are allowed to take two checked bags (as with the airlines), what would you take into the afterlife?  “For me, it would be my laptop and my Bible.”  Father Joseph jokes, “But if I only can take one, I would take the laptop.  I think I can look up any Bible verse online anyway.” He adds, “Concretely, what belongs to us is what we have shared with others and this is what we will bring with us to Heaven.” By the way, Father Joseph has a smile that is contagious.  Just ask Anne Hastings (17 years later).

While Father Joseph is Christian, he works with all types in his projects and thinks it’s important to stay open-minded.  “We work with Muslim, Jewish, VooDoo and other faith backgrounds. It is important to work together.”

Thinking Ahead and Planning for the Future

I asked Father Joseph what has been your greatest accomplishment so far and what are your goals for the future.  Here is his response. Next to him, John Honaman of the University of Fondwa looks on.  “My main objective,” Father Joseph says, “is to build Haiti from the ground up.”

His Biggest Fear

I asked Father Joseph if he ever fears for his life.  With frequent political unrest in Haiti, anyone who dares to make a change is generally putting their life at risk, whether they realize it or not.  Many of Father Joseph’s friends have been killed for political reasons (and others were lost in the earthquake). The ruling political class does not want to see the poor people getting organized and empowered.  It is an extreme case of the “have’s” and “have nots,” more intense than perhaps in any other country in the world.

“No,” replies Father Joseph. “By giving my life to others, I also choose my death.  I am not afraid. Being a Christian has helped me overcome fears,” he says, referring to Mark 9:45 in The Bible.  His biggest fear, as he explains, is “not being able to pay people who have worked for his organizations at the end of the month.”

About John Honaman and the University of Fondwa (UNIF)

The University of Fondwa’s (UNIF’s) mission is to educate young Haitian men and women in order to create wealth in rural Haiti. At the University of Fondwa, creating wealth means 3 main things:

  • Economic Wealth through financial and entrepreneurial initiatives and jobs.
  • Intellectual Wealth through community-based education and research.
  • Environmental Wealth through preserving the environment in student endeavors and promoting stewardship of resources in rural communities.

Founded in 2004, UNIF acknowledges the peasant farmers whose tradition will always be a part of Haiti’s remarkable heritage. One of the components of the education is giving back to Haiti and returning to utilize one’s education and talents.

U of Fondwa 

While sitting down to interview Father Joseph, I was fortunate to interview the University of Fondwa’s Chief Development Officer John Honaman too.  Honaman, visiting from Dallas, was excited to be joining forces with Father Joseph. “This will be my 30th year in non-profit management,” he said. “I’m excited to take advantage of everything I’ve learned so far and apply it to this (UNIF).” Honaman explained that he was blessed with the generous gift of two donors who funded his upcoming work for two years.  Honaman has his work cut out for him – with a main goal being to educate young Haitians to create wealth in the 570 rural communities of Haiti.

“John was an answer to my prayer,” says Father Joseph. “I always pray to God, ‘please send me your best friends. And keep the others for yourself.’” He laughs, giving Honaman a pat on the back.  This is actually one of Father Joseph’s favorite prayers.

About Haiti

Haiti is located just 500 miles off the coast of Florida.  It is known for both its resilience and it poverty. In 1776, Haiti contributed to the independence of the United States.  “It took the United States more than 60 years to recognize the independence of Haiti, which happened in 1865,” explains Father Joseph. Originally, the major form of industry in the world was slavery.

Today, however, Haiti is the mother of freedom.  It’s known as the only nation in the western hemisphere to have defeated three European superpowers (Britain, France and Spain). Haiti is the only nation in the world established as a result of a successful slave revolt.  This was a big challenge to the superpowers in the 18th century.

It’s about the size of Maryland with a population of 12.5 million. Haiti is very rural with almost 75% of its people living in the country side. As mentioned previously, approximately 92% of Haitians have no access to running water. Over 50% of the population are young people (under 20 years of age). This last fact is something that Father Joseph always likes to keep people aware of, as the young people of Haiti are truly the future of Haiti’s success.  Empowering the youth, Father Joseph aims to train them at the University of Fondwa to work together with the local grassroots organizations in rural Haiti and the Haitians in the Diaspora.

Empowering the Women

From the Fonkoze Facebook page (on International Women's Day). "We are honored today, as we are every day, to walk alongside the women of Haiti as they lift their families out of poverty. Women are the backbone (poto mitan) of Haiti’s economy, and are essential to building a better life for everyone in the country. To the women of Haiti, we salute you!"
From the “Fonkoze” Facebook page (on International Women’s Day). “We are honored today, as we are every day, to walk alongside the women of Haiti as they lift their families out of poverty. Women are the backbone (poto mitan) of Haiti’s economy, and are essential to building a better life for everyone in the country. To the women of Haiti, we salute you!”

Early on, Father Joseph recognized that the poorest of the poor in his country are the women. Who are the ones carrying water for one mile or more every day?  The women.  Who are they ones least empowered? The women.  Keeping this in mind, the Bank of Fonkoze was founded with the idea of doing small loans to empower women.  It’s called a Solidarity Loan, requiring a group of five women to get together and apply for the loan. So they must come up with a group of five, know their friends, name the group and open an account.  “If one fails, they all fail,” explains Father Joseph, emphasizes the principle of team work.  By the way, Fonkoze is an acronym for the Haitian Creole phrase “Fondasyon Kole Zepòl, literally meaning “Shoulder-to-Shoulder Foundation.”

These groups of women receive six weeks of training in the beginning.  They usually get a loan of $100 for the first 3 months or 6 months.  The women can then use this loan to help them with selling goods in the marketplace and grow their business.

The Bank of Fonkoze is the only way to go for many of the poor in Haiti.  “In Haiti, if you are sixty years old, for example, and if you are poor and don’t happen to have a birth certificate, no institutions will help you,” explains Father Joseph.  This is a frequent occurrence.  The poor peasants in the rural parts of Haiti often do not have birth certificates.  By creating these groups of five, a level of trust is established.  When one of the five dies, the other four must pay off that person’s part of the loan.  They also make a payment to the family of the loved one who has passed.  “It’s a kind of insurance that the peasants of Haiti have never had before,” says Father Joseph.

Some of these groups of empowered women have succeeded in growing their businesses, steadily but surely.  They have gone from being able to borrow $100 to being eligible for a $10,000 loan today.

“I realized the day after the earthquake the true impact we were making because almost all of the Fonkoze Central Office employees, despite having lost loved ones and their homes, showed up for work,” says Anne Hastings, CEO of the Bank of Fonkoze. “They understood if they did not, people all over the country would suffer.  It was breathtaking.” (From TrulyAmazingWomen.com). 

I asked Father Philippe to tell us more about the Bank of Fonkoze and how the small loans work. Here is his response (in the video below).

Success Stories

There are numerous success stories that Father Joseph has witnessed in his 30 years of working with the peasants of Haiti.  He remembers one woman who starting as a street vendor.  She was given a loan of $200 and grew her business.  She was able to send her children to school.  One child went on to medical school.  That young adult returned to Haiti to work as a doctor.

Here’s another story of success from the Fonkoze website (Fonkoze.org). Lusane Jean Jacques, affectionately known as Magre, made her dream come true – by buying her own horse.

Lusane-Jean-Jacques
Lusane Jean Jacques, affectionately known as Magre, was able to purchase a horse. She’s naming the horse “CLM.”

It was a long road for Magre, who lives in Bay Tourib, a rural area of Haiti’s Central Plateau. In August 2011, she joined Fonkoze’s program for the ultra poor, Chemen Lavi Miyò (CLM), and was making fairly good progress.

“I used to sleep in the rain,” she said. “I would put my kids under the bed or the table to keep them dry. Now I have a nice house with a good tin roof. The rain isn’t a problem.”

Then Hurricane Sandy swept through. She lost some livestock and, even worse, her entire crop of black beans. She had planned to use her crop along with the sale of a goat to buy her first horse, but feared the hurricane would make that impossible.

Fortunately, Fonkoze USA, with the help of Artists for Haiti, was able to raise the money necessary to replace her lost assets.  Magre took her payment, and went to the market in Regalis with her case manager, Christian Louizia, to make her purchase.

“I never thought I’d be able to buy a horse. I’m going to name it CLM.”  In rural Haiti, animals and crops are like savings accounts for women like Magre. In addition to providing a safety net for Magre and her family, the horse will help her move goods to market or take family members to receive health care.

Fonkoze_Staircase_with-text-1024x638
Fonkoze’s Staircase Out of Poverty

For more detail on the way that the Bank of Fonkoze is helping people ascend out of poverty, visit Fonkoze.org and see “Fonkoze’s Staircase Out of Poverty” outline. 

The Earthquake and the Re-Building

Imagine if everything you had worked for, if everything you had built over a 22-year stretch of time, was wiped out in 30 seconds.  That was the experience of Father Joseph when the earthquake hit Haiti on January 12 of 2010. “Fondwa was the epicenter of the earthquake,” says Father Joseph.

“Do you ever ask God why this would happen?” I asked Father Joseph, wondering how a man of faith deals with such a natural disaster.

“God has not forgotten Haiti,” he explains.  According to him, his first thought was, “We will re-build.  And we will use even stronger materials to make it even better.”

When bad things happen, Father Joseph does not complain or even stop to ask God why.  He keeps doing what he knows how to do best – build and build again.

“I’m sick of talking about misery and poverty.  I want to create job opportunities and business opportunities.  I want to assess the resources in each community of Haiti. Our goal is to make sure that each human being has a decent life,” he says.

“It’s not about us,” says John Honaman. “It’s about WE.”

Always positive and always moving forward, Father Joseph Philippe is fully focused on the projects coming up and the re-building that is still going on.  They are excited to be building the first phase of a new health center with a lab. Meanwhile, a new solar power plant has arrived as the University of Fondwa (UNIF) celebrates its new students in all three areas of study (agronomy, veterinary medicine and business management).

Please come and get involved in this work of transforming the lives of the poor in rural Haiti.

Contact: Father Joseph Philippe, CSSP

Email: [email protected]

Never Stop

“Never stop,” Father Joseph reminds us. He continues to restore the environment, create wealth in rural areas and provide essential services to meet the needs of the people of Haiti.

See the full-length documentary “Father Joseph.”  You will be moved.  You might even find yourself sharing your talents with others in Haiti.  You might even stay for 17 years.

For More about Father Joseph’s Work or How to Contribute

 Visit Fonkoze.org  (The Bank of Fonkoze)

 Visit APFHaiti.org  (The Association of the Peasants of Haiti)

 Visit UFondwa.org  (The University of Fondwa)

 You may choose also to come to work with Father Joseph as a long-term volunteer for one year or longer.

How to Pre-Order the Film

“Father Joseph,” a full-length documentary film, produced, directed and written by Jeff Kaufman, will be released in September of 2016.  To pre-order a copy of the film for $12.99, visit…

http://floatingworldpictures.com/father-joseph/

How to do a One-Week Stay & Volunteer

To volunteer and help Father Joseph in his projects, find out more about the Visitors’ Solidarity Program. The cost is $100 per night per person, (usually 5 nights and 6 days).  Stay at the APF Visitors’ Quarters in Fondwa, Haiti.  Volunteer and share your talents and areas of expertise in Fondwa.

Email: [email protected] and request a “Focus on Fondwa, Haiti” registration form.

Stay Connected on Social Media

Find Father Joseph’s organizations on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
On Facebook, like…

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