Penn State Brandywine hosts annual Social Justice Fair
MIDDLETOWN » Penn State Brandywine’s Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement will host a series of virtual events from April 12-16 as part of the campus’ annual Social Justice Fair. The theme of this year’s fair is Mass Incarceration and Racial Justice.
“Every year, we draw attention to a social justice theme through the fair and encourage our community to learn more deeply about the issues through workshops, discussions and activities that enable multiple perspectives and voices to be heard,” said Vippy Yee, Rosenberg Director of Brandywine’s Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement. “Our theme this year is Mass Incarceration and Racial Justice. We are examining issues of racial justice more generally as well as focusing much of the programming on the issue of mass incarceration and the intersection of these topics.”
The following programs are presented through Zoom and are open to the public at no charge:
— On April 13, 12-1:15 p.m., Penn State Brandywine
Associate Professor of History and American Studies Julie Gallagher will present on the history of policing and mass incarceration in the
United States.
— On April 13, 7-8:15 p.m.,
the 2018 documentary “The Mayor of Graterford” will be streamed. The film is based on life without
parole sentencing in Pennsylvania through the experiences of current and
former inmates.
— On April 15, 12-1:15 p.m., view a streamed spoken word performance
inspired by mass incarceration and racial justice from Ashlee Haze,
an Atlanta-based poet who recently appeared on
NPR’s Tiny Desk series.
— On April 16, 12:15-1 p.m., a panel with Atlarge Councilmember of the District of Columbia Robert C. White, Jr. will discuss restoring voting rights for individuals who were formerly
incarcerated.
— On April 16, 6-8:30
p.m., the 2020 PBS documentary “Driving While Black: Race, Space
& Mobility in America” will be streamed. Discover
how the automobile has brought both freedom and
danger.
Event details, registration links and additional information are available at engage.bw.psu.edu/social-justice-fair.
Over 11,000 pounds of paper shredded at Chester event
Nearly 250 residents and business owners came to the two-day community shredding event hosted by the city of Chester’s Department of Streets, Highways, and Public Improvements , March 26-27. The event resulted in 11, 500 pounds of paper being shredded.
City personnel also took advantage of the free service. “There’s so much sensitive information that we accumulate over time,” said Candice Thompson, Chester city clerk. “I look forward to this annual event, as do other people in City Hall. It’s a one-stop-shop that allows for us to quickly and securely get rid of tons of documents.”
For the last seven years, J&K Secure Shredding, LLC has assisted the City with this event. All information shredded during the event was delivered to a recycling facility in Delaware.
DCIU offers free training for parents of children with disabilities
The Delaware County Intermediate Unit is offering a free workshop via Zoom to help parents better navigate the often-challenging roadmap of educating their children with disabilities or learning challenges who may need extra help, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 13. The content of this workshop is geared toward parents so there will be no Act 48 or continuing education credit offered if a professional chooses to attend.
Presented by Professional Development Specialist Kelly Fager, the workshop, “Supporting Students Who Have Autism at Home and in the Community,” will provide participants with a general overview of Autism. Evidence based strategies that support the three areas of development affected by Autism — behavior, communication, and social interactions— will be taught and modeled.
There is no cost to attend, but registration is necessary at https://tinyurl. com/yyn5pbwx.
Once registered, a Zoom link will be sent via email on the day of training.
Registration underway for new Ridley Street Hockey League
Ridley Hockey League will present youth ball hockey at the Woodlyn Hockey Rink, Bullens Lane and Dorrett Street, Woodlyn.
Local hockey enthusiasts founded the non-profit League to bring the sport of ball hockey back to the area. The league needs players, coaches, assistants and referees.
Registration has been kicked off for all age groups: U7 (4-6), U10 (7-9), and U13 (10-12). The league is on foot, similar to street hockey, so no skating abilities are needed. This is a learning league, so players will have the opportunity to develop hockey skills. All players will be insured by USA Ball Hockey and will learn in a fun and save environment.
For more information, or to learn more about the new League, e-mail WoodlynHockeyRink@gmail.com or visit Woodlyn Hockey Rink on facebook or on the internet at www.leaguelineup. com/ridleyhockeyleague.
Holcomb’s awareness programs remind community about dangers of alcohol
Approximately 95,000 deaths per year are attributed to alcohol-related causes, and in 2019, 25.8 percent of people ages 18 or older reported that they engaged in binge drinking in the past month in the U.S. More locally in Delaware County, 36% of 12th-grade students reported drinking alcohol within the last 30 days. These facts were released by Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems in Media, in recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month in April.
In addition to providing information about alcohol abuse, Holcomb also provides free evidence-based ATOD prevention programs and speaking engagements, in small groups and virtually, to schools, youth and parent groups, and communities.
Holcomb also provides free literature on the topic. Holcomb is here to work collaboratively with schools and community organizations to effectively deliver prevention programs and information.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, binge drinking is the most common form of excessive alcohol use. Binge drinking typically occurs when men consume five or more drinks, and women consume four or more drinks, in about a two-hour time period. These statistics present an issue that needs action and awareness starting at the community level. This month, Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems in raising awareness of alcohol abuse, and encouraging healthier lifestyles by making positive choices.
Alcohol Awareness Month, founded and sponsored by The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Inc. (NCADD) since 1987, started with the intention of targeting college-aged students who might be drinking too much as part of their newfound freedom. It has since become a national movement to draw more attention to the causes and effects of alcoholism as well as how to help families and communities deal with alcohol abuse.
To learn more about Holcomb’s awareness programs, contact Allison Doherty at allison. doherty@holcombbhs.org. This awareness campaign is coordinated by Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems through funding from the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health, Division of Drug and Alcohol..
Widener OLLI presents free virtual programs for adults over 50
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Widener University invites adults ages 50 and up to the May-Mester, a weeklong virtual open house designed to introduce them to the learning community. The presentations are free and will be hosted on Zoom each day from May 3 – 7. The registration deadline is April 30. Register at https://go.widener. edu/register/olli_maymester_spring_2021.
Whether brand new to OLLI or a seasoned member, participants will enjoy engaging presentations and get a sneak peak of the summer semester of noncredit courses. The May Mester includes five presentations, including one by Dan Jolly, senior director of Global Talent Management at Discovery, Inc., giving a behind-thescenes look at unscripted television and another by wildlife photographer and birding enthusiast Pamela Dimeler presenting on the Eastern Bluebird.
The schedule includes: The Linvilla Bluebird Trail, Monday, May 3, 10 – 11 a.m.; The SPAM ™mazing Live Virtual Tour, Tuesday, May 4, 10 – 11:30 a.m.; Downsizing: Preparing Your Home and Yourself, Wednesday, May 5, 10 – 11 a.m.; Ulysses S. Grant: Myths, Stories, and Realities, Thursday, May 6, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.; and The Real Deal: Behind the Scenes of Reality TV, Friday, May 7, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
The full schedule and presentation descriptions are available at https:// www.widener.edu/events/ osher-lifelong-learning-institutes-may-mester.
For questions about registration, contact OLLI Program Manager Anita Barrett at acbarrett1@widener.edu or 610-499-4279.