Benefit for Mike Kriner and Chris Sturmfels

The family and friends of Mike Kriner and Chris Sturmfels are raising awareness for a benefit to be held in Wilmington on August 27th 2011 and would greatly appreciate your support! A 5K Walk/Run and post run “Fun Day” at Rockford Park are being organized to raise money for the education funds of 4 young children who lost their fathers on February 25, 2010 in a DUI traffic accident.

Chris Sturmfels and Mike Kriner were social workers employed by Connections, a non-profit organization offering community support programs. These devoted husbands and fathers were tragically killed by someone with the problems they specialized in treating.

Now, their friends and family are working hard to coordinate a day in honor of these two gentlemen who lived life to its fullest and truly gave back to their community in so many ways. Their fundraising efforts will raise money for the children’s education trusts. All net proceeds generated from the event will be donated in full to the trusts.

The Beck Sturmfels Educational Trust

Michael T. Kriner Education Fund

A committee has been established to coordinate the day’s events and we are hoping you may be able to help. Here are some ways you can help make the event a success:

• Become a Platinum Sponsor by donating $500 or more. Your organization’s name/logo will be printed on the event banner and t-shirts.
• Become a Gold Sponsor by donating $250 or more. Your organization’s name/logo will be printed on the event t-shirts.
• Become a Silver Sponsor by donating any amount.
• Donate raffle items or gift certificates.

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Kriner Sturmfels Education Fund

MAIL TO: P.O. Box 243, St. Georges, DE 19733

For all inquiries, contact Nicole Roy at nroy@ingdirect.com or Claire Callahan at ccallahan@ingdirect.com

Other ways you can help if you are unable to make a monetary donation:

• Post event details on your website, news letter or bulletin
• Offer event flyers to your customers
• Volunteer to help on event day (sign-ups, water stations, fun day activities, etc.)
• Spread the word to your family, friends and employees

Thank you in advance for any support you may be able to provide.

Summer Jam: Rick Van Story Center Event and Fundraiser

Our friends at the Rick Van Story Center are holding a Summer Hip Hop Jam Fundraiser Friday, May 27.

The mission of the Rick VanStory Resource Center (RVRC) is to be the premier peer support center promoting recovery, quality of life, advocacy, education, mutual support, peer directed services, and participation in mental health policy design for individuals throughout the state of Delaware (RVRC) also proudly accepts donations of all kinds. Please call (302) 691-7950 to support their cause.

We encourage you to come out and support this great organization! Click here to download a flyer.

Bill Introduced to Continue Delaware Needle Exchange

Delawareonline.com reports that a bill has been released to the State Senate to remove the "sunset" provision from the Delaware Needle Exchange, which was slated to expire next year.

The program has moved over 200 people to drug treatment in 4 years, far exceeding its goal of five a year. It has a total enrollment of 1,025.

"Our needle exchange program saves hundreds of lives and saves the state millions in potential health care costs," said Basha Silverman, director of Prevention programs for BCCS.

Read the full story here.

Video: AIDS Plus 30 in Delaware

This video from WHYY's "First" looks at HIV/AIDS in Delaware 30 years later. Despite prevention efforts like the needle exchange, new infections continue, and so does the stigma. The issue seems to have disappeared from the headlines, at a time when more education is needed.

Watch the video here (click Chapter 3).

Also, read the companion article from Delaware Today, The Fight Continues.

Consumer Survey Results

Thank you to everyone who took last month's satisfaction survey. Your feedback helps us improve our services to you.

313 people took the survey. Here are some results:

• 96% of you were "Very Satisfied" or "Satisfied" with the help you received that day.
• 87% were "Very Satisfied" or "Satisfied" with the time you had to wait.
• 96% were "Very Satisfied" or "Satisfied" with the knowledge of the staff who assisted you.
• 97% were "Very Satisfied" or "Satisfied" that you were treated with dignity and respect.
• 97% were "Very Satisfied" or "Satisfied" that you were treated with confidentiality and privacy.

We asked which online tools you use, such as email or Facebook, to learn the best ways to get information to you. We've read all your comments as well, and the management team is taking steps to address them.

The next survey will be in June. Thanks again for your feedback. We hope this gives you a voice about issues that matter to you.

"Dangers of Smoking" Dinner Presentation

Our friends at Henrietta Johnson Medical Center will be hosting a seminar on the “Dangers of Smoking” for adult smokers who want to quit and healthcare workers.

The Dangers of Smoking/Tobacco

Thursday April 28, 2011

Registration at 5:45PM – Program begins at 6PM

Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (GYM)

601 New Castle Avenue

Wilmington, DE 19801

LEARN tips on how to SAY NO and mean it!!

Did you know there are over 600 additives found in cigarette smoke?

Of the 600 additives, 69 are linked to cancer!!

FREE DINNER PROVIDED

Facilitated by: Frank Hawkins

Adults ages 18 and older PLEASE

Prizes, Raffles & Giveaways

Please Register to Ashia Cale (302) 655-6187 and leave your name, telephone # and which session you plan to attend.

BCCS Will Be Closed Good Friday

BCCS will be closed Friday, April 22, 2011 for the Good Friday holiday. We will reopen Monday April 25.

Have a great holiday!

Public Input Invited on How to Help At-Risk Women in Wilmington

Brandywine Counseling & Community Services (BCCS), Stand Up for What’s Right and Just (SURJ), and the University of Delaware are conducting focus groups at local community locations to find out how the public thinks the community, the police, the courts, and the prison system can provide better services and solutions to women who may have gotten in trouble with the law, particularly prostitution. Public feedback will help to shape services that may be funded through a federal grant. Refreshments will be provided.

The next focus group will take place Thursday April 14, 2011, at 7 PM, at Claymore Senior Center, 504 S. Clayton Street, Wilmington.

To RSVP, please call Basha Silverman at (302) 655-9880 x123 or email bsilverman@brandywinecounseling.org.

Comments will be collected anonymously for a research project approved by UD's Board for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research. The event is co-sponsored by West Side Crime Group.

The focus groups are made possible by a grant from the U.S. Office of Women’s Health, which created the Delaware Prostitution Diversion Project, a groundbreaking coalition of criminal justice, social service and public health systems. The overall goal of the project is to improve the health and welfare of female sex workers, reduce their cycling rate in the court system, and thereby reduce women’s reliance on sex work as a means of income.

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month

April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month at BCCS. BCCS Lancaster will be hosting several events in an effort to raise awareness about child abuse and child abuse resources in Delaware.

April 5th – Child Abuse Awareness Kickoff!
BCCS Counselors will be in the lobby and dispensing areas, handing out resources for parents and kids, such as bookmarks, ribbons, and tattoos. Counselors will also provide clients with a schedule outlining the different activities that will take place throughout the month.

April 12th, 9 AM to Noon - Release for Recovery
BCCS Outreach Department will be hosting a "Release for Recovery" Day. Come in and pamper yourself. Paint your nails, give yourself a facial. Bring the kids and pamper them as well. All items will be provided by BCCS.

April 19th, 9 AM to 1 PM - Get Informed!
We will have educators from different agencies in Delaware come and present information on child abuse and how kids are affected. Please see a schedule.

April 26th, 10 AM to 1 PM - Children's Celebration: A blue ribbon day for kids
Luncheon sponsored by BCCS along with arts and crafts activities for clients and their children. We will have volunteers from various local agencies to assist.

Community Focus Group: Solutions for At-Risk Women in Wilmington

Can You Help Suggest Solutions for At-Risk Women in Wilmington?

Brandywine Counseling, SURJ, and the University of Delaware Need Your Ideas! 

Brandywine Counseling & Community Services, SURJ, and the University of Delaware are conducting focus groups at local community locations to find out how you think the community, the police, the courts, and the prison system can provide better services and solutions to women who may have gotten in trouble with the law, particularly prostitution. Your feedback will help to shape services that may be funded through a federal grant. Pizza & drinks provided.

This is an opportunity for Service Provider Professionals, Clients, and Community Members.

Hicks Anderson Community Center -- Monday, March 21, at 6:45 pm
501 N. Madison Street, Wilmington

and

Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Community Center -- Wednesday, March 23, at 6:45 pm
1018 W. 6th Street, Wilmington

To RSVP, please call Basha Silverman at (302) 655-9880 x123 or email bsilverman@bcidel.org.

Comments will be collected anonymously for a research project approved by UD's Board for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research.

Delaware Reentry Consortium

100 W. 10th Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19801