Nathan Burrell

By Jonathan Carey

As the days extend further into the twilight and the songs of the cicadas echo throughout the night, it can only mean the summer season is fast approaching. With the weather reaching well above 80 degrees, Virginians who want to explore their more adventurous side this Memorial Day weekend should look no further than the number of parks located throughout the state, many right here in the Richmond/Tri-City area. From James River Park System in Richmond to Pocahontas State Park, all provide residents with a slice of tranquility and adventure.

Although the official start of the summer season doesn’t begin until June 21st the summer season for parks across Virginia begins Memorial Day weekend. Many of the parks located throughout the Commonwealth offer year-round self-guided, and limited ranger-led tours. Memorial Day weekend ushers in more regularly scheduled park activities and programs that will go throughout the entire summer. Some special events will be taking place on Memorial Day weekend to usher in the summer. One such event will take place at the Amphitheater at Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield. They will be hosting a concert by the legendary Bill Deal’s Original Rhondels on the 24th of May.

Of course Memorial Day weekend would not be complete without the annual Delaplane Strawberry Festival at Sky Meadow State Park located in Delaplane, VA, May 25-26. This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the festival that unites friends, family, and nature in the cascading shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

If you prefer to bring in the holiday weekend with live music and bands, look no further than the Gathering at the Gap, hosted by the Southwest Virginia Museum in Big Stone Gap, VA on May 25th. The concert is a celebration of Virginia’s deep, rich tradition of bluegrass, blues, and Americana music. Artists such as John Carter Cash and Dale Jett are all set to perform at this year’s festival.

Residents in the Richmond and Tri-Cities area looking for something a little more local have to look no further than the James River Park System sprawling throughout the heart of the city. Visitors can also expect to see a familiar face around the park, Nathan Burrell dawning a new position just in time for the holiday weekend and summer season.

The James River Park System has been under the consistent management and watchful eye of Ralph White for the past 32 years, but just as the sunset barrels over Belle Island, Ralph White has decided to close the chapter of his time as manager of the James River Park system as he announced his retirement. His successor, Nathan Burrell has been told he has some huge shoes to fill, but isn’t shying away from the task at hand, “I’m not trying to fill anyone’s shoes, and instead I’ve cobbled my own so to speak”. Burrell understands the huge undertaking he has taken on, but is more than ready to make James River Park the best it can be for the city of Richmond and its citizens.

“I kind of fell into this job”, stated Burrell who started off working as an intern at the park, which eventually grew into a department wide position as a trails manager. However, if not for a change in major at VCU, this position may have never come to fruition. Originally, while attending VCU Burrell majored in Sports Management, but decided to switch to something that encompassed his love for recreation and the outdoors. That major would be parks and recreation. What really brought Burrell to James River Park was Ralph White, who often would visit the department and give lectures. “I said to myself I want to know what he knows”, explained Burrell, a thought that led him to the rustic trails of James River Park, “I’ve chosen this path and I’m ready to run it, not walk it”.

Burrell has hit that path at full speed and stride. He explained two of the most important things he wants to focus on, as manager, are “protection of our resources and user safety”. Making certain that users of the park understand how to be safe and how to respect Richmond’s biggest natural resource. Through promotional campaigns and seminars Burrell hopes to achieve both goals. Burrell also wants to get more city residents, who lack the means of transportation, out to the park and use the park to navigate the city.

The James River Park system provides city residents with not just a slice of nature in the city, but activities one would have to venture to the outskirts of the Commonwealth to experience. “Adventure recreation is a major part of who we are as Richmonders”, explained Burrell when discussing the number of exciting activities the park has to offer. From snorkeling and exploring the depths of the river to challenging the mighty rapids, the park has a little bit of everything for Richmond residents to experience this Memorial Day weekend and the summer months to come.

One could choose a multitude of ways to spend their holiday weekend at any of Virginia’s state parks, many ways to manifest the “perfect day”. Nathan Burrell suggests a more traditional approach for Richmond residents to spend their Memorial Day weekend, “I say come down to the bike park at James River, eat a picnic lunch on Belle Island and play in the rapids, seems like the ideal day”. Of course you could choose many ways to enjoy Memorial Day weekend and the summer season, from listening to live music to exploring the secrets nature has tucked away undiscovered. Everyone should venture outdoors to enjoy the blissful weather and tranquility of nature with family and friends this weekend.

“I say come down to the bike park at James River, eat a picnic lunch on Belle Island and play in the rapids, seems like the ideal day.” Nathan Burrell, Manager of James River Park System

Many people today do not know who they live next door to much less where their neighbors work or what occupation they have. Literally people can go months and years without ever speaking to the people who live next door to them. Individualism and a type of “me and mine” mentality overrules any need for real human connection, neighborly friendliness or kindness towards one another. Unfortunately we all suffer the consequences of the lack of old school neighborhoods. Families with children definitely need to know the people they live around. It is imperative that people reclaim the practice of becoming good neighbors, recognizing that personally connecting one to another is what builds good neighborhoods. And strong communities are built by strong bonds of neighborly friendliness, care and concern for one another.

Back in the day, it would be unimaginable for a house to be abandoned and boarded up in a neighborhood and no one knew what was inside of that house. People used to know when folks got a new television or bedroom suit. They knew what color your bathroom was or the pattern of the wallpaper on your walls. They even knew when your parents were fighting or your grandparents were coming to town. Today a serial rapist and pedophile can live next door, a mass murderer or homegrown terrorist can anonymously “live among us” and no one pays attention. No one questions why a man comes to a boarded up house with bags of fast food and why there’s no lights turned on. Why is there garbage being brought out when no one lives in the house? A woman and baby spotted in the attic window of a boarded up house aren’t strange? If only it was back in the day when neighbors knew who was who and asked questions until there was an answer. If only it hadn’t taken over a decade for someone to be paying attention when cries for help came. If only neighborhoods were made up of people in community with each other, looking out for one another and suspicious of things that didn’t seem right. If only all human beings regardless of race, gender or class were valued in the same way as those with money, means and privilege. Three young women and a little girl might have spent far fewer days in the captivity of an unrepentant pedophile and serial rapist than they did. If only neighbors and neighborhoods were more like they were back then than they are today. What do you think? Talk to me!

Dr.T
Artistic Director and Founder of
The Conciliation Project & Professor
At Virginia Commonwealth University
DrT@Margin2theCenter.com
www.theconciliationproject.org
Up next week: Memorial Day: the unrecognized & forgotten

The last few years have been tough economically for many people. Unemployment fears combined with plunging home, stock and retirement account values caused many to forgo big vacations – even though stressful times are when we most need to recharge our batteries.

But with the economy turning around, many families are cautiously dipping their toes in the travel pool once again. Hotel occupancy rates have risen in many areas and airports are as crowded as ever.

Airlines and hotels are notorious for tacking extra charges onto their bills. Here are a few to watch out for:

• A few airlines allow one free checked bag (Southwest still allows two), but most charge up to $25 for the first checked bag each way, and even more for additional pieces. Plus, most now tack on hefty fees for overweight and over-sized checked and carry-on luggage, so measure and weigh your luggage carefully.
• Expect to pay extra for things like changing flights, extra leg room, priority boarding, unaccompanied minors, pets, Wi-Fi access and food. Some airlines even charge extra to speak to a live person or to buy your ticket at the airport counter or by phone.
• Airfarewatchdog.com, Travelnerd.com and Kayak offer great fee comparison charts for various airlines; but always double-check the airline’s own posted rules before booking your flight.
• Some hotels charge extra if you check in before a certain time. Ask whether they’ll store your luggage for free until check-in so you can begin sightseeing unencumbered.
• Many hotels charge a hefty penalty if you don’t cancel a reservation 24 to 72 hours beforehand and some also charge an early-departure fee – sometimes the equivalent of one night’s lodging. Read the hotel’s cancellation policy before booking, especially if you’re looking at a discounted, non-refundable rate.
• Minibars often have electronic sensors that trigger a charge if you simply move the contents. Also, water or snacks sitting on the dresser may appear to be complimentary, but double-check before consuming.
• Hotel parking in major cities can cost up to $50 a day, and many have mandatory valet parking, which means adding a tip on top of that. Research nearby municipal parking lots beforehand, or check the city’s tourism bureau for hotels offering parking promotions. Sometimes using public transportation and taxis is cheaper overall than paying for parking.
• Some hotels and resorts automatically add housekeeping or spa gratuities to your bill, so ask first before leaving your own tip – unless of course the service was terrific.
• Most hotels charge exorbitant amounts for local and long-distance calls made from room phones, so use your cellphone.
• Resorts often charge extra for services they offer – such as gym access or daily newspaper delivery – even if you don’t use them. Find out the policy ahead of time and scrutinize your bill for unused services.
• Ask to see your bill the night before you check out, so you can review it carefully for overcharges.
• If you’re traveling abroad, be aware that using your cellphone can be mighty expensive. Research your carrier’s international calling plan and ask whether your phone is compatible with foreign networks. You may need to rent an international cellphone, or buy or rent an unlocked phone and international SIM card.

• If your budget’s in good shape and you’re getting wanderlust, maybe it’s time to venture out into the world again. Just be cautious about how hidden expenses can add up.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney

Malakiya Abdussabur strives to be the change she wants to see in the world and also inspires her fellow classmates to do the same.

As student body president at John Marshall High School, Abdussabur serves the student population as a guide and role model for the type of student she would like to see.  After being elected junior class president, when she became a senior she thought her school needed a change. Abdussabur said she wanted to change the mindsets of the students that attended her high school.  “I wanted  to help them improve themselves not just as a student but as a person morally,” Abdussabar said.

She tries to go to school with the best attitude, by being respectful of the teachers and staff to help her fellow students view education as important and crucial to their learning experience.

This position was not a popularity contest for Abdussabar. “The trust from my peers is not something given to me because of popularity; it is something I had to earn and maintain,” Abdussabur wrote in her personal essay.  She says she earned this by being a good role model along with being a student that other students could look up to.

“I have known Malakiya for nearly three years and have found her to be an exemplary student, leader, and mentor to others,” Gleen L. Starnes II, assistant principal of John Marshall High School said.

Other than being student body president, Abdussabur is a member of Future Business leaders of America and a member of the National Business Honor Society. She also does community service with both organizations.

Abdussabur  enjoys reading in her spare time and is a member of her school’s book club. She says books are her way of understanding other’s experiences while putting her life into perspective.

Abdussabur will be attending St. Joseph University in Philadelphia, Pa. during the fall. She plans to major in biology while obtaining a minor in Spanish. Through a bachelors degree in biology, Abdussabur would like to obtain a masters in radiation therapy. Abdussabur has a strong interest in cancer research and would like to one day help cure the disease. Family experiences with cancer, Abdussabur says, is what motivates her to choose the career path of radiation therapist.

Although just a senior in high school, Abdussabur speaks like she is way beyond her years. Ultimately she wants to be a person who makes a difference in the lives of others.

“I really would like to see people have more compassion for one another,” Abdussabur said. “Just to see them want to help someone out of the kindness of their heart.”

Mel and Pearl Shaw

A capital campaign – or any other quantum leap in your fundraising – will pull at every fiber of your nonprofit. These are not “business as usual” activities. If you want to grow from one level of donated revenue to another you have to do things differently. It’s no different than a business seeking to enter a new market or release a new product. New, more and different thinking, actions and people are required for new, more and different results.

We know this means more work for nonprofits that are often already operating beyond capacity. But you have to find a way to operate differently if you want different results. We are not saying that everything has to change all at once, but the rate at which you engage potential donors and funders is the rate at which you will begin to see a change in revenue.

Change can begin with an honest assessment of the road ahead. Your institution may need to raise money for new facilities or technologies. Your nonprofit may need to replace a government contract or grant that won’t be renewed. In these examples the first step is to identify the amount of money that needs to be raised. This is the starting point for an important organizational conversation. For too many nonprofits, it is also the end point.

Knowing what you need to raise is not enough. What needs to take place is a conversation about “how” the money will be raised, and what it will cost. Fundraising costs include money, time, talent and resources. You can hire a fundraising consultant to talk with your leadership team, or you can begin the conversation on your own. Questions to discuss include: Where will the money come from?  Who could provide how much? Can we identify three-times as many potential donors as we will need to meet our goal? Why would a donor or funder want to give? Who would ask them to give? How will we organize ourselves? Who will manage and coordinate our fundraising? What resources will he have available? How will a capital campaign impact our annual fundraising? How will we sustain and grow our current donors while attracting new ones? What new policies are needed? What impact will new buildings or technologies have on our operating budget? How will we budget to maintain these?

Open and honest conversations can be both sobering and revealing. Most importantly they contribute to organizational and financial health. They are an opportunity to candidly assess your capabilities and options before launching into a major campaign. When successful, a capital campaign – or any quantum leap in your fundraising – will have a major impact on the life of your nonprofit: you will have the funds you need to deliver on your mission and expand your impact.

Copyright 2013 – Mel and Pearl Shaw

Mel and Pearl Shaw are the authors of “Prerequisites for Fundraising Success.” They position nonprofits for fundraising success. Visit them at www.saadandshaw.com.

By Joanna Ernst

Meet the career counselors

Known as “America’s Top Career Confidence Coach”, Torski Dobson-Arnold has provided résumé writing and career services since 2007 through her company Your Career Confidence, LLC. Advising ambitious professionals from around the world, Dobson-Arnold works with an eclectic mix of career-driven clientele.

“We work to align your work and your passion to create a career plan that provides flexibility for today’s ever-changing economy,” Dobson-Arnold explained. Services such as job search strategy coaching, résumé and cover letter development and online professional branding are all part of this process.

Dobson-Arnold has made copious contributions to the Richmond community. “I have given to those who do not have the means to invest in themselves by providing Lunch N’ Learn forums with Richmond’s Workforce Development Centers and at area Virginia Employment Commissions on a pro-bono basis,” explained this career coach.

“I also mentor students within the Middle College Program located at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, where we help students ages 18 to 24 become college-ready to live out their best selves professionally.” In addition to these roles, Dobson-Arnold also serves as a board member of the Richmond-based nonprofit F.I.R.S.T Contractors, which prepares young adults for life after foster care and other juvenile systems.

As an undergraduate at Mary Baldwin College, Dobson-Arnold studied Marketing Management. Years later, she received her Masters of Science degree from Troy University in Troy, Alabama, with a degree in Human Resources Management. According to Dobson Arnold, the best part of her education was “attending an all-women college that not only guided us toward our careers of interest but also taught many of us how to lead as women.”

According to Dobson-Arnold, it was her father who motivated her to become a world-class mentor: “My father, the late Donald Dobson, inspired me to become a career coach and speaker and to help others make good choices in their career goals. My dad was laid off after 26 years with one company, and I saw the toll that it took on him and my family to make it without that financial and emotional support. I made a promise to get my college degree and earn my living based on what knowledge I acquired and not what I could do with my hands. (He was a machine operator.)”

“Later on in life, I too was laid off and then fired from a job that was not a good fit for my talents,” she continued. “I knew after the first job loss that I was committed to taking control of my own future and that I would work to inspire others to create a career of confidence, shortly thereafter I created Your Career Confidence. I didn’t choose this path; it chose me.”

With his knack for networking and years of recruiting experience, William Chichester III is a campus recruiter and college and career readiness coach for a Richmond-based Fortune 200 financial company. Working in Richmond, near Washington D.C., and beyond, he plucks out the most promising job candidates from the college and university community.

“I have been broadly tasked with developing innovative sourcing strategies to attract underrepresented college students and graduates into our exploratory programs, internships and full-time programs” explained Chichester, a recently-engaged University of Virginia alumnus who currently lives in Charlottesville.

A third generation Chichester, William is also a first-generation college graduate. “It’s a big deal,” he admitted. “I was blessed to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to get to college with scholarships and grants. I try to be a resource for anyone who shares my background and also help them to realize the dream of a college education.”

“At the University of Virginia, I studied Foreign Affairs, Arabic, and Middle Eastern Studies,” he went on. “I declared my major the first week of my freshman year. I love UVA, and my fondest memory was living on the Lawn and meeting so many talented student leaders.” During his college years, Chichester was the Career Center’s first ever career peer educator, interacting with counselors, employers and students. Ultimately, this brought him into contact with a lot of campus recruiters, inspiring his interest for this industry.

As the former president of the Ron Brown Scholar Alumni Association and former college scholarship recipient, BET invited Chichester to speak on the TV show, “106 & Park”, to provide financial aid advice to young viewers and encourage college readiness among tween and teen audiences.

This seasoned recruiter has also been active in a program called the 100 Black Men of America. “The mission of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. is to improve the quality of life within our communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African-Americans,” Chichester explained.

“The Collegiate 100 is an auxiliary organization that extends the 100′s mission on college and university campuses across America.  I helped to establish a Collegiate 100 chapter at the University of Virginia and worked to get my current employer to serve as its first corporate sponsor.  I also led a career workshop for their chapter, and I mentor all of their members.  As a result, they gave me honorary membership into their chapter last year.”

Our career experts answer questions and offer advice

Q. Can you provide a few pointers for jobseekers?

Dobson-Arnold: My biggest piece of advice is to build relationships early and often in your intended career field. It’s much easier to get a job as a referral versus an applicant.

Also, don’t sabotage your efforts with your online brand. As a former speaker for Monster.com, we polled companies and determined that 48 percent of all hiring managers and recruiters Google search their applicants. When this happens to you as a job applicant, will your online images help or hinder your job search efforts? Be careful and manage your online presence with care.”

Chichester: Take self-assessments, such as Myers Briggs and StrengthsFinder, because they will help you uncover the values, talents and personality that best align with possible career options.

Then determine if you meet the basic and preferred qualifications of the jobs you’re seeking.  Conduct informational overviews with people who are doing what you want to do.  Find out what you need to do to get to where they are.  If there is an educational and/or skills gap of any kind, there are lots of ways to close that gap.  You can volunteer, intern, obtain certifications, take classes or possibly pursue an advanced degree.

After you’ve completed the assessments and built up your skills, you are ready to pursue the job of your dreams.  Get your résumé critiqued; undergo mock interviews; put your best foot forward.

Q. Any advice for recent graduates? 

Dobson-Arnold: I would highly recommend that you be original and have a go-getter’s perspective. Always speak to what you can bring to the organization that can add value, solve problems and generate new revenue, new customers and new products and services. Companies will not hire you simply because you are smart. There are lots of smart students graduating. They are seeking new hires that are creative, industrious and willing to take calculated risks to better the organization.

Chichester: Talk with your career center and take advantage of the resources that they have to offer. Be sure to leverage your alumni network. Obtain skills. This is especially true for the liberal arts majors. I recommend specialized masters programs or one-year business programs. These one-year business boot camps are a great way for liberal arts and engineering students to round out their experience with a strong business foundation.

Q. Can you reveal a résumé secret?

Dobson-Arnold: There are absolute deal breakers when it comes to a résumé that gets jobseekers in trouble every time. One of my major pet peeves is the fact that people do not thoroughly proofread their job search documents. Jobseekers, do not depend on the spell checker in your word processing software to do all of the work. Get a mentor to read it; get a teacher or professor to read it and finally; reread it yourself, and make sure all your T’s are crossed and I’s are dotted.

Q. Any other tidbits to reveal?

Dobson-Arnold:  Like anything in life, the more prepared you are, the better you are going to be. I read somewhere that people spend more time planning their next vacation than they do planning the next step in their career. Ironically, it’s that next step in your career that dictates whether vacation will be at the river or on a cruise ship to some tropical destination.

This is why I am so passionate about what I do. I believe changing your job is not a matter of “if” but “when” will it happen.  So when that next fork in the career road appears, the real question is: “Will you be ready?”

Chichester: Here’s how to impress a recruiter. First, do your homework. Always research the company before any interaction with the employer to be prepared for whatever they may throw at you. Second, have realistic expectations of recruiters. Ask how the process works to find out what to expect as far as follow-up or actions. Finally, be honest, and never exaggerate or mislead your recruiter.

It’s a big turn-off if you don’t follow those guidelines. Recruiters have long memories, and candidates who don’t give us pleasant ones are remembered for all of the wrong reasons. And never apply for too many positions. This tells recruiters at that firm you don’t know what you want to do. Instead, focus your job search.

Malelia Tucker is a natural born leader, as the captain of the majorettes in her school band and manager of the boys wrestling team. She excels academically as well as in her extracurricular activities. As a senior attending Petersburg High School, Tucker has an overall GPA of 3.08 and is in the top percentile of her class while she participates in outside activities.

“Malelia is an excellent student who is conscientious and serious about her work,” Gary Ingram, her physics instructor said in a recommendation letter.

Tucker volunteers at local nursing homes and is also heavily involved in her church community at Little Bethel Baptist Church.

Tucker comes from a family of caregivers; with the majority of the women in her family holding jobs in the nursing profession. However, none have gone on to become registered nurse. She says she plans to be a registered nurse because caring for people is one of her passions. “I’ve always had a passion for nursing,” Tucker said. “It’s my goal to become (a registered nurse).”

Tucker has been volunteering at several nursing homes and hospitals since 2009. She said this is how becoming a registered nurse became her career goal. “I want to become a registered nurse because I love helping people,” Tucker wrote in an application letter.

Tucker said she would like to work at the health department, helping young teens and mothers who need guidance or someone to talk to. She said her own experience with nurses fueled this desire.

Tucker plans on fulfilling this goal by majoring in nursing while attending college. But before moving on to college she must graduate high school and like any graduating senior, she is very excited to do so. “I can’t wait to walk across the stage,” she said. “(I can’t wait to) have everyone screaming for me.”

Currently, Tucker is working as a nurse aide through Care Advantage Inc., gaining experience working with patients as well as hands-on experience in her future career field.

In the fall of 2013, Tucker will be attending Virginia State University and majoring in its nursing program. Even though she was accepted into several other universities, Tucker said she’s visited VSU so many times, she felt as if she’s already a student, so it felt like the right choice. While at VSU, she plans to continue with her nursing career and her marching band experience by becoming part of the Trojan Explosion marching band as a majorette.

Tucker said she ultimately wants to touch lives through caring for others and to see her younger brother follow in her footsteps. She will be the first person in her family to attend college. She said this will be a big accomplishment for her family. She attributes her success to her friends and family who have constantly pushed her to do better and to reach her goals.

-Laquita Jacobs

Are the 70 percent of the developing world’s adult population with no formal bank account doomed to a life of economic uncertainty and financial illiteracy? If a woman’s culture dictates that she should always put her family’s financial needs ahead of her own, can she learn to set aside money for her own retirement without feeling guilty?

These are just some of the complex issues raised at the seventh annual Financial Literacy and Education Summit hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and Visa Inc. Renowned U.S. and international financial experts and journalists led a lively discussion – and fielded Twitter questions from roughly 2,000 participants – around the theme, “Improving Women’s Financial Literacy & Capabilities Globally.”

Fascinating details revealed include:

• Richard Cordray, Director of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, noted that “a large majority of K-12 teachers say that personal finance should be taught in school, yet less than a third say they’ve taught lessons about money, and more than half feel unqualified to teach their state’s financial literacy standards.”
• Linah Mohohlo, Governor, Bank of Botswana, emphasized that it’s not only important to teach women about money management, but also to teach them activities to avoid – such as Ponzi schemes or lending money to people without setting repayment and interest terms.Bernie Ripoll, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, Australia, added that women should feel empowered to ask questions or say no if they’re asked to invest in something they don’t understand.
• According to South African Financial Journalist Maya Fischer-French, among the biggest financial hurdles an overwhelming number of women in her country face is their status as single mothers – around 56 percent. Of those, only about 21 percent can rely on financial help from their children’s fathers.
• On the question of whether financial literacy hinges on access to traditional bank accounts, Egyptian Journalist Amira Salah-Ahmend said roughly 90 percent of the Egyptian population is unbanked, meaning most of their transactions are unregulated and therefore more risky.
• Mexican Journalist Adina Chelminsky added that many third-world people have much easier access to credit through informal lending channels than to bank products. “The idea is not to formalize all this informal lending, but rather for banks and governments to think outside the box and develop new products that cater to women who have minimal savings,” she said.

The panelists shared some alternative financing methods that are already in place and thriving:

• Microfinance, where organizations like Kiva make small loans to people who can’t get credit from traditional banks, is helping women achieve financial stability in many underdeveloped nations. For example, a young woman in Pakistan or Mexico can now take out a microloan to buy a sewing machine, thereby creating her own thriving business.

• Also in Pakistan, a large telecommunications company has partnered with a microfinancer to provide “branchless banking” via mobile phone technology to people far removed from banks. “We’ve got 45,000 agents transacting this kind of business now compared to only 13,000 in the branch network,” explained Yaseen Anwar, Governor, State Bank of Pakistan.

Bottom line: Women throughout the world face unique economic and financial literacy challenges. The key is for governments, financial institutions, educators and entrepreneurs to work together to devise financial tools and educational materials that can reach the female half of the world’s population – the younger, the better.

To watch a free webcast of the 2013 Financial Literacy and Education Summit, visit www.practicalmoneyskills.com.

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney

(StatePoint) Transitioning from high school to the next life stage can be a time of excitement for young people, but it can also be a time filled with uncertainty.

Whether one is off to college, entering the workforce, or starting another big adventure, he or she may need extra emotional support at first.

Experts say that parents and caregivers can play a big role in ensuring the transition is a success.

“Whenever your child is going through a major life change, it’s important to consider his or her mental health and general well-being,” says Dr. Thomas K. McInerny, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

With that in mind, the AAP is offering the following tips for parents and youth navigating this important time of life:

• If your child is going to college, make sure he or she is familiar with the health and mental health support services on campus.

• If your child has a mental health diagnosis, such as ADHD or depression, be sure to ask the college staff what kind of medical information they will need related to your child and how to set up prescription refills if needed. Talk to the college about special housing and academic accommodations, if necessary.

• Contact your child’s pediatrician, who can be a good source of advice. In addition to ensuring your graduate has had all the vaccines and other preventive health care recommended for this stage of life, your pediatrician can also help you prepare the way for your young adult’s continuing mental and emotional health.

• Once your child is settled into his or her new routine, keep in close contact and try to get frequent readings about how he or she is doing academically and socially. While you can’t stand sentinel outside the dorm room, you can remain supportive from a distance.

• Is your child entering the workforce? Even if he or she is remaining at home for a time, life will still change dramatically. Be sure to give your son or daughter extra space as a young adult, but offer help navigating new responsibilities, such as paying bills and managing health care responsibilities.

• Once a teen graduates and leaves home, alcohol, drugs and sexual activity may become much more accessible.  Making poor choices can have life-changing results. Continue to have conversations about peer pressure, good decisions and consequences.

• As always, stay connected and be attuned to the warning signs of depression and other mental health issues. Look for “red flags,” such as excessive sleeping, excessive moodiness, obsessive body-image concerns and personality shifts.

• When it’s time to “graduate” to an adult doctor, your pediatrician can arrange for the transition to care by an adult health care provider.

More health tips can be found at www.HealthyChildren.org.

Parenthood doesn’t end when your child turns 18. By offering emotional support, you can make the transition from high school to the next life stage a smooth one.

There are two major revisions of history in the GWB Presidential library with which I take exception: 1) the representation of events leading up to the Iraq War and 2) the justifications given and recounting of the federal government’s response to Hurricane Katrina.  No matter your personal politics or affinity there are certain truths and facts in the matter of the GW Bush Presidency that are indisputable. During those years the United States went to war with Iraq based on the assertion that Iraq with the help of Al Qaida, led by Saddam Hussein attacked America on September 11^th of 2001. Further, Iraq was, at the time, developing and hiding WMDs. The administration claimed that Iraq, Al Qaida and others in the region were the “axis of evil” in the world and must be destroyed.

The rationale given for the lack of response by the federal government to the horrific losses and desperate struggles of the residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was to criminalize the population of the 9^th Ward in New Orleans. This justified the government’s designation of those residents as refugees and combatants, instead of as citizens of the United States in desperate need of emergency help and assistance. The story told in the hallowed halls of the library’s recounting paints the GWB administration as righteously protecting the public safety for the “good of the people” of Louisiana. If that’s not Revisionist History I don’t know what is?

Libraries are places where collections of things, books, memoirs and the re-member-ing of human history are stored for time and memorial. The re-telling of the aforementioned stories, as represented in the new GWB Presidential library in Texas have re-drawn the history of our recent past in such a fantastically re-constructed way that if you believe it …I have a bridge in Brooklyn I can sell you! Ultimately, it is our responsibility to keep the truths of our history TRUE. Do not be a victim of “short-term memory loss” and the type of nostalgia that renders history to the bookshelves of fiction, novellas and new media full of fantasy instead of fact. WAKE UP and talk to me!

Dr.T
Artistic Director and Founder of
The Conciliation Project & Professor
At Virginia Commonwealth University
DrT@Margin2theCenter.com
www.theconciliationproject.org

Up next week: Neighbors & Neighborhoods then & now