AUGUST 2023 Inside Understanding Imposter Syndrome: Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Success Attain/Out of the Box Initiative Volunteering May Protect your Brain Health & Memory "REFLECTION REVITALIZES AND REJUVENATES"
WRITERS & STAFF Contributors Donnetta Austin Debra Carr Courageous Fire Angela Jackson Celeste Lawson Caleb Thomas Lenore Metrick-Chen Gianni Berry Editor-In-Chief Dwana Bradley Lori Young Creative Director Nikki Goldman LosRos Graphix LosRos.com Bert Moody Gary Lawson MAGAZINE OUTLETS Ankeny Kirkendall Library 1250 SW District Drive Ankeny, Iowa 50023 Altoona Public Library 700 Eighth Street SW Altoona, Iowa 50009 Central Library 1000 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309 DMACC Urban Campus 1100 7th Street, Des Moines, IA 50314 Drake Diner 1111 25th Street, Des Moines, IA 50311 Eastside Library 2559 Hubbell Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50317 Evelyn Davis Center 801 Suite #3, University Ave, Des Moines IA 50314 Forest Library 1326 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314 Franklin Library 5000 Franklin Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50310 Johnston Library 6700 Merle Hay Rd. Johnston, Iowa 50131 Northside Library 3516 5th Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50313 Neighborhood Finance 1912 6th Avenue. Des Moines, Iowa 50314 Senior Polk County 2008 Forest Ave, Des Moines IA 50314 Southside Library 1111 Porter Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50315 The Great Frame Up 5515 Mills Civic Parkway Suite #150, West Des Moines, IA 50266 Urbandale Public Library 3520 86th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322 Urbandale Chamber of Commerce 2830 100th Street, Suite 110, Urbandale, IA 50322 West Des Moines Library 4000 Mills Clive Pkwy, West Des Moines, Iowa 50365 Slow Down Coffee Co. 3613 6th Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50313 The Playhouse 831 42nd Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50312 The Zone of Comfort - Life Balance Center 3829 71st Street B-1, Urbandale, Iowa 50322 Ruby B's Kitchen 4121 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50321
SUMMARY 4 EDITORS MESSAGE 6 MORTGAGE LOANS: WHICH ONE DO I CHOOSE 10 COURAGE TRUTHS: PERMISSION TO GRIEVE 6 14 22 *PHOTO CREDIT TO PEXELS AND FREEPIK 3 14 UNDERSTANDING IMPOSTER SYNDROME: OVERCOMING SELF- DOUBT AND EMBRACING SUCCESS 18 IT’S HONORING THE ELDERLY MONTH 22 SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS NEED ACCESS TO FUNDING 25 ATTAIN/OUT OF THE BOX INITIATIVE 28 VOLUNTEERING MAY PROTECT YOUR BRAIN HEALTH & MEMORY 30 LIFE INTO EXISTENCE
GET THE URBAN EXPERIENCE This message was written in August 2019. I’ve added more quotes and I pray they are a blessing to you. This month I struggled with my message, so I decided to leave you with some quotes that I’ve made up and some that you’ve heard before. I hope these help in whatever you may be going through in life. THERE IS NO COMPETITION, ONLY PURPOSE – This has been a quote that I’ve held onto for the last year. I know that my life has a purpose and because of that purpose no one or anything can stand in my way. I’m competing against no one. I’m living out my purpose and enjoying every moment of it! GET COMFORTABLE WITH BEING UNCOMFORTABLE – I currently live in this space and through most of my life, I’ve been comfortable with the people, spaces, and circumstances. I’m not doing things that I don’t always believe I’m qualified to do. I have conversations with people who challenge my thinking, and changes have been made in my life that make me see a different point of view. I now embrace uncomfortableness. LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE – We only get one chance in life. There are no do-overs and when life comes to an end, that’s it. I’ve decided to live my best life which is different for each one of us. I know what I’m gifted at, and I know what I’m supposed to be doing in this season in my life, and everything I do, I want to do it at my BEST. LOVE WHILE YOU HAVE THE CHANCE – There are many different definitions of love based on your life circumstances. The world defines it one way, the church defines it another, people around you have their take on it. I’ve made the decision to open my heart to others and do my best to love people where they are. For me, I want to love people no matter what. That includes my significant other, kids, parents, friends, acquaintances, enemies, business partners, etc. These four letters have messed with me my entire life. Growing up, love has changed me. In my late 30’s I decided I wanted to love people no matter what. No matter if they like me, hate me, are jealous of me, are sick and tired of me, or want to see me do great things. Since I have made that request, I’ve had some rough people in my life. I don’t give up on people easily. I listen to understand and do all I can to love them if they're having the best or the worst day………. I choose LOVE! WHEN YOU FALL DOWN, GET UP – I have fallen down so much that I shouldn’t even want to get back up, but I believe when we fall don’t, we normally look up anyways? I will admit when I fall, I don’t immediately get back up, but I can’t stay down forever. I remember going to church one Sunday and I literally fell down to the ground. I was in the middle of the street, and I stayed down for a little bit. I looked up to the sky and after a few minutes, I got back up. Life is just the same way. You will hurt someone’s feelings, end a relationship, lose a job, and many other life circumstances can happen, but don’t let it keep you down. Get up! You can make it!
LISTEN TO OTHERS – One of the great gifts you can give someone is to listen to them. Think of the last time you listened to someone without interrupting them. I do a lot of listening because it’s important for me to hear people. I believe everyone is looking for someone to listen to and that’s it. Try listening to them.. You will learn so much about a person when you do. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES – This has been one of the most challenging for me. In life there are people who are not rooting for you, in fact they are waiting for you to fall. They are not cheering for you. I have learned over the years to love those who have been against me. It is not easy to show love when you want to show revenge, but I believe this commandment from God will bless your soul if you continue to show kindness to anyone who continues to be against you. REFLECTION REVITALIZES AND REJUVENATES – Take moments to think things over as the song says when I look back over my life and think thing over, I can truly say that I’ve been blessed, I’ve got a testimony. Reflection is a great way to get life figured out. I take time to reflect often but take a deeper reflection in November and December each year. Taking the time to reflect deeply gives me the opportunity to prepare and plan for the new year or make corrections and fix things currently happening in my personal life, business, and friendships. LIFE IS A JOURNEY – The journey in life will bring you through everything. Your path might start smoothly, and you feel everything is going right, and then your journey encounters a bump in the road that might have you stagnant for a while, but the journey continues. Everyone’s journey is different. I desire to help people on my journey, love people on my journey, support people on my journey, and live life like it could be the last day. I hope you all are enjoying your journey in life and that you are living your best life. BLESSINGS, DWANA BRADLEY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 5
Mortgage Loans: Which One Do I Choose? NEIGHBORHOOD FINANCE CORPORATION Written By: Bridgett Robinson D&I Mortgage Loan Originator and Outreach Coordinator at Neighborhood Finance Corporation
When wanting to buy a home, always check out your options for the type of mortgage that will fit your financial situation, at both the inception of the loan, as well as after the loan is closed and you are actively living in the home. Lenders across the country offer different products as it pertains to a mortgage and you want to do your research before settling on anything in writing. Not all loan products are treated equal and not all loan products are a one size fits all. TYPES OF MORTGAGES: CONVENTIONAL LOANS A conventional loan is a mortgage loan that is not backed by a government agency. These loans sometimes provide some of the same benefits as the others and are most common. These loans are backed by mortgage lenders, like banks and other financial institutions. (Examples: Conforming or nonconforming, jumbos, portfolios, adjustable rate loans) CONS OF CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGES: • You have to pay PMI if the down payment is less than 20%. (Not with NFC, as we do not apply private mortgage insurance) • You’ll have to meet qualifications that may require a higher minimum credit score of 620 and lower debt-to-income. PROS OF CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGES: • Borrowers who can pay at least 3% – 5% down and have a minimum FICO® Score of 620 can typically benefit from conventional loans. • Borrowers with a debt-to-income of 50% or less can typically benefit from conventional loans. ADJUSTABLE-RATE MORTGAGE (ARM) An ARM is an Adjustable Rate Mortgage and unlike fixed rate mortgages that have an interest rate that remains the same for the life of the loan, the interest rate on an ARM will change periodically. The initial interest rate of an ARM is lower than that of a fixed-rate mortgage, also known as a “teaser rate” or “introductory rate”. PROS OF ADJUSTABLE-RATE MORTGAGES:: • They offer lower interest rates for the initial introductory period. • The initial low monthly payments allow for a more flexible budget and the opportunity to build up savings. CONS OF ADJUSTABLE-RATE MORTGAGES: • If the rate increases, it can dramatically increase your monthly payments once your introductory period is over. • It’s more difficult to predict your financial standing if interest rates and mortgage payments fluctuate. FIXED-RATE MORTGAGE A fixed-rate mortgage is a loan option with a specific interest rate for the entire term of the loan. The interest rate does not change and the borrower’s interest and principal payments will remain the same each month PROS OF FIXED-RATE MORTGAGES: • Monthly principal and interest payments don’t change over the life of your loan, making it easier to plan a budget. • Your loan can fully amortize over the term of the mortgage. 7
CONS OF FIXED-RATE MORTGAGES: • You’ll pay a higher rate than the introductory rate you could get on an adjustable-rate mortgage. • You may end up paying more in interest over time if the rates are high. VA LOANS These loans are specific to providing government insured or guaranteed mortgage programs to veterans, service members and eligible surviving spouses. These loans typically won’t have any down payment required, lower interest rates and is a lifetime benefit. FHA These loans are government-backed insured by the Federal Housing Administration. These usually requires a lower down payment and credit score minimums than other programs. They allow you to borrow up to a certain percentage of a home’s value depending on the credit score. These loans are popular among first time home buyers. CONS OF GOVERNMENT-BACKED LOANS: • You must meet specific criteria to qualify • Many types of government-backed loans have insurance premiums (also called funding fees) that are required upfront, which can result in higher borrowing costs PROS OF GOVERNMENT-BACKED LOANS • Those who have low cash savings might benefit from a government-backed loan • Those with lower credit could benefit from a government-backed loan As you can see, there are different mortgage loan products that can offer a customer different things. It is truly a wise step to ask questions of the lenders you are working with to see what type of loan is the best fit for you. Having a better grip of the different loan types and what they do and don’t offer will help you in the long run to know what type of mortgage transaction you are getting into. Focus On: Program Benefits: Services available to all Polk residents regardless of income Free confidential financial counseling sessions with a certified professional Assistance in navigating complex financial challenges In person and phone appointments available in English and Spanish Savings Plan for the future and prepare for unforeseen expenses Banking Gain access to safe and affordable banking services Debt Credit Pay down debt and develop budgeting tools Schedule an Appointment Today! Call (515) 697-7700 or online at EmpowerMoney.org Establish and improve credit with professional guidance
JOURNEY TO HOMEOWNERSHIP AMBASSADOR & CHAMPION PROGRAMS The Journey to Homeownership Ambassador and Champion program is creating many strong relationships with non-profits, churches and educational institutions to make sure that we meet people where they are at. The Polk County Financial Empowerment Center at The Evelyn K. Davis Center For Working Families was one of the first organizations to sign up as a Journey to Homeownership Ambassador. Between July 2022 and June 6th 2023, they have reduced nonmortgage debt in the amount of $1,177,543 and increased savings by $114,466! Be sure to check our website for J2H classes scheduled at The Polk County Financial Empowerment Center at The Evelyn K. Davis Center For Working Families! neighborhoodfinance.org/down-payment/j2h-classes-and-events www.neighborhoodfinance.org/journey-to-homeownership If your organization is interested in becoming an Ambassador or Champion, please contact Bridgett Robinson NMLS # 2244064 NFC Diversity & Inclusion Mortgage Loan Originator and Outreach Coordinator brobinson@neighborhoodfinance.org 515-273-1373 NMLS# 8943 The SICKLE CELL Blood Drive WE APPROACH THIS HOLISTICALLY: physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, financially, and with a justice lens. OUR COALITION Black Donors are needed. Register to donate through the QR Code provided. SICKLE CELL BLOOD DRIVE CALL 1-800-REDCROSS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT or got to WWW.REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION: 515-219-4300| info@bw4hl.org | https://bw4hl.org The American Red Cross is offering an initial screening test to provide donors with valuable insight into their sickle cell trait status. The Red Cross is not testing donations to diagnose sickle cell. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2023 | 9:30AM TO 1:30PM CORINTHIAN BAPTIST CHURCH | 814 SCHOOL ST DSM, IA 9
Courageous TR UTHS PERMISSION TO GRIEVE
Grief is a natural response to loss1 . so impatient with our Black sisters’ natural response to loss when they are able to escape violent relationships? Response is a physical reaction to stimulus or a situation2. Loss is the fact or process of losing something or someone3. When a woman’s intimate partner dies, she has a loss of that relationship. When a woman’s intimate partner and her separate - regardless of the reason - she also has a loss. Why then do we seek to silence a Black woman’s natural response to the loss of a relationship from an abusive partner by shaming her for it? On August 30th every year, it is National Grief Awareness Day. This month, I want to give you permission to grieve and permission to allow others to grieve. Notice again the definition of loss, Beloved. How many times during a given day on a lesser level do we experience loss? We lose time in the morning because one of our kids won’t get up on time and we run late to something else. Loss - of time. A small one, granted, but one nonetheless. We lose one out of our favorite pair of socks after the laundry. Another small loss, but happening on the same day, two losses that day. We lose our job, a friend. Larger losses. Ones from which most of us rebound at some point, however, all losses described cause some sort of physical reaction - a response. Most people won’t criticize you for an irritable response to losing a sock from a unique pair. Most people won’t criticize you for a disappointed or even depressed response to losing a job or a friend. Why? Because it’s relatable. We feel like your response makes sense because our response would be similar. No one criticizes someone for a despondent response to the death of a loved one - especially an intimate partner. Why? Because it’s supposed to be the most important relationship in life and it is something that one usually does not cause and therefore usually causes sympathetic responses from others. Why? Because if we had to deal with that level of loss we would want people to show us compassion, sympathy, support. Let’s get back to the initial question then. If loss is something that simulates compassion from most humans for one another, in our community why are we Let’s look at the heart of what most of us believe, whether we’ve ever admitted this or not. We are afraid; yes, afraid. We are afraid that if she is focused on the loss, she will want to make the loss end and will go back to the dangerous relationship. Many of us saw firsthand the danger she was in, some of us have been there with her through it and have thought we might lose her at different times, some of us have even been a safe space for her to run to throughout this violence. We want to know if we are being “stupid” for being supportive because what if she’s just gonna go right back to him anyway? So we verbally shame4 her, stop speaking to/engaging with her, tell others not to engage with her, etc., thinking that if we stop the natural response to loss we will prevent her from going back to the violence. However, we’ve learned that loss causes a natural response to it and that response is grief. Grief can be accompanied by self blame5, loneliness6, desperation7, anger8, and just plain sadness9. Can we ever truly shame someone out of an emotion? No, Beloved. We can shame someone into hiding emotions, however. When we hide our emotions that accompany grief, that can be the most dangerous thing for the DV (domestic violence) survivor. Why? If she cannot share her emotions with safe people, she will begin to re-engage with the abuser who is probably already hoovering10 her. And just like the vortex created by a vacuum, if she cannot honestly talk through her emotions with us - her community, her family, her friends - for a moment she will find false acceptance and compassion with the abuser. And since abuse is about the abuser keeping power and control, and since her drifting further from his reach initially indicates a possible threat to that for him, she is now in danger of an escalation of his violence11. Escalations in an already abusive relationship can look like the following12, 13: • Increase of attempts to isolate • Increase of forms of isolation • Increased threats of violence to victim, or others loved by victim, or abuser themselves • Increase of anger intensity during violent episodes • Abuser expressing fantasies of murder 11
• Abuser expressing ownership of victim We have lost too many between 2016-2020 - 36% of all homicides in Iowa were Black people, 38% of the 36% were Black women due to DV14 directly at the hands of their abusers. Countless others we have lost indirectly15 to DV due to suicide, STIs (sexually-transmitted illnesses), chronic illnesses, and deadly illnesses. I know we want to stop seeing this happening, Beloved. So here’s what we gotta do: • Be compassionate to our community’s survivors’ natural response to loss. Don’t minimize it. By giving her the right to express her true feelings, you can encourage her to choose healthy places to talk about it. • Provide resources to properly support her grief. You can’t be her forever sounding board; don’t try to be. That leads to compassion fatigue16. A great resource to give her is the link to Black therapists in Iowa Directory17 located on #BacktheBlack website18! She can find a professional to help her navigate through her grief in healthy ways. • If you’re the survivor, acknowledge your grief. It’s a perfectly NORMAL response to loss to feel grief. Give yourself permission to feel it and process it. The natural response doesn’t mean you’re failing or stupid. It is just as natural as b r e a t h i n g. Utilize the directory to find a Black therapist who you feel would make a good partner in your therapeutic process. How do you do that? Once you’ve gone through the list of folks and found some you’re genuinely interested in, call them! Tell them you’d like a 15-minute conversation with them prior to selecting a therapist - in person or via virtual meeting - to determine whether you believe it’s a good match. During your 15 minutes, tell them what you’d like in therapy, what you don’t think would work for you in therapy. Then, watch their response. If you like it, they’re probably going to make a good partner and you can proceed. If you don’t like it, thank them and move on until you do. Your insurance is paying for this, this is your healthcare, and you get to decide who you’re going to do this work with. • If you’re supporting the survivor and are just understanding this “perfect couple” wasn’t a reality, acknowledge your loss. Sometimes we are intolerant of their grief as the survivor because we are struggling to assess our own sense of the loss of what we thought this couple was - #couplesgoals. Your feelings about what you will lose or have lost in no longer having this couple buddy pair in your circle, the confusion over advice you received from them that was healthy, the strangeness for your children trying to understand what happened, etc., is also a natural response to your own loss. You’re not being selfish for these feelings, and ignoring them only makes it harder for you to remain healthy and balanced throughout your involvement in this situation. Be good to you; admit your grief and utilize those same resources you shared with the survivor. Beloved, when we acknowledge facts and have resources to effectively deal with them, we keep survivors safer physically and emotionally, as well as practice wise self-care for ourselves, our extended families, and our communities. And we don’t have to wait for August 30th to roll around every year to do that. Blessings, By Courageous Fire Owner & Social Entrepreneur of Courageous Fire, LLC Founding Executive Director of Courageous Access What’s Happening: 1. #BacktheBlack campaign and website are launched! It happened during Mental Awareness Month in May, and we’re just getting started. The more we make mental health accessible in ways that the Black Iowan community sees as approachable and culturally relatable, the more we increase safe spaces for Black women. What can you do? #BacktheBlack PSA • The merch website is now open!!! That means you can buy tees, water bottles, buttons, stickers, hoodies, beanies, ball caps, and aprons that sport the message that it is ok for us as Black Iowans to seek out mental health support. Allies, please note the message regarding who the merch is intended for and why and support accordingly. • Tell me about ALL your ideas you want me to help relatable moments into #BacktheBlack safe spaces to feel safe getting mental health support the way you believe your sphere of influence needs it! Iowa Department of Health and Human Services a budget that I can use to do the event. To get something on the books in the grant cycle during the year of 2023, let’s talk: Courageous Chat • Be a Safe Space. Are you a Black business owner with a brick and mortar? Good! Ask me to get you a Safe Space poster you can put up in your front window!
That means you are in a place where it’s safe to talk about mental health. Email me at cfire2019@gmail. com. • Become a Representative. Our Black female marketing guru, Sarah Oyibo, got us ready with presentations for any group you want to help better understand mental health illness impact in our community - youth, their parents, men, women, seniors, and LGBTQ. All you have to have is the heart to want to bring the info, we’ll give you the info! Just click here: Become a Rep • Do you just wanna learn more about all this first?? No problem, Beloved. Click here to just browse at your own pace in privacy: #BacktheBlack 2. I am available to engage in consulting work with organizations who realize they are Centers of Trust and want to make sure they are equipped to help our sisters during and after DV. I am also available to engage in consulting work with organizations who realize they should be serving Black women but aren’t OR should be serving Black women better related to DV or other crises. Click here and choose “Book Courageous Trainings”. 3. Who is your next keynote or motivational speaker? Beloved, the reason why organizations bring me in to motivate and train is because I have an ability to take my audiences on a journey with me in a way that fully engages them while utilizing my message and each of them to teach and motivate one another. People continue to talk about not having been the same since spending time with me. Watch cfirellc.com/home this year to find out whether your desired date is available on the events calendar. To book me as a speaker for your next event, click here. 4. CFire LLC social media update - to keep updated on what we’re up to you’ll need Facebook, IG, and YouTube! Follow us there. 5. Courageous Access, our new non-profit 501(c)3, is now 2 years old and just got a new GRANT! The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services is funding me to provide the Youth Healthy Relationships program specifically for our Black girls who have criminal charges in the juvenile court services in Iowa!!! Please email me at courageousaccess@gmail.com if you want to provide me with access to these young ladies! We will be able to serve 5 groups of 10 girls each between July 2023 - June 2024! 6. Our nonprofit is the expansion of how we change the narrative with a mission to provide holistic supportive services to Black female descendants of slaves who have experienced domestic and or intimate partner violence and the children they are raising; promoting pathways of healing through self-reliance and healthy legacy. There are 2 ways you can support this important work when you go to our Get Involved link on the website: • We are rounding out our Board of Directors this year! We have 2 officer positions that are still open for interviews - treasurer and vice president - as well non-officer director positions that still are open for interviews. You can find the link to learn more right here: Opportunities. • Make a donation! We thank those who participated in my Facebook quick-hit fundraiser during my birthday month in 2022. You are welcome to make your tax-deductible donation right here: Donate. Email us for recurring donation or corporate sponsorship opportunities at courageousaccess@gmail.com. 7. Our newest program, Youth Healthy Relationships in partnership with Eleven24, just ended April 2023! How did it go? Check it out right here: YHR 2023 Survey. Who is eligible for the last one in 2023? Middle/high school youth of color, preferably Black women DV survivors. How do they sign up for the waiting list for the next class? Click here: Link 8. We finished our most recent cohort of Empowerment through the Arts™ in June 2023! We’re always so excited to do this! This program helps Black women DV survivors learn how not to repeat being taken in by predatory relationships, including intimate partners. Learn more and sign up here to get your spot in the next class in 2024: Link. 9. In a relationship? Make sure it’s healthy: Healthy Relationship Wheel Illustration. Or go to TheHotline.org, or Phone: 800-799-7233 10. In an abusive relationship? • Call us to get connected to a Community Safe Space to begin safety planning, 515-428-0077 • At the Community Safe Space, talk to The Hotline.org to commence safety planning • At the Community Safe Space, take a look at types of abuse, including sexual coercion, at Tools for Us Endnotes 1. Taken from HelpGuide.org article 2. Physiological definition for response 3. Definition of loss 4. Shame definition 5. Self blame definition 6. Loneliness definition 7. Desperation definition 8. Anger definition 9. Sadness definition 10. Hoovering definition 11. Taken from abuseandrelationships.org article entitled Escalation 12. Article from VeryWellMind.com 13. Taken from danger assessment from WomensLaw.org 14. Taken from Iowa Violent Death Reporting System from Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (IHHS) 15. Taken from the National Prevention Toolkit on DV for Medical Professionals 16. Compassion fatigue definition 17. Directory location on #BacktheBlack website 18. #BacktheBlack website 13
HEALTH UNDERSTANDING IMPOSTOR SYNDROME: OVERCOMING SELF-DOUBT AND EMBRACING SUCCESS Written by: Cheries Dupee
Have you ever achieved something remarkable in your life, only to find yourself plagued with self-doubt and the fear of being exposed as a fraud? If so, you may be experiencing what is commonly known as Impostor Syndrome. Impostor Syndrome refers to a psychological phenomenon in which individuals doubt their accomplishments, have persistent feelings of inadequacy, and fear being exposed as a fraud despite evidence of their competence. It affects people from all walks of life, including highly successful individuals. First identified by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes in 1978, Impostor Syndrome was originally believed to primarily affect highachieving women. However, subsequent research has revealed that both men and women, regardless of their level of success or expertise, can experience this phenomenon. It often manifests in professional settings but can also affect personal relationships and other areas of life. The Impostor Syndrome experience can be characterized by several common thought patterns and behaviors: • Persistent self-doubt: Individuals with Impostor Syndrome often question their abilities and believe that their accomplishments are due to luck or external factors rather than their own capabilities. They may attribute their success to being in the right place at the right time, downplaying their skills and efforts. • Fear of failure and rejection: Those experiencing Impostor Syndrome are often afraid of making mistakes or failing because they believe it will expose their perceived incompetence. This fear can lead to excessive perfectionism and an aversion to taking risks. • Discounting achievements: People with Impostor Syndrome tend to downplay their achievements, dismissing positive feedback or attributing their success to external factors. They may convince themselves that they were merely "lucky" or that others could have done the same. • Overworking and overpreparing: To compensate for their feelings of inadequacy, individuals with Impostor Syndrome may overwork, constantly seek validation, or spend excessive amounts of time preparing for tasks and projects. Despite their high level of competence, they still feel the need to prove themselves. • Fear of evaluation: Impostor Syndrome often leads to an intense fear of evaluation or feedback, as individuals are afraid of being exposed as frauds. This fear can hinder personal and professional growth, as they may avoid situations that require them to put themselves out there. So, why do people experience Impostor Syndrome? The causes are multifaceted and can vary from person to person. Some possible factors include: • Early experiences and upbringing: Childhood experiences and parental expectations can shape an individual's self-perception and create a fear of not meeting standards. Unrealistic expectations or constant criticism during formative years may contribute to Impostor Syndrome later in life. • Perfectionism: A strong drive for perfectionism can fuel Impostor Syndrome. Individuals set unrealistically high standards for themselves, and even when they achieve success, they believe it's not good enough. • Cultural and societal factors: Societal and cultural expectations can play a significant role in the development of Impostor Syndrome. Stereotypes and biases, such as racial or gender stereotypes, can contribute to feelings of not belonging or being undeserving of success. Overcoming Impostor Syndrome is a gradual and personal journey. Here are a few strategies that can help individuals navigate and overcome these feelings: • Recognize and acknowledge your accomplishments: Take the time to reflect on your achievements and give yourself credit for your hard work. Remind yourself that your success is not solely based on luck or external factors but is a result of your skills and efforts. Keep your resume up to date to reflect your accomplishments. 15
• Challenge negative thoughts: Practice identifying and challenging negative self-talk. Replace selfdefeating thoughts with positive and realistic affirmations. Surround yourself with supportive people who can help you reframe your perceptions. • Embrace failure as a learning opportunity: Understand that failure is a natural part of growth and development. Instead of fearing failure, view it as an opportunity for learning and improvement. Embrace a growth mindset that allows you to see setbacks as steppingstones toward success. • Seek support and share your experiences: Talk openly about your feelings of self-doubt with trusted friends, family, or mentors. You'll likely find that many people have experienced similar feelings at some point in their lives. Sharing your experiences can provide comfort and perspective. • Celebrate and internalize positive feedback: Accept praise and compliments graciously. Instead of dismissing positive feedback, internalize it and let it reinforce your self-belief. Keep a record of positive feedback or achievements to refer to when self-doubt arises.. Remember, Impostor Syndrome does not define you or your capabilities. It's a common experience that many successful individuals have faced. By challenging negative thoughts, embracing your achievements, and seeking support, you can gradually overcome Impostor Syndrome and embrace your true potential. You deserve the success you have achieved, and it's time to celebrate it with confidence. References Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Psychotherapy: Theory, research & practice, 15(3), 241. IMPOSTOR SYNDROME
Introduce the young people in your life to the magic and wonder of live theater! The Wellmark Family Series returns for another amazing season, with three productions taking the Civic Center stage. Each one-hour performance is designed to bring young minds on incredible adventures, while educating audiences of all ages and making memories that last a lifetime. SETTING THE STAGE FOR MEMORIES THAT LAST A LIFETIME! Join us one hour prior to each performance at the Civic Center for a FREE DISCOVERY PARTY! This pre-show event is fi lled with art-making activities, demonstrations, music and other fun experiences! THE 3-SHOW PACKAGE STARTS AT JUST $24! THE ADVENTURES OF TORTOISE AND HARE SATURDAY, NOV. 4, 2023 CIVIC CENTER SATURDAY, FEB. 17, 2024 CIVIC CENTER SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024 CIVIC CENTER SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2024 TEMPLE THEATER SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2024 TEMPLE THEATER This season we are excited to off er sensory-friendly performances of What Do You Do With An Idea? and Havana Hop. 17 ADD-ON ADD-ON
Mental Health: Written by: Caleb Thomas, M.A. LMHC August is the month everyone eagerly awaits. It’s summer “high tide”, meaning summer is in full swing. Kids are hoping the month will never end because if it ends it means play time is over and school is in. I pray you and your family are enjoying these beautiful hot days of summer. This month I want to take a moment to honor the Elderly. Some of you reading this article may be considered elderly, you know someone who is elderly or maybe you are still young and are far from being elderly. I want to honor the Elderly by saying “Thank You”. Thank you for all your contributions to this world. Why? Because without the “elderly” human life would cease to exist. The definition of elderly is a person who is 65 years or older. However, 65 is considered retirement age for most people in the United States, however that varies around the world. As I’m nearing ½ of a century yrs. old, I consider 65 to be young. I know many people who are 65 and look 55 and even younger. It’s a lot harder to tell someone’s age these days as we share so much in common. Our 65 yr. old today is very different from a 65 yr. old decades ago. Our way of thinking and interacting with the world around us has changed, in the busyness of life, our paths cross like freeways, crisscrossing in our work and in our play. We interact with all ages learning from one another. I did not say with age comes wisdom, that’s for another conversation. There is overlapping in almost everything we do. We have professors, doctors, law makers and law breakers 65yrs and older. There was a time when one thought of the IT’S HONORING THE ELDERLY MONTH! elderly as those who were in their 70’s, 80’s 90’s and 100’s. As a younger person reading this article, becoming elderly may be furthest from your mind. As a new parent thinking about your newborn baby preparing to turn 18 and graduate high school is not something one thinks about, you think of the joy you are having in that moment, memories in the making. However, God willing if you are blessed to make it into your elderly years then please consider thinking about two important things: Your Health and Your finances. Why those two? You’ve heard the expression, “your health is your wealth”, because your health is priceless. Your health allows you to position yourself to get and keep wealth. As we think about our health, let’s not forget how easily we can contribute to having bad health. There’s an expression that says: “the devil is in the details”. We can’t blame everything on the devil, our arch enemy, Satan. He has his part to play, yes, he comes to rob, steal, kill and destroy, if we allow him to. However, we can be our own worst enemy. I know people who eat a vegetarian diet, don’t drink or do drugs, don’t smoke but still get cancer. It’s nothing the individual did, but rather a health issue. If you are in either situation, I want to encourage you to believe by faith and believe on God’s promises for your healing. If you are in good health at any age, take a moment every day and Praise God for your good health. Take appropriate measures to stay healthy. Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water and eat healthily, be mindful of what you eat. Get a little exercise in too.
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It’s important to be financially stable as you grow towards the elderly stages of life. You want your money to outlive you and not you outlive your money, this will help ensure you can be well taken care of into your 70’s 80’s 90’s and beyond. No matter how little, learn to save for a rainy day. Okay, I’m considered a generation X (Gen X) which means I was born between 1965-1976, if you are a Gen X then your parents may be considered a part of the Babyboomer generation, which is between 1946-1964 or a Traditionalist/Silver generation, born between 1928-1946. As Gen X we need to prepare and help our parents prepare for their elderly years. As a son of a “traditionalist”, I started my preparation for my mom by ensuring I became her Power of Attorney and ensured she has a Will and Testament and proper burial insurance. One thing I was not prepared for was her diagnosis of dementia/ Alzheimer’s disease. I’ve learned a lot about the disease and its effects, including the deterioration of the mind, thoughts and actions. I’ve had to work with family and outside agencies to ensure my mom can remain in her home. You too may be facing a parent in need of outside assistance, may God strengthen and bless you, if we live long, we will be the elderly one day but plan ahead now especially as a Gen X. For those of you whose parents have passed away, please consider other elderly people who can use your help. Honor them whether they’re in their own home or a care facility, a visit, a word of encouragement, and your prayers will be a blessing to them. If you have children, get them involved early so they can understand the importance of honoring the elderly and understand life is a process we all experience as we live, one day they will be elderly. So, this month do something extra special and honor the Elderly. Bring some extra joy and laughter to someone elderly. If you are going through difficulties and uncertainties as a caregiver, I encourage you to keep pressing forward, and always know we are just a phone call away to help support you as a caregiver. Let’s celebrate the Elderly together! Blessings and Joy! Thank you, Caleb Thomas M.A. LMHC 319-206-0651 thomasacc.com caleb@thomasacc.com Thomas & Associates Counseling & Consulting Counseling with a God given purpose! LET’S CELEBRATE THE ELDERLY TOGETHER!
If someone you love V E N I N info more SATURDAY, AUGUST 19 11 AM – 3 PM OVERDOSES on opioids FOOD TRUCKS LIVE MUSIC ART ACTIVITIES NALOXONEIOWA.ORG MORE INFORMATION AT DESMOINESARTCENTER.ORG IT Anyone who uses opioids is at risk of an overdose. Be prepared with the nasal spray version of naloxone. It’s easy to use and could reverse the effects of an opioid overdose until help arrives. Ask for naloxone at your pharmacy, now absolutely free. BE PREPARED TO SAVE A LIFE. 05/2023 21 Y R 5 7 A T S R H A
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS NEED ACCESS TO FUNDING EMS CONTRIBUTOR WRITTEN BY PETER WHITE - JULY 18, 2023 Four experts explore the challenges women and marginalized communities face to start and expand a small business.
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia and co-chair of the Community Development Finance Caucus, joined a venture capitalist, a community leader, and a young entrepreneur July 14 to lay out the challenges and solutions for starting and growing small businesses in a post-Covid 19 environment. Over 33 million small businesses make up about 99.9% of businesses in the US, and employ almost half of its workforce. During the Covid-19 pandemic, 40% of Black and Latino-owned businesses shut down, many permanently. Community Development Finance Institutions — CDFIs — were one of the keys to recovery, said Warner. “In a strange bedfellows kind of moment, I partnered strongly with then-Secretary Steve Mnuchin of the Trump administration during the COVID-19 pandemic to try to get a lot of capital into our minority depository institutions,” he said, at the news briefing organized by Ethnic Media Services. Warner and Mnuchin were able to distribute $12 billion in funding through CDFIs, Minority Depository Institutions — MDIs — and Tier 1 capital through a Treasury Department initiative known as the Emergency Capital Investment Program. In the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, many corporations pledged to fight systemic racism. That hasn’t really happened, says Mark Warner, D-Virginia, discussing his plan to help corporate America do the right thing. (EMS video by Nina Mohan) “Access to capital is a hugely important issue,” said Warner, noting that many minority entrepreneurs do not have relationships with banks to allow them to successfully apply for loans. Gelat’OH! Entrepreneur Sierra Georgia encountered this very issue as she tried to expand her small business, Gelat’OH, based in Washington DC. “Like a lot of small business owners like myself, this started with just a team of one and it’s still not that much bigger than that,” she said. Sierra Georgia, founder of Gelat’OH! (Linkedin photo) Like a lot of women of color who want to start a business, Georgia did not own a house she could mortgage to raise capital. She got funding through a CDFI, but only received half of what she needed to expand her business. So she raised money through SMBX, a small business bonds marketplace connecting small businesses to local investors. “It’s a real bond offering. If you donate to somebody’s GoFundMe you’ll never see that money again, but if you buy a Gelat’OH bond, you get 11% back on your money in 2 years. It’s a way to bring wealth back to the community and empower small business owners,” said Georgia, who raised $25K in four days via SMBX. Empowering Black America “As President Calvin Coolidge said, ‘the business of America is business,’” said Charles Phillips, co-founder of the Black Economic Alliance, who served on President Barack Obama’s Economic Recovery Board. “This is what generates a lot of wealth in our country and makes us different from other countries.” “We have a lot of entrepreneurs who build businesses and build wealth and support their families. And they support their families that way and pass that down to their families. And so we laud entrepreneurs in this country as we should because it’s one of our big differentiators.” Charles Phillips, founder of the Black Economic Alliance. 23 Acce ss to F unding
“But not everybody has access to actually building a business,” said Phillips, citing a 2020 survey by the management consulting firm McKinsey which found most black families didn’t know anyone who could lend them $3,000 if they wanted to start a business. Phillips is involved with the Center for Black Entrepreneurship on the campus of the historically black colleges Morehouse and Spelman, to train young entrepreneurs to be good business people. The good news is, entrepreneurship is alive and well in the black community. “If you look at the last 5 years, it’s been growing about 34% on average, the fastest growing sector of the economy for new business formation. But they need more capital and training and access to these relati onships,” said Phillips. Warner noted that one of the fastest-growing segments of entrepreneurship are businesses owned by Black women. Sexism Still Prevails Shernaz Daver, Chief Marketing Officer at Khosla Ventures and a 35-year veteran of the tech industry, said the playing field is not level for women who want to start up and grow businesses. Shernaz Daver, CMO, Khosla Ventures. Daver relayed some of the experiences her acquaintances shared with her as they were trying to raise funding. “’I went to fundraise and was not taken seriously because I was a sole woman founder until I found a male co -founder.’ That probably resonates with a few of you,” she told reporters, many of whom had founded their news outlet. “’I went to get venture funding and I was asked when I was going to have kids. No guy was ever asked that. I was told I was too aggressive in my financial projections, yet when my male partner presented it, he was seen as confident,’” Daver said, sharing the experiences of her acquaintances. Importance of STEM Education “I have been in the industry for over 35 years and I heard the same thing 35 years ago. So it’s kind of bad. And if you’re black or Hispanic, it gets worse,” said Daver, noting that only 2 % of VC dollars go into women-led founders. “It needs to change. Access to capital is key,” she said. A lot of women are starting up their own investment firms, focusing on funding businesses that support women’s needs, said Daver. She noted that a lot of women-led startups are coming out of the biotech industry. “If you have the ability or the inclination to get into STEM or into biology, do it.” “I have to believe the world is changing and we will continue to change it if we all do it as a community. And I think if we do that, we can have our own woman Steve Jobs or our own woman Jack Ma,” said Daver. LIFT Act Warner also spoke about the LIFT Act he had introduced a day earlier. The legislation would help first-time, first-generation home buyers — predominantly Americans of color — build wealth much more rapidly by offering a 20-year mortgage for roughly the same monthly payment as a traditional 30-year loan. “This effectively doubles the amount of equity that you accumulate in the first 10 years,” said Warner, noting that, for most Americans, their biggest asset is their home. “This is what generates a lot of wealth in our country and makes us different from other countries.” - CHARLES PHILLIPS, CO-FOUNDER OF THE BLACK ECONOMIC ALLIANCE, WHO SERVED ON PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY BOARD
ATTAIN/THE OUT OF THE BOX INITIATIVE COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Interviewed By: Urban Experience Magazine Tell us about your nonprofit? ATTAIN/The Out of the Box Initiative was started at the end of 2020/2021; we are a 501(C) (3) nonprofit. It was created as a permanent continuation of the work I did in Norwalk BLM, along with the others of that group. At the end of 2020, I proposed The Out of The Box Initiative to my friend Pascha Morgan, the basic idea was that it would be a community library about the cultures, histories, and ideas of people of color. Together we came up with the idea to make them 120 sq. tiny libraries that housed a plethora of books from infant to adult. With interactive play areas on and around the library. However, Pascha, and I did not want to just stop there so we created ATTAIN, a nonprofit that would be the umbrella of all our projects. Our targeted focus is serving underrepresented communities through food and housing security, education, medical and mental health care. Our name comes from the definition Attain, which means: to reach, achieve or accomplish; gain; obtain. To attain one’s goals. To come to or arrive at, especially after some labor or tedium. To put it simply, love is a superpower and we believe that if we all pitch in; we can change the world around us. What made you want to give back to the community? JAKE: I had done prior community work, and worked in the medical field. I have always had a passion for helping people, but I was not interested in changing the way the world was, but rather doing what I could through medicine and compassion. However, when I was falsely arrested in 2020 during the George Floyd Protests by the Des Moines Police Department; I was hurt pretty seriously. I was beaten with batons, put in positions my body could not handle, due to injuries I have sustained to my body. I had to defend my innocence for speaking out against injustice against my community. It was not the first time I had bad experiences because I was a person of color, but that moment was the moment I was not going to be mistreated again, and I was going to do everything in my power to prevent them from happening to anyone else. I joined and led Norwalk BLM after my release from jail, and then created ATTAIN with Pascha later on that year and into 2021. PASCHA: I have a little brother who was born when I was about 10. When he was a baby, my mom would read him a book called "What if everyone did it"... In this book, it was things like the little boy would throw something out the window, and the mom would say what if everyone did it and you would turn the page and it would be trash piled up. It went on like that. For me though, it made an impression on me as a kid but it kind of was flipped upside down so I live my life as if what if everyone did it. I may only be able to feed a 100 people, but what if everyone did it? I may be able to shelter 25
50 people, but what if everyone did it? But I can't ask the question if I'm not willing to do the work. I have to be one of everyone. Why is it important to help others? Everyone does not have the same experience in life. We do not all have the same support systems, opportunities or guidance provided to us. We are all in the same boat called life, but that is where the comparison ends. We all have a personal responsibility to each other. We have a personal responsibility to act in good faith when the opportunity is presented and as a “civilized” society we have not just an obligation, but a duty to end hunger in our community, to provide shelter to those that are houseless, and to provide the education and care that our community so desperately need. What would you say to someone who is wanting to start their own nonprofit? Go for it! Please let me know when you are established so we can help create sustainability in our community! How can the community support your work? We take donations of gently used books, toys, dvds, monetary donations, new clothing, shoes, etc. school supplies, new winter clothing (For Donations please provide us your email to send you a Charitable Contribution Receipt: attainnp@ gmail.com. How can our readers get in contact with you? Office: 2323 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA Email: attainnp@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100093556355482 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ theoutoftheboxinitiative/ Tell us about yourself. Jake: I am 26 years old. I am a nursing student, barber. Before working as a barber; I worked in the medical field, and before that I was in the Army briefly Pascha: I'm 47 year old, an army veteran, husband and father of eight, and community work and service has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. Who are others who play a part in your nonprofit? Pascha Morgan- Cofounder, Eris Hawkins, Tyrone Avant What makes your nonprofit different? Our nonprofit is different because we live in the neighborhoods where we focus a lot of our work. We see the daily life of our neighborhoods, which gives us the knowledge to make a change and make a difference. What is the impact you want your nonprofit to make in the next 3 yrs, 5 yrs, and 10 yrs. ? We are currently wrapping up our library locations with two buildings at 13th and Forest in the Creative Visions Parking Lot, and 1714 6th Ave- Center at Sixth (Coming Soon), and three library annexes at 4921 Douglas Ave- Cut Master Barbershop, 3682 68th St. #9-SOSS Styling Studio and Boutique, 2323 Grand Ave-Runway Consortium. We have two community fridges at 2300 Hickman Rd and 5720 Urbandale. We have partnerships with DMPS, and other nonprofits/ organizations. We hope in the next three years to have sustainable community gardens, and a web of community fridges, while maintaining our emergency contraception distribution with Supply Hive and other programs with our partners. We hope in 5 years to have our youth and family community centers running, and in 10 years we hope to be a pillar in Des Moines. We hope that our nonprofit outlives us, and multiple lifetimes to serve the future generations of our community.
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ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION: IOWA CHAPTER VOLUNTEERING MAY PROTECT YOUR BRAIN HEALTH & MEMORY By Alzheimer’s Association Volunteering later in life may protect the brain against memory loss and dementia according to a new study of nearly 2,500 ethnically and racially diverse U.S. older adults. Researchers found better memory and brain function among those who volunteered in the past year, and people who volunteered several times per week had the highest levels of brain function. ALZHEIMER
Volunteer activities, such as supporting educational, religious, health-related or other charitable organizations, can help older adults be more physically active, social and provide stimulation that may protect the brain. Volunteering contains elements of activity, altruism, socialization and overall positivity about personal contributions that could lead to better overall health and mental health. Find something you like to do, and will continue to do on a regular and ongoing basis. The Alzheimer’s Association has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. One option is volunteering to participate in Alzheimer’s research. Individuals with dementia and those who are at risk, caregivers and healthy volunteers with no cognitive issues are all needed today to help advance Alzheimer's research. To address the growing need for clinical trial participants, the Alzheimer’s Association launched Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch® – a clinical studies matching service. For people with Alzheimer’s and caregivers, participating in research enables them to: • Play a more active role in their treatment. • Gain access to potential treatments before they are widely available. • Receive expert medical care at leading health care facilities, often free of cost. • Contribute to changing the course of the disease, and benefitting future generations OTHER LOCAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE: Walk to End Alzheimer’s Committee Member: Join your local volunteer committee to help reach the annual fundraising goal, plan the day of the Walk, recruit new Walk teams and spread awareness. The Longest Day Committee Member: Join this volunteer committee to help recruit new participants and local businesses, spread awareness and plan the kick-off and celebration parties. Gala Committee Member: Join one of the Iowa Chapter gala committees to help plan the event, secure sponsors and spread awareness. The Wine & Chocolate Festival is held in the Siouxland area, Memories in the Making is in the Quad Cities, and the Purple Soirée is in Des Moines. Community Educator: Deliver Alzheimer’s Association education programs on care and support topics, recruit new community partners and schedule presentations. Support Group Facilitators: Lead a monthly caregiver support group and spread awareness to reach new caregivers. Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) Advocate: Help pass state and federal legislative priorities to overcome Alzheimer's disease through increased investment in research, enhanced care and improved support. Outreach Volunteer: Help reach and spread awareness in underrepresented and high risk populations and assist with health equity work. The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter has local care and support resources to help Iowa families facing the disease. Find education programs, support groups, events and volunteer opportunities at alz.org/Iowa or call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900. 29
SPIRITUALITY: SPEAK LIFE INTO EXISTENCE Written by: By Donnetta Austin
JESUS LOOKED AT THEM AND SAID, “WITH MAN THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE, BUT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE “ MATTHEW 19:26 NIV Matthew 19:26 niv Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible “. The word of God is powerful. When you align your mind to thinking the way God see’s you, a situation, or circumstance you worry less, pray more, and have faith in what He can do. Release the control and stressors of whatever you may be going through, and walk by faith not by sight. Get into agreement with God’s word. What you speak out of your mouth, you begin to believe. Job 22:28 states, thou shall also decree a thing and it shall be established unto thee and the light shall shine upon thy ways. The word of God is a guide to help you through life’s obstacles. The Holy Spirit helps you through the process. It is our duty to trust in the Lord at all times and leave all consequences to Him. Have it your way or by His design. The decision is yours which one will you choose? 31
Juneteenth 2023 Thank you for Supporting Ottumwa LULAC Greater Ottumwa Fareway Meat & Grocery INdian Hills Community College Jumping jim's party rentals John Paul Jones Group Ottumwa Radio Group Efficient Electrical Energy Consultants Ottumwa Family YMCa
PUBLIC NOTICE DES MOINES AREA REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY (DART) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Goal for FY2024-FY2026 The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART), in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation, 49 CFR, Part 26, hereby announces its FY 2024-2026 goal of 1.8% for DBE participation on Federal Transit Administration (FTA) assisted contracts, purchases, and services. The proposed goal and its rationale are available for public review for the next 30 days during normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the DART administrative offices located at 620 Cherry Street in Des Moines, Iowa, 50309. Written comments regarding the goal and the methodology used for developing it will be accepted for forty-give (45) days after publication of this notice. Please visit www.ridedart.com or contact Mike Tiedens, DART Grants Program Administrator at mtiedens@ridedart.com.
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It's important to take the time to acknowledge the uniqueness of the deceased: the individuality of their personality, and the uniqueness of their life's path. Not just for them, but for you; it affirms the relationship, and leads to healing after loss. Honoring their life is truly an act of love – for the both of you. “WE’RE FAMILY” PHONE: (515) 309-6550 3500 SIXTH AVENUE DES MOINES, IA 50313 HENDERSONSHP.COM
As a financial cooperative, GreenState’s cooperative structure benefits everyone. Through competitive pricing and low fees, millions of dollars each year goes back into the pockets of members. Even non-members benefit from the competitive financial services landscape in our state. Rewards Checking • CDs & IRAs • Money Markets Insurance • Home / Auto Loans • Credit Cards Investments & Trust Services • Business Loans GreenState is consistently ranked in the Top 1% Nationally for returning profits with better rates & lower fees. That means one of the Top financial institutions in the country, is right here in Iowa. FINANCIAL INSTITUTION GreenState US Bank Chase Wells Fargo (9,6RANK 40 5,414 5,653 7,945 *Data provided by Callahan and Associates 12/31/22 37 19 U.S. Institutions) 800-397-3790 GreenState.org
BE INFORMED BE AN ADVOCATE SURVIVE Everyone has a heart: Take Care of Yours & Live Your Best Life! Why is Cardiovascular Genetic Screening Important? ! ! More than 1 in every 200 people have an inherited heart disease. Inherited heart diseases are the leading causes of sudden death in young people. Benefits of Genetic & Clinical Screening Detect heart disease that did not show up in routine health exams. Early detection may prevent heart complications. Make informed decisions about heart health, including treament options. Help identify the cause of a heart condition or other health issues. Educate family members who may be at risk of heart disease. Learn about the chance that a pregnancy will lead to genetic condition. ! Inherited gene abnormality does not automatically result in heart disease. Knowing your risk can help you understand and manage your health. Learn your risk for heart disease If any family member experienced heart disease or any of the below health issues, consider genetic and clinical screening. Heart failure (younger than 60 years old) Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or pacemaker implant (younger than 50 years old) Heart transplant (younger than 60 years old) Unexplained seizures or seizures with normal neurological evaluation Unexplained cardiac arrest(s) or sudden death Exercise intolerance Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) Untreated LDL (low-density lipoprotein) known as bad cholesterol ≥ 190 Multiple family members with congenital heart defects West African Ancestry in your family Diagnosed with carpel tunnel syndrome The average cost of genetic testing is $250 This work was supported through the MIHF HealthConnect Fellowship. The average out-of-pocket cost is $100
2023-24 SEASON IN THE JOHN VIARS THEATRE Once SEPT. 8-24, 2023 All is Calm DEC. 1-17, 2023 Our Town FEB. 2-18, 2024 Beautiful: The Carole King Musical MAR. 29-APR. 14, 2024 The Play That Goes Wrong MAY 31-JUNE 16, 2024 School of Rock The Musical JULY 12-28, 2024 IN THE KATE GOLDMAN CHILDREN’S THEATRE Seussical TYA OCT. 27-NOV. 5, 2023 A Charlie Brown Christmas DEC. 2-16, 2023 Dragons Love Tacos MARCH 3-12, 2024 Ivy+Bean The Musical MAY 3-12, 2024 SPECIAL EVENT – THE PENGUIN PROJECT: Disney’s High School Musical, Jr. OCT. 13-15, 2023 Alexandra Gray Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella 2022-23 Season 831 42nd Street | Des Moines | 515.277.6261 TICKETS, AUDITIONS, CLASSES, & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT: DMPlayhouse.com 39 THE
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