Jolene Ivey, District 5 Council Member's weekly newsletter

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dist 5

cancer connections

President Mary K. McCusker,  Senior Manager for Development and Outreach Jacqueline Beale, program participant Sharlette Williams, Council Member Ivey, and program participants Vincent and Dawn Smith at Hope Connections for Cancer Support.

 

 

Cancer Rates Down and Hope in Connections 

 

Last week I toured Hope Connections for Cancer Support located in Landover. The organization helps people with cancer and their loved ones deal with the emotional and physical impact of cancer through professionally-facilitated programs of emotional support and education, free of charge for all participants.

 

Cancer deaths are decreasing among African Americans, according to the American Cancer Society’s report Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans. Although the statistics are encouraging, African Americans continue to have the highest death rate and shortest survival rate of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S. for most cancers; therefore, the need for resources like Hope Connections for Cancer Support are still great.

 

While this new report indicates encouraging progress, much more needs to be done to address the continuing disparity in cancer rates. Better screening and awareness is needed, and risk factors that disproportionately affect people of color urgently need to be addressed. This is one of the many reasons why I am determined to address the entire issue of environmental justice. You can find more information on the report here

 

#LunchWithCMIvey is a Facebook Live Discussion I host several times a month during lunch hours highlighting various issues. My next segment is scheduled for February 27, 2019, at 12:30 pm. The participants for our upcoming discussion about cancer and resources available will be: 

 

  • Jacqueline Beale, a survivor and Senior Manager for Development and Outreach for Hope Connections for Cancer Support Groups.
  • Dawn Smith and Vincent Smith, Member of Hope Connections Survivor Support and Caregiver Group.
  • Sharlette Williams, a survivor, Member of Hope Connections Young African American Survivor Support Group.

 

Summer Jobs for Prince George's County Youth

 

Young people interested in applying for summer job opportunities through Prince George's County Youth@Work/ Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) should apply online by the March 22 deadline.

 

SYEP offers training, and once participants have completed the job readiness program, they can apply for a variety of positions in the Prince George’s County Government, non-profit organizations, or private businesses within the County. I want to encourage young people to apply for additional summer employment opportunities listed in the SYEP application.

 

Good Luck!

 

 

 Whitfield Gardens

Council Member Jolene Ivey swearing in the new officers of the Whitfield Gardens Civic Association. Pictured from left to right are Council Member Ivey, President Debra Smith, Vice President Mary Baldwin, Financial Secretary Marlene Burgess, Treasurer Serina Eckwood, and Chaplin Lloyd Howard.

 

Whitfield Gardens Installation Ceremony

It was an honor to participate in the Installation of Officers Ceremony this past Tuesday evening at the Whitfield Gardens Civic Association. There was a large, engaged crowd who witnessed President Debra Smith, Vice President Mary Baldwin, Treasurer Serina Eckwood, Financial Secretary Marlene Burgess, and Chaplin Lloyd Howard take their oaths of office.

I’d like to know about your group’s upcoming events, too! Please let my Community Liaison, Donnie Arrington, know about your upcoming events and meetings. Send the information to CouncilDistrict5@co.pg.md.us