The Class Act
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Vol. 9 January-February, 2017 Urbana Adult Education From the Director’s Chair Talking with Samuel Byndom __________________________________ The Class Act HEALTH AND LIFE Why It Is Important to Keep Up with Your Health… By Gwenda Harris Whether you are young or old, it is so important for us to Dr. Byndom get regular check-ups, blood work, and other medical Director of Urbana Adult Education treatments done - mammograms, cancer testing, yearly exams, By Jonathan Kenoly and etc. Just think of how many people die each year, simply Bruce Stennis because they didn’t go to the doctor and didn’t get tested for years and years. Please get yourself and your kids tested; get We asked Dr. Byndom how it is that the check-ups, and take care of yourselves. staff of Urbana Adult Education pushes forward with innovative ideas to help The reason I say this is because my son, who is 30 years students achieve success as they work of age, didn’t think he needed to go see a doctor. One day, he toward graduation and beyond. He got sick and finally went to the doctor. He found out that he reported that we are creative, goal- didn’t have a cold – it was Hepatitis-C. He had been infected for oriented, and logical when we plan; we years and didn’t know it. His kidneys began to stop working and are not afraid to think outside the box. he had to be put on dialysis. He was told that he could die. It A case in point is our recent switch to a was so hard seeing my child laying there when all it would have credit-based system for student taken to prevent this was to see the doctor once or twice a year. transcripts. Our growing list of elective It is also a good idea to get a second opinion from a class offerings to enrich student learning is another example. different doctor, or even a third opinion, so you can know for Additionally, we are continually striving sure if you have an illness, and find out what the best treatment to create new business partnerships for is for you. And please ask your doctor questions about your student internships. We have been health! How are you going to learn if you don’t research the contacting and negotiating with local things that they say are going on with your body? We all need businesses including: more knowledge about healthcare. Take care, get that check-up, The Urbana Park District, and may God be with us all. Salt and Light, The Windsor Road Church of Christ, *Healthcare resources follow on page 2. Dr. Preston Williams Elementary Index School, From the Director’s Chair pg 1 ESL Students Write Book Reports pg 11-12 Health and Life pg 1 Cultural Exchange pg 13 The Mahomet Forest Preserve and Healthcare Resources pg 2-3 From Pip to Fledge pg 14-15 others. Hot Pop pg 4-5 A Note of Appreciation pg 15 Life changer of the Year pg 5 Class Act Staff pg 15 These internships will provide great Staff Spotlight, Marcellos Gray pg 6 Staff Spotlight, Arlene Anderson pg 7 learning opportunities for students. Staff Spotlight, Edwin Vega pg.8 Knowing Your Rights pg 9-10 1 Healthcare Resources By Olivia Whitman The Champaign-Urbana community is fortunate to have several affordable options for good quality healthcare. In addition to the two larger clinics, Carle Clinic and Christie Clinic, there are numerous independent physician practices and several no-cost or low-cost clinics to choose from. Frances Nelson Health Center (217) 356-1558 819 Bloomington Road Champaign, IL 61820 [email protected] Frances Nelson Health Center provides convenient care, a walk-in clinic, school and work physicals, eye clinic, lab services, prenatal care, health education, and mental health counseling. They provide discounts determined by income and have interpreters in Spanish, Mandarin and French. The types of insurance the Health Center accepts are: Medicare, All Kids, Medicaid, Blue Shield, Health Alliance Connect, other private insurance, Molina, and self-pay patients are also accepted. Because they recognize that a serious illness is sometimes a surprise, emergency appointments can be made quickly and there is a walk-in clinic for convenient care. Frances Nelson operates Monday through Friday. Smile Healthy Dental Center, an extension of the Frances Nelson Clinic, provides extractions and fillings, cleanings, restorations, full exams, and dental health education. The Dental Center was created in 2002. The Dental Center accepts private insurance, Medicaid and self-pay patients. Frances Nelson Health Center was created in the 1960’s in order to help lower the number of infant deaths among African-Americans. It is now used to provide medical services to the underserved in Champaign- Urbana primary health care. They accept new donations of toothbrushes, toothpaste, disinfecting wipes and re-sealable bags. They do not take medication donations. There are opportunities for volunteering and internships, so call them if you’d like to help. Avicenna Community Health Center (217) 403 5498 819 Bloomington Road Champaign, IL 61820 [email protected] Avicenna Community Health Center is a free clinic for people who are uninsured or underinsured in our community. The clinic is run by a team of medical professionals, students and volunteers. Avicenna’s mission statement is: To provide healthcare for the uninsured and underinsured To engage in preventive healthcare through community health screenings To promote health awareness through education and information dissemination. 2 The Avicenna Center was founded by the local Muslim Community, an outgrowth of the Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center. Although the clinic emanates from a faith based organization, Avicenna serves those in need of medical services regardless of race, color, national origin, religion or lifestyle. This clinic does not offer emergency services, dental or mental health care; and is not a resource for cancer treatments, HIV or STD testing, children's health services, or immunizations. But, Avicenna specializes in care for: Physical exams Diabetes High cholesterol Hypertension (high blood pressure) Thyroid issues Coughs and colds Skin issues Diet and exercise counseling (lifestyle management) Social Work services Prescription assistance services and more. If Avicenna cannot provide you with what you need, then Avicenna will help you figure out where you can go for help. Promise Healthcare at Champaign County Christian Health Center (217) 402-5683 1400 W. Park St. Urbana, IL 61801 http://www.promisehealth.org/ Champaign County Christian Health Center is a not-for-profit health center which was founded in 2003. Like Avicenna, this clinic is an outgrowth of a faith community. Their mission is to show and share the love of Jesus Christ to the residents of Champaign County by providing holistic, free, and quality health care services. Promise Healthcare at the CRC can be found behind Presence Covenant Medical Center near their emergency department. The clinic welcomes new patients and walk-ins. The hours of operation for this clinic are: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM “Whether you are young or old, it is so important for us to get Thursdays 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM regular check-ups, blood work, and other medical treatments done - mammograms, cancer testing, yearly exams, etc. Just Fridays 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM think of how many people die each year, simply because they didn’t go to the doctor and didn’t get tested for years and years. Please get yourself and your kids tested; get check-ups, and take care of yourselves.” --- Gwenda Harris 3 Hot Pop By Donnika Caldwell It’s getting cold outside but the nation’s heart is burning hotter with each day; from people protesting against Trump’s “Victory” with Safety Pins to Rob Kardashian’s new found happiness with his new daughter. So, snuggle up with a warm cup of whatever people drink in the winter and a copy of this issue’s “HOT POP” article in our very own Class Act. Safety DePINs on Us Recently, violent and disturbing acts have been occurring due to President Donald J. Trump’s election. While I may be the last to say Trump is innocent, these acts of hate crimes were not done in his name or by his hand. It has been strongly stated, however, that Trump’s “outward messages” may have influenced these crimes. It seems to a majority of the nation that Trump’s campaign allowed (and revealed) the bigots and the ignorant among us and allowed them to come out into the open. On the one hand, Trump did not personally direct them, while on the other hand, he has not yet done much to discourage these acts and calm the public. In fact, Donald John Trump was quoted at a Las Vegas Rally saying, “I’d like to punch [a peaceful protester] in the face.” CNN politics had this to say about it: “Trump claimed the protester was "nasty as hell" and accused the man of trying to punch the security officers, forcing him (the protester) out of the rally, though the man did not appear to be fighting off those officers.” (CNN.com/Politics) In order to spread a passive and concerned message (peacefully, mind you) people all over the world and country have begun wearing a safety pin. The safety pin represents a way to hold something together while a solution is being found. It wishes for the safety of everyone, man or woman, gay or straight, black or white. So, next time you find a safety pin, rock it on your shirt! Pin on our future of safety! Check out President Trump’s ridiculous twitter @realdonaldtrump.