Grass Roots Organization Garners National Attention for Oakland with Conference Efforts

PRLog (Press Release) - Aug 12, 2011 - This August 18-21, 2011 will mark the second national BUTCH Voices conference in Oakland.  Entitled, “Sustaining our Movement: Building for the Future,” the conference  will take place at Oakland City Center Marriott and features a performance night, film night, and poolside dance party in addition to highly-anticipated critical breakout sessions.  

With keynote speakers including Lambda Literary Award-winning authors, sharon bridgforth and Alice Y. Hom, the creators of BUTCH Voices insist upon the necessity of all who are interested in the conference to be able to attend.  
In 2009, BUTCH Voices held its first national conference for self-identified butches, studs, tombois, aggressives, machas, masculine of center women, and their allies.

In 2010, BUTCH Voices continued to share its three core initiatives—physical and mental health, social and economic justice, and community building— by hosting regional conferences in Texas and various locations on the east and west coast.  

“Although directed at a target audience, we are anything but insular,” says BUTCH Voices President, Chief Strategist, and Conference Co-Chair, Krys Freeman.  “Because of our presence and multi-regional outreach efforts, we’ve gained backing from groups and media outlets we never expected …  from DC, NY, New Jersey, Florida ...  The list is getting a little overwhelming,” Freeman kids.  “Everybody’s like ‘We love what you’re doing in Oakland! We’ve never seen this before! We’re coming to the conference!’”  She adds with all sincerity, “We are intent on maintaining these connections and building more.”

Freeman cites growth as one of the main criteria in choosing conference speakers, “Alice [addresses] issues of social justice.  As an Asian American queer scholar, writer, thinker, she is also relatable and respected by multi-generational demographics. We have to bridge gaps in order to create a sustainable future.”
“We[BUTCH Voices] feel it is important to bring together  diverse communities. We use our collective voices to gain understanding and promote positive visibility … Our conference attendees understand and represent this,” says a BUTCH Voices representative.

Interested conference attendees are encouraged to register early at www.butchvoices.com.  Direct conference information is also available on Twitter (@BUTCHVoices) and Facebook (facebook.com/butchvoices).  BUTCH Voices is offering financial assistance, including ride and room share, upon request.

CONTACT:
Carrie Kholi
Ardor Brand PR & Marketing
PHONE 404.732.5592
FAX 215.376.5696
Info@ardorbrand.com
www.ardorbrand.com

ABOUT ARDOR BRAND PR & MARKETING
Ardor Brand PR & Marketing provides a real-time, hands-on approach to growing your brand's web presence, brand and product placement, and specialized public relations and marketing services.  BUTCH Voices is an Ardor Brand, PR & Marketing pro-bono client.

We ARE your real-time, hands-on approach to growing your brand's web presence, brand and product placement, and specialized public relations and marketing services.

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NJ Foundation for the Blind Returns to its Essex County Roots

NJ Foundation for the Blind (NJFFB) returned to its roots this year by opening a Health and Wellness Program in Essex County for the Blind and Visually Impaired
PRLog (Press Release) - Aug 04, 2011 - Although headquartered in Denville, Morris County, the nonprofit organization was actually founded in Newark, Essex County, in 1943 to serve the needs of the blind.  The program relocated to Denville in 1955 when a blind woman anonymously donated the funds to purchase land for a summer camp for blind women on the site of the former Diamond Spring Inn.  
The residential program closed in 2006 and the program completely revamped into a comprehensive vision rehabilitation program, complete with computer labs and the latest in assistive technologies, electronic devices and software that changed the way people could cope with the devastation of losing their sight.
“Reaching out to other counties is part of our new strategic direction to serve those who cannot easily reach us,” says David Feinhals, Executive Director of the NJ Foundation for the Blind.  “We choose Essex County as our first outreach location because of our organization’s history, and the large population of individuals with vision loss who reside in Essex County. The program has  tripled  enrollment since it started in January 2011, indicating approval of our Montclair location.”
The new program provides health and wellness activities for individuals who are at a decided disadvantage in pursuing an active lifestyle.  It is held in 10-week sessions, one day per week, at a church in Montclair. The sessions are facilitated by expert instructors experienced in working with individuals who are blind or visually impaired.  
Activities include Horticulture, Yoga, African Drumming, T’ai Chi Chih, and a Peer Group Meeting to share solutions to the challenges of living with vision loss.  Each discipline helps offset the physical losses and emotional challenges brought on by vision loss. Students report improved balance, less stress, and greater feelings of connection to others and personal well-being.
“There’s a lot of physical activity and mental stimulation in the program, but having fun might be the most important wellness component of all,” notes Mr. Feinhals.
NJ Foundation for the Blind offers programs in Denville and Montclair, with a third program in Bergen County about to open.  For more information visit www.njffb.org or contact Linda Groszew, NJFFB Student Services Coordinator at 973-627-0055, Ext. 312, or email lgroszew@njffb.org.
# # # NJFFB (973-627-0055) is a 501c3 not for profit organization with a mission to provide the emotional support and practical training to help adults who become blind or visually impaired return to a full and meaningful life, adjust to vision loss, acquire independent living skills and regain their physical and mental health.
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Sprawling Roots Launches Green Social Network

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 15, 2011 – Sprawling Roots Inc. today announced the launch of Sprawling Roots (http://sprawlingroots.com), an eco-friendly forum and online community and pending 501c3 non-profit charitable organization.

Sprawling Roots facilitates and fosters green-based community development and alternative energy initiatives, eco-friendly information and knowledge sharing that is critical to the future of the world’s eco-system. It is the only green social network that provides participants with an interactive meeting place where they can seek out and instantaneously network with peers to exchange ideas and experiential learning, solve critical eco problems, remain current on emerging alternative energy trends and technologies, uncover green business leads, and advance green communities.

Powered by an award-winning team of business entrepreneurs, Sprawling Roots also offers features beyond its eco-friendly social networking platform. These include expert and user-generated content, environmental industry information, research and analysis, tools and benchmarks, a calendar of key online and offline gatherings for green advocates, and green friendly news feed.

"We think there's a real need out there for Sprawling Roots," says David J. Mandruk, Sprawling Roots Co-founder. "Green advocates absolutely want the latest eco-friendly news - and we want to engage users through the news to become more involved in green community development." D. Cotter, Co-founder and managing editor, adds, "But we also want users to chime in on things like alternative energy resources and green education programs. Users want to be able to network with other green movement supporters and see how they are advancing their communities." According to D. Cotter, Co-founder and managing editor, "Networking with peers gives advocates the kind of green movement intelligence they can't get in a newspaper article or from a piece of software."

Green leaders and advocates can join Sprawling Roots - the Network Growing Towards a Greener Tomorrow- by clicking on the invitation link:

http://sprawlingroots.com

Membership -1241012452  is free.

Business Contact:
David J. Mandruk
President & Co-founder
(917) 217 - 7668
dmandruk@sprawlingroots.com

Editorial Contact:
D. Cotter
Secretary, Editor & Co-founder
(917) 217 - 7668
dcotter@sprawlingroots.com

About Sprawling Roots, Inc.

Sprawling Roots, Inc. links green advocates with other advocates as well as green based businesses inside professional social environments through the fusion of professional social - networking and interactive technologies.

Sprawling Roots is a green based community development initiative 501c3 (pending) non profit charitable organization investing in environmentally friendly technologies and individuals that collectively support growing towards a greener tomorrow.

Inside Sprawling Roots' online community, you’ll find all the features you’d expect in a social network. Friends you can add, groups you can join and create, and activity streams to follow and see what your friends are up to. You’ll also find some great features you might not have expected, including discussion forums where you can debate all the latest thoughts on green living.

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