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www.oicone.org
www.oicone.org Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc. M.A.H.C Warehouse Visit us online at www.oicone.org Contents Education 11| Youth Connect The Education and Training Department welcomes their 2014 Youth Connect Class Cover Story 13) OIC Graduation 2014 U.S Congressman G.K Butterfield delivers a dynamic keynote speech. President’s Address 5| President and CEO Reuben Blackwell OIC’s President and CEO Reuben Blackwell delvers his presidential Address. Health 7| Just Health and Food Summit OIC teams up with the NCACDC to bring healthy food and fun to the community . 8| Save Our Fathers The OIC and its partners help spread prostate health and awareness throughout the community. 9| Outreach and Enrollment OIC captures the testimonies of the people we serve. Creative 10| Summer Internships OIC‘s summer interns gets a behind the scenes view of OIC operations. Presidents Address Building a Sustaining Vision Helping to rekindle our students’ confidence and vision while we work to help rebuild the communities they live, work and play in is not an easy job. It is foolish for us or anyone to take any credit for elevating a person’s mind about who they are or what they can do. But, at OIC, we must always continue the struggle to help people see what’s best about themselves. We know that many times the people that come to us have run out of chances or sometimes even think that they have run out of options. Employment figures locally, statewide and nationally are not rising as quickly as they have fallen. Most of our clients, however, haven’t really been impacted by the recent optimism that seems to be peeking out from under the blanket of economic depression. It’s just always been tough for them, their parents and their parents before them. That’s why it’s important that OIC mirrors the attitude and approach of an Old Testament Biblical hero that led the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah chose people that had the intention to reclaim the City of their ancestors. The account summarily declares that Nehemiah and his followers weren’t dissuaded by the task or intimidated by their opponents that told them their work and goals would never succeed. They just rolled up their sleeves and went to work. They built with one hand and held a sword in the other just in case they had to fight! It is clear to us today what obstacles we fight against. More people are looking for jobs than ever before. However, jobs that pay living wages and benefits can be hard to find. With rising health disparities in eastern North Carolina, there is a greater need for quality, affordable and accessible healthcare. North Carolina’s elected leadership has opted not to expand Medicaid to uninsured individuals who live in our state and are not yet enrolled, but normally eligi- ble, for public insurance. This policy has been detriment to more than 500,000 North Carolina Residents As followers of Rev. Leon Sullivan today, we must adopt his “we can do anything” attitude. OIC must continue to find creative ways to build capacity for our organizations, our communities, our students and our patients! That is why we chose to celebrate the 45 graduates that earned their General Equivalency Diplomas at OIC last week. That’s also why we are bringing an additional facility for primary care services online later in July to expand our health resources reach into previously underserved communities. We don’t have time to look at hurdles and worry about obstacles. Our clients and the families that we serve expect that when they come to us, we have answers and direction. I believe that the OIC international mantra, “we help people who help themselves,” is relevant in any generation and with any people. It’s up to us to put it into action. Fifty years after the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, we are still having to prove today that ALL AMERICANS are entitled to the full privileges of this great society that is called America. Many gains have been made over the last fifty years. And many gains are being rolled back one by one. At OIC, we will continue to ensure that our programming and service delivery is current, contemporary and competitive. We will also do all we can to ensure that our clients, patients and students are thinking success, developing options and maximizing every opportunity they have. And at OIC, just as Rev. Sullivan did, we will loudly and persuasively work with all elected and appointed officials to remind them of the promise that America holds for everyone. We OIC President and CEO Reuben Blackwell (right) shakes hands with civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson at the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act Congressional Commemoration. work the way that we do because we believe that what we do not only changes lives today, but influences the destiny of generations to come. Thanks to all of our partners and friends for supporting us in the many ways that you do. And thanks to the OIC family, staff, partners and volunteers, who join together to ensure that our village is healthy, nurturing and full of life and that our walls are secure! OIC in collaboration with the Prostate Cancer Coalition, Rocky Mount Ministers Alliance, Omegas of Rocky Mount and A Total Outreach Ministry sponsored the “Save Our Fathers: Getting Back to the Basics” event with emphasis being placed on prostate health and awareness. Rocky Mount residents in attendance received invaluable information regarding prostate health and education. OIC’s Mobile Access Health Clinic was also present and available for free onsite screening. Free food and beverages were served as the panel discussion commenced in what happened to be an informative and eventful evening. Getting Back to the Basics: Five Interesting Facts about Prostate Cancer 1. One in 10 000 men under the age of 40 develop prostate cancer, whereas one in eight men between the ages of 60 and 80 suffer from the disease. 2. Lack of exercise can lead to general ill-health and makes someone more susceptible to all sorts of diseases, prostate problems included. 3. A man with three first degree relatives with prostate cancer has a ten times increased risk of developing prostate cancer himself. 4. For some reason not yet fully understood, the rate of prostate cancer among black men is higher than that of other race groups. A possibility exists that higher levels of testosterone may be responsible. 5. The prostate needs time and male hormones to develop cancer. Testosterone does not cause prostate cancer, but is essential for prostate cancer to develop. Panel: Mary C. Anderson (L), Shari Dickens (2nd from Left), Dr. Claudia Richardson(3rd from left) and Rev. Thomas L. Walker (Far Right) James Moore, Rocky Mount Chief of Police ,introduces the audience to the panel speakers “The process was easy, it was really blessing and I am grateful that I came here.” Monet Brown, 22, Rocky Mount A Resident Monet Brown pictured with her mother Teresa Hall in the Outreach and Enrollment office at the FMC Happy Hill. M r. Dennis Gunter (far right), Pastor of Greater Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, had the Outreach and Enrollment team do a presentation on the Affordable Care Act at his church. Mr. Gunter reported that the team brought a lot of insight and generated great interest throughout the members. “We now have a better understanding of the Affordable Care Act.” Gunter stated. Ms. Renita Lopes (seated on the left), who is also a Rocky Mount resident, knew that the Affordable Care Act was something that she wanted to check into. After doing some research, Renita’s interests peaked and she contacted the OIC Outreach and Enrollment team. Ms. Lopez comments on how simple the enrollment process was when working with the outreach and enrollment team. fter losing her Medicaid, Monet knew that she needed to make a decision regarding her healthcare. She visited the social services office upon hearing about the Affordable Care Act and was advised to visit the OIC’s Outreach and Enrollment office. Monet was kindly greeted by Mrs. Shari Dickens and the Outreach and Enrollment Team. She received quality information and assistance and was able to successfully enroll in a healthcare package. Not only did she save time and money, but she was able to help her mother get enrolled as well. “I advise anyone to come and speak to Mrs. Shari Dickens and the Outreach and Enrollment team, they have reallybeen a great help. Renita Lopez( left) speaks about the affordable care act alongside pastor Dennis Gunter (right) in the Outreach and Enrollment Office at FMC Happy Hill. “I came in, I met with OIC Staff, they took me through the process of enrollment and it was very, very simple. They streamlined it and made it totally easy. For anyone who doesn’t have healthcare, it is so worth it to come in and meet with the staff.” Having spent time In the workforce, Renita stated that she recognizes how expensive healthcare can be, yet this coverage was extremely affordable. She highly recommends anyone without healthcare coverage to come to Happy Hill and speak with the Outreach and Enrollment team. Michael Hines (left) in the studio with Soul 92 Radio Personality “Jo-Jo” Peoples. OIC runs a series of radio commercials focusing on Education/ Training and its Medical Services. OIC’s Marketing Intern Michael Hines (Pictured far left) is a junior majoring in computer science at Shaw University. He is set to graduate in 2016 with aspirations to focus in the web designing, programming, and networking fields. When questioned about why he decided to choose computer science as his major, Hines stated “First and foremost, I love computers and I enjoy coming up with creative ideas. I also love learning new material. With computers and technology, the knowledge that you are able to attain is limitless.” The Marketing internship is based on assisting the Communications Manag- er in developing creative ideas that contribute to OIC’s communications strategy. The internships requires the application of social media marketing, consumer surveys and statistics, and internal analysis. Hines stated that he is enjoying his experiences at OIC and that it has enlightened him to the inner workings of the corporate environment. He also concluded that he has recognized how social media marketing and communications play a vital role in today’s corporate environment. Shaquille Russell (Bottom Left) from Brooklyn, NY Shaquille Russell (right) shadowing Aaron Sammons (left) while learning the behind the scenes mechanics of OIC corporate. and a rising junior at Saint Augustine University is majoring in Engineering with a minor in business. Shaquille Russell is a two sport athlete in football and track at Saint Augus- tine. Russell pursued an internship with OIC in hopes of gaining more experience in a business environment. He hopes to utilize his experience at OIC in his entrepreneurial endeavors. When asked for his sentiment on his summer internship, Shaquille stated, “it is a great experience, being able to learn from such a wonderful staff. “ OIC Summer Interns Shaquille Russell (left) and Michael Hines in front of OIC Corporate Headquarters. Youth Connect is kicking off the summer strong with a foray of special guests and workshops up ahead. For this edition, we decided to highlight a session in which the Youth Connect student’s received a personal lecture from Cassandra Cobb, an Edgecombe County School counselor. Cobb delivered an address coined as “sticking to your goals” which emphasized staying focused and not giving up. Cassandra went on tell the students her personal story, the relationships she built along the way and the friends she witnessed falling victim to the perils of life. During her address, Ms. Cobb stated, “sometimes you have to cut people loose and travel a different road.” She explained to the students that when the time comes for them to begin their careers and inaugurate that stage of their lives, not everyone around them can come along for the ride. She went on to tell the students that it is imperative for them to refrain from making any excuses and blaming anyone other than themselves for the mistakes they make in life. Cassandra stated that, “there’re strong individuals in everyone’s life and people shouldn’t use the excuse of not having a mother, or not having a father present to justify anything. You ought to look to a teacher, a coach, neighbor or family member and find your motivation through them.” Ms. Cobb told the students that in order to get to where you want to in life, you are going to have to work for it. She then asked them if anyone heard of the quote, “the dream is free but the hustle is sold separately?” In her elaboration, Cassandra stated that it’s not enough James Moore, Rocky Mount Chief Of Police, talks with Youth Connect Class for you to merely think about where you want to be, you are going to have to work hard to get there and it’s not going to be simply laid out for you. Oftentimes, you are just going to have to work really hard at it. Ms. Cobb went on talk to the students about watching what they send to people via text or on the internet, stating “you have to be careful about who you consider your friends.” Ms. Cobb went on to discuss the importance of giving back to the community. She stated, “ if any of you get a chance to find gainful employment in this area, come back and help the community because it’s nothing like pulling the next person up.” She added “if you have little brothers or siblings, you have a duty to be a good role model for them.” After the departure of the guest speaker, the students began discussing their budging plan with future fundraising ideas and initiatives. The instructors, Greg Royal and Ora Grooms, talked to the students about employment stability and the importance of being prepared for the employment world. They also went over job applications and the proper information to include when applying for a position. Students in youth connect are learning that presentation matters when it comes to securing a position. Instructors Royal and Grooms are doing a wonderful job of preparing the youth with employability skills and money management U.S Congressman G.K Butterfield OIC Graduation 2014 Keynote Speaker Forty-seven students received their GEDs on Thursday during the Opportunities Industrialization Center’s 2014 commencement exercises. The keynote speaker for the ceremony at the Booker T. Washington Auditorium was U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-1st District. “The hour has come,” Butterfield said. “The time has come for you to decide your future. You must understand there is a connection, a direct connection between the amount of money you will make in your lifetime and your education.” Butterfield also told the students about how the world had changed, and how technology plays more of an important role in the world now. “Students all over the world and graduates all over the world are now your competitors,” Butterfield said. “Do not be intimidated by that, just get out there, get an education and compete – because I know you can do it.” U.S. Congressman G.K Butterfield delivers an electrifying keynote speech. The graduates were a wide variety of people, OIC President and CEO Reuben Blackwell said. “Some of them are high school age, and some of them are graduating with their regular high school class,” Blackwell said. “Some of them have graduated before their high school peers would have. Some of them have been out of school and in the workforce for a number of years who have now come back to return, so we have a blended group we are celebrating.” Despite their varied backgrounds, the students, such as Khadijah Hedgepeth, 18, were excited. “I worked for this, so I’m like ‘Woo,’” Hedgepeth said. “I kind of went through a whole bullying thing in school, so working hard to get this whole GED and going off to college in August is something that you have basically been dreaming about your whole life.”Hedgepeth said she will attend Mid-Atlantic Christian University in the fall. “This is high time for me personally and for our team, because we get a chance to see some of the individuals who have GED Graduates, Class of 2014 stumbled in life, but they have picked themselves up,” Blackwell said. “Ninety-five percent of these folks who are graduating are moving on to community colleges for advanced degrees or four-year schools or going right into the workforce. “When I see these people, these young and old people, walk across the stage, I see that the next generation has a chance.” Via Rocky Mount Telegram Q&A with OIC Education Services Director Charles Washington (left) and U.S Congressman G.K Butterfield listen to Denies Brown, OIC Training Manager, as she addresses the Class of 2014 Q: What is your sentiment on this year’s GED graduation and the class of 2014? A: Mr. Washington: Well, I thought that the graduation was one of the best that we have had. Q: What are your visions for the future? A: Mr. Washington: I envision us having a greater attendance of graduates for the commencement services. Every year we have an outstanding graduation but I like to identify areas in which we can improve on each year. Q: What some of the areas in which we OIC can make improvements in regards to the graduation? A: Mr. Washington: One of the major ways is to maximize the number of students that participate in the graduation and to sustain a dynamic commencement address from our guest speakers. Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc.
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