– Tameka Lee, PR Specialist at the Central Arkansas Library System for Library Lovers Week. Libraries have so many resources, that you can practically fill your calendar just with the things they offer…and it”s usually FREE! February is National Library Lovers’ Month. Take advantage of the activities and events happening this month. Attend the Kickoff, Saturday, February 4th at 2pm at the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library and Learning Center, 4800 West 10th Street in Little Rock. There will be family-friendly activities and crafts, story-time featuring a special guest, Thompson Library Kids Art Exhibition, a book giveaway, and a catapult. Little Rock School District Superintendent Mike Poore will share what the library means to him and the community. For more information on the Library Lovers’ Kickoff event or other events happening throughout the month and beyond, visit www.cals.org or call 501-918-3000.
-Genine Perez, Executive Director at the Arkansas Youth Leadership Initiative (AYLI). This organization provides leadership training, promotes character, service, education, culture and more for youth & also, adults that work with youth. The leadership training is for groups of all sizes. They work with community partners in health, wellness and prevention statewide and also host several signature events where youth can play an active role in the development and implementation of the programs. AYLI has a governing advisory board made of community members of various backgrounds that care about youth. Some of the programs are:
- Miss Teen Tours: A six month mentoring program for girls ages 11-18
- YES TEAM: Youth led grass roots tobacco prevention program
- Youth with PURPOSE: Youth who serve as Change Agent for the community
The 8th Annual YES on the HILL Training will be held, Saturday, March 11th. Pre-register now for the Silent March, Rally, and Press Conference. Everyone registered will receive a free t-shirt and lunch. For more information on the Arkansas Youth Leadership Initiative and its events, visit www.aryouthlead.org or call 501-375-1338.
– Daphne Gaulden, Director of Equity for the American Heart Association (AMA) in Central Arkansas and Deborah Rhodes, Survivor, Volunteer, and President of the NAACP of North Little Rock came to talk about “Go Red For Women.” “Go Red For Women” is a National movement by the AMA to end heart disease and stroke in women. Cardiovascular diseases in the United States kill approximately 1 woman every 80 seconds. There are five numbers that all women should know to take control of their heart health. The five numbers are 1) Total Cholesterol, 2) HDL (good) Cholesterol, 3) Blood Pressure, 4) Blood Sugar, and 5) Body Mass Index (BMI). Knowing these numbers can help women and their healthcare provider determine their risk for developing cardiovascular diseases.
Events will be held throughout the month where women will ‘Go Red.’ A few events will be:
- Thursday, February 2 | 11am | State Capitol, 2nd Floor Rotunda – “Go Red for Women” Survivor Gallery Unveiling
- Friday, February 3 | National Wear Red Day
- Each Sunday during February is “Go Red Sunday: Have Faith in Heart.” Wear Red to Church. For the “Go Red Sunday” Toolkit, which provides information and materials to help make your event at success, register at Little Rock Go Red Sunday 2017 on www.eventbrite.com.
For more information on the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women,” visit www.CentralARgoRed.heart.org.
