The Health and Well-Being committee has two ideas for projects. With a strong interest in Mental Health issues, we are involved with research and the collection of information on what other communities, police departments, and mental health organizations are doing to help people with mental health issues before they end up in jail for criminal behavior or in the hospital with a self inflicted injury. The committee is also concerned about the crisis many have with medical debt and the cancellation of insurance polices of the seriously ill. We will update the group on our findings and talk about how we might turn these into projects at the next meeting on February 22, 2009.
Maryanne Colter, Committee Chair
Maryam Stewart
According to recent polls, voters believe that solving our energy problem is the nation's second-highest priority. Eighty-two percent think it is “very important.” Only the financial crisis ranks higher in voter concern.
At present, of course, we are highly dependent for energy on imported oil whose price we cannot control. To pay for it, we send vast sums to nations that are not our friends. Even though, the price of oil is relatively low at present,it cannot stay that way, because the world is exhausting the “easy” sources of oil. More oil is available, but in locations and forms that will be increasingly difficult and expensive to obtain.
The National Security and Foreign Affairs (NSFA) sub-committee of Team Obama Hyde Park is engaged in the following: (1. Participating in Camp Hope which is "Organized by a coalition of social justice, religious and peace organizations from the Chicago area, Camp Hope's goal is to remind President-elect Obama of the progressive themes he sounded in his campaign and urge him to follow through with policy changes when he takes office later this month" (http://camphope2009.org/) Among the sessions members are attending are:Discussion Withdrawal of Troops from Iraq; Jan. 7, Myths and Realities about U.S. in Afghanistan; Jan. 10, Witness Against Torture Reform; Jan.11, The Gaza Crisis; Jan. 14. (2. Arranging presentations to community groups of the state of readiness of Hyde Park to respond to a natural or man-made disaster. We will be working with the Red Cross (http://www.usa.redcross.org/) and others with an emphasis on educating the public on preparedness.
Sharon Klopner, Committee Chair
Our goal is to bring attention to the educational needs and concerns of our inner city schools. Our committee has discussed specific issues that we feel can help improve the quality of education for children. We plan on writing a letter expressing these concerns to our local public officials. We completed a coat drive at one of our local public schools. Please see our flyer below.
Committee: Sarah Fadamitan (Chair), Imani Akin, Naimah Shuayb, Gloria Mhoon, Sandra Payne, Jackie Whitworth
Flyer: Please join Team Obama Hyde Park for Coats for Kids. Meet local Obama supporters and learn how you can get involved. Change can’t happen without you! The event will be held at: Kenwood Academy High School 5015 Blackstone Avenue Chicago, USA January 7, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. For more information contact: sfadamitan1@yahoo.com
