Winds of Change open house 4/19

• April 19th, 2012
• in Events, Issues, News

Tonight is the public open house for Winds of Change: Youth perspectives on Community Recovery at Holt High School in the auditorium from 6:30 to 8:30. The Winds of Change program is a set of interactive exhibits for youth and by youth related to the youth’s experience of the April 27 tornado and possibilities for community recovery. Over 500 Holt area youth have been participating each day this week and sharing their views. Tonight’s open house is for the community. Drop in at any point during the open house tonight to see what the youth have been up to! Further information is attached.

To view a PDF of the Winds of Change program, click here.

Holt Students Experience "˜Winds of Change' with Help from UA Students, Faculty

• April 17th, 2012
• in News

This article was originally published on the web by the University of Alabama News team.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. "” "Winds of Change," a youth-led series of discussions addressing recovery priorities in Holt after the April 27, 2011, tornado, will be held from Wednesday, April 18, to Friday, April 20, at the Holt High School auditorium.

Dr. Jeffrey G. Parker, associate professor of psychology at The University of Alabama, is spearheading the initiative.

Events during the day are intended for invited high school and middle school students. However, an open house will be offered from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 19, in the auditorium at the school. The open house is free, and the public is invited.

The program is designed to add the youth perspective to discussions regarding community recovery. Among the topics that will be addressed are: commercial and economic needs of the Holt community; youth-oriented employment and work training needs; community history and vision for future; recreational alternatives; public transportation and infrastructure; and community representation and governance.

Exhibits are educational and interactive and include "Forces at Work," involving employment opportunities for youth; "Back to the Future," surveying the history of Holt through photos; and "Say it Loud, Say it Proud," which features the voices, videos, art and photographs of Holt youth concerning the tornado and their community.

All exhibits are created by and hosted by Holt High School and Davis Emerson Middle School students, with mentoring by UA undergraduate psychology students under the direction of Parker. More than 500 youth and community participants are expected. Students will receive prizes, donated by more than three dozen local merchants or supporters, for their participation.

For details on the event, contact Parker at J.G.Parker@ua.edu or 205/348-2081.

The psychology department is part of UA's College of Arts and Sciences, the University's largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All American Team.

AERN hosted First Lady Dianne Bentley at the University Club on March 26

• April 12th, 2012
• in internBlog, News

Written and photographed by Nathan Wu.

AERN hosted First Lady Dianne Bentley at the University Club on March 26 for a project that promises to provide additional relief for victims of last April's Tornado while boosting a Black Belt entrepreneur.

Ms. Taylor of Greenville, Alabama develops signature candles for a variety of clients, including Alabama’s First Lady. The candles featured at the candle signing included scents representing camellia (the state flower), blackberry (the state fruit), pineapple (hospitality), chocolate chip cookie (home and family), and a special Dianne Bentley signature scent. These candles are available every day in the Governor’s Mansion gift shop. Mrs. Bentley autographed each candle sold at this event, and a portion of the proceeds went to The Governor’s Disaster Relief Fund, which helps relief efforts for the 2011 Tuscaloosa tornado victims. AERN is helping Ms. Taylor with education and expertise on business expansion.

Annette Watters, director of AERN, said the program has assisted the candle designer with her business growth and expansion. For example, Taylor's accounting and inventory systems needed to expand as her business did.

Mrs. Bentley said she wants to raise awareness for Governor Bentley’s small business development support and also Tuscaloosa disaster relief efforts. Ms. Francine Wasden of the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce attended to help AERN promote rural entrepreneurship.