A helping hand after leaving jail: NAACP program helps former inmates re-adjust in society

by Ellis Smith/Times-Georgian

Four years ago the Carroll County NAACP conceived a program that would help parolees live a successful life outside of prison. With hundreds of success stories on record, the little-known program is now ready to unveil itself to the community.

On Saturday, the first annual “Another Chance” gala at the University of West Georgia Campus Center Ballroom will feature fine dining, a silent auction, and the stories of rehabilitated inmates. Proceeds will benefit the Carroll County NAACP Re-Entry Services program. The service is not for profit and works in conjunction with local businesses, Carroll County, the city of Carrollton and other local stakeholders. Read on…

Whitten Inn protest draws regional support

Originally published in Santa Fe NAACP

By Matthew van Buren

A protest outside the Whitten Inn Saturday (Nov. 14) drew supporters from as far away as Las Cruces and San Antonio.

About 60 demonstrators gathered along Paseo del Pueblo Sur on an overcast Saturday morning and marched to the inn, picking up several bystanders along the way. The hotel has been a subject of regular protests since August, when former employees began to picket the former Paragon Inn, which Larry Whitten took over July 31. Some said they believe Whitten terminated several employees because they were Hispanic, which Whitten has denied.

Protesters have focused on controversial policies of Whitten’s – he told employees not to speak Spanish in his presence and told several to change their names. Martín was to go by “Martin” while at work, and Marcos was to be called “Mark.” Read on…

African &World Beat Drum & Dance Workshop

Presented by

Karuna & Marie Warren of the

NEW WORLD DRUMMERS & DANCERS

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Drum Workshop: 12:00 – 1:30

Dance Workshop: 2:00-3:30

Granada Center 700 1st Street

Special Sessions One Day Only

(Shuvani Belly Dance Studio / Fitness for Women)

ADULTS & YOUTH (12 years and up)

Beginning & Intermediate Levels

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: $10.00 ADULTS – $5.00 YOUTH

For questions call: 575 682-4663 in Alamogordo

or 575 644-4933 in Las Cruces

Sponsored by the NAACP of Otero County,

Shuvani Belly Dance Studio,

and the New World Drummers & Dancers

Update! Module One is completed and Module Two, lesson one has been posted!

Ron Peeler has our Professional Development section up and running.  Access is from the Professional Development menu item.

In the next few months I intend on developing and then posting information that runs the gamut from respect for oneself and others, to leadership, and resume building. This information is primarily directed at our young people and by that I mean the 16 to 21 year old age range. rp

To date we have the first four elements of  this project posted:  They are titled “Know Yourself“,” Public Speaking 101“, “Dressing for Success“, and “Resume Writing” and with more to come.

Latest Edition: Workplace Behavior and the OODA Loop!

If the first four lessons are any indication, this will be a great opportunity to help get your professional life started. I think its great and I’m way over 21!  We welcome your participation, your comments, and your questions. Spread the Word?

Gov. Bill Richardson  signed legislation to officially ban bias-based profiling in New Mexico. Advocates and organizations who supported the legislation were in attendance at a public signing at the governor’s office in Santa Fe.  Activist members of the Otero County, New Mexico NAACP lobbied for passage in Santa Fe  and testified in committee hearings.

HB 428, the Prohibition of Profiling Practices Act, sponsored by Rep. Nathan Cote, D-Las Cruces, passed the Senate floor by 32-10 in the final hour of the legislative session. The bill previously passed the House floor 62-0 after an hour of impassioned debate from members. Read on…

The fourth quarterly featured quest speakers at the Otero County NAACP business meeting were  Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)  Tina Godby-Ware;  Otero County Sexual Assault Coordinator, Sandra Wilder, of the Counseling Center of Alamogordo;  and Detective Lt. Lee Wilder, Response Team Coordinator, of Alamogordo Department of Public Safety.  All are members of the  Sexual Assault Response Team  (SART) in New Mexico’s Twelfth Judicial District.

The coordinated sexual assault response team  is designed to ensure that victims are provided with a broad range of necessary care and services (legal, medical, social services) and to increase the likelihood that an assault can be successfully prosecuted. The SART team includes a nurse examiner, a sexual assault advocate, a prosecutor, and a law enforcement officer. All responding actors follow specific protocols that set out their responsibilities in treating and providing services sensitive to the needs of victims of sexual assault.

You can contact members of the response team at the following numbers:

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner,  Tina Godby-Ware:  575 430-9485
Otero County Sexual Assault Coordinator, Sandra Wilder:  575 437-7404
Response Team Coordinator,  Detective Lt. Lee Wilder:  575 439-4300

. . . . .

The SART presentation was  followed by a showing of  “V-Day, Until the Violence Stops”. “V-Day” is an international movement to stop violence against women (and men).  An Alamogordo stage presentation of “The Vagina Monologues” is slated for February of 2010.  Men are encouraged to attend.