Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 7-15-16 Online Edition

Local
West Tampa Restaurant To Host 2nd Annual Back To School Bash
Organization Wants To Empower Families With Disabilities
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Jeneice Goodwin, who grew up in New York City, was excited that she was going to be the first member of her fam- ily to graduate from college.
Ms. Goodwin was well on her way to making that happen as a student attending Saint Leo College in San Antonio, Florida.
At the age of 23, Ms. Good- win became pregnant, and not long after that she was diag- nosed with a rare disease called uveitis that affects sight.
Due to insurance limita- tions, Ms. Goodwin was un- able to locate a specialist that accepted her insurance. As a result of the lack of medical treatment, her vision wors- ened. While experiencing rapid vision lost, she became a mother to a handsome little boy.
“After my son’s birth and several unsuccessful surgeries, I became completely blind in my left eye, and legally blind in my right eye.
“Through those challeng- ing times, I realized the lack of services available for disabled parents. While juggling moth- erhood adjusting to vision loss and being a full-time student, I completed my studies and graduated with a B.S. degree in Social Work. I also made the Dean’s List my entire senior year.”
Ms. Goodwin said when she lost her vision, she felt hopeless, and imagined so many obstacles, she began to get depressed.
“I had to make a lot of ad- justments, and a counselor ac- tually advised me to quit school. That was never an op- tion for me.
“When I lost my vision, I felt hopeless. I imagined so many obstacles, and I really began to fear the unknown es- pecially since I had a child to care for.”
Going through that experi- ence revealed to Ms. Good- win that there was a lack of services for disabled parents. That’s when she founded “Col- laborative Organization Repre- senting Empowerment (CORE).
“CORE is a stabilizing sup- port system that serves the en- tire family,” said Ms. Goodwin.
“The Division of Blind Serv- ices provided me with the foundation, but there was still a lot missing. I had to undergo a complete lifestyle change. I also discovered that expecta- tions are not realistic for peo- ple with disabilities. CORE provides services to anyone
JENEICE GOODWIN
with a disability, and Braille training for those suffering with blindness.”
Ms. Goodwin said among their goals are public aware- ness, sensitivity and self-es- teem awareness.
“We currently serve 35 peo- ple, and we’re also reaching out to veterans.
“There are a lot of resources people need that they can’t af- ford. We’ve started a peer sup- port group, and we engage conversations about people with disabilities and their needs, like proper nutrition, transportation, and other day- to-day needs.”
Ms. Goodwin said they’ve had contacts from people out- side of the country, and every 2nd and 3rd Thursday, they get calls on a conference line to talk about disabilities and the impact it has on families.
“I did a lot of research, and discovered there weren’t any support groups like this one. We deal with specifics, and that helps us target the people who could use our services.
“There are so many things people with disabilities need, and we’ve narrowed some of them down to adoptive parent- ing classes, peer support, adoptive parent training, tech- nical skills training, and spiri- tual classes.”
Ms. Goodwin said faith and her trust in God has brought her this far. And CORE wants to help make peo- ple with disabilities feel more independent.
To learn more about CORE, visit their website at www.coreempoerigfamilies.or g.
CORE consists of Ms. Goodwin, who serves as Pres- ident/CEO; former boxing an- nouncer, Mark Beiro, Vice President; Greg Ellis, Treas- urer; Barbara Gonzalez, Secretary; Tierce Lee, Event Coordinator and Fundraising Chair; Cathy Etheridge, Par- liamentarian; Rondi K. Ab- bott, Peer Advocate; Keta Pickett, Hospitality Chair, and Jerome Hope, Member Recruitment Chair.
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Although her first year as owner and operator of Lanna’s Entrees got off to a slow start, Yolanda Allen still felt the need to show her appreciation to the community by hosting a back to school bash.
Now at a new location, 2139 West Main Street (across from Barbecue King), Ms. Allen’s business has been revitalized, and she’s ready for this year’s 2016 Back To School Bash.
On July 30th from 12 noon until 4 p.m., Ms. Allen and the staff of Lanna’s Entrees will be treating the community to a fun day full of events and special treats, and at the same time, they will be handing out book bags packed with sup- plies.
“I am expecting a much big- ger turnout than last year, so
YOLANDA ALLEN
we’ve taken it up a notch with the activities we’ll have.
“There will be a big water slide, face painting, tattoo glit- ter, and other events for the kids. We will also host a raffle and an essay contest with the winner getting a $100 gift cer- tificate from Footlocker. There will also be a dunking tank.”
As a special treat for the kids, football players Daunta Peterson and KD Williams will be there, along with some- one from the Kumlawdi Foun- dation.
Parents are asked to accom- pany all children 13-and- under, and all attendees are asked to bring their own tow- els for the water slide.
“The football players will talk to the kids about the im- portance of staying in school,” said Ms. Allen.
“We have to start in our community. We at times have to be parents to all the kids, not just our own.”
Ms. Allen welcomes any- one who wants to donate school items and other things to help out with this event. Anyone who wants to make a donation can stop by the restaurant on Main Street.
Community Hoop It Up Bash
On Saturday, July 16th, a Community Hoop It Up Bash will be held a 3 Ministers of God Ministries Christian Church, 1512 East Columbus Drive, Apostle Charles and Elect Lady Shon Davidson, pre- siding.
The bash will be held from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will include music, fun, games, food, bas- ketball and much more. There will also be a free vendors table.
There will be a Madden Tour- nament for ages 12-to-17 and an overall winner will be declared and prizes awarded.
For more information, please call (813) 310-4570, or (813) 310-7552.
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016