SUNDAY FORUMS

September

 

Cuidando los Niños

Date: September 12

Facilitator: Maria Grundy, Director of Community Outreach

Location: Social hall

     Homeless families now account for about one-third of the homeless population. An estimated 14,500 children in New Mexico have no permanent place to spend the night, and the number is growing. The impact of the constant stress and trauma associated with homelessness can be devastating, especially to young children.

Cuidando los Niños, our Change for the Future organization for July through September, is one of five organizations in the nation that provide high-quality early childhood development and therapeutic services that meet the special needs of children experiencing homelessness and help their families become re-housed and on track to a better future. However, Cuidando’s primary mission is to end child and family homelessness in New Mexico. Come learn how we can support Cuidando’s mission.

 

We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution

Date: September 19

Facilitator: Sherry Tippett

Location: Social hall

     The New Mexico Center for Democracy and Civic Education (CDCE), a nonprofit educational organization, promotes civic education in elementary and secondary schools throughout New Mexico by training teachers and students statewide. Because civics and government are no longer a core part of school curriculum (because it is not tested under No Child Left Behind), this program is an important tool in educating our children about the importance of the rights and responsibilities of the United States Constitution. Sherry Tippett is president of the NMCDCE Board of Directors and presents the program to teachers and students statewide.

 

Media and the Childhood Obesity Epidemic

Date: September 26

Facilitator: David Barbour

Location: Social hall

     This program will look at the connection between ads and the childhood obesity epidemic that is threatening to give a third of our children type 2 diabetes. David Barbour, a member of this church, was president of the Action Coalition for Media Education of Northern California and has been active in providing alternative newspaper, radio, and TV since moving to New Mexico.