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West Englewood Support & Training Monthly 6.30.09 Issue 1

INSIDE

Tai Chi Training 1MJ Tribute 2ALS Cure? 2WEST Ally? 3Donate Online 3Donate (cont'd) 4

WWEESSTT ttoo JJooiinn NNPPFF

To Flow With Grace: Ancient Chinese

Answer for Movement Disorders?

Problems with spasmodic muscle coordination, breathing, swallowing and balance beleaguer the vast majority of clients seeking the benefits of our service here at W.E.S.T. With these symptoms often interfering with the ability of clients to engage in normal-like activities of daily living, the community in which we serve also is beset with social and economic obstacles that render access to adequate physical, speech and occupational therapies nearly impossible. As such, it has become a health care imperative for nonprofit service organizations like ours to create or locate new, imaginative and innovative methods to deliver care that addresses these symptoms and their subsequently dictated therapeutic responses. Thus, the Tai-Chi exercise program created by the University of South Florida (USF) which offers online access for training in Tai-Chi martial arts movement stands out as a viable option to WEST’s servicing of our community’s disabled clients.

It is often a balancing act for a nonprofit to obtain and execute mutually beneficial program options that enhance the desired attainment of mission-related goals for all of its publics. Donors, staff, volunteers, the serviced community, healthcare policy makers and organization vendors all exist in some way to provide solutions for the mission-sensitive problems of our neighborhood residents. Without a doubt, a professional application of USF’s program is attainable, economically feasible and can be administered in such a way that all mission stakeholders will be satisfied by the results. Tai chi for our neurological impaired clients will show significant gains in client service satisfaction, their balance and mobility, while giving a measurable gain in both client’s pain management and range of motion responsiveness. Also many of our staff members are familiar with Tai Chi after having a history of completing formal classes in this fluid martial arts that emphasizes graceful, slow and purposeful routines.

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USF’s Health Center for Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders operates in partnership with the National Parkinson Foundation to provide free Tai Chi service classes to the greater Tampa Bay area. The routines do not tax the clients, said USF outreach coordinator Eden Feldman, MSW because of

“[How] it helps with slowness, stiffness tremor and balance problems …all components of Parkinson Disease…Tai Chi…is increasingly recommended by support groups.” As well, WEST will soon join those groups as a skilled provider of this highly desirable complimentary therapy. The use of online

instructional videos seen on You Tube also makes for easy access to even the most inexperienced novice. For more information contact Jeffery Massey at 773-476-9049 [email- jmasseysr7@aim.com ] or go online for full article at http://hscweb3.hsc.usf.edu/health/now/?p=6169&preview=true.

Another critical method will be the scroll/toolbar option allowing potential donors direct access to organizational service-financial reportage. As well, there shall be links that exhibit past and current major donors. Also, a list of the prominent financial advantages for the donor to give will be very evident. Thus, these are but a few out front strategies that enhance the online giving experience. There are a few other embellishments that augment online users.

One such augmentation will be the promotion of 1st time donor rewards, not unlike online department stores who encourage web shopping by providing linked savings and point-based buyer rewards such as free newsletter/email notifications of sales events. Our site could promote increased networking and public exposure linkage as well as specialized blogs or chat room events linking major donors with mission-related forums that may include constituents and current donors in online pod casts or other such communication collaborations.

The invitation and partnering with avant-garde community artists, activists, political advocate and other shared mission entities to participate and contribute commentary, ideas and artistic samplings

will enhance new vision. It also can promote technological advances for the site and the evolution of how to network potential donors with causes we share by using cutting-edge communication technology such as ‘Pay Pal’ or Veri-Sign’.

There are many current examples for cutting edge innovations in online giving strategies. One strategy would be an adaptation of President Obama’s political fundraising use of the ‘house party’ forum. One could hold blogoshphere, pod casts or streamed fundraising activities and events that could be co-hosted by national, community or state activists and notables from the philanthropic, entertainment, political, sports, medical, social service and theological arenas who share common advocacy desires and support. Other examples are Chicago’s cultural outreach website, ‘Click and Pledge Payment Matrix’, Guidestar, Network for Good, etc.

West Englewood Support & Training NP

6606 S. Albany St.Apt. 1RChicago, IL. 60629

phone: 773-476-90495fax: 425-675-9049email: jmasseysr7@aim.comweb: http://sites.google.com/site/jmasse

W.E.S.T. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the facilitation of direct-care, advocacy & training for community residents impacted by Parkinson's Syndrome & debilitative neurologic disorders.We hope to address Chicago’s inner city health care access disparity, allowing the group to execute its mission providing medical and social support networks for Englewood’s disabled, Parkinson-stricken residents.

Also, it will provide facilitation for a unique consortium of local health care and social service institutions, including both the University of Chicago and University of Illinois Medical School’s public policy research branches. We all will share common mission goals to provide disenfranchised citizens suffering from the ravaging impact of little or no access to quality treatment and research options for debilitating neurological conditions.