In 2016, world leaders, United Nations (UN) agencies, and humanitarian agencies came together to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian action resulting in 51 commitments known as the Grand Bargain. The global COVID-19 pandemic has already highlighted the gendered impacts of the virus: an exacerbated burden of unpaid care work on women, negative impacts on womens economic empowerment, likely leading to reduced livelihoods and income opportunities, increased gender-based violence (GBV) and protection risks, and interrupted access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. Cash and voucher assistance (CVA) continues to be scaled in humanitarian responses and is an increasingly useful tool at this time of quarantine and social distancing. It is more imperative than ever before to ensure that the commitments made toward mainstreaming gender in cash and voucher responses are front and centre.

We, representatives of donors, UN agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) comprising the Grand Bargain Cash Workstreams Subgroup on Gender and Cash, call on all Grand Bargain signatories to use all means at their disposal to take the following actions:

Ensure that response analysis for CVA is gendered and disaggregated by age and disability as much as possible: This crisis impacts women, men, girls, and boys differently. CVA response analysis must reflect overlapping and unique needs, priorities, and capacities. In market assessments, actors are urged to assess physical access to markets (e.g. basic goods) and services (e.g. health, labour) using a gendered analysis. Assessment teams should be as gender-balanced at the design, collection, and analysis stages. Community consultations, whether using in-person or remote data collection methods, should include women of various ages and adolescent girls, noting that women may not be the most visible market actor informants. Vulnerabilities may shift over time and pre-crisis assessment data may not adequately capture current post-COVID-19 vulnerabilities; decisions about assistance modality should be made using updated data collection and analysis. Lastly, feasibility of CVA and potential delivery mechanisms should be examined from the perspectives of women and men, taking into account intersecting identity characteristics such as age and ability.

Strengthen partnerships with local actors and womens organisations for gender sensitive CVA: Prioritize partnerships with local and national organisations, including local womens organizations. Reinforce national and local capacities as needed to support well-analysed, appropriate, and timely implementation of a humanitarian CVA response linked with national systems and/or Cash Working Groups.

Systematically undertake GBV risk mitigation analysis for all projects with CVA: GBV is prevalent across humanitarian crises. Many signposts indicate that GBV risks and incidence are on the rise during COVID19 with surges upwards of 25% in some cases. GBV case management and services is limited due to quarantines, mobility restrictions, and social distancing. Therefore, it is imperative to identify GBV risks associated with CVA based on current scenarios and mitigate these risks through protective program design. Updated GBV referral pathway information should be a part of information sharing for agencies implementing CVA.Version 14 May 2020 Design CVA that is gender sensitive based on the challenges and opportunities of the crisis: CVA outcomes should have the different needs and priorities of women, men, girls, and boys in mind. In particular, the gendered needs that CVA can support including food security, health, WASH, protection, nutrition, and shelter (including items like fuel) should influence not only the objectives, but also the design of transfers. Womens needs and priorities, especially those of female-headed households, must be meaningfully considered in the design of CVA (e.g. outcome, transfer value, frequency and duration, and accompanying services). Delivery mechanisms, sensitisation, and complementary services should be designed in a manner accessible to diverse women and men (e.g. the elderly, people with disabilities).

Agencies should ensure that social protection and recovery and development programming with CVA components are gender sensitive, striving for gender-transformative approaches post-crisis. Contribute to gender sensitive CVA in social protection systems: Globally, governments are introducing, adapting, and expanding social protection programmes that use cash transfers in response to COVID-19. Many countries where humanitarian responses to COVID-19 are being planned and implemented have existing or emerging government cash transfer schemes whilst others are rapidly establishing such mechanisms. Wherever possible, coordination to and linkages with these schemes will assist national governments to better respond to the crisis. Lessons learned on how these processes can be more gendersensitive and even gender-transformative are critical to improving the way humanitarian response is delivered.

Combine CVA with other modalities of assistance to enhance the economic resilience of women and men: Unconditional cash transfers allow the greatest flexibility for women to resume economic activities when it is safe for them to do so. However, cash transfers can only do so much. Globally, combinations of in-kind, service delivery through awareness-raising like discussion groups or training and community level activities like community asset-building, savings and lending groups, have been shown to be the most promising for lasting impact. When working to build womens economic resilience, men must be involved in the process as agents of change.

Look for opportunities for womens financial inclusion through CVA: Globally, women are increasingly able to access mobile phones, mobile money, and financial services. However, even in places where there are small digital gaps, many women as well as men still cannot access, have control over, or manage with ease these technologies regularly. The opportunities that e-transfers provide to bridge gaps should be seized and CVA design should support enhanced access. Coordination and collaboration with government service providers on digital messaging is critical to support womens full access to government schemes that address economic impacts of the outbreak. Agencies should look to partner with and build the capacity of informal social networks, such as womens groups, community groups, civil society organisations, and womens rights organisations to contribute to market assessments that feed into livelihoods and income generation opportunities.

Collect sex-, age-, and disability-disaggregated data (SADDD) about CVA in the COVID-19 response: Following best practice, practitioners should systematically collect SADDD across the program cycle, including, but not limited to, Post Distribution Monitoring, other monitoring tools, feedback mechanisms, and evaluation. Agencies should publish gender-focused learnings from this response to highlight and scale promising practices and to better inform CVA response in epidemics and market recovery moving ahead. Confidentiality and protection of personal data should not be neglected during the COVID crisis, particularly as women may face additional risks if they are known to be receiving CVA.

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The importance of acting on grand bargain commitments for a meaningful focus on gender in cash and voucher assistance responses to the Covid-19...

Maria Brink, photo by Amy Harris

Beyond the Boys Club is a monthly column from journalist and radio host Anne Erickson, focusing on women in the heavy music genres, as they offer their perspectives on the music industry and discuss their personal experiences. This months piece features an interview with Maria Brink of In This Moment.

In This Moment reinvent themselves from album to album, so its no surprise that the bands latest record, Mother, has a fresh style and feel. Their previous LP, 2017s Ritual, was a concept album of sorts, centering around the Salem Witch Trials. Mother is a deeply personal and serious album lyrically, with solid rock riffing, experimental electronics, and singer Maria Brinks soulful vocals.

Mother was released in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the band choosing not to postpone the album. In This Moment were also set to promote the new studio effort with a headlining spring outing, but like all other tours, its been put on hold.

While isolating at home, Maria Brink spoke with Heavy Consequence for the latest Beyond the Boys Club column. She discussed the new album, how the pandemic is affecting musicians, what advice she offers young women looking to get into the music world, and more. Read the full interview below.

On how Mother stands apart from previous In This Moment albums

Its a great escape with everything going on right now, and were always trying to experiment. Were definitely an experimental band, and this album has a more mature sound to it. Its a more empowering, serious tone. Sometimes in the past, Ive been campy and have fun with certain plays on things, but this one had a more serious, empowering energy to it.

On why Mother carries a serious tone

I think everything I was going through in life and where I am in my life brought the serious tone. Ive been experiencing some real things and loss and some sad things and some new life, Thats where I was with everything. I was in a serious place. Its always based on your personal experiences.

On why In This Moment favor dramatic, theatrical shows

Theres something really cool about bringing performing arts and a different visual that you dont always see in the active rock and metal world. You see it sometimes, like with Alice Cooper, you see theatrics, but I wanted to bring some performing arts where the visuals youre seeing can evoke emotions, as well as the music. So, even if you were to pause the music but watch the show, what youre visually looking at is still inspiring and evoking those things, and then when you combine them both, you get double that impact.

On covering Queens We Will Rock You with Lzzy Hale and Taylor Momsen

I know Lzzy, and shes so amazing. Ive gotten to tour with her a lot. I was acquaintances with Taylor and got to know her and am now her friend. Theyre both such powerful symbols for empowering women in this scene. Theyre both such queens but really diverse and different from each other, and they both are the strong faces of the community right now. I thought it would be cool for us three to join forces and show people that we were working together, as an empowerment thing. Sometimes you have to join superpowers! (Laughs) It was an honor to work with them. Theyre both so talented and amazing, and thats the only way we could even cover that Queen song. I love Freddie Mercury and Queen. I grew up on them, because my mom loved them so much. I think it was the perfect song with those women coming together. I wouldnt cover that song myself.

On how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the music industry

Its crazy. Were all living in a movie right now. History is being made, and were all just watching it every day and seeing it on television. I live on the outskirts of New York, so were definitely in the thick of it, and its tragic and heartbreaking beyond words, seeing the sacrifices that people like the doctors and nurses and workers are making, Im moved to tears almost every day. People are suffering. The whole world is impacted by it, but definitely the bigger crowd industries sports, musicians, concerts, all performing arts theyre gong to be impacted really hard because of the mass gatherings. But, I think were going to get through it. I think they just have to come up with, even before the vaccination, something that can treat it. As soon as they can come up with something for treatment for this, we can all start going back to normal. Meanwhile, we have to be patient and pray for people and try to not go crazy in our houses!

Everything at this point is so uncertain for anybody. When were told that were allowed to tour and its safe and were not putting anyone at risk, Im praying that all the dates line up, and we can tour and see everybody can be safe together. So, Im praying that happens. In the meantime, people are coming up with innovative ways to stay connected with fans. Im trying to brainstorm some things, because Im a really private person, and I dont do a lot of press. I dont really do live Instagram stuff or things like that, but I might have to push myself out of it to not be so hidden and to make sure Im connecting with everyone. Because, everyone needs to connect through this time.

On how fans can support their favorite artists during the coronavirus crisis

Our crew is our family, and we just released a shirt where all proceeds go to them, and we re trying to do other things. People are going to have to start being innovative, and I dont know what its going to look like, but were probably going to start seeing strange things weve never seen before and have a lot of new realities for how people approach music and connect with fans out there. Im trying to brainstorm ideas, too. Its insane. Its history in the making.

On what female musicians she was drawn to early on in life

A lot of that had to do with the fact my mom was a rocker and flower child and had me at 16, so she took me to all the lawn concerts. Wed not actually be at the concerts, but wed be outside and listen in our cars. So, I grew up on Stevie Nicks and Tina Turner and Joan Jett and Janis Joplin. My mom loved all that, and we went to the concerts, so I really think that was my first inspiring thing that really moved me. Me, as a young girl, being subjected to all that through my mom was my biggest inspiration.

On how the rock and metal world has changed for women since she first started out

Its becoming not abnormal. Its more empowering. Women are also not afraid to be feminine. When I first started out, including myself, it was much more hard-edged in the metal community with women. It was hard and not soft. I would still wear these Alice in Wonderland dresses and had my little feminine ways, but a lot of of the women around me were more hard. But, now youre seeing women in the metal world being not afraid to be a women and being soft and powerful and strong and heavy. They can all co-exist.

On her personal experience as a woman in the hard rock and heavy metal world

For the most part, its been amazing. Its been a powerful and moving experience. I went from a girl to a woman in this scene, so I got to learn so much within myself. Of course, there have been some difficult things as a woman, especially early on, but I think things like that are powerful things that happened to me that I dont regret, because they taught me how to be strong and deal with situations and have control over a crowd. It gave me grit. I have no regrets. No matter who you are, the music scene is a hard scene to break. I think everything has its pros and cons, and when you put your mind to it, no matter who you are or where you come from, you succeed at it. Dont let things hold you back.

On what advice she would give young women looking to go into music

Do what you love, especially if youre passionate about it. If something moves you and you have a dream, do it. Dont let anybody get in your way or tell you what you cant be. Become the impossible. Always push, believe in what you can do and dont let anybody second guess you. Work on your craft. What is it about you that stands out? If I were to line you up with 100 bands, what makes you stand out? Were all rare and have that beautiful, rare thing, so find that and push that through to make you stick out.

Our thanks to Maria Brink for taking the time to speak with us. Pick up In This Moments new album, Mother, here, and support the bands road crew with this special Stay at Home t-shirt.

Editors Note: If youre a fan of our content, consider supporting Consequence of Sound and Heavy Consequence by visiting our newly launched web store and picking upone of our custom face masks. A portion of the proceeds will benefit MusiCares COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund.

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Beyond the Boys Club: Maria Brink of In This Moment - Consequence of Sound

Blending old and new

Rahul V Mathew, a Bengaluru-based artist, has been making digital collages using the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma to send a message about the Covid-19 pandemic.

He juxtaposed the paintings with stock images for the series. He chose six paintings based on how the character would interact with the current environment. Each of them is posted on his Instagram page, and is accompanied by a note that expands on a different theme. Ahalya, for example, has been used by Mathew to drive a point against panic buying. The caption reads, You should prepare for the coronavirus but dont buy more than what you need. He also talks about the importance of taking care of ones mental health, social distancing and maintaining personal hygiene.

The Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology graduate was inspired by a project he had worked on previously Varma Printing Press in Mumbai, using the royal artists work. The idea came to Mathew when he visited Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village in Manipal.

It is not just the fact that Ravi Varmadepicted Indian deities that made Mathew choose his works, but also the fact that he made art accessible to the underprivileged sections. I wanted my art and the message I am trying to send across to be accessible to everyone, he says. However, using the artwork of someone who is already established, he says, comes with its own challenges.

Contemporary artist Rehaman Patel, who hails from Kalaburagi district, created a painting to urge people to stay home.

He was perturbedby the callousness with which many people were violating the lockdown.The only option left, he says, is to lock their feet; a sentiment he portrays in his artwork. Titled The Last Option, the painting shows a pair of slippers that have been locked. The sandals have been arranged in the shape of a V, symbolising victory.

Patel has always used his art as a medium to discuss current socio-cultural topics such as education, women empowerment and unity in diversity.

Srishti Guptaroy is a fashion designer, visual artist and illustrator based out of Bengaluru. The idea of my art has always been to spread joy, she says. Her style is maximal, colourful and intricate.The first Covid-19 related post she made on her Instagram was on March 7. It was just a fun poke on people wearing masks and how its thesocial requirement to be in public, she says.Making art on something that is so all encompassing seemed, to her, like the most natural thing to do. She was later commissioned by Myntra to make 30 illustrations surrounding lockdown, quarantine and Covid-19. I was a little overwhelmed initially. But as I started working on it, I realised that this global predicament we are in can actually create thousands of concepts and artworks, she explains.

Her art is not focused on creating awareness, her aim is to create relatable content that can be shared for a laugh. The light and often sarcastic illustrations depict Zoom interactions, the rise in Instagram Lives and even the comeback of Ludo. She says that art is what is really getting us through in a way. I know that it comes from a certain place ofprivilege, but once basic requirements are met, everyone has turned to some form of art for solace, she concludes.

Seen on every street corner, rangolis are probably the most visible form of everyday art we have. So its no surprise that they have been used to spread awareness.

The idea came from a consortium of 12 child rights organisations. They have been working with young girls who are victims of child marriage and those who might be part of the Devadasi system.

Rangolis seemed to be the best way to involve girls in a community awareness initiative, says Vasudeva Sharma, a child rights activist, who is part of the initiative.

More than 300 girls from places like Bengaluru, Belagavi, Chikkaballapura, Bidar participated in this initiative. The colourful work depicted the virus with slogans asking people to practice safety, showing the importance of handwashing and using sanitisers and promoting the use of masks.

It was not without roadblocks, their work was not paid attention to in the beginning with some families even refusing to allow them to draw in front of their houses. It was the age-old belief that what you draw outside will come inside, says Vasudeva with a laugh. But there were many who not just appreciated but helped the girls in designing and procuring colours. Thisawareness drive is led by two collaborative projects, Initiative for Married Adolescent Girls Empowerment and Getting Out of Devadasi System.

Aakansha Menon is an illustrator and designer who loves illustrating the world around her. She describes her work as minimal and raw. I want to convey a story with as few words as possible, she says.

The artist had never worked from home before the lockdown and the changes that came with it were extremely unusual for her. Art was her way to process it. Everyone else also seemed to be going through the same situation, so for people to relate to my work and find a sense of comfort kept me going, she says.

She has both message-oriented art that deals with the importance of handwashing and social distancing in addition to work that stems from her experiences such as video calls with her mother.

Our only source of contact with each other is through social media, so I find that it becomes more important to connect through it. Sharing positive messages through easily consumable and shareable mediums like art is reassuring to people who are going through a tough time. It tells them that theyre not alone, she explains.

Excerpt from:
Art to create awareness about the pandemic - Deccan Herald

If you really want to feel the anguish of a consumer who has experienced the economic impact of the national lockdown, ask Chumani Sigcau [name changed].

I dont know if Ill even afford petrol for the commute to work when the lockdown is over, she says.

Sigcau is a media practitioner in Johannesburg whose salary has been slashed by 45% because business operations in SA have been halted.

My life has changed drastically, Sigcau says.

Prior to the pandemic, she could afford a middle-class, decent lifestyle and was able to pay off her debt now that is a far-fetched dream.

I could pay for my bills and spoil myself here and there; now I cant. It all goes to bills.

She says with her new salary, she can only afford to pay off some bills. Some debit orders are just left to bounce in her account.

As a result, she had to think on her feet for an alternative to fill the financial gap she is now faced with.

I cant ask a friend or a family member to help me pay my bills, its [financially] rough on everyone, Sigcau says.

She decided to start selling home-cooked meals such as curry mince rotis, panini with beef stir-fry and beef or chicken stew around her complex, as well as for friends and family. While the money she earns this way is still not enough to pay for her rent and vehicle, she is hoping it will be enough to at least help her survive until things get back to normal.

Not alone

She is not the only one who is finding herself cash-strapped during this pandemic. Taxi drivers were without commuters for over a month; now they can only have a limited number of people in their taxis to transport.

Right now my six taxis make about R150 a day, said one taxi driver in Midrand who is a breadwinner with two children.

Read: How can employees get paid during SouthAfricas Covid-19 lockdown?

There are many who have not worked at all during lockdown, and grants and Unemployement Insurance Fund (UIF) payments if one qualifies to receive them only go so far.

One thing thats common among most South Africans is that paying off existing bills will become problematic and its even worse for those who were already struggling prior to the country going into lockdown.

Its going to get worse

Johann van Tonder, economist and researcher of financial wellness at Momentum, says the economic impact of Covid-19 is already being felt and its only going to get worse from here on as the economy drastically loses momentum during the lockdown.

The reality is, household financial wellness is closely connected to economic growth, so [even] a recession takes an unquestionable toll on our financial wellness as well as our financial success. But if we make the right adjustments, we can recover, Van Tonder says.

According to the Momentum/Unisa Household Financial Wellness Index, only 25% of South African households are classified as financially well.

Van Tonder says the pandemic is going to affect consumers through their assets, income, personal empowerment and also how people view their education status.

Assets will be the first to feel the impact, he says. This specifically relates to the value of financial assets invested on the stock exchange and fixed securities as many households scramble to cash out their investments.

He adds that as the spread of the virus slows and is brought under control, the losses will be erased gradually.However, it will take time to bounce back.

Van Tonder says thatas businesses close, households will struggle to earn an income, spend and save.

The full impact of this is yet to make its way through the economy and will only truly be felt within the next three to six months. However, thanks to governments measures and the assistance of companies, the impact will be softer than initially feared.

Move up retirement age

He advises that employers consider moving the retirement age of their employees up by at least a year, to give households the time to recover from the effects of the coming market crash on their retirement investments.

He emphasises the need for households to understand that their long-term goals will be affected by the pandemic.

In these unprecedented and unpredictable times, dont let your anxiety rule your decision making, Van Tonder says.

Now is not the time to be emotional

Carla Oberholzer, debt advisor at DebtSafe, agrees that people need to step away from loaded emotion and know that this pandemic and its financial implications are out of their control.

They should not be so hard on themselves. The burden is already hard enough out there no need to be their own worst supporter.

She advises households to become innovative, creative and proactive when it comes to their finances, financial situation or debt.

Oberholzer says those who are currently receiving their full salary should avoid luxury purchases.

Tuck savings away in your emergency fund for example, a few rands that would have normally been used for fuel or transport . Keep the entire household up to date with the financial situation so that everybody can work together to deal with or play their part during the situation.

She says those who are receiving part of their salary should ensure that they are in regular communication with their employer or human resource department to see if the organisation has applied for the UIF Ters (Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme) benefit.

Read:

Employers angry, frustrated, horrified by Tersprocess

Significant improvement to UIF relief scheme

Payment holidays

Oberholzer says experts may recommend payment holidays for those who are in a crisis and need a short-term solution. However, this requires careful consideration.

Read:

If this is a case for a consumer, I would suggest that they still do their homework well, [asking themselves] What are the terms and conditions?, Will I incur interest in the long run? she says.

Consumers should pay bills where they can and ask creditors if there is another alternative if they are struggling, before opting for a payment holiday.

All options should be explored before consumers try and just jump in to take onpayment holidaysfrom, for example the bank, as the only solution to be considered, Oberholzer says.

Personal finance journalist Maya Fisher-French shares these sentiments.

They are not free and will extend the term of your loan. Rather tighten your belts than extend your debts.

She emphasises the importance of having a Covid-19 budget.

You cant manage your expenses if you dont know what they are. The upside is that with lockdown there are many things we are not spending money on especially non-essentials.

More here:
The impact of Covid-19 on households - Moneyweb.co.za

12:41 21/05/2020 Keiran Peacock

I know many educators are uncertain and some are making personal sacrifices in order to return to work. Like nurses, doctors, police officers and sanitisation workers and other frontline workers, so much is being asked of them.

After much deliberation and consultation, the decision to get grade 7 and 12 learners back to school was made by the Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga this week.

I have had many discussions with ex-colleagues about the prospect of them heading back to school and have received polarised opinions about how and when it should be done.

Whether one agrees with the decision or not, the decision has been made.

From the 1st of June educators should be seen as part of the frontline workers whose actions will be critical in the fight against the pandemic.

Educators need to be mindful that their words carry weight and thus need to ensure that despite their feelings, insecurities, anxieties or anger at returning to school what they impart to learners has to promote the greater good of the child and ultimately South Africa as a whole.

They need to be compassionate and curious about their feelings so that they are in a position to offer support and compassion to those in their care.

I recently listened to Susan David who holds a PhD and is one of the world's leading management thinkers and an award-winning Harvard Medical School psychologist who spoke about the choice we have as to whether we let the narrative coming through the media own us, or whether we let our emotions own us, or whether we are going to exert some kind of empowerment and connection and be in a better space to own it.

She referred to an oft-used phrase by Victor Frankel who survived the Nazi death camps.

He said that between stimulus and response there is a space and in that space is our power to choose and, in that choice, lies our growth and freedom.

You and those you teach did not choose these circumstances and what often happens is that we get hooked into an experience where there is no space between stimulus and response.

We mindlessly busy ourselves by engaging with social media or the news and we begin to catastrophise our experiences. Thus letting our experiences and emotions own us.

Dr David goes further to say that when situations are ambiguous fear is often exacerbated.

The return to school is extremely ambiguous for all parties as no one knows that may happen in the near future.

When one experiences this ambiguity, people often try fill the blanks which results in more anxiety as they catastrophise the possible future.

Dr David refers to emotional contagion whereby people pick up the emotions of other people. Learners returning will pick up on educators' emotions.

What educators need to show is intentionality where they project the ability to not get stuck in their own lived experiences, to not get consumed by news and social media but instead offer an alternative way of engaging with their lived experiences and that of their students.

Educators must not focus their attention on year-end examinations as this is a mountain that may invoke more fear.

Instead they must focus on the daily lived experience of those they teach and make small manageable goals that will empower those in their care.

Educators will be doing what others cannot do at the moment, they are uniquely positioned to build a better tomorrow.

That is so powerful.

I know many educators are uncertain and some are making personal sacrifices in order to return to work.

Like nurses, doctors, police officers and sanitisation workers and other frontline workers, so much is being asked of them.

Educators now fall into the category of frontline fighters and they will need all the support of fellow South Africans if education is to assist our country overcoming this pandemic.

- Keiran Peacock is a former High school educator and was previously in charge of discipline, leadership and pastoral care at Groote Schuur High School in the Western Cape.

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OPINION | Teachers should be seen as frontline workers and will need all our support - News24

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS To meet the evolving needs of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Steamboat Creates newest program has gone through some major updates, including its theme, format and timeline, and its ready to welcome you to participate from wherever you may be.

Pivot Point is a series of free, weekly creative sessions led by local creatives and mental health professionals. The program seeks to create a safe, supportive space to explore creativity and work through uncertainty, anger, depression or fear, working toward mastering coping mechanisms and strengthening ones sense of personal empowerment.

Originally, the program was set to take place in person in fall 2020, with a focus on survivors of sexual assault and their allies. The idea had been inspired in part by the In Our Shoes series, a monthslong project combining reporting, art and discussion, presented by Steamboat Pilot & Today, Advocates of Routt County, Young Bloods Collective and Steamboat Creates, as well as Steamboat Creates Executive Director Kim Keiths experiences with Rangelys TANK Center for Sonic Arts.

The intention was for the program to eventually be replicated to focus on different needs, including those of veterans and people in bereavement.

But in the past month and a half, as the scale of the pandemic emerged and it became clear that spring 2020 was going to present challenges unlike any the community had ever experienced, the creators of Pivot Point decided to redesign the program to be as helpful in the immediate circumstances as possible.

The spring series of Pivot Point welcomes anyone who could use community, creativity and coping strategies, for whatever reason. The series designed for survivors of sexual assault will still take place this fall.

Spring classes will take place entirely over Zoom, which participants may access by video, by audio only or by calling in by phone, which allows participants to be as anonymous as they wish. Each class opens and closes with a short mindfulness exercise, with the main event being a 45-minute creative activity. Creative activities include mandala creations, poetry, expressive writing, sonic arts and dance, and all can be done with basic supplies.

Pivot Point is for people to participate without any prior artistic experience, said Steamboat Creates Program Director Sylvie Piquet. There is zero expectation for what is created its all about the process.

The process of each activity is designed to help participants to slow down, embrace mindfulness, balance their thoughts, strengthen resilience and learn creative tools for personal empowerment. A mental health professional will be available at each session, ready to connect with participants and provide resources.

Artistic expression activates part of your brain to create a new perspective on whats going on, said Dr. Jo Anne Grace, who works as a hospice chaplain and also focuses on brain health and emotional mental health issues. Grace will be teaching the Black Out Poetry session May 7.

These exercises are designed to allow a person to integrate the left and right sides of your brain, and to confirm the wisdom thats deep inside you, Grace said.

Through Pivot Points creative activities, we want participants to find opportunities to transform the weight and challenge of this time into hope and find creative coping skills for personal empowerment to take flight, Piquet said.

This idea is symbolized by the programs logo an anchor thats transforming into a flock of birds.

Pivot Point classes are scheduled for 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays, beginning April 30. The seriesis set to continue through May 28, but Piquet notes theres potential for the program to continue into the summer, whether online or in person, depending on the state of the pandemic, community participation and program funding.

Pivot Point is free to participants. Creative instructors and mental health professionals are paid through an Arts in Society grant that Pivot Point was awarded. Steamboat Creates continues to seek grants and accept donations to provide Pivot Point programming.

In July, Pivot Point is set to take the form of an exhibit at the Depot Art Center. Entitled Hope, the show will display pieces created by Pivot Point participants, representing spirit, courage and the transition from being wounded to restored.

Learn more about Pivot Point and find the full series schedule at steamboatcreates.org/pivot-point-creative-tools-for-personal-empowerment.

Julia Ben-Asher is a contributing writer for Steamboat Pilot & Today.

Read the original here:
Pivot Point program blends art, mindfulness, mental health support - Steamboat Pilot and Today

Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan described how she felt when taking part in an early conference call with fellow governors, during which the White House signaled that state leaders would need to find safety and medical equipment on their own. I realized wed have to set up, in our state emergency-operations center, a procurement office that was going to compete with the world, Whitmer told us. That was a sobering moment.

Read: Trumps plan to save his presidency

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said yesterday that Trumps approach shows his commitment to federalism. But he may just want to redirect blame for a rolling catastrophe that could cost him reelection. Hed rather have the governors impose quarantines than him, because he feels theyre then responsible for any economic problems that arise, Saikrishna Prakash, a University of Virginia law professor and the author of the book The Living Presidency, told us.

Save for a brief post-Watergate pause, presidents in the modern era have steadily amassed power within the executive branch. Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal, Dwight Eisenhowers federal highway system, Ronald Reagans push for education standards that would later morph into the Common Coreall of these chipped away at states authority. Barack Obamas Affordable Care Act extended the federal governments reach by helping states fund the expansion of Medicaid programs. Amid the pandemic, Trump has sounded as if hes prepared to push a presidents prerogatives even further, claiming at one point last month that his authority as president is total.

But in terms of actions, he has basically stuck to things that are clearly within the federal jurisdiction, said Christopher DeMuth, a distinguished fellow at the Hudson Institute who worked in both the Richard Nixon and Reagan administrations. Hes used some emergency authorities, and hes let governors and mayors take the lead. This is a sharp departure from the record in recent national emergencies. After the September 11 terrorist attacks and the 2008 financial crisis, presidential power expanded. New executive agencies grew out of the wreckage, buttressing a model in which the executive was king, he told us.

Trumps approach is the worst of both worlds, Bobby Chesney, a constitutional-law professor at the University of Texas at Austin, told us. Hes using the rhetoric of an authoritarian without any of the China-style payout in terms of taking charge of the actual problem. Rhetorically, at least, hes asserting almost preposterous levels of authority. Fortunately, hes not following through. Hes all hat and no cattle.

A natural role for the president would be to lead the worldwide hunt for medical supplies, leveraging the governments vast purchasing power. Trumps reluctance to serve as what he calls a shipping clerk has left some governors incredulous. Its absolutely maddening, Governor Jay Inslee, a Washington Democrat, told us. Its like being in World War II and not getting the federal government to manufacture boots Its very difficult to understand. I liken it to Franklin Delano Roosevelt saying, Okay, Connecticut, you build the battleship and Ill be there at the launch and break the bottle.

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The End of the Imperial Presidency - The Atlantic

Pradeep SharmaTribune News Service Chandigarh, May 4

A 2014 batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre on Monday resigned from the prestigious service citing personal safety on government duty.

Rani Nagar, currently posted as Additional Director, Social Justice and Empowerment, and Additional Director, Archives, sent her resignation to the state chief secretary with a request to forward it to the competent authority in the Central Government for acceptance.

The copies of the resignation letter were also sent to the President, the prime minister, the governor and the chief minister.

Nagar, in a Facebook post last month, had expressed her desire to resign from the service after the lockdown and go back to her native place in Uttar Pradesh. She had cited issues related to her safety. Nagar currently lives with her sister in Chandigarh.

It may be recalled that in June 2018 Nagar had levelled harassment charges against a senior IAS officer, who was then posted as additional chief secretary, animal husbandry and dairying. She was working as an additional secretary, animal husbandry and dairying at the time. However, the senior officer had vehemently denied the charges.

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Haryana cadre IAS officer resigns, cites 'personal safety on government duty' as reason - The Tribune India

The tidal wave of unemployment has revealed the precariousness of most peoples livelihoods. People are learning that they dont own their futures in the way they thought . . . this is not just an economic crisis, but a crisis of social capital and personal empowerment.

NEW YORK (PRWEB) April 29, 2020

You lost your job. Businesses are closed and no one is hiring. This is the new reality for the 26 million Americans who have filed for unemployment in the last four weeks. To help address the deepening unemployment crisis in the U.S., and to empower all those facing financial insecurity, leading education nonprofit Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) has taken its highly effective entrepreneurship curriculum for high school students and adapted it to help adults in need across the country.

NFTE Career Relaunch is a free, two-week online course designed to teach unemployed or underemployed adults the essentials of entrepreneurship. The 14-lesson course prompts participants to think creatively about the skills and talents they can leverage to build a new career.

The course offers interactive digital lessons, assessments, and video content on topics such as evaluating a business opportunity, performing market research, providing value to customers, targeting customer segments, and financing a startup. People who take the course will also have access to expert advice from speakers in NFTEs alumni network, which includes executives from Google, Microsoft, and a wide variety of entrepreneurs. After taking the course, participants will have developed a sound business idea, as well as a business plan they can use to take the operational and financial steps needed to bring their idea to life.

The tidal wave of unemployment has revealed the precariousness of most peoples livelihoods. People are learning that they dont own their futures in the way they thought, said NFTE president and CEO, Dr. J.D. LaRock. NFTE is all about owning your future. Thats what we teach in middle and high school classrooms, and its equally relevant in addressing this crisis, which is not just an economic crisis, but a crisis of social capital and personal empowerment. NFTE Career Relaunch gives people agency in a time of uncertainty.

At least 26 million people have filed for unemployment since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, small businesses and startups have jumpstarted job creation following a severe economic downturn. NFTE's Career Relaunch program will be a valuable tool to help people navigate an unprecedented jobs crisis.

To access NFTE Career Relaunch, visit http://www.nfte.com/relaunch.

About NFTE Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) is a global nonprofit that activates the entrepreneurial mindset and builds startup skills in young people from under-resourced communities. Reaching more than 100,000 middle and high school students annually, NFTE works with schools and community partners in 25 U.S. states and 10 countries around the world. Leveraging classroom teachers and volunteers from top-tier companies, NFTEs research-based model teaches students how to identify a business opportunity and launch a business; helps them learn about the range of jobs and occupations available to them; and develops their entrepreneurial mindset a set of skills including creativity, adaptability, communication, and collaboration that leads to success in any career. Since 1987, NFTE has educated 1.2 million young people worldwide, helping thousands launch businesses and companies of all sizes. Learn more at nfte.com.

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National Entrepreneurship Nonprofit Steps in to Address the Growing US Unemployment Crisis - PR Web

The coronavirus has threatened the survival of south Louisianas independent bookstores, robbing them of the very thing that helps them successfully compete against internet sales and big-box stores: face-to-face interaction.

Before the virus forced customers into isolation, locally owned stores relied on events, curated selections and individual help for shoppers who wandered through the door.

As they try to limit financial fallout, bookstore owners have adapted their sales strategies, turning to online orders, social media and virtual events to outlast government-ordered shutdowns.

Though the pandemic presents a murky future to their industry, booksellers believe they serve a crucial purpose. They may provide some comfortwhile people wait for Louisianas mass self-isolation to end.

You're not really in isolation when you have a book in your hand, said Tom Lowenburg, co-owner of Octavia Books in New Orleans.

The following is a collection of critical information about coronavirus for East Baton Rouge Parish. This page will be updated daily.

Octavia Books has adopted a curbside system to respect social distance guidelines and remain in business. As readers approach the storefront, they call to pick up their orders. Employees then place brown paper bags filled with books, puzzles and games on a wooden Adirondack chair and return indoors, allowing customers to grab their purchase without face-to-face interaction.

Signs taped on the chair and nearby windows read, We are closed for browsing! and Respect the 6ft.

The internet once challenged the existence of local bookstores, but the last two months, many independents in Louisiana have used it to keep their businesses afloat. Their social media pages buzz with activity, and they promote online orders through their websites.

While helping sales, the internet has also allowed bookstores to maintain a sense of community during isolation. Michelle and John Cavalier, owners of Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs, hosted a digital version of their monthly book club last week.

They have also taken viewers on a virtual tour of their personal bookshelves, and hosted online author events, reminding the surrounding community they still exist.

Though Michelle Cavalier has missed in-person interactions with customers, she still feels connected to them in a virtual setting. Cavalier specializes in childrens literature, and throughout the closures, she has received messages from parents asking for recommendations for their children. The parents supply information on their children's interests, then Cavalier creates a specialized list.

More than 2,000 cases of the novelcoronavirushave been diagnosed in East Baton Rouge Parish after Louisiana state officials updated the late

Normally when a kid loves I book I recommended, I'm on cloud nine," Cavalier said. "Right now, knowing so many kids are struggling to feel connected to anything in the world, thats really keeping me going.

Events are the lifeblood of an independent bookstore, creating a community gathering place that fosters ideas, promotes literacy and brings large groups into the store.

Unable to let people gather, local bookstores have moved events online. Garden District Book Shop in New Orleans, which typically hosts 75 to 80 events per year, has scheduled about six virtual events, including weekly Happy Hours with authors on Facebook Live.

The sessions give viewers a break from isolation, a chance to talk to other people about their lives and feel a sense of connection.

It doesn't even have to be about books, owner Britton Trice said.

Social media and online orders have helped Garden District maintain some sales with their door closed, but "it's still a fraction of what our daily sales normally are," Trice said.

Gov. John Bel Edwards said Friday that, while coronavirus concerns in the Baton Rouge area, the Northshore and a few others are the latest con

Sales have dropped "tremendously" at Cottonwood Books in Baton Rouge, owner Danny Plaisance said. The storedoesnt have a website, so Plaisance advertised over-the-phone orders on its Facebook page. One day, he filled eight orders. Another, he opened the store for three hours and no one walked inside.

Luckily I had a decent savings, said Plaisance, who bought the store in 1986, and I've been using that.

The coronavirus struck at a time of optimism for local bookstores across the country. After online retail and nationwide chains shook the bookselling industry, print sales had rebounded as independent stores experienced a rebirth.

According to the Association of American Publishers, year-to-date industry sales rose 3.5% the first two months of 2020. The American Booksellers Association, a nonprofit trade organization for independent bookstores, had more members last year than in 2009. Local bookstores fostered a sense of connection in their communities.

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About 250 protesters showed up at the Governors Mansion on Saturday demanding Louisiana immediately drop therestrictions put in place to slo

Having that special one-on-one recommendation from your local bookseller, that's the kind of thing you can't get when you're shopping online, said Marissa DeCuir, President of Books Forward, a publicity and marketing firm with a branch in New Orleans.

As sales drop nationwide, local bookstores have found some financial relief. The #SaveIndieBookstores social media campaign has raised more than $950,000 for local stores. Some bookstores also received money from the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which helps pay employees and rent.

But the assistance cannot cover all the income lost during the shutdowns. Book festivals, conventions and writers conferences have been canceled or postponed. Some authors have changed launch dates, and publishers have pushed e-books.

Lowenburg felt concerned when coronavirus shutdowns began, but with people searching for reading material the last two months, Octavia Books has maintained normal operating hours. It only closed on Easter.

Every afternoon, Lowenburg has packed books into his car to deliver orders. The store has provided free shipping and delivery around New Orleans on orders of at least $25, and Lowenburg spent 2 hours one night dropping off books throughout the city, reaching the Lower 9th Ward and crossing to West End.

People still need books, Lowenburg said. Our customers are keeping us busy.

When bookstores reopen for browsing, the owners look forward to interactions with customers. They dont know when events will resume or how soon sales will rebound, but they cant wait to tell shoppers about new books and make recommendations again as they exchange stories from the shutdown.

The overburdened Louisiana Workforce Commission continues to make strides in making payments to all jobless workers who have filed claims, but

It's going to be insanely difficult, Michelle Cavalier said. I don't know what things are going to look like. But I am optimistic for my business. I'm optimistic for our industry. And ultimately, I'm optimistic for our world.

Every day inside her store, Cavalier has walked past Untamed by Glennon Doyle, a memoir that promotes empowerment in women and the importance of trusting your voice. Cavalier remembers one of Doyles mantras We can do hard things and repeats it to herself.

Yes, Glennon, Cavalier said. We can do hard things.

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Louisiana's independent bookstores thrive on personal touch. How are they handling coronavirus? - The Advocate