*PETITION UPDATE* Thanks so much for your support for my campaign! Since I started this petition, there has been some exciting progress; college administrators agreed to help find a hotel where foster and homeless students were able to stay warm and safe during winter break . But even more importantly, Aquinas’ administration agreed to establish a dialogue with experts and other universities to work toward a formal policy and solution on this issue– both at Aquinas College and other small colleges whose students face similar challenges. I’m looking forward to working with Aquinas to secure safe and stable housing for those who are in need in the long term. For now, I’ve closed the petition while we work together on a solution. I hope you keep you updated about our progress! As an unaccompanied homeless youth, there were many barriers to getting into (and staying in!) college. Now that I’m lucky enough to be in my senior year at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I’m about to face another challenge this winter break: I’ll have nowhere to go when campus housing shuts down for winter break.Because I was a homeless youth when I was finishing high school, college was a goal that I was not sure I would ever reach. Sure, I had thought about it, and knew that continuing my education post high school was one of the greatest keys to building a future for myself. I was excited when I was able to apply for and was accepted to a small college in my city, Aquinas College. While there were many challenges, with the help of a great organization in my community, Arbor Circle, I was able to secure on-campus housing and started at Aquinas College in the fall of 2010. Since then, there have been numerous obstacles faced and countless challenges overcome. But one of the main barriers remains: housing. One of the most tricky situations for foster and homeless students in college is what to do for break periods. Conceded, this is also a difficult situation for schools. Aquinas College provides opportunities to rent on-campus apartments during the summer months, and allows international students and in-season athletes to maintain their housing over fall and spring breaks. However, homeless and foster students are not included in the spring and fall allowances, and are left without options for the two-to-three week period during Michigan‘s cold winters. Colleges across the country have combatted the issue of break housing in multiple ways. Some have chosen to keep one housing unit open for the break to provide shelter to these students. This cuts down on the utility use for the college, and is one of many ways that the college could ensure safe and stable housing for a very vulnerable group of students throughout the year. Last year, I spent part of my winter break sleeping outside on campus and I know that I don’t want to face the same experience again this year — and I’m sure there are other students who also fear the same. As a senior, I am anticipating to graduate this upcoming May with a double major in Sociology and Community Leadership. I have overcome many challenges, and cannot wait to dance across the stage in celebration of the work that I have done. However, it is my greatest hope that students who are in situations similar to mine, including several freshman with whom I share a dorm currently, are alleviated of this one major barrier during their college years. Plus, there are thousands of other students — some who are homeless, some who were in foster care, others who have lost their parents or guardians — who are also affected by this issue across the country. I am so proud to be an Aquinas College Saint, will be even more proud to be an Aquinas College Alum, and would be so beyond grateful if my Saints would put forth the effort to show that they are proud and supportive of students like me, as well. Thanks for signing my petition, and as always– GO SAINTS! |
Monthly Archives: March 2017
South Carolina …do you have a history of exiling the Homeless ? reminder
FDA/USDA ~~March Alerts & Safety FusiaSzechuanStirFry,VivaCeuticals,WayneFarmsChicken
King’s Command Foods, LLC. Recalls Beef Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination 03/09/2017 02:32 PM EST
King’s Command Foods, LLC., a Kent, Wash. establishment, is recalling approximately 26,138 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials.
03/09/2017 11:39 AM EST
Regeneca Worldwide, a division of VivaCeuticals, Inc. is conducting a nationwide recall of its entire line of herbal and dietary supplement products pursuant to a Consent Decree entered by the federal court for the Central District of California. This recall applies to all products manufactured and sold between June 1, 2011 and February 8, 2017.
03/08/2017 05:19 PM EST
In response to Vulto Creamery’s recall of soft wash- rind raw milk cheeses, Whole Foods Market is voluntarily recalling the products from nine stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine and New York out of an abundance of caution. The cheeses have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
03/08/2017 03:45 PM EST
Biery Cheese Co. is voluntarily expanding the recall of specialty cheese due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. Deutsch Kase Haus, LLC of Middlebury, IN notified Biery Cheese Co. that a specialty Pepper Marble Jack cheese they supplied to Biery must be recalled due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogens
03/07/2017 03:09 PM EST
A&H Focal Inc. is voluntarily recalling all lots of the following products because many of these products have been historically tested by the FDA and found to contain PDE-5 Inhibitors (i.e. sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, etc.) which is the active ingredient in an FDA-approved drug for erectile dysfunction (ED) making these tainted dietary supplements unapproved drugs.
03/07/2017 11:41 AM EST
Vulto Creamery, Walton, New York, is recalling all lots of Ouleout, Miranda, Heinennellie, and Willowemoc soft wash-rind raw milk cheeses out of an abundance of caution due to testing result from the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), which found Ouleout lot # 617 positive for Listeria monocytogenes and New York Department of Agriculture and Markets finding the possible contamination of Ouleout lot #623. Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, pregnant women and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths and fetal infection among pregnant women.
03/07/2017 10:57 AM EST
Landies Candies Co. Inc. of Buffalo, NY is recalling its 3-oz packages of “WEGMANS Milk Chocolate Big Ear Bunny Sucker”, Net Wt 3 oz, Lot # 35016, Best by 9-15-2017 because they may contain undeclared peanuts. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.
03/06/2017 10:37 AM EST
Rochester Meat Company, a Rochester, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 13,330 pounds of pork sausage products due to misbranding. The products contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), an ingredient which is not declared on the product label.
F.B. Packing Co., Inc. Recalls Beef Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination F.B. Packing Co., Inc., a Boston, Mass. establishment, is recalling approximately 8,430 pounds of shaved beef products that may be contaminated with plastic
The SoyNut Butter Co. of Glenview, IL is recalling I.M. Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter product because it may be contaminated with Escherichia coliO157:H7 bacteria (E. Coli O157:H7). E. coli O157:H7 causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. I.M. Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter was distributed in multiple states and may have been purchased in stores or through mail order. It was also distributed to childcare centers and schools in multiple states.
03/04/2017 11:04 AM EST
Out of an abundance of caution, Evanger’s Dog & Cat Food is voluntarily expanding its recall of Hunk of Beef and is also recalling Evanger’s Braised Beef and Against the Grain’s Pulled Beef Products due to potential adulteration with pentobarbital. Oral exposure to pentobarbital can cause drowsiness, dizziness, excitement, loss of balance, nausea, nystagmus (eyes moving back and forth in a jerky manner), inability to stand, coma and death. Consumers who notice these symptoms in their pets should consult their veterinarian.
03/03/2017 04:15 PM EST
Meijer expanded its list of recalled items to now include its Meijer brand Artisan Made Natural Muenster Cheese and its pre-wrapped Ham Sub on Artisan White Baguette due to a potential cross contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, a Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Ohio Farms Packing Co. Ltd. Recalls Veal Products Due To Possible E. Coli O103 Contamination
Ohio Farms Packing Co. Ltd., a Creston, Ohio establishment, is recalling approximately 40,680 pounds of boneless veal products that may be contaminated with E. coli O103
Updated information is now available. A list of retail consignees has been posted for recall 017-2017, Wayne Farms, LLC Recalls Ready-To-Eat Chicken Products Due To Potential Processing Deviation (Feb 28, 2017).
03/02/2017 01:09 PM EST
Meijer announced it is recalling a recent shipment of its pre-made Caesar salads after discovering they were mislabeled as Greek salads. The mislabeled salads contain packaged croutons, which is an undeclared wheat allergen not included on the Greek salad kit label. Individuals who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. Meijer does not include croutons in its freshly-assembled Greek Salad kit.
03/01/2017 08:51 AM EST
Procesadora La Hacienda, Inc., a Juncos, Puerto Rico establishment, is recalling approximately 140 pounds of raw meat products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens
03/01/2017 05:27 PM EST
Versa Marketing Inc. of Fresno, CA is recalling 4,089 cases of Fusia Szechuan Stir fry because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
02/28/2017 03:31 PM EST
Wayne Farms, LLC, a Decatur, Ala. establishment, is recalling approximately 12,610 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken products due to a potential processing defect, resulting in the potential survival of bacterial pathogens in the products
02/28/2017 12:31 PM EST
Gourmet Classic Salads, Inc., a Lake Wall, Fla. establishment, is recalling approximately 3,236 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.
02/28/2017 05:33 PM EST
Out of an abundance of caution and with an emphasis on customers’ wellness and safety, Yoke’s Fresh Market is proactively recalling two types of Colby cheese due to a potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes.
02/28/2017 02:18 PM EST
Lipari Foods, LLC has issued a voluntary recall of various bulk and retail cheeses manufactured by Deutsch Kase Haus due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
Updated information is now available. A list of retail consignees has been posted for recall 011-2017, Ready Pac Foods Inc. Recalls Chicken Salad Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination (Feb 22, 2017).Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall for One Lot of Edex® (alprostadil for injection) 10 mcg 2 Pack Carton Due to Potential Lack of Sterility Assurance 02/27/2017 12:16 PM EST Endo International plc (NASDAQ / TSX: ENDP) today announced that one of its operating companies, Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. based in Malvern, Pennsylvania, is voluntarily recalling one lot of Edex® (alprostadil for injection) 10 mcg to the consumer level. This product recall is due to the detection by Endo of a defect in the crimp caps used in the manufacture of the subject product lot.
02/26/2017 01:52 PM EST
Manzana Products Co., Inc. is voluntarily recalling three different types of Trader Joe’s Unsweetened Apple Sauces due to the potential presence of glass pieces
Updated information is now available. A list of retail consignees has been posted for recall 015-2017, Ready Pac Foods Inc. Recalls Chicken Salad Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination (Feb 22, 2017).
02/24/2017 03:55 PM EST
Out of an abundance of caution and with an emphasis on customers’ wellness and safety, Lakeview Cheese and Bashas’ Family of Stores are proactively recalling various types of Colby cheese due to a potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. It’s important to note that no illnesses have been reported to date
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School Scott Pruitt – Dalia Hashad – Avaaz
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Ever work at Starbucks? Ever buy coffee there?
There’s a reason the new parental leave policy from Starbucks is so controversial: it would provide different amounts of leave to different types of parents.
Under the Starbucks policy, a new parent who works in a store would get far less paid leave than a new parent who works in corporate. In fact, a new parent who works in a store wouldn’t get any paid parental leave at all, unless they’re the birth mother.
Whether you work in a store or work in an office, everyone needs time to care for their families. That’s why more & more companies are providing paid family leave. That’s why we’re seeing real momentum behind the issue in the State Legislature.
And that’s why we need companies like Starbucks to lead the way and offer policies which recognize that all of us need time to care.
Take a look at the Starbucks policy and let us know what you think.
Thanks for everything you do,
all of us at Working Washington
Be a Seed for Change 
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