Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 72
May 25, 2021
Bring Dignity to Children with Bags of Hope and Savinar Luggage
[image error]National Foster Care MonthWhy let the kids go from home to home in plastic garbage bags when you can make the difference?[image error]Mark Stern, who owns the Valley store of Savinar Luggage in Woodland Hills. With him is Erica Chait, a social worker with the Department of Child and Family Services. She runs the program Bags for Hope. [image error]
Savinar Luggage Co. has partnered with
Most foster children are given a box or a trash bag when relocating. Your donation will help a child move to a new home with dignity. Here’s How It Works! Donate a rolling suitcase in working condition. Receive additional SAVINGS on a new bag. Recycle your old bag and put it in the hands of a child in need!DONATION: Savinar Luggage (Mark Stern) 6931 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Canoga Park, Calif. 91303
Luggage donations add a sense of dignity for foster children changing homes.
In 2014, social worker Erica Chait started the nonprofit Bags of Hope, a program that recycles used suitcases and gives them to children in foster care so they can have a way to take their belongings with them.
[image error]Bag of Hope Project for Summer 2021!BHP LA is your opportunity to sponsor a day pack filled with self-care items for a youth who has faced hardships in trafficking, homelessness, or a troubled home in Los Angeles.
We’ve partnered with several LA organizations who have provided temporary housing, meals, educational and enrichment workshops, counseling, school supplies, and additional support to teens in this community.
Your hope-filled contribution helps to confirm that their greater community genuinely cares — and in a tangible way. Help us to reach our goal of sponsoring 100 teens this summer!
The post Bring Dignity to Children with Bags of Hope and Savinar Luggage appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
May 22, 2021
Grateful to @thrive for sharing this information which i...
Grateful to @thrive for sharing this information which is vital for creating a more peaceful, just, sustainable, healthier and joyful world.
https://t.co/3oqrAahJ5i
— Deepak Chopra (@DeepakChopra) May 21, 2021
The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
May 21, 2021
Congratulations Mia Schlosser, Finalist in The Music Center’s annual Spotlight program
Mia Schlosser is a freshman from Westlake Village and was recently named a Finalist in The Music Center’s annual Spotlight program. 2021 is the 33rd year of the program and Mia’s first year participating. This Jewish ballerina made it to the finals, which speaks to her level of artistry and talent at such a young age.
[image error]Mia will receive a $5,000 cash scholarship and perform during the Grand Finale show, which will premiere first on YouTube on May 22 and will then air on PBS SoCal this summer (hosted by Josh Groban, a Spotlight alum!).
More than 1,500 students applied, but only 14 are selected as finalists after three rounds of auditions, performances and master classes. It’s a great accomplishment for young students dreaming of a future in the arts. The program nurtures young artists and provides performance opportunities and access to professional coaching all for free.
[image error]I asked Mia, “What do you love about ballet?”
She said, “One of my favorite aspects is the artistry side to dance. I love getting to play with the timing of the music, the shape of my arms, the head movements, how I place my feet, and especially how I express my face. The feeling of molding the choreography to my body makes me feel the happiest, and I am truly able to let go and find peace within myself. I also love performing because when I am on stage, I am unbothered. On stage, I feel the most true to myself, and I love seeing the choreography come alive!”
When asked, “What have you learned about yourself by way of your Spotlight experience?” Mia explained that “through Spotlight, I have learned to believe in myself. Going into the audition process, I had little confidence in my dancing, and I did not think that I would advance to the next round. Looking back, I wish I went in thinking that I could make it rather than doubting myself. This amazing program has been so supportive, and has helped me to have confidence in myself, but also in my dancing.“
[image error]In its history, more than 51,000 students high school students have come through Spotlight and have gone on to win Emmys and Grammys while performing with major orchestras and ballet companies.
Jeri Gaile, program director, former ballerina and actress explained what makes Spotlight so special:
“Spotlight is the complete package for high school students and is entirely free! Everything about the Spotlight program is constructive because we provide a constant learning and supportive environment for them. One key to success is the personalized coaching and feedback students receive before and after their auditions, outlining their strengths and areas to improve upon. We focus on preparing students for college and professional work whether they dream of a career on stage or off. Students of all skill levels are encouraged to apply. As long as they have passion in the arts, there’s a place for them in Spotlight.”
Gaile spoke about Mia becoming a finalist in her first try and what makes Mia special?
“Mia approaches the choreography with such finesse and it’s beautiful to watch, but that’s not what grabs me. I love her artistry. It’s the way she uses her arms, her head, her face, to express what she’s feeling. You are drawn in and can’t help but experience what she’s feeling. She engages the audience with her vulnerability, generosity, and heart. And that’s what the arts are about. They’re about engaging everyone.”
[image error]Mia Schlosser will be performing at Walt Disney Concert Hall for her finale performance: Flora’s Variation from the ballet: The Awakening of Flora. Composed by: Riccardo Drigo. Choreography by: Marius Petipa
MIA SCHLOSSER (BALLET) 15, is a freshman at Westlake High School. She has been training at California Dance Theatre for twelve years and is currently in the professional training platform. Awards include: Youth American Grand Prix, 2nd place (2021); A Ballet Education’s June Magazine cover (2020); scholarships to attend The Joffrey Ballet’s Summer course (2017), and Boston Ballet’s (2021). Mia is excited to attend the School of American Ballet’s summer course this year. She would like to thank Kim Maselli and all her incredibly supportive teachers at California Dance Theatre for continuously encouraging and believing in her dance journey. Mia would love to be to someday dance in a major ballet company. This is Mia’s first year participating in Spotlight.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by The Music Center (@musiccenterla)
The post Congratulations Mia Schlosser, Finalist in The Music Center’s annual Spotlight program appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
May 20, 2021
The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
May 17, 2021
The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
Put On Purple Day…Raise Lupus Awareness on May 21st
Maggi Knapp, Giving Back to Others on POP Day
[image error]Like so many other people with lupus, Maggi Knapp spent months searching for an answer to what made her joints hurt so much that she couldn’t stand. Maggi was shuttled from doctor to doctor by her mother, with each visit leading to more prescriptions that didn’t work, more unexplained pain, and more hopelessness. Eventually, Maggi was referred to a local rheumatologist who confirmed she has lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Maggi now has lived with lupus for most of her adult life, and she knew that she could make a difference. She wants more people to be aware of lupus, to support lupus research and bring an end to the disease’s brutal impact. Today, Maggi is wearing purple as part of Put On Purple Day, a part of Lupus Awareness Month organized by the Lupus Foundation of America to raise awareness of lupus and the approximately 1.5 million Americans who live with the disease.
90% of people living with lupus are women and the average time to diagnosis is nearly six years, which leaves people with lupus struggling to understand what is happening for that entire time. Today, Put On Purple Day is an opportunity to bring awareness to what lupus is, how to recognize its symptoms and how to support individuals living with lupus.
What is Lupus?
Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease. In simple terms, the immune system in someone with lupus recognizes healthy tissue as a foreign invader and begins to attack it. The result is inflammation that can affect any part of the body: skin, joints, internal organs. Lupus is known as “the great imitator” because, as happened to Maggi, the symptoms can look like other diseases. A rheumatologist can diagnose lupus with a combination of a blood test and diagnostic criteria.
Maggi’s lupus is now in remission with only an occasional flare. “Lupus has affected my life in so many ways – good and bad. It has definitely made me a stronger person and helped me realize how valuable life is. It has taught me that I can handle just about anything while trying my best to have a positive attitude, which doesn’t always help the disease itself, but helps looking at things in a more positive light.”
Locally in Southern California, the Lupus Foundation of America operates a dozen support groups that provide emotional support, encouragement and education resources. Each group is free to anyone who lives with lupus or cares for someone with lupus. Maggi facilitates the West Los Angeles group, which meets digitally on the 2nd Wednesday evening of every month. (www.lupus.org/socal/find-help-5)
Asked why she volunteers her time, Maggi said, “Being involved in the Lupus Foundation of America has been one of the best things I could have ever done. I met some wonderful people within the organization, and I can help people who have the same issues as me (and some, a lot worse). I can listen, give advice, and share my experiences with people that are newly diagnosed. If I can help just one person within my support groups, it makes me so happy.”
What You Can Do
For Put On Purple Day, wear your favorite purple items and encourage others to get involved to end lupus. Whether it’s a purple shirt, hat, sunglasses or more, Go Purple To End Lupus on May 21 and share why you’re wearing purple on social media. You also can support efforts to advance lupus research by either raising funds or making a donation. Tell your friends and family how they can donate and get involved. And, the good news is, this Put on Purple Day your gift can go even further! Make a donation and it will be triple-matched by Master Spas, up to $25,000!
[image error]Throughout the month of May, you can be a part of the growing number of individuals, communities, media and celebrities that are making a difference this Lupus Awareness Month in the fight to end the brutal impact of this disease. Learn how you can get involved and donate by visiting lupus.org/LupusAwarenessMonth.
The Lupus Foundation of America has a questionnaire that can help you learn more: “Could It Be Lupus?”: www.lupus.org/resources/could-it-be-lupus
The post Put On Purple Day…Raise Lupus Awareness on May 21st appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
May 16, 2021
The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
The post appeared first on We Said Go Travel.
We Said Go Travel
- Lisa Niver's profile
- 57 followers
