Celebrate Wellness with Aban

Join Aban for our 5th Annual Community Wellness Fair at Anacostia Park Roller Skating Pavilion in Southeast Washington, DC.

Download Wellness Flier Here.

Become a Partner or Sponsor

Consider sharing your resource with the community as a partner or become a sponsor and enjoy the many benefits of promoting our event throughout the community. Download flier here.  Here's what one of our partners have said about our event.

“Dr. Green and the Aban Institute provided a great

opportunity for us to connect with the community in a

unique environment and share information about the

importance of planning for college,” said Laurent Ross, DC College Saving Plan.

Stewards of the Anacostia

I am a native Washingtonian. And I am proud of it. Though looking at the Anacostia River really makes me wonder. This summer along with our Summer Youth Employees, we are learning the significance of becoming stewards of our environment.

While the Anacostia River has been recognized as one of the dirtiest rivers in America, we are learning just how the simplest act can begin to transform it again into a healthy vibrant tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. A single act of discarding bottles and plastic bags into trash receptacles help keep the Anacostia clean, among others.

In the beginning of the summer, I took our youth to a dock near the Anacostia Park Roller Skating Pavilion. At that vantage point you could see all the trash, especially plastic bottles that had accumulated in that portion of the river. Without saying too much, the youth were upset to see this trash. Later, we had the chance to visit the Anacostia Aquatic Resources Center. There they gain even more knowledge about the impact of development, rainwater run-off, trash, industrialization, fuel from cars, and other environmental hazards are destroying the vibrancy of the river. In fact, the Anacostia is home to several native aquatic species including species left from the Age of the Dinosaurs that are being impacted as a result of pollution, including turtles and frogs, eels, long nose gar, catfish, etc.

Although the purpose of our summer program is to engage youth in a healthier lifestyle, it is impossible to talk about their health and not address the issue of the health of the Anacostia River. The River plays a significant role in their life. As they begin to associate their wellbeing with the wellbeing of the river, it is my hope that they too will come to the same conclusion as I have. We are the Anacostia. It is our responsibility to protect it.

The following is a list of steward of the Anacostia, though not an exhaustive list. They help to protect, preserve, and prevent further destruction the river's fragile ecosystem with many year-round activities.

Take some time out of your busy schedule to explore the contrasting beauty and murkiness of the Anacostia River and utilze the resource of these stewards to learn more about this great watershed.

National Park Service – Anacostia Park Roller Skating Pavilion
202-472-3873
http://nps.gov/anac/index.htm

DC Urban Tree House (The SCA)
703-524-2441x16
UTH@thesca.org

Aquatic Resources Education Center  (DDOE)
202-535-2260

DC Department Parks and Recreation
Anacostia Recreation Center
202-698-2250

Anacostia Pool
202-724-1441

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (NPS)
202-426-6905
http://www.nps.gov/keaq/index.htm

Earth Conservation Corps
202-479-6710
http://www.ecc1.org/

Community Support Needed for Local Farmer's Market in Ward 7

Washington Parks and People has been working in Marvin Gaye Park for a while now. In little over a year as the assistant director at the Riverside Center, I have seen great strides not only in the physical appearance of the park, but in the surrounding community.

There have been millions of dollars spent in three different major areas of the park, a new playground installed, a 24 air compressor and start of a youth bike repair shop, youth and 6D lead bike rides, and over night camping (co sponsored by the Boys and Girls Scouts, 6D and ANC7C), which by the way, was the first camping event ever staged in the park.

As these programs have grown, I have also witness a change in some of the youth that frequent the center and park. I have young men with the skills to do basic bike repair, and witness them working together to fix young siblings bikes, kids and police officers working together to pitch tents, and kids ask for peaches, apples and tomatoes instead of candy and chips...

Every Saturday from 11 to 3 pm, Riverside/MGP has a Farmer's Market, which accepts and EBT/WIC Vouchers. This is our commitment to increasing healthy food options in the Ward. We NEED your support! Although our market is small, we are committed to learning and growing and cannot do this without you.


Our produce is supplied by Red Truck Farms (a woman born and raised in DC.. East of the River) according to seasons and is local produce with a mixure of organic and conventional fruits and veggiesan and our market manager lives in the Watts Branch Community she serves,

We cannot grow without the continued support of the community, so blog, talk and come on out and visit.

--

Autumn Saxton-Ross, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Health in Parks
Washington Parks & People
CFC#68830

Riverside Center
One Marvin Gaye Way
(5200 Foote Street, NE)
Washington, DC 20019
(202) 398-PARK

Soul-U-Tions: Tools You Need to Live Healthier and Happier

In the District of Columbia, women are negatively impacted by heart disease, various cancers, HIV/AIDS, issues related to smoking, and obesity related disorders. Most of these chronic conditions can be prevented by changing behaviors and engaging in comprehensive wellness related activities.

Aban Institute and Associates, Inc. (Aban) will host two forums in celebration of Women’s Health Month in May at the Benning Road Library, 3935 Benning Road, NE Washington, DC 20019.  Join us for “Soul-U-Tions: Tools You Need to Live Healthier and Happier” on Thursday, May 13, 2010 from 5PM-7PM and Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 1PM-3PM.

Get the tools you need from top women’s health experts on a range of topics like spirituality to sexuality, physical fitness to financial fitness, from holistic healing to healthy eating and, everything in between. Speakers include: Ivy Hylton, Madea E. Allen-Gueye, Autumn Saxton, Jemma Harris, Cheryl Edwards, Belinda Anderson, Tina McIntosh, and Tambra Stevenson.

Aban recognizes the important role women must play with changing health outcomes for themselves, their families, and communities.  Please join us for these dynamic and interactive forums on women’s health.  We can live longer, healthier and happier lives.

For more information contact:

Nura Green, PhD
Executive Director
Aban Institute and Associates, Inc.
202-439-6343
Abaninstitute@gmail.com
www.abaninstitute.org
Discover. Engage. Educate. Participate in life changing activities.

District of Columbia Healthy School Act Hearing

The Healthy Schools Act Hearing took place Friday, March 26, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. DC Council Chamber (Room 500) John A. Wilson Building1350 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.Washington, D.C. 20004



Video of the Hearing
Video of Councilmember Cheh's Opening Statement 

You can download and view Dr. Nura Green's, executive director of Aban Institute and Associates, Inc. testimony presented to Council below in Panel 11.

Agency Statements

Michelle Rhee, District of Columbia Public Schools
Kerri L. Briggs, Ph.D., Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Yesim Yilmaz, Ph.D., Office of the Chief Financial Officer

Panel 1

Kathy Woodward, M.D., Society of Adolescent Medicine
Douglas Van Zoeren, M.D., Kaiser Permanente
Muriel Wolf, M.D., Children’s National Medical Center
Mary Beth Tinker, R.N., Public Witness

Panel 2


Walter Smith, D.C. Appleseed
Amy F. Shroades, R.N., Public Witness
Nicole Farmer, M.D., Public Witness
Charlene Burgeson, National Association for Sport and Physical Education

Panel 3

Yolandra Hancock, M.D., Children’s National Medical Center
Deazon Gardener, 3rd Grade Student, Kimball Elementary School
Tamara Robinson, 3rd Grade Student, Kimball Elementary Schoo
Kristin Roberts, D.C. Hunger Solutions


Panel 11

Nura Green, Ph.D., Aban Institute and Associates, Inc.
Beth Perry, Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care
Mark Haskell, Friends & Food International
Antoinette McIntosh, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

Panel 12

Erika Watson, Revolution Foods
Keith Jenkins, Student, Thurgood Marshall PCHS
Tara Flakker, Parents for Better D.C. School Food
Ariel Trahan, Anacostia Watershed Society

District of Columbia Healthy Schools Act 2010

On March 26, 2010, the District of Columbia City Council convened public testimony on behalf of the Health Schools Act of 2010. This legislation is designed to complement the existing educational reforms enacted by the Mayor and the Council. It is drafted to support the initiatives of District of Columbia Public Schools, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, and the State Board of Education. The bill would apply to all public school students: those attending both DCPS and public charter schools. Specifically, this bill would (1) make school meals healthier and more nutritious; (2) increase the amount of local and fresh fruits and vegetables served in schools; (3) increase exercise and physical activity in our schools; (4) promote school gardens, recycling, energy reduction, and other green initiatives; and (5) improve school nurse, asthma, and allergy programs. Council will vote later this Spring to

There was tremendous buzz and engagement by concerned citizens. In fact nearly 80 residents, students, parents, organizations, businesses, and concerned individuals signed up to provide testimony.  DC is moving in the right direction to ensure our children will have the opportunity to live healthier and longer lives.

Click on the link here to view the hearing in it's entirety.

Make A Commitment

March is National Nutrition Month!

 

Add one more. Try something new. Educate yourself. Teach the kids. Try a new recipe. Just pledge to do something.

More than 90 percent of both adults and children do not eat the amount of fruits and vegetables recommended by the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. But eating more is easy, especially since all forms … fresh, frozen, canned, dried  and 100% juice … count toward your daily intake!

 

NEW!

Contest
If March got you started on a healthier routine last year, tell us about it!. Enter our Your Healthy Life and You Contest by telling us your success story! 

World Kidney Day

Today, March 11th,  is World Kidney Day

Could you or someone you care about have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and not even know it? The chances are high that the answer is yes. Estimates say more than 31 million Americans are living with chronic kidney disease and many others are at risk and don’t even know it.

During National Kidney Month, DaVita and other kidney organizations want to raise awareness and encourage everyone to be screened for chronic kidney disease. When detected in early stages, steps can be taken to help prolong kidney function.

National Week of Prayer For the Healing Of AIDS

National Week of Prayer For the Healing Of AIDS: "We Believe in the Power of Prayer and Education!!

The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is the coming together of all people of faith to unite with purpose, compassion and hope. Through the power of God’s love we will educate every American about HIV prevention facts; encourage and support HIV testing; advocate for the availability of compassionate care and treatment for all those living with the disease in every community in America; and love unconditionally all persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS."

Aban Summer Health Activities

Aban is preparing for our annual summer activities through our Healthy Activities Promotion Project for You (HAPPY).  Every Saturday we focus on a particular health issue and invite community organizations, government agencies, businesses, and individuals to partner with us and provide their resource, information, and/or testing services for free to the community.

Our goal is to:

• Increase knowledge about wellness
• Promote exercise and healthier living activities
• Encourage prevention, early detection, and  treatment of chronic illnesses

We hope you will consider joining us and share your free resource with the community.  Your participation will help us to encourage DC residents to engage in healthier lifestyles and improve their health and well being. 

Download the partnership information form from our website: www.abaninstitute.org.

Contact:
Nura Green, PhD
Executive Director
Aban Institute and Associates, Inc.
202-439-6343
Abaninstitute@gmail.com
Discover. Engage. Educate. Participate in life changing activities.

Healthy Affordable Food For All: DC Food Finder

Healthy Affordable Food For All: DC Food Finder

Posted using ShareThis

DC's Field to Fork Network

You’re invited to join DC’s Field to Fork Network, the America the Beautiful Fund, dozens of local community organizations and members of DC’s urban gardening community for the third annual Rooting DC urban gardening forum.

This day-long event – which includes panel discussions, workshops and talks -  is free and open to the public.

WHEN:		Saturday, February 20, 2010 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
WHERE:		The Historical Society of Washington, 801 K Street NW Near the Mt. Vernon Sq./Convention Center and Gallery Place metro stops

Field to Fork Network

DC’s Field to Fork Network refers to the dozens of organizations working in Washington, DC to foster regional change in how we approach our food. The Network works to strengthen links between community gardening, food distribution, nutritional education and seasonal cooking.

Healthy Kids . PBS Parents | PBS

Healthy Kids . PBS Parents | PBS

There are many ways to establish healthy eating habits in young children. The earlier you start the better! Young kids are great copycats. If they see you eating healthy foods, they'll want to copy you. Related activities in and out of the kitchen can get kids to eat healthy while offering great learning opportunities. For example, cooking with kids helps build math and listening skills. And, you can turn a trip to the grocery store into a literacy adventure. Chew on more healthy eating ideas below.

America's Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids

 
Childhood obesity or excess weight threatens the healthy future of one third of American children. We spend $150 billion every year to treat obesity-related conditions, and that number is growing.
Obesity rates tripled in the past 30 years, a trend that means, for the first time in our history, American children may face a shorter expected lifespan than their parents.
We need to get moving. Join First Lady Michelle Obama, community leaders, teachers, doctors, nurses, moms and dads in a nationwide campaign to tackle the challenge of childhood obesity.

National Wear Red Day this Friday, February 5, 2010

Lead the Way and Plan a Wear Red Day

National Wear Red Day is Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. But it takes just one person to start Wear Red Day on any day of the year. Let that person be you! Consider organizing a Wear Red Day at your workplace, with your faith-based organization, at your community center or even in your own home. Speak up. Inspire your friends, neighbors, coworkers and family members to show their support for the fight against heart disease!

DID YOU KNOW:

• Only 13% of women view heart disease as a health threat, even though it’s women's No. 1 killer.
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills over 480,000 women a year, about one per minute.
• One in three adult females and males in the United States suffers from a form of CVD.
• CVD claims more lives than the next four most common causes of death combined.
• On average, an American dies of CVD every 35 seconds.
• Coronary heart disease is the No. 1 single killer of women over age 25.
• 64% of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.
• One in 2.6 female deaths are from CVD, compared with one in 30 from breast cancer.
• Heart disease rates in post-menopausal women are two to three times higher than in pre-menopausal women of the same age.
• Stroke is the #3 cause of death for American women, and is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability.
• Stroke kills more women than men. In 2003, females represented 61% of stroke deaths.

American Diabetes Association - Stop Diabetes: Share

American Diabetes Association - Stop Diabetes: Share

414,720

Between the day this movement started on October 29, 2009 and today, this is how many of our friends, family members and colleagues have been diagnosed with diabetes. That's one person every 20 seconds. Join the movement and Stop Diabetes now.

10 Reasons to Get Tested for CKD | The Kidney TRUST

10 Reasons to Get Tested for CKD The Kidney TRUST:

"Kidney disease is a growing public health problem affecting an estimated 31 million American adults. Recent studies show that 1 in 9 adult Americans has chronic kidney disease (CKD), but most don’t know it. The good news is that if CKD is caught early, it may be possible to slow it down or even stop it altogether.

In people with CKD, the kidneys are less able to perform vital functions that help maintain overall health, including filtering wastes and excess fluids from the blood. In time, CKD may lead to kidney failure, in which case dialysis (blood cleaning) or a kidney transplant is needed to support life."

How Obesity Harms A Child's Body (washingtonpost.com)

How Obesity Harms A Child's Body (washingtonpost.com): "How Obesity Harms A Child's Body"

For the first time in history, American children can have a shorter lifespan than their parents. The cause: Obesity

Obesity Threatens a Generation - washingtonpost.com

Obesity Threatens a Generation - washingtonpost.com: "An epidemic of obesity is compromising the lives of millions of American children, with burgeoning problems that reveal how much more vulnerable young bodies are to the toxic effects of fat. "

An Unexpected Lesson on Eating Well

My original thought was to go to Anacostia Park Pavilion to photograph rollerskaters. But because no one was rollerskating, I found myself talking to Nura Green of the Aban Institute. She's running a small summer program for teenagers and the day's lesson was on nutrition and how to prevent Type II Diabetes. The classroom is in an unlikely place - tucked behind a brown door within one wall of the skating pavilion. Inside, Green was teaching her students how to read nutrition labels.

Healthy food is hard to find in D.C.’s poorest neighborhoods

Food Desert


Healthy food is hard to find in D.C.’s poorest neighborhoods.



The big sign outside of McDonald’s advertises Big Mac’s for $2. Want a meal with fries and a large drink? Then it’s just a mere $4. A couple of doors down from McDonald’s is a liquor store, a 24-hour convenience store and Yum’s Carryout. Across the street is a Domino’s Pizza, another liquor store and Danny’s Sub Shop and Chinese takeout.



This one stretch of block is a snapshot of food options in Washington, D.C.’s Ward 7. Located on the northeast side of the nation’s capital, Ward 7 is littered with fast food restaurants, convenience stores and carryouts. There is one sit-down restaurant – Denny’s.



The area’s more than 70,000 residents rely on two grocery stores, both Safeways, to serve their needs. A 2008 Grocery Gap Analysis by D.C. Hunger Solutions, an initiative created by the Food Research and Action Center to improve the health and well-being of low-income residents in Washington, deemed Ward 7 a “food desert.” The report defines food deserts as areas that lack access to sufficient full-service grocery retail.

Health Benefits of Roller Skating - Wellsphere

Health Benefits of Roller Skating - Wellsphere

Fruits and Veggies Every Day the Tasty Way

Fruits and Veggies Every Day the Tasty Way

American Heart Association - Learn and Live

American Heart Association - Learn and Live: "It's more than a program. It's a movement.Heart disease is this country's No.1 killer. But by exercising for as little as 30 minutes each day you can reduce your risk. That's what the Start! Movement is all about:
Walk more. Eat better. Live a longer, healthier life.
Countless people across the country are jumping on board. Join them in the Start! Movement, get walking and start taking a more active role in your health!"

What does it take to live healthier?

I am challenging everyone to think and act on what it takes to live healthier.  I do not believe you have to do the drastic measures to begin to live healthier.  What does it take to drink one bottle of water instead of the fourth sugary beverage of the day? If you are a subscriber to Comcast Communications (cable service in DC), what does it take to turn on the "ON DEMAND" feature; search fitness and do the 1 mile Start Walking exercise video in your home? What does it take to smoke eight cigarettes in a day instead of the usual 12?  Simple things that do not create drastic life changes add up to tremendous long term benefit over time if done consistently.  What does it take to live healthier DC?

Live Healthier DC 2010

Aban Institute and Associates, Inc. (Aban ) is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit.  Founded in Washington, DC in 1998, our mission to reclaim our children, rebuild our families, and revive our communities.

Since 2005, Aban has provided health and wellness information to the community at Anacostia Park. We want to expand the capacity of services to include year round events for all ages to engage in healthier living activities. Our Live Healthier DC is a campaign to enrich the lives of all District of Columbia residents through Aban's health, wellness, and violence prevention activities.

We have several opportunities for the community to support our efforts. From sponsoring planter boxes, to supporting a group visit to local farms, to helping a family earn a six month membership to a local gym, to sponsoring peer-to peer youth health workshops; these activities help residents realize that healthier living is accessible, attainable, and available to everyone.

Visit our website to learn more about our sponsorship categories at http://www.abaninstitute.org/.  Contact: Dr. Nura Green at 202-439-6343 or, email: abaninstitute@gmail.com to find out more about Aban and how you can support our efforts

Sponsorship

Sponsorship Description:
Help us promote our Live Healthier DC campaign. Sponsor our community outreach activities with marketing and promotional materials, products, advertisements in local media outlets. This includes promotion for our HAPPY programs at Anacostia Park.

Sponsorship Benefit:

•  Listing with your logo on our website and blog with linkage to your site
• 12 weeks of promotion through our eListserve with over 1000 addresses
• Placement of logo on official banner, promotional products, and marketing materials
• Acknowledgment as sponsor in all media promotions

Sponsorship Categories:

•  Underwriter: $10,000
• Gold Sponsors: $8000
• Silver Sponsors: $6000
• Bronze Sponsors: $4000