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Hands In The Community - Foundation News
Excerpted from Winter 1997 Newsletter

IFBM volunteers nation-wide have certainly served as "Your Hands in the Community", sharing "Just Touch" at all three Centers and through the Outreach Program. Thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of just a handful of Outreach Volunteers, IFBM has held Practitioner Trainings in Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawaii; San Diego & Orange County, California; New York City, Leverett (western) & Marion (eastern), Massachusetts; and as we go to print, San Jose, California. We haven't begun our outreach schedule for 1998 yet, so if you would like to have a class in your area, please give us a call.

Many of you already know that our plans for classes in Malaysia have been postponed indefinitely. While we were initially disappointed, we had to feel that luck was on our side when that country literally burst into flames during the time of our proposed visit! It seems they may need BMTH now more than ever, so we'll see how we can help.

Of course, with all of these classes and other special Foundation events, such as the Tucson Center Open House, there has been quite a lot of traveling going on. Jennifer Phelps, usually of Honolulu, spent almost a month at the Tucson Center. Then she headed to the new Yuba City office for three weeks. During her stay in Yuba City, Cheryl Bucky headed for Tucson and Massachusetts. Paul Bucky spent his time in Tucson while instructors John Munno and Gloria Theirjung of Tucson went to New York and San Diego, respectively. Phew!

At long last, volunteers have come forth to translate more program materials into other languages. With the large populations of Spanish speaking people in Tucson and Yuba City, we are proud to not only have the video and manual in Spanish, but now also flyers and recipient information. AND now we even have the first several pages of the manual in Japanese, thanks to the work of Honolulu CP and Instructor Program candidate Irmina Hiyashi.

Yuba City, California

Recipients and supporters continue to beat the bushes, telling people about the Center and its services. Dr. Mike Blanchard continues to refer patients, while Anneliese Blanchard has created the Friends of the Center pledge drive. She also introduced IFBM to the local Medical Auxiliary, dedicated to encouraging public awareness of health services in their community. A "Morning Coffee" is planned for this group comprised of doctors' wives.

In October, the Yuba City Center also held an Open House, at which half of the attendees were first time visitors! And this year Halloween became an outreach event when Jennifer sat outside the Center with a jack-o-lantern, handing out candy and BMTH info to neighbors. BMTH was featured at a staff training at Casa de Esperanza, a nearby battered women's shelter, and IFBM's involvement in Make a Difference Day at the Mall was a huge success.

Recent media coverage has helped to get the word out about BMTH around the area as well. In September, two radio interviews were held on a local radio station, KUBA, and BMTH was shared on "Good Day Sacramento", a morning TV show on KPWB, Channel 31 in Sacramento. BMTH was also featured on "New Millenium", a public access television show in Sacramento. Also, the local cable company, Media One, is airing programs about the Foundation and BMTH on Channel 5, Monday nights at 9:30.

The Center had the privilege of hosting two visitors during October and November. Janice Henderson, CP from Honolulu, paid a visit, and brand spankin' new CP Jim Perry of Tucson came and shared his smile, his wisdom, and his cooking. Finally, special congratulations to Yuba City's second Certified Practitioner and Instructor Program candidate, Marianne George!

Honolulu, Hawaii

Rachel Funk has been holding down the fort in Honolulu while her cohort tripped across the Mainland. Fortunately, Rachel had the dedicated help of many volunteers and accomplished some simply amazing feats. The Satellite Center at the Waikiki Community Center is running strong every Monday, and the BMTH signs are up once again on the public buses, generating many calls for information.

Two fun outdoor events were Make a Difference Day where practitioners offered free treatments to passers-by, and the Century Bike Ride where road weary racers were greeted with BMTH to ease their aches and strains. Also, hundreds of civilian and military federal employees learned about BMTH during the Combined Federal Campaign. CFC held a Kick-off fair for participating agencies such as IFBM, and we were also invited to present BMTH to individual federal offices. Another huge success was our participation in the Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Fair attended by 16,200 people!

Honolulu was introduced to the concept of "Your Hands in the Community" at a very special fundraising concert in honor of IFBM performed by Mimi Dye, solo violist from Palo Alto, California. Mimi graced us with a breathtaking evening of music inspired by the 12th Century abbess and visionary Hilgard von Bingen. The sold out concert was heldat the Waikiki Community Center Chapel, and a wine and cheese reception followed. We extend out gratitude to the evening's sponsors and contributors, and especially to Mimi and her husband Scott Barski for contacting us and offering to share her gifts with us.

We extend our thanks and warm good bye's to CP's Ed Stanich and Brandie Garry (temporarily). Our lives have been enriched by knowing you and by working with you. You will be missed.

Tucson, Arizona

The Tucson Center has a new face! It recently under-went a huge renovation allowing for a larger teaching and waiting area and three treatment rooms. Thank you, again to all the people who graciously volunteered their sweat and time to finish the Center in just over five days time.

Paul Bucky spoke at the State of Arizona Licensed Practical Nurses conference in September where IFBM representatives offered mini-sessions throughout both days of the conference. This event will be followed up in December with a presentation at the Advanced & Alternative Interventions for Wound Care symposium in Phoenix.

We are continually grateful to House of Neighborly Service for hosting the South Tucson Satellite Center. Sessions are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and all are invited to visit HNS to enjoy BMTH and the other community-based services offered there.

IFBM has recently submitted two grant proposals in Tucson. One is for the Youth Program through Youth Empowerment II, and the second is a collaborative grant with Amity Circle Tree Ranch, a drug and alcohol therapeutic community where IFBM volunteers offer sessions every Thursday. That grant will help fund our existing program and also allow residents the opportunity to pursue the Certification Program and volunteer at the Center to fulfill their community service hours.

Jessica Theirjung, IFBM's youngest CP and Assistant to the Youth Program Director, is setting up presentations for three of the third grade classes at Hudlow Elementary School. Jessica is also looking into setting up presentations for her Girl Scout Troop 386 and Brownie Troop 56 to see if the girls can earn a Try-It badge for learning BMTH.

Lynnette & Jennifer's mom Judy Becker traveled from Chicago to participate in the Certification Program. New additions to the Center staff include Phillis Buchanan, Doc Wilson, Wayne Chenault, Jim Perry, Cindy Bruwer, Elena Bennett and LaRue Keys, and Dave Pfau of Chicago. Congratulations, All!

Belo Horizante, Brazil

It's a special treat to have news from Brazil in this issue of Just Touch News. Dennis Fortner writes:

"We have moved into some new facilities to do BMTH and so are no longer using part of our house for this. Consequently, we have a regular place to do classes, etc and can create a regular schedule. We are planning a training for the end of November. I'll keep you posted. Good luck in San Diego and New York. Sounds fantastic.
Always with love,
Dennis"

IFBM is honored to announce its approval by the Arizona State Board of Examiners of Nursing Care Institution Administrators and Adult Day Care Home Managers to offer CEU's to people in this field. (AZ only)

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