Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber received her BA and MA from Howard University, with an academic discipline in U.S. History. Currently, she teaches U.S. history at the University of the District of Columbia.

Dr. Jowers-Barber was a 2004 Faculty Fellow with the CoRAL network. During the 2004-5 school year she began to implement service learning as part of her course requirements.

She and her husband John A. Barber, Sr., reside in Washington with their three teenage children.

Here's how CreateAThon(tm) works:
1. Local 501(c)(3) organizations located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area are invited to submit applications to the Mediastudio hosted CreateAThon(tm) in September. The deadline for applications is noon EST on August 3rd, 2005.

2. 10-12 organizations will be selected to work with the CreateAThon(tm) team on the creation of a graphic product. *In addition, selected groups will receive a comprehensive financial policy and procedures manual, tailored for your organization, that incorporates the latest policies, regulations and compliance requirements outlined in Sarbanes-Oxley and related nonprofit legislation.

3. All projects will be completed-from start to finish- during a 24-hour blitz starting Friday, September 30, 2005 at 8:00AM.

Mediastudio, Inc., founded in 1995, is a branding agency that strategically designs visual media, both online and in print and provides communications planning as an integral part of its process.
They help companies, non-profits, foundations and companies get their message out clearly.

More information about Mediastudio's upcoming CreateAThon(tm) can be found at: http://www.mediastudio.com/createathon. Any questions can be emailed to: CAT@mediastudio.com (no phone calls please!).

The Health Alliance is a three to four year program that prepares students for a career as a Registered Nurse.

The benefits of the program are many:

• Free Job Training & CNA Certification
• PT Employment with Providence Hospital
• Full Scholarship to UDC
• $250.00 Monthly Stipend
• Free Tutoring and Comprehensive Services
• Guaranteed FT Job (45k a year)

Urban Alliance is a non-profit organization located in Washington, DC. Their mission is to prepare DC youth for the world of work and a life of self- sufficiency through education, mentoring, and meaningful paid internships.

The Perry Community Center will have a information session on September 14 2005 at 6pm. It will take place at 128 M Street NW. Call 202-312-7154 or 202-312-7142 for more information on the session.

Applications are now being accepted. Contact Beshon Smith @ 202-266-5481 or email Bsmith@urbanalliancefoundation.org

The National Neighborhood Coalition invites you to join us for our next forum, a roundtable discussion among Washington DC based community organizations, national advocates, and funders. Washington, D.C., a divided city, will be a by- invitation brown bag/roundtable discussion between neighborhood and national organizations that are working to improve and revitalize low-income communities. It will explore the challenges and opportunities generated by a changing economy and the fast pace of development on low-income neighborhoods. To better understand how these forces affect communities, we will hear from leaders in affordable housing, labor, and education, among others.

The National Neighborhood Coalition provides common ground for the nation's leading advocates for lower- income neighborhoods. It is where national and local leaders come together to generate the resources, public policies and solution-oriented strategies that strengthen and sustain neighborhoods. NNC's broad network of more than one million members affords groups a voice in Washington, DC; opens doors to partnerships among non-profits and commercial entities; and keeps low-income problems and solutions on the agenda for key policy makers. For over 25 years, NNC has stimulated collaboration and innovation.

For information, contact Leah Kalinosky at 202.429.0790

Outline your goals and strategies for parent involvement for the upcoming school year. Bring your talents, skills and energy to these forums on Parent Involvement.

Learn about NCLB, Title I, Section 1118 the law devoted specifically towards parent involvement.

Learn how your school can create a welcoming environment for parents.

Learn how to revitalize or establish your school's PTA.

The Public Charter Schools Center for Student Support Services (CSSS) builds school-community collaborations to help District of Columbia public charter schools foster their students' social, developmental, and educational growth and create safer, more respectful schools.
CSSS help DC's charter schools integrate best practices in education, child and youth development, and mental health services to create healthy environments in which every child can succeed.

For more information contact Erica Louison @ 202- 628-8848 x107

Meter parking available

If you would like to share any announcements from your organization or campus with the CoRAL Network community, send a brief blurb to kcarter@coralnetwork.org by close of business each Thursday for inclusion in the following Monday's Newsbits.

Please note that submissions MUST be about local events, news, opportunities and activities that are related to community affairs in the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Northern Virginia.