Crime to cooking, Feet need help?, FBI Citizens' acad - The Forum

>>> COMING UP ON THE FORUM: THEY SERVED THEIR TIME AND NOW
THEY'RE LIVING THEIR DREAM WITH THE HELP OF TCC'S CULINARY ARTS
PROGRAM. >>> FIND OUT WHERE MEMBERS OF A
LOCAL SENIOR CENTER ARE PUTTING THEIR FEET INTO GOOD HANDS.
>>> PLUS, THE NORFOLK FBI LAUDS ONE OF OUR OWN FOR HER IMPORTANT
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY. MEET SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE
NORFOLK A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY ON HUMAN SERVICES
FORUM, BEGINNING RIGHT NOW. CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY
CAPTION ASSOCIATES, LLC www.captionassociates.com
>>> HI, I'M JAN CALLAGHAN. WELCOME TO THE FORUM.
THE PEOPLE YOU ARE ABOUT TO MEET HAVE HELPED OR HAVE OVERCOME
MANY BARRIERS TO REACH A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN THEIR
YOUNG LIVES. FIRST AND FOREMOST, THEY ARE
NEWLY EMPLOYED GRADUATES OF TIDEWATER COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S
CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM. BUT NOT SO LONG AGO, THEIR
REALITY WAS QUITE DIFFERENT. I'D LIKE TO WELCOME LAMECIA
JONES ALONG WITH DR. LESLIE BOUGHTON.
LESLIE BOUGHTON IS THE COORDINATOR AND JOB DEVELOPER
FOR THE JOB SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM AT TCC, THE NORFOLK
CAMPUS, AND LAMECIA IS A STUDENT WHO JUST RECEIVED HER
CERTIFICATION IN CULINARY ARTS AND IS CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AT OLD
DOMINION UNIVERSITY. YES, AND LEARNING ALL SORTS OF
THINGS AS A SUPERVISOR, SO WE HAVE GOOD NEWS TO SHARE.
SORRY I STUMBLED THROUGH THAT. WELCOME.
DR. BOUGHTON, YOU OVERSEEING THE PROGRAM FOR WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT, ESSENTIALLY, AND JOB SKILLS TRAINING, IT HAS
GROWN OVER THE YEARS, HASN'T IT? >> YES, IT HAS.
IT REALLY HAS. WE STARTED OUR PILOT PROJECT IN
1995 AND IN `96 AT THE PORTSMOUTH CAMPUS WHEN I WAS AN
UNDERGRADUATE INTERN THERE FROM NORFOLK STATE, AND I DEVELOPED
THE PROGRAM THAT KIND OF ADDRESSED THE STUDENTS THAT WERE
AT RISK, THEIR NEEDS IN A VERY COMPREHENSIVE, HOLISTIC WAY, AND
PERSONAL ISSUES I ADDRESSED WITH THE STUDENTS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW,
THE ISSUES HAPPEN AFTER 5:00 WHEN THEY GET OUT OF SCHOOL, ON
THE WEEKENDS AT 2:00, AND SO WE NEEDED -- I FELT LIKE WE NEEDED
TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES AND THEY WERE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THEIR
ACADEMIC ISSUES. >> OKAY.
AND LET'S FAST-FORWARD TO 2012 AND LAMECIA JONES, I MET, HAD
THE PRIVILEGE OF MEETING AT A GRADUATION CEREMONY IN JULY.
>> AUGUST 14th. >> WAS IT AUGUST?
BOY, HOW TIME FLIES. MID AUGUST, AND IT WAS
WONDERFUL, BUT THIS IS -- IT WAS GRADUATING A COUPLE DOZEN
STUDENTS IN CULINARY ARTS. AMONG THEM WAS LAMECIA AND TWO
OF HER CLASSMATES WHO CAME FROM A DIFFERENT BACKGROUND AND
PROBABLY NOT -- WHEN THEY WERE THERE, WHEN YOU WERE THERE, I
DON'T KNOW THAT YOU ENVISIONED THAT THAT WAS WHERE YOU WERE
GOING TO BE STANDING AT THAT PARTICULAR POINT IN YOUR LIFE,
BUT LAMECIA HAS BEEN -- HAD SERVED SOME TIME AND IF YOU WANT
TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHERE YOU CAME FROM AND WHERE YOU ARE
NOW. >> WELL, STARTING OFF, I WAS
COMPLETELY LOST, YOU KNOW, DIDN'T KNOW WHICH WAY WAS UP,
YOU KNOW. I WANTED TO MAKE A CHANGE, AND I
HAD JUST RECENTLY CAME OUT OF A SITUATION THAT WASN'T VERY GOOD
AND I WAS LABELED AS HOMELESS AND WITH MY KIDS.
AND I WENT TO THE HEART PROGRAM. THAT'S WHERE I WAS REFERRED
FROM, AND SHE WAS LIKE THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING FOR US AT
ALL. AND SO HER MAIN CONCERN AFTER
THAT, YOU KNOW, DID I HAVE SOMEONE TO STAY WITH.
SO I HAD SOMEONE TO STAY WITH AND HER NEXT CONCERN WAS, YOU
KNOW, WHY WASN'T I WORKING? AND I GOT KIND OF NERVOUS AND
STUFF, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE WHEN THEY ASK, YOU KNOW,
IT'S KIND OF HARD TO TELL, YOU KNOW, WHY I'M NOT WORKING.
BUT I'M A FELON, AND SO MOST PLACES WANTS -- AS SOON AS THEY
SEE THAT, YOU KNOW, NO MATTER WHAT CERTIFICATIONS YOU HAVE OR
ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THEY COMPLETELY TURN YOU AWAY.
SO FOR THE LAST, YOU KNOW, FOUR YEARS, YOU KNOW, I HAVE NOT
WORKED FOR ANYONE, YOU KNOW. AND SHE TOLD ME, SHE WAS LIKE,
WELL, YOU QUALIFY FOR THIS PROGRAM CALLED A SNAPPET PROGRAM
THROUGH SOCIAL SERVICES, SO I WENT TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND THAT
SAME DAY THAT I WENT, IT WAS JUST HOW THE ORDER OF EVENTS.
SHE WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN GO THROUGH THIS PROGRAM AND I
HAD ALREADY TOLD MY MOM, YOU KNOW, I WANTED TO MAKE A CHANGE,
AND SHE WAS LIKE, WHY DON'T YOU DO WHAT YOU LOVE DOING?
YOU LOVE TO COOK. AND I WAS LIKE -- YOU KNOW, I
WAS ALREADY IN SCHOOL IN TCC, BUT I HAD A LOT OF DEBTS AND
STUFF, SO THEY SAID I COULDN'T COME BACK THAT SEMESTER UNTIL,
YOU KNOW, I PAID THEM AND STUFF AND WITH NO JOB, THAT WASN'T
GOING TO HAPPEN. AND I GET THERE AND AT THE TIME,
MY WORKER WAS MS. TONI, AND SHE SAYS WE HAVE A CULINARY ARTS
PROGRAM AND I'M, OH, THANK GOD. SHE WAS LIKE, YOU CAN GO THROUGH
THIS PROGRAM, BUT YOU HAVE TO BE DEDICATED.
AND I SAID, I AM. SHE SAID, YOU GOT TO GO BECAUSE
THEY, RIGHT THERE THAT DAY, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE DOING EVERYTHING.
AND I WENT, I GOT ORIENTATION, I TALKED TO EVERYBODY, GOT INTO
THE PROGRAM, AND IT WAS HARD. IT WAS HARD.
>> INTENSE, HUH? >> YES.
AND THE MOST HARDEST PART WAS ACTUALLY LIVING UP AND TELLING
WHAT YOU DID AND JUST BEING HONEST AND WITH BEING HONEST, IT
DOES -- THERE'S PEOPLE THAT'S GOING TO HELP YOU THROUGH IT.
AND I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT I MADE IT THROUGH.
I WAS ONE OF THE TOP PEOPLE IN MY CLASS.
I GOT A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OVERACHIEVER'S AWARD AND I'M
WORKING AND THAT'S THE BEST PART ABOUT IT.
I'M WORKING AGAIN AMONGST PEERS AND STUFF, REALLY GOOD PROGRAM.
>> WELL, I'M GOING TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT ON THIS, BUT I KNOW
THIS IS A VERY EMOTIONAL THING FOR YOU AND YOU DID IT YOURSELF
AND THAT'S WHAT'S SO IMPORTANT. WE HAVE SOME PICTURES WE'D LOVE
TO SHOW YOU OF THE ACTUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY AND ALSO A
FEW YOUNG LADIES WHO ARE -- THAT'S MAYOR PAUL FRAIM -- WHO
HAVE -- CRANE YOUR NECK SO YOU CAN SEE THE PICTURES.
AT ONE OF THE EATERIES AND IF WE MOVE FORWARD, YOU WILL SEE THIS
IS PART OF THE GRADUATION CEREMONY HEMMED AT THE ROPER --
HELD AT THE ROPER CENTER BACK IN MID AUGUST AND THE CULINARY ARTS
STUDENTS. THIS IS ONE OF OUR GRADUATES WHO
COULD NOT BE WITH US TODAY, WE'RE SORRY TO SAY.
TIFFANY WILLIAMS. I THINK I KNOW WHO THAT IS.
OH, THAT'S LAMECIA, AND SHE'S RECEIVING HER CERTIFICATION.
THIS IS WILLIAM JONES, ALSO ONE OF THE PARTICIPANTS THROUGH WHAT
WE CALL THE SNAPPET PROGRAM, AND SHEILA LONDON IS ONE OF OUR
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES WORKERS WHO IS THERE WITH TIFFANY AT THE
CEREMONY AND THIS IS LAMECIA WITH HER FAMILY, WHICH I THINK
TELLS YOU AN AWFUL LOT ABOUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN MAKING YOU
CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AND CLEARLY, THEY ARE VERY PROUD OF
HER. IS THAT YOUR MOTHER THERE?
>> OH, MOTHER-IN-LAW. >> YOUR MOTHER-IN-LAW IS GIVING
YOU A HUG THERE, SO THIS WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW OFF,
BE PROUD, AND KNOW THAT THERE IS A VERY GOOD REASON TO BE PROUD.
I WAS VERY, VERY TOUCHED BY EVERYTHING I SAW THERE, AND I
HAD NEVER MET YOU BEFORE. >> RIGHT.
>> AND HERE YOU ARE. SO WHAT YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED IS
BEING FELT NOT ONLY BY YOU, BUT BY EVERYBODY WHOSE LIVES YOU
TOUCH. >> RIGHT.
>> YOU THINK ABOUT THAT AND JUST HOW MUCH THAT CAN GROW, THAT'S
AN AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT. YOU'RE WORKING NOW IN A
SUPERVISORY POSITION, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> CORRECT, AT ODU CAFE. IT'S INDIAN CUISINE.
>> LEARN A LOT. >> YES.
>> ABOUT INDIAN CUISINE, CERTAINLY, BUT JUST ALSO
ABOUT -- AND BEING IN A DIFFERENT PLACE IN YOUR HEAD AND
HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR ROLE IN THE WORLD IS QUITE
DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU USED TO FEEL.
>> RIGHT. I'M A ROLE MODEL, YOU KNOW.
A LOT OF MY PEERS THAT I WENT TO CLASS WITH AND EVEN IN THE CNA
PROGRAM THAT WAS THERE, CALL, STAY IN CONTACT, AND IT'S LIKE
ONCE YOU GO THROUGH THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE LIKE A FAMILY FOR
LIFE. YOU ALL STICK TOGETHER AND
THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING TO GET EACH OTHER THROUGH.
>> GREAT. THAT SUPPORT FROM OTHERS WHO
UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'VE COME FROM, WHERE YOU WENT AND WHERE
YOU'RE GOING. >> YES.
>> THAT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT.
BUT YOU HAD SEEN YOURSELF MORE AS A VICTIM WHEN YOU WERE FIRST,
I THINK -- AT FIRST YOU LOOKED AT YOURSELF AS THIS IS NOT
SOMETHING I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR, SOMEBODY ELSE MADE ME DO IT.
>> RIGHT. >> AND THIS IS IN TERMS OF THE
CRIME AND WHAT BROUGHT YOU INTO THE SYSTEM.
>> RIGHT. IT WAS A SHOOTING TO OCCUPY A
DWELLING, AND THE GUN HIT THE FLOOR AND WENT OFF, BUT YET
STILL, THE ANGER THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT STARTED IT WAS, YOU KNOW,
AT THE TIME I WAS MARRIED AND MY HUSBAND PUT ME THROUGH A LOT,
YOU KNOW, BEING SICK AND A LOT OF CHEATING AND STUFF, AND SO
THAT ANGER SPIRALLED OFF FROM THERE AND SO FORTH, AND THE
WHOLE TIME I WAS SAYING, NO, HE CHEATED, HE MADE ME DO THIS, HE
MADE ME DO THAT, UNTIL I HAD TO -- THEY DID A MIRROR THING
WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAD TO WRITE EVERYTHING.
IT WAS LIKE LOOKING IN A MIRROR, THAT HE DIPS MAKE ME DO --
DIDN'T MAKE ME DO ANYTHING BECAUSE I COULD HAVE WALKED
AWAY. I COULD HAVE -- THERE WAS SO
MANY OTHER CHOICES. AND THEY MAKE YOU SEE THAT YOU
HAD ALL THESE CHOICES THAT YOU COULD HAVE DONE AND THINGS THAT
YOU COULD HAVE DID RATHER THAN DO WHAT YOU DID TO GET IN
TROUBLE. AND I THANK GOD, YOU KNOW, THAT
I DIDN'T SERVE ANY TIME AT ALL, YOU KNOW.
I JUST HAD, YOU KNOW, TWO YEARS' PROBATION AND THEN I WAS FELON,
YOU KNOW. AND THAT WAS THE HONKING THING.
EVERY TIME I HEARD IT, YOU KNOW, MY STOMACH JUST CRINGE AND
STUFF. NOW I CAN HEAR IT AND SAY THAT
DOESN'T DEFINE ME. THAT'S SOMETHING IN THE PAST AND
THIS IS WHO I AM NOW AND THAT'S A WONDERFUL THING.
>> IT'S A WONDERFUL THING, INDEED.
DR. BOUGHTON, THEY'RE COUNTING ME DOWN ON TIME.
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT, BUT I KNOW THAT SHE IS A REPRESENTATIVE OF
A SUCCESS THROUGH THE PROGRAM. >> MANY SUCCESSES.
>> IT HAS TO BE QUITE A THRILL FOR YOU AND THE FACT IS THAT,
YOU KNOW, THIS IS PART OF WHAT YOU DO.
>> AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY PAY ME TO DO THIS, TO WORK WITH
PEOPLE LIKE MS. JONES. YES, SHE'S ONE OF MANY SUCCESS
STORIES. WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH
NORFOLK DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND WE TAKE THEIR
PARTICIPANTS FROM THEIR SNAPPET PROGRAM WHO ARE EX-FELONS AND WE
BRING THEM INTO OUR PROGRAM. IT'S VERY INTENSIVE, 12 WEEKS,
35 TO 40 HOURS A WEEK, AND WE WORK WITH EMPLOYERS IN OUR
COMMUNITY TO GET THEM INTERVIEWS AND JOBS, AND I WOULD JUST LIKE
TO ENCOURAGE ALL THE EMPLOYERS OUT THERE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO
GIVE US A CALL BECAUSE OUR GRADUATES ARE TOP-NOTCH.
WE HAVE SOME EMPLOYERS THAT CALL US DIRECTLY AND SAY, HEY, WE
NEED THREE PEOPLE, FIVE PEOPLE, TEN PEOPLE, AND WE WORK WITH
THOSE EMPLOYERS AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY AGENCIES IN THE AREA.
REALLY TO TRY TO PUT A DENT IN -- ON POVERTY, ON -- YOU
KNOW, TO HELP PRISONERS REENTER INTO SOCIETY AND BECOME
CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS. >> WELL, THANK YOU.
A GREAT PROGRAM AND PART OF OUR PRISONER REENTRY PROGRAM AS
WELL, WHICH WE'LL GET INTO AT ANOTHER TIME.
THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR
STORY. >> THANK YOU.
>> BEST OF LUCK TO YOU, LAMECIA. >>> WHAT CONSTITUTES A GREAT
MEAL? GOOD FOOD, GOOD COMPANY, AND A
GOOD LOCATION. FIND OUT WHERE LOCAL SENIORS CAN
FIND THAT AS WELL AS A TERRIFIC PLACE TO REST THEIR FEET, WHEN
WE COME BACK. \M\M
>>> THIS IS SO COOL, DAD. THIS IS SO COOL, DAD!
>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT TO BE A PERFECT PARENT.
THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SIBLINGS IN FOSTER CARE WHO TAKE YOU JUST
AS YOU ARE. >>> THE SENSES OF TASTE AND
TOUCH ARE TESTED IN THE MOST PLEASANT OF WAYS AT A CENTER FOR
SEASONED CITIZENS LOCATED IN NORFOLK.
LYNNE BERG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PRIMEPLUS, NORFOLK SENIOR
CENTER, IS HERE TO FILL US IN. THERE'S A COUPLE OF THESE ITEMS
AND THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE GOING ON.
ONE IS THAT YOU HAVE A CHEF, A NEW CHEF, AND THIS --
>> YES! >> SO THE SENIOR CENTER HAS A
CHEF AND THAT MEANS HE PREPARES MEALS THAT ARE REALLY GOOD FOR
THE PEOPLE WHO COME TO THE CENTER.
>> EXACTLY. AND IT'S FABULOUS NEWS FOR US.
WE HAVE HAD A MEAL PROGRAM FOR SOME TIME.
WE ALWAYS SERVE MEALS TO THE ADULT DAYCARE POPULATION, THE
FOLKS WHO ARE WITH US DURING THE DAY SO THEIR FAMILIES DON'T
WORRY ABOUT THEM WHILE THEY'RE WORKING, AND THEN WE HAVE THE
ACTIVE ADULT PROGRAM WHERE WE HAVE PEOPLE JUST LIKE YOU AND ME
WHO ARE HAVING EXERCISE CLASSES AND ALL KINDS OF OTHER FUN AND
DON'T WANT TO GO HOME BETWEEN CLASSES, SO RATHER THAN HAVING
THEM GO OUT TO LUNCH, WE HAVE LUNCH IN AND THE LUNCH PROGRAM
IS BROUGHT TO US THROUGH THE SENIOR SERVICES OF SOUTHEASTERN
VIRGINIA. WE GET A LOVELY GRANT FROM THEM
TO HELP PRODUCE THE MEALS AND WE ARE NOW VERY EXCITED THAT
MICHAEL HAS JOINED OUR STAFF AS OUR CULINARY EXPERT.
HE'S OUR NUTRITION COORDINATOR AND HE'S FABULOUS.
>> THERE ARE A LOT OF BENEFITS IN THE SENIOR CENTER AND GOOD
FOOD AND NUTRITION IS SO IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US.
>> NUTRITION IS TIED TO A LOT OF OTHER WELL-BEING.
WHETHER IT'S HOW YOU TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS OR FEELING THAT DAY
OR EVEN YOUR MOOD, WHICH WE HAVE A PRESENTATION THAT'S COMING UP
IN OCTOBER CALLED "FOOD FOR MOODS," AND IT IS DONE BY
DR. SHELLEY, ONE OF OUR WONDERFUL EXPERTS, AND SHE'S
GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF NUTRITION TO HOW OUR BRAINS
WORK AND SOME OF OUR EMOTIONS. >> ALL RIGHT.
THAT SOUNDS INTERESTING. WELL, LET'S GO FROM THE HEAD AND
THE MOUTH TO THE FEET. >> OKAY.
>> AND THERE'S A PROGRAM THAT YOU'RE ALSO OFFERING THAT
INVOLVES THE SENSE OF TOUCH. IT INVOLVES A LOT OF THINGS THAT
MAYBE YOU DON'T THINK OF OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD.
AND WHAT IS IT CALLED? >> IT'S THE "BEST FOOT FORWARD"
PROGRAM AND WE'RE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SENIOR FEET AND
WE'RE PROVIDING FOOT CARE FOR SENIORS.
YOU CAN BET A MANICURE, A PEDICURE, A LEG MASSAGE BY
WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY ATTENTIVE AND WHAT WE'RE DOING
BY DOING THIS PROGRAM IS ALLOWS THOSE WHO MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO
PUT THIRD FOOT UP ON -- THEIR FOOT UP ON THEIR LAP TO DO THEIR
TOENAILS ANYMORE BECAUSE AGE CAUSES THE LACK OF FLEXIBILITY,
OR MAYBE THEY WANT TO PAMPER THEMSELVES AND HAVE
PROFESSIONALS TAKE CARE OF THEIR FEET.
IF WE FIND SOMETHING THAT'S SUSPICIOUS, AN ISSUE OF ANY
KIND, WE WORK IMMEDIATELY TO CONTACT THEIR PRIMARY CARE
PHYSICIAN, GET THAT LOOKED AT, AND GET THEM TO THE PODIATRIST
IF THEY HAVE ONE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
EVERYONE STAYS MOBILE AND ON THEIR FEET BECAUSE THAT'S THE
FEE WITH INDEPENDENCE. WE DON'T WANT ANYONE WITH A
DIABETIC SITUATION OR LACK OF SENSITIVITY TO NOT BE AWARE OF
WHAT'S HAPPENING DOWN THERE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T SEE THEIR
FEET OR GET THEM UP WHERE THEY CAN THEM.
>> THERE'S ANOTHER BENEFIT TO THE WHOLE IDEA OF TAKING CARE OF
THE FEET AND THAT'S THE WHOLE SENSE OF TOUCH.
>> YES, I AGREE, AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE FOUND THAT IS
OFTENTIMES THAT REWARD OF HAVING SOMEONE TAKE CARE OF YOU CAN
OFTEN BE A LINK TO WELL-BEING IN MANY, MANY FACETS.
>> SO FROM A SOCIAL STANDPOINT, PEOPLE AREN'T SOMETIMES TOUCHED
AS OFTEN OR AREN'T AROUND THAT SORT OF --
>> WELL, IF YOU COME TO THE SENIOR CENTER, YOU KNOW WE'RE
VERY SENSITIVE TO ALL THESE THINGS.
>> SO YOUR FEET OF LIKE NUMBER ONE, HUH?
>> EXACTLY RIGHT AND IT'S BEEN A REAL BENEFIT BECAUSE WHAT WE
FOUND IS THAT THE PEOPLE ALREADY COMING TO THE CENTER HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO DO MANY THINGS THERE RATHER THAN LOOKING TO GO
ELSEWHERE, SO IT'S LIKE A ONE STOP.
THEY COME IN TO TAKE AN ART CLASS, THEN THEY HAVE LUNCH,
THEN THEY GET THEIR FEET DONE, AND THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE AN
AFTERNOON OF MUSICAL MEMORIES CLASS OR CLASSIC MOVIE CLASS AND
THIS HELPS FOLKS TO CONNECT TO ONE ANOTHER, TO BUILD NEW
NETWORKS AND HAVE A GREAT TIME. >> I KNOW YOU MENTIONED THE ART
CLASS AND WE HAVE ON THE TABLE HERE, YOU BROUGHT SOME OF THE
THINGS ALONG WITH YOU, AND ONE IS A PAINTING AND ONE IS A
CARVING AND I CAN'T SEE THE OTHER ONE.
>> THE OTHER ONE IS AN ORIENTAL BRUSH PAINTING ON A TILE AND
THESE ARE WORKS FROM SOME OF THE STUDENTS IN SOME OF OUR ART
CLASSES AND WE HAVE ANN TRAILER'S PAINTING, PETE'S
PUFFIN AND ROSE BOROUGHS WHO'S DONE A FABULOUS JOB ON THE
ORIENTAL BRUSH COURSE. AS YOU KNOW, WITH ALL OF THESE
KINDS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO TAKE CLASSES, MANY TIMES FOLKS DON'T
GET ANY RECOGNITION, SO WE OFFER THESE EXHIBITIONS TO REALLY
SHOWCASE THEIR TALENT. >> THAT'S GREAT BECAUSE
EVERYBODY NEEDS A PAT ON THE BACK AND ALSO SOME FEEDBACK ON
WHAT THEY'RE DOING. >> YOU BET.
>> AND I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU REALLY LIKE THAT PAINTING A LOT.
>> I LOVE THAT PAINTING. THAT PAINTING IS GOING HOME WITH
ME. >> ALL RIGHT.
YOU ALSO OFFER, ALONG WITH THE ACTIVITIES, YOU OFFER SOME
SESSIONS FOR INFORMATION. >> YES.
>> THAT MAY BE PERTINENT FOR THE AGE GROUPS THAT COME THERE.
>> AND WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS BRING EXPERTS INTO THE CENTER
THAT WILL OFFER INFORMATION ON TOPICS THAT SENIORS HAVE ALREADY
REQUESTED. REMEMBER, SENIORS, ANYONE OVER
50, SO KIND OF A BROAD CATEGORY, BUT THINGS THAT WE'RE TALKING
ABOUT ARE SOCIAL SECURITY, MYTHS AND FACTS.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MEDICARE PART D AND HELPING PEOPLE WITH
THAT ENROLLMENT PROCESS. YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR PLAN FROM
OCTOBER 15th THROUGH 17th, ALL THE WAY THROUGH DECEMBER 7th.
>> THIS IS A KEY TIME THEN COMING UP.
>> AND YOU CAN COME IN AND WE CAN HELP YOU WITH THAT.
WE ALSO HAVE CLASSES ON BALANCE AND HOW TO PRESERVE YOUR BALANCE
SO THAT YOU CAN AVOID RISKS OF FALLING, AND THEN WE'VE BUILT
SOME OTHER CLASSES AROUND THE IDEA OF WELLNESS.
WE'VE ADDED TWO NEW EXERCISE COURSES.
ONE IS CALLED CORE ON THE FLOOR, AND IT'S TO HELP PEOPLE TO BUILD
THEIR INNER BODY STRENGTH, THEIR CORE BODY STRENGTH SO THAT THEY
CAN HAVE BETTER POSTURE AND BETTER BALANCE, BETTER MOBILITY,
AND ANOTHER ONE AS RESTORATIVE YOGA CLASS WHERE ON FRIDAYS YOU
CAN DESTRESS AND WE SOMETIMES SAY DELAMINATE WHILE YOU RELAX
ALL YOUR MUSCLES AND REALLY PUT YOURSELF BACK INTO THAT PROPER
RELAXED STATE FOR THE WEEKEND. >> OH, GOSH.
YOU JUST FINISHED THAT OFF PERFECTLY, DIDN'T YOU?
>> YEAH, RIGHT. >> LOT OF THINGS, LOTS OF
ATTRACTIVE THINGS AND WE PUT THE NUMBER UP ON THE SCREEN SO GIVE
THEM A CALL AND FIND OUT WHAT ELSE IS BEING OFFERED AT PRIME
PLUS NORFOLK SENIOR CENTER AT 7300 NEWPORT AVENUE NEW GRANBY
HIGH SCHOOL AND WARDS CORNER. THANKS FOR SHARING.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME HERE. >>> WHEN WE RETURN, MEET THIS
YEAR'S WINNER OF THE FBI'S COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD.
>>> SHE BEGAN HER WORK IN THE COMMUNITY OVER SEVEN YEARS AGO
WITH THE VIRGINIA GANG INVESTIGATORS ASSOCIATION.
FAST FORWARD TO SEPTEMBER 18th, 2012, WHEN NORFOLK HUMAN
SERVICES EMPLOYEE TRESSA JOHNSON BECAME THE LOCAL RECIPIENT OF
THE FBI DIRECTOR'S COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD.
A LOT HAS TAKEN PLACE DURING THE PAST SEVEN YEARS AND WE'RE
PLEASED TO WELCOME TRESSA TO THE SHOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT
DRIVES HER TO INVEST SO MUCH TIME IN HELPING THE YOUTH IN OUR
COMMUNITY. AND OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY AT
LARGE. TRESSA, YOU'RE AN EMPLOYEE WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, BUT WHAT YOU DO THERE
IS NOT OUTREACH OR SOCIAL WORK. >> NO, MA'AM.
ACTUALLY, WHAT I DO IS I WRITE GRANTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT AND
I'M IN THE RP&E UNIT. >> WHAT IS RESEARCH, PLANNING
AND -- >> EVALUATION.
WHAT I DO TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD IS OUTSIDE OF WORK AND THE
REASON WHY I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IS THE FOUNDATION ACTUALLY, LIKE
YOU SAID, STARTED SEVEN YEARS AGO.
THE VIRGINIA GANG INVESTIGATORS WERE ACTUALLY GOOD MENTORS FOR
ME. THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT
IN PARTICULAR. THEY HELPED ME SEE A LOT MORE
THAN WHAT I SAW, AND I GET MORE INVOLVED WITH A LOT OF KIDS
DURING AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, THAT TYPE OF THING.
I ALSO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH ACTUALLY ADVOCATING AND LETTING
THEM KNOW TO THINK AND BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES, AND THAT GANGS
ARE NOT A GOOD ANSWER. AND SO PROGRESSIVELY, I ALSO
TOOK THE NORFOLK POLICE CITIZENS ACADEMY AND I GRADUATED FROM
THERE, AND THAT WAS IN 2010. AND THEN I WENT ON TO APPLY FOR
THE FBI CITIZENS ACADEMY, AND I WAS DENIED INITIALLY, BUT I WAS
THE NEXT ONE UP AND SOMEBODY BOWED OUT, SO I ACTUALLY WENT TO
THAT COURSE. AND THAT COURSE IS AN EIGHT-WEEK
LONG PROCESS. >> EIGHT WEEKS LONG?
>> EIGHT WEEKS LONG AND WE ACTUALLY WENT TO QUANTICO AND WE
WENT TO THE HEADQUARTERS WHICH WAS AMAZING, AND THAT WAS
THAT -- THAT WAS IN 2011 AND I HAVE JUST BEEN PRACTICALLY
ATTACHED TO THEIR ANALYST, THEIR OUTREACH ANALYST WHO DOES A LOT
OF OUTREACH WORK OUTSIDE OF WHAT I WAS DOING AND IT WAS A GOOD
MATCH. SO AS AN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
MEMBER NOW, WHAT I DO IS I GO OUT AND I DO A LOT OF PUBLIC
SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF OUR ALUMNI.
I'VE ALSO WRITTEN A GRANT THAT WE WON, WHICH WAS AMERICAN
HEALING, RACIAL DISPARITIES AND IT WAS A VERY GOOD EVENT.
WE HELD IT IN APRIL. IT HAD A LOT OF DIFFERENT
CULTURES COME IN AND WE ACTUALLY GET TO INTEGRATE AND TALK,
INTERACTIVE PANELS AND THAT ACTUALLY OPENED THE DOOR FOR SO
MANY OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR US. >> I BET.
>> WE'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, ACTUALLY, NOW ABOUT FIVE
TIMES SINCE APRIL IN REGARD TO JUST THAT ONE PROGRAM.
I WOULD SAY FROM JANUARY UNTIL YESTERDAY, I PROBABLY SPOKE
ABOUT 18 TIMES IN THIS AREA IN REGARDS TO BULLYING, CYBER
BULLYING, SEX TEXTING, GANGS, THAT TYPE OF THING.
>> VERY, VERY TIMELY, VERY TOPICAL STUFF FOR OUR YOUTH
TODAY. >> YES.
>> AND THIS IS ALSO -- I'LL LET YOU KNOW THAT TRESSA IS
AVAILABLE TO SPEAK TO GROUPS AND IS MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO SO.
>> YES. >> YOU'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF
PRACTICE, THAT'S FOR SURE. >> YES.
>> WHAT GOT YOU STARTED? WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO DO THE --
GET INVOLVED IN THE FIRST PLACE? >> WELL, ACTUALLY, TO BE
INVOLVED MORE, IT CAME FROM HOME.
WE'VE ALWAYS GONE TO CHURCH AND PARTICIPATED IN ACTIVITIES AND
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CONSCIOUS, BECAUSE MY WAS A PROBATION
OFFICER AND IN REGARD TO THAT, GOING FORWARD, IN HIGH SCHOOL I
DID SOME THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WHEN I WENT TO
COLLEGE, WE DID A LOT OF ACTIVITIES ON CAMPUS AND I WNT
TO HAMPTON UNIVERSITY. SO GOING FORWARD, YOU KNOW, MY
WORK WAS AT ODU INITIALLY AND THAT'S WHERE YOU HAVE A GREAT
OPPORTUNITY. YOU SEE ALL KINDS OF KIDS AND DO
ALL KINDS OF THINGS WITH THEM, BUT NOW THAT I'M GETTING OLDER
AND MOVED INTO THE CITY OF NORFOLK AND WORKED WITH THE CITY
NOW FOR OVER TEN YEARS, ALL OF MY PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN
COMMUNITY-BASED, AND I LOVE IT. I THINK IT'S WONDERFUL AND
THERE'S SO MUCH MORE YOU CAN DO. I KIND OF LOOK AT IT LIKE I'M
PAYING IT FORWARD. I ACTUALLY BELIEVE THAT THERE IS
NO CHILD THAT'S A THROW-AWAY. OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE AND
THERE'S A JOKE THAT I TELL THAT I REALLY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO
HAVE TWO PIT BULLS ESCORT ME TO MY DOOR TO GET MY MAIL.
SO IF I CAN DO SOMETHING TO HELP NOW, TO INFLUENCE AND TO LOOK AT
THEM FROM THE PERSPECTIVE THAT THEY DON'T SEE, AND HELP THEM
BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES, THAT'S AN ACE RIGHT THERE.
>> RIGHT. >> AND IN OUR COMMUNITY,
BRINGING OUR CULTURES TOGETHER, BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY
DIFFERENT CULTURES HERE. ODU HELPED ME WITH THAT, AND SO
GOING FORWARD AND EVEN WRITING THAT GRANT, THAT ACTUALLY HELPED
SO MUCH. AND THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION FOR
THE FBI HAS REALLY EMBRACED THAT.
IT'S A CIVIL RIGHTS -- IT ACTUALLY FALLS UNDER THAT TIER
OF CIVIL RIGHTS, BUT IT ACTUALLY IS MORE BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY
OTHER THINGS GOING ON AND ESPECIALLY AT TIMES SINCE 9/11.
WE'RE VERY CONSCIOUS AND ACTUALLY AFRAID, SOCIALLY
SPEAKING, BUT THERE ARE SOME REALLY GOOD PEOPLE HERE AND THEY
REALLY DON'T HAVE A VOICE SOMETIMES AND WE NEED TO GIVE
THEM A VOICE. SO WE HAVE DIFFERENT TOWN
MEETINGS, DIFFERENT TRAINING, SEMINARS AVAILABLE AND ALL THE
DIFFERENT CITIES. WE'VE BEEN AS FAR AS FRANKLIN
AND WAKEFIELD, ALL THE WAY ON THE OTHER SIDE, JUST FROM THE
EDGE OF NEWPORT NEWS. >> YOU GET AROUND.
THE FBI CITIZENS ACADEMY YOU MENTIONED IS -- THERE IS A
NUMBER THAT YOU CAN CALL, ALTHOUGH WHEN YOU SAID YOU WERE
DENIED, IT WASN'T BECAUSE YOU WEREN'T QUALIFIED.
IT WAS BECAUSE THERE WASN'T ROOM.
>> RIGHT. >> SO APPARENTLY IT'S A VERY
POPULAR PROGRAM, BUT IT'S WORTH CHECKING INTO, SO YOU MAY WANT
TO GIVE THEM A CALL AND FIND OUT MORE ABOUT IT.
YOU SAID EIGHT WEEKS? >> IT'S AN EIGHT-WEEK-LONG
PROGRAM. YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE FOR
THE FBI IN NORFOLK AND THE ACTUAL APPLICATION IS THERE.
>> OKAY, GREAT. >> YOU CAN APPLY ONLINE ANY
TIME. >> AND JUST KEEP AT IT IF YOU
DON'T GET IN THE FIRST TIME -- I. YES, I AM HONESTLY SAY --
>> ITS HELPED YOU GROW AND THAT'S BEEN A BIG CONTRICK TO
THE COMMUNITY -- CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY.
>> AND THE FINALE, I FOUND OUT YESTERDAY THAT I WILL BE GOING
TO D.C. IN APRIL AND THE ACTUAL DIRECTOR OF THE FBI WILL BE
PRESENTING ME WITH AN ACTUAL AWARD TO SAY, HEY, WE THANK YOU
FOR WHAT YOU DO. >> THANK YOU.
CONGRATULATIONS, TRESSA, FOR ALL YOUR WORK.
YOU DESERVE IT. >> THANK YOU.
>>> WELL, WE'VE RUN OUT OF TIME, SO WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT
TIME. TAKE CARE.
BYE. CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY
CAPTION ASSOCIATES, LLC www.captionassociates.com