“I reign for one year,” said the new Queen, Joyce Mincey. Each year a new King and Queen are randomly selected, announced at the ball, and given special duties and privileges throughout the year. “I plan to get more people back to the center and more involved,” said Mincey.

 Walter Kelliehan, the 2012 Senior Center King, looks forward to his year in his new role. “I think I will enjoy it,” he said.  “It’s something to keep the seniors going, something to look forward to.”

 The center also enjoyed the company of volunteers from UCSD’s service organization Circle K who were on hand to interact with the seniors and serve lunch. 

 “It was nice,” said Nhan Nguyen, Service Chair for UCSD’s Circle K. “Everyone was dressed up and interacting. They were enjoying it!”

 Many seniors have been enjoying the Senior Center for decades. “It is a home away from home,” said Mincey, who has been coming to the center for over 20 years. “I feel excited to come daily. It keeps away the boredom, depression and those kinds of things.”

 The Senior Center will also celebrate Fat Tuesday with a Mardi Gras Fun Day on Tuesday, February 21st from 10am-12:30pm.

 For more information on the Senior Center please call 619-263-2108 or visit: http://www.neighborhoodhouse.org/nha-programs/senior-services/senior-service-center/

NHA of San Diego has three vehicles in fair condition available upon request.

Agencies interested in the vehicles and selected to receive a desired vehicle must provide a driver to take delivery for their program.  Priority will be given to Head Start agencies.

Agencies must complete a California Department of Motor Vehicles transfer of vehicle title within ten days.  Transfer of title should include registration renewal, title transfer, smog transfer, and use tax.

 Available Vehicles (3):

• 1983 Dodge Van
• 1991 Chevy 20 Passenger Bus
• 1993 Ford Escort

  For more information please contact:          

Rodney Carey, Director of Facilities
Phone: (858) 715-2642 ext. 192
Email: rcarey@neighborhoodhouse.org

The children watched in awe and admiration as Navy Petty Officer 2^nd Class, Justin New raised the flag and Petty Officer 3^rd Class, Christa J. Foster respectfully saluted the nation’s colors according to U.S. military standards. Following the ceremony, Head Start Parent Site Council Chair Denzel Davis gathered the children in their respective classrooms to ask about the ceremony’s patriotic value.

Petty Officer Foster gained student interest when she began explaining the reason for the flag’s stripes and stars. A student in class was surprised and stated, “Wow California has its own star!” The children were then treated to a fun and informal in-class marching lesson.

NHA is proud to support the efforts of the military and Brooklyn CDC in their outreach to support Head Start. Click here to learn more about the NHA Head Start program.

Mason came to NHA in 2001 after having been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Since his time with NHA, Mason has become an internationally-renowned author, keynote speaker, and civil rights activist for the HIV/AIDS awareness movement. The 12^th annual observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day will target 14 major cities to promote HIV/AIDS awareness events and activities on February, 7th.

Terry Angel Mason is most notably recognized for his heart-wrenching literary works that address issues such as homophobia, being gay in the Black church, HIV, DADT (Don’t Ask Don’t Tell), gay marriage, homeless gay children, and more. Mason is also a poet, a singer, a songwriter, a minister, and a columnist. NHA is proud to have Mason as a former client as well as a family member. We support him in his endeavors and congratulate him for his vast achievements.

For more information on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, please visit: http://www.nationalblackaidsday.org/Home.html

For more information on Terry Angel Mason, please visit: http://terryangelmason.com

• UCSD Athletics once again provided food, toys, and various gift donations for 12 families from NHA’s Emergency Food Program, HIV/AIDS Case Management Program and Friendship Clubhouse Program. Over 60 students from UCSD’s athletic program came together to adopt these families and provide them with items that they might not have received elsewhere this holiday. UCSD Athletics has supported NHA for years past and each year our families are more than appreciative of their generosity.

• Integrated Medical Centers held a canned food drive that was able to support meals for at least 15 families from our Emergency Food Program. Integrated Medical Centers has continued to collect canned goods and food items for the program.

• SDCE’s Mid-City Center adopted 35 students from Urban Village II Head Start Center. The organization donated toys to each of the children.

• EvOLvE Dance held a canned food drive that was able to support meals for at least 15 families from our Emergency Food Program. EvOLvE has continued to collect canned goods and food items to donate to the program.

• An anonymous donor adopted the entire Miller Head Start Center, providing much needed blankets and winter clothing as well as toys and goodies to 60 students in need.

• The Academy of the Performing Arts adopted the entire Valencia Park Head Start Center, providing gifts and toys to 38 students.

• Senator Juan Vargas visited Webster Head Start giving students the opportunity to have holiday pictures taken with the senator himself.

• Santa Paws paid a visit to ADHC giving seniors the opportunity to have their photo taken with two very special therapy dogs.

A Thanksgiving Dinner For Our Children offered families who were less fortunate the opportunity to be part of a fun holiday experience they might not otherwise enjoy. In addition to a meal, families were exposed to educational activities as well as informational resources that could be used to enrich their quality of life.

Guests were entertained by the Rhythm and Blues Band featuring San Diego Chargers Representatives as well as the San Diego Performing Arts Jazz Quartet. The San Diego Mobile Arcade participated with a variety of games for teens to enjoy while additional craft and educational activities were available for children courtesy of community volunteers.

Over 30 students from UCSD’s Volunteer Connection helped put on the event with additional voluntary assistance from FedEx employees as well as various community participants.

The San Diego LGBT enhances and sustains the health and well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV communities by providing activities, programs and services that promote and support cultural diversity. Johnson thanks the community center for the chance to interact with their residents and looks forward to working with them in the future.

To learn more about the San Diego LGBT Community Center, visit http://www.thecentersd.org.

NHA is grateful for the corporation’s hands on support
having touched the lives of dozens of individuals and families in just a few short days. It is because of caring community members like those at FedEx that NHA is able to sustain the operations of each of our 12 programs.  ]]> http://www.neighborhoodhouse.org/fedex-gives-back/feed/ 0