Category: News you can use

Social Work Spotlight: Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

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SENIOR FARMER’S MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM

This month, our resource spotlight shines on the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), an initiative dedicated to enhancing senior health and wellness. SFMNP offers eligible seniors a $50 voucher to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey from participating farmer’s market vendors.

Administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in partnership with the Iowa Division of Aging and Disability Services, this program ensures seniors have convenient access to nutritious produce, promoting their overall well-being. SFMNP plays a vital role in fostering community health and wellness by supporting local farmers and encouraging healthy eating habits among seniors.

Area Agencies on Aging facilitate the distribution of vouchers to eligible seniors, with Milestones Area Agency on Aging serving as the administering organization for the seventeen counties in their planning and service area, which includes Scott County. To apply for SFMNP benefits, seniors must meet specific age and income criteria and complete an application. Seniors who received vouchers last year will automatically receive an application by mail by mid-May. First-time applicants are encouraged to contact Milestones Area Agency at (563-324-9085) to request an application. Applications will be accepted exclusively through the mail, and Farmer’s Market vouchers will also be sent to recipients via mail. Please be aware that no business transactions will occur at any Milestones office, and there are no distribution centers.

To be eligible for this program, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must be at least 60 years of age or older.
  • Your annual household income should not exceed 185% of the Federal poverty level. This means an individual’s yearly income should not exceed $27,861 or $2,321.74 monthly, or $37,814 or $3,151.71 monthly for a two-person household. You can find the income guidelines at https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/sfmnp-ieg-2024-25-memo.pdf
  • Seniors must reside within the service area of the Area Agency on Aging.

For more information about the Farmers Market Nutrition program, please visit https://www.milestonesaaa.org/nutrition-programs/farmersmarket/ or contact Milestones Area Agency on Aging at 563-324-9085. You can also find a list of eligible Farmers’ Markets by visiting Eligible Farmer’s Market Locations.

Library Closed for Staff In-Service

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The Davenport Public Library will be closed on Thursday, April 25th for a Staff In-Service day. It’s an opportunity for us to get more training, work on setting goals, and figure out more ways to make Davenport the best library possible. All three buildings will reopen with regular business hours on Friday, April 26th: Main (321 Main Street) 9am to 5:30pm, Eastern (6000 Eastern Avenue) 9am to 5:30pm, and Fairmount (3000 N Fairmount St) 9am to 5:30pm.

Even though our physical locations will be closed, you can still access free digital content for all ages. Your Davenport Public Library card gives you access to free eBooks, digital audiobooks, magazines, movies, and music through Libby, Freegal, TumbleBooks, QC Beats, and Kanopy!

KWIBUKA 30

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KWIBUKA 30: April 7, 2024 – the 30th Anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide

April 7th 2024 marks the start of Kwibuka 30, the 30th commemoration of the Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi, which began on this date in 1994. There was extensive state control and forced citizen compliance before and during the genocide. It was one of the worst episodes of mass state violence in the last century. During the Kwibuka 30 commemoration ceremonies, the Flame of Remembrance will be lit at the Kigali Genocide Memorial and dignitaries will place wreaths at the mass grave sites.  In and around Kigali during the memorial week, many commemoration ceremonies will be taking place that will honor the memory of those affected and promote working towards building a more compassionate and inclusive society. And, around the world in Rwandan diaspora communities, including survivors and stakeholders of the Federation of Rwandan Communities in Australia, will hold events that will share stories of resilience and healing, and shed light on the impact of the Genocide and the journey towards healing.

If you’d like to learn more about the cause, events, and impact of the Rwandan Genocide, take a look at the nonfiction titles below. Or, check-out one of the fictional stories based on the events surrounding the genocide and the people who were affected by them.

NON-FICTION

No Greater Love : how my family survived the genocide in Rwanda by Tharcisse Seminega

The Girl Who Smiled Beads : a story of war and what comes after by Clemantine Wamariya

Those We Throw Away Are Diamonds : a refugee’s search for home by Mondiant Dogon

Left To Tell : discovering God amidst the Rwandan holocaust by Immaculée Ilibagiza

Forgiveness Makes You Free : a dramatic story of healing and reconciliation from the heart of Rwanda by Ubald Rugirangoga

FICTION

All Your Children, Scattered by Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse

Kennedy 35 by Charles Cumming

The Eternal Audience of One by Rémy Ngamije

 

Library Closed for Good Friday

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All three Davenport Public Library locations will be closed Friday, March 29th in observance of Good Friday. All three buildings will reopen with regular business hours on Saturday, March 30th: Main (321 Main Street) 9am to 5:30pm, Eastern (6000 Eastern Avenue) 9am to 5:30pm, and Fairmount (3000 N Fairmount St) 9am to 5:30pm.

Even though our physical locations will be closed, you can still access free digital content for all ages. Your Davenport Public Library card gives you access to free eBooks, digital audiobooks, magazines, movies, and music through Libby, Freegal, TumbleBooks, QC Beats, and Kanopy!

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Social Work Spotlight: Amani Community Services

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Amani Community Services

In March, we are featuring Amani Community Services, with a focus on highlighting resources that address the cultural needs of our community following Black History Month.

Amani Community Services, operating throughout Iowa, specializes in domestic violence and sexual assault assistance, offering culture-specific services tailored to the African American community.

Culturally specific services refer to initiatives designed to meet the needs of underserved and unserved communities. These services are culturally focused, aligning with the cultural community’s values, behaviors, expectations, norms, and worldviews at every stage of service delivery.

Amani Community Services is committed to empowering African American youth, women, and men, fostering healthy black relationships, and combatting violence.

Amani Community Services has a team comprising mobile advocates and prevention specialists working closely with clients and the community. The mobile advocates meet clients at locations that are convenient and comfortable for them, such as libraries, coffee shops, stores, or schools, providing one-on-one support to victims of domestic violence. This personalized approach empowers individuals to transition from victims to survivors, offering the necessary support and resources. On the other hand, prevention specialists work within the community to educate youth and families about sexual violence, with the ultimate goal of preventing future incidents. Their mission revolves around proactively fostering awareness and educating the community to avoid future occurrences.

Their comprehensive services include:

  • Medical Advocacy
  • Legal Advocacy
  • Housing Advocacy
  • Individual Counseling
  • Teen and Children Programming
  • Support Groups

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, help is available. Please call 888-983-2533 for immediate support. You can also contact Amani Community Services at 563-564-5392 to learn more or schedule an appointment. For additional information and resources, please visit their website at www.amani-cs.org

Social Work Spotlight: Quad Cities Open Network IRIS Resource Hub

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Quad Cities Open Network IRIS Resource Hub

This month, our resource spotlight is on the Quad Cities Open Network (QCON), a collaboration of over 116 Health and Human service organizations. Their shared mission is to bolster community well-being through a robust human services sector. Quad Cities Open Network maintains an Information and Referral Hub that assists agencies in connecting Quad Citizens to the resources they need.

Established in 2020, The Quad Cities Open Network Hub utilizes IRIS, an information and referral tool created by the University of Kansas to facilitate warm hand offs between providers as Quad Citizens in a person-centered way. The hub has evolved to include eighty-five human service providers. These organizations work with QCON to simplify services and referrals, ensuring seamless support for individuals and families in the Quad Cities. According to Cecelia Bailey, QCON Executive Director, ‘navigating community resources during a crisis can be overwhelming’. The IRIS hub’s primary goal is to create a centralized access point, providing individuals and families with a single-entry point to connect to the most relevant resources or services tailored to their needs.

Within the hub, each organization is detailed with an explanation of their services, facilitating efficient referrals. This streamlined process identifies available services and ensures that client’s needs are appropriately addressed, minimizing service gaps and allowing for easy follow-up. Effective communication among the organizations within IRIS is crucial in bridging service gaps. QCON aims to expand the platform to foster a collaborative environment where member agencies complement each other.

The vast network of providers empowers community members, and as the number of participating agencies grows, QCON strives to make a substantial impact through its Resource Hub. The hub’s significance becomes evident during natural disasters as a crucial centralized entry point for coordinating emergency support and resources. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was pivotal in providing a centralized hub for individuals and families to access emergency support and resources.

QCON envisions the Hub as a new standard for information and referral systems, serving as a best practice model for other communities. By collecting data on service gaps and overlaps, QCON aims to inform member agencies, fostering greater collaboration across a sector with finite resources.

All organizations in the Quad Cities committed to serving the local communities are welcome to become part of the IRIS platform. By participating in this initiative, you not only increase awareness for the valuable services you provide but also facilitate smoother referrals. This, in turn, promotes a more interconnected and supportive community where collaboration and communication thrive for the benefit of all. If you want to learn more about how to join IRIS and partner with QCON, please email TheOpenNetworkQC@gmail.com.

Library Closed for President’s Day

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All three Davenport Public Library locations will be closed Monday, February 19th in observance of President’s Day. All three buildings will reopen with regular business hours on Tuesday, February 20th: Main (321 Main Street) 9am to 5:30pm, Eastern (6000 Eastern Avenue) 9am to 8:00pm, and Fairmount (3000 N Fairmount St) noon to 8:00pm.

Even though our physical locations will be closed, you can still access free digital content for all ages. Your Davenport Public Library card gives you access to free eBooks, digital audiobooks, magazines, movies, and music through Libby, Freegal, TumbleBooks, QC Beats, and Kanopy!

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Black Americans in Libraries Today: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Topic of the Month

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Every month, our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility team puts together a list of resources on a certain topic. The topic for February is Black Americans in Libraries Today. Descriptions provided by the associated websites.

Videos

Podcasts

Articles 

Highlights 

Health Care Option for Older Adults

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Health Care Option for Older Adults

In January, our social work spotlight will focus on healthcare options for older adults. As the new year begins, there’s a strong push for self-care and increased health consciousness. Recognizing the challenges older individuals face in accessing healthcare due to mobility issues and other constraints, we are highlighting an essential addition to Davenport’s healthcare landscape: the Oak Street Health Primary Care Center at 2217 Rockingham Rd in Davenport.

Oak Street Health specializes in primary care for older adults on Medicare with Part B benefits and Disability. They offer personalized wellness plans, comprehensive health services, educational programs, and social activities. The primary objective of Oak Street Health is to enhance healthcare outcomes for older adults in the community while ensuring each patient feels warmly welcomed. Their dedicated team of primary care doctors and care team focuses exclusively on meeting the needs of seniors, employing a preventive primary care model tailored to their unique needs. Service delivery is versatile, including behavioral healthcare, support for social determinants, and easy accessibility through a blend of in-center, in-home, and telehealth appointments, along with a 24/7 patient support line. Additionally, for those unable to visit the Oak Street Health Center, they offer home visits.

Services provided include:

  • Same-day/next-day appointments and a 24/7 patient support line
  • Conveniently located in your neighborhood
  • Assistance in understanding your Medicare benefits
  • Hassle-free transfer of medical records and health history
  • Transportation within a 10-mile radius

For further information or to schedule an appointment, please call 563-726-0155 or visit their website at www.oakstreethealth.com.

 

New QC Beats Albums

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Three new albums are now available on QC Beats! Check out Say It Again by Subatlantic, Witness Trees by David G. Smith, and Running Man by Running Man.

QC Beats is an online streaming audio collection of original music featuring Quad Cities musicians and artists. QC Beats is a collaboration between Davenport Public Library, Bettendorf Public Library, and St. Ambrose University.