Arrested Development with N Street Village’s Young Professionals Committee celebrate the success of their event Night Sessions: Arrested Development Live for N Street Village. The event was held at Malmaison on Thursday, May 16, welcoming nearly 200 friends and raising more than $25,000 for N Street Village’s programs.
By Nettie Faratci – Nettie is a member of AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps and serves as the Program Associate in N Street Village’s Wellness Center.
N Street Village’s Wellness Center offers programs and services that take a holistic approach to wellness, addressing the mind, body, and spirit. I sat down with Kate and Ugo, two members of N Street Village’s Health Promotion team, to learn more about what’s going on at the Wellness Center and their visions for the Center’s future.
N Street Village Health Promotion team – Kate and Ugo.
Nettie: Tell us a little about yourself. What brought you to N Street Village?
Ugo: I’ve always been interested in maternal health and working with underserved populations. Having lived in an underserved area in Nigeria, I learned that there are a number of external factors affecting one’s health. I wanted to learn more about these issues through focusing on women and children. When I learned about the opportunity to work as a Health Promotion Specialist at N Street Village, I thought it would be a good fit and would allow me to focus on this particular population.
Kate: I am a recent nursing graduate with an interest in both public health and women’s health. I came across a service corps program that was offering a great nursing position at N Street Village, and it seemed like a great fit.
Nettie: What is your role in the Wellness Center? Are there any special projects you are working on?
Ugo: I work as the Health Promotion Specialist in the Wellness Center. My main project is focused on helping manage the burden clients face with diabetes. One way I do this is by collaborating with partner organizations that have a vested interest in diabetes education and management through primary, secondary and tertiary intervention. We link clients with specialists and also use the peer health partner model to empower clients to teach each other about their condition.
Kate: I work as the Health Promotion Nurse in the Wellness Center. I work in a variety of ways to ensure that our clients’ health needs are being met. I conduct one-on-one meetings, help with problem-solving, help out in the medical clinic when needed, and lead a health education class. The special project I am currently working on is our reiki and biofeedback initiative. This initiatives focuses on providing clients with pain and stress management, while fostering personal wellness and equipping them with the tools to help others in the community.
Nettie: When you think of N Street Village, what words come to mind?
Ugo: Innovation, empowerment, diversity, and community.
Kate: I agree with all of those. I would add that N Street Village is holistic and caring.
Nettie: What is your favorite part about working at N Street Village and in the Wellness Center?
Ugo: I enjoy working one-on-one with our clients, helping troubleshoot when issues arise, and advocating for our clients.
Kate: I really like walking through the halls and saying hello to all the women. It gives me a chance to check-in with them.
Nettie: What does “wellness” mean to you?
Ugo: Wellness means being complete. Being stable mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally.
Kate: Wellness is a sort of a comprehensive peace of mind and body, where people feel that they are in a good place with their health, both mentally and physically. They also feel equipped to manage the health challenges that come their way.
Nettie: What do you hope for the future of health promotion at N Street Village?
Kate: I’m hope that we can continue to provide our services and foster an environment where people know that their health needs are being supported.
Ugo: I see a health promotion office where we are instrumental in advancing the mission of N Street Village. I hope that our work leads to more clients having an improved knowledge, attitude, and practice of health issues that they can use as tools as they transition out of N Street Village.
Nettie: If you could buy anything for the Wellness Center, what would it be?
Ugo: Hemoglobin AIC testing equipment to help the women we serve with diabetes management.
Kate: I would buy an ice cream machine that lowers your risk for diabetes. One can dream!
About the Interviewer: As the Program Associate in N Street Village’s Wellness Center, Nettie coordinates programming and services in the Wellness Center, works with volunteers and community partners, and teaches a weekly nutrition class. Nettie is from Chicago, IL and graduated from Brandeis University with a BS in public health and biology. In her spare time, Nettie enjoys cooking, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends.
On June 20th, we invite you to lunch at the National Press Club. The Annual Luncheon was created to raise awareness of issues related to women’s homelessness, poverty, and health. Purchase your tickets today.
This week, the Garden Club kicked off the season with its first meeting. Carrots anyone?
Sarah Flack Lopez and Justin Fishkin show that there are many ways to get involved at N Street Village. They currently serve as co-chairs of our Young Professionals Event, which will be held on May 16 at the Georgetown night spot Malmaison and will feature the Grammy-winning, socially conscious hip-hop act, Arrested Development.
Sarah Flack Lopez
Both Justin and Sarah share the belief that young professionals can have a huge impact. Sarah notes, “I feel it is important to introduce young professionals to N Street Village and build those relationships now, so as D.C.’s young professionals become leaders, they hopefully take N Street Village with them along the way!”
Justin Fishkin
N Street Village’s mission of empowering women to make positive change in their lives also resonates with these young professionals. Justin is impressed with how N Street Village emphasizes community. He has seen how N Street Village can accomplishes its goal through the nurturing and healing powers of people working together. Sarah notes that N Street Village is committed to working with women for the long-term so that they can rebuild their lives regardless of how long it takes.
Interestingly, both Justin and Sarah were introduced to N Street Village through their mothers. Sarah and her family used to live in the neighborhood, and Sarah’s mother has been connected to N Street Village. Justin’s mother, Jane Fishkin, is currently a board member. Justin learned from his mother “that a full-time career and/or busy family life are no excuse for apathy.”
Sarah has her own company, Transcend Events and Marketing, and Justin is the Chief Strategy Officer of Local Motors, the world’s first open-source producer of vehicles. Yet both consider making time for N Street Village’s mission an important and enriching part of their lives.
We thank Justin and Sarah for all their hard work and dedication in making our Young Professionals event possible. Their tireless efforts are helping share N Street Village’s mission with the next generation of philanthropists.
Purchase tickets to attend Arrested Development Live for N Street Village.
This Mother’s Day, Alberta will celebrate with her family by her side. Her three children and six grandchildren will be there to give her hugs and kisses. In return, Alberta will spoil the young ones with treats.
A few years ago, such a gathering wouldn’t have been possible. Alberta was struggling with addiction and her family often didn’t know what she was doing or where she was.
Thanks to the support of caring supporters like you, N Street Village has helped Alberta overcome her addiction. Today, she has her own place through our Permanent Supportive Housing program and is working part-time. Not only is she a strong presence for her children and grandchildren, but she is a mentor to the other women of N Street Village.
This Mother’s Day, you can help women like Alberta and honor an inspiring woman in your life with a gift to N Street Village. You’ll help provide the mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, aunts, and mentors experiencing homelessness with a second chance to repair and rebuild their lives.
P.S. Make your gift today and we’ll make sure the special woman in your life receives a card before Mother’s Day. On behalf of all the women of N Street Village, thank you!
Meet N Street Village Education and Employment Intern Abrar Sheikh. Abrar began working at N Street Village over a year ago. In her role, Abrar offers ongoing support to clients as they pursue their education and employment goals. Originally from Saudi Arabia, Abrar is a senior at Catholic University where she is studying social work. She’ll return home after she graduates this summer. Let’s get to know Abrar:
NSV: What inspired you to work at N Street Village?
AS: When I first came to N Street Village in my junior year, I saw how everyone here is eager to help. This is the reason that I chose N Street Village as my internship site during my senior year. I felt it was and is the right place for me to develop my skills.
NSV: What do you do on a daily basis at N Street Village?
AS: Through my work in the Education and Employment Center, I help women by providing resources to assist with finding employment or furthering their education. This year, I also created a curriculum and led a course on time management.
NSV: What is one of your favorite N Street Village memories?
AS: My very first Tea Time. This is a monthly event where the entire N Street community gets together to socialize. It was a really great experience.
NSV: What inspires you to continue with the work you do every day?
AS: The staff is really inspiring.
NSV: Describe N Street Village in 3 words.
AS: Very warm place
