Welcome to f4dc.org!
The Fund for Democratic Communities (F4DC), a Greensboro, North Carolina based private operating foundation, supports community-based initiatives and institutions that foster authentic democracy to make communities better places to live. F4DC makes grants, provides direct technical assistance, conducts research, and produces materials to facilitate this agenda.
In its first year of operation, F4DC is governed by a diverse board of community activists, artists, labor leaders, researchers and educators. We have a new office at The HIVE (a collective community space on Grove Street), and we are beginning to expand our staff.
Our new office hours are: Monday 12-4, Tuesday 10-4, Wednesday 10-2, Thursday 10-4, and Friday closed. We hope you'll come by and see us.
Cancer Disparities Research Forum
Can your race affect your cancer treatment?
In 2008, the Greensboro Health Disparities Collaborative in partnership with the Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center and UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health conduced a study with local breast cancer survivors to better understand complexities in the system of breast cancer care which may contribute to a woman's deviation from reasonable breast care.
They spent time with the women to learn about their cancer journey. They are hosting a forum to share and hear your opinions.
Time: 6pm - 8pm
Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Location: Greensboro Public Libarary (Central Library), 219 N. Church St. - Nussbaum Room
Gilbert Barber Healing the Hurt Program Announces Official Opening
In a press release, the Gilbert Barber Healing The Hurt Program announced its official opening on March 15, 2009. From the press release:
The Gilbert Barber Healing The Hurt Program was started in memory of Gilbert Alexander Barber, killed by a Guilford County Deputy on May 18, 2001. However, the program will honor, respect and memorialize all those killed by law enforcement. Families that have suffered the loss of a loved one at the hands of law enforcement bear a burden that is not suffered by others who mourn the loss of a loved one...
Surviving family members and loved ones of victims of abuses and or death by law enforcement are often treated as though they are guilty of some unspoken crime. Parents are treated like they have failed as parents; siblings and friends are thought of as "guilty by association;" and as children deal with the loss, they see their families publicly demonized by law enforcement and suffer rejection by their peers.
This program will provide professionally guided support groups, counseling services and community outreach social programs for families experiencing the physical, emotional and psychological abuses, including death, by law enforcement.
For more information, contact Calvert "Butch" Stewart at (336) 885-HURT (4878).
NCHRC to Hold Crack Research Focus Group & Intervention Project
The North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, a Fall 2008 F4DC grant recipient, will host a crack research focus group and intervention project on Saturday, March 28, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The Crack Intervention Research Project seeks to develop deeper insight as to how to tailor crack intervention so it best suits the needs of local crack users and decreases the incidence of HIV, hepatitis C and other infectious diseases. The focus group will be held at The HIVE located at 1214 Grove St. in Greensboro, NC. Lunch and snacks will be provided and all participants will be paid $10 per hour for their input. Space is limited to a "first-come, first serve" basis. For more information, contact Louise Vincent at (336) 543-8050. You can find out more about NCHRC by visiting their website.
F4DC Co-sponsors Peace & Justice Network's First Annual Concert for Peace, Justice & Sustainability
The Peace & Justice Network is holding its First Annual Concert for Peace, Justice & Sustainability featuring Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Eliza Gilkyson, with opening remarks by author and activist Robert Jensen.
"Gilkyson doesn't pull any punches. She graces the music with her lush and passionate voice; a dark and lonely sound, hope and satisfaction, and edgy lyrics with piercing imagery …" – New York Times. Read More (PJN website)
F4DC Supports the NC Paid Sick Days Campaign
The NC Paid Sick Days Campaign, spearheaded by the NC Center for Justice, is mobilizing the Guilford County community around campaigning for workers rights to have paid sick days. They will be kicking off the campaign with a town hall meeting on March 16. View the flyer (pdf)* for more information.
Here are a few facts about sick days at the national and local level:*
- Nationally, over three-fourths of low-wage workers lack paid sick days.
- Approximately 1.6 million North Carolinians (nearly half of the state’s workforce) lack paid sick days.
- Almost half of our nation’s working mothers miss work to care for a sick child. Of these mothers, almost half miss a day’s pay to care for their sick child, and women are less likely than men to receive paid sick days.
- Our aging population is increasing the number of people caring for older relatives. Nationally, thirty-five percent of workers, both women and men, report they have cared for an older relative in the past year.
- On average, children miss three days of school per year due to health reasons.
- In a nationwide telephone poll in June 2007, nearly nine in ten likely voters supported guaranteeing all workers a minimum number of paid sick days to care for themselves and/or immediate family members.
*Flyer can also be viewed in JPEG and Microsoft Word format.
*Facts provided by the NC Paid Sick Days Campaign
