Nick Konat’s Post

During my time at @Life Without Barriers, I’ve learned that fostering can come in many forms. Providing care doesn’t have to be full-time; it can be providing a safe space for a young person for a couple of nights or one weekend each month. When it comes to fostering, no two children or families are the same; that’s why Life Without Barriers doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Think outside the box and learn more about the diverse ways you could make a difference here: https://lnkd.in/gMUF6SGc

Sharing with my network! If you are in #northcarolina or have any connections in NC, please spread the word and consider joining PKNC to build #periodkits in #waynecountync. I hope to see you there!! #menstrationmatters #periodpoverty

Trained in environmental health and epidemiology, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute's Peter James has focused his research on estimating the influence of spatial factors, including exposure to nature, the built environment, the food environment, air pollution, light pollution, noise, and socioeconomic factors, on health behaviors, mental health, and chronic disease. In other words: how one's environment can greatly impact overall health. He weighs in on the benefits of integrating nature into everyday life in this piece, a collaboration between Point32Health and the Boston Globe.

Looking for ways to get involved in your community? Check out this article about the Caney Community Betterment Group Foundation and our local Chambers of Commerce in Montgomery County!

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted here. Been quite busy building Coram Houses. However, this post from an incredible non-profit StepUp Durham caused me to pause and reflect on partnerships… Coram has one mission: break cycles of injustice through creative affordable housing. And as the business grows and takes its shape, what becomes clearer and clearer is that mission is not and cannot be our own. We need partners. We need change makers like Syretta Hill to advocate for and lead pilot programs for universal basic income for formerly incarcerated folks, and seeking out ways to push even further an find safe equitable housing for folks at the margins. We need homeowners willing to share their land and build ADUs with the purpose of creating housing for the housing insecure. We need vendor partners, and capital partners, and government partners, and banking partners—to ensure those builds are accessible to those who need them most. The conscious and just world where cycles of injustice are broken requires intentional partnerships. Lots of them. And I’m glad to be in a city like Durham where so many folks recognize that and are looking to partner to ensure resources get to where they are most needed. There is value in grit, in pulling up bootstraps…but there is absolute magic in collaborative partnership and sharing! Excited to share more soon:)

The best part of making a deal is building relationships with wonderful people.

2nd attempt to post. Though at DEA they are not so proud to highlight their shortcomings that they have no issue hiding from taxpayers. They removed my previous posts which simply expresses DEA's willingness to hide their incompetence and disabled comments on the appropriate post. If this firm put out the truth and numbers of how many things they had to redo on this Highway 20 Safety Upgrade between Corvallis and Albany OR taxpayers would have something to say about this firm’s laughable ranking. How about it DEA, put out an itemized list of everything that had to be done two or three times because it wasn’t done right in the first place and how much taxpayers money was wasted in the process. In my driveway alone they had to do multiple things more than once. No wonder ODOT never comes in on budget with incompetence like this! Taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for this! DEA was contracted for at least the Newberg-Dundee Bypass, the worst one, up 239% from original estimate. https://lnkd.in/epv6uESx

Discover the transformative power of high school alumni associations in our latest blog: "Building Bridges: The Role of High School Alumni Associations in Strengthening Community Connections." Dive into the article to explore how these associations are shaping the future, fostering mentorship, and contributing to community development. Let's celebrate the bonds that connect generations and build a stronger, more supportive educational community together! Read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/eHX9mhHf

Discover the transformative power of high school alumni associations in our latest blog: "Building Bridges: The Role of High School Alumni Associations in Strengthening Community Connections." Dive into the article to explore how these associations are shaping the future, fostering mentorship, and contributing to community development. Let's celebrate the bonds that connect generations and build a stronger, more supportive educational community together! Read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/eQ452rUG

#NASW SPS Webinar: January 29, 1-2 pm ET - Addressing Food Insecurity: A Community Approach; CEs: 1 Social Work Contact Hour. As the liaison between the home, school, and community, two school social workers were able to leverage community partnerships to increase access to food resources for families within a large suburban school district. All food-security initiatives were located in different areas within the school district to accommodate the diverse needs of different areas. This webinar will discuss food insecurity initiatives that were piloted before the pandemic, during the pandemic, and post-pandemic and the community resources that aided in these efforts. The benefits of food insecurity initiatives community will be discussed in addition to best practices that maintain community partnerships and monitor community needs. https://buff.ly/3S4rshq