Community Women Against Hardship
APRIL 2013
SPRING EDITION
It started in high school for Venise Hughes . . . teenage angst from dark spots and
dry skin, and no viable solution for either. She remembers thinking that one day she’d
have a business that helped African Americans deal with their skin problems. The
seed was planted.
Fast forward to adulthood, Venise faced an even bigger problem: no job, no
vehicle, four children, emotional eating that led to obesity, and frequent bouts of
depression. A lifeline was cast by way of Community Women Against Hardship.
Venise attended Nutrition and Fitness classes and a light went on as she realized that
she needed to lose weight and eat better.
She attended counseling sessions and the light shone even brighter. “I didn’t think I
needed counseling,” she said, “but I kept an open mind and found out that I still had
open doors from my past that needed closure. I had to find a way to do it all.”
She started slowly and began juicing for her family for breakfast and lunch, and
serving a sensible dinner. “My children hated the meal changes, but they loved the
juicing.” Within 90 days she had lost 30 pounds. Other parts of her life began
changing as well.
FROM PROBLEM
SKIN
TO PROBLEM
SOLVER
One Woman’s
Path to
Entrepreneurship
By Gwen Swan
She started working at Transformation Book Store and “through the divine revelation
of God” encountered people who shared some of their health problems with her. Her
background as a Licensed Certified Nursing Assistant and Licensed Medication
Technician allowed her to help others.
Her kindness and generosity were greatly rewarded when one of her co-workers
offered to pay for Venise to get her business license. The seed that was planted in
high school took root and, in July, 2011, Back 2 Eden Naturals came to life. “I knew
I wanted my business to be geared towards African Americans. The needs were great
but, because I had limited funds I could only budget $100 a month to purchase the
products I needed.”
Venise developed her product line, researching vendors that offered the best quality
for the most reasonable prices. Her marketing plan was simple: She offered her coworkers free products and word-of-mouth from their satisfaction got the ball rolling.
Then she ordered business cards and gave them out to anyone she encountered that
she felt had a health challenge that she could help with.
Her product line has grown. She now offers black soap, whipped shea butter, 100%
cocoa butter, healing oils, anointing oils, and cedar wood essential oils. Her products
are all natural with no additives and no preservatives. She values honesty over profit.
Her first year in business she cleared almost $1,000. The following year her profits
doubled and they continue to grow. Says Venise, “If you want to start your own
business, brainstorm about the things you enjoy doing. List your skills, likes and
dislikes . . . and focus.” She suggests budding entrepreneurs seek help in writing their
. help, call me,” she says.
business plan. “If you can’t find
Today, Venise continues working at Transformation Book Store, growing her skin
care business, caring for her family and serving as a caregiver for her mother. Sounds
like she’s got the problem solved!
Back 2 Eden Naturals (314) 323-7453 or Back2eden821@gmail.com
COMMUNITY WOMEN AGAINST HARDSHIP
3963 West Belle
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-289-7523 office • 314-289-7523 fax
www.cwah.org
cwah@sbcglobal.net
Community Women Against Hardship
APRIL 2013
SPRING EDITION
A GREAT DAY FOR A WALK IN THE PARK
FITNESS & FUN
9th Annual Walk – A-Thon & Health Fair
May 18, 2013
TOWER GROVE PARK
4256 MAGNOLIA
GRAND ENTRANCE – SON OF REST SHELTER (Starting Point)
Wake up, and let’s get moving toward better health. Our annual walk –a-thon and health
fair is a morning filled with fun activities for children and adults, that will enlighten,
encourage and hopefully inspire you to live a healthier lifestyle.
May 18, 2013
Our focus is to promote public awareness
aboutGrove
the many
benefits of early preventive care
Tower
Park
screenings and provide information about resources in the community that are available to
families. We are losing too many friends and family members far too soon. Issues due to
stress, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, strokes,
HIV/AIDS, and the list just goes on… can be alleviated with appropriate healthcare
measures.
Honorary Co-Chairs:
Dr. Evelyn Irving, Family Therapist
Dr. Carmel Boykin –Wright Internal Medicine
Dr. Christy Richardson, Endocrinologist DePaul
SSM
Dr. Kimberly Gray, Washington Univ. School
of Medicine
Dr. Rochelle G. Catus, Gynecology
Dr. Jacqueline Hall- Davis, Child Psychiatrist
Dr. Xavier Tipler, Proficient Chiropractic
Some of St. Louis’ finest healthcare providers have agreed to join us and share
information regarding these matters. . They include: Siteman Cancer Center, Self Breast
Exams, Dr. Evelyn Irving, Family Therapist; Dr. Carmel Boykin-Wright, Internal
Medicine; Dr. Rochelle G. Catus, Gynecologist; Mrytis Spencer, Knight Alzheimer’s
Disease Research Center; Dr. Christy Richardson, Diabetes; Alison Dreith, Planned
Parenthood; Kalimba Kindell, Intentions by Design with South Grand – Massage LuXe
(Demonstrations),;Dr. Xavier Tipler, Proficient Chiropractic; Holistic Health Coaches,
Whitney Stanley & Elaine King; Alisha Rooks, First Bank, Healthy Finance; Dr.
Jacqueline Hall-Davis, Child Psychiatrist; and Dr. Kimberly Gray, Washington University
School of Medicine, Communicable Disease STDs.
Come join in on the fun! There will be hula hoop contests, volleyball games, food and we
will even wobble with it. You don’t want to miss it. Hope to see you there!!!
Gloria Taylor
Registration Begins At 8:30am
Make checks payable to:
CWAH
3963 West Belle Pl
St. Louis, MO 63108
or
visit www.cwah.org
Registration Fees
Adults
Teens (13 – 17)
12 & Under
Walk Committee: Front Row l-r, Jackie Griffin, Katrina Bridges, Aleisha Mckay, Tina
Wiley, Cynthia Clay, Dr. Evelyn Irving, and Gloria Taylor. Back Row l-r Mavis Merritt,
Clarice Evans, Debra Phelps, Dr. Tracy Reed, Bonita Penny, and Dr. Patrice Johnson.
Not pictured: (Georgette Truss, Sharon Johnson, Marcie Bernard, Gia Gleenio, Arlecia Stamps and
Sharon Holbrooks)
Photo by: Roscoe Crenshaw
Delete text and place photo here
COMMUNITY WOMEN AGAINST HARDSHIP
3963 West Belle
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-289-7523 office • 314-289-7523 fax
www.cwah.org
cwah@sbcglobal.net
$20
$10
Free
Fees include T- Shirt
Kids under 12
*** Do Not Get T-shirts***
Sponsors:
Community Women Against Hardship
APRIL 2013
SPRING EDITION
SHOW ME SERIES TRIP
WASHINGTON DC
HELP SPONSOR A CHILD TODAY
Frederick
Douglass
House
Dr. Martin
Luther King
Memorial
Mary
McLeod
Bethune
House
Rosa
Parks
Memorial
Smithsonian
Potomac
River
2013 Winter Classes
Fine Arts, Zumba , Fitness &
Nutrition classes at CWAH
Melodie Carr instructed students in fine arts
creating self portraits and still life paintings
Fine Arts Instructor, Melodie Carr and students had
an awesome experience creating self portraits and
still life paintings. A silent auction and reception
was held at the end of session. Great job guys!
Howard
University
Congratulations Mary Johnson on becoming a new
instructor.
Each year CWAH provides a lesson in history to youth enrolled in the
youth enrichment program. This program emphasizes the importance
of understanding history, and creates a vehicle for them to see how it
relates to their lives. This year we are endeavoring to go to the
Capital… no better time than now to be a part of what makes America
work. What a great opportunity to be able to visit these major
historical sites. Will you help sponsor a child today? Your tax
deductible donation of $25, $50 or $100 would greatly assist in this
effort. To donate make checks payable to CWAH and mail to 3963
West Belle Pl, St. Louis, MO 63108 or visit www.cwah.org and go to
online donations.
Congratulations! Mary Johnson who after taking
Zumba classes here a CWAH with Katrina Bridges
is now a licensed Zumba instructor.
For more info call (314) 289-7523.
Jimmy Bryants takes insanity to a higher level.
Free Computer Training Classes
Jimmy Bryant (above) and his insanity workout
pushed clients to the limit and they all survived.
Afterwards they were encouraged to cook healthy
with Sheila Pryor (below).
(Low to moderate income families)
Need to update your computer skills or learn a new program?
Join us for an open session
Saturday April 6, 2013
10:30am – 12:00pm
Microsoft Office
Word
Excel
Power Point
(Six Weeks)
Space is limited so register today: (314) 289-7523
.
COMMUNITY WOMEN AGAINST HARDSHIP
3963 West Belle Pl
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-289-7523 home 314-289-7523 fax
www.cwah.org
cwah@sbcglobal.net
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Help keep our data base current:
Christine Reams
Chair
CWAH does not sell or disclose any of the information it gathers to any other organization, businesses, or agencies.
Name:
Address:
City:
Home #:
Email :
Lisa Langeneckert, ESQ
Vice Chair
Stephanie Muldrow
Treasurer
Cynthia Clay
Secretary
Board Members
Arthurine Mason- Hunter
C.Christopher Lee
Edmond Johnson
L.Patrice Johnson
Sharon Johnson
Theresa Stuart
Zekita Tucker
Gloria Taylor, CEO/Founder
State:
Alt. #:
Zip
Donate Today:
I would like make a donation:
I would like to register for the walk:
Unable to attend but I would like to sponsor a family for the walk:
I would like to sponsor a child to DC:
Total Donation Enclosed:
$_______
$_______
$ ______
$_______
$_________
Your donations are tax deductible
Special Advisors
Dr. John McClusky
Rev. Dr. Maurice Nutt
Dr. Donald Suggs
Leroy Zimmerman
CLEAR YOUR CALENDARS
25TH ANNIVERSARY GALA
1988 – 2013
OCTOBER 2013
PLAN TO JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE
25 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
PLANS TO FOLLOW – UPDATE DATABASE TODAY
“Remember the seeds we plant today are the flowers we see tomorrow”
Providing Hope for Those In Need
Clarice Evans, Publishing Editor