What happens to all the GLASS

Countdown to Essence Festival. Come by the Convention Center July 3-5, 2009 and find out what happens to the glass.

Last summer glass drive (#5)

Yesterday I attended the Healing Center's open house. I am so excited that they will be opening in 2010 to offer a health-hub in my neighborhood. There were all kinds of yoga, massage, spiritual healings, reiki, etc. I got a back massage and although I didn't fall asleep like I usually do, I did get my shoulders stretched out.


Toward the end of the day, I picked up the glass from our final glass recycling drive. This was the biggest to date, over 300 bottles. If we get our funding, the program will be reinstated at the Sankofa Marketplace in September. In the meantime I invite all supporters of recycling to call their congressman, state representatives, and city councilmen. Bug the heck out of them and let them know that recycling is a public service that non-profits can only support--not solely provide.


Our focus will be the glass jewelry line that will launch soon....so keep an eye out.


TTYL

Yasmin

State of Environmental Justice Conference 2009

On May 27-29, I had the wonderful pleasure of attending the State of Environmental Justice Conference in Washington, DC. I saw some familiar faces and met some really cool people. The conference had wonderful panels that discussed the stimulus money and environmental justice, youth leadership within the environmental justice community, and how current legislation such as the Waxman-Markey Bill/American Clean Energy and Security Act addresses or needs to address environmental justice communities. The conference engaged my in topics that I hadn't thought of and reaffirmed the need for traditional green and brown environmental movements to coexist and unite in environmental health equity for all.


That's all for the soapbox. Consciously Rebuilding tabled the event (It basically consisted of me running in between panels, but I tried :)

Also, my past boss and mentor de'Lisa Bratcher received an award for her hard work and committment to Environmental Justice and Equity within the Department of Energy. Ms. Bratcher is my second mom and a huge supporter of my career. I love you de'Lisa.

Bayou Boogaloo Recycled Tshirts

Ok, so I've been a little spacey over the past month. Basically my life has been work, work, work, some play, and work. We're working hard on the recycled glass jewelry line so send prayers, positive thoughts, and wishful thinking this way.


With that said on Saturday, May 23, 2009 I attended the Bayou Boogaloo. I enjoyed the hot sun, the sounds of Soul Rebels (my favorite brass band) and discovered a very eco-firendly and socially responsible "New Orleans Craft Mafia." A group of artists and dressmakers are empowering/encouraging/teaching people how to transform tshirts into dresses, purses, and halter tops. I knew I wanted one of these so I approached the booth and started cutting, sewing, and tying a very cool halter. I must admit that this is my new favorite shirt. Check them out and support this non-profit. www.neworleanscraftmafia.com

TTYL

Yasmin

Glass Collection #4

May 9 was such a long and intense day but we accomplished much. 1- I graduated, 2- I collected hundreds of glass bottles at Sankofa Marketplace, and 3- Spoke at the Mckenna Women's Day event.

Here are some pics of the glass. Some were extremely dirty and filled with little critters, so I ask that in the future people remember that although the service is free to them, it costs us. We encourage you to support our Glass Recycling Arts Program, but would appreciate cleaned glass. Thx.

Graduation

Wow, so it's been a while and I want to continue to post on the blog but I have a second job now, so I have to put CR on the backburner for a bit.

On May 9, 2009 Yasmin Bowers and Consciously Rebuilding graduated from the Allan Houston Business Development Program. It was a 6 month journey and the winners of the incubator are in one of the pics--Ashley Thomas, Creative Vibe and Chris Williams, Arcade Gaming World.


Consciously Rebuilding won the GoodWork Network Community Impact Award. YAY!!!!! And when I went up to receive it everyone was smiling and happy, my mom was screaming and my classmates were chanting "Go Green".

Allan Houston Business Development Program--Final Stretch

So I feel like I'm rounding 3rd base and sprinting towards home plate on this 6-month journey to develop a business plan. The semi-finalists will be announced on Tuesday, April 28, 2009. If it's meant to be, it will. As we got closer, Mr. Houston decided to visit us on April 21st to give us words of encouragement before our presentations on April 25th (BTW I rocked).

Glass Recycling Drive #3

On April 10, 2009, I completed another glass recycling drive at the Sankofa Marketplace. The weather was great, and I got about 40 bottles. YAY!!!!!! Here are some pics.

The St. Augustine Marching Band was AWESOME!!!!! If you recall Andrea and I had a mentoring session there last year http://consciouslyrebuilding.blogspot.com/2008/04/mentoring-st-augustine-hs-science-class.html

1st Annual New Orleans Earth Day Festival

On April 5th, 2009 I was invited to speak on a panel at the 1st Annual New Orleans Earth Day Festival presented by the Louisiana Bucket Brigade. Because there was a marathon on the same day, traffic was re-routed and I was late. Luckily, I was able to arrive and join but before I sat at the table, I took a couple pics.

The panel was about Green Social Entrepreneurs. I spoke along with some familiar faces on our model for success and how we accomplish our goals with the challenges of having a business during a recovering New Orleans. I highlighted our use of Generation Y as human capital that has offered numerous volunteer hours and resources for Consciously Rebuilding.

This was a great beginning to Earth Month,

Yasmin

The AAG Vid!!!!

Parts 1 & 2 are also on the side bar of the blog. Notice my annotations!!! Channeling Pop-up video. LOL Check out our youtube station.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ConsciouslyReb

AAG Conference

So last Friday (3/27/09) I had the pleasure of being on a panel for the AAG Conference in Las Vegas. I presented information about New Orleans, Consciously Rebuilding, Challenges, and Empowerement. The abstract is below, along with pics and a video on the side of the blog. Enjoy,

Yasmin


Abstract Title:
Nothing About Us Without Us Is For Us--An Evaluation of Environment, Land, And Community In New Orleans, Louisiana From The Perspective of Consciously Rebuilding, Inc.

is part of the Paper Session:
In the Eye of the Beholder: Seeing Community Capacity for Addressing Environmental Change

scheduled on Friday, 3/27/09 at 10:10 AM.

Author(s):
Yasmin Bowers, MSPH* - Consciously Rebuilding, Inc.

Abstract:
Consciously Rebuilding is a community-based organization located in New Orleans, Louisiana that provides education to marginalized populations on their role in the "Green" Movement by directly relating it to priorities such as health and financial capacity. Consciously Rebuilding accomplishes this through the promotion of experiential living as outlined by "Healthy Living Expos" and "That's Green" longevity plans. Expos service the community through environmental education by informing community members on sustainable practices, products, and lifestyles that improve the health of a home.

Throughout New Orleans, socioeconomic conditions such as environmental health, sanitation, housing, employment, and crime impact the overall quality of life. We encourage our communities to be good stewards and begin their journey of change by clearly explaining how a reconnection with the environment will increase their quality of life. This connection with the environment is a form of localization and liberalization, as communities are encouraged to see the nature that exists within their surroundings of an urban system. Consciously Rebuilding advocates for the necessary resources and tools needed to plant into the community, and the excavation of existing skills that genuinely empower a community to take control of their surroundings, take responsibility to improve their condition, and hold the government accountable for their rights. This will be the balance needed to sustain a thriving, environmentally and socially-responsible New Orleans.

Keywords:

New Orleans, Non-Profit Organizations, Environmental Justice, Community Empowerment, Education

EARTH FEST 2009@ AUDUBON ZOO!!!!!

Hi all. This past weekend, Andrea and I had the pleasure to participate in Earth Fest 2009. The event was awesome, the weather was great, and the kids were energetic. Since this event was geared toward children, Consciously Rebuilding decided to tweak our normal learning method (video presentation) to be more interactive, creative, and artistic. The children were to collect 10 stamps from various vendors and in return receive a prize. To get a stamp from our table, the kids were to help us decorate our "tree" with leaves (very appropriate for spring). On the leaves, we asked them to draw something that they believe is both good for the earth and good for them (teaching them that the 2 are 1 in the same). To help them out, on the back of our postcards were picture clues (i.e. recycling, planting a garden, picking up trash, etc.). This event will resonate with me as some things stood out: 1- Crayons + Markers + Tape + a cardboard tree = fun for kids, 2- Many kids immediately recognized the "no smoking" sign and said they didn't like the smoke, creating some discomfort between the smoking parent and our activity, 3- The kids new a lot about recycling and the importance or cleaning up. I accredit this to parents, schooling, and the media's interest in green.

The event was successful, reaching over 230 kids and 25 adults who made their initial step toward healthier living for our bike raffle (which will be drawn this Sunday March 29, 2009).

Here are some pics, and at the end of the Earth Fest gallery are our results. Enjoy.

Yasmin































Day 1 Final Tree

EARTH FEST 2009 DAY 2!!!!!

The final Tree!!!!!

EARTH FEST 2009!!!!!!

My faves!!! The kids were so adorable and all of the leaves are priceless...Here are some that stood out.

The tree in the water was drawn by little boy who said it was a Cyprus Tree. Gotta love it.

EARTH FEST 2009!!!!!!!

Results!!!!






Some fun......