October Is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Girls Holla Back! Graduation Celebration will be held on Thursday, November 1st from 7:30—8:30pm at the St. Louis County Department of Health New Health Campus , 6121 North Hanley Road, Berkeley, MO 63134. We encourage all par-ticipants to begin inviting family and friends to at-tend the graduation and help celebrate this accom-plishment.

Hollamates, make sure your class is represented at the graduation. Each class will need to represent by sharing a talent or information about what they learned from the program. Interested performers must see the program director, LaToshia Boyd-Lee, by October 25th to confirm a slot to perform. Be creative!

MARK THE DATE! Girls Holla Back! Fall Class of 2012 Graduation Celebration Nov. 1, 2012

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2 H O L L A G R A M Breast Cancer Awareness

Month is a nationwide cam-paign intended to raise awareness of breast health, the growing breast cancer disparities that exist among women, and educating wom-en on the signs and actions for early detection.

■Breast cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer among Black women.

■Breast cancer tends to ap-pear in Black women at a younger age and in more advanced forms.

■Many women with early breast cancer have no symp-toms.

Source : http://blackwomenshealth.org/issues-and-resources/black-women-breast-cancer/ Source: (CDC: National Vital Statis-tics System: http:www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss.htm)

Your Health Matters

Did you know??? STDs among Youth in Missouri

In 2009 -

43% of primary and secondary syphilis cases and 60% of early latent syphilis cases among youth resided in St. Louis City or St. Louis County.

14% of Missouri’s youth are African American. However, African Americans accounted for 44% of chlamydia cases, 67% of gonorrhea cases, 53% of primary and secondary syphilis cases, and 63% of early latent syphilis cases among youth in 2009.

In 2012 -

Gonorrhea has increased 12% compared to last year (2011). The 1308 cases reported through August represent the highest year to date total since 2007. Gonorrhea has in-creased almost equally between males (+12%) and females (+13%).

Early syphilis (under one year duration) has increased 5%. While syphilis totals remain low in St. Louis County, cases among females have tripled from two to six compared to last year (2011).

Get Educated; Know Your Status; & Protect Yourself….Because YOUR Health Matters! Data Source:

St. Louis County Department of Health Communicable Disease Control Services Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services; Fact Sheet - STDs among Youth in Missouri

“Quote Corner” “The part can never be well, unless the

whole is well.” ~ Plato

“To wish to be well is a part of

becoming well.” ~ Seneca

October Is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Aware-ness Month is a nationwide campaign intended to raise awareness of the epidemic affecting individuals in eve-ry community, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or edu-cational background.

■One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.

■An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physi-cal assault by an intimate partner each year.

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship and wants help, please con-tact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE

Source : NCADV Domestic Violence Facts

Make sure you check out the Girls Holla Back! Web Site at: www.GirlsHollaBack.org

Also, Friend Us on Facebook at: UMSL Girls Holla Back

Or Follow Us on Twitter at: GirlsHollaBack_

Well Check YOU Out!!!Well Check YOU Out!!!Well Check YOU Out!!!

Scenes from Fall 2012 Girls Holla Back! Cultural Bonding ActivitiesScenes from Fall 2012 Girls Holla Back! Cultural Bonding ActivitiesScenes from Fall 2012 Girls Holla Back! Cultural Bonding Activities

HOLLA NOTES

Girls Holla Back! is an Intergenerational Approach to substance abuse and HIV/AIDS Prevention Program for African American Females. It is sponsored by the Missouri Institute of Mental Health and funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

If you have questions regarding this program contact us at 314-877-6487 or girlshollaback@mimh.edu.

Check out our web site at www.girlshollaback.org, search UMSL Girls Holla Back on Facebook and like our page, or follow us on twitter @GirlsHollaBack_

Adult Basic Education: Coordinates GED

programs and other development skills training for St. Louis City and County. 314-367-5000

A.L.I.V.E. (Alternative to Living in Violent Environments): Provides accessible and

affordable alternatives to victims of family vio-lence. 314-993-7080

Behavioral Health Response: Provides

counselors for any type of crisis and make refer-rals to clinics. 314-469-6644

Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738

Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-0210

Hunger Hotline: Hunger Hotline operates 7

days a week, 24 hours a day which provides information on where to find food assistance as well as other help. 314-726-5355

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc: Provides legal assistance to low income individu-als. 314-534-4200

National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse (NCADA): Helpline available to discuss

substance abuse issues. 314-962-3456

Life Crisis: Provides counselors for any type of

crisis and offers referrals. 314-647-3100

Kids Under Twenty-One (KUTO): The only

confidential hotline staffed entirely by trained youth volunteers. Help line volunteers know how to listen and can help identify problems and develop effec-tive solutions. 314-644-5886 or 1-888-644-5886 (toll free)

New Beginnings C-Star, Inc: Provides sub-

stance abuse treatment services. 314-367-8989

Project ARK (AIDS/HIV Resources for Kids): Provides HIV/AIDS resources and

knowledge. 314-535-7275

St. Louis Crisis Nursery: Provides respite

care for families at risk of child abuse and provides referrals. 314-768-3201

St. Louis Effort for AIDS: Provides free test-

ing for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B & C, and STDs by appointment. 314-645-6451

Y.E.S. Youth Emergency Services: Shelter

for boys and girls ages 12-17. No fee. 314-862-1334

Youth In Need: Provides crisis support and

shelter fro runaway, homeless and abused youth. 314-727-6294 or 314-961-6718

HELPFUL HOLLA BACK DIGITS

Maxine Birdsong is

available to assist

families in working

through issues dur-

ing the Girls Holla

Back! sessions, and she is availa-

ble to you through September 8,

2013 at no cost to your family.

Feel free to contact her to make an

appointment for counseling ser-

vices at 314-367-2010.

HERE TO HELP!