Second Chance Gala Speaker Announced!

The following is a press release for Second Chance Employment Services upcoming special guest speaker at our annual fundraiser, Last Kiss of Summer!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Media Contact: Kirk Monroe
(202) 486-7144
kirk@kmpcr.com

Hollywood and Washington to Join Forces
for Victims of Domestic Violence in Last Kiss of Summer IV

WASHINGTON, D.C. August 4, 2007—What do tickets to the Academy Awards, the Four Seasons in Georgetown, and Nicole Brown Simpson’s sister have in common?

They all will be key parts of one of Washington’s most unique events, the Second Chance Employment Services annual fundraising gala to be held September 27th. The event is called Last Kiss of Summer IV, and has become an annual affair that has raised more than $1 million to help hundreds of abused, elderly, welfare-recipient, and otherwise at-risk women attain long-term employment.

Tanya Brown, internationally acclaimed domestic violence advocate, author, and sister of Nicole Brown Simpson will give the keynote address. Based in California, Tanya Brown founded the Nicole Brown Simpson Foundation and has dedicated her speaking and writing career to educating the public about the dangers and impact of domestic violence. She has joined forces with Second Chance Employment Services to promote its mission of independence and empowerment through the gala.

The black tie dinner/dance event will also feature an exclusive auction to include Academy Awards tickets, Emmy Awards tickets, unique embassy dinners and tours, along with numerous other one-of-a-kind experiences. Although the primary purpose of the evening is fundraising through the sale of individual tickets, corporate sponsorships, table sales, and auction proceeds, the gala has established a reputation as one of Washington’s most elegant and spirited events.

Second Chance Employment Services (SCES) is a non-profit organization of human resource (HR) professionals that seeks to promote financial security for victims of domestic violence and their dependents through comprehensive training and career placement services in the Metropolitan Washington area and New York City. SCES founder, Dr. Ludy Green, is a fifteen year veteran of HR management. Along with her many accomplishments, Dr. Green has a heart for volunteering and has made it her organization’s mission to provide less fortunate women with comprehensive support, free of charge.

Upcoming Meeting in August

This is a reminder that there will be an upcoming meeting for our upcoming gala Last Kiss of Summer next month on Wednesday, August 22nd at 6pm.

There will be more details to follow later!

Successful Meeting at Sangam!

Second Chance Employment Services held it's upcoming Second Committee Meeting last Wednesday, June 20th at the Sangam Restaurant discussing our exciting upcoming gala, Last Kiss of Summer.

Second Chance would like to take the opportunity to give special thank you to Edward Dean the owner of Sangam for his generosity in hosting our meeting on the house for us. We would also like to thank Rich Massabny for introducing Second Chance to the wonderful food at Sangam . Thank you to everyone that attended!!

Reminder of Upcoming Comittee Meeting

Second Chance Employment Service is reminding everyone about our upcoming Second Committee Meeting which will be taking place next Wednesday, June 20th at 6pm the the Sangam Restaurant located at 1211 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22201. Sangam has outside parking free of charge and it is also located close to Ballston Metro Station. Sangam is also the two time grand prize winner for the Taste of Arlington and featured in the Sun Gazette!

Second Chance would like to take the opportunity to give special thanks to Rich Massabny of PM Arlington who has generously acquired a space for us at Sangam. Second Chance would also like to thank Sangam for hosting our meeting!

Our upcoming Gala is already selling sponsorships and tables. We are also receiving donations and support with local businesses.

Last Kiss of Summer is going to be a fabulous event!!

Benetton Ads are A Fake!!

I was certainly taken aback by these Benetton Ads. After I posted one in my previous post I contacted Benneton directly and asked about the ads, especially since Second Chance Emplyment Services helps at-risk women. Anissa Nouhi at Benneton said:

"I would like to inform you that the images you are referring to with thelogo "Domestic Colors of Violence" are a FAKE and are NOT an advertingcampaign of Benetton Group. The ONLY project Benetton has done on domestic violence was in 2003, created and developed by Fabrica (Benetton's communication research center) and Colors Magazine (part of the publishing activities at Fabrica). Please see the attached link for further information http://www.benetton.com/colorspress/56/."

Wow! What a surprise! This was all over the blogosphere. I did more follow ups and thought that Kairos Rae said it best:

"Unfortunately, this brings to light one of the biggest problems with the blogosphere: fact checking. Most bloggers don't make phone calls and are not held under as strict credibility standards as print and broadcast journalists. Bloggers complain about not getting enough respect, and then we go and do things like this. This is a perfect example of running away with a story just because we want it to be true. I'm not trying to point fingers because we all know I totally respect and admire Feministing.com, but let's just use this as a lesson. Fact checking can be an aspect of the blogosphere...and I'm preaching to myself here too."

Other bloggers had the same sentiments such as SAJAforum, Amitava Kumar, Jill Miller Zimon, and others out there in the blogosphere.

This is an interesting way to get the message out there, but why would anyone create FAKES instead of finding or creating a real organization to support these pictures?

The Revolutionary Susan Feaster

Second Chance Employment Services would like to give a special thank you to Susan Feaster for her time, dedication, and commitment to our organization. Ms. Feaster is Senior Vice President of Partner and Employer Sales for Revolution Health.

On the Revolution Website it says:

"Revolution, a new company launched by Steve Case in April 2005, seeks to drive transformative change by shifting power to consumers. Our mission is to give people more choice, more control and more convenience in the important aspects of their lives - and build significant companies in the process."

I tried out the interactive site. It has a really cool interactive forum with user profile, personal blog (I love that), specialized articles on health topics, and more! The basic membership is free, but also has an upgraded inexpensive option.

Christina Aguilera

Second Chance, like everyone, loves great music. Stephanie Willson is a big fan of Christina Aguilera's music and found this great song on her Back To Basics Album called Oh Mother . Christina Aguilera wrote this beautiful song for her very brave mother. It's too bad there is not a video playing here, but the music is fantastic. Thank you Christina for your courage to break the silence!

Upcoming Committee Meeting!

Second Chance Employment Service is proud to announce our upcoming Second Committee Meeting which will be taking place on Wednesday, June 20th at 6pm the the Sangam Restaurant located at 1211 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22201. Sangam has outside parking free of charge and it is also located close to Ballston Metro Station. Sangam is also the two time grand prize winner for the Taste of Arlington and featured in the Sun Gazette!

Second Chance would like to take the opportunity to give special thanks to Rich Massabny of PM Arlington who has generously acquired a space for us at Sangam.

Second Chance would also like to thank Sangam for hosting our meeting!

Our upcoming Gala is already selling sponsorships and tables. We are also receiving donations and support with local businesses. Last Kiss of Summer is going to be a fabulous event!!

Ludy Green Honored in Washington Hispanic

(Ludy Green, president and founder of Second Chance Employment Service, receives the prize at the hands of the general prosecutor of the U.S.A., Alberto Gonza'les. Photo courtesy Second Chance Employment Service.)

Below is an article that I have posted for Ludy Green and Second Chance Employment Service by Washington Hispanic which can be found in English and in Spanish.

"Washington Hispanic is the biggest Hispanic newspaper serving Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia, reaching more than 100000 households." (Washington Hispanic)

Its mission is to work by the woman victim of abuses
Latin organization receives prize of the General prosecutor of the United States
Mitzi Macias
Washington Hispanic

It began like volunteer of an organization who offered services for women victims of domestic violence where she took care of the children of these people while they received training or they attended factories. Later, it helped to make up them so that the women saw and they felt better and when she began to develop its masters she advised them to prepare its leaves of life and began to worry to incorporate them to the labor world.

They have passed more than 15 years and Ludy Green, of Peruvian origin, not only it has managed to establish an agency of use for people victims of domestic violence, but also it finishes receiving a prize of hands of the General prosecutor of the United States, Alberto Gonza'les, by the professional innovation in offering services to victims.

“To the being witness of the suffering and the humiliations that they have to live the women victims of domestic violence I discovered that so that they break with that vicious circle they must reach financial independence. This interest has been the motor that took to me to found Second Chance Employment Services”, tells to Washington Hispanic Ludy Green, director and founder of this organization without profit aims.

The prize granted by Gonza'les was made within the framework of the celebrations by the National Week by the Rights of Victims of Crimes, during which the development of effective methods is recognized to put within reach of the victims its rights and services available.

“It has been a great honor to receive this prize because we have been selected of a great number of participant organizations. In addition not only they have recognized the innovator of our work but also by to have created a system of pursuit of the process of development of the person to whom we served by to a period as two years, which allows us to have a record”, explains Ludy Green.

Second Chance, from its foundation in 2002, has served more than 1,600 victims as domestic violence in the process to get up itself to the active labor life.

At the moment, Second Chance serves 103 women who receive all the consultant's office necessary to be able to obtain an employment that allows them to become independent.

The women victims of domestic violence often need from a place where to be with its children until medical and psychological aid. In the same way, Second Chance them aid to prepare its leaf of life and locates in labor positions according to its capacities and skills.

“In a beginning we found much resistance of the employers because they thought that a violence victim domestic servant was not prepared to enter the labor market, but with our work we have demonstrated to them that they are the best workers because these women are in search of a new opportunity of life”, it express Green.

Second Chance, at the moment, tells on 178 employers national level, but as she refers his founder every time more organizations are needed and companies than wish to offer jobs. In addition, it is needed that foundations take interest in the work that make for this way counting on the bottoms necessary to continue expanding their services.

Second Chance has its seat in Washington, DC, and finishes opening a branch in the city of New York, where it has found a great reception of the authorities and the organizations.

“This week represents a time to remember and to honor to which they have suffered in the hands of criminals. Through the people who receive these prizes we want to demonstrate to our commitment and dedication to assure that all the victims are listened to and not forgotten. Many of these people have worked untiringly and they have not been recognized and today I honor when bringing to light its works”, said the general prosecutor, Alberto Gonza'les.

Donation Forms Going Out and Online!

Our Last Kiss of Summer Gala is kicking off in excitement for our upcoming event! The picture above is from our silent auction from our 2006 Gala. Nancy Mraz, President of HP Productions, Inc., (seen in the center with the sassy print top) and Janice Nicols of Serenity Day Spas (seen at the right in the lovely black dress), are both admiring some of our donated auction items.

Second Chance Employment Services will begin taking donation forms soon for our silent auction. In the right margin of this blog we will soon be hosting a list of those who have donated their items to our silent auction as we count down to September 27th! Click here to download our Donation Form so you can be included in the list!

Additional contributions can be made through Network for Good and Paypal.

We free services to help abused women enter the workforce. The only way we can continue to aid at-risk women in becoming independent of their abusive situation is with your help!

Support Second Chance With A Banner

Second Chance Employment Services has a banner for it's upcoming Gala: Last Kiss of Summer. We would like to thank The Family Groove for inspiring us to make this banner. We would also like to thank Jason Waag for giving me ideas on making the banner. I worked on making this banner over the Memorial Day weekend and will list websites and blogs in our right hand column that post this banner on their website until after our exciting Gala on September 27th.

To host this banner on your website or blog and be listed under our "Internet Sites Hosting SCES Banner" on our blog. It is through your support and generosity that Second Chance is able to help at-risk women for free. Thank you!

Upcoming Gala!

Here is a picture of me, Stephanie Willson (red dress), at the Last Kiss of Summer 2006 Gala. Second Chance Employment Services is so excited about our upcoming 2007 Gala: Last Kiss of Summer! We have updated our website so that you can now download Our Letter to Our Friends, Donation Form, and our exciting Sponsorship Opportunities!!

Second Chance continues to receive media attention; FOX News, CNN, and Washington Business Journal is only to mention a few from the long list. We’ve just received an Award from the US Attorney General’s Office as the most innovative business in the country for battered and abused women.

Additional contributions can be made through Network for Good and Paypal.

We provide the following free services to help abused women enter the workforce: Job search training, resume development, interview counseling, as well as medical and dental care, housing, clothing, childcare, transportation and food needs. The only way we can continue to aid these families in becoming independent of their abusive situation is with your help!

Successful Committee Meeting

Yesterday Second Chance Employment Services held its committee meeting which was generously hosted by Napoleon Bistro owned by Fatima Popal. There was a houseful of 26 attendees of renowned benefactors in the community, such as Dr. Ronald Pearlman our Chairman, Dr. Tina West, George Webb, and Dr. Claudia Cotca to name a few of the many young and energetic members of our committee. There was much excitement and discussion regarding sponsorship of our upcoming gala called Last Kiss of Summer to be held on September 27th!

Upcoming Gala: Last Kiss of Summer

Second Chance Employment Services will be holding it's annual gala on September 27th! This is a worthwhile cause that benefits in helping real women at-risk gain financial independence. Contact me through the website, by e-mail at stephaniewillsonconsulting@gmail.com, or phone at (202)331-7451 for ticket information, sponsorship event, making a donation and/or gift, or further details.

We provide the following free services to help abused women enter the workforce: Job search training, resume development, interview counseling, as well as medical and dental care, housing, clothing, childcare, transportation and food needs. The only way we can continue to aid these families in becoming independent of their abusive situation is with your help.

Thank you for your generosity and support!