Giving Back to the Community

Giving Back to the Community

Diego Ruiz Duran- The Importance of Matching Community Needs with the Right Giving Opportunity

Diego Ruiz Duran has keen insight into the sometimes hidden needs within diverse communities. This insight forges a vivid backdrop to an already distinguished legal defense career built upon a long-held quest for social justice.

Fighting for the rights of Mexican women to live a life free from domestic and family violence, he acknowledges setbacks along the way. However, he advocates for perseverance regardless of the cause or the fight for change.

Working to empower women and children through various social projects, including accessible, free education to children at risk of dropping school entirely, Diego Ruiz Duran and his social commitment highlights opportunities where everyone can work for the good of others within their community.

For those with a vision to help forge changes within their towns and cities, the message is simple; don’t be afraid to get involved and, above all, persevere.

However, to avoid wasting time or money, taking one or two things into account first may be helpful going forward.

Importantly, assess the community first. What is most needed or missing? Even when personal ability to deliver a service exists, time and valuable resources lie wasted if it fails to match the community’s needs.

During this assessment of giving either time or financial resources, also consider the root causes of that need.

For example, if advocating for affordable housing, examining how groups experience challenges preventing access is a helpful starting point. For instance, long-term employment, mental health challenges, or racism are common issues embedding housing and poverty.

More accessible are charitable acts that strengthen communities over time.

Community car washes, season tickets for community theaters, and their outreach programs are great examples.

Fun runs or other sponsored events supporting specific needs at a non-profit agency are great opportunities. Often these events align with personal values and beliefs and provide great opportunities to meet like-minded others while serving a cause greater than ourselves.

These examples highlight some of the ways it is possible to make meaningful contributions to the communities in which we live and work. Acts large and small ultimately serve the bigger picture- to make the towns and cities in which we live more inclusive places for all.

Duran believes the ability to reflect, change our mindset, and grow can make essential contributions to society. Negative experiences can develop empathy toward others, creating the drive to assist those experiencing similar circumstances.

Ultimately, passion is the driver behind believing that a person has a purpose or passion in life. It does not matter what that may be; if the passion and the desire for change exists, those feelings can turn into action, resulting in positive changes within our communities.

Many people work to make a difference within their communities; one voice can create a tidal wave of participation, starting small then gathering momentum along the way.

Diego Ruiz Duran‘s formula is simple: the desire for involvement in something that resonates with a personal passion, the willingness to act on that decision, and the drive to stay the course.

Most Affordable Colleges in the U.S.

Most Affordable Colleges in the U.S.

Most Affordable Colleges in the U.S.

There’s no better time than the present to go back to school. You can never be too old to further your education. Colleges don’t discriminate against your age, as long as you have your high school diploma, or GED, then you’re good to go. What’s the most affordable college to go to though? That’s a great question. There are so many colleges, literally thousands of them. Let’s talk about the most affordable colleges in the U.S. right now. Father George Rutler thinks that it’s important for you to know the top 5 most affordable colleges.

Brigham Young University-Provo

Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah is one of the most affordable colleges in the U.S. This college is also run by The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints. It’s a Christian college. It’s a highly rated private college. It’s an amazing college located in the beautiful town of Provo, Utah. It’s also under $20k to go to college here for a year full time, before any grants, or scholarships.

North Dakota State University-Main Campus

North Dakota State University Main Campus in Fargo, North Dakota is another on the list of the most affordable colleges. It’s also an amazing college within the beautiful state of North Dakota. It’s a land grant research university. It’s affordable as well. Before any scholarships, grants, or aid, it costs a little over $23k to attend here for a year.

Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University is next up on this list. It’s located in the beautiful town of Charleston, Illinois. It’s another fantastic college to attend. It’s a public university, and absolutely affordable as well. It costs about $24.6k to go to college here for a year, without any scholarships, or grants. It’s a great college, and inside of a beautiful state.

CUNY City College

CUNY City College is 4th on the list of the most affordable colleges in the U.S. It’s located in New York City, New York. Spectacular location, and most people would love a reason to travel to New York City. Going there to attend college would be a great choice. It’s a public college as well. Before any scholarships, and aid, it costs a little over $30k to attend this college. Not too bad for a great college in New York City if you ask me.

Truman State University

Truman State University is the last on this list of the most affordable colleges, but that doesn’t mean it’s not just as amazing as the others. Truman State University is located in Kirksville, Missouri. It’s a gorgeous public university that’s also affordable as well. To attend this college, before scholarships, and grants, would be a little over $21k. This is a great price for a nice college, that’s rated well too.
Father George Rutler thinks that it’s important for you to know what the top 5 most affordable colleges in the U.S. are. That would definitely be these 5 amazing colleges. Consider them when looking at a school to attend.

When to Get Your Car Battery Replaced

When to Get Your Car Battery Replaced

WHEN TO GET YOUR CAR BATTERY REPLACED

Overview

Car batteries are often some of the most important parts of the car. This is because they are used in the utilization of most of which is required for the car to operate efficiently. First and foremost, they are used for the powering up of all the components that are electrical in the car, as well as for the start up of the engine system. The ideal period of time that is required for a battery to last is around 4 years, but certain factors may affect the battery, and lead to it requiring immediate replacement.

Signs that indicate that the battery may need to be replaced

There are quite a number of signs that one can look out for as good indicators to show that the batteries of a car need replacement. Some of these are outlined below:

1.When the Engine becomes too slow to start

After a long duration of being used, the components that are inside the battery may begin to become much less effective mostly because of wearing out. The result of this is that the battery will take a much longer time to have the engine started. This is because it will take a bit longer to be able to effectively create charge for the starter of the engine to be ignited. The overall result is that the engine will end up taking much longer to get started. This is the reason why Diego Ruiz Duran is of the option that anyone that has an experience of a slow engine should start thinking about having the battery replaced.

2.Connectors getting corroded

Another indicator to having the battery of a car replaced is when the connectors get corroded. As a matter of fact, as soon as one notices any ashy white substances on the metallic parts of the battery, then that is a clear indication that the battery connectors are starting to get corroded. Having the connectors on the battery corroded is a very dangerous thing, since this is very likely to lead to voltage issues. This mostly happens to the negative and positive metallic connectors of the vehicle, which may be very dangerous to the normal operations of the vehicle. Because of this, the batteries should be replaced with immediate effect.

3.Electrical malfunctions and dimming of lightsThe battery is what is used to power all the electrical components of any vehicle. This includes the lights right from the computer dashboard, to the lights on the radio, and even the flashlights in the vehicle. With this, if the battery loses its charge, it gets very difficult to be able to have all these electronics in the vehicle. Any slight issues in the battery will therefore mean that they cannot be charged to full power. When they begin to give lights that are dim, it means that the battery is definitely experiencing some issues. It is also important to take note of the fact that, the more the things that are plugged into the vehicle when one is driving, the faster it is for the battery to get exhausted. This is why Diego Ruiz Duran warns that one must replace the battery as soon as they realize that there are any electrical issues and lights that are dim.

History Of The Olympics

History Of The Olympics

History Of The Olympics

The Olympics have started this year, and how wonderful they are to watch. Have you found yourself wondering what the history behind the Olympics is? Even Diego Ruiz Duran finds the history of the Olympics fascinating. Let’s talk about the history behind it.

The Olympics started back in ancient Greece about 3,000 years ago really, but was brought back in the late 19th century. The first recorded Olympics game happened in 776 B.C., and yes, that’s correct. The ancient Olympics were held every 4 years during a festival honoring Zeus. The games got their name from their place of location, which is of course, Olympia. Back in the ancient games there were no women sports, or competitions allowed, unfortunately. That’s just how things were in those days.

When Greece was conquered by the Roman Empire, they still held the Olympic games, however, they were not as great. Their standards started to fall, and their quality decreased. It wasn’t that great anymore. Emperor Theodosius I banned all pagan festivals, and games, back in 393 A.D. Emperor Theodosius I was a Christian, and didn’t believe in celebrating this anymore. This ended the Olympic tradition after it had been going on for almost 12 centuries. That’s a long time tradition to just be shut down, and cancelled.

Over the 12 centuries they had added in several games, but still didn’t allow women to compete in any of them.

When they resurrected the Olympics back in 1892, they also decided to do it every 4 years like they did back in ancient Greece. They held the first modern day Olympics in Athens, Greece in 1896. They still didn’t allow females to compete. There were 280 competitors from all 12 nations. The first Olympic flag flew in 1920 at the Antwerp Olympic games.

The Olympics really took off as an international sport back in 1924, when it was held in Paris. About 3,000 competitors there, 100 of them being women, from 44 nations. This was also the year that the Winter Olympics became a thing as well. It was a great year for the Olympics all around, and started to become such a big thing, like it truly is. It brings us all together.
This is the history of the Olympics, and how it came to be. It’s so amazing to think of how long the Olympic games have been around. They started so long ago, and even though there was a period where it was cancelled, it was resurrected, and is such an amazing thing for the world to have these days. The Olympics today now have women’s sports, and it just honestly keeps getting better with each game. It’s come such a long way since it was created in ancient Greece back in the B.C. days. This is such an interesting topic to learn about, even Diego Ruiz Duran finds the history of the Olympic games to be a fascinating topic. It’s great to see the growth that has happened to the games over the years.

10 Ways to Keep Your House Nice and Tidy

10 Ways to Keep Your House Nice and Tidy

10 Ways to Keep Your House Nice and Tidy

Have you found that keeping your house nice and tidy is a bit hard? Is it hard to find things that you need? Maybe you’re a little unorganized? It’s fine, a lot of people struggle with this, even people like the renowned Catholic pastor, Father George Rutler, wonders what the best way is to keep their house clean. Here are 10 ways to keep your house nice and tidy:

  • Sweep your linoleum, or tile, floors daily.
  • Vacuum 2-3 times a week.
  • Have a designated spot for everything inside your cabinets.
  • Have a designated spot for everything inside your drawers.
  • Fold your laundry as soon as you take it out of the dryer.
  • Wash laundry before it piles up.
  • Put dishes away after they’ve been cleaned and dried.
  • Don’t just lay things on the counter, and stack other things on top of it.
  • Stay on top of your cleaning.
  • Don’t get stressed or overwhelmed about having to clean and tidy the house up.

I have found that these 10 things are the best way of staying on top of cleaning. You need to sweep daily, just for the simple fact that linoleum and tile floors show everything. It keeps all the crumbs, or other stuff that may be on your floor, to be swept up, and thrown away.

Vacuum your carpet floors at least 2-3 times a week. You don’t have to do this daily, but maybe every other day, or every 3 days. Depends on how much stuff has gotten on to your floors that you know about.

Have a designated spot for everything inside your cabinets and drawers. This means that everything has its own space, and its own spot where it belongs.

When you take your laundry out of the dryer, don’t just throw it in the laundry basket. When you take it out of the dryer you need to go ahead and fold it right then. Don’t put it off for later.

Wash your laundry before it piles up as well. This keeps from there being an overwhelming amount of laundry that needs to be washed, and keeps your loads small. It also means that you will have small loads to fold whenever you take them out of the dryer.

Put dishes away after you have cleaned and dried them. It doesn’t matter if you wash and dry your dishes by hand, or with a dishwasher. Whenever they are done, you should put them away, so they will be up, and out of the way.

Don’t lay, or stack mail, letters, or etc., up on the counters at your house. This keeps your counters from becoming cluttered.
Stay on top of your cleaning, but don’t let it stress or overwhelm you. In order to keep the house tidy and clean it’s a daily process, but don’t let it overwhelm your life. Even Father George Rutler agrees with this. Enjoy having a nice and tidy house, and hopefully these tips will help out.

How To Look Your Best When Getting Back Into Dating

How To Look Your Best When Getting Back Into Dating

Getting back into dating can be tough for nearly anyone depending on their situation. Those that are getting out of a long-term relationship likely haven’t gone on a first date in years. The dating world has changed immensely over the last decade with dating apps and websites taking over. Looking your best can help you attract more people on these dating apps and through traditional methods. Caring about how you look can be immensely important as the opposite sex usually finds it attractive that a person care about their health and looks. The following are tips to look your best when getting back into dating. 

Focus On Your Oral Health

A great smile can attract a person but hiding your teeth due to poor oral hygiene can be unattractive. Taking a few extra minutes per day to spend brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash can make the difference you want. Quitting smoking is the most important thing that you can do as oral cancer is directly related to smoking cigarettes. Try to avoid eating too much sugar or consuming too many drinks that stain the teeth. Seeing a dentist in Fuquay-Varina, NC or other part of the Triangle can allow you to get tips to improve your smile.  

Exercise Daily

Exercising daily is a great way to cope with being single and can improve your mental health. The fact that you will feel and look better are just other reasons to exercise regularly. Find a form of exercise that you actually enjoy which might take some time. If you are competitive, joining an adult sports league can be a great way to meet new people while feeding your competitive hunger. You might even find a significant other that you can exercise with and who shares the same interests. 

Start Eating Right 

Eating right can do so much for your look besides losing weight. Your body composition can improve with just a few tweaks in your daily diet. Cutting out excessive amounts of soda and alcohol are things you can do that will make an immediate difference. Meal prepping can allow you to eat in a healthier way as time crunches usually result in poor dietary choices. Meet with a nutritionist if you want to build a meal plan that aligns with your goals and food preferences. 

Get Adequate Sleep 

Getting enough sleep is not only good for your mental health but physical health as well. You look better when you get enough sleep as it helps reduce bags under the eyes. Anxiety levels can increase when you haven’t gotten enough sleep and try to push through using large amounts of caffeine. Avoid using alcohol to fall asleep as this reduces the amount of quality sleep that a person gets. Getting into a routine is important right before bed so your body releases hormones that help you fall asleep at the same time each night. 

Looking your best when you start dating again can help improve your confidence. Knowing you are looking good on a first date can give you the confidence you need to show a great version of yourself.

Gardening Tips for Beginners

Gardening Tips for Beginners

Gardening-Tips for beginners.

The foremost tip in this will be the most important. Find the hardiness zone of the local area. It can be found on the USDA website, and many other websites can also help identify local hardiness zones. The hardiness zone is a geographical zone defining certain climate conditions relevant to plant survival and growth. If a plant that thrives on sunshine and humidity finds itself in Alaska, it simply will not grow or survive. That is why it is the first and most important step.

Know what is involved.

Helen Lee Schifter, who thoroughly enjoys gardening, believes that any beginner entering into a new hobby or craft should also start small. When starting with a huge garden the first year, anyone would be overwhelmed. Starting small allows growth in the coming years, after knowing the challenges and obstacles of the first year. There is still plenty to work with and gives way to experiments and experience without spending too much money. Seedlings are a good way to start as starting seeds to a full plant can be an art of itself. Seedling or bedding plants are often the plants seen already sprouting at the garden centers. Just like in the tea ceremony Chado, rushing through is not the right way.

Time to plant.

Once the hardiness zone is identified and a decision has been made on size, it’s now time to decide on what is wanted to plant. Plants and seed packets have information on them about what zone they grow best in, so match that up with the local hardiness zone and they should thrive. Knowing the kind of soil the plants will be planted in is ideal. There is all kinds of local information on soil online. Soil can be improved with bags of gardening or planting soil, whether a gardening bed or pots are being used.

The location of the garden is also key. The garden should have enough sunlight. Most plants and vegetables require at least 6 hours of sun per day. A watering source should be close by. Having to convey water when the plants are thirsty can be a difficult task. With a hose or water supply nearby it can make quick work of watering the plants. A tell-tell sign of thirsty plants is having dry soil approximately one inch down from the top of the soil.

Patience

While practicing all the aforementioned tips a gardener must have patience. Chado, the ancient Japanese tea ceremony, is much like gardening. They are about the journey, not the destination. Helen Lee Schifter, a former wall street trader, once said on the topic of starting her career “My biggest mistake starting out was a sense of impatience”. This can be translated to gardening easily. Schifter has been studying for 8 years and is still seen as a beginner. Likewise, with gardening, it is a skill that developed over time. As a gardener gets more comfortable in his garden, the more they will see improvements.

Maintaining a Healthy Sleep Schedule

Maintaining a Healthy Sleep Schedule

Maintaining a Healthy Sleep Schedule

Getting enough sleep is vital for good health. It is, in truth, just as essential as eating well and working out. Sadly, several factors might disrupt typical sleep cycles. Individuals are now sleeping less than they used to, and the quality of their sleep has declined.

Whether or not one is presently experiencing sleep difficulties, it is beneficial to consider what healthy sleep looks like. So, they do not pressure themselves to rest in a way that is neither typical nor acceptable.

Sleep, How Much is Really Needed?

No one really knows where the idea that people should aim to get eight hours of sleep nightly originated from. According to one explanation, it may have formed from the concept that a day should be divided into fractions. Thus, a third of the time will be spent working, another third on leisure, and the remainder is spent sleeping. According to German research, the average person sleeps roughly seven hours nightly at the age of forty. Nonetheless, everyone has a unique sleep demand. Some may require five hours of sleep. Many may require six. Most definitely, some people need eight hours of sleep, but they might be an exception.

Few persons have built a résumé as polished and outstanding as the one of Alexander Djerassi at a relatively early age. A quick perusal of his biography and notable accomplishments reveals his incredible flexibility. Although sleep is important to survival, Djerassi high achieving lifestyle may not require the same amount of sleep as an individual that may have less on their daily to-do list.

Is Having a Sleep Schedule Truly Important?

A lack of sleep is a major contributor to obesity. People who get enough sleep eat fewer calories than those who don’t. Hunger hormones are disrupted by sleep loss, and it is thought to be the cause of poor appetite control and weight gain.

A good night’s sleep can improve problem-solving abilities and memorization. Conversely, brain activity has been found to be affected by insufficient sleep. Many areas of athletic and physical performance have been proven to improve with more sleep.

-A lack of adequate sleep each night has been related to a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

-In general, poor sleep patterns are significantly connected to adverse effects on blood sugar.

-Sleep disturbances are closely connected to depression, especially in individuals who have a sleeping problem.

-Getting adequate sleep each night can boost your immune system and aid in the battle against the common cold.

-Lacking sleep might lower your social abilities and your capacity to perceive the emotions of others.

In conclusion, maintaining a consistent sleep routine might make it easier to fall asleep and to awake. Furthermore, by establishing a pleasant atmosphere and indulging in calming activities before night, minor modifications can drastically enhance one’s sleep and improve overall well-being.
Normal sleep schedules and habits alter with time, so people usually get less sleep as they age. Furthermore, if an individual wakes up feeling refreshed and can go through the day without becoming drowsy or overly exhausted, they are likely obtaining adequate sleep. Alexander Djerassi believes that good sleep is one of the cornerstones of health, alongside nutrition and exercise. People certainly cannot attain ideal health unless they pay attention to their sleeping habits.

Harmful Chemicals in Make-Up You Should Be Aware Of

Harmful Chemicals in Make-Up You Should Be Aware Of

Harmful Chemicals in Make-Up You Should Be Aware Of

Many people think that makeup is safe and will be used to help a person enhance their beauty. Helen Lee Schifter knows that this is not true. She knows a lot about the makeup industry and the harmful ingredients that go into these products. Schifter has done some research and wants people to be aware of the harmful ingredients that are being put into makeup.

Phthalates

These chemicals can interrupt the ability of the body to produce hormones. They can lead to nerve damage as well as issues with the reproductive system. These chemicals can mimic the chemicals that are found in the body. They are used in makeup products to make them more flexible and to be able to hold in color and scent. They have been found in everything from deodorant to lip balm and nail polish. They are often listed on the label under fragrance so it is best to avoid products with just this word listed.

Lead

Lead has been banned for some time but it is still showing up in makeup products. Lead has been linked to fertility problems. There was lead found in over 33 top lipstick brands. Lead is not added to the makeup but enters it through contamination. Color additives such as those in lipstick are found to contain lead.

Quaternium 15

This compound in makeup can release dangerous formaldehyde. It can lead to cancer in the human body. These chemicals are often used in maraca and pressed powders. In addition to cancer, this chemical can lead to skin irritation. It is often listed on the label under quats and has been used as a preservative and conditioning agent.

PEG Compounds

These compounds are petroleum based and can be used to make the makeup softer and thicker. They are often found in creams including foundations. These compounds can release toxins that have been known to cause damage to the nervous system. They are also releasing these chemicals into the environment.

Butylated Compounds

People may have heard of these in the form of BHT or BHA. They are put into the makeup so that they have a longer shelf life. These chemicals may lead to allergies and they have been known to damage organs including the organs of the productive system. These items should be avoided. Since they are commonly a person is at a higher risk if these compounds are in their makeup.

Parabens

These are often used as a preservative and they can easily get into the skin. These chemicals mess with the hormones in the body and they can mimic estrogen. This has been linked to an increase in breast cancer. These chemicals also impact the nervous system and the immune system. There have been several warnings issued for parabens so it is best to avoid products that contain them. These are some of the harmful things found in makeup that Helen Lee Schifter wants readers to be aware of. When a person is shopping for makeup it is best to look for those that are all-natural.

Ways to Protect the Rainforest

Ways to Protect the Rainforest

Be involved in protecting rainforests

There needs to be more thought into awareness of our environmental surroundings, in general. This not only pertains to the environment where we reside but also around the world. With that said, one might point out our moral obligation to protect our global rainforests from potential destruction.

This article is to promote the awareness of the different ways we, like people, can protect such rainforests. While taking steps to protect such rainforests may sound difficult to some, it’s quite simple when it comes down to it.

As we live in a time where social media is more prevalent than ever, Helen Lee Schifter encourages young people to use social media to our advantage. As social media platforms like Twitter and Youtube have the capability of reaching a vast audience, using these platforms to promote rainforest awareness is something everyone can do. Even if such posts, for instance, don’t earn that many watchers, every post counts if more people get involved.

Utilizing the internet is especially important when raising awareness of how we can protect rainforests. We can showcase steps for people to understand in the easiest way possible. One of those steps would be reducing carbon footprint.

For those who may not know, carbon footprint refers to the amount of carbon dioxide that’s released by fossil fuels. This is why it’s recommended that one take up an alternative route of fuel if possible.

That’s why it’s also important to research on the internet for alternate uses for fuel. There may be something possible for one to take up on that’s beneficial for the environment thanks to a reliable internet source. It can’t be stated enough regarding the importance of how the internet can be helpful in times like this.

In regarding the preservation of rainforests, one can also attempt talking to their local politician in doing something regarding such preservation. This is especially important for those who live not too far from rainforests. There could be more of a chance of such politicians deciding to do something about protecting the environment.

Talking to people and promoting rainforest awareness ties into why it’s important to stay active. Persevering is a requirement when discussing environmental issues, as one shouldn’t give up trying to protect rainforests. Even if there aren’t many results now, it’s important to keep striving for the results that matter.

It can take a long time for any real change to come to fruition. One must be patient in expecting any level of change. One’s patience may influence others to do the exact thing and thus, create a difference by getting more people involved in the process. One can also look to others on what they should do regarding the protection of rainforests. Getting advice from others who are much more informed on the current state of rainforests can also be motivating. An example of this would be someone named Helen Lee Schifter, who’s an editor for Hearst. Helen Lee Schifter herself says we should participate in protecting rainforests by educating ourselves.