Berkeley

Oakland Mentoring Partners Go to Good Morning America

Published

2 years ago

June 14, 2019

The relationship between a mentor and mentee is unique. It’s an asymmetric relationship built on understanding, trust, and altruism. It transcends a biological connection and requires a level of assurance you rarely find between two people.

Matthew Bailey, 23, and Max Langaard, 39, appeared on “Good Morning, America” on June 3, 2019, to celebrate a relationship that began in 2005. Matthew was in the third grade at Manzanita Community School and Langaard was a coach working through Play Works Foundation, an organization partnered with Oakland Unified School District that emphasizes using play to develop leadership skills.

The activities director ,who also coaches basketball, and his mentee were surprised by the GMA staff who gave them tickets to attend a game between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors for the NBA championship finals.

Having observed Matthew’s limited interaction with other kids on the yard, Langaard intuitively knew this was a child he needed to reach out to. Matthew was being continually labeled as a behavioral problem and was being sent out of class. Familiar with the issue from his own experience as a child, Langaard knew how to tap into Matthew’s potential.

Matthew remembers himself as awkward and shy as a third grader. Early on, Matthew struggled in school; he had dyslexia,which went undiagnosed for several years. Compounded by a tumultuous home life from not having consistent parenting Matthew was overwhelmed and had no time to be a kid.

Much of his frustrations were on display at school. Those same behaviors Matthew was being admonished for in class, Coach Langaard was able to utilize and have him excel on the yard. Engaging Matthew with simple responsibilities like putting away equipment and assisting with activities was all that was needed to spark this over a decade-long friendship.

“During a time when everything was going wrong, [Max] was someone who paid attention…” Matthew said. “He created a safe place for me to be a kid and was someone I enjoyed being around.”

From third grade to high school Langaard remained a consistent figure in Matthew’s life. While at Met West High School in Oakland, Matthew d came into his own.

Under Met West curriculum, which supports internships, Matthew was able to work alongside Max as an apprentice coach, or activities leader, back at Manzanita.

During Langaard’s time as an undergrad working on his teaching credential he became inspired to work with youth, and earned a bachelor in physical education. But, through his work with Matthew, Max earned his most valuable life lesson: the commitment of being a mentor.

To acknowledge this partnership, Good Morning America concluded the segment by giving Langaard and Matthew two tickets to the NBA finals game.

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Bay Area

At Least 4 Bay Area Counties Pause Use Of J&J Vaccines Amid Blood Clot Concerns

Public health officials in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Marin counties announced that they would temporarily halt use of the vaccine, which was developed by J&J’s pharmaceutical subsidiary Janssen.

Published

6 days ago

April 16, 2021

By Eli Walsh Bay City News Foundation

At least four Bay Area counties paused administrations Tuesday of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine after a handful of people across the country developed blood clots less than two weeks after the shot.

Public health officials in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Marin counties announced that they would temporarily halt the use of the vaccine, which was developed by J&J’s pharmaceutical subsidiary Janssen.
The state’s Department of Public Health also issued a statement Tuesday urging a temporary pause on the vaccine’s administration while state and federal officials determine whether the clotting incidents are significant.

More than 6.8 million doses of the vaccine have been administered across the country.
Health officials have confirmed cases of rare and severe blood clots in just six women between the ages of 18 and 48 who received the J&J vaccine, with symptoms appearing between six and 13 days post-vaccination.

Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have also advised states to pause administration of the Janssen vaccine to allow for an investigation of the clots and whether a causal link with the vaccine can even be established.

In a joint statement, FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Dr. Peter Marks and CDC Principal Deputy Director Dr. Anne Schuchat said the two agencies will review the cases of clotting this week to determine whether they are statistically significant. “Until that process is complete, we are recommending a pause in the use of this vaccine out of an abundance of caution,” Marks and Schuchat said. “This is important, in part, to ensure that the health care provider community is aware of the potential for these adverse events and can plan for proper recognition and management due to the unique treatment required with this type of blood clot.”

State epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan said the state will also follow the recommendation by the FDA and CDC and order a statewide pause of administrations of the Janssen vaccine.
“Additionally, the state will convene the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup to review the information provided by the federal government on this issue,” Pan said.

California joined the states of Nevada, Oregon, and Washington to establish the workgroup last year to conduct independent review and analysis of each vaccine as they are approved for emergency use by the FDA.
Officials in the four Bay Area counties noted that Janssen vaccines represent 4 percent or less of the doses administered in each county to date, with the majority being the two-dose Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
Health officials have lauded the Janssen vaccine’s utility in reaching demographics like unhoused residents and people who are homebound, who may have difficulty returning for a second vaccine dose.

Officials in the four counties said they did not expect the Janssen vaccine pause to force the widespread cancellation of vaccination appointments or significantly affect their ability to continue vaccinating their respective populations.

Janssen vaccine recipients who got vaccinated more than a month ago are not deemed at risk for developing blood clots, according to local, state, and federal health officials.

People who received the vaccine more recently are encouraged to contact a health care provider if they begin noticing symptoms like severe headaches, leg pain, and shortness of breath, which may be associated with clotting.

Berkeley

Equity Summit Zoom Discussion: “Learning from Our Elders”

Published

4 weeks ago

March 25, 2021

Post Staff

The Equity Summit Series, hosted by the Friends of Adeline in Berkeley, will hold a Zoom panel discussion, “Learning from Our Elders: Listening and Honoring the Past to Guide the Future,” Sunday, March 28, 7:00 p.m.

One of the speakers on this week’s panel will be Wil Ussery, a long-time civil rights leader in the Bay Area.

The Equity Summit Series has focused on building power to create change in our communities, especially emphasizing gentrification, equity and economic justice.

To participate by Zoom on a computer, go to: https: //us02web.zoom.u.s./j/87087838028

To participate by conventional telephone, dial: +1 669 900 6833; or: 1-253 215-8782 US80288

Meeting ID: 870 8783 8028

For more information call (510) 655-2503.

Berkeley

Equity Summit Zoom Discussion: “Learning from Our Elders”

Published

4 weeks ago

March 25, 2021

Post Staff

Wil Usery at 90

One of the speakers on this week’s panel will be Wil Ussery, a long-time civil rights leader in the Bay Area.

The Equity Summit Series has focused on building power to create change in our communities, especially emphasizing gentrification, equity and economic justice.