Strives Work Cited in White House Council for Community Solutions Report as a Leading Example of Community Collaborative Success


Cincinnati, OH (PRWEB) June 07, 2012

The White House Council for Community Solutions has cited the Strive Partnership in a new report, recognizing the Partnerships success in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky in increasing high school graduation rates and college-attendance rates over a six-year period.

The report, titled Community Solutions for Opportunity Youth, is meant to highlight successful strategies to empower Americas youth, particularly those between ages 16-24 who have become disconnected from both school and jobs. The report, presented to President Obama this week, identified a dozen communities across the country where multiple sectors have pulled together in order to increase progress by more than 10 percent on a community-wide metric, and more than 100 additional communities that are making progress in this direction.

Specifically, the report recognized KnowledgeWorks, the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, and the University of Cincinnati for creating Strive in order to strategically address ways to solve the problem of high school graduation and college enrollment rates, among others.

A shared vision, deep research, and data-driven planning and evaluation were several important factors that made the program succeed. Strategically aligning existing resources against cradle-to-career needs has led to 40 of the 54 identified indicators moving in a positive direction with several including college enrollment rates, the report said about Strive.

Jeff Edmondson, Managing Director of the Strive Network that is now expanding the cradle to career approach nationwide, said the White House report validates that communities must be strategic to find ways to solve longstanding problems related to improving student achievement.

We realized, as are so many other communities that we have to stop being program rich and system poor. A spray and pray approach to improving outcomes for children does not work, Edmondson said. Once a community begins to focus their collective efforts to improve specific outcomes, the dial on student achievement will really start to move. Thats what our work is all about and that is what this report affirms. Over the long-term, the social and economic payoff is substantial for communities who do this well.

Greg Landsman, who heads the Strive Partnership in Cincinnati, said he was honored that the partnerships work was recognized.

This is really a testament to the contributions of all of our partners on the ground that carry out the work, apply the data, and seek to continuously improve outcomes for kids, Landsman said. If our community is seen as providing lessons others can draw from to improve, that makes us proud.

President Obama created the White House Council for Community Solutions in December 2010 by Executive Order to encourage the growth and maximize the impact of innovative community solutions and civic participation. The Council was charged with: identifying key attributes of successful community solutions; highlighting best practices, tools, and models of cross-sector collaboration and civic participation; and making recommendations on how to engage all stakeholders in community solutions that have a significant impact on solving the nations most serious problems.

The report comes on the heels of the U.S. Department of Educations recently announced Race to the Top district competition, which awards school districts for developing partnerships that lead to Cradle to Career Results, Resource Alignment and Integrated Services. In essence, it gives districts working with partners a path to shift from loosely defined collaboration to concrete goals and expectations for performance and accountability among all those who are investing time, talent and treasure in the success of children.

To read the full White House Council for Community Solutions report, please click on this link.

Jenne Rayburn Displays New Work In Boston Craft Galleries For The Holidays And New Year.


Boston, MA (PRWEB) November 28, 2012

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Boston area craft and jewelry galleries will feature new pendants, earrings and other costume jewelry works, as well as couture handbags, by local designer Jenne Rayburn. Each piece in the Jenne Rayburn collection is designed, crafted and assembled by hand at Rayburns studio in Malden, MA. Designs reflect seasonal fashion inspirations and are crafted to accessorize contemporary and classic wardrobes. As a trained metalsmith and enamellist, Rayburn incorporates ancient jewelry techniques into her work, as well as antique and up cycled components from her extensive travels.

This seasons signature jewelry pieces center around the themes of glamorous holiday parties with glittering vintage crystal, the twinkle of reflected light and the luster and contrast of gold mixed with antique silver, reflecting Rayburns love of mixing contemporary with antique. Ive been working with local antique dealers to curate the vintage Swarovski crystals and cut glass in this collection, says Rayburn. Prior to each season I consider the components and stones available in the markets, and the fashion trends as shown at fashion week around the globe, to create unique and timely capsule collections. I only buy the best stones and utilize the highest quality materials.

Wearing great pieces of designer jewelry makes women look and feel beautiful. You can find Jenne Rayburn jewelry, handbags and scarves at the Limited Edition Gallery, in Newton Highlands, MA; the Hourglass Gift Gallery in Melrose, MA, and the Karenna Maraj Gallery in Belmont, MA.

Karenna Maraj Jewelry Collection was established in 2010 as a gallery & studio space in which to sell original jewelry created by jewelry artists and metalsmiths and also to provide classes and open studio space to the local community. Today Karenna Maraj Jewelry Collection represents 56 local artists. Each of the artists is known for his or her distinct style and use of materials. All work is handmade and is one-of-a-kind or of limited production. Collectors frequent Karenna Maraj in search of new works by their favorite artists.

Hourglass Gallery represents more than 50 fine artists and crafters, many local Massachusetts and the New England area. We don’t take Made in America lightly, less than 5% of our goods are imported, we sell Fairly traded items and some Canadian products, says owner Lorrie DiCesare. “95% of our goods are made in the USA.”

Limited Editions is a gallery and shop located in the village of Newton Highlands, just a few miles west of Boston. Jo-Ann Freedman, owner for over 36 years, continually showcases high quality and distinctive work by American craftspeople. As you walk through the gallery, you will discover and be delighted by a whimsical and eclectic mix of color, texture and design.

Visit Jenne Rayburns collections http://www.jennerayburn.com

Visit Jenne Rayburn on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Jenne.Rayburn

About:

Jenne Rayburn is a Boston-based jewelry/textile artist who also studied interior design and architecture, and her work explores the convergence of architecture, design, technique and identity. Jenne is known for her designs combining vintage textiles, findings and components, with contemporary textile design. A graduate of the University of Washington where she studied metalsmithing and fiber arts, and of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a MS in Design, Jenne has been designing jewelry and accessories for over 20 years. Perpetual curiosity and a passion for experimentation resulted in her first jewelry collection made from etched copper and brilliantly colored enamel. Since then, Jenne has created six unique collections of jewelry and fashion accessories that combine careful workmanship with unique materials and designs. It is her hope that the wearers of her pieces will find joy in a delightful artistic statement, and also something that enhances their individuality and confidence. Her work is carried in local galleries and online. Please visit http://www.jennerayburn.com for Jenne Rayburns online flagship store. For wholesale information, please visit jennerayburn.com/wholesale.com

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Live Work Loft Launches New Brand, Website


Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) November 13, 2012

Live Work Loft, a Los Angeles-based development, property management and creative community organizer, recently re-envisioned their brand to better engage a growing population of Generation Y tenants, a move designed to align with their current, art-conscious positioning within the Los Angeles marketplace.

For a company focused on repurposing dated warehouses or industrial buildings to create hip, urban spaces to work and live, a fresh web presence and image was a logical next step, suggests Leasing Coordinator Amie Childers. Like a lot of the country, theres a strong push here in LA for young professionals to move back into the city limits, says Childers. So we wanted to make sure our brand reflected the modern, urban vibe inherent in all our creative live/work spaces.

And since Gen Y already conducts so much business online, we knew it was important for our website to reflect the unique character of our company as well as our live/work and retail properties.”

To best capture the attention of working Millennials, Live Work Loft turned to Los Angeles branding and marketing agency, HypeLife Brands, a leading force in the effort to help brands engage the youth market. According to Curt Cuscino, Principal of HypeLife Brands, Live Work Loft already had many of the pieces needed for a successful rebranding; the trick was simply putting it all together.

If youve lived in LA or are thinking of moving to LA, youve probably seen or heard about Live Work Lofts spaces, says Cuscino. Theyre killer creative spaces that would appeal to any Gen Yer looking to live or work in the city.

Our goal was to simply create a brand that leveraged and capitalized on what Live Work Loft had already built literally.

Live Work Lofts new website is now live, and upon first glance, is distinguished by a strong focus on social networking, an aspect that was key for their brand moving forward, indicates Childers. We knew we wanted to be a brand that was easy to talk to and get ahold of, beyond just the tenant/leasing agent relationship, says Childers. HypeLife was really helpful in creating so many avenues for us to interact with the Gen Y community here in LA, as well as creating an impetus for them to engage us.

The whole process has been a great experience, continues Childers, Were on the streets, were on the web were really excited about the future of the Live Work Loft brand.

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About Live Work Loft

Live Work Loft is the premier development, property management and creative community organizer in the greater Los Angeles area. The Live Work Loft team is responsible for restoring and converting many old and outdated buildings into desirable raw and architecturally urban live/work spaces, and collectively represents over $ 50,000,000 in renovations in the greater Los Angeles area. Live Work Loft can be found at http://www.liveworkloft.net/.







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DesignWorks NY Earns Triple Crown of Awards for Pro Bono Creative Work for My Sisters Place


(PRWEB) June 18, 2012

DesignWorks NY was recently bestowed three awards for outstanding creative work for a public service ad created for My Sisters Place: An Advertising Club of Westchester (ACW) Gold BIG W, Second Place in the Journal News Give & Grow program, and the Norm Liss Award for Public Service, presented by the ACW. DesignWorks NY principal Kelley Briggs partnered with freelance writer YiShun Lai to produce the ad.

Gold, Silver and Bronze BIG W Awards are presented by the ACW to honor creative work produced in the Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess and Putnam counties in New York State, and Fairfield County in Connecticut. The Ad was judged by industry professionals from the tri-state area and was granted the highest honor, a Gold BIG W.

The Give & Grow Program was created by The Journal News to benefit local charities and non-profit organizations. Briggs and Lai chose to work with My Sisters Place to build awareness of human trafficking in Westchester. The ad was judged by a panel of tri-state industry professionals along with 20 other ads by local agencies. The Journal News then awarded first, second and third prizes. DesignWorks NY ad placed second, and earned their non-profit $ 350.

The Norman Liss Award for Public Service is presented annually to the most outstanding entry in all public service categories at the annual BIG W Awards and Gala. Norman Liss was a member of the ACW for more than 25 years, and served the Ad Club as both an Officer and on the ACW Board of Directors. DesignWorks NY also received this award in 2010.

My Sisters Place believes in strong collaborations and is thankful to LexisNexis for their support in the establishment of our human trafficking initiative and to Kelley and Yi Shun for not only their creative talents but for their compassion and commitment to shine a light on this critical issue in Westchester County, states Nancy Levin, Director of Development and External Affairs, My Sisters Place.

Chief David M. Ryan of the Pound Ridge Police Department has been vocal in Westchester County about the issue of human trafficking, and instrumental in moving this cause to the forefront. “No one entity can do it alone,” says Chief Ryan. “When we all work together, as DesignWorks NY and My Sisters’ Place did by creating this ad, we can educate the public and see that the needs of those caught in human trafficking situations are being met.”

Since 1978, My Sisters Place has worked diligently to end domestic violence and human trafficking. They have advanced this mission in Westchester County and the surrounding region through advocacy, community education, and services to those harmed by domestic violence. For more information contact Nancy Levin at 914-683-1333 ext. 105, or go to http://www.mspny.org.

DesignWorks NY (http://www.designworksny.com) is an award-winning, woman-owned graphic design and marketing communications firm, with expertise in marketing, brand development and graphic design. The firm offers a full range of creative services including marketing strategy, brand development, design, copywriting and production coordination for both print and digital media. It is best known for creating memorable, impactful brands and branded-materials that continually and effectively reinforces their clients message, brand and perceived value. For information on DesignWorks NY, LLC, contact Kelley Briggs at 914-260-6981, or visit http://www.designworksny.com.







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