Our esteemed panelists Dr. Ingrid Mazique, Pediatrician, and Member of the CAFE Board of Directors and Dr. Lisa Sindass, Pediatrician, and Mindfullness Yoga Instructor and parent of Tatiana Sindass, a CAFE graduate, who now sits on the Board of Directors discuss the Corona Virus pandemic.

Drs. Mazique and Dr. Sindass provide helpful advice on best practices to use as we proceed with our daily lives and to make sure that we minimize any risks to ourselves and reduce the chances of becoming victims of this disease

Helping Families Cope in Crisis

ur guest is Gail Jackson, LCSW-C , a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in the field of victimization, trauma and adolescent issues

This is the first of a series of conversations with CAFE community leaders and supporters as they bring their talents and expertise to our audience, especially during this time of uncertainty.

Many people are feeling anxious and overwhelmed with the impact of stress during this COVID 19 pandemic.

We will be addressing the emotional impact that this health crisis create within us and how do we address the symptoms of stress and anxiety as we cope with this crisis.

Our guest is Gail Jackson, LCSW-C, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in the field of victimization, trauma and adolescent issues

This is the first of a series of conversations with CAFE community leaders and supporters as they bring their talents and expertise to our audience, especially during this time of uncertainty.

This is the first of a series of conversations with CAFE community leaders and supporters as they bring their talents and expertise to our audience, especially during this time of uncertainty.

Many people are feeling anxious and overwhelmed with the impact of stress during this COVID 19 pandemic.

We will be addressing the emotional impact that this health crisis create within us and how do we address the symptoms of stress and anxiety as we cope with this crisis. Helping Families Cope in Crisis

Our guest is Gail Jackson, LCSW-C, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in the field of victimization, trauma and adolescent issues

This is the first of a series of conversations with CAFE community leaders and supporters as they bring their talents and expertise to our audience, especially during this time of uncertainty.

Many people are feeling anxious and overwhelmed with the impact of stress during this COVID 19 pandemic.

We will be addressing the emotional impact that this health crisis create within us and how do we address the symptoms of stress and anxiety as we cope with this crisis.

Dr. Rozanna Aitcheson’s Interview on May 9, 2020 with CAFÉ Social Media- Ms. Grace Walker

Introduction- I have been with CAFÉ for about 20 years. My daughter expressed an interest in playing the steel pan, but I didn’t know where to find an instructor. One day waling across “The Yard” on Howard University’s campus, I hear someone playing the steel drum. I waited until he completed the piece and asked where did he learn to play. He said that his neighbour in Trinidad taught him, but shared that there were Pan Instructors at the First United Methodist Church. My daughter, Gabriella, (now a physician) and I went over to tour CAFÉ and the rest is history. I became a volunteer and so did my husband for a while. CAFÉ is a family which nurtures students and brings out the best in them. This is exactly how my daughter who was very shy really benefited from all that CAFÉ has to offer.

IMPORTANCE OF THIS TOPIC- CHANGES are TAKING PLACE: In these times of uncertainty with the COVID-19 virus, children like us are changing and having to adjust to our situation away from school and work. So we need to keep our children grounded. Children are used to a routine. Through routine (schooling and playing) our children and we, the adults in their lives, can find their strengths and weaknesses. We can use this information to develop their strengths and to correct their weaknesses. Take advantage of this time with your child. This way we can help them become the best person that they can be as they change to adjust to their new norm.

Help your child by checking in on “new” Schooling: Some of your schools may be Postal mailing your child the “new” School Assignments; some schools may email your child their “new” Schoolwork and some schools are doing the “new” school via Zoom or another streaming platform. While we know that some students do better in In-person learning one on one with their teacher, take this time to see how your child learns. Regardless, this is a great opportunity to see what your child is learning in school and how your child really learns. Sit with your child as they complete their assignments. You may find that you can view things a different way to help your child understand a concept. With MATH, you may have learned it one way and can show your child the way you learned it to see if they could grasp the concept. If it works, tell your child’s teacher. Schedule meetings as often as you can, while your child is being “schooled” at home. You may see a positive transformation in the way your child views school so take advantage of this time.

CAFE Tutors Liz Caesar and Keith Caesar give insight on Virtual Teaching during COVID 19 shutdown

CAFE Video Series features panelists who have been involved in CAFE as Tutors, Board Members, Contributors, Patrons and Parents

In this video, Liz Caesar Art Tutor and Keith Caesar, After School Tutor share how they have been able to continue to teach students during the COVID 19 lockdown with distance learning

Liz has devised and implemented very creative and innovative ways to use Art and has been pleased with both student and parent engagement.

While there are the constraints of not being able to be physically together with normal class interactions, Liz and Keith are encouraged that the students are participating and showing their levels of achievements in completing their assignments.

As noted in the Art video student/parent submissions shown, there is opportunity to practice discipline, responsibility, self awareness, and creativity, even in the absence of personal day to day interaction

As CAFE parents, whose students are now adults, Liz and Keith are pillars of the CAFE community through their time, their talents, their skills and their generosity.

Thank you Liz and Keith for your exemplary tutoring and sharing to all CAFE students

CAFE parent and supporter, Dr. Astril Webb, President, Healthy Kinder International LLC discusses Mental Health and well being as it pertains to kids and adults during COVID 19 pandemic

Dr. Webb provides insight and understanding on the current factors in our social atmosphere where stress factors can be disruptive for adults as well as for children.

That our kids do not have their social engagement with their friends, that families may not all have all the tools and economic commodities to utilize while social distancing, that there are heightened stress levels in the home cause further mental challenges on the mind and well being.

Dr Webb offers encouragement, hope, and optimism with instructive practices to make the best of the times and concerns as parents, children, families and friends continue to maintain social distance, emotional and physical balance and daily normalcy during these uncomfortable pandemic times.