Charlestown Celebrates Individualism

CATONSVILLE, MD (April 1, 2015) -- The Charlestown Diversity & Inclusion Council (DIC) is a team dedicated to celebrating diversity and creating a more inclusive community that respects and appreciates individual differences. The DIC endorses a broad definition of diversity, and seeks to provide programs and resources that enhance knowledge and encourage understanding of diversity. The group is comprised of staff and resident members. The DIC meets once a month to discuss and plan ways to promote and strengthen cultural diversity among staff and residents.

Members of the DIC are:
Yvonne Rice (Chair)
Vinson Bankoski
Mary Evans, (Vice Chair)
Tom Moore
Natosha Bomgardner
Dean Crawford
Lisa Purkey
Pat Kasuda
Sarah Chrzanowski
Phyllis Lansing
Alexandria Kareem
Michelle Fenn

The DIC sponsors several community events throughout the year that promote awareness of cultural diversity. Some of the events that have been sponsored are:
Black History Month (dramatic monologues, daily trivia, food demonstration)
Women’s History Month Showcase
National Day of Prayer Event
Trip to the Reginald F. Lewis Museum
International Extravaganza (ethnic displays, music, dance, food)
One Maryland One Book Event
Community Tree Trimming Event
An Evening with Foreign Exchange Students

Another way DIC fulfills its mission is through community outreach. It has partnered with residents and sponsored a food drive through the collection of macaroni and cheese for Our Daily Bread, and it has hosted several children from the Children’s Home in Catonsville providing a fun evening for them here at Charlestown.

Upcoming DIC-sponsored events this year include:

“Stuck in the Middle”
National Autism Awareness Month Documentary
Wednesday, April 29, 2015: 1:30 pm (Auditorium)
Come and experience 17 year old Robbie Lerubino’s personal journey with autism.

National Day of Prayer
Thursday, May 7, 2015: 2 pm (Continuing Care Neighborhood Meeting Hall)

Mumbai native Dipak Shah Sings Folk Songs We Love
Tuesday, June 2, 2015: 1:00pm (Auditorium)

“Cooking with Dean”
Tuesday, June 16, 2015: 11:00 am (Auditorium)
Join Dean Crawford, Charlestown Medical Center Practice Administrator,
for a cultural cooking experience.

5th Annual International Fashion Extravaganza
Wednesday, July 29, 2015: 11 am – 1 pm (Conference Center)
Come and enjoy a cultural fashion experience.

Fruits of Our Labor
Thursday, September 17, 2015: 11 am – 2 pm (Cross Creek)
Look for the Diversity & Inclusion Council table

One Maryland One Book Event
Book Selection: The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest
for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
October 2015: TBD (Auditorium)

--
Caption for attached photo: Representing their native cultures at a Charlestown Diversity & Inclusion Extravaganza are (Left to right) Charlestown employees: Olayinka Toby (3-11 supervisor), Stephen Quarcoo (RN on Dorsey), Scholastica Muluh (PRN), Peace Nwokorie (QCC for Evergreen Place), Barry Uzoechi (QCC for Calla Lily Gardens), Caroline Wagara (ADON for RG), George Nah (RN on Dorsey).

--