September 13, 2010

Entry 1: Three Years Starts…Now!

Hey, my name is Parrish! I’m 28, I live in Durham, NC, I am getting married this weekend to my best friend (a.k.a. glutenhatesme), and we have a dog…his name is Max.

ParrishApril

Max 

I love to cook…which is mostly an excuse for loving to eat,  I have played soccer for about 20 years, I graduated from St. Andrews Presbyterian College (with about 50 other people) in 2003, and I love a good "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me".

More importantly,  I’m an advocate…and I’m just getting started down a road to change the face of my community.

I’m advocating for school-based health centers (SBHCs).

Rally Photo 

Yes, that’s correct, a doctors office on the grounds of a middle or high school to treat students. I believe that all youth should have access to affordable, effective prevention and treatment services no matter what. I also believe that by putting these services inside a school, where youth spend the majority of their time, is the best way to do this. A simple concept really.

What…you were expecting civil rights, segregation issues, maybe something politically charged right?!?!

Hopefully you were, because simple concept does not equal simple project.

We have 3 three years and I’m hoping to tell the story…and maybe build some enthusiasm while doing it.

So let me start this, Day 1, by asking you a question…what do you advocate for?

11 comments:

  1. Well I guess daily I am an advocate for fair trade. I believe strongly that everyone, no matter what country they live in, deserve to earn a fair and honest wage for their goods. "Made in China" does not have to mean "Made for One Penny". And when operating a non-profit fair trade retail store, the goods are beneficial for both the consumer and the producer. Can't wait to see more posts!!

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  2. I advocate for local businesses and farmers and healthy, affordable, organic food.
    PS- Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me is brilliant!

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  3. Meandered over from your sweeties blog. What you're doing is great and a great effort.

    Will have to give your question some thought. I will second Marlow. We are big fair trade supporters.

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  4. Yay, I am excited to follow your journey, thank you for being an advocate!
    Early congrats to you and April! I hope this weekend is wonderful, fun, and romantic! I can't wait to see pictures :)
    Oh and for your question, I am an advocate for natural birth and breastfeeding.

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  5. Thank You all for your support!

    Gidget - April and I come from the Coop world...local & organic food (and just simply supporting local businesses) is an issue very close to our hearts.

    Holly Claire - Great to hear from you! We are pretty excited about this weekend (i.e. exhausted) but know it will be just what it is meant to be.

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  6. I am so excited to get to see this perspective on the work that you do! As your next door neighbor in the office, I like having another "window" into what goes on over there. Congrats on the wedding!!!!

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  7. I am an armchair advocate for social justice, feminist issues, and accessible health care. And I am an advocate for April & Parrish's most awesome wedding. :) Super excited for you both.

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  8. I am an advicate of not buying foods containing chemicals not found in the natural world, of humane treatment of animals, and of farming the way our great-grandfathers did. I really enjoyed the post. Welcome to the society of bloggers!

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  9. This is brilliant & I can't wait to see how it progresses along.


    ...also can't wait for this weekend. Sounds like congratulations are in order all around, new blog, new ideas, new life

    & a few birthdays tossed in soon too!

    As for what do I advocate for... many things but my biggest focus recently is in educating people on proper parrot ownership & finding homes for parrots that need new ones. The local club that we started has now partnered with Phoenix Landing. They work all over the Southeast US to rehome parrots as needed & educate the public & owners on how to provide great homes for these precious birds.

    Good luck with all you are doing!

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  10. Ensuring Educational Opportunity for All...

    www.teachforamerica.org

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  11. This is probably the strangest answer, but I'm an advocate for dying with dignity. I focus on end of life ethics specifically. I work in the field of biomedical ethics and your concept sounds like an amazing one! Best of luck to you!

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