Second Annual Black-tie Benefit Gala

The Warford Foundation will host its Second Annual Black-tie Benefit Gala on Saturday, October 15, 2011 from 8p.m. to midnight at The Club at Andrews, on Andrews Air Force Base, Clinton, Maryland. This benefit gala will provide funding for financial assistance as needed to our recent fallen soldier’s military widow families and single mothers. Proceeds will go towards Project Impact Scholars Program established to assist with the foundation’s efforts to help military widows and single mothers with $250 per semester for books as they pursue a 2yr associates degree in nursing at Prince George's Community College. Our host for the evening is Miss Carrie Lambert, Vice President, Special Events, TWF; newly signed actress to Wilhelmina PA; and youngest daughter of Parthenia Warford, founder TWF. We will be honoring a very special young lady Miss Ashley Moore with Parthenia Warford special award. Tickets for the evening including live music, silent auction, seated dinner, champagne toast, and door prizes, is $75 per person and $150 couple. The music will be provided by our sponsor DJ Dnitty of In Tha Lyme Lyte, LLC / Sound Production. More details coming soon.

Dress: Black-tie (men) / gowns (women)

About The Warford Foundation
Our mission is to expand the opportunities of single mother and military widow families by increasing self sufficiency through scholastic growth and achievement. We intend to reach out to the military widows that lost their loved ones due to the current war; as well as other single mothers.

Our vision is to help military widows-who are often forgotten about after the funerals and other military rituals-as well other single mothers who also are in need of financial assistance to obtain a 2year degree in nursing. The proceeds from various charity events will go directly toward Project Impact Scholars Program established to assist with our efforts to help military widows and single mothers. Our founder, Parthenia as a 20yr retired U.S. Army soldier, is familiar with the plight of the military spouse. The impact of having a spouse serving their country fighting this Nation's was one day and being told the next day that you are now a widow with kids and no skills can be devastating. She saw this all around her during her 20 year career as an active duty and while serving as a single parent herself.

The Warford Foundation Project Impact Scholars Program will benefit from all the proceeds of the black-tie benefit gala; the monies will assist us with being able to award more single mother and military widow enrolled in the 2yr nursing program at Prince George's Community College, Nursing Department $250 for books per semester as they actively pursue their degree.

Project Impact Scholars Program
The Warford Foundation has a mission to expand the opportunities of single mother and military widow families by increasing self sufficiency through scholastic growth and achievement.

Eligibility requirements:
- Currently enrolled in an accredited L.P.N. or R.N. nursing program.
- Proof of single parent status (birth certificate, school records, etc).
- Annual income less than $40,000 (previous year's tax return and current paycheck stub).
- Maintain a 3.0 grade point average or higher.
- Participation in The Warford Foundation community services activities (1 per semester of award).
- Become an Ambassador of The Warford Foundation actively encouraging other single mothers and military widows interested in nursing to apply to Project Impact Scholars Program.

The Warford Foundation recently partnered with Prince George’s Community College, Nursing Department to provide eligible single mother and/or military widow awardees with $250.00 per semester assistance with purchasing books beginning Spring 2012. Prince George's Community College's Nursing Program is one of the largest of the 14 associate degree programs in Maryland. The program was approved by the State Board of Nursing in 1969 and accredited by the National League of Nursing in 1976. The LPN to ADN Transition Program began the summer of 1995. The LPN Program began the fall of 1996 and is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing.

BREAKING NEWS!!!!

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD: Our Charity Golf Tournament scheduled for Saturday, October 15, 2011 is postponed until a later date; however we our Second Annual Black-tie Benefit Gala will take place on Saturday, October 15, 2011 from 8pm to midnight at The Club at Andrews, Andrews Air Force Base, Camp Springs, Maryland.

PRESS RELEASE: Second Annual Charity Golf Tournament and Cocktail Party

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 4, 2011

Clinton, Maryland: Charity Golf tournament Saturday, October 15, 2011, The Warford Foundation (TWF) is having our Second Annual Charity Golf Tournament and Cocktail Party on Andrews AFB, Clinton, Maryland from 2:00pm to 7:00pm (golf) 8:00pm to 11:00pm (cocktail party). There are 18 holes of golf and it will be scramble format; in a scramble, each player tees off on each hole.

Our mission is to expand the opportunities of single mother and military widow families by increasing self sufficiency through scholastic growth and achievement. We intend to reach out to the military widows that lost their loved ones due to the current war; as well as other single mothers.

Our vision is to help military widows-who are often forgotten about after the funerals and other military rituals-as well other single mothers who also are in need of financial assistance to obtain a 2year degree in nursing. The proceeds from various charity events will go directly toward Project Impact Scholars Program established to assist with our efforts to help military widows and single mothers.

The Warford Foundation partnered with Prince George’s Community College, Nursing Department to provide eligible single mother and/or military widow awardees with $250.00 per semester assistance with purchasing books beginning Spring of 2012. Prince George's Community College's Nursing Program is one of the largest of the 14 associate degree programs in Maryland. The program was approved by the State Board of Nursing in 1969 and accredited by the National League of Nursing in 1976. The LPN to ADN Transition Program began the summer of 1995. The LPN Program began the fall of 1996 and is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing.

Project Impact Scholars Program
Eligibility requirements: 1) Currently enrolled in an accredited L.P.N. or R.N. nursing program; 2) Proof of single parent status (birth certificate, school records, etc); 3) Annual income less than $40,000 (previous year's tax return and current paycheck stub); 4) Maintain a 3.0 grade point average or higher 5) Participation in The Warford Foundation community services activities (1 per semester of award); 6) Become an Ambassador of TWF actively encouraging other single mothers and military widows interested in nursing to apply to Project Impact Scholars Program. Applications are being accepted now until November 15, 2011 for interested single mothers/military widows; for more info about the program contact Ms. Parthenia Warford, CEO/ Founder, info@thewarfordfoundation.org

TWF Publicist can be reached at twfpublicist@thewarforddfoundation.org or (301) 292-6034.

Suicide in America

Suicide is a major public health concern. Around 30,000 people die by suicide each year in the United States. More people die by suicide each year than by homicide.

Suicide is tragic. But it is often preventable. Knowing the risk factors for suicide and who is at risk can help reduce the suicide rate.

Who is at risk for suicide?

Suicide does not discriminate. People of all genders, ages, and ethnicities are at risk for suicide. But people most at risk tend to share certain characteristics. The main risk factors for suicide are:

--Depression, other mental disorders, or substance abuse order
--A prior suicide attempt
--Family history of mental disorder or substance abuse
--Family history of suicide
--Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
--Having guns or other firearms in the home
--Incarceration, being in prison or jail
--Being exposed to others' suicidal behavior, such as that of family members, peers, or media figures

The risk for suicidal behavior also is associate with changes in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, including serotonin, which is also associated with depression. Lower levels of serotonin have been found in the brains of people with a history of suicide attempts.

Many people have some of these risk factors but do not attempt suicide. Suicide is not a normal response to stress. It is however, a sign of extreme distress, not a harmless bid for attention.

What about gender?
Men are more likely to die by suicide than women, but women are more likely to attempt suicide. Men are more likely to use deadlier methods, such as firearms or suffocation. Women are more likely than men to attempt suicide by poisoning.

What about children?
Children and young people are at risk for suicide. Year after year, suicide remains one of the top three leading causes of death for young people ages 15 to 24.

What about older adults?
Older adults are at risk for suicide, too. In fact, white males age 85 and older consistently have the highest suicide risk than any other age and ethnic group.

What about different ethnic groups?
Among ethnicities, American Indians and Alaska Natives tend to have the highest rate of suicides, followed by non-Hispanic Whites. Hispanics tend to have the lowest rate of suicides, while African Americans tend to have the second lowest rate.

How can suicide be prevented?
Effective suicide prevention is based on sound research. Programs that work take in account people's risk factors and promote interventions that are appropriate to specific groups of people. For example, research has shown that mental and substance abuse disorders are risk factors for suicide. Therefore, many programs focus on treating these disorders in addition to addressing suicide risk specifically.

Psychotherapy, or "talk therapy," can effectively reduce suicide risk. One type is called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT can help people learn new ways of dealing with stressful experiences by training them to consider alternative actions when thoughts of suicide arise.

Another type of psychotherapy called dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has been shown to reduce the rate of suicide among people with borderline personality disorder, a serious mental illness characterized by unstable moods, relationships, self-image, and behavior. A therapist trained in DBT helps a person recognize when his or her feelings or actions are disruptive or unhealthy, and teaches the skills needed to deal better with upsetting situations.

Some medications may also help. For example, the anti-psychotic medication clozapine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for suicide prevention in people with schizophrenia. Other promising medications and psychosocial treatments for suicidal people are being tested.

Still other research has found that many older adults and women who die by suicide saw their primary care providers in the year before death. Training doctors to recognize signs that a person may be considering suicide may help prevent even more suicides.

What should I do if someone I know is considering suicide?
If you know someone who is considering suicide, do not leave him or her alone. Try to get your loved one to seek immediate help from his or her doctor or the nearest hospital emergency room, or call 911. Remove any access he or she may have to firearms or other potential tools for suicide, including medications.

If you are in crisis
Call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is available to anyone. All calls are confidential.

National Institute of Mental Health
Scientific Writing, Press Dissemination Branch
6001 Executive Boulevard
Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9663
Phone: (301) 443-4513 or 1-866-615-NIMH (6464) toll-free
Email: nimhinfo@nih.gov
Website: www.nimh.nih.gov