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Epica’s New Multimedia Release ‘Ωmega Alive’ Will Be an Audiovisual Wonder
By: Rock N'Heavy Editor
Tags: Music, Heavy Metal, Culture, Epica, Rock

Music

Epica’s New Multimedia Release ‘Ωmega Alive’ Will Be an Audiovisual Wonder

Omega Alive Artwork by Epica | Source: Nuclear Blast

Symphonic metal giants EPICA have announced that they will release “Ωmega Alive” on December 3.

On February 26, the symphonic metal pathfinders released their latest full-length studio album, “Ωmega. We’ve extensively reviewed the album here on Rock n’Heavy.

Later in June, it was time for the worldwide streaming event “Ωmega Alive,” brought to life by 75 artists. A cinematic wonder powered by spectacular graphic effects that united the band and fans from over 100 countries during a show that became the most notable performance in the band’s 19-year history.

Now the band will document the even in various audiovisual formats. The deluxe edition consisting of a double CD and DVD will be released on December 3, 2021.

The first single, “Unchain Utopia — Ωmega Alive,” is available, and you can listen to it hereunder.

Source | YouTube

Keyboardist Coen Janssen, the mentor of the whole concept of the show, shared his vision about the

“What we wanted to do was the ultimate EPICA show where we could fulfill every dream we ever had, where there was room for all the ideas, effects and props that are just too big to be taken on tour.” Far from your usual streaming concert, the band developed a trademark feature called a “living backdrop”. “We built another stage right behind our stage where lots of things were going on the whole time. And we meant that very literally,” he laughs. “Every song got something extra, something unique that was fitting its world.”

Directed by Jens de Vos (Panda Productions) and graced by the magical artwork of Heilemania, the DVD, BluRay, CD, and vinyl contains 15 EPICA classics, fan favorites as well; as the live debut of tracks from the latest album “Ωmega.”

“Ωmega Alive” tracklist

ΩVERTURE 1. Alpha — Anteludium

2. Abyss of Time — Countdown to Singularity

3. The Skeleton Key

4. Unchain Utopia

MAGNITUDE 5. The Obsessive Devotion

6. In All Conscience

7. Victims of Contingency

ELYSIA 8. Kingdom of Heaven EN1. — A New Age Dawns Part V

9. Kingdom of Heaven EN3. — The Antediluvian Universe

GRAVITA 10. Rivers — A Capella

11. Once Upon A Nightmare

ALPHA = ΩMEGA 12. Freedom — The Wolves Within

13. Cry For The Moon

14. Beyond The Matrix

15. Omega — Sovereign Of The Sun Spheres
The Roles We Play
By: Alice K
Tags: Extendedfamily, Roles, Family, Peacekeeper, Rock

The Roles We Play

Family photo by author

My parents moved up when my husband and I separated. We first rented, then bought a house together. There were five of us including my kids. Then my brother and his son moved in with us and we were seven. All of us have our strengths and weaknesses, our personalities and idiosyncrisies. In order to get along, we have each morphed into a particular role.

Photo by author

My father was the head of the family. He died two years ago but he was our rock. We all looked to him for wisdom and comfort. Since he died, I have been bestowed the role of the rock; the one level head, the peacekeeper. I’m not allowed to have a nervous breakdown or even be in a bad mood because everyone is counting on me. It’s a hard role.

Photo by author

My mom is the matriarch. She is bossy, hotheaded, intrusive, and always trying to take care of the family. She has a good heart but frustrates everyone and isn’t afraid of a good argument. She also makes sure we have dinner and that the house is clean. If she isn’t doing it herself, she is noisily delegating. My father called her the energizer bunny.

Photo by author

My brother is also opinionated, hotheaded, and unafraid of an argument. He at least isn’t in everyone’s business but he sure gets frustrated with mom. He was pretty beaten down when he came to us and has been trying to mend. When he gets frustrated he can be pretty aggressive though, and mom has a tendancy to forget he’s an adult.

Photo by author

The kids, who are actually young adults now, are very into themselves.

• One is off at college but stops in at intervals to eat and do laundry. He’s a rascal and loves stirring the pot.

• One is in community college and is in and out, but she’s the golden child and grandma forgives her everything.

• The other is finishing high school and has some mental health issues. She argues with grandma and her sister on a regular basis and also has severe breakdowns when she needs special help.

The three of them are most present when they need help or financial assistance from "the rock."

Photo by author

If I am being completely honest, I like being helpful. I am generous with hugs and have a high tolerance for listening to others' problems. I am pretty good at talking people down from heightened emotions and for helping them see someone else’s point of view. But I don’t have a rock anymore. When my father passed away I lost that. I miss having someone to lean on, that emotional support. For now I just have to carry on and try to take care of myself.

Photo by author

Do you have a particular role in your family? Are you the rock, or do you have someone you can lean on? I would love to hear about your family dynamics.
“Off The Block”, But On The Path
By: Mycroft Mac
Tags: S2nsociety, Rock, Punk, Texas, Playlist

Conversion of old concepts will double support for indie artists

Photo by Martin Sanchez on Unsplash

After three years of co-hosting the Soup2Nutz show, expansion needed to take place. The concept has shifted into the S2N Society. In coordination with venues, supporters, and partnerships we have fostered a holistic support mechanism for independent artists through “The Collective”. Multi-platform, exclusive shows, stream increases, and gig opportunities. The same quality music you expect from us, just new ways for you to access it. There are some amazing artists, familiar and new, set and ready to go. One week, 6 platforms, multiple admins, and hosts.

We kicked off this week to support the 100th artist from our Soup2Nutz show, City of Auburn. They dropped a new single “Off the Block” last Friday after three years.

“Off the Block” Promo (Artist Release)

To continue what I am deeming “City of Auburn Week,” I thought it’d be fun to put together a nostalgic/commemorative pop-punk, punk adjacent playlist to get through the rest of the week. A little Palmmute Records family, a little punk from my past, and some indie gems. We posted it under The Collective team of all of the entities we have helping us in the creation of this support mechanism. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it. Play it on shuffle.
For me, this part is crucial.
By: L. S. King
Tags: Recovery, Support, Sobriety, Alcohol Recovery

If it is centered around booze, just be mindful and honest. “Hey, I want to invite you to XYZ, but I want you to be aware that beer pong starts at noon.” This way we can decide on whether we feel comfortable coming.

For me, this part is crucial. What I most disliked in early sobriety was friends asking “Do you mind if we drink?” after I had already accepted their invitations. The question was well-intended, of course, but it forced me to choose between two unhealthy options: spoiling the gathering for everyone (including myself) with “yes, I do mind” or putting other people’s pleasure ahead of my sobriety with “no, of course not.” It’s so much better to mention the alcohol first, then ask “Can you come?” which lets the newly sober person decline gracefully if they don’t yet feel ready to watch other people drink.

The essay is thoughtful and sympathetic to both the newly sober person and the friend trying to support them and deal with the sudden transformation of a long-standing friendship. I have no doubt it will provide insight and stimulate healing conversations.
We can’t grow, develop without constant inner scrutiny, inner war
By: Zsolt Hermann
Tags: Support, Development, Education, Humanity, Growth

Question from the Internet:

“Are internal moral conflicts necessary for a person’s development?”

Yes, we constantly need to go through an inner war in order to grow, develop.

As it is true for general society as well, without disputes, arguments, constant examinations there is no progress, so an individual also can’t progress without constant inner scrutiny, without constant, purposeful and conscious self-change, self-adjustment.

Of course it is much easier in a unique, closed, purposeful environment that facilitates this, where through mutual activities we can constantly reveal how much our inherently self-serving, self-justifying, subjective ego is harmful, so we could constantly adjust, elevate ourselves above the instinctively egotistic, selfish calculations, behaviour towards different qualities, values, behaviour.

In an environment that purposefully thrives towards selfless, altruistic connections, towards positive, mutually responsible and mutually complementing connections, cooperation, this brutally honest self-recognition and subsequent refinement, this inner war and ceaseless self-upgrade is very easy and feels like an adventure.

https://youtu.be/9B1uS0mg_q4
MY FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
By: Ceren Colak
Tags: Support, Poverty, Fundraising, Poverty Alleviation, Sustainable Development

The Borgen Project is a non-profit organization which works to achieve a part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Sustainable Development Goals are designed to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all of us. There are 17 SDGs which include ZERO POVERTY, ZERO HUNGER, GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, QUALITY EDUCATION, CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION, CLIMATE ACTION, REDUCED INEQUALITIES, and PARTNERSHIP FOR THE GOALS. The Borgen Project works effectively to achieve Goal 1,2,6 and 17 for sustainable development. Unlike many other NGOs around the world, The Borgen Project does not work on the ground because it aims more sustainable aids. It collaborates and lobbies with USAID and the US leaders.

Even though helps on the ground seem like a more tangible and credible way to help, they are mostly less sustainable. I am not all against those aids either but all I am saying is that we should be aware of the fact that those aids only save the day and we should acquire awareness on how to improve sustainability so that people who do not have access to clean water, shelter or food can survive. For example, opening health facilities or teaching farmers sustainable agriculture both provides job openings and fulfillment of fundamental needs of human survival, contributing to both self-improvement and sustainable development. Unfortunately, especially if on ground aids are multilateral aids, they are challenged with corruption and lack of transparency.

The Borgen Project makes an incredible effort on preventing those issues as well through advocacy, lobbying Congressmen, Senate, political leaders, etc. There are many bills that the Borgen Project has made outstanding efforts to have them passed in the Congress including The International Affairs Budget, Digital GAP Act, Global Food Security Act, Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act, Read Act, Build Act and many others.

Long story short, The Borgen Project really works on the efficiency and sustainability of foreign aids very seriously and effectively.

As a part of this world, we must act as one because one’s fragility effects the other. It comes across as unemployment, health, overpopulation and terror all around the world. We all need each other to survive because we do not know what tomorrow brings.

If you also want to be a part of this global partnership , you can donate on behalf of my name (CEREN ÇOLAK) from the DONATION LINK supporting my fundraising campaign on behalf of the world’s poor.
24/7 Support: We’ve Got You Covered!
Tags: Support, Crypto, Exchange, Blockchain, Ethereum

As you already know, Stealthex is a cryptocurrency exchange service. But what is so great about us? Well, many things actually! Limitless exchanges, privacy, a huge amount of different coins, fair rates and so on. But today we are going to tell you a little bit more about our Support Team.

Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash

We believe our users should have the support they need, in the way they need it and exactly when they need it. That’s why our friendly Support Team is available to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We have two main channels for your inquiries: you can mail us at support@stealthex.io or fill in the contact form on our website. All you need to do is describe your issue and leave your e-mail for a response. You also can upload any file if you need to. And you can be sure that Stealthex never shares any information about users with third parties. Our Support Team is ready to assist you in every request with all the transactions across any of the supported cryptocurrency exchanges and all the other questions about our service. We always reply as soon as possible. Because taking care of you are Stealthex service’s number one priority.

To save your time, we have created the FAQ section on our website where you can find answers to most frequently asked questions like how long does the exchange take, the minimum amount for the exchange, the network fees and many others.

As you can see the Stealthex service is super friendly and our Support Team is always there for you. Check out our advantages at Stealthex.io.

See you soon!
A Matter of Character(s)
By: Giulia Grotenhuis
Tags: Support, Friendship, Working Together, Success, Empahy

There is a popular saying that I will paraphrase, that goes like this — hang out with the people you want to be like.

How about you hang out with the people you like?

I get the concept of hanging out with people you want to be like, or the concept of — you are the average of the 5 people who you hang out with. But to me it’s a tad selfish and this world needs a little less selfish and a little more empathy.

It’s reminds me of surveys about what people like about their jobs. At first thought, you probably think making lots of money is what one likes most about their job. But that is not even listed as a reason in any of the survey results I have seen. Reasons included: liking their coworkers, being recognized, feeling like they were making a difference or having a say.

So I find it perplexing how many people “like” the comment about hanging out with people you want to be like. Usually the comment is made in the context of hang out with “successful” people. Normally people define success in a monetary fashion.

But then I always think this:

It is suggested that for one to become successful, they need to be around the successful. At the same time you are being told not to hang out with people that might “bring you down.” But taking your advice, if someone is successful, why would they give you the time of day? I mean, you look at the people around and say, you are not successful enough for me to be hanging out with you. Let me get better friends. So why would someone that is successful, want to hang with you or mentor you? Especially since your biggest concern is, well… you?

I would much rather have friends that stick with me through thick and thin, than were using me as a stepping stone.

The past year of Covid has made us all reflect a lot about what is most important in life. It was a year ago that I found myself writing this about myself and about having someone more successful than me, want to hang out with me. I think, what if the man that would become my husband never took a chance on someone like me. Where would I be today? When I first met him I was working a lot of overtime, living at home and making a ton of money. I started investing and was doing quite well financially. So in a way I would probably be equally or more “successful.” But I don’t know if I would be as tolerant, non judgmental, empathetic or accepting of people with differing opinions. He taught me volumes by coming down to my level, and lifting me up to his. I like to think I have been paying that forward in my later years.

So what it comes down to is this. Do you want to be self-ish, or self-less. Just a few difference in characters, but a world of difference in character. Are you going to abandon your friends to chase a more popular or successful person in hopes that they let you ride their coattails. Or are you going to walk alongside your friends, and help each other get to where you both want to be?
Stop expecting someone to ‘snap out’ of their mental illness.
Tags: Support, Mental Health, Friendship, Helping Others

As i recently learned of my own mental health issues, i also learned that nobody knows how to support you through a time like this. Shock horror.

Those closest to you, (if they’re decent people) will tell you they are there for anything, they are here to support you through it all, we can chat any time, etc etc you’ve heard it all before.

But what happens when you take these offers up? Does anyone actually know what to say? or what to do? How do you actually ‘support’ someone you love?

First things first, stop expecting, i repeat STOP EXPECTING this person to ‘snap out of it’ or ‘go back to the old you’. You may not see it yet but this person going through this ‘thing’, this ‘mental health issue’ is a good thing! They are being forced for the first time in their life to go WITHIN themselves. To confront their feelings, thoughts, behaviours and address them all, positive or negative. They are just starting to grow..

Secondly — shut up and just listen. I repeat SHUT UP and deeply, actively LISTEN. If you are blessed enough to be in a situation where someone is opening up to you — be grateful to share this with someone. Be grateful they have chosen YOU to open up to. And just truly listen.

What not to do..

Think you suddenly have a masters in psychology or mental health and can provide your own opinion/advice.

Discredit their feelings, thoughts or behaviours.

Think you know how they feel, or how their past is making them be like x, y, z.

Not actively listen. Don’t be distracted by technology. Give your whole self to the present moment — their moment.

Lastly.. just let them grow! Be the sunshine they need when things are dark. Be the shoulder to cry on when it’s needed. Let them BE. Let them GROW.
UniCrypt — PancakeSwap V2
By: Mark - Unicrypt
Tags: Support, Unicrypt, Defi, Pancakeswap, Migration

Hi everyone,

We hope you’re doing well!

In this article, you will find a summary of our position regarding the migration of PancakeSwap towards its V2 and the impact on our products and on UniCrypt’s roadmap.

🔒 UniCrypt Lockers on PancakeSwap

✅ Lockers Status: Operational on V2

Projects that are willing to lock their V2 PancakeSwap LP tokens can now do it. We have deployed an update on April 25th allowing token developers to use the lockers on PancakeSwap V2 pairs. Direct link to access the lockers here.

✅ Launching ILOs with Locked Liquidity: Operational on V2

We have pushed an update on April 25th allowing projects launching with our platform to have their PancakeSwap LP tokens directly locked in V2.

The LP tokens locked once the markets are initialized are V2 PancakeSwap LP tokens. Please make sure to create your ILO under Pancake Swap V2 AMM. Direct link to access the ILO creation page here.

💱⌛ Locked Liquidity on PancakeSwap V1

420+ pairs are using our liquidity lockers at press time, for a total amount locked around $165M (NB: we deployed our services on BSC less than 2 months ago, the adoption rate of UniCrypt lockers is… simply insane!)

LP tokens are locked, hence they can not be withdrawn manually from the locking contracts before the end block (end-date). SECURITY Feature 💯.

That being said, projects using our lockers made a smart choice! Our locking contracts have an entry for a clip to a migration contract.

1️⃣ 🔥 UniCrypt will be able to support the migration to PancakeSwap V2 pools.

2️⃣ Projects locked on V1 pools will be able to use the migration function that will be offered on the UI once ready.

3️⃣ Newly minted LP tokens (once an existing pool is migrated on PancakeSwap v2) will remain locked with the same parameters they had before the migration (including the original unlock date).

4️⃣ The complete process will be documented (e.g. particular cases where there is already a pair on both sides V1 and V2 sides, how-to, etc.).

ETA: we will update our community as well as PancakeSwap community once we are close to implementation date. Our team is currently finalizing the token vesting service that will be delivered before the migration feature from V1 to V2 PancakeSwap pools. Nonetheless rest assured that we are doing our utmost to deliver this migration feature as quickly and securely as possible despite the short notice.

📫 Closing word

We have created the lockers concept in June 2020. This service with unique features was built with safety and flexibility in mind, thus allowing us to anticipate such migration events and implement enhancements when required.

Stay tuned for an official announcement as soon as we get closer to the implementation date, and have a wonderful week!

Anything you would like to ask the community, you know where to find us: 💬 Telegram |🐦Twitter
Make Love Not Scars Empower Acid Attack Survivors
Tags: Support, Women, Inspiring Stories, Humanity, News

Make Love Not Scars is an NGO for acid attack survivors. It is managed by a small team of 3 people — including two young women! We work with survivors in India and offer them medical rehabilitation by facilitating surgeries and psychological aid and provide education and skill training, legal aid, food and rent (when they are struggling financially), and education for their children. We also help survivors by funding their small businesses. Till date, we have rehabilitated around 70 survivors. Our youngest has been a two-year-old boy(he is healthy and happy now)! We run a residential rehabilitation center for survivors who have nowhere to go. Based in New Delhi, it is a small space that can cater to up to 8–10 women at a time.

The stories we hear are horrific. A woman, burnt with acid while her children slept next to her. Another, gang-raped and attacked. A survivor from Bihar once told us that when she dared to leave her home to go to the market, neighbors would come out and encourage others to come out and ‘look at the monkey going to the market.’

Our Delhi shelter is home for women whose families don’t support them or who have no future in their villages. They live with us for a year or so, undergoing surgeries and skill training. We then help them find jobs and move out to rented accommodations in order to begin leading independent lives. While the residential rehab center can host a limited number of survivors full time, it is open to outpatient survivors on weekends since we host English and computer classes for all! There is also space for survivors who travel to Delhi for medical care and need a place to stay while they make their appointments. They recover at our center! Make Love Not Scars is a family. We look out for each other as well as our families. For survivors who have children, we personally provide funds for their education. We try to take them for days out, short trips, movies — anything that can help make life memorable.

However, covid-19 has been extra tough. With lockdown, many children are home indefinitely. 95% of the survivors are now unemployed. We are currently providing over 30 survivors with a monthly stipend consisting of medicines, food, and financial aid to help with rent and their children’s expenses. We also purchased phones for all survivors who have children who need to study from home on Zoom. Apart from that, we have helped many who have been locked and abused by their husbands during quarantine (domestic violence has increased rapidly during covid). We have had to hire a team member to help us with the coordinating workload since we are managing rehabilitation and rescue pan India.

Your donation will truly help us incredibly as we move forward. While we do have enough to last us for the next three or four months, your help could truly help us make the lives of survivors comfortable for the next year. They have already suffered enough — we only wish to ease their suffering.

Click here to donate
ONE FACES THE FUTURE WITH ONES PAST
Tags: Support, Strong, Peace, Alone, Believe

Success can be an isolated road.it can be a harsh road.it can be a hard road. It’s not for everyone. Those who follow others like sheep will never know who they truly are. Only those who can follow their own track can discover their true potential. Those who fly alone have the strongest wings. Those who walk alone have the strongest direction. The rest will always be in need of others for their survival. They will always need attention, need recognition to live on. I am at peace alone. No need of attention, no need of recognition and still I thrive. I am not saying those who have support are weak. I am not saying you must get it alone to gain strength. This just is for those who have fought battles alone. Those who have felt like they don’t fit in, those who have never had support in anything they do. All of those who feel no one believes in them. You don’t need them to believe in you. If you believe in you. You don’t need their support if you have got your own back. The best part is when you truly live the life you want to live, when you speak your truth…when you embrace who you are. Then you gain real respect, and real love. People love those who have the guts to be themselves. Those who have the courage to follow their heart. Because most people wish they could do the same.

SHOW THEM THE WAY KEEP GOING BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.

It will all come good in the end and when it does, you won’t have only inspired yourself to be more, you will have inspired so many others.

I had to learn to fight alone and because of that I am strong alone.

I am strong. Full stop.

I developed inner strength that can’t be broke.

I am unbreakable.

Because of the pain, I am strong.

Because of the struggle, I have character most will never know. I appreciate others more than ever. I have more compassion than ever. I had to go deep in to the darkness now I have more depth. Now I can see clearer. I had face huge internal challenges. And now I can defeat any challenge. I will destroy every challenge.

I proud myself who I have become

I am proud I have overcome

I am proud of who I am

I am proud stayed true to myself because now I can live as myself.

I proud myself and yes I am strong.
A Reminder For When You Feel Like You’ll Never Be Happy Again
By: Megan Minutillo
Tags: Support, Emotions, Anxiety, Depression, Love

A Reminder For When You Feel Like You’ll Never Be Happy Again

Photo by Zoey Tian on Unsplash

Your alarm clock rings, and you groan.

You wish you could stay in bed.

Sitting up takes energy. Swinging your legs to the side of the bed and letting them touch the floor takes energy. Standing takes energy. Walking to the bathroom to brush your teeth and wash your face and take a shower takes energy.

It all takes energy.

Too much energy for you right now.

You feel like a cartoon that has a black raincloud following them, hovering above your head.

It seems like the sun will never shine again.

It seems like you will never have the energy to laugh again.

It seems like you will never be happy again.

But that’s a lie — you will be happy again.

You were happy once, and you can be happy again. The raincloud will eventually leave, the sun will eventually shine, and you might even see a rainbow or two.

One day you won’t mind getting up in the morning — in fact, you will start to relish it. Because getting up in the morning, and swinging your legs to the side of the bed and letting them touch the floor of your bedroom, and walking to the bathroom to brush your teeth, wash your face, and take a shower all point one thing — you’re still here.

You’re still here, and your life is still sprawled out before you.

You’re still here, and you get to live. You get to live, and you get to laugh, and you get to cry, and you get to love.

You’re still here, and that is a beautiful, magical, tremendous gift.

You’re still here, even after the heartbreak.

Even after the disappointment. Even after the bumps, and the bruises, and the worry, and the hurt.

You’re still here.

It’s not fun to walk through sadness. It’s not pleasant to feel the coldness of the rain and the harsh winds of the storm. It’s draining on the spirit to fight against the undercurrent that is overwhelming sadness.

It’s quite miserable.

Even though sadness is part of life, it doesn’t have to stay. It doesn’t have to define the entirety of your life.

There will be times of sadness, but they will lift.

It might take a day, or a week, or a month, or a year.

It might require lots of talking or leaning on the ones who love you. It might take finding new rhythms of discipline and painting a new picture of living. It might take medication. It might require finding a therapist. It might mean letting go of new friendships and embracing the new ones. It might mean saying “no” more. It might mean saying “yes,” too. It might take a significant, massive, gigantic shift — or it might take a million little ones.

It might be something else entirely.

But whatever it is that will lift your sadness is out there — lean into it.

Stay open to it.

Remember that even though you are sad right now, you’re allowed to feel and be happy once again.
Sharing stories of FCJ Refugee Centre volunteers:
By: Fcj Refugee Centre
Tags: Support, Law, Newcomers, Refugeeswelcome, Refugees

Sharing stories of FCJ Refugee Centre volunteers:

My name is J.P. and I am a 1st year law student at the University of Toronto

Volunteering at FCJ was undoubtedly one of the highlights of my first semester. I can truly say that I’ve never been in a place where so many people are helping others in such critical ways. Each Friday, I observe FCJ staff running educational workshops for youth, meeting with a seemingly constant stream of clients, and liaising over the phone with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada to resolve client issues. It’s easy to get disconnected from real world issues in law school, so I’m very grateful that I’ve been able to watch the staff at FCJ expertly help those with daunting immigration related problems.

Moreover, while other opportunities for beginner law students often only involve clerical work, at FCJ I’ve had the opportunity each shift to handle real files for real clients. While this prospect seemed overwhelming at first, the FCJ staff does an amazing job preparing volunteers. It started at orientation when Francisco thoroughly explained the ins and outs of refugee advocacy. Each week, Diana clearly explains to me the approach I should take on a file, and Devyn, the staff lawyer, expertly synthesizes case law that is always of great assistance. Finishing my first written appeal was an incredibly exciting and rewarding experience and I am very excited to continue volunteering in the coming months!
Why We Must Address Homelessness
By: Brendan Cutuli
Tags: Help, Support, Veterans, Food, Homeless

The National Alliance to End Homelessness performed a national estimate that reached 553,742 people that were experiencing homelessness in the United States.

Whether you are living in the city or a town, I can imagine you must have had one experience thus far with a homeless individual. Imagine one experience you have had with one of these individuals, whether it be positive or negative.

Unfortunately a high rate of our homeless population do tend to be veterans and have no way of seeking a way to live a normal lifestyle. This creates an area where we can play a small part and lend a helping hand to these individuals when we have the opportunity to do so.

I have had multiple experiences with aims to assist the homeless population through two different organizations: Hashtag Lunchbag and Rescuing Leftover Cuisine. These have both been positive experiences, in which I was able to provide help in providing food for the homeless within areas of New York and Boston.

Hashtag Lunchbag is an organization that offers group get togethers, where you make personal lunches for the homeless population. The second half of the session is where you pass out the lunches to those in your surrounding area. An asking donation of $10 a person can be found as you enter the event. Check their website here to find events near you!

Rescuing Leftover Cuisine is an organization that helps distribute leftover food at restaurants and businesses that are brought to homeless shelters. The company offers you the opportunity to be the facilitator of this food to help rescue more food here. The volunteers raised close to 800,000 pounds of food in 2017 alone.

My reason to bring up these companies is for the awareness but as well for the opportunity for you to get involved. These opportunities can take a maximum of two to three hours out of your week for once a month or upwards of weekly. Find out how you would enjoy helping reduce food waste and feeding those less fortunate than yourself.
Making a Big Difference Through Donation….
Tags: Help, Support, Charity, Donations, Ngo

1 GIVING TO CHARITY MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD

Donating to charity is a major mood-booster. The knowledge that you’re helping others is hugely empowering and, in turn, can make you feel happier and more fulfilled. Research has identified a link between making a donation to charity and increased activity in the area of the brain that registers pleasure — proving that as the old adage goes, it really is far better to give than to receive.

2 GIVING TO CHARITY STRENGTHENS PERSONAL VALUES

Why we give, a feeling of social conscience was the most widely-given reason to give to charity. Whatever type of charity work anyone did most of them said, they felt they had a moral duty to use what they had to help others, a sentiment very much rooted in their personal values and principles.

Having the power to improve the lives of others is, to many people, a privilege, and one that comes with its own sense of obligation. Acting on these powerful feelings of responsibility is a great way to reinforce our own personal values and feel like we’re living in a way that is true to our own ethical beliefs.

3 GIVING IS MORE IMPACTFUL THAN EVER

Many people are concerned that their donations to charity may be reduced by tax or administrative costs, preventing the full amount from reaching the people or causes they really want to help. Thankfully there are ways to make the most of every donation to charity.

There are many other ways to give to charity tax-effectively too, such as by donating straight from your salary before tax is deducted through a payroll giving scheme, donating shares to charity or leaving a charitable legacy in your Will. These methods of giving ensure your chosen charities benefit as much as possible from your support.

4 GIVING TO CHARITY INTRODUCES YOUR FRIENDS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF GENEROSITY.

Sharing the experience of donating to charity with your friends and especially your children shows them from a young age that they can make positive changes in the world. Children naturally love to help others, so nurturing their innate generosity is likely to mean that they grow up with a greater appreciation of what they have, and will carry on supporting charity in years to come.

Starting a tradition of donating to charity with your children is easy — try creating a family donation box that everyone can add to and nominate a family charity each year, involving the children in choosing which causes to support.

Dont wait anymore, just help others who are in need of your support……
How to allow Zendesk Agents to submit tickets as End Users
By: Anna Tsibulskaya
Tags: Zendesk, Support, DevOps

That’s the solution we finally came up with (it’s kinda a sum of some solutions above).

1. We created a proxy link (using a service for shortening links — tiny.cc) and asked everyone to open us tickets only using the link. It was short, nice and easy to remember (tiny.cc allows adding custom path), so there was no problem sharing it.

2. The proxy link pointed to a KB article called “Welcome to Help Center!”.

3. In the theme settings, I choose to edit code and added the following part of jquery to page called “article_page.hbs”:

The script does the following:

- waits for the page to load (in other cases there is no HelpCenter object there)

- checks that the user opened a specific article by its title

- checks the role of the user: if the user is Agent (with manager role in Guide) — it means such user has permissions for preview mode, so the script sets cookies required for preview as end-user; if the user is Light Agent (they don’t have permissions for preview) — the script logs out the user and redirects to a page to log in with different user (end-user); if user is already an end-user — the script just redirects the user to page with form to open tickets.

The flow is complicated and ugly, but it works great for users and all the login/re-login/check user things are happening under the hood so the biggest problem that the user sees — it’s just a bit of latency.

This fix covered for us fully flows for Admins, Agents and End users and only partially covered an issue with Light Agents (because they are able now to open tickets as end-users, but sometimes get errors while trying to access any pages agents would have). In order to fix the last part of the flow, I added a code to file called “error_page.hbs” — it renders a page in the bottom of the page with the text “Want to try to see this page as Agent?” and it also does log out and redirects to the page to log in as an agent.
My Story :)
By: Michaela Davitt
Tags: Support, Infertility, Anxiety, Depression, Awareness

Hello and thanks for reading! I started this journey as a way to get feelings out in a judgement free zone. It seems that no matter who you talk to, someone always has something negative to respond with. So are they really supporting you or judging you? I can never tell anymore. Anyway, enough of my ranting. My name is Michaela. I am 23 years old from a small town in Pennsylvania. I have been with my husband, Francis for 7 years- 2 of which we have been married. When we are both not working , we love spending time with our 2 American Bully dogs Scarlett and Yogi.

Around 3 years ago, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. This is something I am still struggling to accept but each day gets better and better. Fast forward to December of 2019, Francis and I decided we wanted to expand our family. We were so excited for a tiny baby to be around. I cannot tell you the amount of dreams I had where I could see a baby near one of us. Here I am tearing up just reliving those feelings. Here we are April of 2021, and we still have no baby. Dealing with mental illness is hard enough but add in infertility and things seem so impossible. Hence the blog, I need something that is not going to biased, that is raw and real. I know this journey won’t be easy but I hope by doing this I will also help someone is struggling as well.

Michaela
I am not alone.
By: Umzila Kawulandelwa
Tags: Support, Loss And Healing, Lovestory, Enduring Love, Grace

Over this past (glorious) weekend we were all sleeping by the fire place all 4 of us snuggled up nicely. My boyfriend and I had this thing of searching for each other’s hands in our sleep and we’d grab hold of each other once our hands found each other. It was just something we did. Our hands always found each other.

Apparently on Saturday night while fast asleep my hand started searching. They had never witnessed it but I’d told them about it. One of the twin aunties grabbed hold of my hand and I carried on sleeping. I keep thinking of that tiny incident and smiling each time when I think of it cos I feel seen. So seen.

One of the most amazing things I’ve witnessed since the passing of my angel is just how much love I am surrounded by. It feels like my life is the dark sky of the night and all my people are the stars shining so effortlessly.

In my language we say “lingadinwa lak’sasa” which loosely translated means “May you never tire of doing good”. That’s all I have to say to my people. Lingadinwa lak’sasa. I’m so surrounded by love it blows my mind. My angel’s love multiplied. In a previous post I remember writing that we loved like we were not confined in our bodies. He is no longer confined in his body and so his love is roaming freely now. Wild and free. Like the ocean.

I am so grateful for all of this and more. So so grateful. My healing journey is filled with so much grace and ease. I am not alone. I feel this pain only in a way I can but I’m being held with so much love and care.
Why do people take the man’s side?
By: Lyndie Dempsey
Tags: Marriage, Support, Relationships, Disrespect, Grieving

I lost my soulmate in December a few years ago and my male friend lost his wife 9 months earlier.

I don’t understand people.

On the day that he lost his wife. He told me that he loved me and wants to marry me. I was so annoyed and upset because his wife had just died and my husband was ill and alive. I thought it was disrespectful to both spouses.

When my husband died, I was heartbroken. My friend said again that he loved me and wanted to marry me. He was drunk both times. (No excuse)

I lost my temper.

Most people thought that my male friend was grieving and needed company and that he hasn't done anything wrong.

People don’t realise that he was being disrespectful to his wife and my husband. Also, people were joking that he was my boyfriend.

When I mentioned to people that I was upset. They generally replied that he was grieving and he needs support. What people don't realise, he was trying to take advantage of a grieving widow at my weakest time.

No one seems to be concerned for the grieving widow. Luckily I am very strong emotional and enjoy my independence.

People seem to be more worried and concerned about the man and ignore the female’s feeling or needs.

I am still friends with him, but I won’t give him hugs. I hug other people. I won’t allow people to say we are boyfriend/ girlfriend.

He has accepted that we will be only friends and no more.

Society expectations seem to differ for men and women. I hope in the future that it changes.
Protsahan Covid-19 Emergency Relief
By: Virya Foundation
Tags: Covid 19, Support, Dance

On January 21, Riya Bhatia, founder of Virya Foundation, led a Dance Movement Therapy Workshop at the Fremont Senior Center. The workshop, started with a short meditation to center the room and bring participants minds to the present moment. She then explained the benefits of DMT and how she uses Kathak to help individuals improve physical and emotional wellbeing. She also performed a dance sequence to showcase Kathak Yoga, demonstrating the therapeutic elements of Kathak.

The seniors at the center were mesmerized by Bhatia’s elegant performance. Smiles and applause filled the room. Afterwards, many seniors donated to Virya Foundation which raised more than $250. This money was sent to Protsahan Indian Foundation’s Emergency Relief for daily wagers to deliver dry ration relief packs directly to families drastically affected by Covid-19. Each relief package contains 10 kg wheat flour, 10 kg rice, 1 liter cooking oil, salt, spices, sugar, soap, and detergent, and costs Rs. 1120 ($14.86) per pack. Virya Foundation was able to help about 18 families through the money they raised from the workshop at the Senior Center.

If you would like to donate to Protsahan Indian foundation, please visit http://covid19.viryafoundation.com/ to see how you can support families during these unprecedented times. Every donation helps!
Lockdown: A Prison Protocol
By: Aastha Ojha
Tags: Support, Apathy, Ignorance, Coronavirus, Lockdown

A formal definition of the word “lockdown”- a state of isolation or restricted access instituted as a security measure.

Given the current circumstances in which an unprecedented virus is sweeping the globe and wreaking havoc, I think we, that is, India as a country, are doing a great job at battling this pandemic. That is not to say that other countries are failing at outsmarting the unwelcome guest, but rather that I would like to talk about India today.

The first lockdown began on the 24th of March 2020. To say it was unexpected would be an understatement. Praises for India’s early action rang globally. But this was necessary. Without a lockdown the 1.3 billion+ population of India would be suffering tragic losses. The constant movement around the roughly 3.3 million km² area of land would result in an uncontrollable spread of a virus that had befuddled some of the greatest scientists. It would be one of the greatest catastrophes.

Initially everyone seemed to be co-operating; the people were following the lockdown.

Nonetheless, protests raged across the United States of America. Misinformation and mindless forwarding of messages as well as misinterpretation of media led to this violent outrage. Mind you, it wasn’t only the USA that was suffering from this lack of co-operation. Here are some headlines for your perusal:

Ten arrested and police officer injured at protest against Victoria’s Covid-19 lockdown laws

(source)

German conspiracists protest against coronavirus lockdown

(source)

These were just a few among a sea of protests. A terrifying reality is made clear with the following headline:

Armed protesters demonstrate against Covid-19 lockdown at Michigan capitol

(source)

In a trice, another definition of “lockdown” was doing the rounds- the confining of prisoners to their cells, typically in order to regain control during a riot.

People felt like they were prisoners, stripped of their basic rights. Although the majority of the population stayed home, a few ignorant individuals took to the streets to protest against the lockdown and in turn, foil the efforts of the corona warriors. The corona warriors being the frontline workers, and all the selfless people putting their own lives at risk to save countless others. All the people working tirelessly, with no concept of time, exhausted beyond relief and still giving their all.

To all those apathetic, misinformed humans-

Do those workers, those doctors, those nurses, those policemen/women, (etc.), not have a life? A family to be there for in such terrifying times? Are the scientists researching the virus just plain stupid? Have the lives of families dealing with deaths due to the coronavirus not been changed irrevocably?

Finally, in an increasingly capitalistic world in which our sole purpose seems to be to serve the economy, do you really think countries globally would go on a complete lockdown and risk losing substantial amounts of revenue?

Do you?

The words of a coronavirus survivor.

(definitions from the Oxford Dictionary)