Latest news with #LatinX
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Pulse memorial gets $5 million pledge from Florida's Orange County
ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County commissioners unanimously pledged $5 million today to support the city of Orlando's plan to build a memorial to Pulse, honoring its victims and survivors at the site of the former LGBTQ nightclub as the ninth anniversary of the horrific massacre approaches this month. The decision followed a presentation of the proposed memorial, on which construction would begin next summer. It marked another step forward for a remembrance effort that began as a privately led campaign, collapsed amid infighting and misspending, and is being carried forward now by government agencies and public dollars. 'It's time that there is a memorial,' said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, who was the sheriff when a lone gunman opened fire during Latin Night at the club on Orange Avenue on June 12, 2016. 'None of us thought that it would take nine years to get to this point and we can't go back and relitigate all of the failures along the way that have happened, but what we can do is control how we move forward together.' Demings said he did not want the county to be an obstacle to a memorial. The rampage at the club killed 49 people, wounded 53 others and at the time was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Demings asked the capacity audience inside the commission chambers Tuesday to pause for a moment of silence at the beginning of the meeting, then described the proposed memorial as an appropriate tribute to the people and the diverse communities affected by tragedy. Heather Fagan, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer's chief of staff, lauded the county's pledge as another step in the healing process. Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan urged her counterparts on the county board to help the community move forward. 'I can never forget the screams of the relatives on Orange Avenue as they found out their children and family members were victims. It haunts me to this day, but I also remember how our community came together, city and county to assist the victims and their families,' she told county commissioners. 'I got to know 38 of the 49 families, and they want their loved ones remembered.' As she spoke, Sheehan clutched a rainbow rosary, a gift from Teresa Jacobs, county mayor when the tragedy occurred. 'You have an opportunity to be part of the healing,' Sheehan said. 'This didn't just impact the gay community. There were members of the LatinX community, the African-American community, there were straight allies who were murdered that day. It's important for us to remember all those beautiful people who simply wanted to dance.' The city sought county funds to help design and build a memorial — estimated to cost $12 million — and has itself pledged more than half the anticipated bill. Orlando took over the memorial effort in late 2023 amid the messy collapse of the private onePulse foundation, oversaw a recently concluded citizens' design process, and has promised to complete the structure by the end of 2027. Created to design a memorial, the onePulse Foundation shut down after spending most of the millions it raised to defray its own lavish expenses, including hundreds of thousands of dollars paid to high-priced architects and consultants. Mayra Alvear, whose daughter Amanda, died at Pulse, said a completed memorial has much to offer Central Florida. 'This memorial will provide solace, a place for reflection, contemplation … a special place for years to come,' she said. _____
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Pulse memorial gets $5 million pledge from Orange County
Orange County commissioners unanimously pledged $5 million today to support the city of Orlando's plan to build a memorial to Pulse, honoring its victims and survivors at the site of the former LGBTQ nightclub as the ninth anniversary of the horrific massacre approaches this month. The decision followed a presentation of the proposed memorial, on which construction would begin next summer. It marked another step forward for a remembrance effort that began as a privately led campaign, collapsed amid infighting and misspending, and is being carried forward now by government agencies and public dollars. 'It's time that there is a memorial,' said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, who was the sheriff when a lone gunman opened fire during Latin Night at the club on Orange Avenue on June 12, 2016. 'None of us thought that it would take nine years to get to this point and we can't go back and relitigate all of the failures along the way that have happened, but what we can do is control how we move forward together.' Demings said he did not want the county to be an obstacle to a memorial. The rampage at the club killed 49 people, wounded 53 others and at the time was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Demings asked the capacity audience inside the commission chambers Tuesday to pause for a moment of silence at the beginning of the meeting, then described the proposed memorial as an appropriate tribute to the people and the diverse communities affected by tragedy. Heather Fagan, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer's chief of staff, lauded the county's pledge as another step in the healing process. Orlando City Council welcomes new design for Pulse Memorial Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan urged her counterparts on the county board to help the community move forward. 'I can never forget the screams of the relatives on Orange Avenue as they found out their children and family members were victims. It haunts me to this day, but I also remember how our community came together, city and county to assist the victims and their families,' she told county commissioners. 'I got to know 38 of the 49 families, and they want their loved ones remembered.' As she spoke, Sheehan clutched a rainbow rosary, a gift from Teresa Jacobs, county mayor when the tragedy occurred. 'You have an opportunity to be part of the healing,' Sheehan said. 'This didn't just impact the gay community. There were members of the LatinX community, the African-American community, there were straight allies who were murdered that day. It's important for us to remember all those beautiful people who simply wanted to dance.' The city sought county funds to help design and build a memorial — estimated to cost $12 million — and has itself pledged more than half the anticipated bill. Orlando took over the memorial effort in late 2023 amid the messy collapse of the private onePulse foundation, oversaw a recently concluded citizens' design process, and has promised to complete the structure by the end of 2027. Created to design a memorial, the onePulse Foundation shut down after spending most of the millions it raised to defray its own lavish expenses, including hundreds of thousands of dollars paid to high-priced architects and consultants. Orlando seeks $5 million from Orange County for Pulse memorial; some commissioners are hesitant Mayra Alvear, whose daughter Amanda, died at Pulse, said a completed memorial has much to offer Central Florida. 'This memorial will provide solace, a place for reflection, contemplation…a special place for years to come,' she said. shudak@
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A new Pride event is coming to Boise. Here's when, where and why
When Meridian resident Joel Camacho came out to his family at age 14, they weren't the happiest people, he recalled. Now, over two decades later, his mom will attend Boise's first LatinX Pride, an event that Camacho is helping to plan and arrange. Camacho, the lead organizer and head of fundraising, said he wants the inaugural LatinX Pride to be a space for families to heal. And although polls show the term LatinX is unpopular within the Latino community, he said the goal is simply to make all people feel included. 'I want to create a space for more older Latino generations to come and celebrate their gay uncles or gay sons or gay brothers or gay dads,' Camacho said. 'It's hard for us to feel that our entire self is being celebrated because there's a piece that's missing, and that is our Latino heritage.' LatinX Pride is free to attend and will take place May 31 at Cecil D. Andrus Park across from the Idaho Capitol, on the eve of Pride Month. Anyone is welcome to come, whether they are LGBTQ+ or Latino, Camacho said. Attendees will find a wealth of food, including empanadas, Caribbean dishes, tacos, quesadillas and more, Camacho said. The theme is 'La Diáspora,' or the diaspora. Camacho said it recognizes that Latinos come from many different backgrounds, different countries, and different racial identities or religious affiliations. 'There's no one-size-fits-all,' Camacho said. 'There's no one face.' Boise Mayor Lauren McLean will deliver the keynote speech. Idaho's LGBTQ+ community is at a crossroads, said Amanda Bladt, who is co-head of safety and volunteers for LatinX Pride. Idaho's Republican legislators continue to introduce anti-LGBTQ+ bills, they said, such as a memorial asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn gay marriage. Bladt identifies as genderqueer. Bladt said many LGBTQ+ Idahoans are trying to determine whether they should even stay in the Gem State. 'We want to have these amazing and joyful experiences that really celebrate the history of our communities,' Bladt said. 'LatinX Pride is about an intersection.' Although June is Pride Month, the Boise Pride Festival has made a permanent move to September, so that students who might be out of town in the summer have a chance to attend while school is in session. In particular, organizers have said it helps the Boise State LGBTQ+ community. Boise adds two official flags in latest jab at Legislature's new law Boise-area sheriff criticizes a new Idaho law he says police can't enforce
USA Today
11-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- USA Today
Get the prettiest Mother's Day flowers delivered without breaking the bank
Get the prettiest Mother's Day flowers delivered without breaking the bank Start planning your Mother's Day surprise now and save up to 50% at 1-800-Flowers. With Mother's Day coming up on Sunday, May 11, now is the time to figure out the perfect gifts for mom! And thanks to 1-800-Flowers, sending mom a beautiful flower arrangement right to her doorstep doesn't have to cost a fortune. Beyond the convenience of fast delivery, 1-800-Flowers has a variety of bouquets and plants to suit all different tastes and budgets. Whether your mom prefers classic roses, vibrant lilies or cheerful sunflowers, you can likely find something that will bring a smile to her face. Plus, many of their arrangements can be customized with extra touches like chocolates or a heartfelt card, making your Mother's Day gift even more personal! Shop popular Mother's Day flowers at 1-800-Flowers It is never too late: You can get same-day delivery on select Mother's Day flowers from 1-800-Flowers. Two Dozen Red Roses for Mother's Day More: Gifts she'll love: Save 15% on timeless Mother's Day jewelry at Angara Mother's Day Radiant Tulips More: 🌼 Joanna Gaines just dropped a new Hearth & Hand with Magnolia spring line at Target! Mother's Day Butterfly Kisses Sweet Spring Lilies for Mother's Day More: 🪴 Cultivate joy with the best Mother's Day gift ideas for gardeners Blissful Blooming Hydrangea More: HexClad's exclusive Mother's Day cookware sets are up to $1,456 off 🔥 When is Mother's Day 2025? Mother's Day is always the second Sunday of May. This year, that falls on Sunday, May 11. But, in case you're wondering why your LatinX friends celebrate differently, Mexican Mother's Day (Dia de las Madres) lands on May 10—which happens to be a Saturday this year! So, it's a perfect way to celebrate Mom all weekend long! What are all the delivery options available for 1-800-Flowers? 1-800-Flowers provides fast delivery options to suit your schedule this Mother's Day. With a wide network of local florists and nationwide carriers like FedEx, UPS and the USPS, 1-800-Flowers is one of the most trusted retailers to deliver Mother's Day flowers and gifts on time.
Business Journals
02-05-2025
- Health
- Business Journals
Using AI for good: Advancing health equity and saving lives
For all its power to transform administration and innovation, AI can revolutionize equity and access to care and become a force for good in the medical field. At Intersect 2025, San Francisco General Hospital Foundation (SFGHF) CEO Kim Meredith sat down with Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG) Cardiologist Dr. Lucas Zier for the breakout panel, 'Using AI for Good: Advancing Health Equity and Saving Lives.' Sponsored by the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation, this presentation discussed the incredible results AI has already created here in San Francisco, including the reduction of heart failure readmission rates by 13 percent and mortality rates by six percent. The panels also discussed the potential of public-private partnerships and ways to deal with constricted federal funding. Through the Zuckerberg Patient Care and Quality Improvement Fund (ZPCQI), SFGHF has invested in Zier's research as co-founder and director of the PROSPECT Lab at ZSFG (Pioneering Research and Organizational Solutions to Promote Equitable Care through Technology) — the digital innovation team at the city's public hospital. 'Our foundation represents the potential of public-private partnership, bringing private support for this public institution. We are investing in new technologies, especially AI,' Meredith says. The patients at ZSFG are extremely diverse, making equity of access to treatment a priority. According to Meredith, 'About 40 percent of our patients are from the LatinX community, 20 percent from the Asian American community, and 15 percent are from the African American community. And more than 90 percent of all our patients benefit from some sort of public assistance.' Zier serves as Director of Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes at ZSFG and an Associate Professor at UCSF. His work with the PROSPECT Lab began in 2017, 'not because of some major technological breakthrough, but to solve a problem in our system. We had major challenges with heart failure care, particularly with elevated readmission rates. Inequities led to elevated mortality rates,' Zier explains. 'These issues put us at risk of losing $1.2 million per year of public funding.' The PROSPECT Lab initially developed AI pilots which were successful, but not scalable across ZSFG. 'We built an integrated AI model to identify our highest-risk heart failure patients with basic machine learning,' Zier says. By tailoring risk prediction to suggest specific actions, the PROSPECT Lab team reduced readmission rates by 13 percent and mortality rates by 6 percent. The new AI-driven model also eliminated significant equity gaps in outcomes for African American heart failure patients. 'By meeting the readmission metrics and retaining $1.2 million a year in public funding, we've saved the health system almost $8 million in total,' Zier says. This success has made Zier a national leader in AI and medical equity. ZSFG recently hosted leaders from 15 public hospitals across the US, including Parkland Hospital in Dallas and Grady Hospital in Atlanta, to share this new approach to saving lives. Describing what makes the Prospect Lab so unique, Zier says, 'We had a clear problem we were trying to solve, and a clear plan for improving ROI. My lab is very bullish about machine learning and AI, though we understand that we can't just flag who is high risk but must link those patients to specific workflows and plans. For example, we identified that our patients who had heart failure and were using methamphetamines were at considerable risk. So, we developed the Heart Plus clinic staffed with both heart failure and addiction medicine specialists.' The PROSPECT Lab owes much of its success to a combination of public and private funding, which Meredith endorses as a key component to successfully integrating innovation and healthcare. 'When I think of scaling, my first instinct is to start with private philanthropy,' she says, 'then work with public institutions and government to expand across the country.' Even with interest in AI at an all-time high, the current political climate poses challenges to any healthcare research, especially regarding equity and inclusion. 'Funding for health equity research is at risk right now, so other sources, including philanthropy, can step in,' says Zier. 'Health systems should not be deploying large-scale tools without a pilot to demonstrate efficacy. By starting small and expanding, researchers and providers can build the organizations they need.' The PROSPECT Lab is a case study for how AI and machine learning, when applied strategically, can make an enormous difference for healthcare providers and patients alike, even when equity is out of favor with regulators. For their visionary work, ZSFG and the PROSPECT Lab received the Bernard J. Tyson National Award for Excellence in Pursuit of Healthcare Equity in 2024. 'This project took ZSFG from the worst performing safety health system in California to one of the best, if not the very best,' says Zier.
