Sophia Tewa, a recent graduate of both Lehman College and the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, has won the award for Best Documentary Feature at the Winter 2012 Hollywood Cinema Film Festival for "The People the Rain Forgot."

The film explores the drastic impact of climate change on the agricultural areas of northern Kenya, where once-fertile lands are slowly turning into deserts. No rain has fallen in that area in the past four years, affecting the lives of millions of residents.

"Without rain, most Kenyan communities basically can’t survive," explains Tewa. "I wanted to raise awareness on this issue and how it is linked to climate change. I think it is important for all generations to know that we are already seeing the disastrous effect climate change has on some of the world’s most vulnerable populations."

The Hollywood Cinema Film Festival showcases domestic and international films from talented independent filmmakers. Winners of this year's awards were announced on Jan. 10, and works will be screened on Jan. 18.

A multilingual journalism major at Lehman, Tewa produced the film over the course of six months. While at Lehman, she served as news editor of the student newspaper, completed internships at WCBS News and ABC News, and was a producer - reporter for Bronxnet, a municipal cable access station. In her senior year, she was one of 12 campus video correspondents selected nationwide to report for "CNNU," a section of the CNN website that reports on news and trends from college campuses, and also interned at the 24-hour cable news station NY1.

She graduated from Lehman with honors in 2008 and as a member of Golden Key Honor Society. In graduate school, she spent a summer as an editorial intern for the "New Indian Express" newspaper in Chennai, India. After earning her master's in 2010, she worked at WCBS-TV.

Information about the film is available at http://thepeopletherainforgot.com  and about the festival at http://hollywoodcff.com/2012_Winners_(Winter).html

Union Community Health Center recently recognized the academic achievements of its Fordham Plaza pediatric patients as part of its Academic Challenge.

At the start of the 2011-2012 school year, the Pediatrics Department at Union Community Health Center’s Fordham Plaza location encouraged its patients in grades K-12 to sign up to participate in its Academic Challenge. Eighty students accepted the challenge. For the first part of the challenge, participating students brought their report cards in to be reviewed at the end of the year. 

This past Jan., 5th, the top pediatric patients were recognized for their achievements, and were presented certificates of achievement, as well as gift cards as a prize for their hard work. Three patients, Jordinia Reyes (K-5), Taj Richard (6-8) and Juan Devalle (9-12) were recognized for their Best Academic Performance. Two other students, Adama Diouf and Rafael Castillo, were recognized for Best Attendance.

“Every child needs a cheerleader,” said Dr. Janine Clark Adjo, MD, Pediatric Site Director at Union Community Health Center’s Fordham Plaza location. “Union Community Health Center’s Fordham Plaza Pediatrics chose a fantastic way to cheerlead for the children in the community, by honoring their academic achievements.”

“Union Community Health Center was so pleased to recognize the talents and dedication of our pediatric patients,” said Douglas L. York, Union Community Health Center’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our mission is to improve the healthcare and lives of residents of the Bronx. Encouraging students to challenge themselves academically is just one way we hope to positively impact our pediatric patients.”

Union Community Health Center pediatric patients have already started to sign up for the second half of the Academic Challenge. In June, students will be recognized for Best Academic Performance, Best Attendance and Most Improved Academic Performance. Last July, Union Community Health Center added Pediatric Services at its Fordham Plaza location. The pediatric services for children ages 0-21 years old offered include: physical exams; sports participation exams; exams for teenage employment; vaccines; screening for depression; screening for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); pregnancy testing; screening for sexually transmitted diseases; and, contraception. 

For more information on the Academic Challenge and Union Health Community Center, please visit www.uchcbronx.org or call 718.220.2020.

This past Tues., Jan. 17th, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC, the nation’s oldest and largest youth mentoring organization, to celebrate National Mentoring Month by declaring January “Mentoring Month” in the Bronx.

Little Brother Brian was on hand to receive a proclamation from Borough President Diaz.Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC, launched its 2012 city-wide mentor recruiting effort this week as part of National Mentoring Month, to inspire adults throughout New York City, particularly men, for whom there is a greater need, to volunteer as mentors to children in need of positive role models.

Writing Workshop at Barnes and Noble Bay Plaza

This Fri., January 20th,  the Bronx Writers Center and Barnes & Noble Bay Plaza present a free writing workshop at Barnes & Noble Bay Plaza (290 Baychester Avenue in the Co-op City section of the Bronx), from 7:00-9:00pm.

“Resolved to Write: Transforming Your Dreams into Goals” is one of a series of free workshops for aspiring writers held every third Friday of the month at Barnes & Noble Bay Plaza.

Have you been writing your novel or screenplay in secret, stealing away time from your work, family and friends? Now is the time to commit to your project and to break through to that place where inspiration meets motivation.

The workshop includes hands-on writing exercises, discussion of structure, story-telling and voice, and a Q&A with the instructor Maria Romano, Director of the Bronx Writers Center. Bring a notebook, a pen and your creative ideas!

Poetry Writing Workshop with BRIO winner Sarah Stern

On Sat., January 21st and 28th, the Bronx Writers Center presents “Poetry with Sarah Stern”, a free two-part poetry writing workshop at Hostos Community College (450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx), from 11:00am-12:30pm.

Do you think in metaphor and rhyme? Do you scribble verse in a notebook when no one is watching? Do you yearn to meet other poets and find support for your poetry habit?  Is 2012 the year that you will make your writing dreams into goals?

Emerging and beginning poets are encouraged to attend this two-part writing workshop led by an award-winning poet. Sarah Stern, four-time winner of BCA’s BRIO award, published poet and journalist, will lead the small group in discussion and writing exercises that will inspire and motivate. Participants should bring a notebook and pencils.

Seating is limited. Reservations are required.

Writing Sessions at the Hutch Metro Center

On Thurs., January 26th and February 9th, the Bronx Writers Center and the Hutchinson Metro Center present free writing workshops in the Conference Room near the Hutch Metro Cafe (1200 Waters Place, between Eastchester Road & Westchester Avenue), from 12:30-1:00pm. Both sessions are led by Bronx Writers Center Director Maria Romano. Ms. Romano is an award-winning writer, a teacher and a veteran of the publishing industry.

On January 26th, “Resolved to Write in 2012” is a free hands-on writing session for all writers (even the secret writers) who are ready to work on a memoir, novel, poetry, screenplay or even a blog. This quick session will give you a few tools to inspire, invigorate and motivate you to tell your story. Bring pen and paper. Space is limited.

On February 9th, “Write for Your Life” is a free hands-on writing session for all writers (even the secret writers) who want to share their personal stories with their families, friends and even strangers with money. Techniques for accessing detailed memories and shaping a memoir are shared. Bring pen and paper. Space is limited.