Recent Events
BodyTalk
ParentTalk
KosherTalk
Body Diversity
Upcoming Events
Eileen Fisher Shopping Day a Huge Success
Medical Stipends
A Chance to Heal in the Community
A Chance to Heal in the News
New Curriculum Committee
A Chance to Heal Welcomes
Legislative Action
Remember A Chance to Heal in Your Holiday Giving
Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair, Director of Education and Prevention, Klarman Eating Disorders Center at Harvard Medical School, served as the keynote speaker for a day long symposium on preventing eating disorders in our youth. 115 representatives from area schools, private practices, and non-profits such as the Mazzoni Center, Food Trust, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters participated in this interactive training.
Dr. Steiner-Adair use audience volunteers to model how to use her curriculum, Full of Ourselves. She explained how prevalent "weightism" and "ageism" (discriminating based on age or weight) are and what participants can do to dispel myths about weight and nutrition and encourage a positive body image. Many schools and organizations sent teams of people (coaches, teachers, counselors, and nurses) and committed to incorporating key concepts from bodyTalk into their school programming. According to post-workshop evaluations, participants left with the ability to promote positive body image.
Thank you to our sponsors: Keystone Mercy Health Plan, Joanna Berwind, Jessica Berwind, Abington Memorial Hospital, Asplundh Foundation, Canyon Ranch for Teens, Leigh Filippini, The Renfrew Center, and Tierney Communications, Remuda Ranch, Saugutuck Energy, LLC, and Sage Communications.
A Chance to Heal hosted a luncheon for Jewish educators which was co-sponsored by Jewish Family and Children's Services of Greater Philadelphia, Moving Traditions, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, Jewish Community Centers of Greater Philadelphia, Kolot, and Mindy and Danny Cohen. At the event, Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair explained that because eating disorders have the highest prevalence rate among Jewish Americans, she created "Bishvili, For Me: A Jewish Guide to Full of Ourselves". Over forty educators and community leaders attended the event at the JCC Kaiserman Branch in Wynnewood.
Joanna Berwind, Shlomit Twersky, Catherine Steiner-Adair, Ivy Silver, and Howard Sitron at the luncheon. Photo courtesy of Michelle Mostovy-Eisenberg.
Liz Werthan and Bob Brand of Mt. Airy graciously opened their home for A Chance to Heal's largest ever ParentTalk event. Approximately forty parents with children of all ages had the opportunity to hear Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair speak about how to raise children in a body conscious world. Dr. Steiner-Adair reminded participants of some simple techniques to increase their son's and daughter's appreciation of themselves, such as:
Thank you to our sponsors: Joanna Berwind, Liz Werthan and Bob Brand, Leigh Filippini, Terri Filler Cohen, Heather Bernhardt and John Walp, Jean Kilbourne, and Karyn Scher.
We are always looking for people who are willing to host a ParentTalk in their home, office or community center. If you would like to attend or host a ParentTalk, email info@achancetoheal.org or call 215.885.2420.
What we would ask of you:
What we provide:
We will provide invitations to hand out, materials for the event and a trained counselor, therapist, or nutritionist to lead a workshop focused on how to raise kids with a healthy relationship to food.
January 13th, 2008 | 4pm
Bryn Athyn, PA - At the home of Martha Pitcairn
January 25th, 2008 | 6:30pm - 9pm
Chestnut Hill, PA - At the home of Joanna Berwind
February 17th, 2008
Bala Cynwyd, PA - At the home of David and Ruth Steinman
On Thursday, November 15th, there was excitement in the air as over 300 people gathered for an unprecedented fashion event. Philadelphia University hosted Body Diversity: Everyone We Know is Beautiful. After a brief reception, an eclectic group of students, parents, and A Chance to Heal supporters gathered in Philadelphia University's Ravenhill Chapel to witness a most unusual fashion show. Student designers had created clothing for people of all shapes, sizes, colors, colors, heights, and ages in four categories. These clothes were modeled by friends, roommates, family members, or the designers themselves. Executives from the fashion industry and two fashion writers served as judges. Before the show, A Chance to Heal worked closely with Philadelpha University to challenge students to think outside the box and create beautiful designs because, after all, "everyone we know is beautiful".
Logo design and concept by Bob Cassella, student at Philadelphia University
February 24 to March 1 is National Eating Disorders Awareness (NEDA) Week with the theme: Be comfortable in your genes. Wear jeans that fit the REAL you. A Chance to Heal is in the process of scheduling events, please contact us at info@achancetoheal.org to get involved or schedule an event at your school or community organization.
A Chance to Heal was the beneficiary of Eileen Fisher's Customer Appreciation Day on September 29. Customers who shopped in the store that day (or pre-shopped that week) received $25 off their purchase and a free tote bag. Eileen Fisher then donated 10% of the proceeds of all sales to A Chance to Heal, a donation of just under $10,000. Volunteers and Board Members helped greet customers, answered questions about A Chance to Heal, and thanked customers for their purchases. The stores were set up with posters about A Chance to Heal, and customers could read information sheets while they shopped.
In addition to their generosity in assisting customers, staff at the Eileen Fisher stores set up a delicious reception of healthy food to welcome their loyal customers and entice new ones into the store to learn more about A Chance to Heal. Volunteers and Board Members were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and dedication of the Eileen Fisher staff to the issues and concerns of A Chance to Heal.
Board Members Colleen O'Brien Etskovitz, Roz Kaplan, Harin Feibish, Joanna Berwind, Ivy Silver, Donna Brennan, Rachel Silver, and Kathy Benn plus volunteers Tina Holland, Maddy Kaplan, and Maggie Juliano and Administrative Director Danie Greenwell spent the day in the Ardmore and King of Prussia stores. These volunteers and board members extend a special thanks to Eileen Fisher employees Yasmine Ba, Peggy Duncan, Carolyn Urbanavage, Claudia Durant, Gail Dubin, Donna Lee, Regina Costa, Harriet Bissey, Kim Austad, Gemina Spady, Sue Charles, Cliché James, Molly Dorais, Lindsay Quinn, Linda Soroka, Nadine Mitchell, and Becky Strause for all their hard work!
Yasmine Ba, Harin Feibish, and Carolyn Urbanavage at the Ardmore Eileen Fisher
EileenFisher.com donated a portion of sales to a charity of their customer's choosing. Based on the online information, A Chance to Heal was the second most selected charity organization nationwide!
Eileen Fisher Ardmore and King of Prussia invited A Chance to Heal back into their store for a No Body's Perfect workshop with Harin Feibish. Topics such as how to promote body image in sons and daughters, how to make friends with troublesome body parts, and how to increase personal body image were intermingled with how to talk to a customer who is critical of their body. The women of Eileen Fisher are in a unique positive to increase positive body image in customers and loved that the program was tailored to meet their needs. If you are interested in hosting or co-hosting a No Body's Perfect in your home, office or community center, email info@achancetoheal.org.
A Chance to Heal awarded $10,000 this year in Medical Stipends. While our mission has changed to focus primarily on prevention and early diagnosis, it is important that we continue to fight for access to care. We receive dozens of phone calls from around the country from families who have reached their yearly maximum on mental health benefits and are looking for more options for treatment. It is very important that the Mental Health Parity Act pass as quickly as possible to increase the number of Americans who are able to continue mental health treatment.
Rachel Silver participated in a panel discussion entitled "Be the Change" at this year's Pennsylvania Governor's Conference for Women held in Philadelphia on November 8, 2007. Over 5000 women attended the conference, including hundreds who stopped by our table to pick up information about A Chance to Heal.
Teenshop hosted a Summer Leadership Residential Program at Bryn Mawr College. As part of their 'She's A Leader' series, they asked prominent successful women in the area to speak each morning. Ivy Silver was asked to talk about her career path, her role as a leader, how she views leadership, how she exercises leadership, and what it takes to be a leader. The young leaders then asked her to bring A Chance to Heal programming to all of Teenshop with a training in the fall.
Flavia Herzog, a noted nutritionist, led a student session at the Academy of the New Church and is scheduled to lead a few more this winter. If your school or youth organization would like more information, please email info@achancetoheal.org.
A Chance to Heal attended the annual PhillyBlocks Conference on September 14th and handed out information to Philadelphia Community Leaders. Thank you to Vicki Swift for staffing A Chance to Heal's information table at the event and to the Institute for the Study of Civic Values for sponsoring the information tables.
A Chance to Heal continues to provide specialized training on early diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Roz Kaplan, Dr. David Steinman, Dr. Jane Shure, and Molly Kellogg teach workshops for physicians, nurses, nutritionists and other health care professionals. Scheduled trainings include 150 nurses and nursing students at Abington Memorial Hospital and Grand Rounds for doctors at Bryn Mawr Hospital and Chestnut Hill Hospital. To schedule a workshop for your health care organization, email info@achancetoheal.org or call 215.885.2420.
NBC10 | November 21, 2007
Local Fashion Show Battles Super-Thin, 'Size-Zero' Culture
NBC10 | November 21, 2007
Battling The Size "O" Culture With Body Diversity
Rox Review | November 20, 2007
Fashion Show at Phila. University challenges definition of beauty-esteem
PhilaU Today November 16, 2007
Body Diversity Fashion Show Celebrates All Shapes and Sizes
ABC News with Tamala Edwards | November 15, 2007
Average is Special at Fashion Show
Pennsylvania Governor's Conference Newsletter | November 2007
Everyone We Know Is Beautiful!
PhilaU Today | October 31, 2007
Students and A Chance to Heal Sponsor Fashion Show to Promote Body Diversity on Nov. 15
Jewish Exponent | October 25, 2007
Educator: In a Body-Focused World, Healthy Self-Images Rule features Dr. Catherine Steiner Adair
Working Mother Magazine (National Publication) | October 2007 | features Rachel and Ivy Silver
Catch It Early
CN8 Newmakers | October 10-16
Interview with Dr. Jane Shure
KYW News Radio | October 15, 2007 | features Ivy Silver
Local Group Wants Body Image Skills Taught in Schools
Chestnut Hill Local | October 18, 2007 | features Harin Feibish
BodyTalk: Conference Will Address Eating Disorders
Complete articles at achancetoheal.org
Starting in July 2007, A Chance to Heal started a curriculum committee to develop our message for use in schools and youth organizations. This committee was formed in response to the many requests we have had for programming for teens and preteens and will predominantly focus on body image, self-talk, and media literacy.
A Chance to Heal's mission includes educating the public, and particularly teachers, on the signs and symptoms of eating disorders. Although, this educational focus is often not an appropriate or effective way to prevent eating disorders in young adults.
In response, the curriculum committee, consisting of professionals in the fields of psychology, education, and nutrition, has put together a curriculum addressing some of the issues that may lead to poor body image and self esteem and ultimately eating disorders. We plan to hold a training in early 2008 and need people who are willing to speak or help facilitate these sessions.
If you are interested in participating on this committee to either work on the curriculum or teach in schools or youth organizations, please email info@achancetoheal.org or call 215.885.2420.
Joanna Berwind as our newest Board Member. Joanna currently serves as a Trustee and Director of the Berwind Group in Philadelphia. Joanna lives in Chestnut Hill and has three children, Shane, Molly, and Sabrina who are in the process of developing a Middle School Advisory Board for A Chance to Heal. Joanna served as the co-chair and leading sponsor of BodyTalk and joined the board in October.
We are in the process of putting together a Strategic Planning Committee including ACTH supporter Leigh Filippini of Concord Management Group, Joanna Berwind and Michael McTigue of Glaxo Smith Kline. To join this or any other committee, please contact info@achancetoheal.org or call 215.885.2420.
Great News! The Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 (S. 558) passed the Senate by unanimous consent on September 18, 2007. The text of the Senate bill has now been referred to the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions. If the bill passes and is signed into law by the President, it will take effect one year from the date of signing.
This bill would prohibit treatment limits on mental health and substance-related disorder benefits in group health plans which are not similarly imposed on substantially all medical and surgical benefits.
Full Mental Health Parity would ensure that many more people who suffer from eating disorders will have a chance for full recovery.
Not sure what to get your special someone for the holidays? A beautiful pod pin ($35-$125) or fun t-shirt ($10) will show them how much you care. Or, make a gift in their honor to A Chance to Heal! All donations are tax-deductible.
Send to: PO Box 2324 | Jenkintown PA 19046, donate online or call 215.885.2420.
A Chance to Heal wishes you a very restful holiday season and a Happy New Year! As many of you know, our pod symbol is represents renewal, recovery, and growth. Here's to a new year full of fresh starts and new opportunities!
