Ward 4 cleanup topic of meeting
The monthly meeting of the Family Community Development Corp. will be today at 6 p.m. at the FCDC, 1001 N. Palm St. Mayor Shirley Washington or her appointee will be the featured guest to discuss the proposed cleanup of Ward 4. “Come out and be a part of this very worthwhile meeting,” a spokesman said.
Altheimer resident on Dean’s list
Sunni Jo Shelton of Altheimer was named to the spring 2024 Dean’s List at Rhodes College in Memphis. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must be enrolled in at least 16 credits of academic work and achieve a semester grade point average of 3.70 or better, according to a news release.
Area Agency tells menu
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas is serving lunches from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays at the senior centers. Next week’s menu includes:
July 1 — Chicken and broccoli quiche, salad with low-fat dressing, Hawaiian fruit, bread stick, and milk.
July 2 — Open face roast beef with gravy on wheat bread, mashed potatoes, green beans, dump cake, and milk.
July 3 — Chef salad with low-fat dressing, fruit, crackers, brownie, and milk.
July 4 — Closed for 4th of July.
July 5 — Marinated chicken breast, pea and cheese salad, marinated tomato and cucumber, creamsicle pie, and milk. Details: Strachota Senior Center, (870) 543-6323.
Simmons among Forbes’ Best-In-State
Simmons Bank announced Tuesday it has been named to Forbes America’s Best-In-State Banks 2024 in Tennessee. The ranking names the institutions that stood out for fulfilling the unique financial needs and expectations of their local communities thereby being most valued by residents of each state, according to a news release.
“This recognition by Forbes is a testament to the outstanding team we have at Simmons, as well as affirmation of the work we do each day to provide our customer and the communities we serve with value-added financial products and services,” said Jay Brogdon, president of Simmons Bank, which is headquartered in Pine Bluff.
“Simmons has served as a trusted financial advisor for more than 120 years and we are proud to build on the legacy of excellence that has been part of the Simmons Bank story since our founding in 1903,” he said.
Simmons has also been recognized on Forbes’ list of World’s Best Banks (2023), America’s Best Midsize Employers (2023), World’s Best Banks (2022), America’s Best Bank (2022), World’s Best Banks (2021), America’s Best Banks (2021), America’s Best Employers By State (2020), and World’s Best Banks (2020).
Group wants to honor cancer survivors
The Annual Breast Cancer Event in Memory of Billie Jean “BJ” Jackson seeks breast cancer survivors to honor.
“As a tribute to your indomitable spirit, we are hosting a special fashion show on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, dedicated to celebrating and honoring you,” according to a StuffinTheBluff.com.
The event will take place at 10 a.m. at Grace & Mercy Missionary Baptist Church, 5103 W. Malcomb St. The event is presented in memory of Billie Jean “BJ” Jackson. The theme is Survivors Rockin’ The Runway for “BJ.”
“If you are a breast cancer survivor, please reach out to us. We would be deeply honored to have you walk the runway, share your story, and inspire others with your triumph,” according to the news release.
Vendors, music, raffles and more will also be featured during this program.
Those interested in modeling should call (870) 872-6485 or send an email to info@stuffinthebluff.com by July 10.
Blue & You offer mental health grants
In an effort to improve access to quality care for Arkansans struggling with mental health challenges, the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas will award grants ranging from $5,000 to $200,000 to organizations seeking to fund behavioral health programs.
The grant cycle opens July 1 and the foundation plans to fund $1 million in grants, according to a news release.
“Three years ago, the Blue & You Foundation made a commitment to improving the mental well-being of Arkansas communities, including access to quality, affordable care,” said Foundation President Rebecca Pittillo. “Since then, we have awarded over $14 million to groups around the state that are changing lives today.”
Former grant recipients include the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County. Last year, the Club was awarded $150,000 to launch Project Mindful Matters, establishing professional counseling services for underserved youth.
“We cannot thank the Blue & You Foundation enough for their partnership and support in helping solve the youth mental health crisis in our community,” said Matt Taliaferro, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County. “With this funding, we created Project Mindful Matters, a groundbreaking initiative designed to increase access to critical youth mental health services and foster resilience among the 800 youth we serve every day. The impact was immediate and has absolutely transformed our organization.”
Programs should focus on providing at least one of the following: Access to quality mental healthcare; Awareness, education and outreach; Crisis care; Early intervention; Mental health innovation; Assistance with substance use disorder; Suicide prevention; Preventative behavioral healthcare.
To be considered for grant funding, applicants must submit a letter of intent to blueandyoufoundationarkansas.org between July 1-12.
To qualify for a grant, applicants should be a 501(c)(3) charitable organization; a public school, college or university; or a city, county or state governmental agency. Applicants will be notified by email on July 26 if their letter of intent is approved and the application process is open to the organization. Award notifications will be emailed Nov. 5.