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40 Youth-Led Projects Earn Distinguished National Call for Kindness Prize

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40 Youth-Led Projects Earn Distinguished National Call for Kindness Prize
Environmental Justice, Food Insecurity, and Acts of Service Are Top Themes Among Winners


Early Entrepreneurs, 2023 C4K Winner
The program champions young girls in underserved communities to pursue entrepreneurship.

NEW YORK, May 5, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Riley's Way Foundation just announced its 2023 Call For Kindness winners: 40 outstanding young people (ages 13-22) from across the country whose innovative ideas have granted them entrance into a dynamic leadership fellowship - and up to $3,000 each for their commitment to leading with kindness, empathy, and inclusivity.

"The Call for Kindness inspires and draws in exceptionally gifted young leaders who are driven by a deep passion to make the world a better place," expressed Ian Sandler, Co-Founder and Board Chair of Riley's Way. "These remarkable young leaders hold the key to tackling the world's most pressing issues, and by investing in them, we can help them turn their ideas into reality. Whether they are just beginning to explore or have advanced plans, we strive to support and encourage them to imagine a better future and work tirelessly toward it."

The Call For Kindness projects create a clear blueprint for uplifting communities and bringing hope for a better future. Forty winning social impact projects were chosen from hundreds of applications and came from 20 states. In addition to the general category, this year, Riley's Way selected 10 inspiring projects focusing on environmental justice as young people noted this critical issue.

"The 2023 Call For Kindness winners reflect critical issues top of mind for young people today," shared Dr. Christine O'Connell, Executive Director of Riley's Way. "They answered the call to make a difference, adding to a national movement for kindness."

Along with environmental justice, top themes among the 2023 C4K projects include addressing food insecurity, healthcare advocacy, volunteerism, entrepreneurial skill-building, STEAM, and meeting others' basic needs. A few examples:

Connor's Kindness Project provides specially curated "Kindness Kits" that are delivered to children in hospitals and shelters. And with Princess for a Day, girls in foster care participate in paint parties and other interactive events and activities to ensure they feel special, seen, and loved.

"To me, earning the Call For Kindness means a chance to make an impact," shared 2023 C4K Winner Leigh Foran (IDEA). "This is a chance for me to learn to be a better version of myself while simultaneously making an impact on the world around me." 

In addition to the 2023 Call For Kindness winners, Riley's Way Foundation awarded eighteen continuation grants for previous winners to continue their social impact work.

"As someone who is passionate about using community impact and power to make change, Riley's Way truly supports that," shared Gillian Johnson, 2023 Continuation Grant Winner and Founder of Recovery Meet-Ups.

To learn more about Riley's Way, visit RileysWay.org or support the Movement on Instagram @rileyswayfoundation and Facebook @RileysWayFoundation.

About Riley's Way Foundation

Riley's Way is a national nonprofit that invests in and supports the next generation of kind leaders. They provide young people with the programs, support, and inclusive community they need to thrive as changemakers, including seed funding for social impact projects, coaching and skill-building, networking opportunities, and a peer community.

Riley's Way Foundation 2023 Call For Kindness Winners

Trina Beckwith (she/her), 22, Advocates for Autism Peer Mentorship Program, Binghamton, NY
Through this program, neurodivergent college students mentor young people also on the spectrum. 

David Chen (he/him), 18, and Caroline Gao (she/her), 18, Aster Lit, Duluth, MN
An international youth literary community illuminating diverse voices through a biannual literary magazine, podcast, workshops, and open mics.

Abigail Fixel (she/her), 18, Camp Fixel, Jacksonville, FL
A free, two-week musical theater summer camp for children from low socioeconomic backgrounds and foster children in Jacksonville, FL.

Zoe Taper (she/her), 21, (and team), Camp Nefesh, Sacramento, CA
Provides a fun, free summer day camp experience for refugee children and helps them and their families transition to life in the Sacramento region.

Shrusti Amula (she/her), 16, and team, Can We Do Something About Food Waste?, Clarksburg, MD
Diverts food waste to compost facilities and rescues food from schools, restaurants, and grocery stores for community members facing food insecurity.

Gaayathri Binoj (she/her), 17, Chess Queens On And Off The Board, Chesterfield, MO
Increases female participation in chess with a free monthly series of chess sessions for female youth, including a chess tournament.

Miles Hopkins (he/him), 16, Clothes for Care, Wixom, MI
Provides individuals with essential outerwear for harsh winters. 

Neal Chopra (he/him), 17 (and team), Codology, Redwood City, CA
Offers free hands-on computer science courses, research, and resources that help guide students along their journey to becoming tech industry leaders.

Jiahao Guo (he/him) 20, (and team), Concourse International, Mason, OH
Makes international and intercultural accessible through virtual exchanges focused on learning about the countries and regions of the world.

Connor Wright (he/him), 13, Connor's Kindness Project (CKP), Lynnfield, MA
Provides "Kindness Kits" to children in hospitals and shelters containing carefully selected entertaining, educational, and comforting items.

Florine Tutelman (she/her), 16, Early Entrepreneurs, New York City, NY
Champions young girls in underserved communities to pursue entrepreneurship by teaching the fundamentals of starting a business and peer-to-peer mentorship and learning.

Chase Hartman (he/him), 17, and Zach Hartman (he/him), 13, Eco Brothers, Inc., Tampa, FL
Promotes community service and gets new books into the hands of children in need.

Olivia Coleman (she/her), 19, Edible Ham, Birmingham, Alabama
A food justice project that improves the growth of nutritious food and promotes sustainable living.

Christopher Fuentes (he/him), 13, and Jazlyn Fuentes, 16, Feel Our Meals, Staten Island, NY
Provides families who do not have access to basic necessities a chance to experience warmth, love, and cultural heritage through food.

Laasya Acharya (she/her), 15, Gaea: A Model Utilizing Unsupervised Learning to Detect Pest Damage in Crops, Mason, OH
Encourages the world to solve issues with science and create awareness about food insecurity through research, advocacy, and education.

Lina Lin (she/her), 17 and (team), Global Youth Economics Forum, New York, NY
Connects under-resourced, first-generation, low-income, and students of color to the world of business, finance, economics, and higher education through talks and sessions.

Breyanna Dabney (she/her), 19, and Amaya Murillo (she/her), 19, Granny Project, Baltimore, MD
Ingredients are delivered to participants/families before a "granny" is streamed live on YouTube for an interactive cooking session using the same ingredients.

Leigh Foran (she/her), Inclusion and Diversity through Education and Awareness (IDEA), Westport, CT
Focuses on teaching children about sensitivity to topics related to diversity and inclusion. 

Luka Jacobi-Krohn (he/him) Jupitar Consul Sociis, MN
Looks at bills currently being discussed or are still in committee and meets with Minnesota state legislatures. 

Luke Amberman (he/him), 15, Justice Garden, Gaithersburg, MD
Combines environmental justice through living art, restoration of native habitats to support threatened pollinators, and more green spaces in underserved communities.

Jerry Chen (he/him), 18, Legal Studies Institute, Brooklyn, NY
Focuses on the lack of legal education in public schools and low-income neighborhoods by advancing introductory civil rights and legal education to NYC HS students.

Kate-Yeonjae Jeong (she/her), 18, Light Up Network, Houston, TX
Fosters intergenerational connections and partners with nursing homes, veterans' hospitals, and hospices by hosting painting and poetry workshops for the elderly.

Daniel Block (he/him), 20 (and team), Local Food Distribution, Sheldon, IL
Practices farming methods to regenerate soil and mitigate climate change with an apprenticeship program for young land stewards.

Anbini Ganesh (she/her), 16, (and team), Love and Sweet Bakery, Seattle, WA
Donates meals and baked goods to shelters. All fundraising and e-commerce profits are donated to children's hospitals and food pantries.

Jia Michel (she/her), 15, and Taja Richardson (she/her), 15, myNetworkher, Brooklyn, NY
A website connecting mentors and mentees in gender-marginalized communities through STEM-enriching initiatives.

Ashley Nevison (she/her), 16, Operation Hope Drop, Louisville, KY
Youth learn about the importance of providing essential food and hygiene items to Kentuckians in need by building, decorating, and installing "Blessing Boxes."

Krish Sharma (he/his/him), 16 (and team), Power of Pawns, Brookfield, WI
Dedicated to championing underserved communities through the game of chess.

Jordan West (she/her), 13, Princess for a Day, Fort Mill, SC
Organizes paint parties for foster girls and takes them to theater productions and even Disney. 

Jahkil Jackson (he/him), 15, Project I Am: Next Up, Chicago, IL
Encourages volunteerism and civic engagement among youth through an Afterschool Community Service Club.

Michelle Song (she/her), 16, and Seoyun Jo, 17, Read, Seed, Feed, Greenville, NC
Supports underserved communities through gardening, fresh produce donations, cultural food tastings, and literary justice initiatives.

Austin Picinich (he/him), 17, Save Our Salmon "SOS" Through Art, Seattle, WA
Creates large painted murals along Seattle-area streams to encourage others to become better stewards of local streams.

Leydi Borges (she/her), 16, and Alex Interian (he/him), 15, Sci+Pi4All, Hialeah, FL
A virtual initiative that provides free science and math resources to children to help youth see the possibilities of STEM.

Maya Gowda (she/her), 18, Students for Environmental Education and Discovery (SEED), Miami, FL
Provides students in schools worldwide with a comprehensive climate education and inspires them to take action.

Mark Leschinsky (he/him), 17, Student World Impact Film Festival, Mahwah, NJ
Elevates the voices of young storytellers from historically marginalized races, backgrounds, and cultures to give them the opportunity to share their stories with the world.

Jessie Baxter (she/her), 16, and Holly Milsom (she/her), 15, Ta-Ta For Now, Palm Beach, FL
Provides girls of all socioeconomic backgrounds with supportive undergarments so they feel comfortable and prepared to compete in sports.

Max Sano (he/him), 22 (and team), The Greenzine, Astoria, NY
Publishing and mentorship platform provides opportunities for young climate leaders, artists, storytellers, researchers, and changemakers across the globe.

Kiersten Helm (she/her), 21, Water the Seed, Blue Springs, MO
Champions rural students aged 15-21 to become future leaders in their communities through workshops, networking circles, and field trips.

Benjamin Barkoff (he/him), 18, Whiskey Bravo, New York City, NY
Youth learn about the US military through hands-on service projects while improving the lives of service men and women and their families.

Alec Tan (he/him), 17, Arabella Tan, 15, (and team), WikiVision, Honolulu, HI
Addresses the need for free cataract surgery among underserved patients who lack access to affordable healthcare.

Clara Choi (she/her), 15, and Piper Rovsek, 16, Wired 4 Dance, Irvine, CA
(Yuriko Kikuchi Arigato Award Winner)
Provides adaptive, inclusive, and therapeutic dance classes to underserved youth with disabilities.

###

Photos and interviews with winners are available upon request.

Contact Information:
Shonda Smith
Communications Director
[email protected]
973-544-8514
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Original Source: 40 Youth-Led Projects Earn Distinguished National Call for Kindness Prize

New Play About Impact of Teens and Social Media at La Mirada Theatre, One Day Only: May 18

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New Play About Impact of Teens and Social Media at La Mirada Theatre, One Day Only: May 18
Phantom Projects Theatre Group will celebrate the World Premiere of its newest play, #TheSocialMediaPlay, inspired by real-life tragedy wrought upon young adults, and detailing the tumultuous relationship between cause and effect of social media usage in today's unfiltered world.


Real Teens. Real Stories. Real Impact
#TheSocialMediaPlay will debut May 18 at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

LA MIRADA, Calif., May 5, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Phantom Projects Theatre Group will celebrate the World Premiere of its newest play, #TheSocialMediaPlay, inspired by real-life tragedy wrought upon young adults, and detailing the tumultuous relationship between cause and effect of social media usage in today's unfiltered world.

#TheSocialMediaPlay will be performed at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts on Thursday, May 18th at 9:30am, 12:30pm & 7pm. The production is written by Bruce Gevirtzman and directed by Steve Cisneros. Tickets are now on sale at www.PhantomProjects.com or www.LaMiradaTheatre.com or 562-944-9801. 

As the landscape of digital communication has altered the way in which the youth of today interact with one another, it was only a matter of time before digital platforms were utilized for bullying and other forms of harassment. #TheSocialMediaPlay shines a light on the emotional turmoil caused by cyberbullying; a new method of perpetuating one of the oldest teen issues known to society. As a result, youth suicide rates tied to this type of behavior, are at an all time high.

The themes included in #TheSocialMediaPlay include real-life stories picked right out of the ashes of the tragedy; depicting actual accounts involving teens ripped from today's headlines. This show focuses heavily on short term actions which levy very long term consequences.

Phantom Projects Theatre Group has consistently written and produced shows for young adults; PERFORMED by young adults. Such is the long-standing mission statement of an organization which seeks to provide a platform for interactive education. Known also for producing a score of additional shows, featuring adult actors; the shows featuring teen actors dealing with teen themes have become a true staple of this organization.

Phantom Projects Theatre Group co-founder, and show director Steve Cisneros began this theatre company while a teenager, specifically because at the time of inception, there were virtually no theatre organizations geared specifically to inspiring and educating people his own age, through the eyes of peers. Even 26 years later, the old-fashioned means of communication through theatre arts still finds its place within the youth community. Since 1997, Phantom Projects Theatre Group has seen nearly a thousand young actors perform for almost one million teens.

This show features an all youth cast: Noa Levy (17), Sean Ower (17), Nikolas Ramos (14), Julianna Rossi (18), Collin Higgins (15), Emma Imes (17), Krista Eliot (21), Sarah Ullerich (15), Sarah Morgan (17), Miles Peters (17), Samuel Perez (13), Sophia Glover (16), Alexis Gonzalez (15), & Baird Kraynak (15). The teen performers come from LA, Orange, and Riverside Counties.

Contact Information:
Steve Cisneros
Producing Artistic Director
[email protected]
714-690-2900


Original Source: New Play About Impact of Teens and Social Media at La Mirada Theatre, One Day Only: May 18

Compass Health Center to Launch After School Mental Health & Substance Use Program for Teens in Chicago to Help Destigmatize Treatment for Co-Occurring Conditions

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Compass Health Center to Launch After School Mental Health & Substance Use Program for Teens in Chicago to Help Destigmatize Treatment for Co-Occurring Conditions

CHICAGO, May 5, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Compass Health Center is launching a new After School Mental Health & Substance Use Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for adolescents this June due to the increased need for specialized treatment for co-occurring disorders for teens. The program will support adolescents, ages 13 to 18, struggling with anxiety and/or depressive symptoms alongside substance use negatively impacting their functioning. This program is offered after school so that teens can continue attending school while effectively treating their mental health and substance use symptoms. Over the summer, Compass will offer this program during the day. 

Based on research done by the National Library of Medicine, teens with substance use disorders have higher rates of depression than teenagers without.  

"Our adolescent programs are well versed in the important work of supporting teens who are struggling with their mental health. Too frequently, we see them using substances to cope with anxiety and depression," said Ann Bystedt, LCSW, Senior Director of Child and Adolescent Programs, Compass Health Center - Chicago. "In our co-occurring treatment program that simultaneously targets mental health and substance use, teens learn skills and engage in process groups aimed at increasing understanding and teaching effective ways to manage symptoms." 

Compass patients ages 5 through 18 successfully complete the program and experience a significant reduction (36-40 percent decrease) in depression and anxiety symptoms. In addition, 95 percent of adolescents in Compass programming avoid hospitalization due to mental health symptoms. With the appropriate level of mental health care for their needs, teens get better and stay better. 

"Since Compass opened in Chicago, we've seen the need for more support in the city for our adolescents who struggle with substance use alongside their mood and anxiety concerns. With the prevalence, availability, and access to substances, especially cannabis, so high, we've seen more and more kids leaning on substance use to cope with depression and anxiety. Many teenagers are actively interested in addressing these issues, and we are excited to serve them and their families as they seek to learn healthier ways to manage," said Adam Honecker, Director of Adolescent Programs, Compass Health Center - Chicago. 

For many teenagers and their families, it feels like there's nowhere to turn for those looking to address substance use issues while also tackling problems with depression and/or anxiety, Honecker further explained.   

"We've heard the feedback and seen it within our own experience that it can feel like the only options are those that feel too extreme, such as hospital-based or residential treatment, so we are excited to better serve those patients who want to address their substance use and mental health concerns but are also able to remain in school and home safely," Honecker said. 

Compass's Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and IOP programs use psychiatric care and evidence-based, effective therapy models to help individuals reduce symptoms, achieve their treatment goals while staying in school, and better understand the relationship between their mental health and substance use.   

Contact Information:
Britt Teasdale
Associate Director, Brand Management, Compass Health Center
[email protected]
Phone 216-926-0550


Original Source: Compass Health Center to Launch After School Mental Health & Substance Use Program for Teens in Chicago to Help Destigmatize Treatment for Co-Occurring Conditions

Curiteva Strengthens Inspire (R) Patent Portfolio With New Patent Issued for the Novel 3D Printed Porous PEEK With HAFUSE (TM) Technology

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Curiteva Strengthens Inspire (R) Patent Portfolio With New Patent Issued for the Novel 3D Printed Porous PEEK With HAFUSE (TM) Technology
Curiteva receives newly issued patent to expand its robust product portfolio and remain the industry leader in 3D Printed Porous PEEK.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., May 5, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Huntsville, AL based technology company Curiteva is pleased to announce the expansion of its patent portfolio with the issuance of the third Utility Patent in support of their novel Inspire 3D printed porous PEEK with HAFUSE technology. This marks the 16th issued patent for Curiteva strengthening their position as a market leader in the 3D printing of porous PEEK. 

The company acknowledged two pending patent applications and plans to submit additional filings for their emerging platform. "We continue to invest in protecting our highly differentiated and pioneering technology, as we establish our proprietary commercial footprint with our Inspire portfolio. The most recent patent further differentiates us from other porous and 3D printed implant designs and broadens the intellectual property estate around our novel technology," commented Erik Erbe PhD, Chief Scientific Officer. 

"Years of development and innovation contributed to this groundbreaking new industry category which we are extending into lumbar interbody devices later this year," stated Eric Linder, Curiteva's Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer. "Establishing comprehensive market protection for our platform technology which encompasses manufacturing hardware, software, peripheral monitoring, device design and material composition is a valuable and necessary proposition."

Curiteva pioneered and received FDA Clearance earlier this year on the world's first 3D printed, fully interconnected porous PEEK structure. On April 6, 2023, just 5 weeks later, Curiteva had another momentous achievement, conducting the first surgical procedure with the Inspire 3D Porous PEEK HAFUSE Cervical Interbody System. "Once we launch our PLIF, TLIF, Static and Standalone ALIF interbody devices in 2024, this will position Curiteva to disrupt the spine market with this new category of implants," commented, Executive Vice President, Mark Mohlman. 

The company plans a full commercial launch of the Inspire Cervical System later this summer.  

ABOUT CURITEVA

Curiteva is a privately held technology and manufacturing company dedicated to advancing spine surgery and improving clinical outcomes by partnering with providers and suppliers to deliver innovative and intuitive implant systems to the market. Our business is founded on a commitment to building world-class manufacturing, accelerating research and development, maintaining lean operational discipline, and delivering novel technology to meet the evolving needs of our customers and the patients they serve. For more information, please visit www.curiteva.com.

Contact Information:
Kristen Kyzer
Director of Business Development
[email protected]
256.213.1057


Original Source: Curiteva Strengthens Inspire (R) Patent Portfolio With New Patent Issued for the Novel 3D Printed Porous PEEK With HAFUSE (TM) Technology

Oppenheimer: Florence Pugh never experienced a set like the one for the Christopher Nolan film

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Oppenheimer: Florence Pugh never experienced a set like the one for the Christopher Nolan film

The Midsommar and A Good Person actress opens up about the professional and motivated atmosphere created by the Dark Knight director.

Florence Pugh has been making waves as one of the most promising talents of recent years. She has already shown a good variety of roles as she can recently be seen in a heavy drama like A Good Person, and she’s one of the newest cast members in the upcoming Dune: Part Two. The Oscar-nominated actress is also one of the many notable names in Christopher Nolan’s epic of the summer, Oppenheimer. Pugh has worked with a number of directing talents, but this marks her first project with Nolan and according to IndieWire, the set was unlike any she’s work on before.

Pugh recently gave an interview on BBC Radio 1 and praised Nolan’s professionalism. “Working with Christopher Nolan was quite possibly one of the most thrilling experiences in a different way, partly because he works with professionals. He is a professional. But his dedication to the craft of filmmaking and old filmmaking is just magical to watch.” Nolan is a notorious film purist and always seems to give gravitas to each film he works on. He is usually pictured being on set in a suit like the directors of old, as well as using as little CGI as possible for his film spectacles.

“To just watch every single crew member on that set work so hard for him, to get his approval,” Pugh continues. “And not like in a weird way, but like everybody knows who they’re working for and everybody’s proud of being there. Everybody has so much pride in their own work and so what that does is it means that everybody is constantly trying to be better the next day. And I’ve never seen that feeling on set before.”

She would expound, “Everybody is wanting to be like, ‘I’m good, let me show you how good I am.’ Even us, you know, we were all there every day, we don’t sit down. That’s another thing, you don’t really sit down, you’re just waiting seeing what you can be told do. It’s very exciting.” In addition to appearing in sci-fi epics like Dune, she will also be reprising her role from Black Widow as Yelena, as one of the members in the MCU film, Thunderbolts.

Oppenheimer will be going up against Barbie on July 21.

Originally published at https://www.joblo.com/oppenheimer-florence-pugh-christopher-nolan/

Saw X logo revealed at CinemaCon

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Saw X logo revealed at CinemaCon

The logo for the latest Saw movie was revealed at CinemaCon, showing that the title of the movie really is Saw X!

The new Saw movie that started filming in Mexico City well before the end of last year and finally wrapped production this past February happens to be the tenth installment in that franchise, so we have been referring to it as Saw X… and as it turns out, that’s exactly what the movie is going to be called! The Saw X logo was spotted at the CinemaCon convention, and the folks at Collider shared the image online:

As the image states, Saw X is set to reach theatres on October 27th. That date lives up to the saying from the franchise’s heyday, “If it’s Halloween, it must be Saw.”

Saw VI and Saw: The Final Chapter director Kevin Greutert (who also edited the first five films, plus Jigsaw) is back at the helm for Saw X. Jigsaw and Spiral: From the Book of Saw screenwriters Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg have written the script. Stolberg has promised that this movie “is gonna make John Kramer fans very happy!” It has been said that “The upcoming Saw movie is planned to be very much a John Kramer story … The idea is that the story is being told from Kramer’s point of view as opposed to following the trap victims.”

Tobin Bell reprises the role of John Kramer / Jigsaw and is joined in the cast by Synnøve Macody Lund (Ragnarok), Steven Brand (The Sandman), Michael Beach (Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story), Renata Vaca (Pedal to Medal), Paulette Hernandez (Crown of Tears), Joshua Okamoto (Control-Z), and Octavio Hinojosa (How to Survive Being Single). It has been said that Shawnee Smith might be reprising the role of Amanda Young (previously seen in Saw, Saw II, Saw III, and Saw VI) in Saw X, but her involvement still hasn’t been confirmed.

Franchise producers Mark Burg and Oren Koules of Twisted Pictures provided the following statement: “What a thrill to be reuniting with Tobin. His performance as John Kramer is part of the magic that made this franchise a phenomenon and his character is an active part of this film.” They have previously said, “We have been listening to what the fans have been asking for and are hard at work planning a movie that Saw aficionados and horror fans alike will love.”

A press release from Lionsgate says “the return of Bell to the franchise furthers Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures’ goal of a film that captures everything Saw fans love about the franchise, while also keeping them guessing with all-new traps and a new mystery to solve.”

Deadline reminds us that Bell’s Kramer (otherwise known as Jigsaw) is “the antagonist at the heart of the Saw franchise – a former civil engineer who was diagnosed with colon cancer and subsequently elected to test others’ will to live via a series of deadly games. The character appeared in the first three Saw films before being killed off, then going on to appear via flashbacks in most of the films that followed.”

Are you looking forward to Saw X, and are you glad that’s the title they’re going with? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.

Originally published at https://www.joblo.com/saw-x-logo/

Cysmic: A Disaster Movie Turned into a Board Game!?

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Cysmic: A Disaster Movie Turned into a Board Game!?

If you’re here reading this, that means you’re probably a fan of movies! Even better, you’re probably a fan of JoBlo! My name is Jason Blake, sometimes I go by Jason Dean, and if you’ve been around here for a while, you’ve seen articles, YouTube shows, and most definitely heard my voice in JoBlo content. If you follow our coverage at Comic-Con, then you’ve most definitely seen me or heard me over the years as I covered Cosplay and celebrity interviews, among various other opportunities afforded to me. Because of my longevity and history here, JoBlo himself, Berge, has given me this brief moment on the site to tell you guys about my newest personal project that may tangentially be related to many JoBlo readers.

I don’t know about you, but my love of movies bleeds into most other things I do too. And for me, it’s particularly my love of Roland Emmerich movies that has influenced my most recent side project.

I wanted to make an interactive disaster movie but I wanted people to experience it together as a group. My love of disaster movies and my love of tabletop board games ended up meshing together into my latest creation, Cysmic.

If board games aren’t for you, then by all means click away to the movie content that JoBlo is known for. However, if you love disaster movies and play board games, you might want to stick around.

6 years ago, I started working on a board game that was meant to be a crown jewel of someone’s game collection. I wanted the best components, the best gameplay, and to create memories and experiences between friends in a disaster movie-style setting. Finally, after all of this time, I have finished work on it. However, I can’t make it alone. The cost of something like this is extremely prohibitive to do upfront. So I turned to the world of crowdfunding, specifically Kickstarter. I know, I know… trust me, I know what you’re thinking because I thought it too.

While JoBlo is not responsible or associated with this project, Berge was kind enough to allow me to tell the audience of JoBlo about my game because he and I share an entrepreneurial spirit, but more because it really could be of interest to so many readers here that fall into both categories of movies lovers and board gamers.

If you’re still with me, allow me to tell you about it, and then you can decide for yourself if this is something you would be interested in.

Cysmic is a dynamic sci-fi tactical objective game for 2-6 players set on the dying planet of Kepler-62e featuring a wrapping dual-layered game board and nearly 200 miniatures! As the leader of one of many factions fighting desperately to survive, it’s your job to build a colony ship and be the first to launch your people to safety. There’s just one problem. Each faction holds a module blueprint crucial for your survival!

This is a game about destruction, aggression, and earth-shattering pandemonium. While a good strategy and focused tactics can progress you toward your goal quickly, long-term planning goes out the window the second the earth splits. 

Fracture events leave devastation in their wake, causing more and more of the surface to crumble away as time goes on. Between fracture events, discovery cards, relics, random events, and dice-based combat, luck plays an important role. In the end, it all comes down to one deciding factor—your ability to adapt, overcome, and embrace the chaos.

Cysmic

Cysmic actually has a lot of lore and universe-building behind it. Let me explain the story leading into the game.

“Earth’s world council selected several leaders in various fields to lead an odyssey to Kepler-62e for terraforming and civilization planning. Some of the members were chosen and funded by the World Council while others self-financed their way to have influence or presence in the new world. Industry experts, religious leaders, entertainers, scholars, businessmen, politicians, and entrepreneurs all took part in the mission. Once there, the project worked beautifully… at first. The different groups of people lived and worked together as a familiar society with all of the benefits and growing pains one would expect from a newly formed civilization. It had its share of infighting and corruption, but even those issues never threatened the delicate balance of this new world. It was slowly becoming the utopia many had hoped it would.

Cysmic

As the project moved forward, an unexpected instability in the terraforming process started wreaking havoc on the landscape. The news broke quickly that their efforts to terraform and create a better world had destabilized the planet. Their new Eden was doomed.

When the colonists realized there was no hope in saving their dream of a new civilization, chaos broke out among the hundreds of thousands of people as they turned to their respective leaders for salvation. Those in leadership roles… either voted in by public opinion, volunteered at will, ascended through capitalism, or ordained by faith… now rise to the occasion as wartime leaders.

Cysmic

Massive Terraformers that once bent the landscape to their will have now been taken over by powerful organizations and converted into colony ship construction and launch platforms. These rival factions compete for information and resources across the dying planet as their last hope to escape off-world in the original Colony Ship plans that brought them there to begin with.

Cysmic

After society splintered, the information splintered with it. Each faction holds part of the module plans to build the colony ship but must retrieve the others to finish their build. Instead of working together, they now battle for resources and information. Workers and civilians are hastily trained in combat to protect the individual faction bases from each other while still performing their regular job duties. Soldiers are tasked with capturing enemies with the knowledge of providing blueprints for the construction of the colony ship modules.

Once the leaders obtain the blueprints and construct their colony ship, they must launch it before the impending destruction of their homeworld. The immense energy exerted from a single colony ship launch will likely doom the rest. Which faction will gain the resources necessary to escape first?

If the new world war doesn’t destroy this utopia, the planet itself surely would…”

Cysmic has been highly thematic from the beginning and plays out like a big disaster movie in a game. It creates memories and experiences for the player like nothing else out there. In fact, the game is so cinematic that I even made a movie trailer for it. Check this out!

This project has been a labor of love for over half a decade and I am just now able to introduce it to the world. If everything here is something that interests you at all, then I ask that you visit the Kickstarter page, watch any of the videos below, and help me bring the project to life. I can’t make this game without the help of others.

Thanks to Berge and the JoBlo Movie Network team over the last 10 years for making me feel like part of the family and for allowing me this platform to tell you all about my project. Who knows, maybe in the future we will be covering the Cysmic Movie!

Cysmic Kickstarter

Originally published at https://www.joblo.com/cysmic-a-disaster-movie-turned-into-a-board-game/

DiversityInc Announces Its 2023 Top 50 Companies for Diversity

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DiversityInc Announces Its 2023 Top 50 Companies for Diversity

NEW YORK, May 4, 2023 (Newswire.com) - DiversityInc, the preeminent source of human capital metrics, has released its 2023 Top 50 Companies for Diversity list. The list recognizes large U.S. employers that model fairness in their talent strategy, workplace and supplier diversity practices and philanthropic engagement. The announcement was made live on May 2, 2023, at Cipriani Wall Street to more than 700 in-person and 1,300 virtual attendees. 

Since 2001, DiversityInc has been assessing companies across a broad range of metrics, including leadership accountability, human capital metrics, talent programs, workplace practices, supplier diversity and philanthropy. The Top 50 list results are derived exclusively from survey submissions from employers with at least 750 employees in the United States. Companies are evaluated within the context of their own industries and on verified policies, practices and procedures. DiversityInc then uses subsets of the same data to determine its Specialty Lists of business verticals, population affinities and more.  

"The DiversityInc Top 50 survey has become the go-to external validator for large U.S. employers that are committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion," said Carolynn Johnson, CEO of DiversityInc. "These rankings represent evidence-based, superior human capital outcomes that are achieved only by data transparency and an unwavering commitment to workplace fairness for everyone."

Taking the top spot on this year's list is Mastercard, followed by Medtronic, The Hershey Company, Toyota North America, and Eli Lilly & Company. 

"A recognition like this is priceless. It reminds us as a company that we have a DEI strategy that's on the right path and we have what it takes to move the needle. But there's much more work to be done. Tomorrow we'll jump back in the game to do what it takes to further strengthen our systems, our policies, and practices so that everyone who touches our company feels valued and respected and reaches their greatest potential," said Randall Tucker, Chief Inclusion Officer at Mastercard.

One hundred and fifty-seven employers, with roughly 8.3 million U.S. employees, submitted data to earn a spot on one of the lists. The entire Top 50 and other specialty lists can be viewed at https://www.fair360.com/top-50-list/2023/ or by following the conversation at #DITop50.

The announcement event featured remarks from executives at Medtronic, Toyota, The Cigna Group, Mastercard, KPMG, The Hershey Company, Sysco Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly & Company, and more. Roy Wood Jr. served as the emcee, and Deon Cole was featured as the afterparty entertainment.

About DiversityInc: DiversityInc's mission is to educate the workforce and bring clarity to the business benefits of workplace fairness, equity, and inclusion. The organization has evolved to become the preeminent source of human capital data, education, and advice. DiversityInc is a VA-certified and veteran-owned business. The organization is led by a Black woman CEO. For more information, visit https://www.fair360.com/.

For information about the Top 50 overall model with a Cronbach Alpha Reliability score of .93, visit https://www.fair360.com/methodology-for-diversityincs-top-companies-rankings/.

Contact Information:
Carolina Calkins
[email protected]
202-221-2494

Jacqueline Gray Miller
[email protected]
334-538-3539


Original Source: DiversityInc Announces Its 2023 Top 50 Companies for Diversity

Chris Holt Takes the Helm as New CEO of SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technologies, Ushering in a New Era of Growth

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Chris Holt Takes the Helm as New CEO of SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technologies, Ushering in a New Era of Growth
Amazon Healthcare veteran Chris Holt brings experience and a bold vision to lead SoftWave TRT's market expansion and product innovation efforts.

KENNESAW, Ga., May 4, 2023 (Newswire.com) - In March 2022, Chris Holt joined SoftWave TRT as a strategic advisor and co-CEO, bolstering the company's growth and clinical effectiveness across various healthcare sectors. Prior to his strategic advisory work at SoftWave TRT, Holt held the position of Leader, Global Healthcare at Amazon, where he played a pivotal role in establishing Amazon Business for healthcare, and was instrumental in developing initiatives across Cloud/ML/AI, Pharmacy, and Medical domains.

Previously, Holt served as the Senior Vice President of Business Ventures at Vizient, managing hospital-facing supply networks with nonprofit hospital expenditures surpassing $10 billion. His diverse experience also includes roles as CEO of Tiger Medical, leading China operations for Cardinal Health, and guiding UPS Healthcare's early expansion. 

SoftWave TRT, LLC, a leading medical technology company, specializes in Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) utilizing unfocused, electrohydraulic shockwaves. The patented, non-invasive treatment has been proven to be effective and safe, offering quick treatment times and faster healing for orthopedics, pain, wound care, urology, traumatology, and aesthetics. SoftWave TRT has doubled in size in the past year and is dedicated to advancing the science of tissue healing and regeneration, as well as developing cutting-edge solutions that enhance the quality of life for people around the world. 

"As we enter a new phase of the company, I am confident that Chris' strategic vision will elevate us to even greater heights. Given his background and expertise, he is the ideal person to help guide us forward into this next chapter," says John Warlick, SoftWave TRT Founder and Chief Strategy Officer.

Holt is a well-known, disruptive innovator in healthcare, having designed and scaled several new businesses that continue as billion-dollar-plus forces today. He's a passionate advocate for a smarter, simpler, more affordable healthcare system, where consumers can control their destiny and take charge of their health.

"Working with John Warlick and the SoftWave leadership over the past year, I realized through repeated patient and provider testimonials how powerful this technology is at healing and improving people's lives. My mission is to get this technology into the hands of more clinicians. As we say here, 'Let the healing begin, one SoftWave at a time!'"—Chris Holt, SoftWave TRT Chief Executive Officer.

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SoftWave TRT, a Kennesaw, GA-based company, has been at the forefront of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) since 2004. With a reputation for German engineering excellence, SoftWave is trusted by leading medical research centers in the United States and globally. The efficacy of the company's technology is backed by hundreds of published studies and the devices have FDA 510(k) clearance for connective tissue activation, chronic diabetic foot ulcer treatment, acute second-degree burn management, pain reduction, and improved blood supply.

Contact Information:
Laura Leszczynski
VP Marketing
[email protected]
414-587-9181
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Original Source: Chris Holt Takes the Helm as New CEO of SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technologies, Ushering in a New Era of Growth

The Fibroid Foundation Applauds the Introduction of a Resolution Recognizing May as National Menstrual Health Awareness Month

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The Fibroid Foundation Applauds the Introduction of a Resolution Recognizing May as National Menstrual Health Awareness Month
We Are Erasing Menstrual Stigma


The Fibroid Foundation
Fibroid Foundation logo

ROCKVILLE, Md., May 4, 2023 (Newswire.com) - The Fibroid Foundation is proud to support H. Res 351, a Congressional resolution recognizing May as National Menstrual Health Awareness Month. After working closely on the resolution with Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY) and Yvette D. Clark (D-NY) over the last few months, we applaud them for their leadership and advocacy on behalf of women, girls, and menstruators and congratulate them on the introduction of the resolution earlier this week. Although half of the world's population menstruates, menstrual stigma still exists. The introduction of this resolution will begin to end that stigma.

The Fibroid Foundation's mission is to support the fibroid community and to erase the menstrual stigma that has created health disparities impacting pelvic health concerns. We believe that eliminating menstrual stigma is the foremost challenge to achieving equity regarding pelvic health to benefit those with fibroids and other pelvic health-related conditions. Responding to the introduction of the resolution, Sateria Venable, Founder & CEO of The Fibroid Foundation, said, "Erasing the stigma of menstruation is fundamental to prioritizing the health of women, girls, and menstruators."

Menstrual health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in relation to the menstrual cycle."1 The United Nations Population Fund defines menstruation as a Human Right. "Human rights are rights that every human being has by virtue of his or her human dignity. Menstruation is intrinsically related to human dignity - when people cannot access safe bathing facilities and safe and effective means of managing their menstrual hygiene, they are not able to manage their menstruation with dignity.   Menstruation-related teasing, exclusion, and shame also undermine the principle of human dignity."2

The Fibroid Foundation will host a Congressional briefing on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 2 p.m. ET in conjunction with the introduction of the National Menstrual Health Awareness Month Resolution. Speakers will include Rep. Grace Meng, Dr. Elizabeth Stewart of the Mayo Clinic, Dr. James Segars of Johns Hopkins Hospital, PERIOD., patient advocates, and more. Click here to register for the briefing.

We would also like to thank the advocacy organizations who endorsed the resolution: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Girls Inc., PERIOD., Alliance for Period Supplies, Black Women's Health Imperative, CARE USA, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Days for Girls International, the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine, Endometriosis Association, HealthyWomen, National Organization for Women, the Pad Project, PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association, PAI, the Red Alert Brand, Society for Women's Health Research, the University of Chicago Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the White Dress Project.

About The Fibroid Foundation

The Fibroid Foundation was founded in 2013 by fibroid patient Sateria Venable. As the premier global community of fibroids patients, their mission is to:

  • Be the voice of women living with fibroids.
  • Create and support initiatives to find a cure for fibroids.
  • Advocate for ongoing funding of patient-sensitive fibroids research.
  • Erase the "Stigma of Silence" around menstrual health and menopause.
  • Minimize treatment disparities with layered patient support.

The Fibroid Foundation, with members in most U.S. states, and 135 countries, develops annual programming centered on education, advocacy, innovation and access to treatment. 

1Menstrual Health: a definition for policy, practice and research

2Menstruation and Human Rights: Frequently asked questions

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If you are interested in partnering with The Fibroid Foundation, please visit https://www.fibroidfoundation.org/partners/.

Contact Information:
Sateria Venable
Founder
[email protected]
8444847698


Original Source: The Fibroid Foundation Applauds the Introduction of a Resolution Recognizing May as National Menstrual Health Awareness Month
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