October 2020 Hot Topic — Affordable Housing…a Local Perspective 

by karen wieckert | Oct 1, 2020 | Hot Topics

Affordable Housing…a Local Perspective 

Speakers: Kay Bowers, recently retired as the director of the non-profit, New Level Community Development Corporation and is a founding member of the Tennessee Affordable Housing Coalition &  Michael Kenner, President of MiKen Development

September 2020 Hot Topic — Radnor to River

by karen wieckert | Sep 4, 2020 | Hot Topics

Speaker:Noah Charney, Executive Director of Radnor2River

Mr Charney showed photos of a local forest and explained how important it is to protect these areas. Radnor2River works to improve conservation and development in Nashville by creating a world-class park design that connects our parks, keeps our forests healthy, and preserves wildlife. A proposed seven-mile trail would connect Radnor Lake to Bell’s Bend and eventually Beaman Park. Radnor2River is coordinating with other environmental agencies to create a conservation network.

August 2020 Hot Topic – The Virus in our Village: COVID-19’s Impact on the Nashville Community

by karen wieckert | Aug 7, 2020 | Hot Topics

Speakers: Dr. Michael Caldwell, M.D., Director and Chief Medical Officer of the Metro Public Health Department, and Dr. Joseph Webb, Chief Executive Officer of Nashville General Hospital at Meharry.

Dr. Caldwell opened with an overview of data for Davidson County, noting that as of August 7th, Nashville had seen 22,000 Covid cases with 200 deaths. He noted that most deaths have been people over age 65 and disproportionately African American. However, since the mask mandate was imposed on June 29th, the number of active cases has started to decline. The Metro Health Department has created a website at https://www.asafenashville.org/ that provides up-to-date information about the virus and its impact on Music City. Dr. Caldwell, who has been spotted on Lower Broadway handing out masks to the tourists and encouraging compliance with the mask mandate, emphasized that
everyone should always behave as if they have the virus and act accordingly by avoiding close contact with people, especially indoors and where alcohol is involved, wearing masks, and washing hands frequently.

Dr. Webb, who oversees operations at Nashville General Hospital, discussed various social determinants of health, including economic and social conditions, education, access to adequate food and housing, and transportation. People of color are less likely to have adequate access to all of these basic needs, making them more vulnerable to disease generally, including infection with Covid-19 virus.

Many Nashvillians are not “health literate” and consequently have higher rates of underlying conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Babies born in minority communities also tend to be at higher risk. Because Nashville General’s purpose is to treat people without means for other health services, his facility has been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of the patients that Nashville General treats, 40-45% are without health insurance.

Both speakers described various vaccine trials underway in Nashville, including one at Meharry specifically targeting minorities. Volunteers for vaccine testing are encouraged, as an effective vaccine will only be established through research. As for antibody tests, Dr. Caldwell indicated they are still evolving.

June 2020 Hot Topic — Domestic Violence in the Time of the Pandemic

by karen wieckert | Jun 5, 2020 | Hot Topics

Speaker: Sharon Roberson, CEO and President of the YWCA Nashville will discuss the challenges facing our community at this time.

Through ZOOM, the LWVNashville was able to continue our Hot Topics with an excellent program about unfortunate increases in domestic violence during the pandemic. Our speaker was Sharon K. Roberson, Esq., President and CEO of YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee. She shared with us information on the Weaver Center, the largest domestic violence center in the state. Today, sixty-six people, over half of them children, are housed at the domestic violence shelter. The Covid 19 pandemic has provided the perfect storm for an increase in domestic violence. The downturn in our economic situation, stay-in-place orders, job loss, and loss of the ability to gather at places of worship, at camps, and at schools all have had an impact on how we handle stress in our lives and has led to violence, particularly against women. The YWCA Weaver Center provides a safe place for families to heal and move forward. Initially, when a person arrives, they are placed in quarantine until Covid 19 test results come back. Then, for up to 45 days, a variety of services are offered to help the domestic violence victim begin to move forward. Each time a new family unit moves out, the rooms they had occupied are rigorously cleaned in preparation for the next group.

In an effort to combat domestic violence over the years, the YWCA has also worked on engaging men and boys in programs that change the culture that supports violence against women. They have also worked with the police and other law enforcement/court offices combatting violence against women. The YWCA, in dealing with the way the pandemic has affected their other services, has begun to rely on
online services, providing a camp for girls, adult outreach services, and classes.

Ms. Roberson responded to a number of questions from LWVN participants and ended her presentation with a brief PSA: Want to volunteer? Contact Allison Adams at: allison.adams@ywcanashville.com.