Homelessness By Peace Amadi - Miss Nigeria in America 2007

He stood there...

...on the corner of Adams and Crenshaw – one of the busiest intersections in South Los Angeles – and still nobody saw him. I don’t know why I did. He stood there calm, still, steady… like…like a Los Angeles prop. He had no sign, no cart, no special tricks, or any other bells or whistles. Just a small white cup. A small white cup which he held amazingly still…As if he knew no amount of shaking or juggling would penetrate the passerby. He was probably right.

Maybe it was his eyes. Maybe it was his big burly arms and round tummy. Maybe it was the way the sunlight pierced through his white cup. All I know is that I couldn't take my eyes off of him. About another half-a-mile down the street, I convinced my friend to turn around. I wanted to talk to him. My friend and I took Jerome into a nearby McDonald’s and bought him everything he wanted...a “Quarter Pounder”. We convinced him we could afford more. He asked for some fries.

It’s funny how one person’s story could change you. How since then, I’ve prayed for Jerome almost every time I eat. How since then I’ve frequented the famous cross-section to see who else is there. How since then, I’ve found it incredibly difficult to just walk on by. Walk on by… We’re so good at that aren’t we? It can be easier not to care. Or better yet, to blame. “He’s homeless because he’s on drugs” “She’s homeless because she’s on crack.” “He’s lazy,” “He’s a drop-out,” “He’ll spend the money on booze” But have you ever sat down and listened to a homeless person’s story? While some of these things may be the case, the truth is something got them there.

Job loss, home loss, abandonment, living in the streets, rejection, loneliness, and the resulting substance abuse and addiction…Jerome had been through it all. And trying to get his life back was no easy task. I mean, who wants to hire a homeless, recovering drug-addict? All the desire in the world, yet no opportunity. His story, devastating as it was, was typical. It was a story shared by millions of people nation-wide. It was a story of homelessness in America.

The Homeless in America

Jerome is one of 3.5 million homeless persons in the U.S. And on any given night, he joins 750,000 other people who are forced to live in the streets or share very close quarters with each other in temporary, emergency shelters. An alarming 50% of these people are families with children. A large majority of these families have children under the age of 6. 71% of homeless people live in central cities with Los Angeles, New York City, Detroit, and Houston leading the ranks. And while 46% of homeless people report chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer, another 22% have serious mental illnesses and/or disabilities. Most have little to no access to medical health care or mental health services.

Jerome is not alone. But this time it is not a good thing. Thankfully, there are people doing something about it.

People Assisting The Homeless (PATH) Homeless Shelter

The PATH Homeless Shelter has set a national standard for responding to the needs of homeless people . It’s a transitional housing facility that is also home to the PATHMall, where homeless people can literally “shop” for services including health care, substance abuse counseling, a job center, mental health services, legal advocacy, and even a beauty salon! I love, love, love, the fact that PATH is not only providing homeless people with a variety of services to help them get back on their feet, they are also equipping them with the tools to regain a sense of self-sufficiency and finally break the cycle of homelessness in their lives.
PathMALL - the one-stop shop. Here, homeless people can literally “shop” for services including health care, substance abuse counseling, a job center, mental health services, legal advocacy, and even a beauty salon.

For more information about PATH, please log on to www.epath.org

MNIA, Inc. will continue to support PATH in achieving their mission which is "To break the cycle of homelessness by empowering homeless people with the tools for self-sufficiency." Having raised over $1000.00 to cook, serve and give love to PATH residents, MNIA, Inc. continues to serve fellow non-profits in the community by teaching Nigerian women and women in general on the positive effects of being of service to the communities that we all serve.

For more information on the programs that MNIA and the current Miss Nigeria in America 2007 is involved with, please log on to www.missnigeriainamerica.org

From the desk of:
Peace Amadi - Miss Nigeria in America 2007 and MNIA, Inc., Beverly Hills, CA

Peace Amadi -Miss Nigeria in America 2007 on trendyafrica.com

Peace Amadi - Miss Nigeria in America 2007 is featured in the current issue of Trendy Africa Online Magazine.

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Trendy Africa is an online community set to take you through an exploratory journey which ultimately would capture the hidden treasures of a beautiful continent - Africa.

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To book the Miss Nigeria in America 2007 or to feature her in your magazine, please contact Chioma Dike (Publicist) at chio_di@missnigeriainamerica.org or call 310.926.2316

MNIA, Inc.

It's that time of the year again...

The Search is on for the 2008 Miss Nigeria in America!!

Do you have what it takes to be the next Miss Nigeria in America.. Do you have PASSION for others? Are you committed to your community? Can you be a voice for Nigeria? Can you be an ambassador for women?

If you answer yes to all these, then read on....

THE 2008 MISS NIGERIA IN AMERICA BEAUTY PAGEANT DELEGATE APPLICATION

You may apply to be a delegate for the 2008 Miss Nigeria in America Beauty Pageant by completing and submitting the online application and the $25.00 application fee.

Please note the following eligibility requirements must be met in order to proceed with the application process.
*Must be at least 18 years of age and under 25 years of age by August 30, 2008
*Must be in college, college bound or have graduated from college.
*Must be of Nigerian Descent (Either parent or both must be Nigerian).
*Must not be married, never have been married, and never have had a marriage annulled. Must never have given birth to a child, can not be pregnant or be a parent.
*Must be of good health and moral character.
*Must be a naturally born female, and must reside in the United States of America.
*Must agree, that if selected to compete in the 2008 Miss Nigeria in America Beauty Pageant, they will abide by all the rules and regulations governing that pageant.

The 2008 Miss Nigeria in America Beauty Pageant would be held in Los Angeles, California from August 27 – August 30, 2008.

VIDEO APPLICATION

You can submit your YOUTUBE LINK via the online application or mail a copy to:
MNIA, Inc.
9107 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 450
Beverly Hills, CA
90210

Applications MUST be accompanied by a video and must meet the following requirements:

1. LENGTH: MAXIMUM OF THREE MINUTES anything over three minutes will not be considered.
2. FORMAT: A DVD or a Mini DV. Please write your name on your item when you submit.
3. CONTENT: Who are you, and why you should be selected to compete in the 2008 Miss Nigeria in America Beauty Pageant. Be Creative!

The video will be become the property of the Producers and will not be returned to you, whether or not you are selected as a delegate.

GENERAL RULES

To be considered for the 2008 Miss Nigeria in America Beauty Pageant, you must complete the application form in detail and pay the $25.00 application fee. The deadline to apply for the pageant is JUNE 15, 2008.
You must submit the 3 minute video labeled clearly with your name and application number that you receive when you apply for the 2008 Miss Nigeria in America Beauty Pageant. Please remember, you can submit your YouTube video via the online application.
All applications will be reviewed and processed and applicants would go through a scheduled phone interview.
Final delegates who would compete in the 2008 Miss Nigeria in America Beauty Pageant will be notified on or before July 6, 2008.

MNIA, Inc.
Beverly Hills, CA

Diabetes and You ! - Week One

When I sat back and actually thought to myself, “when was the last time I went to see a doctor for a physical, sparking a chance to be tested for diabetes?” Like myself, I’m sure many of you can testify to that uneasy feeling you get when it comes to doctors, hospitals, needles and things of that nature. Sometimes even when we know there’s a problem, we still choose not to go. But the more I think about it, the more I realize that it’s silly, not to mention detrimental to let this uneasy feeling stop us from getting checked-out for abnormalities in our system. We put all sorts of unnatural things into our bodies (junk food, processed food, sodas, etc.), and place all sorts of strain on our bodies, and expect that everything will be normal. But as we neglect our bodies, the less we remember to get “checked-out”. As this occurs, the more we can expect the little problems to turn into big dilemmas and before we know, we’re spending big bucks on treatments, medications and hospital visits on conditions that would not have existed had we taken time for early detection and prevention all together.

Out of the 20.8 million people in the U.S. who have diabetes, almost 1/3 of them don’t know it! A level of concern is raised when the majority of this figure are of African descent. But one cannot fix what on does not know. That is why its important for us to be attentive to our bodies and health. Chances are nothing may be wrong, but if there is something wrong, it’s better to know now and make a plan to heal than to continue to unknowingly worsen your situation until its too late.

My people please take this quick test: http://www.diabetes.org/risk-test.jsp and get a feel for your risk of developing diabetes. This literally took me 10 seconds to do. And if you find you are at a moderate to high risk of developing diabetes, please make an appointment to be tested for diabetes or pre-diabetes (a condition in which blood-sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to qualify for full-blown diabetes).This is a quick test that you can do during your next annual physical And for those of you at a low risk of developing diabetes, don’t take advantage of your health. Be good to your body and get your regular check-ups. Remember, doctors are our friends, but we must first be concerned about our bodies and our health before anyone else can be. It’s your body and temple.

Diabetes is a silent killer. Don’t let it sneak up on you.

With love,
Ms. Peace Amadi
Miss Nigeria in America 2007

Diabetes.................... the Silent Killer!

Four months ago, we lost a valuable member of Nigerian community and close friend of my family. While the world hung bright lights, exchanged gifts, and sung Christmas carols, we gathered around the grieving wife and children, offering our condolences, sobered by the untimely death of a strong, otherwise-healthy, young man. Diabetes. Another couple weeks later, I’d called a friend to check on her, only to find out that her dad had spent some quality holiday time in the hospital battling a myriad of serious disease complications. Diabetes. Two weeks ago, I’d learned that a friend had lost yet another relative who lived in Nigeria . His health had been deteriorating for quite some time, but nobody knew what the problem was. It was not until he died that doctors found what killed him. Diabetes.

In a very short period of time, I’ve gained a sense of the impending danger that more and more Nigerians will find themselves in if people continue to ignore this problem. As Nigerians, we take pride in our beauty, strength, and ability to overcome any obstacle that comes our way…and deservingly so! I too, find a voice in me that can admit no failure, no weakness, and no acceptance of anything but the best. But too often time, we hide a little ways from the stark reality: we are not invincible. And we cannot continue to ignore the warning signs of diseases familiar to our people, or discount the responsibility we have to educate ourselves and take care of our bodies, and expect to leave unscathed.

Diabetes Stats:-
-Over 143 million people worldwide are affected by diabetes.
-In the U.S. nearly 1 in 10 American adults (about 20.8 million people) have diabetes. Yet, almost 1/3 of them don’t know it!
-Of the African countries, Nigeria has the largest population of people living with diabetes with an estimated 1.5 million.
-African-Americans are more likely than any other ethnic group to develop Type 2 diabetes. This includes all Africans living in America .
-Diabetes is the 5th leading cause of death by disease in the U.S. and a major leading cause of death worldwide. It is indeed a chronic disease with currently no cure.

As you read the stats, one cannot help but think one thing: “No, not another one. Not another disease killing off our people.” That’s why as the Miss Nigeria in America 2007, I have decided to do something about it.

Riding for the Cure
On Saturday, June 14th, 2008, Miss Nigeria in America 2007 alongside MNIA, Inc.and supporters will ride the “Tour de Cure” as a symbol of our commitment to this campaign. The “Tour de Cure” is a 15-mile, bicycling event taking place in Long Beach , California.
It’s an American Diabetes Association sponsored event for all those who care to take a stand against diabetes and support the mission: “to prevent, treat, and cure diabetes.”
I will ride to support the efforts of the American Diabetes Association.
Every mile I ride, every dollar I raise will go towards diabetes research.
I will ride to create an awareness around diabetes in the African community, and specifically in the Nigerian community.
I will ride because I believe that if we rally around this cause – educating ourselves about ways to prevent and control diabetes - we will eradicate the disabling affect of diabetes on our community and the community at large.
I will ride for my country - Nigeria.

Will you ride for yours? In the upcoming weeks, I invite you to follow me as I prepare for this race. I will have write-ups concerning diabetes
For more information about Diabetes, please visit

Sincerely Yours,

Peace Amadi
Miss Nigeria in America 2007