Welcome to our 2013 Girls Empowerment Camp Slide Show. We've had a lot of fun with the girls this summer and we would like to thank the parents so much for allowing them to participate in our summer program. We've had empowering workshops, excellent guest speakers, pretty exciting field trips as well as being able to produce our own Public Service Announcements.

A special thank you to our generous GEC supporters: Pasadena Tournament of Roses, AT&T and Telecom Pioneers.

We look forward to seeing you all in our Just for Girls and TECHGyrls Programs starting August 14^th at the YWCA and Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) School sites: Marshall, Willard, Washington, Muir, Blair and Eliot.

Diet soda may do more harm than good

Diet soda drinkers have the same health issues as those who drink regular soda, according to a new report published Wednesday.

Purdue University researchers reviewed a dozen studies published in past five years that examined the relationship between consuming diet soda and health outcomes. They then published an opinion piece on their findings in the journal Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, saying they were “shocked” by the results.

"Honestly, I thought that diet soda would be marginally better compared to regular soda in terms of health," said Susan Swithers, the report's author and a behavioral neuroscientist and professor of psychological sciences. “But in reality it has a counterintuitive effect.”

Artificial sweeteners in diet soda fulfill a person’s craving for a sweet taste, without the calories. But that's the problem, according to researchers. Think of it like crying wolf.

The fake sugar in diet sodas teases your body by pretending to give it real food. But when your body doesn't get the things it expects to get, it becomes confused on how to respond. While the studies they reviewed only looked at diet soft drinks, the researchers suggest that this could apply to other products that contain artificial sweeteners as well.

"You've messed up the whole system, so when you consume real sugar, your body doesn't know if it should try to process it because it's been tricked by the fake sugar so many times," says Swithers.

On a physiological level, this means when diet soda drinkers consume real sugar, the body doesn’t release the hormone that regulates blood sugar and blood pressure.

Diet soda drinkers also tend to pack on more pounds than those who don’t drink it, the report says.

“The taste of sweet does cause the release of insulin, which lowers blood sugar , and if carbohydrates are not consumed, it causes a drop in blood sugar, which triggers hunger and cravings for sugar,” says CNN diet and fitness expert Dr. Melina Jampolis.

The artificial sweeteners also dampen the "reward center" in your brain, which may lead you to indulge in more calorie-rich, sweet-tasting food, according to the report.

The American Beverage Association says the report was "an opinion piece, not a scientific study."

"Low-calorie sweeteners are some of the most studied and reviewed ingredients in the food supply today," the association said in a statement. "They are safe and an effective tool in weight loss and weight management, according to decades of scientific research and regulatory agencies around the globe."

Diet soda's negative effects are not just linked to weight gain, however, the report says.

It found that diet soda drinkers who maintained a healthy weight range still had a significantly increased risk of the top three killers in the United States: diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

"We've gotten to a place where it is normal to drink diet soda because people have the false impression that it is healthier than indulging in a regular soda," says Swithers. "But research is now very clear that we need to also be mindful of how much fake sugar they are consuming."

There are five FDA-approved artificial sweeteners: acesulfame potassium (Sunett, Sweet One), aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet), neotame, saccharin (SugarTwin, Sweet'N Low), and sucralose (Splenda).

“Saccharin was one of the first commercially-available artificially sweeteners, and it’s actually a derivative of tar,” says Swithers.

Even natural sweeteners like Stevia, which has no calories and is 250 times sweeter than regular sugar, are still processed extracts of a natural plant and may have increased health risks.

“Just because something is natural does not always mean that it is safer,” says Jampolis.

There more studies and research that need to be done. But in the meantime, experts say: Limit consumption.

“No one is saying cut it out completely,” says Swithers. “But diet soda should be a treat or indulgence just like your favorite candy, not an everyday thing.”

Cyber bullying: What it is and what we could do to stop it

Cyber bullying refers to being bullied over the internet. It has become a huge problem among teenagers and younger children using the internet. Statistics have proven that  over half of adolescents have been bullied online and at least 1 out of every 3 teens do the bullying themselves. Also, over half of the children being bullied don't tell their parents. It may seem like a small problem, but the things said or done to a person through cyber bullying can affect them long term. By becoming more aware of cyber bullying parents, other adults, and the children/teens can help stop it. 

Cyber bulling can take many forms, such as: 

• Sending threatening or mean texts/emails to a persons phone or email account 
• Spreading rumors about someone online
• Posting hurtful or threatening messages on a social network or blog
• Hacking into someones account and sending damaging messages
• Making fake accounts on a social network under an "alias" and sending threatening messages
• Taking unflattering pictures of someone and sending them out to others
• Sexting (Sending sexually suggestive pictures or messages to someone) 

Why do people cyber bully? 

The "cyber bullies" find it amusing and funny when they pick on others, especially when they see they can reach to a whole new group of people online. 

Whats the worse that can happen from cyber bullying? 

Cyber bullying isn't harmful at the moment its being done, but later on the person that was bullied can have emotional issues. Cyber bullying is known to lead to anxiety and depression. Recent stories have blown up on the news and ironically the internet about children and teenagers hurting themselves or committing suicide because of things that are said online. 

What can we do to stop cyber bullying?

• Talk to the child or teen about how cyber bullying is wrong. Explain to them the consequences of sending any threatening messages or pictures to others. 
• Encourage them to let an adult know if they're being bullied. 
• Keep any messages or pictures as proof of the bullying. It can be reported to the police!
• Block the person sending the messages. 
• Never give away any account (social network, email, etc.) information to ANYONE!
• Do not send anything you wouldn't like to be made public. 
• Parents should encourage their children to not share any personal information online. 

Fun in the Sun - Sun Protection Strategies

Kids are out. The sun is shining. It's time to play. But are your kids sun safe? With summer now in full swing, it's time to start practicing and teaching kids about sun safety. Sunburns, heat stroke and melanoma can easily be prevented by following these guidelines suggested by Linda Ebner Erceg, R.N., M.S., P.H.N., executive director of the Association of Camp Nurses.

                                                                     Photo by: Mission Explore

• Stay hydrated. Make sure your child is drinking plenty of water during and in between activities.

• Children should wear sunscreen for minimum protection. Most experts recommend SPF 30, however some professionals do recommend using SPF with minimum coverage of 45.

• Provide your child with clothing options that protect from harmful rays:
• Wear a hat with at least a four-inch brim that circles the head or a flap that covers the neck.
• Use UV-rated sunglasses. Overexposure to UV rays may cause glaucoma.
• Remind your child to put sunscreen on his or her torso, too!

• Cloudy days are not exempt. Families should remember to wear sunscreen and take precautions even when the sun isn't shining brightly.

• Learn to recognize the signs of melanoma by using this ABCD Watch:
• Asymmetry — if folded in half, the skin mark doesn't match or is unequal in shape.
• Border — the area has a scalloped or poorly circumscribed border.
• Color Varies — the area has changed color or varies from one area to another. There may be shades of brown and black, or even red or blue.
• Diameter — the area is larger than six millimeters (larger than the diameter of a pencil's eraser).

                                                                            Photo by: Mike Baird

Foster excitement in kids to stay sun safe by making it into a game or a fun adventure. Kids will want to take part when they view it as something exciting. Challenge kids to see if they can beat the record for how fast they put their sunblock on. Use your imagination by explaining to them that their sunblock is actually a magical potion that will make them invisible. Most importantly, be an example by staying sun safe yourself.

TOURNAMENT OF ROSES® FOUNDATION GIVES $100,000 TO LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Grants Benefit 28 San Gabriel Valley Agencies

PASADENA, Calif. (May 30, 2013) – Pasadena Tournament of Roses® Foundation President Jacqueline Howard distributed grant checks totaling $100,000 to 28 civic, educational and cultural organizations in the San Gabriel Valley at the Tournament of Roses Foundation Grant Award Reception held yesterday at Tournament House. Seven of the 28 organizations funded are first-time grant recipients. These organizations are Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills, Los Angeles Wilderness Training, Pasadena Panthers, Inc., Pasadena YMCA, Red Hen Press, The Pasadena Village and Vernon Lee Amateur Gymnastics Academy.

Established in 1983, the Tournament of Roses Foundation is a non-profit corporation that manages charitable contributions on behalf of the Tournament of Roses. The Foundation assists charities in the Pasadena area by funding sports and recreation, visual and performing arts, and volunteer motivation and leadership development. These grants, ranging from $1,600 to $7,600 will help support new and ongoing programs benefiting children, teens, adults and seniors.

The 2013 Tournament of Roses Foundation grant recipients are:

ORGANIZATION	PROJECT/PROGRAM
A Noise Within	Classics Live!, a year-round education program
Academy of Music for the Blind	Hiring of three new teachers
Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena	Year-round Aquatics Program
Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills	One-on-One Mentoring Program
Club 21, Learning & Resource Center, Inc.	One week bike camp to teach individuals with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle without training wheels
College Access Plan	Training sessions for new volunteers and a volunteer recognition program
El Centro de Acción Social	Creating Young Leaders – Summer School in the Park Program
Girls on the Run of Los Angeles County	Outreach to 200 low-income girls in the greater Pasadena area in fall 2013/spring 2014
Light Bringer Project	Three Room 13 creative studios located at John Muir High School, Eliot Middle School and San Rafael Elementary School
Los Angeles Children’s Chorus	Musical outreach to children from underserved Pasadena elementary schools via the First Experiences in Singing Program
Los Angeles Wilderness Training	Purchase of infrastructure for the Gear Library
Mentoring & Partnership for Youth Development	The Oakbridge Summer Camp, a four-day camp provided to at-risk youth at John Muir High School
Mothers’ Club Family Learning Center	Mothers' Club Volunteer Program
Pasadena Arts Council	Support for SAPPA (Scholarship Audition Performance Preparatory Academy)
Pasadena Education Network	Parents As Leaders program, free volunteer leadership development programs and workshops for parents of PUSD students
Pasadena Educational Foundation (Pasadena Unified School District)	ports and recreational activities as part of the PEF Summer Enrichment Program
Pasadena Museum of History	7th & 8th grade Junior Docent volunteers
Pasadena Panthers, Inc.	Purchase new helmets for football program
Pasadena Senior Center	Concerts in the Park, an 11-week series of free evening concerts targeted to a senior population
Pasadena Summer Youth Chamber Orchestra	The Young Artist’s Concert project
Pasadena YMCA	Scholarships for youth civic engagement programs
Red Hen Press	Ten writing workshops for two classrooms at Cleveland Elementary
San Gabriel Educational Foundation	GHS Instrumental Music Program
Southwest Chamber Music	Musical education programs to serve students at two high schools in Pasadena and Alhambra
Special Olympics San Gabriel Valley	Pasadena aquatics program and weekly practices, uniforms, sports equipment and tournament costs
The Pasadena Village	Development and implementation of a volunteer project to recruit, train and retain volunteers
Vernon Lee Amateur Gymnastics Academy	Scholarship program expansion throughout Pasadena and its surrounding communities
YWCA Pasadena-Foothill Valley	The four-week Girls Empowerment Summer Camp

The Tournament of Roses Foundation receives donations and gifts from the Tournament of Roses Association, its supporters, and the general public. Organizations or individuals interested in making a contribution or submitting a grant application should contact the Foundation by calling (626) 449-4100 or visiting the Tournament of Roses website: www.tournamentofroses.com/foundation.

The YWCA hosted our Annual Women's Leadership and Networking Day on Friday. May 3, 2013 at Pandora on Green in Pasadena. More than 100 women gathered to be empowered, uplifted and motivated. We would like to thank our speakers for their wisdom and for sharing stories that we will never forget. The speakers shared messages that we all needed to hear, a big thank you to Sally Bixby, Diana Peterson-More, Paula Stamp, Julie Kelly, Kardia Pinckney, and Tina Paul. We would also like to thank our sponsors for their support. Our 2013 sponsors included Avery Dennison, Kaiser Permanente, Michael Checca and Margaret Leong Checca, Ellen's Silkscreen and Embroidery, Huntington Hospital, Donald P. Schweitzer, Littler and Pasadena Magazine. We would also like to thank our in-kind donation sponsors, Whole Foods, BJ’s, Nestle, Carmax, OPI, Glendale Lexus. LA Sparks, Zoey Van Jones Waxing Studio, Hastings Ranch Dental, BCBG, Inner Valley Health Plan, Marriott, Pasadena Federal Credit Union and Style Network. For more information about this event or to be a part of our next event, please visit our website, www.ywca-pasadena.org or call our office at 626-296-8433. Thank you to everyone who attended and shared in making this year, the best year yet.

 — at Pandora on Green.

Top YWCA Legislative Priorities for the 113th Congress

In the elections of 2012, an unprecedented number of women legislators were elected to office in the U.S. House and Senate. This shift in leadership offers a critical opportunity to engage legislators on key issues that impact the women and families who are served by YWCA's across the nation. The YWCA USA surveyed our local associations in the United States to find out their top legislative priorities for the 113th Congress. Specifically, local leaders were asked about their top legislative concerns regarding women’s health and safety, women’s economic empowerment and racial justice – the three broad issue areas in which the YWCA offers programs. Survey respondents included YWCA association executive directors, program directors, advocacy specialists and staff. Based on the survey results, the YWCA USA will move forward with three primary issue areas in order to promote a strong and effective advocacy platform that reflects our collective voice and the work of our associations. The YWCA USA will focus its national advocacy efforts on legislation to: 1. Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): As the largest provider of domestic violence shelters in the U.S., the YWCA is deeply committed to initiatives that promote safety and security for women and families. (Read more about the YWCA’s anti-violence programs.) The reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is our top legislative priority for the 113th Congress. The YWCA USA is calling for the swift and immediate passage of the reintroduced VAWA bill, S.47.   2. Reform National Immigration Policies: Local associations nationwide provide racial justice programs to more than 330,000 clients annually, including: assisting immigrant victims of violence in navigating the justice system; providing racial justice training to the community; working with victims of human and sexual trafficking; voter education and mobilization; affirmative action, and working to end hate crimes. YWCAs across the country are deeply committed to advocating for a common sense immigration process that keeps families together here in the U.S., provides adequate protections for immigration victims of sexual violence and trafficking, and that creates a roadmap for citizenship for the 11 million who aspire to be citizens. 3. Ensure Deficit Reduction will Protects Women and Children: Job loss, stagnant wages, rising income, and wealth inequality have taken a terrible toll on single moms, communities of color, the disabled, and other vulnerable populations. Our local associations have been asked to do more to help those in need during a time of decreased donations and less government funding. The Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) are three sources of domestic discretionary funding that enable YWCAs to the provide vital services to women and families nationwide, including childcare, job training, transitional housing and domestic violence and sexual assault services. The YWCA calls for Congress to develop a fair and balanced approach to addressing our nation’s debt and deficit that places military spending and revenue on the table and protects the most vulnerable in our nation and the vital social programs that serve them. Learn more: Press Release: YWCA USA Announces Top National Legislative Priorities for the 113th Congress (PDF) Download: Letter to Congress from the YWCA USA (PDF) Read more: YWCA Applauds Recent Progress on Immigration Reform and VAWA Take action: Make sure your Congressional representative knows your priorities!