Helping Hands in Honduras

“Three years ago, Durham native Elly Goetz became the executive director of Un Mundo, an organization that partners with Honduran villages to help build literacy, unite and empower women, and develop cultural identity. Here, Elly explains the group and tells Triangle women how to get involved.”

Q Describe your group in one sentence.
A Un Mundo is a nonprofit international development organization with a comprehensive and grass-roots approach to our work.

Q What’s your organization’s mission?
A Un Mundo promotes dignity, community and self-sufficiency among marginalized populations in rural Honduras. Our mission is to work with these communities on a long-term basis, providing access to the fundamental needs of health care, education and liveable wages.

Q How is that accomplished?
A Un Mundo is facilitating an array of projects in more than 10 communities throughout the Cangrejal region of Honduras. In addition to building the first public vocational high school in the region, Un Mundo is offering programs that educate the cognitively- and physically-challenged and cultivate sustainable livelihoods. .

Q Why get involved?
A Un Mundo is a unique organization with a revolutionary approach to developmental work, connecting distinct worlds and providing life-changing opportunities to learn and grow from one another. Our work pushes its participants to challenge themselves, be creative and think critically to solve some of our world’s most pressing global challenges on a tangible and humanistic level.

Q What do volunteers do?
A The past two summers, a group of Durham residents has volunteered to help improve a small local clinic, build the area’s first school playground and construct waterless latrines for families without bathrooms. This past June, Un Mundo hosted two UNC students, Kera Murphy and Lauren Brock, with graduate supervisor and Durham occupational therapist Hedy Lent-Bews for six weeks to conduct baseline research for the Un Mundo Special Education Project, assessing 72 people with disabilities in 22 villages.

Q What's happening in the next few months?
A In addition to our fundraising initiatives state-side that we will continue through the end of the year, in Honduras we are working to complete the final phase of the public high school that we have been constructing for the past three years. We will graduate our first class from this school in November. We will also be preparing for the 2011 academic year in Honduras, which starts in February, by enrolling 10 new students for our special-education project, which sends disabled children to a specialized school in the nearby city of La Ceiba.

Q How can Triangle women get on board?
A On the local level, Un Mundo has a fundraising board that is composed of Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill residents who volunteer their time to plan the Un Mundo annual benefit in Durham. You can contact director Elly Goetz at egoetz@unmundo.org to serve on the N.C. board. For more information on Un Mundo and to find out other ways to help, visit www.unmundo.org/en/howtohelp.

Diana Tong, co-owner of Amplified Art, celebrated the gallery’s grand opening in downtown Raleigh. Amplified Art is a music-inspired gallery and boutique, featuring art, apparel, novelties and memorabilia.

Heather Havrilesky, a graduate of Duke University and a Raleigh native, announced the release of her memoir, “Disaster Preparedness.” Published by Riverhead Books, it tells the story of her journey from childhood to adulthood.

Terry L. Sellers, a Morrisville author, released “Songs of My Soul: A Personal Journey to God.” The novel, which recounts pieces of her abusive childhood, was published by Tate Publishing.

Pam Saulsby, an Emmy-award-winning news anchor for WRAL-TV, released her debut record, “The Full Measure of a Woman.” Her music blends samba rhythms with smooth and traditional jazz.

Gerri Houlihan was named co-dean of the American Dance Festival School, which hosts more than 400 students each summer on the campus of Duke University.

Ann Robertson, a Raleigh attorney, was an honoree of Bella Voce, a fundraising gala held in November that benefitted the N.C. Master Chorale.

Melissa Arthur, former credentialing coordinator at PhyAmerica Government Services, a Durham-based healthcare management company, was hired as fraud specialist at First Citizens Bank in Raleigh.

Jessica Jeppsson, a student at N.C. State University, was named to the supply chain project team at Bayer CropScience, a chemicals company in Research Triangle Park.

Sarah Arnold, a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, was named research analyst at RTI International, a scientific development institute with headquarters in RTP.

Victoria Luttman Gaviria, a graduate of Peace College in Raleigh, received the 2010 Teacher of the Year award from the Foreign Language Association of North Carolina.

Olalah Njenga, CEO of YellowWood Group, a Raleigh-based marketing firm, was named to the business and industry services advisory committee at Wake Technical Community College for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Laurie McIntosh, a doctoral graduate of Harvard University, joined Duke University as assistant professor in the department of cultural anthropology.

Attorney Ashley Matlock Perkinson, who is secretary of the Wake County Bar Association, opened Perkinson Law Firm in Raleigh, which provides services in the areas of lobbying and governmental relations, media law and education law.

Nancy Nguyen, a graduate of N.C. State University, purchased Classy Cuts, a hair salon in Raleigh.

Lauren Reeves, a Raleigh native and N.C. State University graduate, joined Smith Debnam, a Raleigh law firm, as an associate. She will concentrate her practice in the areas of foreclosures, bankruptcies and creditors’ rights.

Virginia Burrows, a paralegal specializing in commercial real estate at K & L Gates in the RTP office, received the 2010 Distinguished Paralegal award from the N.C. Bar Association.

Melissa Dewey Brumback, a partner at Raleigh-based law firm Ragsdale Liggett, was selected from more than 5,000 submissions to be featured in the 2011 Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar.

Lou Jurkowski, CEO of woman-owned architectural firm BJAC in Raleigh, announced that the company coordinated the design and construction of the N.C. History Center, located in New Bern.

Linda Kutzer joined New Vision Spa and Salon, located in Raleigh, as master colorist and designer.

Emily Parks, owner and business organizing consultant for Organize for Success in Raleigh, announced that the company was a sponsor of Raleigh’s 2010 Free to Breathe, a fundraiser to fight lung cancer.

Robin Diehl, former assistant dean for finance and administration at N.C. State University, was named chief financial officer of the N.C. Department of Administration.

Tammy Baggett, a graduate of N.C. Central University, was named Durham County library director. She will manage and direct operations at Durham County’s main library and its seven branches.

Stephanie Nantz, executive director of the Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office of the N.C. Department of Administration, announced that the office received a $47,000 grant from the State Energy Office of the N.C. Department of Commerce. The grant will be used to create up to 10 student energy internship and fellowship program positions.

Michelle Voelpel was named marketing and public relations manager at The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill.

Howard, Merrell & Partners, an ad agency in Raleigh, announced:
• Jessica Redman was promoted to senior account executive.
• Cameron Reed, a N.C. State University graduate, was hired as account coordinator in the public relations department.
• Courtney Beck, a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, was promoted to senior account executive and senior writing specialist.

Yvette Bonaparte established Bonaparte Consulting, a new marketing and consulting firm in Durham.

Carolyn Rhinebarger, CEO of Strategic Guru, a Triangle-based marketing agency, announced that the company was recognized with two 2010 MarCom awards from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.

Susan McDonnell, managing director of Cary-based branding agency R+M, announced the firm’s rebranding launch of L&M, a year-round supplier of fresh produce..

The YWCA of the Greater Triangle announced the winners of its 2010 Academy of Women Awards, including:
• Mary Williams, adjunct professor at Duke University, for arts and entertainment
• Wendy John, vice president of client services at Fidelity Investments in Durham, for business
• Donna Rhode, vice president of centers of excellence at Cisco Systems, for community service
• Denise Rotondo, senior vice president of academic administration at Meredith College, for education
• Ann Lore, founder of Women’s Financial Partners in Cary, for entrepreneur
• Christine Young, Triangle area executive at First Citizens Bank in Raleigh, for professions
• Major Cassandra Deck-Brown, of the Raleigh Police Department, for government
• Dr. Lisa Carey, associate professor of medicine and medical director of the UNC Breast Center, for health and human services
• Andrea Bazán, president of Triangle Community Foundation, for racial justice
• Jacqueline Applegate, vice president and head of Bayer Environmental Science in Durham, for science and technology
• Shamir McCall, a senior at Millbrook High School, for teen woman

Shiela Ahler, business development partner at financial and management services firm Cherry, Bekhaert & Holland, was appointed to the 2010/2011 executive committee of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. She will also serve as the chair of the membership services committee.

The Garner Chamber of Commerce welcomed new members to the board of directors, including:
• Paula Anderson, owner of travel company Southern Cruise Connections
• Suzy Phillips, owner of International Minute Press, a Raleigh-based printing company
• Linda Powell, owner of Powell Realty and Klassy Kids Child Enrichment Center
• Amy White, director of development at Community of Hope Ministries

Marci Williams, a member of Raleigh’s American Diabetes Association chapter, joined the community leadership board of the Eastern North Carolina office of the association.

Rachel Schreck, a graduate of N.C. State University, joined Gateway Clubhouse, a program that helps adults with brain injury, as clubhouse coordinator.

Jill Morin, of Wake Forest, and Kay Lavelle, of Raleigh, were selected as spokeswomen for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement for 2010-2011.

Janice Cutler, president and owner of North Raleigh Florist, was a sponsor of the Greater Raleigh chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners luncheon in November.

Elaine Buxton, president and CEO of Confero, a customer experience measurement firm in Cary, will serve on the Women on Board steering committee in support of the N.C. Center for Women in Public Service.

Theresa Clark, president of the Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors, announced that member Christina Valkanoff received the “30 Under 30” award from the National Association of Realtors.

Susan Holbrook, senior vice president and sales manager for Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston, announced that Liz Green and Megan Perry, both residents of Raleigh, joined as sales associates at the Falls of Neuse Road office.

Carole Notch, sales manager for the Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston Strickland Road office, announced that LaDedra Shackleford, of Raleigh, joined as sales associate.

Carol Harrell, a Cary resident, joined Fonville Morisey as full-time sales associate in the Brier Creek office.

Beth Hoggard, a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, was named builder representative for Hagood Homes’ Chapelwood community.

Carol Daley, owner of At Ease Boutique in Raleigh, announced the opening of a second store in The Shoppes on the Parkway in Cary. The boutique features casually elegant clothing from American and international designers.

Cathy East announced the opening of Lilly’s, a home décor specialty retailer in Apex. The boutique offers merchandise such as garden accents, gift items, architectural elements, vintage treasures, florals and holiday products.

Claudia Crocker, a Triangle resident, announced the launch of her interior design business, Creations by Claudia, which focuses on home design and re-design.

Ellen L. Morrison, president and owner of ELM Wellness, a Raleigh-based nutrition therapy firm, announced the opening of a second office in Franklin Square in Chapel Hill.

Dr. Sara Winchester, who completed her fellowship training at Duke University Medical Center, joined Raleigh Neurology Associates in the department of child and adolescent neurology.

Gina Racca, a licensed medical aesthetician, joined the staff of Dermatech Aesthetics in Raleigh. During seven of her nine years in the field, Racca worked in a dermatology office, which gave her experience in multiple skin types and conditions.

Andrea Crane of Dermatech Aesthetics & Fearrington Plastic Surgery in Raleigh announced the addition of Katherine Strange, a licensed massage therapist, and Whitney Green, a medical aesthetician, to the practice.

Glo de Vie Med Spa, of Raleigh, announced:
• Laura Meacham, medical aesthetician and laser technician, joined the staff. Meacham recently attended Cutera’s Clinical Forum in New York. Meacham’s previous positions were at Bliss Spa in New York and the International Dermal Institute in Chicago.
• Shari Hoots, president and owner of the spa, and Alex Atwell, spa concierge, participated in Susan G. Komen’s PinkFest to celebrate and honor breast-cancer survivors in our community. Glo de Vie provided free skin-care consultations and gave away a prize package to a breast-cancer survivor.

Joyce Mitchell-Antoine joined WomanCare Global, a women’s health-care nonprofit organization in Chapel Hill, as vice president of development.

Four Triangle women were honored by The Great 100, an organization that recognizes nursing excellence:
• Linda Barnett, an operating room nurse at Durham Regional Hospital
• Juanita Fisher, a radiation oncology nurse at Durham Regional Hospital
• Shirley Murray, a Watts School of Nursing instructor at Duke University Health System
• Mary Atwood, a Rex Healthcare nurse in Raleigh

Victoria Tobin, an admission nurse with Hospice of Wake County, earned the certified hospice and palliative nurse certification.

Melissa Troester and Liza Makowski, both assistant professors in the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, will be principle investigators in a study of how factors such as pregnancy and obesity can increase the chances of certain types of breast cancer in young, African American women.

Dr. Karen Mohlke, associate professor of genetics in the UNC School of Medicine, co-authored a study that discovered hundreds of genes that influence human height.

Joanne Jordan, a distinguished professor of medicine at UNC-Chapel Hill, led a study that evaluated the role played by genetic factors in the worsening of osteoarthritis.

Tammy Finch, licensed psychologist from UNC-Chapel Hill and creator of SkillSense, which teaches practical skills to teenagers and their parents, hosted a Raleigh workshop called “Where Are Superheroes When You Need Them Most? A Primer on Parenting Teen Boys.”