E. C. Reems Community Services is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit public benefit corporation. The organization was founded in 1989, to address the need for mental health and wellness services for the African American population of the area. In response to this need, we developed events, trainings, information, and continuing programs to directly equip and motivate African Americans to start and continue their engagement in these activities. Using our understanding of the diverse African American experience, we have worked successfully for 29 years to provide ongoing culturally competent, congruent, and humble services in collaboration with individuals, public and private organizations and agencies, mental health professionals, and medical professionals. This is the motivating force behind the Live Life Well Program.
Electronic smoking devices, also known as “e-cigarettes” have been associated with a greater risk of cigarette smoking later in life. Youth preference for electronic smoking devices over traditional cigarettes makes management of tobacco usage a difficulty. Additionally, EC Reems and its partners have noticed a rise in the usage of ENDS (Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems) in our communities and a belief that these devices pose minimal to no health hazards.
A wide framework with a strong emphasis on policy, systems, and environmental change activities is needed to address tobacco-related health inequalities by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and place of residence. Local tobacco control strategies have been widely adopted in Alameda County towns. Unfortunately, a lot of organizations lack the expertise necessary to effectively advocate for policies in their communities. Based on this data, EC Reems is aware that, in collaboration with its partner organizations, it has access to groups of people who experience the terrible impacts of tobacco use disproportionately and who are essential to reach in the effort to end it.
The Live Life Well Program is designed to address these issues in the community and more by offering culturally competent trainings, webinars, and education regarding the harm of tobacco use in the community to faith-based campuses and community members.
We want the usage of tobacco funds to discontinue. We are working to contact local, state, and federal authorities, to plead with them to quit taking tobacco funds. Three members of the Oakland City Council, one of the San Leandro City Council, and two of the Oakland Unified School District’s members support our initiatives. With your support, we can persuade more individuals. Please sign our Pledge or Letter of Support if you are interested in reducing the negative impact of Big Tobacco on Black communities. You may find these items at www.ecreemscommunityservices.org.
Please contact us at www.ecreemscommunityservices.org to find out more about our upcoming trainings, seminars and other events– follow us on Facebook, tweet us on Twitter and subscribe on Instagram.
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• Email: info@ecreemscommunityservice.org