Sharrie Williams, leading Saginaw songstress, is lending her voice and her spirit to a pair of public health causes on Saturday.
First, she will perform as part of “Identifying Triggers: A Mental Health Awareness Rally,” from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the YMCA. Her son, Charles Allen, is among the organizers.
Next, her donated itinerary will take her to Horizons Conference Center for “Gift of Life,” at the invitation of Tonya Jones, founder of United Together Lupus Foundation, a new non-profit group.
“One if for my family, and one is for my friend,” Sharrie summarizes.
Charles Allen shared his own inherited singing talents when he invited City Council members to the mental health event.
He said goals include “connection to care, to learn some more tools (for coping), and feeling your life is changed that day.”
Mental health is gaining increased attention nationwide, marked by City Council and County Board approval of $5 million apiece from federal anti-poverty ARPA funds for a proposed “behavioral center” at an undisclosed location along the city riverfront. Officials expect to unveil more details at some point this summer.
A rally promo states:
“The conversation on mental health has been overlooked for many years. So many people are bound by unknown triggers that impact their everyday lives and lead to a lack of opportunity. Generational oppression and systemic inequality can affect the ability to deal with life’s challenges, big and small. Therefore, combating triggers and connecting with care are necessary tools to create a path to hope. We need to generate awareness, affect change, and give folks second chances.”
The “family friendly” event, Allen added, will include children’s activities along with topical speakers. The rally is set for outdoors in the Y’s garden area, but may move inside in case of rain.
Admission is free.
Meanwhile, tickets to the lupus event at Horizons are $50 for adults and teens and $15 for children ages 7 to 12, because this is a fund-raiser to help United Together Lupus Foundation get off the ground. Jones begins with backing from the Saginaw County Department of Public Health, the Saginaw Community Foundation and the Saginaw branch of the NAACP.
Lupus causes pain attacks across the body, somewhat similar to sickle cell anemia, and may impair the heart and other vital organs. Ninety percent of those afflicted are women of childbearing ages, most often from ethnic groups of color.
Nick Cannon, Selena Gomez and Toni Braxton are entertainers who have revealed their lupus afflictions, among an estimated 1.5 million Americans.
Diagnosis of lupus often proves difficult to identify. The former Tonya Askew was well into her 29-year marriage to James Jones Sr., with seven children and 12 grands, when she received confirmation seven years ago. Her resulting challenges have included major bouts of depression, and she says her activism is intended to maintain therapy not only for others, but also for herself, according to her mission statement.
The local lupus group has headquarters at 804 South Hamilton, Suite 114. The phone is (989) 401-2239 and the web site, with event ticket information, is utlfoundation.org.
Saturday also will be a big day at the downtown SVRC Marketplace, Washington at Federal. An expo for more than 60 small businesses runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Community Alliance for the People hosts its monthly local issues forum from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
“Pedal for Peace” begins at noon at the splash park, across from Ojibway Island’s Lake Linton.
