October Is About Looking Out for Each Other
Four observances share October, and each is about safety in a different form: in our bodies, in our homes, at work, and online.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Black women are more likely than white women to die of breast cancer, a gap the American Cancer Society has tracked for years. Early detection changes outcomes. If you are due for a screening, or you are not sure when to start, ask your doctor this month and put it on the calendar. Then remind one woman you love to do the same.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Abuse is not always physical. Control over money, phones, friends and movement is abuse too. If you or someone you know is not safe at home, the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day at 1-866-723-3014. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233. In an emergency, call 911.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month. People with disabilities are part of every workforce, and every employer that recruits widely is stronger for it. Our Office of Workforce Development connects job seekers to training and employers across the region.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Scams target our elders, our young people and our small businesses alike. A good rule for everyone: when a message creates urgency about money or a password, stop and verify it another way. Small business owners will find four protective habits in this issue.
Health and safety are not side topics for a civil rights organization. They decide who gets to work, to build, and to take part fully in the life of the region. On November 8, our Kickoff to Wellness brings health, counseling, housing and workforce resources to one place in West Philadelphia.
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