Friday, June 26, 2009

Small U.S. businesses thrive with Ethiopian woman's help

Alfa Demmellash grew up on less than a dollar a day, and against the backdrop of torture and murder. But these days she's living the American dream and helping others do the same.

"Entrepreneurs are at the very heart of what the American dream is all about," says Demmellash, a native of Ethiopia. And from her small office in Jersey City, her nonprofit, Rising Tide Capital, is helping small businesses flourish.

Robin Munn, who runs a flower shop in Jersey City, says the skills she learned through Demmellash helped her transform the way she operates her business. "I was thinking about closing, but once I started taking the classes I found that the fire came back."

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New Slidell health clinic will provide more access to the poor, uninsured

"The poor and uninsured will have greater access to pediatric care through a new health center that is a collaboration between Slidell Memorial Hospital and St. Charles Community Health Center, healthcare providers say.

The St. Tammany Community Health Center, slated to open Wednesday at Slidell Memorial, will be the first federally qualified health center in St. Tammany Parish, officials said."

Click here for more on the opening of this new center.