Tenth Edition: May 31, 2020
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A local society resource for good news across the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
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Uniquely packaged photo albums and stories dedicated to connecting people to the good causes of our Mississippi Gulf Coast communities and the individuals, businesses and organizations behind them.
Intimate stories spotlighting those people and places who help make the Mississippi Gulf Coast a special place to live and work.
Community Clicks
Dr. Yolanda Jerry empowers lives through advocacy
Story by Amanda Compton-Ortiz
For Dr. Yolanda Jerry, carrying a torch so that others may see the light is not just her job, it’s her life’s purpose.
Once a victim of the global crisis of domestic violence and sexual assault as well as a witness to her daughter’s youth bullying, Yolanda knows first-hand what it’s like to suffer in silence with the darkness, hopelessness, fear and pain caused by these horrific crimes that too often go undetected, underreported and underpunished.
The National Network to End Domestic Violence reports that on average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a year.
It’s why every chance she gets, Yolanda works hard to find opportunities to raise public awareness about these issues by sharing her personal experiences and professional advice as often and with as many people as she can.
She is a retired, decorated U.S. military veteran, an author, a dynamic speaker, life coach and entrepreneur who stands as a symbol for truth, healing, resiliency and continual growth among individuals and on behalf of her entire community.
Most importantly, she is a survivor, and she wants to give others the courage to do the same; the chance to live to tell their own story – whatever obstacles or hardships they may now face or have overcome.
She’s made a career out of advocating and empowering as a warrior for men, women and children everywhere who find themselves in the throes of domestic violence, sexual assault and bullying. She spreads her message to embolden others to stand up for those facing similar challenges as well as to encourage people to push beyond their past and aim for higher goals, both personally and professionally.
Story by Susan Weller
This year would be Donnie F. Levens’ 40th birthday. The Long Beach native lost his life in a helicopter crash in Djibouti, Africa while serving his country as a U.S. Marine.
His mother, Margaret Levens, a lifelong resident of Long Beach, can recall the fateful day. It was 2006. Donnie was just 25 years old. The accident happened on February 17, a day that is especially bittersweet for Margaret as it is also her birthday.
But today, Margaret and her son will forever share a new day. On February 6, 2020, she and other members of the Levens family of Long Beach proudly became the first Marine Corps Gold Star Family to be recognized and inducted into the Air Force Families Forever program at Biloxi’s Keesler Air Force Base in honor of Donnie’s sacrifice.
The staff sergeant’s tragic end automatically gave his family the Gold Star Family designation. The honor was issued during an official ceremony and bestowed basic base privileges to the Levens family.
The recognition of Gold Star families at the Biloxi Small Boat Harbor Gold Star Family Memorial Monument began with a groundbreaking, July 23, 2019, and was dedicated November 23, 2019. The memorial honors those families who have sacrificed a loved one for our freedom.
Mississippi Gulf Coast reopens for business
Story by Andy Kanengiser
Beignets and pancakes are delicious at the Rusty Pelican as customers dine, relax and chat over breakfast.
A Long Beach landmark since 2008, the popular restaurant reopened in late May with inside dining at 50 percent capacity. Social distancing is practiced as conversations flow from one table to the next.
As Memorial Day Weekend neared, Rusty Pelican manager Melanie Hudson was thrilled to see familiar faces return for meals.
“It’s a slow process, but we are ready for it,’’ Melanie tells a Seaside Social News reporter.
Things were different at the Gulf Coast restaurant on May 21 and will stay that way for now. A Long Beach High parent, Melanie Hudson wears a protective face mask as she helps customers. The Harrison County business is frequently sanitized. There are catfish dinners, red beans & rice, and more dishes to come for the lunch crowd at 6174 Beat Line Road.
Across the region, the Gulfport Premium Outlets are open seven days a week. So is the Edgewater Mall in Biloxi. Stores in downtown Coast cities are selling goods as well. Restaurants and bars that serve food reopened with social distance requirements. Churches began to reopen in early June after weeks of online services. Hugs and handshakes are a thing of the past.
Women's Resource Center exhibits vibrancy
Story by Susan Weller
Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is outdistancing the pandemic. Who else has a FREE DIAPERS give away coming in June?
In Gulfport, at 9155 Lorraine Road, is the Women’s Resource Center (WRC). A snapshot view of a very vibrant outreach in our community; the mission of WRC is to uphold the sanctity of human life by providing options counseling to women facing an unplanned pregnancy. Reviewing all options with the women at this life changing moment in a nonjudgmental setting and supporting the choices she makes is paramount. Education is the core of the counseling, given by kind and caring counselors.
All services are free and confidential.
“There are 2500 pregnancy care centers worldwide. Our local total of visits for the year were about 2,000 women cared for, which included pregnancy testing, ultrasounds and “Earn While You Learn” class visits,” shared Tiffany Bell, the director of the Women’s Resource Center.
The Well Woman Program supplies pregnancy testing and verification and is available to women of child bearing age. There are no qualifiers or limitations based on ethnic backgrounds, religion, financial status or marital status. There are partnerships with other organizations, whose missions are similar. These groups include WOW, Lighthouse Business and Professional Women and the Unified Coast Prayer Movement and many local churches of all denominations.