News

Congratulations to START Interns Essence Johnson and James Hanana – Class of 2020 High School Graduates!

Essence Johnson 
Essence is a Graduating Senior of Woodrow Wilson High School. Essence will attend Virginia Commonwealth University this Fall, majoring in Chemistry/ Pre-Medicine. Her career goal is to become a Neurosurgeon.

James Hanan
James is a Graduating Senior of Kempsville High School. James will attend Tidewater Community College to complete his Associates Degree in Social Sciences. Afterwhich, his plan is to transfer to George Mason to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His goal is to become a Lawyer with a focus in Real Estate.

May is Mental Health Month! The ARDX Foundation is highlighting #Tools2Thrive – what individuals can do daily to prioritize their mental health, build resiliency in the face of trauma and obstacles, support those who are struggling, and work towards a path of recovery.

One of the easiest tools anyone can use is taking a mental health screen at mhascreening.org when they need answers. It’s a quick, free, and private way for people to assess their mental health and recognize signs of mental health problems.

• Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and wellbeing, and mental illnesses are common and treatable.
• While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health.
• There are practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency regardless of the situations they are dealing with.
• It’s important to recognize your emotions and own your feelings, work to find the positive even when facing adversity or loss, reach out and try to connect with others, remove those people in your life who are bringing you down, and create healthy routines to take care of yourself.
• There are ways that everyone can be supportive of friends, family, and co-workers who are struggling with life’s challenges or their mental health.
• One way to check in on yourself is to take a mental health screen at mhascreening.org. It’s a quick, free tool for you to use.

For each of us, the tools we use to keep us mentally healthy will be unique. But the ARDX Foundation wants everyone to know that mental illnesses are real, and recovery is possible. Finding what work for you may not be easy​ but can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes. By developing your own #Tools2Thrive, it is possible to find balance between work and play, the ups and downs of life, and physical health and mental health – and set yourself on the path to recovery.

Click here for free Mental Health Screenings » https://mhanational.org/millioninmay

I announced this crazy idea that was planted in my heart to be a bridge over troubled waters for 13 women. Sharing a little encouragement to keep their dream of entrepreneurship alive. That $2,020 would perhaps give them hope until other funding came through.

Within a day, I received calls and text from regular everyday people who said “I care”! They have their own demands in life, but they are willing to sacrifice to help someone else who is struggling. It is no longer “I” but “WE” are now able to bless 20 female business owners with $2,020 throughThe Reddix Rules Fund! …I still believe that love for the human race conquers all! 

~Dr. Angela D. Reddix

For more information, see the following interview and article: https://www.wtkr.com/rebound/norfolk-entrepreneur-giving-out-2-020-grants-each-to-13-women-with-small-businesses

Find out more: click here

The Priority Toyota Charity Bowl Board of Directors selects local charities annually. This year, ARDX Foundation has been chosen as a beneficiary of the event! Due to COVID19, the Toyota Charity Bowl has been postponed. The new date: TBD.

Norfolk, VA September 6, 2018 – The ARDX Foundation is excited to announce Darryl “DMC” McDaniels as their keynote speaker during the 11^th Annual Women’s Wellness Celebration, held on Friday, October 26^th, 2018 at the Chesapeake Conference Center.

McDaniels, who is most well known as a founding member of pioneering hip-hop trio Run-DMC, has been profoundly open about his personal journey with mental health issues, including addiction, depression, and recovery. In his riveting memoir, “Ten Ways Not to Commit Suicide,” McDaniels addresses the many reasons that led him—and thousands of others—to consider suicide. Some of the factors include not being true to who you are, feelings of loneliness, isolation, and alienation, and a lack of understanding and support from friends and family when it’s needed most.

“We are immensely honored to have Darryl “DMC” McDaniels provide the women of our community a male’s perspective as it pertains to mental health and wellness,” states Angela D. Reddix, President and CEO of ARDX and Board President of the ARDX Foundation.  “Over the past decade of the Women’s Wellness Celebration we understand how powerful telling our stories can be to one another. By diversifying our message, we are able to peel back the layers allowing us to dig deeper, hear deeper, and feel deeper in order to make real change in the way we see, deal, and heal mental health within ourselves and for those whom we love.”

This year’s conference, sponsored by TowneBank, will feature various engaging breakout sessions focused on mental wellness initiatives, as well as a new 3-hour training dedicated to caregivers. Attendees will also have the opportunity browse through the Exhibitor Expo, featuring local businesses and resources dedicated to Mental Wellness.

“TowneBank is honored to once again sponsor the ARDX Foundation’s Annual Women’s Wellness Conference,” states Michelle Butler, Senior Vice President, Private Banking for TowneBank. “We support the ARDX Foundation in their commitment to promoting wellness for women of all ages. The 11th Annual Conference will focus on Continuing the Conversation on Mental Wellness and will be an excellent opportunity to learn from community leaders and mental health experts.”

Registration for the 11^th Annual Women’s Wellness Celebration is now open! For more details about the ARDX Foundation’s initiatives and to register for the Women’s Wellness Celebration, visit the ARDX Foundation website (www.ardxfoundation.org), or follow @ARDXFoundation and the #ARDXFoundation hashtag on social media.

About Darryl “DMC” McDaniels

Darryl “DMC” McDaniels is co-founder of the legendary group, Run-DMC: – selling over 40 million albums and changing music history.  In 2014 he started his comic book company, Darryl Makes Comics. In 2016 he released a top-selling autobiography, “Ten Ways Not to Commit Suicide;” and in November 2017 he put out a limited-edition vinyl EP in advance of his upcoming solo album.

In 2006 DMC co-founded the Felix Organization, a non-profit that works to enrich the lives of children in the foster care system. He is a 2009 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a 2016 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and has received numerous awards for his philanthropic work. www.thekingdmc.com / TMA / 609-383-2323

About ARDX Foundation

Shining a Light on Mental Wellness

At the ARDX Foundation, our goal is to shine a light on the importance of mental and behavioral wellness and to serve as advocates, partners, educators, mentors, and change agents. We believe in the power of volunteer service and are dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of our most vulnerable populations, including women, youth, and the elderly living in disadvantaged communities.

We are committed to creating initiatives and providing resources that transform the lives of women and their families, enabling them to make their own mental wellness a top priority.

The ARDX Foundation is inspired by the work of ARDX President and CEO Angela D. Reddix, a strong advocate for and the founder of numerous community outreach programs.

Media Contact
(757) 333-6871
info@ardxfoundation.org

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