Camp Kesem Augustana opens its summer application to the public for the summer of 2014.

Camp Kesem is a free, week-long overnight summer camp for children who have or had a parent with cancer. The Camp, held at the Y Camp of Des Moines in Boone, IA from July 20-26, 2014 has 37 open spots remaining for campers this year.

The local chapter of Camp Kesem is led by Augustana College student volunteers under the guidance of Camp Kesem National as well as an Advisory Committee made up of local professionals. Augustana students serve as counselors and work year-long to fundraise and plan for the week, as well as undergo over forty hours of extensive training prior to camp.

The Camp Kesem program model was founded in 2000 at Stanford University. Since then, it has grown into a national organization with 54 camps across the country. This past year, Camp Kesem National added four additional camp programs, including University of Nebraska, University of Oklahoma, and Syracuse University.

Campers participate in a host of fun activities including sports, drama, arts & crafts, team-building, scavenger hunts and talent shows. In addition, each night before bed the campers have "Cabin Chat," a time for the campers to talk and open up to their peers and counselors.

Children who have a parent who has or had cancer often lack sufficient external support because they are neither physically ill nor visibly distinct from others. The complexity of emotions they experience can easily go without attention. It is often challenging for these children to find peers with whom they can relate, resulting in feelings of isolation and fear.

"It gives both my child and myself a week to spread our wings separate from each other. He's exactly where he wants to be, surrounded by kids in similar situations and the warmth and support of the counselors," says a parent of camper, age 12.

Kesem Nationals advisor, Dr. Michael Amylon, pediatric oncologist at Stanford Hospital, emphasizes the importance of an experience like Kesem. "These kids have their world knocked right out from under them, and often they have no where to turn to get help and support. Camp Kesem provides a magical place of respite and play, and a group of other kids in the same situation who understand what it's all about and can offer unique and important peer understanding and friendship."

Camper applications and more information on Camp Kesem at Augustana College can be found at campkesem.org/augustana.

(DES MOINES) - Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds applauds the launch of Million Women Mentors (MWM), a ground-breaking collaborative effort designed to engage one million science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) mentors. Launched on January 8, 2014, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., the initiative aims to educate and empower girls and young women to actively pursue STEM education and careers.

"I encourage all Iowans to consider becoming a mentor; mentoring is one critical way to improve opportunities for girls and young women, so they can see firsthand they can be successful in a STEM career," said Reynolds. "Mentors can send the message that investing time in studying STEM subjects in school will pay off by building the foundation for post-secondary training or education in STEM fields."

In conjunction with National Mentoring Month, MWM has constructed a vast network of 13 corporate sponsors, and more than 40 partner organizations that are dedicated to cultivating multiple pathways of mentoring to bolster girls' confidence and increase access to professionals working in the STEM field. Collectively, these public-private entities represent more than 18 million women and girls.

To make the pledge to become a mentor, visit the website www.millionwomenmentors.org.

MWM is an initiative of STEMconnector®, the national organization that works closely with corporations and thousands of entities to assist in STEM best practices and smart STEM investments.

DAVENPORT, IA - On January 16, 2014, DeMarko Onslow Williams, age 25, of Rock Island, Illinois, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge James E. Gritzner to 100 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Williams was also ordered to serve two years of supervised release.

On March 31, 2013, Williams walked into the parking lot of The Chorus Line gentlemen's club and fired multiple shots at a group of people standing near the entrance of the business. Williams did not hit anyone but his shots hit vehicles and the business' front door in the immediate vicinity of numerous bystanders. Williams is a known affiliate of Fifth St. Mafia, aka Zone Fifth, a street gang in Rock Island, Illinois. Multiple members of the rival Davenport gang, Savage Life, aka 12th Street Boys, were standing in front of The Chorus Line when Williams opened fire. Davenport, Iowa, Police officers responded to the scene and Williams and another individual led the police on a high-speed vehicle pursuit that ended with Williams' vehicle crashing into a fence. Williams then fled on foot and discarded the handgun that he had used in the shooting. Bullet casings recovered from The Chorus Line were analyzed and were determined to have been fired by the gun discarded by Williams.

This case was investigated by the Davenport, Iowa, Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

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In January, the job search websites go crazy as people start the New Year resolved to find work that's more satisfying.

"While thousands of people are dealing with the tragedy of unemployment, many others are looking for jobs that are more fulfilling than the ones they have," says attorney and author Pamela Samuels Young, www.pamelasamuelsyoung.com, whose newest novel, "Anybody's Daughter," is one of five nominees for NAACP Image Awards' Outstanding Literary Work, Fiction.

In January 2013, job search website Indeed.com had a record 17.3 million unique visitors?a 24-percent jump, and January 2014 will likely see a similar increase. Many of those job seekers won't be looking for just a job, but one they're passionate about.

"It's great if your day job is your passion," Young says. "But if it's not, you don't have to give up a position that pays the bills in order to pursue your dream. You can do both."

Since 2006, Young has pursued her passion?writing legal thrillers?as well as her day job as Managing Counsel for Labor and Employment Law for Toyota Motors Sales, U.S.A., Inc. She was described by one reviewer as "John Grisham with a sister's twist."

"I enjoy practicing law and I didn't want to leave Toyota, nor could I afford to. But I also had a burning desire to write mystery novels," says Young. "Anybody's Daughter," her sixth novel, is described by Kirkus Reviews as a "fast-paced, well-written thriller that's grounded in social issues." The book takes readers inside the world of child sex trafficking in the United States.

"I've always believed that if you have a dream, you should formulate a plan and make it happen. So that's what I did."

Young's plan included rising at 4 a.m. to squeeze in some writing time before heading off to work, and turning weekends and vacation time into creation time.

"Sometimes it's hard to believe that I've published six novels, while still practicing law," she says. "The hard work and commitment have definitely paid off."

Young offers these tips for busy professionals itching to pursue their own passions.

· Schedule time to devote to your passion. "On my calendar, you'll find a few hours or full days blocked out as 'Writing Time' every week," Young says. "You have to schedule time for your passion. If you don't, the day-to-day demands of life will get in the way."

· Put "passion" time ahead of "pleasure" time. If you're working full-time and pursuing another "job," you won't have a lot of free time. "You'll have to cut back on watching television, socializing with friends and even family time," Young says. "Explain your goals to friends and family. People who have your best interests at heart will support you. "But do take an occasional break to relax.  Otherwise, you'll burn yourself out by working around the clock."

· Learn from others. Surround yourself with people who share your passion. Sign up for newsletters, read books and join communities of other like-minded people, Young says. "There are tons of professional groups whose sole function is to help their members develop their creative talents and business goals." Young is a diehard member of Sisters in Crime, an organization that promotes the advancement of women mystery writers. "Not only will you get energy and inspiration from networking with others, you'll grow."

· Don't put your day job on the backburner. Young says it's important to give your day job 100 percent. "I never want my co-workers to think I'm phoning it in because I also have a writing career." That attitude has paid off. "I have a strong support system at work. My co-workers read my books, critique my manuscripts and come to book signings." Many of the people Young thanks in the Acknowledgements in each of her books are co-workers. Her fourth novel is even dedicated to another Toyota attorney.

"Don't just dream about pursuing your passion," Young says, "make it happen!"

About Pamela Samuels Young

Pamela Samuels Young is a novelist, motivational speaker and Managing Counsel for Labor and Employment Law for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., the sales and distribution arm for Toyota and Lexus vehicles in North America. She published the first of her six legal thrillers in 2006.  "Anybody's Daughter" is her latest. Her novel "Buying Time" won the American Library Association's Black Caucus 2010 Fiction Award.

The NAACP Image Awards celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors. Winners will be announced Feb. 21-22.