All Posts By

Nicole

“No Address” Film Review & Giveaway

Thanks to Robert Craig Films for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

“No Address,” a new scripted full-feature film by Robert Craig Films and written and produced by Julia Verdin, founder of Rough Diamond Productions, portrays the hostile realities of the homeless in our nation. Sharing the impact of hope to those most in need in modern society. Starring Lucas Jade Zumann, Beverly D’Angelo, Isabella Ferreira, William Baldwin, Xander Berkeley, Ty Pennington, Kristanna Loken, Patricia Velasquez, and Ashanti, this powerful film challenges audiences to believe in second chances for our nation’s most vulnerable.

Featuring an action-packed acting ensemble, this film shares a gripping narrative of a group of homeless people, bonded as a family, struggling to survive the ever-changing life of the unhoused in America. With the everyday trials and tribulations of harassment, gang culture, an unbalanced community advocacy sector, harsh treatment by local authorities, and the ignorance of the general public. Presenting audiences with an accurate day-to-day dichotomy of maintaining hope with the realities of life on the streets.

Revolves around the lives of seven characters who form a family to survive the streets, No Address features: Jimmy, a teen runaway, fighting against his abusive parents, Lauren, a displaced foster child; Harris, a veteran, former addict, and excellent painter who sells noncommissioned art pieces to aid his family of choice; Violet, a veteran balancing wat-induced PTSD and the drug use she turns to as a coping mechanism; Dor, a former actress whose early-onset dementia has led her to a life on the streets, Robert, a financially strapped businessman; and Gabrielle, a community advocate for the unhoused.

Through Robert Craig Films, this film highlights our nation’s unhoused. Bringing light to the plight of these unnamed members of society, the unhoused in America, who between 2022 and 2023, numbers increased 12% nationwide, and those numbers will likely double in 5-6 years, without proper bureaucratic aid. As well as the plight endured by researchers, nonprofits, and the misplaced alignment of our national bureaucracy and support advocacy organizations. Organizations that are interested in serving as corporate sponsors provide financial resourcing and a network of allies nationally.

“No Address” provides viewers with a personalized view of homelessness in an engaging, thought-provoking manner. Motivating viewers to seek to create a personal movement leading to societal and personal change.

Through compelling storytelling that not only communicates the reality of the challenge at hand but also builds compassion for the people who are affected, No Address has the potential to catalyze a movement across all ages around solving homelessness and dealing with it at a structural level. Learn more about this film, here.

Buy tickets today to see “No Address” in theaters starting February 28, 2025. Plus, thanks to Momentum Influencers, one Theladyprefers2save.com reader can enter to win both a $10.00 Amazon.com gift card as well as a ticket to Robert Craig Film’s “No Address,” in theaters starting February 28, 2025.

To enter, please leave a comment letting our community know if you have a connection to the No Address film or the unhoused community in the United States. Please note,  that this giveaway ends on March 2, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. All duplicate entries across participating platforms will be disqualified. This giveaway is open to US entrants, only. All gift cards will be sent electronically from Momentum Influencers to giveaway winners. Good luck!

Friends, why do you have a connection to the Robert Craig Film’s “No Address,” in theaters starting February 28, 2025? Please leave your thoughts below.

9 Comments

Sustainability In Your Healthcare Business

Photo Source

When operating in the healthcare sector, your business is heavily focused on supporting people. To unlock true success, though, it should also actively help the planet. 

Sustainability is a priority across all industries. Frankly, your healthcare business can make several improvements. Better still, they occur without compromising patient experiences. Here are five that you should focus on to enhance your company in 2025 and beyond.

Sustainable Staff Development

To run a greener healthcare business, starting with your employees is vital. Local EMS scholarships are an exciting opportunity for employees to develop their skills in a more sustainable setting. Creating greater sustainability within the team by reducing staff turnover rates is a positive factor. It indirectly reduces resource requirements as recruitment needs are removed. Likewise, you should notice benefits linked to onboarding.

Teaching staff members about your desire for sustainability should help too.

Waste Reductions

As a healthcare business, you will naturally use a large volume of resources. It is impossible to avoid the situation altogether as there are many single-use items involved in patient care. Still, the healthcare industry should actively reduce plastic waste use where possible. It’s great for the environment while also improving the way people view the company. Other simple steps include using water and electricity more efficiently. 

There’s nothing wrong with using resources in healthcare, especially if waste is minimal.

Marketing Sustainability

Healthcare businesses often struggle with the concept of viewing patients as customers. However, that is what they are. As such, marketing your services to your audience is an essential part of the process. Going paperless with social media influencing, email marketing, and SEO is highly advised. Meanwhile, tools like SMS reminders can be sent instead of patient letters. This cuts down on material usage and carbon emissions caused by mail. 

By connecting with patients more efficiently, you’ll also be positioned to improve more lives. 

Telehealth 

Technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace across the healthcare sector. Telehealth is unquestionably one of the most interesting developments. Remote connections between health providers and patients deliver many benefits. They include cost, comfort, and convenience. However, it can also support sustainability by reducing travel needs for providers and patients. Likewise, resources are utilized with optimal efficiency, which directly reduces overall carbon footprints. 

While it’s not the only incentive to embrace it, the environmental rewards are telling.

Greener Workspaces

Finally, building a greener workspace is an ideal way to improve the healthcare firm. Simple ideas like using LED lights and more efficient machinery will help. The size of the building means that roof solar panels can make a huge difference too. The right choice of windows, building materials, and interior design features are also key. So, you should always focus on green building designs and practices when updating spaces. If nothing else, it sets the tone.

Simple additions like plants may unlock even greater rewards.

The Final Word

Sustainability should be a priority for modern healthcare businesses. Not least because increased success means you’ll enjoy a more stable future. Start implementing the right changes today and the future will look brighter than ever.

Friends, in what ways has sustainability in healthcare affected your healthcare business practices? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

3 Comments

The Unbreakable Boy Review & Giveaway

Many thanks to Kingdom Faith Marketing Services for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

When the weather is cold and gray, little heals the spirit more than a great, new film. Including the new film from Kingdom Story Company, the team behind Jesus Revolution and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and Lionsgate, producers of Wonder, comes “The Unbreakable Boy.” In the story of Scott (Zachary Levi) and Teresa (Meghann Fahy), parents learn their beloved son, Austin, is both Autistic and lives with Brittle Bone Disease. Despite initial misapprehensions of their son’s newly diagnosed illness, develop a path forward through faith, gratitude, and joy. The childhood journey towards becoming unbreakable.

Film highlights include an opening voiceover from teenage Austin (Laval), who shares his favorite things-Hidden Valley Ranch, Star Wars, and his movie collection, including an affinity for “Fight Club.” Later, sharing the meet-cute of his parents meeting in a department store, his birthing scene, and a lead-in to his health struggles.

Later, Austin shares that he lives with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), a condition that makes his bones incredibly fragile. Where a simple fall from the couch could result in broken limbs as well as his personal Autism diagnosis. Yet, through a steely resolve, vows to never let his health and psychological conditions slow down his soon-to-be brilliance. Portraying Austin as the smart, clever, and larger-than-life young man he’s destined to become. Guiding viewers to view his academic pursuits, health conditions, and small, personal victories in great ways. Based on Scott LeRette’s memoir, of the same name, this screenplay is one to see this season.

The movie is a heartwarming coming-of-age tale of a family learning to navigate the challenges life throws their way with all the faith-based feels Kingdom Story Company is known for. “The Unbreakable Boy” is the family film to see with your most loved this season. Leaving viewers to hope for a stronger, more impactful experience for themselves, and others, this season and beyond.

Click here to buy tickets to see “The Unbreakable Boy” in theaters starting February 21, 2025. Plus, thanks to Momentum Influencers, one Theladyprefers2save.com reader can enter to win both a $10.00 Amazon.com gift card as well as a ticket to Kingdom Story Company’s “The Unbreakable Boy,” in theaters starting February 21, 2025.

To enter, please leave a comment letting our community know if you have a connection to the Autism or the Brittle Bone Disease community in the United States. Please note,  that this giveaway ends on February 23, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. All duplicate entries across participating platforms will be disqualified. This giveaway is open to US entrants, only. The film ticket and gift card will be sent electronically from Momentum Influencers to giveaway winners. Good luck!

Friends, why do you have a connection to the Autism community or Brittle Bone Community? Please leave your thoughts below.

5 Comments

CSB Jesus Daily Bible Review & Giveaway

Disclosure: Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. My opinions are 100% my own.

Growing up, my grandmother, Carolyn, started each new year with a new Bible. And this year, I’m taking this reference point to heart with the CSB Jesus Daily Bible. It is the perfect edition for the daily reading of scripture. From rich gold embossing, this affordably priced CSB Jesus Daily Bible will be your next favorite at-hand Bible.

With this Bible’s lengthy scripture learning points and small, but readable text, this format is a worthy addition to your daily scriptural library. Featuring 52 weekly divided sections, allowing readers to start at any point within the year, with lengthy readings, arranged to allow readers five thorough weekly readers. Allowing users a head start, guiding weekly, or yearly Bible reading sessions into customed reading to individual tastes and considerations. From Genesis to Revelation, teachings flow easily from one book to another. Giving readers a greater understanding of scripture with each read.

As with most Bibles, this edition’s text begins with an introduction, along with a detailed section outlining the format of the overall text. Allowing with a Daily Reading Plan checklist and a handy ribbon bookmark for easy at-hand referencing.

Within each book of the Bible included an overview of that book five weekly plans for the week, and a finishing thoughts section, titled, “Where will I find Christ in this week’s reading.” An overview of the book stating who wrote the book, what the focus was when it was written, where it was written, and why the written text is found within scripture. An informative section that brings clarity to Bible referencing. With an inclusive concordance, sharing in-color map and topography sections.

Key features of this Bible include:

  • Read this Bible in a yearly-centering daily reading on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
  • This new CSB Jesus Daily Bible includes a 52-week, Christ-focused reading plan you can join throughout the year.
  • From Genesis to Revelations, study Scripture through a weekly introduction, useful articles, infographics, and a weekly summary to help you understand Jesus’s central role in the New Testament.
  • View God’s Word in an easy-to-follow format.
  • The CSB Jesus Daily Bible will help your role in God’s world in an easy-to-follow daily format at home or on the go.

Order your copy of the CSB Jesus Daily Bible today! Learn more at CSBJesusDailyBible.com.

Then, be sure to enter to win a print copy of the CSB Jesus Daily Bible, courtesy of Momentum Influencers. One Theladyprefers2save.com reader their copy of the CSB Jesus Daily Bible. To enter, please leave a comment on this page letting me know why you’d most like to delve into the CSB Jesus Daily Bible. Please note, that this giveaway ends on January 20, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. All duplicate entries across participating platforms will be disqualified. This giveaway is open to US entrants, only. CSB Jesus Daily Bible copies will be sent electronically from Momentum Influencers to giveaway winners. Good luck!

Friends, why do you most want to read the CSB Jesus Daily Bible this season at home? Please leave your thoughts below.

5 Comments

Americans With No Address Review & Giveaway

Thanks to Robert Craig Films for providing a sample of the product for this review. My opinions are my own.

Winter. This is the time of year when watching new films and series is nearly a national pastime. Making now the right time to watch the new documentary, “Americans With No Address: The Documentary.” An inspirational new documentary film from The Americans With No Address team, a non-profit group working to raise awareness and offer community-based solutions to homelessness in America. Through a five-production approach, focusing on both documentaries, including “Americans With No Address,” on Prime Video, aiming to break the cycle of homelessness in the United States.

Both feature films provide an easy-to-follow, comprehensive plan and educational format that brings together a broader effort to build empathy and compassion for those experiencing homelessness. In addition to these powerful films, these documentaries offer viewers action-based solutions to homelessness in everyday American communities.

Focusing on increases in homelessness in recent years, filmmakers interview dozens of people, including experts, government officials, homeless people, doctors, and charity workers to hypothesize methods to house America’s unhoused communities, the millions of Americans lacking basic needs including medical care, housing, educational opportunities, and workplace initiatives. Exploring the homelessness epidemic across twenty domestic towns and cities, across eighteen American states. Focusing on the disconnect between government officials, law enforcement, physicians, social workers, educators, nonprofit groups, the clergy, and the unhoused themselves.

According to filmmakers, homelessness rose 12% in 2023, to 653,104 people. With one-third of the domestic population knowing a family member or a friend who became homeless in the last year. The film offers targeted governmental blame with little to no concern made of non-profit agencies collecting community funding that has not made it to its intended need.

Despite the film’s disturbing content dealing with crime, poverty, substance abuse, and mental illness, a film that may not be suitable for pre-teen children, this is a documentary with an uplifting perspective based on inherent dignity, “Americans With No Address,” offers viewers the opportunity to find non-profits in their communities to help become part of the solution. The GOP-sponsored IMD Exclusion Act of 1965, left the problem of homelessness to the states. Taking away the Federal government’s ability to offer assistance to homeless persons between the ages of 21 and 65.

Measures that despite the GOP gutting of the 2013 plan to bolster federal funding to HUD housing for homeless persons without requiring treatment for substance addiction recovery and mental health illnesses domestically. Believing that private programs such as the Salvation Army can offer more balanced, beneficial help. Despite the non-profit’s agreement to pay more than $1.87 million to resolve claims, it failed to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) when procuring job applicant background checks, and many of its housing charities and thrift stores were closed nationally.

“Americans With No Address: The Documentary,” is a well-meaning film that speaks to the need to revamp both bureaucratic agencies and non-profit organizations aiding the unhoused within the United States. Sharing stories of those involved on both sides of this issue, the unhoused communities and the various charity workers, through myopic optimism.

Watch “Americans With No Address: The Documentary,” streaming now on Prime Video. To find out more about this organization and how you can help end the cycle of homelessness for the unhoused in America at: www.AmericansWithNoAddress.com.

Our friends at Momentum Influencers are also giving one Theladyprefers2save.com reader their own $10.00 Amazon Gift Card. To enter, please leave a comment on this page letting me know your takeaway from “Americans With No Address: A Documentary,” available now on Prime Video. This giveaway ends on January 28, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. All duplicate entries across participating platforms will be disqualified. Gift cards will be sent electronically from Momentum Influencers to giveaway winners. Good luck!

Friends, will you be seeing “Americans With No Address: The Documentary,” on Prime Video? Please leave your thoughts below.

12 Comments

Between Borders Film Review & Reader Giveaway

Many thanks to Pinnacle Peak Pictures for providing a sample of the product for this review. My opinions are 100% my own. 

One of the greatest honors of my life was my time spent as a missionary in Kenya and Central America. Making the new film, “Between Borders,” and its portrait of the resilient nature of refugee families, a film that is needed in today’s modern America.

This faith-based film, from Angel Studios, which brought us recent titles such as this past holiday season’s, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” focuses on Kingdom Story Company’s take on modern refugee stories from the perspective of “the outsider,” and their aspiring role of the contemporary Christian Church’s call to aid refugees internationally.

“Between Borders” focuses on their interpretation of the refugees’ experience. Shares a tale of the Petrosyan family, a tight-knit clan leaving their home in Azerbaijan, escaping political upheaval in Armenia, for a Russian Christian community. Who in turn, aid the family’s escape to the United States, evading Russian violence. Then, in America, fighting the jurisprudence of the domestic court system.

The story’s virtue lies in its retelling of the Petrosyan family’s journey of ethnic, social, and religious persecution. Leaving the confines of communism, to being welcomed into moralistic America. A story that is both common and concerning. While refreshing to see an emboldened tale on the typical story of refugees coming to America, the story is simplistic in its understanding of domestic immigration, assimilation, and the modern post-Soviet state.

Packed with survivalist heroism, this story falls short of its intended interpretation. Russia is portrayed as a misguided haven for Christians, despite its current jurisprudence being riddled with human rights atrocities. At least 17 civilian journalists and media workers have been killed in the line of duty since the Russo-Ukrainian War began in 2014. Thousands of domestic protestors were detained for undocumented human rights violations, including, notably, Alexei Navalny’s death in an Arctic Circle penal camp for protesting the Russian War efforts against Crimian and the Ukranian people. A war effort that has killed 34,047 (9,824 killed and 24,223 injured Ukranains) occurring on territory legally owned and occupied by the government of Ukraine, and 7,151 (2,632 killed and 4,519 injured) on territory controlled by Russian armed forces.

Highlighting the works of Christian communities aiding refugees, and highlighting the supposed tolerant nature of the American immigration system, the Petrosyan family’s experience remains exceptional. While treated badly in Russia, for reasons similar to other sections of the Ukranian population have been affected by the Russian War Machine. With America, often lambasted for its racist history, this film suggests that this may be less so in the modern-day United States. An assessment highlighting America’s perceived virtue, as compared to Russia’s lack thereof, regardless of domestic cultural and political identity.

Politics aside, the film’s actors are highly likable, including Elizabeth Tabish as Violetta Petrosyan, and Patrick Sabongui as the Petrosyan patriarch. Gives off a wholesome nature that plays well against Elizabeth’s more childlike demeanor.

While the film is longwinded and at times dawdling, its opening scene more than makes up for its internal pacing. Where viewers first meet Ivan, alone, before he walks into a courtroom, demonstrating his moralistic nature. Sharing the symbolism of the scene where the Petrosyan family hides while a neighbor is shot and maimed. Then, Ivan is confronted by bullies, and remains calm, sharing a true potential for internal pathos-aligned heroism. More than making up for the film’s disembodied camerawork, editing, and design as well as the widely-bantered notion falsely equating the communist economic system with that of Christianity, an organized religion. As seen in frames of Violetta sharing personal truths, and not commonly known actualization with her family’s attorney. Making her dialogues an off-kilter notions of communism to capitalism, unlettered.

Audiences are given a well-meaninged message, that the Petrosyan family narrowly escapes becoming victims of violence-scenes never show such exacting claims. Leading viewers to create their political sequencing in their minds. Did these near-deaths happen or were inserted into the film’s dialogue to gain a more sympathetic viewer? A failure of scripting.

Overall, Between Borders shares a message of hope for the Petrosyan family. Yet, leaves audiences feeling as much sympathy for the film’s protagonists as they do for the maligned citizens and American legal community-especially anyone who disagrees with the film’s Christian messaging. Creating a noxious spin on the current domestic immigration debate. Portraying those who wouldn’t nationally welcome Christian outsiders as motivated by xenophobia and faithlessness.

This film’s audience is in no way served by making art of social anxiety. Tutelage that leads viewers to believe that complex, legalistic issues can be made simple with cinematic coercion. Portraying diverges from moral talking points as perspectives lacking a chivalrous nature. The oversimplification of global and socioeconomic issues, as a means of fashioning narratives, a hero and villain dynamic, issues often seen throughout the faith-based film industry.

In all, the Petrosyan family’s story is one of moralistic integrity that seeks audiences to contemplate, “What does an American family look like, to you?” Positive messaging of a massively complex topic.

“Between Borders” is in theaters starting January 26-28, 2025. You can see its trailer, here, and purchase tickets, here.

Our friends at Momentum Influencers are also giving one Theladyprefers2save.com reader their own $10.00 Amazon Gift Card. To enter, please leave a comment on this page letting me know why you’d most want to see “Between Borders,” in theatres on January 26-28, 2025. This giveaway ends on January 22, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. All duplicate entries across participating platforms will be disqualified. Gift cards will be sent electronically from Momentum Influencers to giveaway winners. Good luck!

Friends, will you be seeing “Between Borders” in theatres this January 26-28, 2025? Please leave your thoughts below.

15 Comments

Choosing the Right Institution: Essential Tips for Working Professionals Pursuing Further Education 

Deciding to pursue further education while working full-time is a big step. Choosing the right institution to meet your needs is key to achieving your goals. Here are some essential tips for working professionals to find the best program.

Research Your Options

The first step is thoroughly researching all your options. List local colleges, universities, and online programs that offer degrees in your field. Compare costs, accreditation, flexibility, admissions requirements, and program length and format. Narrow your choices to a few top contenders that seem the best fit.

Consider Flexibility

For busy working adults, flexibility is often the most important factor. Look for programs that offer evening, weekend, or fully online courses that allow you to fit your studies around work and life. Accelerated course formats help you complete degrees faster. Schools like https://ce.fresno.edu/ offer a wider range of flexible, self-paced online courses for teacher professional development.

Finding the Right Fit

Make sure to choose an accredited program that provides the knowledge, training, and credentials you need to reach your career goals. Smaller class sizes and close faculty interaction are ideal for working students who need more personalized support. If you anticipate needing financial assistance, research aid options thoroughly.

Evaluate Program Quality

Carefully examine factors that indicate academic quality and student outcomes. Look at instructor qualifications, curriculum rigor, class format, research opportunities, career services, graduation, and job placement rates. Programs that support working adult learners tend to have higher completion rates. Reputable rankings like US News can also help gauge program excellence.

Talk to Advisors

Schedule appointments to meet with admissions counselors and academic advisors at your top schools. Discuss your situation, goals, and program details to get insight on whether it’s the right fit. Ask about support services for working adult learners. Their guidance can help inform your final decision.

Consider Convenience

For busy professionals, proximity and convenience are key factors. On-campus programs close to work or home cut down on commuting time. Fully online degrees allow you to complete coursework anywhere, anytime. Weigh location, class times, and format options for the least disruption to your schedule.

Evaluate Previous Credits

Many schools allow transfer credits from past college coursework or education and training obtained on the job. This allows you to save time and money. Thoroughly research policies on transferring credits and experiential learning to maximize what counts toward your degree.

Prepare Financially

Completing a degree as a working adult often requires financial planning and budget adjustments. Besides institutional aid, research scholarships, employer tuition reimbursement programs, and government funding sources. Develop a financial plan mapping out these funding sources and repayment options if loans are needed.

With proper research and planning, working professionals can find the right institution for pursuing higher education. Key factors like flexibility, convenience, cost, fit, credit transfers, and preparation are essential to evaluate. Taking the time to make the best choice leads to achieving your goals and advancing your career.

Friends, what are your tips for pursuing higher education as a working professional? Please leave your thoughts below.

0 Comments