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Mindfulness originated in ancient Buddhism, but the practice has expanded to companies that offer some form of mindfulness training for their workers. Artists and sisters Nina (left) and Sonya Montenegro own The Far Woods, a creative studio that reflects their dedication to mindful living. Other local businesses make it part of their everyday approach, as well, by taking into consideration “the well-being of the environment, the consumer, and the business owner alike.” | Courtesy photo

Mindfulness Widens Its Sphere from Personal Mantra to Business Practice
Shannon Livengood
Though mindfulness originated in Buddhism, the practice has expanded to companies that offer some form of mindfulness for their workers. And, as Shannon Livengood writes, several local businesses have made it part of their everyday approach “in obvious and maybe not-so obvious ways,” taking into consideration “the well-being of the environment, the consumer, and the business owner alike.” Become more mindful here.
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The licensed mental health professionals on the Social Support Services Team at the Bloomington Police Department say they offer types of help that uniformed police officers aren’t trained to provide. (l-r) Dayona Cunningham, BPD Social Work Intern; Melissa Stone, MSW, LCSW; Mallory Swanson, MSW, LCSW; Pamela Flick, MA, LMHCA. | Limestone Post

Goal of BPD and Social Support Team Is ‘To Help People’ Deep Dive: WFHB & Limestone Post Investigate Police Social Support Services Team
Haley Miller
The Police Social Support Services Team at the Bloomington Police Department has helped thousands of people since 2019. Critics say police and social workers have differing views of justice — criminal versus social — but the team’s licensed mental health professionals say they offer support that uniformed police officers aren’t trained to provide. Click here to read a Deep Dive on social support services.
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The mobile integrated health program in Monroe County, which works with local health organizations to provide one-on-one care to patients, is part of a nationwide trend to help fill gaps in the healthcare system. Above, community EMTs work in the Bloomington Fire Department’s MIH program (l-r): Trisha Rademachir, Lily Blackwell, Shelby VanDerMoere (program manager), and Amber Stewart. Not pictured is newest MIH Daniel Stidd. | Photo provided by Shelby VanDerMoere

Mobile Integrated Health Helps Fill Gaps in Local Healthcare System
Rebecca Hill
The mobile integrated health program in Monroe County works with local health organizations to provide one-on-one care to patients, emphasizing a non-emergency approach and increasing efforts to meet people where they live and work. Writer Rebecca Hill takes an in-depth look at MIH programs across the state that are part of a nationwide trend to help fill gaps in the healthcare system. Read about MIH in Indiana.
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Off-Night Productions is a new theater company co-founded by Melinda Seader and Aubrey Seader in Bloomington. Above, the creative team for Off-Night’s first show, “Proof,” blocks and runs transitions during rehearsals. (l-r): Cassie Hakken (director), Valerie C. Kilmer (Claire), Phil Christiansen (assistant stage manager), and Steve Scott (Robert). “Proof” runs July 16–18 at Rose Firebay Theater, Waldron Arts Center. | Photo courtesy of Off Night Productions

Off Night Productions Increases Theatrical Roles for Women and Nonbinary Artists
Hiromi Yoshida
Off Night Productions is a new theater company dedicated to giving more leadership roles to female and nonbinary artists, as well as giving service-industry workers the chance to participate. Writer Hiromi Yoshida spoke to the mother-and-daughter co-founders, Melinda Seader and Aubrey Seader, and several key players in their inaugural production, Proof. | Click here for more about Off Night.
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Housing advocates and officials are trying various tactics to address the affordable housing problem in Monroe County. Most say that no one solution is enough, with each initiative approaching the problem in a different way. Jolene and Cornelius Wright (above) visit the site of their future home in Osage Place, a neighborhood being developed by Habitat for Humanity. | Photo by Jim Krause

‘No Silver Bullet’: Advocates, Officials Use Many Tactics on Housing Woes Deep Dive: WFHB & Limestone Post Investigate Local Housing Issues, Part 2
Steve Hinnefeld, Jim Krause
In part 2 of our housing series, Steve Hinnefeld reports on how housing advocates and officials are addressing the affordable housing problem in Bloomington and Monroe County. This series is part of “Deep Dive: WFHB & Limestone Post Investigate,” a collaboration between WFHB Community Radio and Limestone Post. Click here for the Steve’s housing report and to learn more about Deep Dive.
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People living in intentional communities engage daily in cooperative living. Laura Lasuertmer, a founding member of Common Home Farm north of Bloomington, asked members of four other intentional communities about how the pandemic changed community life. Pictured above are (l-r) David Watters, Huck Watters, David Lasuertmer, and Alice Lasuertmer at Common Home Farm’s “Outdoor Church” in January. | Photo by Laura Lasuertmer

‘We Were Already in This Together’: Pandemic Times in Intentional Community
Laura Lasuertmer
People living in intentional communities engage daily in cooperative living. How were they affected by the pandemic? How did community life change and adapt? Laura Lasuertmer, a founding member of Common Home Farm in Bloomington, asked members of four other intentional communities how their networks of mutual support weathered the pandemic. | Click here to read Laura’s article.
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Researchers have examined the effectiveness of preparation versus security when addressing mass shootings. For this in-depth article, Rebecca Hill interviewed several local and national experts and compiled data on using a public health approach. | Photo by NEOSiAM 2021 from Pexels

Preparation vs. Security in Preventing Mass Shootings
Rebecca Hill
As a nation, mass shootings are “part of our social fabric,” writes Rebecca Hill. She interviewed several local and national experts on how to better address mass shootings, especially in schools and businesses. Her in-depth report looks at research on mass shootings through a public health approach — and the effectiveness of preparation versus security. Click here to read the article.
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Within a two-hour drive from Bloomington, you can take road trips to such diverse places as quintessential Hoosier small towns and atypical Hoosier landscapes (pictured above, the DePauw Nature Park). As writer Diane Walker says, these fun, unusual, and affordable destinations will nourish our mental and physical health with hiking, exploring, and exercising our curiosity — and help us to emerge from our ‘unprecedented isolation.’ | Limestone Post

Road Trips to Waterfalls, Small Towns, and Unusual Hoosier Locales
Diane Walker
All of us need a fun break, especially after 14 months of unprecedented isolation, and what’s a better getaway than a good road trip? Writer Diane Walker takes us to waterfalls, small towns, and several fun, affordable, and unusual sites on these “road trips of distinction” — all within a two-hour drive of Bloomington. Click here to join the ride!
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Overcoming Barriers to Mental Health Services in a Pandemic
Eszi Waters
Economic distress, loss, and isolation due to the pandemic have increased the need for mental health services in Monroe County. While local providers have reinvented how they offer such services, many people still confront barriers to accessing them. Eszi Waters spoke to people at several agencies to see how they have adapted. Click here to read the article.
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Parenting through the pandemic can be challenging. But, as Jared Posey writes, self-care is important not only for a parent's well-being but also for teaching children how to respond to crises they will face in the future. Pictured above, the author mows the lawn while his son plays. | Photo by Katie Posey

Parenting Through a Pandemic: Role Modeling and Self-Care
Jared Posey
Biohazard suits, protective masks, sheltering at home, and other grim realities of COVID-19 have raised fears and questions among children. Providing answers can be difficult for parents. But, as Jared Posey writes, self-care is important not only for a parent's well-being but also for teaching children how to respond to future crises. Click here for a guide to parenting through a pandemic.
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A boudoir photo session — being physically and emotionally exposed while having their photo taken — might sound daunting to some. For others, the experience is transformative, giving them confidence and joy that they carry with them long after the session ends. At UNVEILED, many clients also find a sense of community and “the support from other women to love yourself and one another.” | Photo by Samantha McGranahan

UNVEILED Turns Intimate Photo Sessions Into Support and Empowerment by Julie Warren
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Transformative, empowering, supportive. This is how clients of UNVEILED describe their boudoir photo session. But being physically and emotionally exposed while having their photo taken is what bonds them to each other, writes Julie Warren. As one client puts it, “The support from other women to love yourself and one another is ongoing and crucial in a world that tends to tell us to do otherwise.” Click here to learn more about the UNVEILED community.
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