Mental Health Association in New Jersey Interviews Gregory Burrus on Why The Show Must Go On

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Friday, April 22, 2022

On April 11th, the Mental Health Association in New Jersey held their weekly mental health improvement webinar. It's a weekly show held via Zoom with a special guest from all over the Northeast and beyond. Lynette Sheard of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey Interviewed me for the show titled “Why the Show Must Go On... Creativity and Your Mental Health.”

Interview Announcement Gregory Burrus - Why the Show Must Go On.

The show focuses on people, their mental health, and why the show, our lives must continue on. The show is designed to encourage, inspire and support our creative communities.  

The Format of the Show consisted of:

• Welcome introduction to the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) program and the interviewer Lynette Sheard. 

• Introduction to today's program special guest.

• Question and answer session with the special guest.

• Special guest final thoughts

Interview - Gregory Burrus - Why The Show Must Go On by Mental Health Association in New Jersey’s Director Lynette Sheard.

The interview proceeded through my background and the following slides as I provided answers. Take a listen. 

New York City Phase 

National / International Phase 

Community / Live Music Phase

I was asked, “What is your why and how regarding pursuing your creativity?”

In summary, after many years of working in corporate America, I found myself saying it's time to move on. And the following were my takeaways and how I have and still am maintaining my mental health.

Mental Lessons Learned: 

• Do what appeals to you no matter who you work for or are working with.

• Be creative in how you work, travel and make time to see it all.  

• When the little bell goes off inside your head that says it's time for a change — explore it deeply.

• Listen to lots of music to relax you. 

My Final Thoughts

I was asked for a final thought or words of wisdom, advice, recipes, tips, etc. I was free to prepare a song, poem, one minute or less:

Find a Job you love and never work a day in your life again.

About the Writer Gregory Burrus

I'm in my happy place after a fabulous swinging live music performance with the band.

Gregory Burrus is a local live music ambassador, event planner, live music ambassador and community partner that curates, manages and promotes live music events in the local Northern NJ and New York Area.

Gregory Burrus sits on a number of local boards and committees and is currently serving as a Board Member of Maplewood Community Music and is a Board Member of Harlem World Magazine Advisory Board. 

Year-round Gregory Burrus also curates, books and produces: the Jazz973 live music jazz series at Clements Place Jazz for the Rutgers University Institute of Jazz Studies,  the Jazzy Nights Live Music performances, Cranford NJ Summer Sounds.

In addition to producing events, Gregory Burrus Productions also showcases, photographs, and videotapes events annually such as the annual NYC John Jay College Friends of Myrna Bain Scholarship Fundraiser, the Orange NJ Farmers Market, numerous local bands at various local venues.  Gregory Burrus has a passion for making live music happen anywhere and everywhere he can whether locally around town or around the world while living life every day to the fullest. Learn more at: Gregory Burrus - Gregory Burrus Live Music Ambassador    

Banding Together to Address Aging Out of Foster Care, Homelessness and Negative Mental Health

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Sleep Out: Montclair 2022 Community Edition

The Junior League of Montclair-Newark, Inc. is creatively reacting to the new normal by joining together with Covenant House New Jersey for the third year in a row. For a second year this discussion on Homelessness, Aging Out of Foster Care and Mental Health issues was produced by Gregory Burrus Productions with the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, Inc.  The Sleep Out Montclair 2022 Community Edition will be held this year on March 4th, 2022.  This ongoing commitment by the Junior League of Montclair-Newark, Inc. is sorely needed because Covenant House has been finding homeless youth sleeping under bridges, abandoned buildings, or riding the trains. And as you can imagine in our new normal, the Pandemic has only made the situation worse.

Voices of Youth Count

This need for support and resolution of this issue was emphasized in this nationwide report, the Voices of Youth Count (VoYC) initiative:

“Voices of Youth Count is an innovative, national policy research initiative designed to link evidence and action by capturing the experiences of runaway, unaccompanied homeless and unstably housed youth, more clearly defining the size of the population and scope of the issue, and driving compelling knowledge into the hands of the broad national community dedicated to ending youth homelessness.”

This groundbreaking report on youth homelessness in the United States by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago was conducted over the course of a full year rather than a single night, making it the most comprehensive research to date on youth homelessness in the U.S. Here’s some of the facts:

• More than 3.5 million young adults ages 18 to 25 experience a form of homelessness in the course of a year — that’s 1 of every 10 young adults.

• At least 700,000 adolescent minors ages 13 to 17 experience a form of homelessness in the course of a year — that’s 1 of every 30 adolescent minors.

• In total, at least 4.2 million young people experience a form of homelessness in a given year, from couch surfing to living on the streets.

• Youth homelessness affects urban and rural youth at similar levels.

You can read more about this situation here: https://voicesofyouthcount.org.

New Jersey Point-in-Time Count of the Homeless Report

Thinking of your own children, friends and neighbors, these are some very scary numbers because they reflect some very real people. Looking at the New Jersey 2020 Point-in-Time Count of the Homeless along with the 2020 Annual Homeless Assessment Report revealed this information: 

• There are 9,663 homeless men, women, and children across the state of New Jersey.

• There were 1,743 persons, in 1,601 households, who were identified as chronically homeless.

• There were 1,786 persons who were unsheltered.

Discussion on Homelessness, Aging Out of Foster Care and Mental Health 

Making it real and bringing it all the way home is the Junior League of Montclair-Newark, Inc. (JLMN), The Mental Health Association in New Jersey and Covenant House New Jersey. Together they have come together in this very important talk to bring additional awareness to Youth Homelessness, Aging Out of Foster Care and associated Mental Health Issues right here in New Jersey. Click to listen: 

As you can hear, the Junior League of Montclair-Newark, Inc. have shown they are committed again to helping address this situation by participating in this year’s Sleep Out fundraiser. For the 2nd year in a row, the COVID-19 pandemic has required us all to get creative and alter our plans to meet this very necessary fundraising campaign.  

SLEEP OUT — JOIN THE MOVEMENT March 4th 

We hope you listen to the video, understand the need and Sleep Outside for one night so New Jersey youth facing homelessness don’t have to. Please listen to the discussion, understand the need and, if you can, join us. Learn more here and here: https://bit.ly/SleepOutwithHC 

About the Junior League of Montclair-Newark, Inc. (JLMN) 

According to the JLMN website:

“The JLMN is a supportive, amazing organization of women whose mission is to promote voluntarism, develop the potential of women and improve the community through trained volunteers […] We are actively involved in supporting Foster Care initiatives and Human Trafficking legislation because we understand that our future depends on the flourishing of our communities’ children. “

JLMN is creating better communities for a better future.

“The JLMN strives to promote the safety and well-being of the children in the Montclair-Newark area.”

Learn more about the Junior League of Montclair-Newark, Inc. and their current programs here: www.jlmn.org. 

About Covenant House New Jersey (CHNJ) 

According to the Covenant House New Jersey (CHNJ) website:

“Covenant House New Jersey (CHNJ) provides sanctuary and support for youth ages 18-21 facing homelessness or human trafficking. We have seven locations across the state: Atlantic City, Newark, Jersey City, Camden, and Asbury Park, and specialized care in Montclair and Elizabeth. Across New Jersey, we are the New Jersey Human Traffic Provider of services to all Human Trafficking survivors and victims.  At CHNJ’s Montclair-based program, Nancy’s House, young people with special mental health needs who are facing homelessness can get the attention they require.  We serve about 4,585 youth annually, and all our services are free.”

For more information about the Sleep Out, visit https://bit.ly/SleepOutwithHC.

About the Writer Gregory Burrus

Gregory Burrus is a Passionate Community Advocate, Reporter, and Writer about local events In and Around Northern NJ, showcasing, photographing, videotaping events and happenings as they occur around town while living life every day to the fullest. 

My mission is to help community groups, live music bands and local nonprofits reach their goals and accomplish their missions while enjoying life every day.

Junior League Montclair-Newark, Inc. 2021 Annual Holiday Market Supporting Black-Owned Businesses

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Saturday, December 11, 2021

Every year, especially around the holidays, when people tend to reflect on life a lot, the JLMN membership gets creative in figuring out ways to help others, help themselves.

The Junior League of Montclair-Newark (JLMN), Inc. is a volunteer organization of women committed to Promoting Volunteerism, Developing the potential of women, and Improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Our purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

From addressing social issues, providing scholarships, to holiday redecorating to helping Covenant House with a Sleep Out benefit, they find a way to get it done and make a difference using the creative skillset of their membership. With us all experiencing loss of business due to the devastating effects of the pandemic and the fact that the year end holiday season is now upon us, these helpful initiatives can really make a big difference.

This year's JLMN Virtual Holiday Market is about bringing positive energy to elegant jewelry, developing and improving literacy skills of young readers, believing that everyone deserves to own real estate, and developing products that caress your hair and skin. We have businesses created because the owners were frustrated by the dearth of quality products, some owners are developing clean anti-aging skin and hair care products, and others want to uplift us via messages of peace, love & good vibes while others are building dreams and self-esteem of young girls via the arts.

When you explore the JLMN Virtual Holiday Market, you will encounter business owners that truly believe in their mission and their companies. We encourage you to contact and support them.

SteelMcLean

SteelMcLean - We worked closely with a hand-selected scientific team from inception to production for over two years before introducing our first product to the world. We were determined to get it right because we care about you and the value that we bring to your life.

Based on our salon clients' feedback, we had a very clear vision of the products that were needed. We understood what was missing in the marketplace both in terms of quality and effectiveness. We researched every ingredient. We studied how our skin and hair responded. The end result was Steel Mclean Products - products uniquely formulated to clean, correct and caress your hair and skin. Our products contain unique and very sophisticated ingredients that are naturally derived and incredibly effective. Our products are proven. 

BUY HERE: www.steelmcleanbarbers.com | https://steelmclean.com

Styled Blu

Styled Blu is a lifestyle home décor accent line of eclectic pillows, textiles and high-quality African fabrics handpicked and sourced from the markets of Ghana.  All pillows and textiles are handcrafted. Styled Blu's has married pillows and textiles with custom designed tealights; candle holders; vintage glassware; custom lit banners for mantels, mirrors & gallery walls.

Styled Blu's decor furnishes messages of peace, love & good vibes. Bring comfort & style home. Goods are handcrafted by Styled Blu with global artisans.

In 2018, Styled Blu launched it’s a lifestyle home décor accents line and is now currently being sold in pop shop locations in Montclair, NJ. 

BUY HERE: https://styledblulife.com

Organic Cosmetica   

Organic Cosmetica was founded by a regenerative medicine physician from New York, who has devoted much of her career to alternative orthopedic and anti-aging cosmetic treatments. Keenly aware of the painful and expensive nature of some cosmetic procedures and aware of the potential dangers of certain drugs and synthetic ingredients, she searched for alternative options for her patients and clientele and for herself. Frustrated by the dearth of quality, clean anti-aging skin and hair care products in an unregulated industry saturated with brands that lacked regard for sustainability, she founded Organic Cosmetica.

We create high quality, 100% natural, anti-aging skin and hair care products for men and women including those with allergies and sensitivities. Everything we make is gluten-nut-soy-free, certified vegan, certified animal test-free, made in the USA and contains at least 60% certified organic ingredients.

BUY HERE: https://www.organic-cosmetica.com 

Cathleen McCoy Bristol

Cathleen McCoy Bristol is a former instructor at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art, the Junior Museum of the Newark Museum, Arts Unbound and Senior Studio. Cathy has freelanced as a fashion illustrator but her passion is as a painter, focusing mostly on portraits and figure work but also paints landscapes, still life's and animals.  Cathy, a frequent exhibitor, often works on a commissioned basis and has numerous works in private collections.

Cathy co-curated the SOMA (South Orange Maplewood ) Artists Studio Tour at the Maplewood Memorial Library and Ugo Giannini's Exhibit at the Pierro Gallery, South Orange and was the curator of the 2014 SOMA Studio Tour Exhibit at the Maplewood Memorial Library.

Recently, she used her creativity and curated a well received exhibition where the Artists Creatively Used Art and Stories to Shine a Light On Domestic Violence. Contact Cathy and have commission a project or beautiful art piece for you. 

CONTACT: https://cathymccoybristol.webstarts.com

Kemboocha™

Kemboocha™ was born out of my love of fermented foods and optimal health. We carefully utilize ingredients that are potent, powerful and will provide you with the freshest tasting kombucha. In addition to  Kemboocha™  we also provide a fermented tonic called fire cider.

BUY HERE: https://kemboocha.store/ 

I Love Beautiful Spaces

I Love Beautiful Spaces is a boutique family-focused home relocation and renovation firm working across the US, believing that everyone deserves to own the real estate that they love. I Love Beautiful Spaces takes their clients’ needs, interest and lifestyle - combined with a network of professionals - and elevates their experience in achieving the lifestyle they desire through owning real estate.  A firm believer in “creating active & passive income through real estate, I Love Beautiful Spaces is obsessed with risk-taking, grit and passion. Contact I Love Beautiful Spaces to meet your goal of owning a beautiful space regardless of your current location. 

CONTACT: http://ilovebeautifulspaces.com/ 

Linoto

Linoto makes amazing real linen sheets that help you sleep better, linen napkins and tablecloths that enhance your dining and entertaining events, linen curtains that beautify your home, and linen spa towels that rejuvenate and refresh your bath and shower experience. Most importantly, we make beautiful, soft, artisanal quality products that feel special to us and to the people who enjoy them.

Linoto has fulfilled more than 10,000 orders to loyal Customers around the world and enjoys a fabulous reputation for quality, value, and style.

BUY HERE: www.linoto.com

Gracefully Yours

Gracefully Yours - Deserving Opportunities for Lovely Ladies -  The mission of the D.O.L.L House is to embrace, nurture, build dreams, self-esteem, and cultivate young girls ages 10 and up through the arts to become balanced young women. We believe that this will prepare them for lives of service and leadership rooted in values of faith, hope, and love.

BUY HERE: https://www.dariajonesworld.com/gracefullyyours 

RITTA BOOK

The RITTA BOOK organization was established to help develop and improve literacy skills of young readers grades, kindergarten through 5th grade. RITA BOOK offers innovative products, services and programs geared to enrich, empower, excite and inspire Children, their Parents and Educators to foster literacy and learning as a critical life skill. A life skill that's vital to offsetting the contrary effects of poor literacy skills among young scholars. 

CONTACT: www.rittabook.com

Nitjuan Designs

Nitjuan Designs

Bringing positive energy and elegant jewelry together!.

Handcrafted Wearable Art for You and Your Home infused with loving Reiki energy.

I create wearable art for you and your home which includes everything from jewels to chandeliers. I specialize in custom orders and I work with gemstones, crystals, glass, metal and many other materials.  

BUY HERE: https://nitjuandesigns.com/category/shop/crystals/  

JAM Network TV

At JAM Network TV, we endeavor to produce educational, inspiring and empowering content, to share the rich history of talented black actors and actresses who have paved the way for many of the shining stars we see today. We are committed to providing a platform to showcase the work of emerging talented minority content creators. In addition to the latest content, JAM Network TV will make content available from the early years of Black cinema.

This network is committed to teaching the authentic history of Black people, and the strong legacy upon which we stand.

WATCH: https://www.jamnetworktv.com/ 

From real estate to TV to haircare, we got it all, so please join us and let's support the Black-Owned Businesses of the Junior League of Montclair Newark's 2021 Virtual Holiday Market.  

About Junior League of Montclair Newark

The JLMN is a nonprofit organization of trained volunteers. Through hands-on projects and partnerships, our members build a better community by promoting education, health and wellness, literacy and the arts for children at risk each year.

Whether chairing a JLMN project or serving on a community board, JLMN members learn the skills to affect real change and improve our communities.

CONTACT: https://www.jlmn.org

About the Author

Gregory Burrus is a Passionate Community Advocate, Live Music Producer, Reporter, and Writer about local events and happenings In and  Around Essex County, NJ. Showcasing, photographing, videotaping events and creative people as they occur around town while living life every day to the fullest.

My mission is to help people, live music bands and local nonprofits reach their goals and accomplish their missions while enjoying the day to day process of life. Are you ready for your interview? Let’s connect!

CONTACT: http://gregoryburrusproductions.com