Just Try

Be pleasant. 

Mr/Ms/Mrs Representative

I'm a fan of writing letters, even one's that aren't to loved ones and friends. As an assignment in fifth grade, we were all asked to write a letter to our State Representative, & I haven't stopped doing so. 

I realize for many the word 'government' automatically tenses muscles,  frowns faces & turns people off/against, but now more than ever, we all must be aware of what is going on. Right now our State Representatives are gathering in DC to work on the Federal Budget, & in efforts to eliminate the Federal deficit - are making some HUGE cuts. Many to social services.

I've been busy writing letters to 'save' family planning assistance programs, funding for refugee assistance, AmeriCorps (& other national service projects) & our beloved NPR/PBS -- because I believe in these causes.

The writin' comes easy when fueled by belief and I encourage all of you visit Congress.org to educate yourself on what is happening within our Congress. I'm confident you'll find something you believe in and I urge you to go one step further - write your representative. Tell them how you feel, even if it's more of a "Thank You" than "HOW DARE YOU".  We vote our representatives in to speak for us - listening to your concerns, congrats and interests is. their. job.

Alone we are one person, but if we all do our share - we can make a change (or keep good things going). Your voice matters.

---

Dear Representative -----, 

During these times of evaluation and tough decision making in efforts to reduce the Federal deficit, I hope you consider voting against the elimination of national service programs such as AmeriCorps. 

This year, I am serving as an Americorps Volunteer at a local refugee resettlement agency. Although my official title is Volunteer, daily I serve as an Employment Counselor. My AmeriCorps organization has 30 AmeriCorps members serving in approximately 20 sites. Each of us provide employment services, job/work readiness training and college preparation services for low income refugees, immigrants, and/or ex-offenders. If Congress eliminates AmeriCorps, large numbers of at-risk members of the Minnesota community will lose services they need to be successful, incoming earning, contributing members of society. The Continuing Resolution will only push unemployment rates up. Unemployment numbers -- particularly for young people, veterans and military spouses, older Americans and people of color-remain alarmingly high. 

Beyond the at-risk groups we serve, people like my fellow volunteers (including but not limited to: retirees, recent college graduates, graduate students, mothers, fathers, etc.) national service programs have offered us the opportunity to earn a subsistence-level stipend, develop skills, and create pathways to future employment. Eliminating programs like AmeriCorps will result in jobs lost for the corps members and the staff who supervise them. 

I personally joined AmeriCorps when after graduating from a State University was unable to find steady employment. Through AmeriCorps I've been able to gain skills in the career area of my choice, become a young professional, gain new skills, move forward in becoming financially independent and most importantly - serve my community.  

I have been able to help at risk population of new Americans, refugees. Most refugee individuals have lived a life of discrimination and war - they have survived unbelievable feats and have made the plunge to accept their invitation to start a new life in the United States, specifically in Minnesota. This transition is not an easy one, but during my service thus far I've been able to help my new neighbors find steady and gainful employment through assisting in skill development, job/work readiness training, managing job search and placement assistance. I've been able to build relationships with small and large business owners, so they too may benefit from the hard work and determination of refugee workers (all of whom are legally granted the right to work in the United States). Through my service, I've been able to help individuals once dependent on State and Federal assistance become self sustaining, contributing members of their State and community. 

While the immediate benefits of cutting programs such as AmeriCorps may be high - the future implications are not. Our goals for aiding Americans and Minnesotans to become self sustaining, contributing members of society are like minded, I hope we can work together so that national service programs such as AmeriCorps can continue to make those goals a reality. AmeriCorps has had a deep impact on my life, and beyond one year of service will continue to shape the way in which I work towards bettering our local communities. Please save AmeriCorps.

Thank you for your time.

a moment

 

I love it & the funny thing is - I can't remember what we were laughing about. 

PS:  I spied Jess on the Invisible Children Blog today, I got weepy - literally seeing my friends fulfilling their dreams is just, wonderful.

Going on 85

Photographer Lauren Fleishman's project Love Ever After melted my heart this Valentine's morning - so I thought I'd pass it on. You can only imagine how much my old soul loves these photos & words. xoxoxoxo

Photos via: Lauren Fleishman

Story via: Cup of Jo

Needed It

“I’ve tried to become someone else for a while, only to discover that he, too, was me.”

- Stephen Dunn

Attend This

"Did you know that 70% of the world's supply of cocoa beans comes from West Africa, where there are an estimated 15,000 child slaves who harvest them? Kidnapped, or even sold by their families, they are forced to work under dangerous conditions with little hope for a brighter future. 

Hosted by Not For Sale Minnesota, during this event you will learn to deal constructively with this disheartening situation by becoming an informed consumer of slave-free chocolate. Come and learn about local chocolate sources untainted by slave labor, as well as have the opportunity to sample and purchase slave-free (and guilt-free) chocolate."

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The movie The Dark Side of Chocolate will begin promptly at 7pm. Please come and see this informative clip.

  

WHEN: Thurs, Feb 10  7PM - 9PM   

WHERE: Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Minneapolis Office

625 Fourth Avenue S.

Minneapolis, MN 55415

FREE samples of fair trade chocolate will be provided by French Meadow Bakery.

PARKING: Free parking is one block EAST of Thrivent between 5th and Portland.

DETAILS: The event will take place in the first floor auditorium of the Thrivent building. Skyways and all doors will be open for your use.  

Pictures Via The Dark Side of Chocolate

Event Hosted By the Not for Sale Campaign MN Chapter 
Oh, & great minds think alike: Kimmy

Arab World Test

In our country - the Middle East/North Africa/Arab World floods our nightly news: Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Sudan, Afghanistan etc.

We've heard of the countries, we know the racist jokes, we are familiar with the stereotypes (don't lie- I say desert you think Aladdin, camels & terrorists). Many around us unfairly fear the Arabic language, tanned skin & dark hair/eyes, dare I say Muslims?! But tell me, do you even know where these countries are?

Can you recognize that more than terrorism and riots - this part of the world is unique, beautiful, full of culture, passion, history and human beings much like yourself?

I challenge you all to take this 'rethinking schools' Middle East Map Quiz & test your knowledge on the geographic of an area we feel so comfortable slamming. If you don't make more than 5 mistakes, I'll send candy. & while you're at it - do a little research on a country or two, you'll be awed.

PS: This is dedicated to Dr. Hsain Ilahiane, my professor of Contemporary Muslim Societies - who made us take a killer quiz like this: all. those. 'stans'.

Photos & Idea via:  Invisible Children and Wikipedia Arab World

Alleyway

In Egypt the alleyways & streets smell like apple shisha.

I'm craving warm evenings.

Turquoise

 

I haven't heard from Khalda yet, but the woman has been adding pictures to facebook. So, I'm assuming she's okay. Drives me crazy, that one.

Happy to see she's okay, though - & looking beautiful.

Confused.

Just thought I'd update everyone, I've heard from Anwar (Khalda's Hubbie), sadly, he didn't bring me the news I was hoping for...

Hello Jeanna
I have been trying to call her but I wouldn't be able. The situation is getting worse. I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm just totally confuse. she has another phone number **-***-***-**** you may try it. Thank you Jeanna for asking about Khalda and Baby Ahmed. 

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& while tensions in Egypt have been getting worse I'm still confident Khalda and little Ahmed are doing just fine. Like I told a friend last night, I'm sure she's off muttering, "I told you so, I told you so - Egyptians are crazy."