Four weeks ago, a dedicated group of government and community leaders in Montgomery, Alabama were disappointed to learn that they did not receive a federal grant they had been seeking to fund the opening of a Family Justice Center. It was the second time they had applied for a federal FJC grant and had not been funded. In the midst of a very bad economy, they were deeply discouraged. They had asked me to come and celebrate their announcement of a grant or perhaps even a Grand Opening on October 19, 2009. They had even picked out a building to use for the Center. Now, they were calling to let me know they did not get their grant. But as we talked on the phone it was clear to me their dream was still strong. They were determined and unwilling to give up. So, I agreed to donate my time and come anyway and rally the community and they agreed to keep advocating. I told them we should re-double our vision casting, outreach, press push, and elevate our voices to recruit caring public officials and business leaders. And they did! Read more »
Posts in month: November, 2009
October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month and a great opportunity to reflect on the national and international movement to stop domestic violence. From day one, everyone on our team was working hard to collaborate with many others and bring awareness to this important struggle – we held trainings and workshops around the country and locally, including the San Diego County Bar Association. We participated in the San Diego Domestic Violence Council and the YWCA Domestic Violence Awareness walks and rallies. As we were wrapping things up the last week of October here in San Diego, a small miracle happened. Lt. Lori Luhnow (Director of the San Diego Family Justice Center), Yvonne Coiner (member of the VOICES Committee) and I were invited by KUSI to talk about Domestic Violence for 30 minutes on October 29th. Paul Bloom, the host, wanted to help us bring even MORE awareness to the issue of domestic violence. I was stunned. We didn’t ask him or the station to do this show. Nothing tragic or horrible happened that particular week. Read more »
A few weeks ago, both my daughters and my son, all independent of each other, told me how much they loved me and shared with me how much the affirmation and encouragement of our home had meant to them. It made me cry. They were giving me what my wife Beth and I have tried to give them their whole lives. We have tried to be their biggest cheerleaders. We have tried to be the supporters of their dreams. We have tried to often remind them that they have divine callings in life and God-given gifts and abilities to use to help others and make a difference in the world. Now, as they become adults they are gifting us with the very encouragement we have tried to instill in their lives for over 20 years. Does it get any better than that? Encouragement changes the world.