I try my best to be grateful for all the gifts I have, especially for my education and my freedom. That said, at times I will still get really down on myself. I’ll face some sort of challenge that makes me question my career path. Limited funds. Limited time. A grant requirement I can’t meet. Not being physically close to my friends. But one thing I’ve learned over the few years since graduation is to not get too excited about these challenges because something good will happen. This is providence. Being provided for in a good way. Sometimes it’s financial support, sometimes it’s emotional support, and sometimes it’s an endorsement — something special someone can say about you that was totally unsolicited. Thanks Kieth for the post on LinkedIn.

“Every once in a while you come across an amazing individual with heart, determination and drive. Carissa is definitely one of those people. Meeting Carissa during the course of The Carissa Project revealed immediately that she is someone who carries herself with class, dignity and believes in beating all odds. I highly recommend Carissa as an accomplished professional but also as an incredibly awe inspiring individual.” — Kieth Sanders

RESPECT LOVE ENCOURAGE necklaces are now listed on Justice Juels site under “Anti-trafficking Jewelry” link.

http://www.shop.justicejuels.com/category.sc?categoryId=8

The website you are visiting was primarily built for the documentary film and a new site is being developed that will include more of my current activities.

The new site will include information about the foundation, including how the proceeds and volunteers will help meet the needs of victims in real time. In other words, many wonderful agencies might provide long-term support to survivors, but The Carissa Foundation’s goal is to fill the gap that has left many survivors alone and vulnerable to further exploitation. Efforts are underway in the Central Valley to meet the needs of several survivors. Dozens more are waiting for support. What I have found is that in Fresno particularly there are currently a very limited number of service providers with the resources necessary to meet the needs of survivors of this severe form of sexual abuse. There are volunteers, but those volunteers need to be recruited and trained, and in the meantime, there are girls, some currently incarcerated, who need your help.

Thanks so much for your support if you’ve already purchased necklaces! And to all the doctors, dentists, photographers, self-defense instructors, and lawyers who approached me after my GMSLO presentation I WILL BE CALLING AND EMAILING YOU!

Today I met with Kristy and Christina from SARP (Sexual Abuse Recovery and Prevention) and look forward to working with them to train volunteers, and protect survivors…the outpouring of support from GMSLO is wonderful! Thank you to the Chamber and all employees and volunteers who pull this event off EVERY MONTH, and thanks especially to Barry VanderKelen, Executive Director at San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation, and UCLA Alum! for the introduction!

Please email me if you have any questions. The prices on the cards were a typo. They should all be priced at $30, if that’s an issue and you want to pay $32 or $28 for any of the designs just let me know Also if you have a survivor organization that is interested in partnering with Justice Juels please reach out to Chelsea or myself for information.

Thanks SLO COUNTY!
Carissa

Respect Love Encourage

Carissa@CarissaProject.com

Special thanks to Robin Jones for the design on the info cards AND Chelsea Dischinger for these inspiring necklaces!
VIEW RESPECT LOVE ENCOURAGE NECKLACES

Link to PBS special on sex trafficking of girls in Atlanta.

Happy Holidays! To everyone who is a friend, a fan, family, or all of the above! I just returned from an amazing trip to Hawaii. I was visiting my friend, Lorenn Walker, renowned restorative justice advocate www.lorennwalker.com

Lorenn and Chaplain Bonnie planned for me to visit 100 women in prison while I was in Hawaii! The highlight of my trip was speaking with the women before and after showing the film which they loved. Mahalo to all that participated for encouraging me to fill a “missing link” in the system.

When I first met Lorenn almost a year ago she told me about Hanai, the native Hawaiian concept of an extended family, a second family if you will. When I was in Hawaii I did some more research and found out that one of the greatest things about Hanai is that in accepting a second mother or father you are not denying your biologicals. This is important whether or not you are adopted. There is no need to dis-adopt, or deny the biological family, ever. Hanai families add to our development, and they often become the “feeding family” — they can feed us physically, morally, and spiritually. They instill values and provide in ways that our bio families may not have been able to.

Hanai families allow us to accept love without denying anyone in our lives. It’s a beautiful and peaceful concept. I honor what all of my mothers, my fathers, my brothers and sisters have done for me, while accepting their positive guidance and “family” gifts.

Thank you Lorenn! For your hospitality, for inviting me to run in Xterra, and for introducing me to Bikram Yoga! I have now tried Bikram in three states! I think I’m hooked!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Love to everyone, especially my girls on the run, or just getting off the streets. Stay strong, stay focused and remember that with small steps you will create lasting change in your life.

Peace and many special holiday blessings!
Love,
Carissa

Dear Family, Dear Friends, Dear Ron, Dear Mrs. W, Dear Barbara, Dear Melisa, Dear Marx!

Today marks the day that I officially begin working with Viking to publish an inspirational memoir in September 2010. My heart is filled with love and thanks to all of you for making this a reality. I would not be here without all of you!

In my heart I always knew that this would happen. I always had love, and I always knew that I would have a chance to give back in a big way. I believe I am meeting my potential! Exciting things are happening…as I am learning more about how we are all connected.

A new journey starts next week. I will be moving to a new place to write. Two years ago I returned to Fresno following my heart. I leave here doing the same. I thought I would be in Fresno for ten years. I am grateful for the time I had in Fresno, and especially for the people that I met here.

Love,
Carissa

CARISSA the 23 minute documentary by David Sauvage has made it to television.

Barring a last minute change, the film will be airing on Current TV tonight, June 17, at 8:30 pm PST / 11:30 pm EST. It will be re-airing several times throughout the week www.currenttv.com

Current’s channels are listed here:

DirectTV: 358
Comcast: 107 or 125
Time Warner: 103 or 142
AT&T U-Verse: 189
Verizon Fios: 192

You can check out the full film online at: http://tr.im/oH1l. You can also purchase a copy, with deleted scenes and director’s commentary, on Amazon at: http://tr.im/oH4Y.

I had a big week last week. It started with a visit to Homegirl Cafe on Monday afternoon…which was terrific! It included a Girl Scouts sponsored visit to Utica, NY where I conducted four inspiring WhyTry workshops with junior high school girls at Comfort Zone. Finally, the entire week peaked on Friday when I watched my youngest brother graduate from Fresno State with honors!

The week was so full that I needed a long weekend to relax. I actually needed an extra long weekend because in anticipation of finally having “nothing to do” I missed a couple of things…among my misses this weekend that cannot be made up: a very important friend’s going away party, and calling my writing partner for her birthday.
(If either of you are reading, I really appreciate you both and wish I had not missed out!!!)

I don’t have any big advice. No big memorial day celebrations here either, though I thought about keeping the memory of those that sacrifice the most. I hope that in the future, when I have children, that they enjoy the freedoms that I enjoy. I hope that they get to know an even better America, and that their politicians face differences in the world with a healthier curiosity and appreciation. For all the progress we’ve made in the US we have also taken a few major steps backward. This should be familiar to most of us — it’s a growing pain. Making progress in life, personal life, career life, or family life, it’s all filled with ups and downs.

What I’ve realized in my own life is that as I make “progress” I also create paths to stand in my own way. As I get more busy and successful in work, I miss family. As I take time for family, I miss friends. I seek “balance” but on a certain level I know that there are always sacrifices. As the world grows closer, as we make “progress” we might think in advance about what we sacrifice and what we gain. It will help us plan our route more carefully.

With great respect and love for those that are young, for the graduates, the girls scouts, the homegirls, and all of the soldiers…I wish I could instantly give you hope. I wish I could give you an answer. But all I can say is appreciate where you are now and hold on tight to what you love because you will change, things will change, and some day years from now you will remember and long for the comforts you found last week or this weekend.

Stay Classy partnered with the wonderful and reputable San Diego Youth Services (SDYS) to build a youth shelter! If you’re in or around San Diego this weekend I hope you can make it out to see Matisyahu and more great artists perform live to help build a new youth shelter.

The goal is to raise $500,000!

If you’re not in San Diego you can still help build the shelter. Every donation counts. I set a goal to raise $1,989 for the new youth shelter. You can help me reach the goal by donating any amount, everything is appreciated and will go to build the shelter.
[learn more here]

The reason we’re raising $1,989 is because in 1989 I was abandoned, and in that year the unspeakable happened. I was raped, prostituted, and eventually locked up without hope. By supporting local shelters you are giving youth options by providing shelter & services to Abandoned Youth BEFORE the unspeakable happens!

http://www.stayclassy.org/campaigns/myfundraising.php?cmid=250

Check out the line up, including Matisyahu, here.

Why Try Certification Training is now available in Fresno. The next certification training in Fresno is April 23-24.

There have been 2 very successful Why Try Certification Trainings held in Fresno in the last six months. I can’t tell you how many people have said “this was the best training I’ve ever attended!”

It really is pretty great…and it works. Check out the evidence at http://whytry.org/research.php.

If you’d like more information or want to become certified please email Lee@whytry.org or visit www.whytry.org.

Fresno Flyer

Registration fees may be adjusted if you are willing to host a future training. Opportunities to host are limited. For more information contact Lee McNeil at 866-949-8791 or Lee@WhyTry.org

Wednesday — It’s the middle of the week…and there’s still a week’s worth of work to do!

Did you see Fresno on the news? Sad news. I can’t really comment because I’m just as shocked as everyone about the beating of a homeless man caught on tape. I have to say that there are a lot of great cops out there. Those great ones know who they are, they have been helpful, and kind, and considerate. I’m grateful I know those ones.

I haven’t been very good about blogging every day, week, or even month. That’s partly because life has been in so much of a state of change. I thought it was just me because after the documentary I was studying for the bar, then I was juggling being on the road and trying to do too many things. But after I talked to a close friend I realized that this internal state of fluctuation is pretty common for almost everyone when they get out of school — especially when it takes 8 years to graduate.

I used to cringe when people would say to me…”just wait for the real world.” I thought, “what do they know?” But turns out they were right! School was great. If you’re reading this and you’re in school now then enjoy it and do the most you can to prepare to get out. I had no idea what I was walking into … the world moves at a different pace. It’s not on quarters, or semesters. There are no finals. There are no professors. There are no office hours, but if you’re lucky you’ll find the few good ones that will spend time to talk to you.

I’ve been busy the last 2 months spending time with the good ones…talking about careers and where I might fit in best in Fresno or California or the USA.

I’ve also been staying busy with the Why Try Organization … it’s the best company going for social and emotional skill remediation. If this were the norm in school counseling, social work, and in institutions then you might not be reading this blog. It’s that good. If it was not the best I’ve seen I would not be working to get it out to everyone as fast as possible.

And of course I’ve been writing. I will have a book out soon — as in 1 year or so! It’s going so well and I love the process.

I’m getting back to blogging and I hope there will be more happy events and news to blog about soon…thanks for reading.

p.s. Something great in Fresno — The Restorative Justice conference is this weekend at FPU — Hope you can make it!