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

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

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.

Internship for Law Students

Intern for the DOJ. The Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), hires four current law students to work as Legal Interns each spring, summer and fall. These positions are volunteer (i.e. uncompensated positions for course credit) and are open until filled.

CEOS is currently accepting applications for Summer 2009 intern positions. The application deadline is January 30, 2009.

Eligibility

Second-year and third-year law students are eligible to apply. Prior to finalizing an appointment, all interns are required to undergo a security check, which includes a name and fingerprint clearance with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a determination of suitability for employment based on the information a candidate provides in the security form.

Date Position(s) Available

* Fall Semester (September - December)
* Spring Semester (January - May)
* Summer (June - August)

Responsibilities

Legal interns work directly with the Section’s trial attorneys on a variety of assignments, ranging from conducting legal research and writing to assisting in the investigation and prosecution of child exploitation and obscenity offenses.

Application Procedure

And here’s one more internship I’d do if I were back in school…it’s w/ Polaris Project.

Is social inclusion the answer? I’m fascinated by a whole field of research that I’m just learning about, (it’s new to me but I feel like I know it b/c lived it) …

“Sociologists have observed that excluded classes of persons in many societies exhibit various undesirable patterns of behavior, including aggression, poor intellectual or academic performance, lack of pro-social behavior, self-destructive indulgences, and poor self-control. Our research suggests that these are not necessarily inner traits of society’s downtrodden, so much as normal reactions that all sorts of people exhibit when they find themselves to be excluded by others.” (Baumeister et al. 2007)

Social Exclusion

Passing the bar is great, but I continue to wonder whether and when I will feel like I “fit in” with “them” but now “them” is “me” and I still don’t really find myself wanting to belong.

What I’m realizing is that this is an old feeling. We all need acceptance. When we are not accepted, when we are not allowed access, when basic rights are denied, we have no motivation to participate. I have been wondering myself lately what would make the office, and the comforts of a full-time job worth it? Those who love me are urging me to take part in a system that I don’t fully buy into. But why don’t I buy into it?

Maybe if I knew that I could have it and not give up who I really am? Maybe if I knew that I would be accepted…not left behind or looked down upon for being different? The answer for most innovators, for those that feel like acceptance in the status quo is impossible is entrepreneurship. We do it our own way. This has been the informal approach I have been taking — and now it’s time to formalize it. I am forming a start up.

Practicing social entrepreneurship is a way to participate without needing to be accepted by a system that I have not fully bought into yet. More to come about this venture in the next month or two…

During Yoga my instructor shared this quote…then she even photocopied it for me! THANKS!

“As we are all human beings living on earth among [6.7 billion] other human beings, our happiness is intimately connected to that of others. It is hard to imagine personal happiness detached or separate from the happiness of others. For it is certain that if we aspire to happiness, we must be deeply concerned about the happiness of all humankind.”

– The Dalai Lama, from Yoga Gems

Happiness is for everyone. It’s better than money because (1) there’s plenty to go around; and (2) we assign our own value to it!!! If you believe in happiness then it makes sense that you’d want to give others a chance at it to.

HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO THE CARISSA PROJECT?

I am working with youth that are constantly rejected by society. It’s so bad that when they try to get jobs they get turned down. When they apply themselves they’re told they are just not good enough! It’s not just because they lack skills, but because they have “attitude problems” or they don’t dress or speak “appropriately.”

Would you be able to achieve happiness if your best efforts were rejected???

I love programs that give everyone a chance at happiness — they accept & meet people where they are. If we need to prepare young people before they apply themselves then let’s do it. It’s amazing how much more young people will grow when you accept them where they’re at.

Remember not to expect miracles from anyone, unless you apply miracles!

Here are two miracle workers that meet young people where they are at:

#1 Homeboy Industries serves young men & women in Los Angeles, CA.
http://www.homeboy-industries.org/

#2 Hope Now for Youth serves young men in Fresno, CA.
http://www.hopenow.org/

THERE IS SPACE AVAILABLE FOR A SIMILAR PROGRAM TO SERVE YOUNG WOMEN IN FRESNO, CA.

Last week I realized that there is not a specific program for work readiness for young women in Fresno. I hear GREAT things about Hope Now for Youth, so I’d like to borrow from their model, as well as Homeboys, and start something for young women. There is a need! I was mentoring a young woman at a transitional living center when I realized the need!

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO ENSURE YOUNG WOMEN IN FRESNO ARE NOT “ON THEIR OWN”?
Make a major contribution or help with time or efforts on this project! If you’re interested in the success of young women in Fresno please email me at: hopenowforgirls@gmail.com
{that’s just the idea not the name of the org! we’ll probably leave the name more open so that boys that want to join feel welcomed.}

If you can’t do a lot then buy “On My Own” or share this link. 100% of proceeds go to helping kids that are/were in situations like mine:

October 26, 2008 Sunday

How to donate when you’re broke…

1) Watch this video: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/462222.aspx

2) Buy this song. http://www.apple.com/search/ipoditunes/?q=on+my+own+perkins

3) Sleep better tonight knowing you helped keep a young person off the streets.

All proceeds from “On My Own” will be used to provide services and shelter to homeless and runaway children, who have been bought, sold & raped, while looking for a better life on the streets of America.

More to do when you’re broke…

RALLY YOUR FRIENDS

The 10 by 10 effect — is when 10 friends donate $10 each. Choose any multiple and feel how good it will make everyone feel to give to a single cause as a group.