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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

As we await appointments in the White House and much needed stimulus packages we may be generating a certain amount of internal energy that needs to be spent…HERE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN DO WITH THAT DO GOOD ENERGY RIGHT NOW!!!

YES the funds are likely coming, but have you ever thought about what it takes to determine where those funds go? How do we know how many homeless there are and where they are? Is it a wild guess? NO — actually HUD (dept of housing and urban development) asks YOU to tell them how many adults and young people are on the streets, or in sheds, garages, abandoned buildings, and couch surfing.

What better way to become part of the change then to do the counting that will determine the funding that comes to YOUR community!

YES YOU CAN increase funding for homeless and runaway youth in your community THIS WEEK by getting out to count.

If you’re ready to take all the CHANGE energy and HOPE and make a difference NOW get out and count. It’s a one time per year event that ensures HUD funds will make it to the homeless, and those living in garages, sheds, and couch surfing will have the help they need sent directly to their community!

Look for information on how to volunteer for your county by searching the internet: [YOUR COUNTY] + “Point in Time Homeless Count” or calling your local shelter or housing authority.

This Mon, Tues, Wed, or Thurs what are your plans for lunch or dinner??? Consider making a difference! It’s a national event that is well worth your time!

Here are the links if you happen to be in Los Angeles, or NYC, or Kentucky.

IN FRESNO COUNTY

Trainings are at Fresno Housing Authority
1331 Fulton Mall
Fresno, CA · 93721
(559) 443-8400
TRAININGS — volunteers must attend at least one of the trainings:
* 11 AM Monday Jan 26th
* 9 AM Tuesday Jan 27th

KICKOFF
* 7 AM COUNT kickoff & dispatch Wednesday Jan 28th

If you’re in a small rural town or community WE NEED YOU!

We need volunteers from surrounding communities to conduct the counts in THEIR COMMUNITIES … i.e., if you’re from Coalinga (like me) you’ll be looking for a Coalinga group at the trainings. Huron and Squaw Valley and Sanger…we need to do the same.

I realize it’s a work day, but in this economy maybe your boss would like you to take the day off or maybe you know you NEED a DAY of service to your community. If you love the idea, but still can’t make it please call on your friends, especially church members and college students, and anyone else you think might be able to help!

HOPE to see you there to be a part of CHANGE!

I am dealing with the loss of one of my siblings, and it has made me realize how great it was that he was so great. I get to tell his daughters that he was GREAT. That he was RELIABLE, TRUSTWORTHY, FRIENDLY, and HONEST. That he would be there for anyone, even a stranger, in a heartbeat. That he was a HELPER.

Life is about time well spent today…and not about the past. None of us are prisoners to our past. We can all erase the past and let go of our grip on the future by helping the people in front of us right now. That’s what my brother did, and for that he is immortal.

I am reminded that the good we do with what is in front of us outweighs all else.

He was always a good brother…a great brother. He leaves three young girls who were his life and his heart and his soul. He leaves 10 brothers and sisters that admired him, and counted on him a countless number of times. He leaves hundreds of friends who always knew that whenever and wherever he would be there if he could.

He was truly a wonderful human being, and how fortunate I am to have had him show compassion and fill my life with wonderful memories. His laughter and his smile play back in my mind and are felt in my heart. All the good in him lives on, and this is the greatest gift that he left his daughters.

And today all I know about loss is that the time we did have was a gift.

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.