VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ACROSS THE COUNTRY — JAN 26 - 29!

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!

All I know for sure is that loss reminds us of the importance of our actions today.

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.

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.

TONIGHT: December 4, 2008

Art Hop, The Sanctuary

Our local youth shelter — The Sanctuary — has new and improved rooms for youth!

If you’re in Fresno check the new design out tonight during Art Hop!
There will be music from 6 - 7 pm.

MORE INFO:
http://my.fresnoarts.net/events/event/show?id=852609:Event:21233

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…

Thankful and grateful for so many blessings and wonderful people in my life!

“SWEET!!!” — is what my nephew said when I sent him a text to say that I passed the California Bar Exam. Remember when I took it in July 2008??? I just found out at 6 PM tonight that I passed — thanks to my baby brother for checking the results for me. We printed them and we’re going to celebrate!
The official list will be public on Sunday! www.calbar.ca.gov/exam/

Thank you for the love & support through out!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Training Opportunity in Fresno

Dec 2008 Training

The WhyTry Program is a strength-based approach to helping youth overcome their challenges. It is now changing lives in over 5,000 schools, youth centers, and social service agencies. The Program improves outcomes in the areas of truancy, conduct disorders, and academic failure — while giving youth their own answer to the question “Why Try?”

If you work with at-risk populations, or know someone who does, then please spread the word. WHY TRY will not only change the way we do our jobs, but it will also change the way we think about our jobs. I’m looking forward to the first ever 2-day in-depth WHY TRY certification training in Fresno on December 1 & 2.

If you mention The Carissa Project when you sign up you’ll get a discount!

If you would like to set up your own group training please contact Lee McNeil at the number below to schedule a time to talk about your specific goals, or email lee@whytry.org and let him know what additional information he can provide to support you.

You can also get more information, including a preview of the visual analogies, at www.whytry.org.

* Spanish version of analogies is available!!!

For more information and to register:
Dec 2008 Registration

What will be covered in the training?

* Experiential Activities - See the experiential activities demonstrated and get first hand training and ideas on how you can increase participation and learning for everyone involved.

* Surrendering the “One-up” Relationship with Individuals and in Group or Classroom Settings - This is perhaps the most important addition to the program. Research shows that over 80% of change in an individual results from interpersonal relationships. We will show you some powerful techniques and tools to help you build trusting relationships and motivate those you work with.

* WhyTry Music Applications - Hear the WhyTry music, learn ways to teach using the music, and see demonstrations on how to process the music.

* Basic Training - We will also be covering all the basics on how to use the program including the workbook, the motivation formula, the visual analogies, group applications, individual interventions, classroom curriculum and more.

* Teaching A WhyTry Class - We have received some great feedback and ideas from several of you who have been using the program in a classroom environment. As a result we have compiled an outline for setting up and running a class using the WhyTry Program.

* Observe it in practice - If you have been to one of our presentations or training sessions before, you have probably heard us explain how to use the program. This time you will see it and experience it for your self. We will include several live demonstrations as well as opportunities for you to participate

* WhyTry Certification - Be one of the first to be trained and certified in the WhyTry program. Certified individuals will get access to new materials before they are released. They will also become part of our valued feedback team, become involved in pilot programs and will be invited to participate in our WhyTry.org Discussion Groups. (coming soon)

* Continuing Education Units – You can receive up to 10 continuing education units for this training.

Download Registration Form

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.