Calendar

Sep
12
Tue
2017
Love Glasses Revolution Founder Tara Ijai @ Online Interview
Sep 12 @ 11:00 am

MindfulmediaMom Karen Palmer host of GlobalkindnessTV will interview the founder and hear the back story of how #LoveGlassesRevolution is spreading love and hope all over the world.

Sep
21
Thu
2017
Global Prosperity and Peace Summit in Santa Cruz @ Peace United Church
Sep 21 @ 2:00 pm

Everyone is invited who would like to enjoy more prosperity and peace for all.

Global Prosperity and Peace Summit @ West Minister Presbyterian Church
Sep 21 @ 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Peace Summit everyone is invited to share an evening of peaceful connecting. If you would like to enjoy more peace in your heart, home, and community please join us and invite friends and family.

Global Prosperity and Peace Summit @ Coppin AME Church
Sep 21 @ 4:00 pm

All are invited who would like to experience more peace in their heart, home, and community.

Mar
22
Thu
2018
Zach MUSIC
Mar 22 @ 3:00 pm

Share your smiles, compliments, time, talents, money, and energy with those around you. We must truly be the change that we want to see. And we can do it. We are doing it. Believe that the future is full of mindfulness where hearts mean more than our accounts.

The Love Initiative.

Notes From the Road – Bright Lights Blog
http://troubadourofpeace.blogspot.com/

Book a house concert or music for a yoga class today!!

TOUR DATES

Date Time Venue Location Cost
3/22/18 3:00 PM Choices Akron, OH
3/22/18 6:00 PM Tea Time for Peace Kent, OH
3/23/18 5:00 PM Friends of the Metro Parks Benefit w/ the Bright Lights Akron, OH
3/27/18 7:00 PM Brother’s Lounge Cleveland, OH
3/30/18 6:30 PM 330 Day @ Akron Civic Theatre Akron, OH
3/31/18 10:30 AM Celebration of Life for Marilyn Stroud Cuyahoga Falls, OH
4/3/18 6:30 PM MLK Kirtan Akron, OH Donations
4/4/18 6:30 PM Nonviolent Communication Circle Akron, OH Donations
4/6/18 7:00 PM Big Love Night @ Live Music Now w/ Rhodes St Rude Boys Akron, OH $5-10
4/7/18 8:30 PM Mustard Seed Highland Square w/ Bright Lights! Akron, OH
4/10/18 7:00 PM Brother Lounge Cleveland, OH
4/16/18 7:00 PM Wolf Creek Winery Norton, OH
4/21/18 6:30 PM Bright Lights @ the Rialto Akron, OH $5
4/22/18 4:00 PM Yoga Central Canton, OH
4/28/18 7:00 PM Wine Mill Peninsula, OH
5/2/18 6:30 PM Nonviolent Communication Series Akron, OH Donations
5/4/18 7:00 PM Big Love Night @ Live Music Now w/ Gretchen Pleuss Akron, OH $5-10
5/5/18 12:00 PM Cleveland VegFest Cleveland, OH
5/5/18 6:00 PM Bent Ladder winery Doylestown , OH
5/8/18 7:00 PM Brother’s Lounge Cleveland, OH
Sep
21
Fri
2018
Share the Peace @ Peace Pledge Project
Sep 21 all-day

Share and support the Peace Pledge on the International Day of Peace.
What you can do:
One action or many from the suggestions below.
1. Print out the Peace Pledge document and give it to someone (download @ www.peacepledgeproject.org) Available in 11 languages.
2. Post the Peace Pledge document on your Facebook Page (download @ www.peacepledgeproject.org)
3. Sign the Peace Pledge on Change.org ( www.change.org/p/the-peace-pledge-to-live-loving-kindness-compassion )
4. Share the Peace Pledge Petition on your Facebook Page ( www.change.org/p/the-peace-pledge-to-live-loving-kindness-compassion )
5. Share the Peace Pledge document with a school, organization, institution, business etc.

Nov
2
Fri
2018
PROTECTING IMMIGRANT FAMILIES Webinars Regarding the Impact of Public Charge @ online webinars
Nov 2 @ 1:00 pm – Nov 8 @ 3:00 pm

Early Childhood Education and Public Charge
November 7 at 3:00 PM ET – 4:00 PM ET (12:00 PM PT – 1:00 PM PT)

On October 10, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was published in the Federal Register, outlining the administration’s intent to dramatically change the meaning and application of “public charge” provisions in immigration law. This proposal could harm the health and well-being of millions of children and families and is of great concern for young children’s development and the early childhood field as outlined in this Q&A. Staff at the Center for Law and Social Policy will provide an overview of the proposed public charge rule, its potential impact on young children, and explain how the early childhood field can support immigrant families and take action during the public comment period.

Click here to Register.

What Housing and Homelessness Advocates Should Know about the Public Charge Rule
November 8 @ 3:30 PM ET – 5:00 PM ET (12:30 PM PT – 2:00 PM PT)

On October 10, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule that would make it more likely for certain immigrants to be denied admission to the U.S. or denied green cards because they receive or would receive lifeline benefits, including public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, and project-based Section 8 housing subsidies. Previously leaked drafts of this drastic policy change have already led many families to drop out of critical food and nutrition programs for their children. This chilling effect is poised to impact hundreds of thousands of hardworking immigrant households that depend on these programs for survival.

Click here to register.

PIF Campaign: New Research and Estimating the Impact of Public Charge
November 8 @ 3:00 PM ET – 4:00 PM ET (12:00 PM PT -1:00 PM PT)

Join partners with the Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF) Campaign as we discuss new research estimating economic and demographic impacts of the proposed public charge rule. During this webinar, panelists will present the findings of three new resources from Manatt Health, Kaiser Family Foundation, and Fiscal Policy Institute. For more information about the webinar, please contact Jackie Vimo and Renato Rocha.

Click here to register.

PIF Campaign: Public Charge 101
November 14 @ 2:00 PM ET – 3:00 PM ET (11:00 AM PT -12:00 PM PT)

A recurring webinar from CLASP and NILC. The Department of Homeland Security has published a proposed regulation on “public charge.” If finalized, the regulation would dramatically rewrite immigration policy and make green cards only available to the highest bidder. This webinar describes public charge policy today, how it would change, and what you need to know if you work with immigrant families.

Click here to register.

For more info:  bit.ly/askPIFcampaign

Nov
15
Thu
2018
Aura Home Women Vets with support by the Prem Rawat Foundation – THE PEACE EDUCATION PROGRAM @ Ongoing support for women veterans
Nov 15 @ 6:03 pm

AURA HOME WOMEN VETS

50 South French Broad Avenue

Suite 203

Asheville NC  28801

828-771-6979

http://aurahomewomenvets.org

*******************************************************************************

Prem Rawat Foundation Supports Veterans With Peace Education Program

(Below is an excerpt regarding Aura Homes)

This article is also available in: French

For too many veterans, finding an enduring sense of peace remains elusive long after they return from war. They often face immense challenges as they transition to civilian life, from trauma disorders to unemployment and homelessness.

Thankfully, November 11 marks an occasion to honor their service and support solutions that can improve their lives. The date is Veterans Day in the United States, and in many other countries it is called Remembrance Day and Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I.

A growing number of veterans say the Peace Education Program is a solution that gives them the tools they need to harness their own inner-strength and overcome their obstacles. The program’s workshops feature videos of Prem Rawat’s empowering international talks on themes such as dignity, choice and hope.

“The Peace Education Program tries only to achieve one simple thing: it’s to put you in touch with yourself,” says Rawat.

While the goal is simple, the impact was profound for Alyce Knaflich, a veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress, depression and homelessness for 10 years. She credits PEP with giving her the confidence to now work as the executive director of Aura Home Women Vets, a charity in Asheville, NC that provides housing and support to homeless women veterans.

Veteran Alyce Knaflich shares her story in this video.

“I was lost. Prem Rawat and his message in the program, it brought me home. And my home is my heart. Peace starts on the inside,” says Knaflich.

She has incorporated the Peace Education Program into Aura Home’s services to help her clients have the same enriching experience that she did.

“Prem’s message will help them heal their emotional stress, and ease the transition of coming out of the military and trying to find a new career path. It will help them center themselves and bring out their confidence,” says Knaflich.

Jul
18
Thu
2019
Elder Activists for Social Justice Community Conversations @ online
Jul 18 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Our next Community Conversation will be on
Thursday, July 18
9:00 – 10:30 am PST / 12:00 – 1:30 pm EST

 

The terrible issue of immigrant children detained at the U.S. border

The United States of America has, since its inception, been a country formed by immigrants. Yet now, at our southern border particularly, thousands of people leaving their home countries are requesting asylum or entrance and are being held in detention centers and processed very slowly. Meanwhile, the immigrating families are being separated and the children held in cells – cages in many cases – without adequate sanitation or bedding, without adequate nutrition and without access to their parents or adult relatives. In spite of legal and popular objection this problem has continued and continued to worsen for over a year under the Trump administration.

Is the description above adequate to define this problem? What are some of the underlying causes of the problem and what can or should be done instead? What actions can we take to effect those changes?

Looking at this issue through your social justice and elder lenses, please read the materials suggested below, focus your attention on this issue in other news you read and conversations you hear, then bring your thoughts on the subject to our conversation July 18th.

In our Community Conversations we draw on the experience and wisdom of our group to better understand the critical issues we are facing and discern what actions we would want to take as elders in our society today. We offer moral support for each other as we grapple with the issues and challenges of our times and discern how to best support the activism that we are each engaged in.

Resources:

Letter from Santa Fe Dreamers:

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We know that you have all been reading and watching the absolutely horrific news unfold about the conditions of detention on the border. We know that many of you feel scared, frustrated, angry, and powerless by the way that our government is treating vulnerable people, especially children. We are writing today with information and direction towards action but also to urge you not to feel powerless. We are always capable of making change through our collective power. Of course this requires courage, stamina, and an intelligent, disciplined, and organized theory of change. It will not be easy. We encourage you to turn away from despair and towards this place of collective power knowing that it will test you. We will be with you the whole way. Below you will find some ideas for inspiration.

Love,
Your friends at Santa Fe Dreamers Project

  • Educate yourself: Here at SFDP this is always our number one piece of advice. The more you know, the fiercer you will be as an advocate and a voter. There are plenty of explosive news articles to read but here are a few that we have learned from recently: We suggested this piece in our last newsletter but if you haven’t had a chance to read it we highly suggest Dara Lind’s “The Border is in Crisis. Here’s How it Got This Bad”. The New Yorker ran an incredibly thought provoking piece written by a historian about “The Unimaginable Reality of American Concentration Camp”. Again from the New Yorker, a report from the lawyers who were recently allowed in to inspect a children’s facility in Clint, TX, “Inside a Building in Texas where Government is Holding Immigrant Children”. Another really important thing to learn about (and something that is not highlighted enough in the news) is the Migrant Protection Protocol or MPP program that has currently turned thousands of thousands of migrants around at the US border to wait in Mexico. This is an excruciatingly dangerous policy that is threatening the lives of migrant families day after day.
  • Understand that this cruelty is not new and these tactics did not just begin. In fact, the Obama administration reignited the practice of family detention in 2014. One of the reasons this summer feels so out of control is because the sheer numbers of people asking for asylum are so high. The Obama and now Trump administrations’ policies attempted to deter migrants through punishment, suffering, and torture but their success was dependent on the flow of migrants actually stopping. Now that the numbers are so high, these cruel and failed policies have now turned deadly.
  • Engage with politicians: Here is the thing: The Trump administration cannot be swayed with moral arguments or blame. They are doing this on purpose. One way of thinking about engaging with politicians is to remember that Congress has the power of the purse and is funding this enforcement regime. One theory is that we can defund ICE and CBP and redirect that money to agencies or NGO’s that are capable of handling a humanitarian crisis of this scope and are not killing people for political motive. This means we have to pressure progressives and democrats and republicans with a conscience to do more than just signal compassion for immigrants. We need these leaders to articulate how they are going to disempower the Trump Administration and make sure it is part of the work they are doing to secure our votes. We can and must demand courageous leadership from our Senators and Representatives and that their actions reflect our deep desire to end the state sponsored violence on the border.
  • How to respond to the threat of ICE raids: Trump’s twitter threat for a massive enforcement action last week was credible and achieved its purpose of scaring the shit out of immigrant and refugee communities all over the US. While it has been “delayed”, now is a wise time for communities to get organized. The American Friends Service Committee published this resource about how allies can support their immigrant and refugee neighbors during this time. Here is the ACLU’s guide to knowing your rights during ICE encounters and we suggest exploring it. Santa Fe Dreamers will be holding walk in hours for people to help families with power of attorney and family prep plans every Friday in Santa Fe from 1-5 at our 1213 Mercantile Rd office. If you work with concerned families let them know about this resource.
  • Actions happening in NM: There is a lot of talk about national protests to close concentration camps on July 12. One of the organizations that is involved with planning this is called Lights of Liberty. Their Facebook page is a source of info– although we don’t have much info yet about that organization. We are talking with folks in NM about planning more locally focused actions and as soon as we have more details we will announce it. Choose your social media of choice or keep reading our emails to stay in touch.
  • Where to donate: Of course here at Santa Fe Dreamers Project we use your donations to protect vulnerable immigrants and refugees in a million different ways every day. Specifically, we need more help on the border. We just rented a much larger office space in El Paso for our expanding team there and are raising funds for a legal assistant so we can have greater impact in the borderlands. You can donate to that effort here. Write border in the note! We are grateful for any help you can give putting this donation link out there into the universe. For those of you wondering where else it might be useful to donate here is our list of several grassroots legal organizations that we know are having impact (we also know we have left many out!)
  • And finally an offer of poetry from our director, Allegra, who likes to contemplate what this particular poem is trying to teach us when thinking about the horrors we witness:

Now you know the worst
By Wendell Berry

To my granddaughters who visited the Holocaust Museum on the day of the burial of Yitzhak Rabin

Now you know the worst
we humans have to know
about ourselves, and I am sorry,

for I know that you will be afraid.
To those of our bodies given
without pity to be burned, I know

there is no answer
but loving one another,
even our enemies, and this is hard.

But remember:
when a man of war becomes a man of peace,
he gives a light, divine

though it is also human.
When a man of peace is killed
by a man of war, he gives a light.

You do not have to walk in darkness.
If you will have the courage for love,
you may walk in light. It will be

the light of those who have suffered
for peace. It will be
your light.


Regarding Investor Activism:

Here are some groups focused on Social, Environmental and Governance-conscious investing:


And finally, for your research about political donations, money flow and lobbying influence:


How to join the conversation:

We will be using Zoom video conferencing, which is very easy to access by computer or regular telephone. If you choose to use your tablet or smartphone, be sure to download the Zoom app ahead of time. We will be starting each meeting on time so please connect 15 minutes before the call so that the host can help with any technical difficulties or questions you may have. Once the call starts the host will be not be able to help with connection issues. Once you are connected via Zoom you are welcome mute your microphone and turn off your video until just before the meeting starts, or you may enjoy chatting with others in the meeting while you wait.

Instructions and access to Zoom conferencing


To receive email reminders for Elder Activists for Social Justice (EASJ) meetings, monthly community conversations and workshops, please sign up here:
SIGN UP

WHEN
July 18, 2019 at 9am – 10:30am
WHERE
Online by ZOOM
Jul
23
Tue
2019
CAMP KINDNESS DAY – JULY 23, 2019 @ Your neghborhood
Jul 23 all-day

 

Camp Kindness Day logo

Camp Kindness Day — July 23, 2019

On July 23, the camp community will participate in Camp Kindness Day – an event highlighting the practice of intentional kindness that happens every day at American camps. This is an opportunity to raise awareness of the the great work that camps are doing to teach kindness in engaging, simple, repeatable, and high impact ways that live on in the daily lives of campers and staff members when they return home.

Focusing on our youth and young adults, Camp Kindness Day will help showcase the commitment of the camp community to fostering the core values of kindness, compassion, generosity and care, and integrating those values more fully into every aspect of our society. These values are already part of the fabric of the camp experience. We share the mission for our youth to be nurtured, taught, supported, and inspired to grow into our new generation of kind, compassionate, socially-minded, community-oriented citizens.

Camp Kindness Day will allow camps to incorporate into their July 23 programming fun theme-based activities and cooperative games, cool projects, and memorable moments which will celebrate the value and impact of kindness.


How your camp can participate:

  1. Schedule Camp Kindness Day into your programming on July 23.
  2. Help spread the word in a unified social media campaign by tagging #CampKindnessDay into your social media and other communications.
  3. Share your plans so that ACA can support you through localized public relations efforts.

To support your camp’s involvement in Camp Kindness Day, ACA has produced an electronic #CampKindnessDay Backpack, complete with programming ideas and activities, FAQs, social media tips, and other information on how your camp can celebrate Camp Kindness Day.

Open the Backpack

Be part of the nation-wide evolution! Plan now to add #CampKindnessDay to your camp’s programming on July 23.


 

Aug
1
Thu
2019
August Shark and Mermaid Parties by BEVERLY’S BIRTHDAYS
Aug 1 @ 8:00 am – Aug 31 @ 5:00 pm

One simple goal – to make a child feel special.

Beverly’s Birthdays provides birthday cheer for children experiencing homelessness and families in need. We spread birthday cheer 365 days a year. Today, nearly one in four children in the U.S. live at or below the poverty line. In Southwestern PA alone, there are nearly 3,000 school-aged children identified as homeless. Children living in poverty often go without the everyday items that we take for granted. Special milestones, like birthdays, are often overlooked because of their families’ personal/financial circumstances. Beverly’s Birthdays enriches the lives of the children we serve by making sure they are remembered on their special day.

It Started with Beverly… and Megs.

In March of 2011, Beverly’s Birthdays founder, Megs Yunn, met a young girl, Beverly, who shared with Ms. Megs that she had never had her own birthday party or even her own slice of birthday cake.

Inspired by Beverly’s story, Megs decided to start an organization that provides birthday celebrations for homeless children in the Pittsburgh Region.

In June of 2011, Megs submitted her idea to the “BE BIG in Your Community Contest,” a signature component of the ongoing Clifford The Big Red Dog® BE BIG!™ campaign sponsored by American Family Insurance and was selected as a first place winner out of over 1,000 entries in the nation. Beverly’s Birthdays received a starter grant to help make Megs dream a reality. Beverly’s Birthdays became an official nonprofit in February 2012 and received our 501c3 status in August 2012.

Beverly’s Birthdays currently partners with agencies across the Pittsburgh region to ensure that no child is forgotten on his/her special day. Since our inception we have created over 30,000 birthday experiences….this is A TON OF BIRTHDAY CHEER!

Partnerships to support families.

Beverly’s Birthdays has established partnerships with more than 68 social service agencies and 73 schools throughout the greater Pittsburgh region. Our agency partners include homeless shelters, transitional housing programs, domestic violence shelters, group homes, and residential treatment facilities. We are proud to be program provider for all 27 Family Support Centers in Allegheny County. Additionally, we are able to provide our programs to all five regional Allegheny County Children, Youth, and Families offices.

9799 Laurel Avenue
North Huntingdon, PA 15642

“I’m just so excited to be happy!”

The children and families we serve are all dealing with difficult life situations — but one thing is common: their need for happiness, cheer, and hope. Beverly’s Birthdays programming allows these families a “cognitive gift”, a chance to take a break from their stress and to have a moment of normalcy.

“It’s been a really tough time for me and my children. I am going to get it right for them. Being a part of Beverly’s Birthdays programming is so nice. It gives me HOPE.” -Single mom residing in a shelter

When a young boy shares with us that he doesn’t know the words to the “Happy Birthday” song because no one has ever sang it to him before, we are encouraged to do more.

When an eight-year-old boy spends time with his family baking a cake from his Birthday in a Bag and says, “Now we’re like real people,” we are inspired.

When a former birthday recipient, who is now a young adult, tells you, “There needs to be more people like you in the world,” we are humbled.

“Now the whole world knows that I matter.”

When a mom at a shelter works to turn her life around, graduates from college, and invites Beverly’s Birthdays staff to her graduation, we are honored.

When a six-year-old little boy – who has been living at a transitional housing program with his mom- exclaims in the middle of his birthday party, “Best birthday ever!” we are moved.

When a ten-year-old little girl blows out her candle and shares with our staff that her wish was, “I wish this moment would last longer,” we are grateful.

Aug
7
Wed
2019
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL & COMMUNITY DIALOGUE ON GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION @ Old Courthouse
Aug 7 @ 7:00 pm
Rise Up Doylestown's photo.

AUG 7

Disarm Hate: Gun Violence Prevention Vigil & Dialogue

Public

 · Hosted by Rise Up Doylestown and 3 others
Wednesday at 7 PM – 9 PM
2 days from now68–90°F Thunderstorms
Former BC Courthouse then walk to Salem United Church
Doylestown Borough

DISARM HATE: A CALL TO ACTION

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL & COMMUNITY DIALOGUE ON GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION

WED, AUGUST 7, 2019, 7pm – Doylestown, PA

In the wake of the mass shootings this past weekend that left 30 dead and many injured, we ache for the victims, their families and the entire community. As we mourn, we also rise up to take a stand against hate and all forms of gun violence. The clear connection between hate and the access to firearms must be addressed by our elected officials

Please join us this Wednesday, August 7, at 7 pm on the steps of the former Courthouse (55 E Court St, Doylestown) for a candlelight vigil followed by a slow procession to Salem United Church for a Community Dialogue. (186 E Court St, Doylestown)

Please bring your own candle.

Co-sponsors include: Orange Wave, Temple Judea, The Peace Center, Rise Up Doylestown, Bucks Students Demand Action, Heeding God’s Call, The Rainbow Room, Salem United Church & CeaseFire PA.

For more information, contact thepeacecenter.org or call 215-750-7220.

Aug
24
Sat
2019
Socially Conscious Leadership From The Inside Out – Michelle Kinder – Awakin Circles @ online
Aug 24 @ 12:00 pm
Socially Conscious Leadership from the Inside Out

Our guest this week has come to believe that “No matter how wonderful a program is, if it is done as a bestowing – a certain group of people making decisions for another group – that is never going to bridge the divide in our city.” Does your work fit within this paradigm of “bestowing,” and how do you plant seeds for a deeper mindset or consciousness shift to address underlying structural issues? Share Your Reflection »

 

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Call with Michelle Kinder

August 24th, 12:00 PM EDT

Awakin Calls are a weekly conference call, where inspiring change makers engage in candid conversations about their journey

Enter email to RSVP:
 

 

Dallas-based therapist, activist, writer, community leader and speaker Michelle Kinder examines and teaches conscious leadership “from the inside out.” She offers practical, achievable steps for parents, teachers and others to support children’s social-emotional health, and for business and other leaders to drive transformation in their lives and organizations. While exploring the lack of mental health resources in southern Dallas, Kinder got to know the work of the Momentous Institute, a 99-year-old Dallas-based nonprofit organization that has been building and repairing social-emotional health through education and mental health programs.  Momentous Institute serves vulnerable children through therapy services, curriculum and teacher training focused on See full.

Five Questions for Michelle
What Makes You Come Alive?

Thank you for asking. Learning makes me come alive. Learning combined with contribution has long been a winning formula for me feeling most alive. Over the years I developed the habit of checking in with myself every six months or so with the questions “Am I learning? Am I contributing?” There have been interesting seasons on how the two balance each other. There are times that striving to contribute crowded out the kind of white space by brain needs for deep learning and I have had to course correct. And there have been other times that I was learning a lot, but didn’t feel like I was being a good steward in terms of making a difference for other people or for causes I care about. I should also say that because I am currently in a season of more white space and more time for discernment, increasingly, simple pleasures are what make me come alive. Listening to birds, watching our dogs, yoga, running, sunshine, good coffee and the sound of my girls laughing together. Things like that.

Pivotal turning point in your life?

When I was in High School I left my family in Guatemala and came to the states to attend boarding school. It was a transformational experience. The wonderful faculty there saw qualities in me that they nurtured into leadership and I really learned who I was and what I was capable of during those four years. Interestingly, in my previous school, there were teachers who experienced the exact same qualities as problematic, annoying or something to control. Having that experience has made me very interested in how adults show up in the lives of children in a way that respects the enormous privilege and responsibility. I always say there are no neutral interactions when it comes to our relationships with children – all interactions are either positive, negative or missed opportunities.

An Act of Kindness You’ll Never Forget?

When I was in college, my 24-year-old sister died suddenly and it was an enormous challenge to go back to school while navigating the grief process. Several weeks into it, when people had stopped checking in, I found a card tucked into one of my books. It was from a classmate I knew somewhat, but not super well. It said something like, “I know time has passed but your hurt hasn’t.” I still tear up thinking about that act of kindness. It meant so much and it has shaped my desire to show up for others in similar ways.

One Thing On Your Bucket List?

Have the kind of flexibility to visit different places for a month at a time and work remotely while folding into the local scene.

One-line Message for the World?

Regardless of the situation, if you ever aren’t sure how to be most helpful, regulate your own nervous system.

***************************************************************************************************

imageAwakin Circles: A hub for local meditation circles that started in the Silicon Valley and have now spread to 80+ cities around the globe. The circle start with an hour of silence, followed by a circle of sharing and dinner in silence. A newsletter with a passage selected from various wisdom traditions and an audio reading is sent out to 87,000 subscribers each week. See also Awakin Calls that hosts weekly conversations with wide-ranging thought leaders.

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ServiceSpace is an organization run entirely by volunteers. We leverage technology to encourage everyday people around the world to do small acts of service. Our aim is to ignite the fundamental generosity in ourselves and others, creating both inner and outer transformation.

ServiceSpace was conceived by volunteers, was built by volunteers, and is run by volunteers — all for the benefit of volunteers. Our projects range from a daily positive news service, to an acts-of-kindness portal, to a gift-economy restaurant. Regardless of the endeavor, we act in concert to create service opportunities for each other and to support each other’s service journeys.

In September of 2011, we formally changed our name from CharityFocus to ServiceSpace. Founded in 1999, ServiceSpace was originally started to help non-profits with technical services. Over the past dozen years, the organization has become an umbrella for many generosity-driven projects. Thus we have expanded our services from focusing just on helping charities, to encouraging everyday people to contribute in meaningful ways to the world around them. As the name suggests, our new expanded ServiceSpace platform allows people to stay connected with others interested in service, participate in service opportunities through any of our dozen projects, organize their own local service event using our tools, and stay connected to inspirational content. Above all, we believe in the inherent generosity of others and aim to ignite that spirit of service. Through our small, collective acts, we hope to transform ourselves and the world.

We hold these three principles steadfast within our organization:

Stay fully volunteer-run.

ServiceSpace was founded by volunteers and is run by volunteers. There is no paid staff, no office, and no central facilities. All ServiceSpace programs are conceived, designed, implemented, and administered by people who selflessly give their time so that others can benefit from those services.

Based on twelve years of our experience with a volunteer-run infrastructure, we’ve developed a streamlined process that structures projects in a distributed and decentralized manner. This allows more volunteers to give small chunks of time and still deliver high quality services to the end-receiver.

Being volunteer-run also allows us to organically self-organize. Instead of hierarchies and prefabricated business plans, our volunteer infrastructure is dynamic, low-cost and open to radical change. Everything is based on relationships and presence, and that creates a powerful context to BE the change.

We continue to be amazed at what inspired and dedicated individuals can do. Margaret Mead eloquently said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does.” We could not agree more.

Serve with whatever we have.

We have chosen a slightly different path than most organizations, and choose not to focus on fundraising, grants, or other sources of revenue – for example, none of our websites contain any advertisement. All services are distributed are gifted without any fees. Thus, we serve with whatever support and resources that come in organically when people are truly moved to give.

ServiceSpace projects are built within a gift-economy system, an economic system in which goods and services are given freely, rather than traded. In a traditional market economy, one’s wealth is increased by saving. In a gift economy, giving leads to increase: an increase in connections and relationship strength.

Our services are given freely, without asking for anything in return. Instead of scarcity and fear for an uncertain future, our second principle roots us in abundance and trust. We have realized that over time, if you serve with pure intentions, people’s cups of gratitude overflow. They don’t give to fulfill a need, they give as an expression of their own solidarity and joy. These genuine gifts, no matter how small or large, are what sustains us.

Focus on the small.

Our attempt is to do “small acts with great love”. As our tagline says, “Change Yourself, Change the World.” If we started out by having a goal to change the world, we might have been a little disappointed in our abilities; when we start with ourselves, we notice that the ripples around us continue to get bigger and bigger and as more people try to do small acts, we have every potential to change the world.

Just as every tiny bit of a hologram contains information of the whole, we feel that paying attention to the process, to the present moment, gives us plenty of information to become instruments of a larger, systemic change.

This is how ServiceSpace makes things happen. But essentially the engine that drives the organization is inspiration, pure and simple. We learn from each other, spur each other, help each other, and frequently amaze each other. Sure, we are stirred by the words and lives of great men and women like Gandhi and Martin Luther King and Mother Theresa; but the examples set by our ServiceSpace colleagues–everyday heroes–are the real sustaining forces behind our projects.

Sep
1
Sun
2019
Think Kindness @ Your community
Sep 1 – Sep 30 all-day

THINK KINDNESS, WE CHARITY, COUNT ME IN CHAMPION KINDNESS WORLD WIDE

There’s a growing crisis among young people today. One-in-five students report being bullied, cyberbullying is on the rise, and teen suicide is at a record high. As these problems continue to worsen, many adults may be left scratching their heads. How do we stop this crisis and help our youth?

There are a lot of possible answers, but there’s one that I’d like to pose today that I think is too often overlooked: kindness.

Yes, the simple act of kindness – not just witnessing it, but participating in it – has the ability to change people’s lives for the better. To make our world safer and happier for our children, we need to be teaching them how to be kind at home, at school, and in their communities.

This may seem overly simple, but science backs it up. According to research from places like Harvard and UC Berkeley, among others, acts of kindness release chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin and oxytocin, which reduce depression and anger and boost overall happiness.

Being kind isn’t something we should just mention to our kids in passing – it should be an integral part of their daily activities.

As the founder of Think Kindness, I am blessed to have an incredible job. I go into schools all across the country and help kids tap into their inner kindness potential. In my ten years here, I’ve seen some amazing results. For instance, after my very first speech, a student who struggled with suicidal thoughts wrote me to tell me how getting involved in helping others radically changed his life for the better.

Luckily, Think Kindness isn’t the only organization that makes kindness its mission.

There’s a group called Count Me In, founded and led by youth, which helps to connect young people with volunteer opportunities in their communities and around the world. To date, the organization has inspired over 100 million volunteer hours. In addition, Count Me In has an annual leadership summit which serves as a bootcamp training kids how to be volunteers and do good in the world. I am also blessed to sit on the advisory board for such a powerful and meaningful organization.

Similarly, there’s an organization in Canada called the WE Charity which does incredible work to connect kids to acts of kindness. For instance, WE offers volunteer trips to impoverished communities around the world, giving young people a powerful chance to make a real difference for people in need.

They also host what they call We Days, which draw hundreds of thousands of children into stadiums across the world to hear nspirational messages about doing good around the world.

Organizations like these and others are essential to turning the tide of anger, depression, and sadness among our youth today.

But they need backup, because according to one study, youth volunteering has gone down over the last fifteen years. All of us – parents, teachers, community leaders – need to promote kindness to young people.

We can do it in two ways: first and foremost, by showing kindness ourselves; second, by connecting our kids to groups which can give them the tools they need to be conduits of kindness everywhere they go.

Let’s get to it – it just might change the world.

 

With Kindness,

Brian Williams
President & Founder, Think Kindness

Sep
21
Sat
2019
The Ashland Global Peace Conference @ Ashland Hills Hotel
Sep 21 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Ashland Global Peace Conference

Sat, Sep 21, 2019 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM PDT

David Wick at info@ashlandcpc.org, 541-552-1061

AGPC-5on5.png

The World Peace Flame in Ashland is firing the imaginations of Peace Leaders from Middle School students, Ashland City Leaders to Oregon Legislators. Ashland is catching the attention of the global community. Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations, and Founder of the Global Movement of the Culture of Peace, is coming to Ashland to learn first-hand how Ashland Culture of Peace Commission partners with the city, local non-profits and others to transform the city with the vision of a Culture of Peace. The Ashland Global Peace Conference will give local residents the opportunity to learn more about why Ashland is deserving of the global community’s attention by highlighting how our state and local leaders are inspired to work hard to create a culture of peace for their constituents. The views of creating a culture of Peace from the global, national, state, city, community, interpersonal and personal levels will be explored.

Come to the conference and be inspired by city and state leaders’ personal commitment to cultivating a culture of peace in Oregon and be empowered with your own commitment to peace.

*****************************************************************************************

Early Bird Pricing ends 8/31

while we are together, and beyond.

Peace is not an idea, it is a practice.

Thank you.

A WORLD THAT WORKS FOR ALL

A community-wide movement dedicated to transforming our attitudes, behaviors and institutions into ones that foster harmonious relationships with each other and the natural world.

  • Brings heart and compassion to conversations, decision-making, and systems.

  • Recognizes the inherent value of each person, the diversity within community.

  • Invites everyone’s participation, relying on the natural gifts of each community member.

  • Encourages mutual respect so that all residents and visitors feel safe, heard, and empowered.

  • Establishes trust through holding all persons responsible for their actions.

  • Employs compassionate listening to air feelings, viewpoints, and concerns.

  • Discovers solutions through collaborative exploration.

  • Emphasizes the universal values of kindness, generosity, love and beauty, caring and curiosity.

  • Seeks larger truths and broader perspectives to better comprehend local and world affairs.

  • Values and nurtures all of life, honoring the environment and promoting humanity’s balanced place in the web of existence.

  • Builds upon the foundation of existing groups contributing to the wellness of the world.

  • Creates an emerging, evolving, living model for thriving together as fellow humans.

 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, until recently the Senior Special Advisor to the UN General Assembly President, has devoted many years as an inspirational champion for sustainable peace and development and ardently advancing the cause of the global movement for the culture of peace that has energized civil society all over the world.

As a career diplomat, Permanent Representative to United Nations, President of the UN Security Council, President of UNICEF Board, UN Under-Secretary-General, and recipient of the U Thant Peace Award, UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal for Culture of Peace, Spirit of the UN Award and University of Massachusetts Boston Chancellor’s Medal for Global Leadership for Peace, Ambassador Chowdhury has a wealth of experience in the critical issues of our time – peace, sustainable development, and human rights.

Ambassador Chowdhury’s legacy and leadership in advancing the best interest of the global community are boldly imprinted in his pioneering initiatives at the United Nations General Assembly in 1999 for adoption of the landmark Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace and in 1998 for the proclamation of the “International Decade for Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World (2001-2010)”.

He served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York from 1996 to 2001 and as the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations, responsible for the most vulnerable countries of the world from 2002 to 2007.

***************************************************************************************************

“I was impressed by their work in developing Ashland as a City of Peace, thereby evolving and inspiring at the same time a practical and workable model that other cities and civil society entities can learn from. I along with GMCoP encourage and support this brilliant endeavor by ACPC. My co-activists at the United Nations who interacted with ACPC leaders have particularly welcomed it.”

Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury,

Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations,

Founder of the Global Movement for The Culture of Peace (GMCoP)

*************************************************************************************************

Ashland Global Peace Conference

“You Are The Flame”
Practical Applications of the Culture of Peace
September 21st, 2019 • Ashland Hills Hotel,
Ashland, Oregon

Whereas: Bearing in mind the broader dimension and potential impact of the Culture of Peace, OPGA (President of the United Nations General Assembly) chose this year’s theme to be “The Culture of Peace:  Empowering and Transforming Humanity.” Their concept notes states that: “In the light of the importance of the Culture of Peace and its potential for responding to the global challenges facing mankind, the 20th Observance should be central to the pivotal discussions and commitments expected at the General Assembly in September.”

Whereas: To manifest their own commitment to the culture of peace, various activities have been initiated by civil society organizations in different parts of the world. A unique mind-body spirit Culture of Peace event is planned separately as a contribution by Pathways to Peace to the 20th anniversary observance on Saturday, 14 September – titled On, By and For Youth in New York. The Ashland Culture of Peace Commission is co-planning this incredible day-long event that honors, positions, and empowers youth as peacebuilders. Students from Ashland OR will participate.

Whereas: The Ashland Culture of Peace Commission installed the World Peace Flame in Ashland, Oregon and on September 21, 2018 established the World Peace Flame Monument through an international acclaimed lighting ceremony. Students from the Ashland Middle School have embraced the opportunity to be the World Peace Flame, Flame Keepers.

Whereas: Ashland and Southern Oregon are becoming more known nationally and internationally as a hub embracing a Culture of Peace and developing a model which can benefit other communities. This activity will further raise this profile, brand our region, and attract visitors to experience, learn, and enjoy.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Ashland Culture of Peace Commission initiates:

Ashland Global Peace Conference

“You Are The Flame”

Practical Applications of the Culture of Peace

*******************************************************

Ashland is catching the attention of the global community. 

Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations, and Founder of the Global Movement for the Culture of Peace, is coming to Ashland to learn first-hand how ACPC partners with the city, local nonprofits and others to help transform the city after the March 11, 2019 presentation at the United Nations. The Ashland Global Peace Conference will also allow residents to learn more about why Ashland is deserving of the global community’s attention by highlighting how our state and local leaders are working hard to create a culture of peace for their constituents.

How did this happen?

On March 11, 2019 Irene Kai and David Wick were invited to the United Nations to make a presentation about the progress we have made developing a Culture of Peace in Ashland. We also presented the stunning story about bringing the World Peace Flame from Wales to Ashland which now stands as an iconic monument of peace locally and internationally. We then were invited to a private meeting with Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, the Founder of the Global Movement for The Culture of Peace and Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations. Ambassador Chowdhury was so deeply inspired by what he heard of these activities that he requested to come to Ashland to experience these leading peacebuilding activities himself.  We therefore have planned the Ashland Global Peace Conference around his coming to Ashland where he will be our keynote speaker.

Taking active steps to co-create a Culture of Peace is vital within the United States as well as internationally. You are invited to attend and participate in the Ashland Global Peace Conference, September 21, 2019 in Ashland, Oregon. Ashland is the Home of the World Peace Flame and the conference theme is “You Are The Flame”, Practical Applications of the Culture of Peace. This is an exceptional experience of a city co-creating a Culture of Peace.

The program planned for this special conference highlights the global, national, state, city/community, personal/interpersonal levels of personal commitment and peacebuilding action each person represents.

This conference is one of a kind and will be promoted in southern Oregon, Oregon, nationally, and internationally. The conference will be live streamed internationally.

**************************************************************************************************

“I would like to encourage you to seriously consider the invitation from the city of Ashland’s Culture of Peace Commission to attend their unique Global Peace Conference in Ashland, Oregon, on September 21. 2019.

The Peace Commission has brought the World Peace Flame from Wales to Ashland where it serves as inspiration to stand for peace in the world and do all we can at the local level to promote world peace. I visited the flame this April and was honored to meet members of the Peace Commission and learn about their valuable efforts.”

US Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon

“I extend my whole-hearted encouragement to ACPC in its efforts in creating this local-to-global and global-to-local pathway for advancing the culture of peace.”

            Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury

***************************************************************************************************

The full day program includes lunch.

 

Program

 

Welcome – John Stromberg, Mayor, City of Ashland

Introduction of the World Peace Flame in Ashland – Irene Kai, Ashland Culture of Peace Commission

Keynote Speaker – Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury, Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations. Founder of the Global Movement of the Culture of Peace

Dr. David Yang – Vice President, Center for applied Conflict Transformation. United States Institute of Peace

Flame Keeper of the World Peace Flame in Ashland – Finley Taylor, Flame Keeper from the Ashland Middle School

——-Break——-

Oregon State Panel – 

Jeff Golden – Oregon State Senator

Pam Marsh – Oregon State Representative

Ashland City Panel – 

Rich Rosenthal – Ashland City Councilor

Tighe O’Meara – Ashland Chief of Police

Sandra Slattery – Executive Director, Ashland Chamber of Commerce

Kelly Raymond – Superintendent, Ashland School District

——-​Lunch——-

Creating infrastructures for Peace in all nations – Dr. Saul Arbess, Director, Canadian Peace Initiative and Co-Founder and Director, Global Alliance For Ministries and Infrastructure For Peace

Rogue Valley Community Panel –

Sheila Clough – CEO, Asante Ashland Community Hospital

Steven Saslow – CEO and Publisher, Rosebud Media

Linda Schott – President, Southern Oregon University

Dee Anne Everson – Executive Director, United Way of Jackson County

David Zaslow – Rabbi, Interfaith Community

——-​Break——-

Be The Flame – Thriving Leadership Academy – Will Wilkinson and Chris Harding – A summary of the key points of the conference, followed by an invitation to participants to apply what they’ve learned, and specific action steps to integrate it all.

Light the World Peace Flame Candle and

Read the invocation inspired by the World Peace Flame

——-Concludes and network——-

Accommodations:

Ashland Hills Hotels and Suites at 2525 Ashland Street, Ashland, OR 97520

(Event name: Ashland Global Peace Conference)

Standard King rooms $149

Queen-Queen rooms $159

Premium King rooms $159

Standard King Suites $169

Double-Double Suites $169

To enjoy discounted guest room rates please contact our conference host hotel – Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites at 541-482-8310 and ask for the Ashland Global Peace Conference group rates.

************************************************************************************************

Find your adventure…

Surrounded by not only the culturally rich Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland also features a variety of natural wonders, including Crater Lake National Park.

——-Theater and Music——-

Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF)
15 South Pioneer St, Ashland, OR 97520
(800) 219-8161
Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm.

Performance times vary.

Group Sales (866) 545-6337 Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm.

Oregon Cabaret Theatre
241 Hargadine St, Ashland, OR, 97520
(541) 488-2902
Monday – Wednesday, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday – Saturday, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm, Closed Sunday
Between productions 11:00 am – 5:00 pm


Britt Music and Art Festival
PO Box 1124, Medford, OR 97501
(800) 882-7488

 

——-Family——-

​ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum 
1500 E Main St, Ashland, OR 97520
(541) 482-6767
Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Emigrant Lake Water Slide
5505 Highway 66, Ashland , OR 97520
(541) 774-8183
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, closed 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

 

——-Outdoor Adventures——-

Rafting

Mountain Biking

Cycling

Hiking

Fly Fishing

Golf

Crater Lake

Want to help make this Global Peace Conference possible? Want to provide people the opportunity to be inspired by this personal/local/global event? Want to illuminate the local community as well as communities and people around the world?

Sponsor today!

If you are interested in sponsoring any aspect of the Ashland Global Peace Conference, please contact David Wick at info@ashlandcpc.org, 541-552-1061

Oct
2
Wed
2019
Use #GANDHI150 and #RETHINKPEACE to Join the Worldwide Social Media Conversation on Peace! @ SOCIAL MEDIA
Oct 2 all-day

The time is now more than ever to be the change and stand up for peace and nonviolence. Our communities deserve to live their daily lives peacefully and together we can strive to make that happen. As partners of #Gandi150 and believers in the power of peace, we invite you to be part of the movement on October 2. More information here.

How to get involved on October 2:

1. Nonviolence Champion – Nominate a faculty member from your educational institution, as the champion for the event.

2. Nonviolence in Action – On October 2, host a screening of the documentary film, “From India with Love”, followed by an interactive discussion to promote peace.

3. Nonviolence in Classrooms – Lead an experiential learning module on nonviolence in the classroom and promote peace.

Get started here

Join us on October 2 and share your activity with us at The Peace Alliance. Find our Facebook page here and/or tag us on Twitter at @PeaceAllianceUse #Gandhi150 and #RethinkPeace to join the worldwide social media conversation on peace!

Thank you!

In peace and  partnership!

Jelena Popovic, Teaching Peace in Schools Council Lead

and The Peace Alliance Board of Directors and Leadership Council

About The Peace Alliance

Mission:
The Peace Alliance empowers civic action toward a culture of peace.

Who We Are:
We are an alliance of organizers and advocates taking the work of peacebuilding from the margins of society into the center of national discourse and policy priorities.

We champion a comprehensive, collaborative approach to peace and peacebuilding.

Nov
14
Thu
2019
Festival of the Child @ Online
Nov 14 – Nov 20 all-day

Festival of the Child is a free summit empowering parents & educators to help children thrive. 21+ expert speakers, 7 days, online.

About this Event

????Festival of the Child is a completely FREE event and takes place ONLINE, from Nov 14th-20th, featuring experts and change-makers working tirelessly for the good of children everywhere.

????Supporting a paradigm shift in learning, we are reimagining education.

????Join us and add your voice to the collective.

????Learn directly from visionaries, storytellers, teachers, activists, doctors, psychologists and more to get the latest insights in how to grow today’s child for tomorrow and restore wellbeing now.

????So many of our children suffer from mental health issues that directly result from ways in which they are being educated and a system that is failing to look at their developmental needs.

????Learn tried and tested strategies that support YOUR child to grow up healthy, happy and full of hope for the future.

????Now more than ever we have an incredible opportunity to shift the learning paradigm into one that supports ALL of our children to truly thrive.

????It is time to be bold in our vision and brave in our footsteps as we re-imagine what learning looks like in the 21st century.

????We know that you want your children to grow up with a connection to themselves a strong sense of self and personal identity, empathy and care for others and full of creative solutions to transform humanity as this crucial time in our collective evolution.

????Come join the education revolution. Be heard. Have your say. Be a part of this important conversation.

????Completely free to sign-up. ????

But only available to registered participants.

Get your FREE eventbrite ticket then head on over to our website www.festivalofthechild.com to REGISTER.

It’s the only way to access the videos – as all links will be sent out by email.

Can’t wait to see you all on the other side!

Mar
9
Mon
2020
Broadway and No Bully @ Sony Hall
Mar 9 @ 7:00 pm

BROADWAY AGAINST BULLYING 2020   

SAVE THE DATE 

MARCH 9, 2020

New York City at Sony Hall

Get ready to celebrate!

Join us in New York on March 9, 2020 as No Bully celebrates our partners and friends at our annual Broadway Against Bullying event. This annual one-night-only cabaret show, featuring stars from some of Broadway’s biggest musicals, benefiting No Bully’s mission to eradicate bullying and cyber-bullying worldwide.

Calling all New York area Friends who LOVE Broadway.    March 9th: Broadway Against Bullying, a one-night-only cabaret featuring stars from some of Broadway’s biggest musicals.  Lexi Lawson (Hamilton), Telly Leung (Aladdin) and Kevin Duda (Book of Mormon). A wonderful organization, committed to a kinder world, No Bully has teamed up with Broadway Stars,(Year 2)  for an evening supporting bullying prevention school programs and positive action initiatives. Entertainment and Doing Good!  Get your tickets for March 9: www.nobully.org/broadway2020 and join the movement to end bullying! #broadwayagainstbullying #nobully #bullying #kindevolution, #nobullyingperiod

IGNITING COMPASSION

Words that come to mind when describing our team include: compassionate, kind, inclusive, strong, and has a generosity of spirit.

Each one of us has our own personal story around bullying and we hold this work near and dear to our hearts. We are constantly trying to live out our mission on a day to day basis, both igniting compassion around the office and also the world!

No Bully takes a holistic approach to partnering with schools and districts by involving the administration, staff, parents, and students in the process.

 

FIND OUT MORE

No Bully is the most comprehensive professional development program proven to combat bullying and enhance school culture.

There are so many ways to become a part of No Bully’s mission to dramatically reduce bullying. Consider yourself invited to tell us how you’d like to connect.

Phone:
(415) 767-0070

Mailing Address:
No Bully
1012 Torney Ave
San Francisco, CA 94129

Mar
20
Fri
2020
National Refugee Shabbat 5780 @ Your community
Mar 20 – Mar 21 all-day

Take Action on National Refugee Shabbat

National Refugee Shabbat 5780, which will take place on March 20-21, 2020, is a moment for congregations, organizations, and individuals around the country to dedicate a Shabbat experience to refugees and asylum seekers.

Register: Learn more about how your community or group can participate at hias.org/nrs – it’s not too late!

There are also many ways individuals can take action for refugees and asylum seekers in the week leading up to National Refugee Shabbat, as well as on the actual Shabbat itself (in accordance with individual Shabbat practice). Feel free to share the list below widely with family and friends.

12 WAYS TO TAKE ACTION THIS NATIONAL REFUGEE SHABBAT

1. Advocate – Call your Member of Congress to ask them to stand for the rights, safety and dignity of refugees and asylum seekers.

2. Get Involved in the Election – Research the candidates running in local elections in your area, and let them know that the rights of refugees and asylum seekers are among your top priority issues this year.

3. Update Your Facebook Photo Frame – Show your support for refugees by updating your Facebook profile picture with the HIAS #JewsforRefugees frame. Click here for directions.

4. Join the “Jews for Refugees” Facebook Group – Joining this group is a great way to connect with thousands of other committed individuals across the country, access up-to-the-minute information about the Jewish response to the refugee crisis, and share the actions that you are taking. Click here to join.

5. Donate Your Miles to Asylum Seekers – HIAS has partnered with Miles4Migrants (M4M), a nonprofit charity dedicated to using donated frequent flyer miles and money for the relocation of refugees and those seeking asylum – including families recently separated at the U.S.-Mexico border. HIAS and Miles4Migrants (M4M) will work to identify refugees and asylum seekers who need assistance purchasing airfare to reunite with their families. Donate your frequent flyer miles here the week of National Refugee Shabbat.

6. Buy Refugee-Produced Goods – Support refugees and asylum seekers around the world and in your local community by buying refugee-produced goods and/or researching refugee-owned restaurants in your community and having a meal there. Check out this website to purchase goods made by a collective of African asylum-seeking women living in Tel Aviv, Israel.

7. Give Life to Refugees and Asylum Seekers – In the week leading up to National Refugee Shabbat, set up a Facebook fundraiser to benefit HIAS’ work.

8. Scholarships for Displaced Students – Research whether your local universities and colleges offer scholarships to refugees and asylum seekers. If not, reach out and ask them to consider starting such a program. Check out Columbia University’s program for an example.

9. Have A Difficult Conversation – Using the HIAS Conversational Guide for How to Talk About Refugees with Family and Friends, commit to having at least one conversation with someone in your life who has expressed concern about welcoming refugees to the United States or even someone who has made disparaging remarks about refugees or asylum seekers.

10. Light Shabbat Candles with Intention – As you welcome Shabbat on March 20, use this reading before lighting Shabbat candles to set an intention to stand with refugees and asylum seekers around the globe.

11. Host A Gathering In Your Home – Invite a small group of friends over to your home for Shabbat dinner or lunch or a havdallah (the ceremony for closing Shabbat) wine and cheese gathering. At the gathering, consider using the HIAS National Refugee Shabbat 5780-2020 Programming Content Resource. Use the text study on page 6 of this guide as a jumping off point for conversation, take a look at and discuss the refugee art on page 13 of this guide, or screen the movie suggested on page 14 and 15 of this guide.

12. Start A Book Club – Start a book club – for adults or young people – to read books by and about refugees and asylum seekers. Use this list as a jumping off point for suggestions or search google for even more ideas.

May
21
Thu
2020
Wes Studi – The Legendary Actor – His Plea for the Indian Country Amid the COVID Pandemic – Action Plans for the Nation @ You! Your community!
May 21 @ 12:00 am

From Indigenous New England

https://indigenous.boston  

 

StrongWalker | May 21, 2020 at 11:15 am | Categories: National News | URL: https://wp.me/pawHOv-4ty

Oscar winner Wes Studi launched a new PSA raising awareness about the seriousness of COVID-19 in Indian Country. (courtesy photo)

ADDISON, Texas — From small-town Oklahoma native to internationally acclaimed actor and musician, Wes Studi forever changed a stereotype with his unforgettable performances in Dances with WolvesThe Last of the MohicansHeat and Avatar.

Now, he’s working on another mission.

Yesterday, the Cherokee citizen and legendary film star released a public service announcement (PSA) to raise awareness of the serious effects of COVID-19 in Indian Country and request widespread support for Partnership With Native Americans (PWNA) to ensure Native Americans are not left behind during the pandemic.

What sparked the PSA is a series of vital health issues happening in the wake of COVID-19, even with many stay-at-home orders in place. The risk of contracting the virus is higher among Native Americans due to overcrowded housing and high rates of diabetes, kidney disease and asthma. And despite more than 7,100 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the Navajo Nation and other tribal communities, federal aid has been slow to arrive.

In his new PSA, the Oscar winner reminds the public of the need for immediate attention and charitable donations to PWNA, which has secured tribal clearances and follows CDC and tribal guidelines to continue delivering critical items, such as food, water, sanitizer and personal protective equipment (PPE).

For more information on the PSA, and to learn how to donate, visit NativePartnership.org/COVIDrelief. Organizers are asking people to share this on social media using the hashtags #NativeHope and #COVID19. You can also call 1(800) 416-8102 to learn more.

“Every day, remote reservation communities face shortages of food, water and healthcare, and COVID-19 has magnified that reality,” said Joshua Arce, PWNA president and CEO. “Donations are critical now as we bring relief to under-resourced communities.”

Studi notes PWNA is a nonprofit he trusts. In 2019, they collaborated in a five-part Realities Video Series with Wes Studi that aimed to give an accurate portrayal of reservation life and dispels long-held myths that continue to impact Native communities.

The post Legendary Actor Wes Studi Urges the Public to Assist Indian Country Amid Pandemic appeared first on Native News Online.


“This is a major issue right now…also Protect The Sacred has a Facebook page…this was started by youth and has Mark Ruffalo helping them and a couple other actors…and Navajo youth who have stepped up to help their Elders”
from Grandmother Michelle Reid

Jun
21
Sun
2020
The 8th Annual Children’s Global Wave Of Love @ Your time zone and heart space!
Jun 21 @ 1:11 pm

The 8th Annual Children’s Global Wave Of Love

June 21 at 1:11 pm in your heart and time zone.

We collectively come together to cultivate and

send forth our mission

“Children Across the Planet in Love, Care, and Respect.”

Picture


Picture

We Declare June Children’s Month!!!
Since everyday is children’s day, we create a year-long, free, activity platform for children, families, communities, schools, organizations and YOU to empower

heart space and help transform the world!

Our Mission Statement: Our mission is to provide complete and total support to all children with an entire month of activities that enhance all aspects of a child’s life.

From 0-20 in age, all races, religions, backgrounds and experiences.
A month of FUN! Stewardship, social and environmental activism!
Some suggestions for Mom and Dad, teachers, youth group leaders:
do parades, dances, and plays; songwriting and artwork; write letters to Congress, Parliament, Kings and Queens; shoot some documentaries and music videos; plant gardens—anything you can think of that does something good for the children !
Some suggestions for children:
send us your videos of what you are doing in…
music, dance, sk8 boarding…
Tell us your story !
Where are you at in the world?
What do you want to see happen?
Here is our new email address!
internationalchildrensmonth@gmail.

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