Shouldn’t bloggers blog every once in a while?
It has been ages, dear readers. I could apologize for that, but instead I will share with you why I am not blogging so very often, or really at all, these days.
I guess it all started with this blog. I had this idea to collect information that would help inspire people to initiate change. It just so happened that it worked extremely well, for me at least.
Back in February I was asked to join the board of a startup nonprofit based on an idea a good friend of mine had come up with. He came across a need in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq near the end of last year and decided to do something about it. By bringing together a group of key friends back in the U.S., he was able to establish Extended Family International (EFI).
The group provides no-interest home loans to families in need of adequate shelter. While our work is beginning in Iraq, we dream of expanding the nonprofit across the borders of this particular country that is in such great need of compassion and a helping hand. You can learn more about our first partner family, the Mahmouds, by clicking here.
It was a complete no-brainer for me to agree to join this amazing effort as their director of events. In fact, I think I leapt out of my chair and had to dance around – I was so filled with joy to be given an opportunity to be part of such a good thing.
The entire experience quite simply has filled me with electricity. I have been living with a happiness I have never known before. I still remember feeling my blood pumping through my veins as I sat around a kitchen table one night near the end of winter with four other board members during our first meeting as we officially became board members of EFI and adopted our bylaws. Our founder, Bruce, was on speaker phone. It was 3 a.m. over in Iraq, where Bruce was sitting in a room lit by candlelight because his house was without power. The irony was beautiful and powerful. And the excitement of this journey we were about to embark upon was more real than anything I’d ever felt before.
As the months have flown by, one by one the pieces of our puzzle have fallen into place. EFI became registered as a nonprofit in Pennsylvania back in January. We received our 501(c)3 tax-exempt status from the IRS in August.
And in September we celebrated the launch of our organization with the inaugural Music for Malawa benefit concert in Harrisburg, Pa. It was a great success as more than 100 people came out to support our cause at the Abbey Bar at the Appalachian Brewing Co. Sept. 5 – on a holiday weekend! Three amazingly talented local bands came out and provided entertainment for the evening, for FREE. We raised nearly $1,500 at the door – right in line with our goal. Simply incredible.
I had the great pleasure and honor of being in charge of organizing this event. I can’t properly describe the joy it brought me to be able to bring together so many good people to create an evening filled with so much love, support and the celebration of the ability to give and do good. It was one of the best nights of my life and I couldn't have done it without the incredible people I have in my life who helped me along the way. It is a humbling experience to find your calling – to discover what you are most passionate about – and to watch what can happen if you just simply try. Even more so, to understand that none of it had anything at all to do with you – and to know that that fact is the absolute best part of all.
And this, my friends, is why I have been so absent from Change 101. It seems that I have inspired myself to do more than just write about all of the things that need to be done in the world. I’ve decided to try my hand at helping out a little bit, albeit I have the help of a ton of awesome people I feel blessed to be surrounded by. EFI will continue to take up most of my spare time, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ll try to update you every now and then, but really, what are you waiting for? There is plenty of work to be done. Won’t you join us?
-JLB-
September 22, 2009
June 3, 2009
Resource center for homeless being built in Cumberland County
Here's some exciting news from The Patriot News in Harrisburg. Carlisle CARES broke ground today in Cumberland County on a resource center aimed at providing homeless individuals with access to various resources. What a great idea!
Click here to read the full story.
-JLB-
Click here to read the full story.
-JLB-
May 17, 2009
Harrisburg group supports at-risk youth
I wanted to share another of Harrisburg’s somewhat hidden treasures with you. The Joshua Group is a mentoring organization located along Market Street in Allison Hill. The group supports and works to rescue the futures of street kids in that particular neighborhood. They offer hope in the form of educational and vocational opportunities. You don’t get much more important than that around here.
One branch of the group is the Joshua House, which provides around-the-clock supervision and an intensive life-skills support program to non-adjudicated males in need of guidance and counseling. The goal is for these young men to become self-sustaining members of a community.
The Joshua Group also organizes a Save Our Students Fund, which has enabled the group to place more than 20 deserving, at-risk high school students into a private city school. This intensive mentoring program gives potential drop-outs a chance to set higher educational standards for themselves without having to face the obstacles of the local public school system.
The organization operates a resource center where more than 150 streets kids come each month to take advantage of tutoring opportunities, job search and placement programs, and classes to help prepare for GED and SAT testing. It also includes a walk-in counseling service for those in immediate need of help.
Another component is the J-Crew – an after school mentoring and tutoring program that partners 7th and 8th grade students with a group of older Joshua Group kids. They spend time together working on at-risk youth prevention skills, homework assignments and recreational activities. The program is successful because the kids are eager to seek the advice and encouragement of someone who can directly relate to life growing up in Allison Hill.
The group also offers a transitional home, which allows youth to experience the responsibilities of self support and paying rent while still having the support of the Joshua family when they need it.
The final element of the Joshua Group is its urban farm, which grows and sells organic vegetables while providing education, service and vocational opportunities to youth.
Many of the children the Joshua Group comes in contact with are simply looking for a way to put some sanity back into their lives. If you find yourself wanting to reach out and further support this initiative, there are a number of avenues you can take. To find out how you might be able to help, call (717) 236-4464 or send an e-mail to joshcenter@comcast.net.
I invite you to find a way to connect yourself to this group and help to support it. Their donation needs include school supplies, office supplies, household and cleaning supplies, personal care items, cold-weather items and gift cards.
To make a monetary contribution, please click here or send a check made payable to The Joshua Group to 1442 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
-JLB-
One branch of the group is the Joshua House, which provides around-the-clock supervision and an intensive life-skills support program to non-adjudicated males in need of guidance and counseling. The goal is for these young men to become self-sustaining members of a community.
The Joshua Group also organizes a Save Our Students Fund, which has enabled the group to place more than 20 deserving, at-risk high school students into a private city school. This intensive mentoring program gives potential drop-outs a chance to set higher educational standards for themselves without having to face the obstacles of the local public school system.
The organization operates a resource center where more than 150 streets kids come each month to take advantage of tutoring opportunities, job search and placement programs, and classes to help prepare for GED and SAT testing. It also includes a walk-in counseling service for those in immediate need of help.
Another component is the J-Crew – an after school mentoring and tutoring program that partners 7th and 8th grade students with a group of older Joshua Group kids. They spend time together working on at-risk youth prevention skills, homework assignments and recreational activities. The program is successful because the kids are eager to seek the advice and encouragement of someone who can directly relate to life growing up in Allison Hill.
The group also offers a transitional home, which allows youth to experience the responsibilities of self support and paying rent while still having the support of the Joshua family when they need it.
The final element of the Joshua Group is its urban farm, which grows and sells organic vegetables while providing education, service and vocational opportunities to youth.
Many of the children the Joshua Group comes in contact with are simply looking for a way to put some sanity back into their lives. If you find yourself wanting to reach out and further support this initiative, there are a number of avenues you can take. To find out how you might be able to help, call (717) 236-4464 or send an e-mail to joshcenter@comcast.net.
I invite you to find a way to connect yourself to this group and help to support it. Their donation needs include school supplies, office supplies, household and cleaning supplies, personal care items, cold-weather items and gift cards.
To make a monetary contribution, please click here or send a check made payable to The Joshua Group to 1442 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
-JLB-
May 14, 2009
Clean up the streets of Harrisburg
My sphere of influence in the Harrisburg area recently allowed me to discover a group that I am rather excited about. Floored about, in fact, particularly because of what they're trying to accomplish within the local community.
First, let me tell you how you can help. Then I'll tell you about the group.
Sycamore House is organizing a Trash Away Day and Neighborhood Bar-B-Q for Saturday, May 30. Allison Hill is often known as an area where some shameful individuals choose to randomly dump their garbage and unwanted possessions. The group hopes to help reverse that trend a bit by cleaning up the alleys of this neighborhood between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. that day. They will concentrate on the areas from Market Street to Regina Street, between 18th and 20th streets. Trash bags and a free lunch at noon will be made available to all who are able to attend.
The group will meet at the corner of Market and 19th streets in Harrisburg at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. A Bar-B-Q will take place around 4 p.m. at this same spot following the clean-up as an opportunity to socialize and spend some quality time with your neighbors. What a great way to make a difference -- at no cost whatsoever -- while interacting and connecting with the community. I invite you all to come out and help clean up the streets.
So what in the world is the Sycamore House? It is an intentional Christian community that calls Harrisburg home. The idea is for members of the house to help each other, their church and (perhaps most importantly) the surrounding community in any way, shape or form possible. In essence, they’re looking to make a positive difference in the lives of those less fortunate living within our own community. This is at the very essence and core of what Change 101 is all about.
The group began with its first community downtown about three years ago along Front Street in conjunction with St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral. This year a sister community erected in the Allison Hill neighborhood of Harrisburg next to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. The church allows the house members to live in the rectory rent free in return for a certain number of hours of community volunteer work each week. I love it.
If you can’t make it May 30, perhaps you’ll have some time to stop by the group’s used book sale the weekend before during Artsfest. The festival is scheduled for May 23 through May 25 along Riverfront Park in Harrisburg. The book sale will take place at 223 N. Front Street, in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The proceeds will benefit Sycamore House.
-JLB-
First, let me tell you how you can help. Then I'll tell you about the group.
Sycamore House is organizing a Trash Away Day and Neighborhood Bar-B-Q for Saturday, May 30. Allison Hill is often known as an area where some shameful individuals choose to randomly dump their garbage and unwanted possessions. The group hopes to help reverse that trend a bit by cleaning up the alleys of this neighborhood between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. that day. They will concentrate on the areas from Market Street to Regina Street, between 18th and 20th streets. Trash bags and a free lunch at noon will be made available to all who are able to attend.
The group will meet at the corner of Market and 19th streets in Harrisburg at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. A Bar-B-Q will take place around 4 p.m. at this same spot following the clean-up as an opportunity to socialize and spend some quality time with your neighbors. What a great way to make a difference -- at no cost whatsoever -- while interacting and connecting with the community. I invite you all to come out and help clean up the streets.
So what in the world is the Sycamore House? It is an intentional Christian community that calls Harrisburg home. The idea is for members of the house to help each other, their church and (perhaps most importantly) the surrounding community in any way, shape or form possible. In essence, they’re looking to make a positive difference in the lives of those less fortunate living within our own community. This is at the very essence and core of what Change 101 is all about.
The group began with its first community downtown about three years ago along Front Street in conjunction with St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral. This year a sister community erected in the Allison Hill neighborhood of Harrisburg next to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. The church allows the house members to live in the rectory rent free in return for a certain number of hours of community volunteer work each week. I love it.
If you can’t make it May 30, perhaps you’ll have some time to stop by the group’s used book sale the weekend before during Artsfest. The festival is scheduled for May 23 through May 25 along Riverfront Park in Harrisburg. The book sale will take place at 223 N. Front Street, in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The proceeds will benefit Sycamore House.
-JLB-
May 6, 2009
Shopping for good causes
I recently came across a couple of Web sites I thought I would share with you all. It's not always the easiest to choose a cause out of thin air, so why not do some browsing? The Point and MadeBig appear to allow you to do just that.
Now I'll be honest here -- I haven't spent a ton of time on either site. Right off the bat, The Point makes a lot more sense to me. The site allows you to start your own campaign and raise money or contribute to a cause that has already been created. There are a couple of featured campaigns, but there is a handy spot where the causes are broken down by categories -- education, international and health are just a few examples. Some of the causes within the categories request donations -- others are merely looking for support. But don't listen to me -- go have a look-see for yourself.
Another site I came across this week is MadeBig. You'll have to do your own research to decide if this is something that you want to spend some time on, but if you find yourself playing games online a lot, why not see if you can simultaneously do something good for the world. Basically, the idea is to create an account and then play a bunch of games. As you win and collect tokens, you can pick causes to which you can contribute your tokens. When you pledge support to a cause, MadeBig commits to supporting the cause. The site also offers various categories of causes, including arts and culture and hunger and poverty. Go check it out.
If you don't decide to use these sites, perhaps you'll at least come across a cause that you rings true with your own ideals so that you can find your own way to support it. Whatever it is, get out there and give it everything you've got. I promise you won't regret it.
Happy changing,
JLB
Now I'll be honest here -- I haven't spent a ton of time on either site. Right off the bat, The Point makes a lot more sense to me. The site allows you to start your own campaign and raise money or contribute to a cause that has already been created. There are a couple of featured campaigns, but there is a handy spot where the causes are broken down by categories -- education, international and health are just a few examples. Some of the causes within the categories request donations -- others are merely looking for support. But don't listen to me -- go have a look-see for yourself.Another site I came across this week is MadeBig. You'll have to do your own research to decide if this is something that you want to spend some time on, but if you find yourself playing games online a lot, why not see if you can simultaneously do something good for the world. Basically, the idea is to create an account and then play a bunch of games. As you win and collect tokens, you can pick causes to which you can contribute your tokens. When you pledge support to a cause, MadeBig commits to supporting the cause. The site also offers various categories of causes, including arts and culture and hunger and poverty. Go check it out.
If you don't decide to use these sites, perhaps you'll at least come across a cause that you rings true with your own ideals so that you can find your own way to support it. Whatever it is, get out there and give it everything you've got. I promise you won't regret it.
Happy changing,
JLB
April 19, 2009
Isaac's aims to help feed the hungry
Lancaster-based Isaac's Restaurant & Deli is looking to raise $50,000 to help feed the hungry in Central Pennsylvania.
During the month of April, visit one of Isaac's 20-some restaurants and purchase a bowl of soup. For every bowl sold, Isaac's will donate $1 to feed the hungry. They'll also donate $2 for every quart sold and $4 for every gallon of soup that is purchased during the month.
Isaac's also is selling $1 raffle tickets towards the prize of a $50 gift card to its restaurants. All of the proceeds will go towards their soup fund. The fundraiser will benefit the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, the Greater Berks Food Bank and PhilAbundance. So far they've raised just over $25,000. I realize there's only a couple weeks left to April, but we can still help this business reach -- and surpass -- its goal.
The group is fairly well known for their delicious Pepperjack Tomato soup, so why not enjoy a bowl of this old favorite or tantalize your taste buds with a new flavor if you've never tried it before. What are you waiting for? Make plans this week to head out, buy yourself, your friends and your family some soup and enjoy your meal -- knowing that you did a little something for more stomachs than just your own. Oh, and don't forget to pick up a couple raffle tickets!
To donate directly to Isaac's soup fund online, click here.
-JLB-
During the month of April, visit one of Isaac's 20-some restaurants and purchase a bowl of soup. For every bowl sold, Isaac's will donate $1 to feed the hungry. They'll also donate $2 for every quart sold and $4 for every gallon of soup that is purchased during the month.Isaac's also is selling $1 raffle tickets towards the prize of a $50 gift card to its restaurants. All of the proceeds will go towards their soup fund. The fundraiser will benefit the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, the Greater Berks Food Bank and PhilAbundance. So far they've raised just over $25,000. I realize there's only a couple weeks left to April, but we can still help this business reach -- and surpass -- its goal.
The group is fairly well known for their delicious Pepperjack Tomato soup, so why not enjoy a bowl of this old favorite or tantalize your taste buds with a new flavor if you've never tried it before. What are you waiting for? Make plans this week to head out, buy yourself, your friends and your family some soup and enjoy your meal -- knowing that you did a little something for more stomachs than just your own. Oh, and don't forget to pick up a couple raffle tickets!
To donate directly to Isaac's soup fund online, click here.
-JLB-
April 16, 2009
More than two months later...
Worst. Blogger. Ever.
That would be I.
I haven't forgotten about this blog, nor have I forgotten about those who have been so kind as to read the words that I write here. I have, however, been overwhelmed with volunteer projects. One of these projects is particularly exciting and is linked directly into the purpose of this blog. I will share more information on this shortly. In the mean time, I ask that you please bear with me and accept my apology for neglecting Change 101. I'm working on resurrecting it.
As such, here is a sampling for you.
I just came across this article and thought I would share it with you all. It appears that the federal stimulus money might be able to help out some of the homeless folks in the Cumberland County area. Read more about that here.
Also, Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area recently launched a new Web site. Check it out here. It includes information about how the group will begin construction tomorrow on two new homes in the Allison Hill neighborhood of Harrisburg. Exciting stuff, I tell you.
Even as the economy continues to slow down, it warms my heart to know that there are still groups working to change the world for the better. I hope you can find a way to pitch in.
-JLB-
That would be I.
I haven't forgotten about this blog, nor have I forgotten about those who have been so kind as to read the words that I write here. I have, however, been overwhelmed with volunteer projects. One of these projects is particularly exciting and is linked directly into the purpose of this blog. I will share more information on this shortly. In the mean time, I ask that you please bear with me and accept my apology for neglecting Change 101. I'm working on resurrecting it.
As such, here is a sampling for you.
I just came across this article and thought I would share it with you all. It appears that the federal stimulus money might be able to help out some of the homeless folks in the Cumberland County area. Read more about that here.
Also, Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area recently launched a new Web site. Check it out here. It includes information about how the group will begin construction tomorrow on two new homes in the Allison Hill neighborhood of Harrisburg. Exciting stuff, I tell you.
Even as the economy continues to slow down, it warms my heart to know that there are still groups working to change the world for the better. I hope you can find a way to pitch in.
-JLB-
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