Starbucks wants you to be involved in your community

Starbucks Chief Executive Officer, Howard Schultz announced that Starbucks is joining up with DonorsChoose.org and MSNBC to give communities the opportunity to support their students and local schools. Starbucks has a history of encouraging their customers to get involved within their community, local initiates, and public schools through DonorsChoose.org.

Beginning October 4th of this year, Starbucks retail stores and participating grocery stores will begin featuring specially marked bags with DonorsChoose.org donation stickers for each customer to direct funding to the public school of their chose in support of the students, resources, administration, and teachers. Starbucks goal is to not only support thousands of US public schools, but to inspire its customers to do their part within their communities.

Many people disagree with Starbucks' politics and what they represent. Of course there are restrictions that apply to this opportunity, but could this work? We continue to hear disheartening stories of failing public schools, poor teachers, and rising drop out rates. There are many experts that believe if communities get more involved with their local schools they can make a difference and these stories can be uplifting. The important part of this initiative is not that Starbucks is supporting local communities. What is important is the role the entire community plays in ensuring that they have an adequate school and that their students have the opportunity to excel.

Learn more about the DonorsChoose.org, MSNBC, and Starbucks initiative here.

How do you support your local community?


--Krystal

Young Adults are a Lost Generation

The recession (which officially ended in 2009) has hit young adults the hardest, and will continue to impact this generation for the next decade or so. Young people are delaying adulthood, moving in with their parents, and less likely to cross state lines for a job prospect, opting to stay close to home. Many are unemployed or underemployed, the largest group of young adults since WWII.

Even when the market improves, these young people, who have been perhaps scraping by with restaurant or service industry jobs, will then have to compete with recent college grads for entry-level jobs. 

How do you think this recession will impact our generation in years and decades to come? What will America look like in 20 years? How have young people adapted because of the overwhelming unemployment and poverty rates?

Read more about the census findings of the "lost generation" here.

--Megan

The Interrupters

The Interrupters is a new documentary following "violence interrupters" in Chicago. While the message is that of change and hope, I think, generally speaking, for a typical middle-class audience the film will surprise many at just how out of hand the violence in our high schools and cities has gotten.

The film looks at violence as an epidemic. It is what many people in inner city communities assume they will die from, rather than old age or illness. It is a plague. Violent and angry behavior has simply become a culture in certain neighborhoods; it is learned behavior. This epidemic only spreads--one shooting leads to a retaliation shooting, leads to a counter-retaliation shooting. It is constant; it has become a way of life. The root of this is terrible plague is so basic: people have never been taught better. The thought process might go from I'm angry to I need to take action and that action must be severe. People who haven't been taught proper anger management or communication skills, but have observed angry and violent behavior regularly will repeat this pattern. This entire epidemic is a downward spiral, continuing to keep our communities in poverty and disarray. 

The aim of the violence interrupters is not to end gang activity, but merely to save lives. They are people from the communities that are ready to make a difference. 

The documentary follows 3 different violence interrupters and their encounters and interactions. "The film’s main subjects work for an innovative organization, CeaseFire. It was founded by an epidemiologist, Gary Slutkin, who believes that the spread of violence mimics the spread of infectious diseases, and so the treatment should be similar: go after the most infected, and stop the infection at its source. One of the cornerstones of the organization is the “Violence Interrupters” program, created by Tio Hardiman, who heads the program. The Interrupters — who have credibility on the streets because of their own personal histories — intervene in conflicts before they explode into violence" (from the website). 




I'm really fascinated by this approach, and can get behind this idea. It's holistic, and so many other problems stem from violence and no sense of safety. For example, if people weren't living in fear and acting out in anger and revenge, those energies could be focused on other things, and people would feel more comfortable looking toward their futures, and therefore making preparations for that, in turn bettering our communities.

I could go on. It was great. It's at E Street Cinema now, so go see it! 




--Megan

Free Fun at the Portrait Gallery Steps

DC is a busy city. Everyone is always on the go working, running, and out and about. But one of the great things about  DC is that you can find a great place to take a load off. One of my favorite places to sit down, relax, and enjoy the day is on the steps of the National Portrait Art Galley. You can walk by pretty much anytime of day and see people sitting on these steps. And one of the best things about hanging out or eating your lunch on the steps is that its free!

Last year during the NHL playoffs I wanted to find a nice chill place to watch the Caps game and have a bite to eat. I grabbed some food in Chinatown walked down to the Portrait Gallery and joined a group of DC natives in Caps jerseys watching the game on the big screen outside of the Verizon Center. Perfect. I have also brought my lunch to eat on the steps of Chinatown.

And after you get done taking in the Chinatown scenery walk in to the museum and enjoy the art.

So where do you like to relax in the city? There are a handful of parks in the area that also serve as great spots to relax with friends for free. Share your favorite spots with us.


--Krystal

Adult Education and Family Literacy Week

The US Senate is in the news for a lot of different reasons, but one thing you may not have seen was the unanimous consent declaring the week of September 12-18, 2011 Adult Education and Family Literacy Week in the United States. The goal of this week is to raise public awareness of adult education and family literacy, aid adult learners in need of literacy services and support increased access to adult education and family literacy programs. These are just a few reasons why this week is so vital to our community.

As I have stated before I work for one of the leading Adult Education providers in DC and this experience has enlightened me on some of the ,any issues facing Adult and Family literacy. One of my main goals in my profession is outreach. Recently I attended a volunteer and service fair at Howard University. The attendees of this event were undergraduate and graduate Howard students looking to volunteer in their community. Out of thirty other organizations at the fair I was one of two representatives of an Adult Literacy program. Many of the students that came to my table were surprised to learn that there were programs to help educate adults. After explaining the increasing amount of high school dropouts and how academic success of a parent increases the chances of academic success for the children many people began to understand the importance of supporting adult literacy.

According to the American Community Survey of the over 200 million adults age 25 and above in the United States in 2010 approximately 15% have not earned a high school diploma or an equivalent. This number is far greater than what a few organizations can handle. Help is needed and it starts with spreading the word. So get involved, advocate for your community and check out this link for more information on how you can support Adult Education and Family literacy.


--Krystal

Today

On this day we remember, but we should never forget.

Washington Monument flags at half mask on 9.11.11

Share your story with us. Where were you 10 years ago today? What was going through your head? How have the events of 9/11 affected you?


--Krystal

Community in Tragedy

Everyone remembers where they were 10 years ago today. Everyone remembers the TV going on...and those images of the World Trade Center.

No one can forget what happened and the way this country changed-- the way people were impacted. Words like freedom and America have different meanings attached to them. The culture in this country has shifted, in ways that are just now becoming visible. 

For me, I was in 9th grade geometry, getting ready to start a quiz. When the teacher came in, however, he didn't say a word to us. He went for the TV and the room fell silent. 

I was 14 then, living in Indianapolis, Indiana, and I felt far away from what was happening in New York and Washington. I didn't understand that our nation's sense of safety had vanished; I didn't understand the fragility of life at that time. The moment was terrible and tragic and unreal, but only now am I becoming aware of how that single day has altered the reality and identity of this country. 

Despite the evil deed and the tragedy that impacted people nation and world-wide, we as humans are resilient. This country, thanks to the support of public officials and volunteers nation wide, is healing and moving. We might find many reasons to be scared, but we should also find so many reasons to be encouraged and uplifted--the overwhelming response to this tragedy has been unbelievable in the past decade. Everyone has heard a story of courage, bravery, or goodness that has come from this moment in our history. 

Despite what happened, people refuse to live in fear, and people are reaching out to one another for strength and support in the uncertainty of our time. 

Take, for example, this e-mail I received from the Co-founder of Meetup.com last night. 

"Dear Meetupers,

I don't write to our whole community often, but this week is
special because it's the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and many
people don't know that Meetup is a 9/11 baby.

Let me tell you the Meetup story. I was living a couple miles
from the Twin Towers, and I was the kind of person who thought
local community doesn't matter much if we've got the internet
and tv. The only time I thought about my neighbors was when I
hoped they wouldn't bother me.

When the towers fell, I found myself talking to more neighbors
in the days after 9/11 than ever before. People said hello to
neighbors (next-door and across the city) who they'd normally
ignore. People were looking after each other, helping each
other, and meeting up with each other. You know, being
neighborly.

A lot of people were thinking that maybe 9/11 could bring
people together in a lasting way. So the idea for Meetup was
born: Could we use the internet to get off the internet -- and
grow local communities?

We didn't know if it would work. Most people thought it was a
crazy idea -- especially because terrorism is designed to make
people distrust one another.

A small team came together, and we launched Meetup 9 months
after 9/11.

Today, almost 10 years and 10 million Meetuppers later, it's
working. Every day, thousands of Meetups happen. Moms Meetups,
Small Business Meetups, Fitness Meetups... a wild variety of
100,000 Meetup Groups with not much in common -- except one
thing.

Every Meetup starts with people simply saying hello to
neighbors. And what often happens next is still amazing to me.
They grow businesses and bands together, they teach and
motivate each other, they babysit each other's kids and find
other ways to work together. They have fun and find solace
together. They make friends and form powerful community. It's
powerful stuff.

It's a wonderful revolution in local community, and it's thanks
to everyone who shows up.

Meetups aren't about 9/11, but they may not be happening if it
weren't for 9/11.

9/11 didn't make us too scared to go outside or talk to
strangers. 9/11 didn't rip us apart. No, we're building new
community together!!!!

The towers fell, but we rise up. And we're just getting started
with these Meetups."

Meetup was born from the idea that having community makes our nation stronger. Meetup demonstrates that community and trust and love is the way to heal and overcome hardships--not as individuals but as a whole. This is key--the strength is in our numbers and our bonds, not in our individual freedoms and agendas. 

In other examples of positivity in light of this terrible anniversary, an aquaintance on Facebook writes,

 "Everyone my age & near my age, remember how helpless and scared and sad and mad you felt 10 years ago. Our country's still here, and none of us are helpless 8th graders anymore. America's been through a lot, but it's still great, and now it's your turn. Looking at all my friends and classmates, I'm only encouraged."

President Obama said, ‎"Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11."

We have to continue to believe in the goodness of humanity. It is the only way. 9/11 was a terrible tragedy, and we cannot change what happened, but in light of it, we must become better. 


--Megan

The New Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

Krystal mentioned last week that the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial had opened near the Tidal Basin. The opening ceremony was postponed due to the Hurricane Irene, but, alas, the monument is open for viewing.

I know there has been some controversy about the quotes taken from context; some don't believe it does the leader justice. Maya Angelou went as far as to say one of the quotes should be taken off because it makes Dr. King look "arrogant." 

Regardless of the controversy, it's a very powerful monument. I had the opportunity to visit a few days ago and take it in.

  I found the pictured quotes particularly inspiring and wanted to share them here. Based on these quotes, it seems MLK was a believer in community and looking out for your neighbor.

The statue of MLK faces the water and on either side behind him runs a wall full of quotes.
It's capturing a lot of attention along the tidal basin. It's nice to finally honor Dr. King with more than just the marker on the Lincoln Memorial steps.

Head over there when you get a chance!

--Megan

Let America Be America Again

Today I took some visiting friends to Busboys on 14th and V. Of course the food delicious, but my visitors also enjoyed the atmosphere. As I was taking it all in for myself I couldn't help but to notice an excerpt of a Langston Hughes poem entitled Let America Be America Again. In this poem Hughes mentions words like dream, liberty, immigrant, strength, and hope. Each of these words carries a deeper meaning, not just for Hughes, not just for the mistreated and underprivileged, but for the world. With the opening of the Martin Luther King JR memorial the idea of having a powerful dream and being able to see it come to fruition has been on my mind. In the case of Langston Hughes his dream was a dream that he never saw come to fruition. A dream for the lower class. Wanting, hoping, waiting for something more than below the status quo. Something more than being treated like you're not a whole person. All many of us have ever wanted is to be treated equally nothing special, nothing extra, but to be treated with respect equally regardless of race, creed, gender, ethnicity or sex.

How can America be America again. We must first measure what made Americathe America in the first place and take not of how far we have fallen. A nation founded by immigrants the first day, now treating its immigrants as second class citizens today. How far have we fallen? But how can we expect immigrants to be treated any better when we have native born American citizens treated less and unfairly simply because of the color of their skin. How far have we come on the issue of race?

While reading these powerful words we must also consider the changes that have occurred in American. What is our ideal America? Do the words of the great Langston Hughes still resonate with us today? How free are we today? Below is an excerpt of the poem. Let us know what you think.

--Krystal


Let America Be America Again

by Langston Hughes

Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.

(America never was America to me.)

Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed--
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.

(It never was America to me.)

O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
But opportunity is real, and life is free,
Equality is in the air we breathe.

(There's never been equality for me,
Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free.")

Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark? 
And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?

I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart,
I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars.
I am the red man driven from the land,
I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek--
And finding only the same old stupid plan
Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.

I am the young man, full of strength and hope,
Tangled in that ancient endless chain
Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land!
Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need!
Of work the men! Of take the pay!
Of owning everything for one's own greed!

For the complete poem check out the site here

Ford's Theatre: An American Education Experience

Shot of the theatre.

As many Americans know Ford's Theatre is the site of Present Lincoln's 1865 assassination. Since the reopening of Ford's Theatre in 1968 millions of visitors have come to tour the site and celebrate the legacy of Abraham Lincoln .through this American experience. Not long ago I took a group of adult learners on a trip to the Ford's Theatre and was pleasantly surprised with how much each of us enjoyed the experience.

Walking tour group.

Ford's theatre has a walking tour of the museum that allows you the opportunity to revisit the life of Abraham Lincoln. The museum combines historical artifacts with interactive exhibits. My favorite part of the museum is a hallway leading to Ford's theatre which takes you on an hour by hour schedule of the events of both John Wilkes Booth and President Lincoln on the day of the Lincoln assassination. Throughout the walking tour you really understand all of the planning that went into this assassination and the events that led up to it. I also found the conspiracy and conspirator room very interesting. In this room you learn of the individuals who conspired in this assassination and each role that led to the assassination and the getaway. There are also several videos of Lincoln giving various speeches and meeting with Abolisionist, Frederick Douglas.

Washington Booth, where Lincoln was shot and assassinated.

The Ford's Theatre is definitely a great place for history lovers or if you are interested in a good conspiracy theory. You can view the gun used to shoot Lincoln as well as the bloody pillow President Lincoln laid his head on. Check out the site and get your tickets to the museum. Or go view a show at Ford's theatre and see the Presidential viewing booth (where Lincoln was sitting when shot)


--Krystal