Not Just the American (or Christian) Dream Every Miss America wishes for it. Thousands of people die each year in the pursuit of it. Nearly every practiced religion preaches its precepts. Yet, no one knows how to achieve or sustain it. What is this elusive ideal known as World Peace? Is it possible? I dare to dream that it is. We live in a country where we have certain inalienable rights…one of the utmost being freedom of religion. We are allowed to worship how and when we want without fear or persecution. What a gift! So how can we live in a world where people are so religiously intolerant? Not only do we judge and hate each other for holding certain beliefs, we fight, beat, condemn and murder in the name of religion as well. So how do we overcome religious judgments and blind, uneducated hate to the point where we can live in a peaceable and tolerant society? We educate ourselves on interfaith affairs, we learn about other religions, we talk and discuss instead of judge and stereotype. We “interface.” Interface is defined as a point at which diverse groups interact, meet and communicate with each other. Programs providing for interface, inter-religious dialogue and education opportunities are important to begin to create serious social change and ideally prevent crises like terrorism, racism and hate crimes. We must begin engaging ourselves (and our youth) in ways that expose us to diverse people and surroundings in order to increase open-minded thinking and acceptance of traditions and cultures different from our own. It is only when we understand the barriers that separate us that we can begin to break down the stereotypes and create a more peaceable society. After all, as the saying goes, “united we stand, divided we fall.” This change needs to happen not only within ourselves, but we need to start with our youth before a stereotyped and jaded society makes up their minds for them. Young people posses an energy and rare lack of inhibition necessary to create lasting initiatives to move our world into a new era. By empowering youth and engaging them with culturally diverse and compassionate thinking, we dare to instill the ideology of peacemaking necessary to create a better world for all. Visionary leaders including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and King Abdullah II of Jordan have begun to institute a charge to the world population to promote interfaith development. An international movement is beginning and the possibilities are endless. Dare to dream. To learn more about the Interfaith movement, information is available through the International Conference on Faith and Service, the North American Interfaith Network, the Case Foundation, the International Interfaith Organizations Network. Resources on promoting interfaith development are available from the Points of Light Foundation <insert link >, the Interfaith Youth Core, the International Interfaith Centre, and CoNexus Multifaith Media.
Abbey Kos March 22-25, 2006, marked the 17 th annual National Service-Learning Conference, this year held in Philadelphia under the theme “We the People.” Nearly 3,000 young people, professionals, and educators from around the world gathered in the City of Brotherly Love to learn more about the field of service-learning. Each day, workshop sessions were held on a variety of themes; for example, AIDS activism, disaster preparedness education, the role of youth in state legislation, and leadership were all discussed. Although the sessions came from different perspectives and had different viewpoints, they all focused on the benefits and intricacies of service-learning today. A long and distinguished list of speakers presented at the conference. Howard Zinn, the noted historian and author of A People's History of the United States , gave a controversial plenary speech about the current state of American affairs, the war in Iraq , and the importance of remembering history in our day-to-day lives. 27-year-old activist Hafsat Abiola spoke about democracy and activism in her native Nigeria ; Gerta Weissmann Klein, historian and Holocaust survivor, gave an inspirational talk about tolerance and hunger. However, the most prestigious speaker came at the “We the People” Gala, held at the National Constitution Center . Former President Bill Clinton spoke to a packed gallery of onlookers about the important role that volunteering and service-learning play in our everyday lives and in the continued strength of our nation. He, along with special guests former Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and former Senator Harris Wofford, arrived like celebrities amid flashing camera bulbs and cheering conventioneers. All through the conference, the “We the People” theme was constantly at the forefront. Whether speakers were former heads of the free world or high school students, audiences were able to respect, admire, and learn from those who had done great work in the field of service-learning. Though the conference has ended, the quest to further service-learning certainly hasn't; already plans are in the works for the 2007 National Service-Learning Conference, to be held in Albuquerque , New Mexico . To find out more about the conference, or the National Youth Leadership Council, visit www.nylc.org. To learn more about the field of service-learning, and to download materials that can help you, there are a number of websites you can visit. Check out www.volunteerresource.org and search in the “Library” section for service-learning materials. Also, visit the Corporation for National and Community Service’s resource center at www.nationalserviceresources.org for service-learning tips and more. Stay tuned for the next VISTA newsletter, where we’ll tell you more about these great resources!
Disaster Preparation for…YOU!! A disaster is unexpected, a surprise, and a disruption to life. The best thing to do to prepare for such an uncertain event is to…prepare. Disaster Relief and Homeland Security VISTAs know that this is easier said than done, particularly since they have the daunting responsibility to help their whole community prepare. But, it is important to take a step back and think about the very basics of disaster preparation: How to prepare yourself, at least at the bare minimum . The motivation for this article topic will be described below. Michelle's Personal Disaster StoryI would like to take a moment and relate a “disaster” that I was recently in. Although it was a small disaster, it affected, and still affects, my life in a variety of ways. I was in a bicycle accident a little more than a month ago. I was riding down a hill at a fairly high speed, when a car on the opposite side of the road turned left in front of me. I pulled my brakes hard to avoid being hit by the car and landed on the road. An ambulance was called and later at the ER, it was determined that the damage was one fracture in my pelvis and three fractures in my right shoulder. After all the X-Rays were finished, I realized that I did not know anybody's phone number by heart. I didn't have my cell phone with me (which is unusual) and so didn't know who to call to pick me up. Not being able to call someone for help made me feel even more helpless than ever. Eventually I was able to obtain a number using the Internet, and I was very lucky that this person picked up the phone. In the end, friends picked me up and they took care of me wonderfully. I had taken a few steps to prevent and lessen the consequences of such an accident, i.e. wearing my helmet, using reflectors, and installing a blinking light. Yet, these were not enough. Since I did not have emergency numbers on my person, or even identification, this accident could have been much worse! The moral of this story is that you can never be too prepared. Now, I would like you to take a moment and ask yourself the following questions:
There is no time like the present. Prepare! Disaster Trivia CORRECTION: Last month the Trivia question stated that it is better to have windows open during a hurricane or storm. A reader informed me that in modern houses it is actually safer to keep the windows closed. Here is a follow-up question. Question: What can be used to protect windows and
glass from flying debris? (answer at bottom of page)
Kristen Cambell With so many Strengthening Communities VISTAs doing so many amazing things, it has gotten nearly impossible to highlight just one each month. So for April, I would like to recognize four faith-based VISTAs who have had an exceptional quarter and done great things for their Volunteer Centers , communities, and country:
Melissa Finley, Volunteer Center of Monterey County, Salinas, CA As part of the “InterFace” project initiative being developed by the Foundation, these four VISTAs planned interfaith youth-focused days of service in their communities, each taking place this month. Each day includes a service project, a time of interfaith dialogue reflection and an element of art.
Check Out Their Projects! VolunteerLEON: Youth participants will disseminate disaster preparedness kits to elderly residents of low-income Tallahassee neighborhoods. Volunteer Memphis: Young volunteers will put their artistic skills to work painting murals, which they will auction to raise money for hurricane relief. Volunteer Center of Monterey County: Interfaith youth from Salinas will learn the skills of outreach, compassion and disaster preparedness by putting together backpacks full of school supplies for public school students in Mississippi affected by this year's hurricanes. To secure funding for their projects, Melissa, Scott, Dorian and Rebekah each wrote a successful grant proposal for the Foundation's large and highly competitive Alliance for Recovery Awards . In addition, they received grants funded by the generosity of the Case Foundation through the International Conference on Faith and Service which provided them not only extra money for their project, but also travel to Washington, D.C. to attend the conference. All this grant writing and event planning has been in addition to the VISTA 's already ambitious work loads. Rebekah and Dorian are also responsible for the coordination of the Memphis Teen Volunteers program and the Memphis Mentoring Partnership, as well as conducting Service Learning trainings in the community. Melissa regularly spends her time helping train community organizations in volunteer management as well as educating them about the VCMC, presents professional development workshops, and has even taken on the task of learning Spanish to better serve the Salinas population. Scott helps facilitate trainings on aging and disability sensitivity, Volunteer Reception Centers, and grassroots leadership, as well as continually building partnerships with local faith-based organizations through his Project InterFACE model, which has proved to be replicable at other sites as well. These four VISTAs continually show what it means to get things done for their communities. Keep up the great work.
We asked you VISTAs what soundtrack you would choose for a movie about your life. There was an overwhelming number of responses, thank you all for contributing. Jamie Puroll: Gaylord, MI Mine would be a song by Baz Luhrman from before I graduated. I don't remember what it was called, but it says something along the lines of," live in New York , but leave before it makes you hard, Live in California , but leave before it makes you soft..." I am originally from Michigan and I lived in NYC for 4 years and Pasadena , CA after that. I am back in Michigan , but I am very happy I got to experience those lifestyles. Lindsay Mullins : Washington, DCYou're in the mood for a dance Dancing Queen by ABBA I chose this song because I LOVE to dance; I'm always in the mood to dance. Also it is cheesily symbolic, Life is a dance and I am having the time of my life. Nathan Hansen: Bradenton, FLThe one song that I would have to choose for the movie about my life would be Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven". The main reason that I chose this song is because it is one of my favorites. Also, I enjoy the tempo and sound of this song. I think that if you listen to the lyrics of the song it is just a good laid bck song, and in my opinion it is one the best songs. The lyrics that I like the best is the last stanza, and the last sentence says that "When all is one and one is all to be rock and not roll. And she buying the stairway to Heaven." This line just sticks out to me. But all in all I just really like the song and think that it is a classic. John Dickerson: Gainesville, FL You've asked an old cowboy the perfect question! Keep in mind that when I was 5 years old, Roy Rogers placed me on Trigger's back, so the movie of my life would have the soundtrack of-------- Happy Trails to You Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again. The song would be by Alabama and it is "Give Me One More Chance" and if you listen, it is just a request so that you have a chance to do something that you haven't done yet. Also do any of you listen to the song...."Point of Light" by Randy Travis I think it was especially made for us and the lyrics are really beautiful, just made for all of us VISTA'S, I bought the cd it was so good. Athena McKay: Flint, MIThe title of the song is "You can't take me" Some of the lyrics go like this... gotta run another night gotta fight with all my might gotta get me back, now ain't gonna take me down, NO WAY you can't take me I'M FREEEEEEE!!!!!! Ami Wilson: Hillsdale, MI This song that describes what I feel like now could be; Bon Jovi's "Who Says You Can't Go Home." Here are some random lyrics from the song. It doesn't matter where you are, doesn't matter where you
go Interesting how life works out, huh? :) Kristen Cambell: Washington, DCI have a couple, but I think the one that is most representative is "Angel" by Sarah McLaughlin. "Spend all your time waiting for that second chance- for a break that would make it okay. There's always some reason to feel not good enough, and it's hard at the end of the day ... In the arms of the angel, fly away from here. From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you feel. You are pulled from the racket of your silent reverie. In the arms of the angel, may you find some comfort here." Amanda Cambell: Salinas, CAI love the song "Futures" by Jimmy Eat World. I love it because its all about believing good things for the future and the future is inevitable, its coming. I feel this is the song of my life because I believe in the future good things are to come, thats why I am a VISTA !! I, I always believed in futures I always could count on futures "The Rose" is a song of hope and inspiration for everyone. When the night has been too lonely, Probably the fanfare from _Also_Sprach_Zarathuschtra_ but, sorry, no words. (It would have been _Zaratushtro_ in the ancient Parsi text.) He was the founder of the world's *first* recorded monotheistic religion but Moslems, Christians, and Jews, have dedicated not a little effort to naming him and his followers "pagan". Sean Duggan: San Diego, CAI really wish this had been a more difficult choice ... unfortunately, for me the answer is obvious ... "My Way!" ... a few lyrics follow: Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew I'm definitely choosing another song the next time around! Abbey Kos: Washington, DC One song that's been the theme to my life for a while now is “Alice Childress,” by Ben Folds Five. It's sweet and hopeful but still a little bit cynical, too. I used to rock out to this song when I was in China , just hanging out my dorm room window and looking down at the people below. Alice, the world is full of ugly things NeeCee Blackwell: Shreveport, LA My life's movie sountrack would have to be "I Hope You Dance" It's recorded by Lee Ann Womack. It's an uplifting, hope-filled song about the great things in life (some) I've experienced that I hope others choose to enjoy. I always want to take people down my road of excitement, positive thinking and ultimate optimism. Artist: Lee Ann Womack Song: I Hope You Dance I hope you never lose your sense of wonder, A song from the New Adventures of PIPPI Longstocking, it is the films anthem. I pick it because I would love to live in this dream at least for a day or two. "Life is a breeze/We live it for fun./No apologies/to anyone./We live on the seas./We do as we please." I know it is a bit ridiculous that I know this song , but my three year old daughter just gets a kick out of this movie. Wouldn't this just be the most ideal life, on the ocean sailing without a care in the world, feeling as if life was a breeze, and no deadlines or phones to answer to? This is the first crazy song I could think of and I thought instead of the song of my life I would write the song of an ideal life.
Disaster Trivia Answer: Storm shutters |
