NITA MOSBY-HENRY
Nita Mosby-Henry founded The Kaleidoscope Project in Denver, Co. in 2007 to address two major needs in her community. First, to recude tobacco use in the African American community. Second, to engage members in her community who may feel disconnected through service. Nita has blended civic engagement and health in a way that no one else has done.
"My organization fills many needs. Our model increases the number of volunteers in our community. We have volunteered in all types of settings (women and childrens’ shelters, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, etc.) These types of volunteer projects increase reach within communities, while engaging segments of our population who sometimes feel as if they are not a part of the greater community. Secondly, our programs create a more intentional focus on tobacco and obesity reduction in the communities that are most disproportionately impacted. We have managed to blend volunteerism and health in a way that makes science and medicine easier for communities to understand and participate in," says Nita.
Nita’s goal is to end health disparities in communities of color. She uses volunteerism as the nucleus for her work – speaking to the community about the dangers of tobacco use and obesity, while engaging them in service work. She finds that participants almost always find greater capacity to think about their personal health after they have had an opportunity to help others.
Nita created an organization out of pure passion after listening to the needs of her community.
She teaches those around her that no matter the adversity they face, they still have the gift of helping others, ultimately helping themselves. Nita is a true Daily Point of Light.
Elijah Andrew Nichols
Orbie Smith
Edith Dameron
R Courtney
Leslye Alex Phillips
Nicole Chang
Children growing up in poverty stricken neighborhoods surrounded by violence, drugs and ignorance are vulnerable to a variety of negative outcomes, from drug abuse to school drop out. It has been proven that if you provide a child with stability, structure, a positive image, resources, opportunity and love that the chances for survival and success increasedexponentially. This is the belief and vision of Our Legacy.
Recognizing that there should be many vehicles for children on their road to success, Our Legacy created an open, caring and structured environment that facilitates educational resilience and success through various programs and community projects for at-risk youth within the community. Our Legacy's Model gives the teens the opportunity, resources, structure, stability, encouragement and empowerment through our E.M.E.R.S.E. (Establishing a Mindset for Educational Resilience so Students can Excel) programs and our C.O.R.E. (Choice Ownership Respect and Evaluate) values.
Some of the things the teens learn include social etiquette as well as business protocol, table manners, and the importance of associating with positive people. They experience new things, while learning more about themsleves, culture and history. These lessons prepare the teens for life’s challenges.
This is why Out Legacy is a Daily Point of Light.
DESIREE WILLIAMS
Since 2007, Desiree Williams has reached beyond her nation’s borders to address educational, vocational, motivational and spiritual issues in the adoloescent community through the youth mentoring not-for-profit Students Designing Lives. As a a result of her work young people ages four to 17 are increasing economic viability of students, family and communities. Since 2007, Students Designing Lives has recognized and celebrated more than 300 children in art, reading, sports, hobbies and other talents. Globally, they have reached more than 91,000 people.
Desiree is an advocate for young people, from preschool to college. She enjoys working hands-on in her community, ministering vital information to at-risk youth, foster children and local charter school programs. Students Designing Lives inspires young people to dream, explore, learn and soar – all the way paving the way to successful scholastic and vocational achievement.
Desiree is a true inspiration. She is ambitious and motivated, which ignites others around her to aspire to be more. For this, Desiree is a Daily Point of Light.
Michele Fischer
Michele (Shellie) Fischer devotes her time to generating funding for rare genetic disorders, collecting building materials for patient accomodations and sending computers free of charge to help advocates be more productive for their cause. She spends hours supporting patients and networking to provide additional opportunities for growth and development. Among other things, Shellie raises funds to donate wheelchairs to local schools and special needs children. She loves giving her time and talent to work with children who require extra love and assistance.
Shellie does more than most, and she does so desipte having hereditary spastic paraplegia. She still somehow has a level of energy that most struggle to match. Shellie is a known problem solver and people are always turning to her for help. Recently,Dr. John K. Fink at the University of Michigan needed funds for rare genetic disorders research. A foundation was not possible due to the lack of funding and staff. Shellie with her “can do” attitude, created TeamWalk. She paid $5,000 out of her own pocket and took countless risks to make it happen. In it’s first year TeamWalk raised $57,000, the second year it raised almost $100,000. It is now a signature event and has contributed nearly two million dollars to research in the last eight years.
Shellie never stops. Currently, she is creating awareness through denial films teaching kids to envy and admire kids with disabilities by showing their abilities and not limitations. She serves as a positive role model of how a person with a disability can and does make a difference everyday. This is why Shellie is a Daily Point of Light.
David Gagne
There are thousands of children who sleep on the floor, not because they want to, but because they have no place else to sleep. This is how David Gagne felt before he was adopted. Now he’s speaking out for children who can’t speak for themselves, whether it be because they are impoverished or simply afraid to take a stand against the injustice present in their lives.
As a child, David found himself lost in the adoption system. He was angry at the world and he struggled with his own self-esteem and trust issues. He lacked permanacy since his fifth birthday when he was taken away from his parents and siblings. After five years in foster-care, he was adopted and his life changed for the better. He finally had someone to protect him, advocate for his right and guide him through his responsibilities.
Now, David speaks out for disadvantaged youth who don’t have their own voice. Last summer, he interned at the Broward Public Defenders and attended two major conferences: the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. and The Lawton Chiles Foundation – Worst to First Conference in Orlando, Fl. The Guardian at Litem Program, which is a partnership of community advocates and professional staff providing a powerful voice on behalf of Florida’s abused and neglected children has asked for David to be a spokesperson and help with their training. He is also a member of the Youth Advocacy Committee, a group of former and current foster-care youth who advocate for the wants and needs of children in foster-care programs.
David hasn’t fortten the tragedy that was his life before he was adopted and refuses to sit by and watch other children suffer as he did. It is because of his courage, strength and selfless devotion to struggling youth that he is a Daily Point of Light.
