The Internet, and the World of Business

The two video clips below are very poignant regarding business and how we live our lives today.  They both, in my summation, articulate how corporate society and business communities, with our approval, fail to function for us, but collude against us.  Again, across the board, we choose to trust where it is not warranted.

Question is - how and when will we, as a nation, make the tough choices that will get us back on track, moving in the right direction.  The thing is, I believe, important things happen collectively after we make very important choices personally, individually.

It will continue to come down to our choices, there is no avoiding that fact.  Who among us make those moral judgements on a daily basis that benefit us all.  And, who do not.  Each of us make choices, or have them made for us everyday.  Question now is, what are you doing about it, for you!  Do you and I take small steps to move forward, do the right thing, daily?  And, when will those that drag us down, drain us of genuine progress be challenged, even confronted?  And, who among us know how to do that, in a good way?

I believe each of us have a good, positive step right in front of us.

Here is the link to the source of the first video: www.billmoyers.com



Helaine Olen, author of "Pound Foolish", describes the hucksterism at the heart of the personal finance empire.  Here is the direct link, www.thedailyshow.com

A Good Read: "Bailout"

Just watched this show from "The Daily Show" and this book and subject sounds more than interesting.  Confirms much of what we understand, when we're not indulging ignorance or avoidance of the truth.

Notice how the behavior of those in Washington DC and on Wallstreet affect our housing issues here in Minnesota.  What other questions might you think of regarding housing and homelessness in light of this awareness?

The author mentions being in a world that seems upside down. He also references the ego and narcissism of these people in charge of our banking system.

Part 1


Part 2

Thank You: Dan Pfarr (Bridge for Youth)

This is a huge Thank You to Dan Pfarr, Executive Director of Bridge for Youth. 

I just met with Dan at the new Lunds grocery store at 12th and Hennepin Avenue.  Dan was responding to my request for help with catching up on my storage expense.  It had lapsed because of my lack of consistent income, and not having yet launched into full fundraising mode.  Actually, I'm still working on how to figure out the logistics on fundraising, not yet having a checking account.  More about that later.

Dan Pfarr, personally mind you, donated $120 cash.  I am so glad for Dan's personal support for me and my project work.  A reminder, Dan was the key person who helped me receive a grant from Micro Grants for my laptop.

He is, on behalf of the Bridge for Youth, has been working on a Youth Technology Project, on which he asked me to participate on a committee.  The project is to use technology to help youth have better access to information and application to resources.  I made the first meeting, which happened to include people from around the country, over the phone.

Journal: Reactions, not Coincidental

I have to say, working on this project (or projects, 4 in total) has been quite the challenge. Often (and I mean often enough) on a deeper level. I bring something powerfully personal to the work. And, it's because of my personal experiences, education, work and practice that I bring a certain authority to the social table.  This, I believe also means a certain responsibility as well.

Making my story public, on MinnPost.com, and now needing to further tell the details of what's going on, where I'm coming from, lest anyone is mislead, or misunderstands. It sets up an enormous challenge to continue to be out there with my circumstance, that has stigma and judgement written all over it.

I need and want to start shooting videos to explain the projects, and I'm really stuck. I've always been reticent of putting myself online, so public.  But, I've worked through this kind of thing before, as a dancer and dance instructor, in front of hundreds at festivals.  

But, I've been reminding myself for months now, shooting a video would best show who I am, and what I have to offer.  I know what I need to do, and visualize how I need to do it, but still not getting it done. 

At times I've been really anxious when I think about doing the video.  More than that, the closer I get to doing it, I feel really enraged, more than frustrated.  For several days now, I can see that when I go through the process of visualizing what I want to say on the video, and have a clear mind, I then have a reaction.  This defensive reaction is clearly a old survival mechanism. 

I come from a background where I was devalued as a person, as a kid. Directly and indirectly.  I've done a great deal of powerfully deep personal work over the past 25 years. But, when this work becomes difficult, or new and unfamiliar, I'm reminded of that devaluing message. That "who do you think you are, you're nothing." It's not a metaphor, or simple thing. 

Sometimes, it really shakes my world. Like today.

Really.  What I'm most anxious about is losing all my things in storage. Especially, after someone, a medical student, has helped to pay for that storage space.  I would feel really bad to lose all my things after someone has actually spent hundreds of dollars to help me.

Uuuuugh.

If you're interested, and can help, please check out who's already helping.
See Blogger page, or Google Spreadsheet

CSR Origins on MinnPost.com

About a month ago Cynthia Boyd called me to ask me about being interviewed for a piece on the economy.  I said I thought I wasn't the best example for the subject, but Cynthia needed the story, being on deadline and all, and I have been needing and wanting, for a while now to get some publicity regarding my project.  So, we muddled through, exchanged edits and what you see is the result.

However, the subject being what it is, a direct follow up is warranted.  Why?  Well, my experience of society and the nature and brevity of the story, further explanation will fill in the details, lest anyone be misinformed, or mislead.

Unemployed in a weak economy: ‘I found myself in a shelter'

• www.minnpost.com/community-sketchbook/2012/12/unemployed-weak-economy-i-found-myself-shelter

Stigma, Marginalized and Ignored
I'm not sure where to begin here.  Clearly, no one wants to be identified as homeless.  And, certainly not the double punch of "Unemployed" or "Jobless" and "Homeless."  Each with it's own social stigma.  I will be clear here, I rarely, if every refer to myself as homeless because of the stink left from the stigma. 

Actually, more than that.  I will boldly say that I am a Success!  Even while in the shelter system. That's right, I said it.  And, will gladly articulate and argue the fact of that matter.  Anyone that disagrees with that either has completely different ideas of success, and/or does not care to begin to know my full story.

I don't know about you, but even explaining this much, I can feel the enormity and weight of this subject, let alone my vision of the whole project I'm working on.

And, by the way, this project is much more than a single website.  It's actually 4 full projects, that includes Blogger sites, Facebook pages, Twitter Feeds and YouTube channels.

Standing up for what is right!
To be clear, this project has everything to do with Human Rights, and Social Justice, besides simply getting missing information online.  And, I have continued to be committed to working on these projects, even after moments of question and doubt.

One of the first experiences I had, in the beginning, was one with a young man that was being harassed at Salvation Army.  Not only by other guests/residents, but also by a staff member, about being gay.  He contacted me through staff at the Catholic Charities Opportunity Center, Alex (Alexandra), that knew about the project work I was doing and was very impressed.  The person that was harassed wanted to write a blog story to put the word out so others would not have to experience the same thing.   

He originally contacted me through email.  So, I forwarded that email on to a contact, who forwarded it on to Steve Horsfield, then Chief Operating Officer for Salvation Army.  That afternoon I got a call from Steve stating that they knew Salvation Army's reputation wasn't very good on the street, and that they were working to change that.  Instead of writing a blog story, I focused on what this young man needed.  Not on changing all those people out there, so to speak.  Since he was on good terms with Jade, the supervisor of the program where he was staying, I simply walked with him when he returned to the facility, to support him, help emphasize (Salvation Army) addressing this issue.  Jade was aware of the circumstance, and very willing to address the issue.  As a result of this experience, this young man, age about 21 yrs, knew what it was like to be genuinely supported while dealing with a very difficult situation, that had to do with his very identity.  Because I knew what it's like in the shelter system, as well as 28 years of recovery from an alcoholic family system and sexual abuse at the age of 11, I was able to provide genuine help for this young man.

This was also the start of building good connections with Steve and Jade at Salvation Army.  Where Steve was so impressed by my project that he wrote a letter of recommendation, and donated money personally, as well as on behalf of Salvation Army.  A huge thank you to both Steve and Jade.

Being Paid for Work
The biggest challenge for me personally, and the most important aspect for the projects' success is finding funding and financial support.  A great deal of this project development is new to me. This whole environment of the helping community, the population that most needs help.  Especially the money part.  But, I've been successful in many other areas and times of my life, I've decided to take this on, and trust things will work out.  Again, I fully believe this is all about doing the right thing.

I've spent a great deal of time, too, thinking about creative and responsible ways to put together the financial part.  But, being creative, and coming up with good ideas only points in the right direction.  The process involves many steps, and many people along the way.  Long story short, my main philosophy is that the income and funding come from multiple sources, and types.  Meaning, it has already included personal and organization donations.  Not a lot, comparatively, yet gracious, none the less.  The plan is to also include business sponsorships, as well as foundation grants when available.

Between a Rock and a Meaningful Place

One thing I've noticed about doing these CSR community web development projects is that it especially forces me to deal with personal struggles and challenges. Yet, we can say that for anything we choose to do that means something. It's the nature of a spiritual life, facing and dealing with everything that comes up.

Over the past few months I've needed to ask myself just what am I doing, and why. Yes, the obvious is true, no one is doing this kind of community web development, and in this way. And, every time I mention this project, especially after explaining more of the features and details, no one has said "so and so is doing that."

But, there's been something that's been bugging me, and it's been so much in my face that it's been hard to see. As I go about the work of finding, keeping and posting information for those that have been marginalized and out of the mainstream, I have to notice how often I see the need and want to speak up about those situations. Especially, circumstances that can be avoided easily enough. And, especially when certain organizations or authority figures in the helping community are part of the problem.

So, there is a strong social justice aspect to this project, this work I'm doing, that really clarify's what's been bugging me. When a particular situation is bothering me, is it just a personal thing I need to deal with, or a definite social issue that needs to be addressed. You could say I've been doing a great deal of work if not speaking up, at least seeing things for what they are, and not "drinking the Kool-ade."

I have certainly annoyed people, and sometimes, I'm sure, I've made them pretty mad. Often, if not most of the time I had no interest in having to deal with the circumstance. But, I have committed myself to speaking up when I have the ability, and the interest. To get out of my comfort zone and help make my close community better. Even if I'm made out to be the 'bad guy', the whistle blower, or worse.

I don't want to be referred to as the bad guy. I've had to deal with being marginalized myself, many times in my life. It may seem corny, but I am committed to the truth, and trust that the truth will bring me a good life in the end. I'm still working on it, and waiting.

In regards to this community resource web development project(s), I will continue to bring issues and solutions (as I have them) to the public, for us all to face the truth.  The majority of that work, I believe, is simply seeing that we can do better.  Individually, then collectively.

But, it starts with the individual, from the inside out.  We need to start where we can be most successful.  With ourselves!

Contribution: Rolf at Restoration Center.

This is a shout out to Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer over at the Central Lutheran Restoration Center.  Thank you so much for your contribution.

• Donation: 3 - $10 bus cards.