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. 

 

What about Veterans?!

These are some videos that I happened across as I was clicking through my site, www.csrmpls.info, and the employment page.  I found them especially touching today.  Found myself tearing up.  Real courage sometimes happens long past the initial threats, and/or violence.  It's living with the scars, while daring to heal.  Emotional and spiritual healing really is all about choice.  Every day, every moment is about living instead of just surviving.

Or, maybe my tearing up about the fact that my father was a veteran in WWII, as a Marine.  He forged his mothers name at the tender age of 17, and followed his buddies to fight in the war.  He came back, bringing with him a stack of photos that both awed and shocked me.  He also brought back the trappings of one of the Japanese soldiers he killed, including his clothes, rifle, long (historic looking) knife, and other personal items.

My father was set up to be an alcoholic and he never recovered.  Period.  Even though he had long periods of employment, never was homeless, and even owned his own janitorial business.  And, other people paid for that choice to not face his demons.

These stories (videos) were not just interesting, but moving enough for me to stop and post them here.  I hope they're the same for you, and stirs some of you to think more, and do more to better support our veterans.  It's not about quick fixes.  It's about better relationship skills.  Living the fight for a better life, here and now.  Not what one wishes, wants and hopes to be or have.  What can I do right now.

My moto (as taught to me, by my mentor): Life, from the inside out.

I think the following video is a bit ironic in that Gabrielle Giffords took a bullet in the head while serving her country stateside. Women are tough, no doubt about it!

Vision, Headaches and Relief

My vision for this project has been pretty clear, with the hammering out the details being the majority of the work.  And, until the recent past couple of years, my eyes have been 20/20.  But, as with all of us as we age, vision, or our pupils tend to wear out.  Two years ago I bought my first pair of readers.  Let me tell ya, that was an odd yet curious experience.  I now know what it is like to look over my glasses at people.  Hmm, that’s what those old people were experiencing.  LOL…  (yes that’s ‘laugh out loud’, ha ha)

Within the past couple days I’ve gone from worried for my life, literally, to feeling relief that I felt relief.  Or, that I got relief from having headaches (with the potential for it, them) to advance into full grown migraines.  What do I mean by that.  The past few years I’ve been dealing with getting migraines on a more frequent basis, to the point of taking Excedrin Migraine, over the counter pain relief (actually, the knockoff brands) every day to stave off any potential threats.

Two days ago I could not begin to look through my glasses without feeling nerves in my head and eyes begin to ache, and even sting with pain.  So, then I thought, what the heck am I going to do about working on this project?!
The headaches and migraines combined with the fact that my father died from cancer of the brain, has had me yes, worried for my life.  And this project.  I started asking myself what will I do if I do have the big C.  For my father, he got a call from the doctor telling him he had 6 months to live.  Yes, a prognosis of death in six months in a simple phone call.  And yes, I was and still am filled with contempt for the behavior of a doctor to make such a phone call.  Yet, it didn’t change the fact I was the first person called when he was once again divorced again, drinking again, and not going to work.  And, I was the last person to leave the town of Amery, WI, after the house sold and I was once again free, and needing to move on with my life.  That was in 1980, when my father was 55 year old.

This year I am 54 and fast approaching the same age my father was when he got that fatal diagnosis.  As I remember it called “indifferential carcenoma”, although I may have not heard it correctly, since I was in my early 20’s and overwhelmed by the situation.  Much like my previous 21 year in an alcoholic family system.  I was just dutiful to my family, as I was taught.

Well, coming back to today, I’m still having trouble with my eyes going blurry when I use my glasses.  I’m told I need to get used to wearing them.  But, I do have relief from the headaches and migraine threat.  That’s a big deal, huge even.  Those of you who know what it’s like to have bad headaches and migraines know… and I mean KNOW the significance of that relief.

So, where does that put this project, since there’s still a lot to be done?

My first answer is “I’m leaving in God’s hands”, and yes that seems like a cop out, but no it really isn’t.  I’m just the gumption behind this project that is much bigger than me.  But, as soon as I can, I need to get the word out and begin finding others that understand and believe in this project as I do.  At least one, if not 2-3, that can step in and continue this work.  That means I need to keep writing about the vision, and the aspects that are not easily assumed. 

It’s a balancing act of getting the work done so I can see it and help mold it into it’s intended shape, with the need for written documentation regarding the details.

Hopefully, even this blog piece will shed some light on the direction of this work.

David

Add On Interactive Donates Services

This is a shout out to the folks at Add on Interactive (aka Add on Chat) for donating another 30 days of their service "Live Chat Support" to CSR Direct Services.  I just received word that Anthony at Add on Interactive gave another 30 days of their free trial service to give us time to find a sponsor or donations to cover the expense of this feature for CSR Direct Services.

Two weeks ago I requested they continue the Live Chat Support service on my account while I find financial resources, funding, sponsors, etc, to pay for the continuance of this service.  With the new laptop I was able to purchase (courtesy MicroGrants.net) I'm able, and want to be available to people as they visit the CSR sites, and check out the updates.  At that time, they gave me the 2 week extension, and now another 30 days.  But, they can't (and understandably so) extend it any further, if we can't purchase the services by then.

The Live Chat Support feature will be across all the CSR Sites, and offer help, information to visitors as answers are available.  At present, this feature is available to answer questions about the CSR projects in general.  Information about community services is limited, but follow up to questions unanswered at the time of the Live Chat is available.  If we/I  don't know the answer to a question, I will do my best to find the answer or information about a resource person that does.

For when I'm online and take questions, test out the Live Chat Support.

This image shows when "Live Chat Support" is not available.  Click this image for more contact options.

Thanks again to Add On Interactive for their help!

• www.addoninteractive.com

I have searched around and tried out other chat rooms and services and have found Add on Interactive to be the best company, best services available.  Services to be used by CSR Direct Services from Add On Interactive is and will be:

• "Live Chat Support" feature on each page, to offer a direct chat resource to answer questions for visitors of CSR sites.
• "Group Chat" feature to offer group chat rooms for safe public and private chats for socializing and discussion.  Currently, the group chat feature is a free version, and will have more features, better privacy, and added benefits to the CSR community when the upgraded services can be purchased.