October 2009 Vol I COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

Resources to available help in the Philadelphia community.

After School Violence

In light of the tragic events that took place in Chicago September 2009 which resulted in the death of Derrion Albert, a 16 years old high school student, I still see after school crowd fights. I don't want to label these fights as "gang" fights as so often portrayed by the media. Most of these children don't even know what they are fighting about. These children are infatuated with fighting each other and filming it. They often broadcast themselves on Youtube or other social sites, showing off the brutality often inflicted on helpless victims.

How can we as a community prevent these after school knuckle showdowns and stop these senseless violence. We should be able to protect these children. They are somebody's child, sister, brother, cousin, family.

Ages of 16-20 Philadelphia Gateway to College

Earn Your High School Diploma and College Credits
Gateway to College at Community College of Philadelphia is a scholarship program for School District of Philadelphia students, ages of 16-20, who have dropped out of school but have a desire to get back on track and earn a diploma and more.

Where will a Philadelphia Gateway to College education take you? You decide.
Don't miss out! Recruitment for the Fall 2009 semester, which begins in September, is currently underway. Please contact 215-751-8540 to register for an Information Session. See the Information Session schedule.

http://www.ccp.edu/site/gateway/

Peace and Love

Public Service Announcement for Big Brothers Big Sisters

Why should you be thinking Arby’s?Visit an Arby’s restaurant today and donate $1 to help Arby’s raise $2 million for Big Brothers Big Sisters. And that’s not all! As a thank you for your donation you will receive a coupon redeemable for $1 off select Arby’s menu items during your next visit. So you give a dollar and get a dollar — have a great meal while helping kids in you local community ... so what are you waiting for.

If you can’t make it to an Arby’s, you can donate online to support your local Big Brothers Big Sisters at www.facebook.com/arbysfoundation.

Peace and Love

Congratulations Hassan!

It is with great honors to share with the world that our wonderful partner and friend was awarded recognition for his tireless efforts in our community! Way to Go!

Michael Baisden Show - Hiring

The Michael Baisden Show is now hiring for three different positions. If you think you have what it takes, send your resume and cover letter to the appropriate email address listed below.
SALES MANAGER- Must have expertise in generating revenue- Experience in high volume sales with an emphasis on network radio, event sponsorships and internet sales- Send your resume to sales@minglecity.com

MEDIA CONTENT MANAGER- Will be responsible for maintaining the overall content consistency on all Baisden Media websites- Must have strong experience and skills in web content management systems- Writing and editing for the web- Graphic design experience along with programming, CSS, XHTML code and web standards- Experience with digital project management and development processes- Ability to oversee web support staff-Send your resume to webjobs@minglecity.com (include “Content Manager.” in the Subject line)

GRAPHIC DESIGNER- Will be responsible for creating images used on Baisden Media websites- Must have experience in designing graphics- At least 1-2 years experience with graphic design (Photoshop/Illustrator)- Send resume AND graphics samples to webjobs@minglecity.com (include “Graphic Designer” in the Subject line)

Interested in a career as an Air Traffic Controller?

If you have or know kids between the ages of 18-31 with a high school diploma, the Federal Aviation Association is taking applications for Air Traffic Controller School. We all have kids and know kids in the right age group (under 31) and with some effort they could reach a salary of over $100,000 with benefits in about 3 years! You need only a high school diploma to apply and credit is given for college on the exam.

They need to go to this Website:

http://www.faa.gov/jobs/job_opportunities/airtraffic_controllers/

For details and to fill out the application immediately - even if they don't know if they'd want to attend immediately - it's the federal government and it may take them months to call..

The key is to apply NOW.

There will be a lot of retirements coming up rather quickly and they need to line up training to accommodate these openings. It's my understanding that the FAA rarely has an open application such as this and that the jobs are coveted. The person who shared this has a 28 year old daughter who is well into 6 figures and has plenty of time for travel/recreation and has started another career on the side. This is a great opportunity and it should be noted that choosing a site like Anchorage or Indianapolis to train is a likely acceptance into the training program - after-which you can transfer anywhere in the country that has a tower.

I hope you pass this information on to family, friends, etc.

Good Luck! Peace and Love.

Fundraising through TruthAids.org, word of mouth, and Facebook

Please help us in our efforts to providing the community with a computer lab. The Philadelphia community has generously donated furniture and computers but the IT infrastructure requires money.

Together we can make a difference and together as a community we shall grow.

http://www.truthaids.org/v2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=302:trust-philly&catid=39:philadelphia&Itemid=120


Donations are tax deductible.

Peace and love

PhillyLifesavers.org

"The best way to predict your future is to create it."
~Unknown

Creation it is!

Philly Lifesavers has launched our website. The metal wheels are spinning and we're ready to produce! So, let's welcome all the great things this center has in store for the community and our future!

Peace and Love

Philly LifeSavers

When the going gets tough. What will you do?

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will.
~Vince Lombardi

The road is rough, laid out before you sharp stones threatening to puncture holes through your flesh if you were to fall or misstep. Every step you take is a painful one, yet you know there is something more at the end of the road. You keep treading, slow and steady, sometimes you stumble, fall and gash your flesh wide open, but you continue moving, determined to find that 'something more'.

At times you cry out that it is too painful and you cannot move a step further. Echoes of other injured souls sentiments your hurt and pain. They call for you to stop moving and stay there besides them for they have given up and laid where they fell. Don't go any further! There's nothing at the end of the road. But something gnaws at you and pushes you ahead.

The road ahead just seems to stretch out endlessly. Do you stop moving?

Cleaning out your closet?

When you buy something new, why not recycle your old and give to a local clothing donation program or recycle it? Doing so will make you feel good about helping others and reduces the landfill amount. Please consider it.

Here are some local organizations:

Goodwill Industries: www.goodwill.org
Salvation Army: www.salvationarmyusa.org
Freecycle: www.freecycle.org

Congratulations are in order

Our friend and partner, Dr. Mehret Mandefro has been selected as a National finalist for the White House fellows program. The nation's most prestigious program for leadership and public service. A recognition that is very well deserved!

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
__________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2009

White House Announces National Finalists for the 2009-2010 Class of White House Fellows

WASHINGTON – The White House today announced that thirty outstanding men and women from across the country have been selected as National Finalists for the White House Fellows Program – the nation’s most prestigious program for leadership and public service. The National Finalists represent a diverse cross-section of professions, including business, medicine, law, non-profit sector, media, state government, finance, and education. Additionally, four branches of the military are represented among the National Finalists. A complete list of the National Finalists appears below.

The White House Fellows Program was founded in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. This non-partisan program offers exceptional men and women experience working at the highest levels of the federal government. Fellows also participate in an education program consisting of roundtable discussions with renowned leaders from the private and public sectors and complete service activities throughout the year. Following the program, Fellows are expected to repay the privilege by contributing to the country as national leaders and public servants.

This years National Finalists embody President and First Lady Obama’s commitment to public service. Finalists were selected, in part, because of their exceptional record of incorporating service into their professional pursuits. "This year’s finalists represent some of our nation’s most promising leaders." said First Lady Michelle Obama. "Most importantly, each one of the White House Fellow’s finalists has found a way to positively impact the lives of those around them."

Selection as a White House Fellow is highly competitive and based on a record of remarkable professional achievement early in one’s career, evidence of leadership potential, a proven commitment to public service, and the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute successfully at the highest levels of the federal government. Throughout its history, the program has fostered leaders in many fields including former Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, retired U.S. Army General Wesley Clark, U.S. Senator Samuel Brownback, U.S. Representative Joe Barton, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, writer Doris Kearns Goodwin, former Travelocity CEO Michelle Peluso, former CNN Chairman and CEO Tom Johnson, managing partner of Nogales Investors and former Univision president Luis Nogales, and U.S. Court of Appeals Judges M. Margaret McKeown and Deanell Reece Tacha.

Additional information about the program is located at www.whitehouse.gov/fellows.

2009-2010 White House Fellows National Finalists and Hometowns

Chisaraokwu Asomugha, Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar, Yale University School of Medicine; Hamden CT
Laura Bacon, Technical Advisor & Researcher, Government of Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia; Weymouth, MA
Jeremy Block, PhD. Candidate, Biochemistry , Duke University; Manlius, NY
Sudip Bose, Attending Emergency Physician, Advocate Christ Medical Center; Chicago, IL
Nicole Campbell, Vice President, Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation, Brooklyn, NY
Jose Fernandez, Managing Director, BTI Group; San Francisco, CA
Jonathan Finer, Foreign Correspondent, The Washington Post; New Haven, CT
Rebekah Gee, Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar; Columbus, OH
Elisha Gilliam, Senior Associate, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore, MD
Victor Glover, Test Pilot/Project Officer, VX-31, Naval Air Weapons Station; Pomona, CA
John Green, SEAL Troop Commander, SEAL Team SEVEN; Los Angeles, CA
Kenneth Harbaugh, Writer, NPR contributor and retired Navy aviator; Hamden, CT
Zheng Huang, Managing Director, Intel Corporation; San Jose, CA
Kellee James, Economist, Chicago Climate Exchange; Chicago, IL
Sarah Johnson, Junior Fellow, Harvard Society of Fellows; Lexington, KY
Robert Lyman, Commander, 96th Communications Squadron, US Airforce; Walkersville, MD
Anish Mahajan, Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar; Poughkeepsie, New York
Mehret Mandefro, Staff Physician, Adolescent HIV Clinic, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Research Faculty, University of Pennsylvania; Alexandria, VA
Ann Maxwell, Chief Operating Officer, Direct Relief International; Santa Barbara, CA
Emil Michael, Founder and President, Venture Consulting; Miami Beach, FL
Kendric Robbins, Executive Officer, Task Force 2-6 Infantry, United States Army; Albion, ME
Anthony Russell, Press Secretary to the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard; Stafford, VA
Manish Sethi, Surgical Resident, Harvard Combined Orthopedics Program; Brookline, MA
Raj Shah, MBA Candidate, University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business; Bonaire, GA
Rachel Skerritt, Headmaster, Boston Public Schools; Roxbury, MA
Marc Sternberg, Founder & Principal, Bronx Lab School; New York, NY
Maura Sullivan, Epidemiologist, Risk Management Solutions; Palo Alto, CA
Adam Taylor, Senior Political Director, Sojourners; Washington DC
Presiliano Torrez, Assistant Attorney General, New Mexico; Albuquerque, NM
Michael Webber, Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering and Associate Director, Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy; Austin, TX

Source: http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=78043959292&h=4fJJF&u=thlmu&ref=mf

www.homesforourtroops.org

Now is the perfect time to support Homes for our Troops, a non-profit organization that provides specially adapted homes for our severely injured veterans at no cost to them.

How you can help:

Volunteer for a Build Brigade. Homes for Our Troops needs professionals to help build homes, including roofers, siding and window installers, framers, general carpenters, and others.

Volunteering your time and effort to help the less fortunate is a pleasure each human being should possess.

Peace and love

Brighter Days are Ahead

I am truly glad and blessed to be apart of this effort. It is not the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that's beautiful. It's the obstacles that you were willing to successfully overcome that is.

Ownership

"Ownership means following your dreams, and owning your calling. Ownership means never settling for less, and owning your greatness. Ownership means taking the initiatives, and owning your actions."
~Kurtis Watkins, Artist. (www.kurtiswatkins.com)

You set the expectations in your life on wheather you want to fail or suceed. Taking ownership of your life and not blaming your problems on others, sets that standard for sucess or failure.

Peace and love

Follow your dreams

"Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake."
~Henry David Thoreau

My college professor told us to write our obituaries and we will find out how we want to live our lives and how we want to be remembered. Today write your obituary. This may clarify some things for you.

Peace and love always.

Together we can move mountains

I am so thankful for all you work Hassan and Sophie. You make moving mountains possible. Let's do this. Looking forward to our weekly meeting and welcoming Commissioner Johnson to the team.

Changing mindsets

“When we think of failure; Failure will be ours. If we remain undecided; Nothing will ever change. All we need to do is want to achieve something great and then simply to do it."

~Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Rebuilding a run down neighborhood is a wonderful concept. We can transform abandoned warehouses into luxury condos. Line streets with trees and flowers. Rebuild bridges and pave roads. But can you change the mindset of the people? Beauty starts from within. Turn that negative energy into a positive and transform it into determination. Be determined at whatever adversity faces you. When the mindset changes, that beautiful neighborhood will become a beautiful community.

Peace and love always.

Quality of Life

"If standard of living is your major objective, quality of life almost never improves, but if quality of life is your number one objective, your standard of living almost always improves."
~ Zig Ziglar

We have to change the mindset of the public. We have to improve quality of life and educate those to improve their quality of life for they do not know how or do not have the means necessary to change their quality of life.

You can power a train with an extra push

One extra degree can make all the difference. At 211 degrees, water is hot. At 212 degrees, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And with steam, you can power a train.

One degree. Applying one extra degree of temperature to water means the difference between something that's simply very hot and something that generates enough force to power a machine - a beautifully uncomplicated metaphor that ideally should feed everything we do.
~unknown

We don't realize that the small things do make a differences in a big way! So take time out and encourage one another just a little bit more. I was inspired by this metaphor and hope that it will in turn inspire you.

Peace and love always.

Before you throw away another book

Please donate any unwanted books to our organization. We are accepting any age appropriate books. These donations are tax deductible. Please email lifesaversprogram@gmail.com.

LifeSavers appreciates your contributions and thank you for making a difference!

Looking forward to this mission

Dear Sophie, I am truly anxious to be apart of your journey. In an age of confusion, desperation, and despair because of the closing of rec centers, and other venues that have been successful in keeping our youth off the streets and out of trouble; your venture is not only welcomed, but needed. I'm definitely on board and look forward to working closely with you to see this mission through. And believe that I speak for several others when I say, Its about damn time!
Pumoja Tutashinda Simba wachuka, translated to mean " together we will win young lioness". I do bow down to a Queen!!!!