Life Teaches Foundation
Inspiration | Empower | Support
WHY
Originally because my children deserve the best (typical parent, I know). Once my children grew up and I realized that by raising them to believe that they could change the world, I was leaving them with a task bigger than I could justify.
Now, my reason has become "To set an example of how much can be achieved when people pull together with one common goal."
I wrote The World I See Begins With Me when my kids were babies with hope in my heart. But, looking around again once they grew up (my youngest turned 18), as I did when I wrote it, the world isn't progressing the way it should.
The rate of homelessness has more than doubled since then (1996). (I don't have the projection rates yet, but obviously those projections are going the wrong way. They should be DECREASING, not increasing.) There are plenty of other issues to tend to, but if we could end homelessness, this can show the world the possibilities.
HOW
While trying to figure out how I was going to accomplish such a big undertaking, I reflected on all the resources, people and organizations that helped me raise my kids as a single mom. All those that had been there for me when I needed help as I raised my kids having limited support.
I realized, "Why reinvent the wheel?"
My intention is to bring together all the existing goodness and expand on that. I see so much potential in the world. Organizations that already make an impact. people that know how to succeed yet still feel unfulfilled, companies that have the best of intentions, but don't realize the impact they could be making. If they only had the right support.
WHAT
Our mission is "To inspire, empower and support competent professionals and every individual to help triage and resolve the issues that perpetuate homelessness"
My goal is to share my message, to share my dream because
The World I See Begins with Me
Originally because my children deserve the best (typical parent, I know). Once my children grew up and I realized that by raising them to believe that they could change the world, I was leaving them with a task bigger than I could justify.
Now, my reason has become "To set an example of how much can be achieved when people pull together with one common goal."
I wrote The World I See Begins With Me when my kids were babies with hope in my heart. But, looking around again once they grew up (my youngest turned 18), as I did when I wrote it, the world isn't progressing the way it should.
The rate of homelessness has more than doubled since then (1996). (I don't have the projection rates yet, but obviously those projections are going the wrong way. They should be DECREASING, not increasing.) There are plenty of other issues to tend to, but if we could end homelessness, this can show the world the possibilities.
HOW
While trying to figure out how I was going to accomplish such a big undertaking, I reflected on all the resources, people and organizations that helped me raise my kids as a single mom. All those that had been there for me when I needed help as I raised my kids having limited support.
I realized, "Why reinvent the wheel?"
My intention is to bring together all the existing goodness and expand on that. I see so much potential in the world. Organizations that already make an impact. people that know how to succeed yet still feel unfulfilled, companies that have the best of intentions, but don't realize the impact they could be making. If they only had the right support.
WHAT
Our mission is "To inspire, empower and support competent professionals and every individual to help triage and resolve the issues that perpetuate homelessness"
My goal is to share my message, to share my dream because
The World I See Begins with Me
Too often I see and hear people talking about the issues:
The problem is just getting worse
We can't solve a problem unless we can clearly SEE the problem. Being honest about every aspect.
What can you take responsibility for? Have you walked past people pretending they don't exist? Do you get involved in the solutions or are you busy criticizing? I'm not saying it's your fault someone is homeless, but if it's your problem enough to notice it, then it's your responsibility to acknowledge the actual problem, without judgment. We may not be proud of how we've approached issues in the past, but we can start now. We can't change the past, but, you can't un-know what you now realize. How will you take action from this moment on?
It may not even be their fault their homeless. Take time to LISTEN from a place of empowered acceptance. Accept the person for who they are, but inspire them to know they deserve a better life. When people walk past you every day like you don't matter, you believe it. So why bother trying for anything better? Even if you feel like like you're not in a position to help, by making eye contact with people, flashing a quick smile, maybe say good morning. If you have time, have a conversation. It may not seem like much to you, but to someone who is used to being treated otherwise or being judged, you can change the course of their whole day.
There just aren't enough resources
Money provides options, but people are the most precious resource. Without people to pay for the goods and services we need, all the money in the world would be rendered worthless.
At a time when I needed help, while getting some food from a food pantry, I stepped up to the front of the line to ask what help they needed. I inspired my son to do the same. It made us feel good to be able to "pay" for their support. Why not ask the people standing in line? While they're waiting and wishing they were anywhere else ... maybe they'd like to feel like they're being productive.
Many will decline, but that's ok. You may hear "excuses". You did your part. It's up to them to do their part. Lead by example. You don't know their story. It's not our place to judge. Others will be grateful for your suggestion. They hadn't thought of it. Get involved. What do you stand to lose?
I see abandoned and vacant properties that are owned by people who are stressing about what to do with that property. For every day the property remains vacant, they're losing revenue. Consider donating that property to an organization that can help house the homeless. At the same time, I see homeless people constantly being told where they CAN'T be. Nobody's telling them where they CAN go. Give them someplace to go. If you only tell a child what they can't play with or can't do, they either sit and do nothing for fear of being told NO or they rebel and do it anyway. If you offer them a distraction with something they CAN do, you empower them by giving them options.
Systems are broken, it's all set up to fail
Are you busy criticizing? Do you have ideas that haven't been tried yet? Tell them about it! Recognize their efforts.
First, recognize their success.... then ask if they've considered trying something else. They know what their challenges are. They don't need constant criticism. They don't need you reminding them of their failures. Everyone is their own worst critic. They're criticizing themselves already.
People are waiting for someone else to "fix" the problems
"It's not my job" - One of my biggest pet peeves. What's stopping you from doing something about it?
Do you think "someone else" is smarter than you? More powerful than you? Has more influence? If it means something to you, then do something about it. Gather the skills and resources you need to make it happen. You may not have experience, you can draw from others' experience. Instead of "putting them on the spot" and asking for help directly, tell people what you want to do, share your ideas, show your passion. The'll flock to you to offer help.
They find a home then end up back on the street
Life skills. Where did you learn life skills? How do you know what it takes to maintain and manage a home? Unfortunately, schools only include a semester or two of the basic life skills. We learn most of it from our environment. You need to understand work ethic, money and time management, health (it only takes one major hospital incident to put you on the streets), mindset (knowing that you deserve it and you could do it). If you were missing any of these, you could end up [back] on the streets.
The problem is just getting worse
We can't solve a problem unless we can clearly SEE the problem. Being honest about every aspect.
What can you take responsibility for? Have you walked past people pretending they don't exist? Do you get involved in the solutions or are you busy criticizing? I'm not saying it's your fault someone is homeless, but if it's your problem enough to notice it, then it's your responsibility to acknowledge the actual problem, without judgment. We may not be proud of how we've approached issues in the past, but we can start now. We can't change the past, but, you can't un-know what you now realize. How will you take action from this moment on?
It may not even be their fault their homeless. Take time to LISTEN from a place of empowered acceptance. Accept the person for who they are, but inspire them to know they deserve a better life. When people walk past you every day like you don't matter, you believe it. So why bother trying for anything better? Even if you feel like like you're not in a position to help, by making eye contact with people, flashing a quick smile, maybe say good morning. If you have time, have a conversation. It may not seem like much to you, but to someone who is used to being treated otherwise or being judged, you can change the course of their whole day.
There just aren't enough resources
Money provides options, but people are the most precious resource. Without people to pay for the goods and services we need, all the money in the world would be rendered worthless.
At a time when I needed help, while getting some food from a food pantry, I stepped up to the front of the line to ask what help they needed. I inspired my son to do the same. It made us feel good to be able to "pay" for their support. Why not ask the people standing in line? While they're waiting and wishing they were anywhere else ... maybe they'd like to feel like they're being productive.
Many will decline, but that's ok. You may hear "excuses". You did your part. It's up to them to do their part. Lead by example. You don't know their story. It's not our place to judge. Others will be grateful for your suggestion. They hadn't thought of it. Get involved. What do you stand to lose?
I see abandoned and vacant properties that are owned by people who are stressing about what to do with that property. For every day the property remains vacant, they're losing revenue. Consider donating that property to an organization that can help house the homeless. At the same time, I see homeless people constantly being told where they CAN'T be. Nobody's telling them where they CAN go. Give them someplace to go. If you only tell a child what they can't play with or can't do, they either sit and do nothing for fear of being told NO or they rebel and do it anyway. If you offer them a distraction with something they CAN do, you empower them by giving them options.
Systems are broken, it's all set up to fail
Are you busy criticizing? Do you have ideas that haven't been tried yet? Tell them about it! Recognize their efforts.
First, recognize their success.... then ask if they've considered trying something else. They know what their challenges are. They don't need constant criticism. They don't need you reminding them of their failures. Everyone is their own worst critic. They're criticizing themselves already.
People are waiting for someone else to "fix" the problems
"It's not my job" - One of my biggest pet peeves. What's stopping you from doing something about it?
Do you think "someone else" is smarter than you? More powerful than you? Has more influence? If it means something to you, then do something about it. Gather the skills and resources you need to make it happen. You may not have experience, you can draw from others' experience. Instead of "putting them on the spot" and asking for help directly, tell people what you want to do, share your ideas, show your passion. The'll flock to you to offer help.
They find a home then end up back on the street
Life skills. Where did you learn life skills? How do you know what it takes to maintain and manage a home? Unfortunately, schools only include a semester or two of the basic life skills. We learn most of it from our environment. You need to understand work ethic, money and time management, health (it only takes one major hospital incident to put you on the streets), mindset (knowing that you deserve it and you could do it). If you were missing any of these, you could end up [back] on the streets.
We are currently funded by payments from coaching/consulting services and the generous financial donations.
Not only do our children deserve it, but don't we all want to live a life we love in a world we love?
In today's day in age, the only thing stopping us from achieving anything is ourselves. If you don't like the world you see, what are you doing about it? Who are you waiting for to fix it?
The World You See Begins with You
Not only do our children deserve it, but don't we all want to live a life we love in a world we love?
In today's day in age, the only thing stopping us from achieving anything is ourselves. If you don't like the world you see, what are you doing about it? Who are you waiting for to fix it?
The World You See Begins with You
Life Teaches Foundation – Helping People Help More People
“A grateful heart attracts more to be grateful for”
A gift from me to you. I hope it inspires you. The poem I wrote back in 1996 that inspires and foretold where we’d be today.
It is my vision of the world I want to see. It has become my personal mission statement. I'd love to hear how it inspires you. Enjoy!
The World I See Begins With Me
“A grateful heart attracts more to be grateful for”
A gift from me to you. I hope it inspires you. The poem I wrote back in 1996 that inspires and foretold where we’d be today.
It is my vision of the world I want to see. It has become my personal mission statement. I'd love to hear how it inspires you. Enjoy!
The World I See Begins With Me
