Have a Heart: From around the world to Newtown

I am still in shock, and disbelief that such evil can exist in our world?  I drove home eyes streaming with tears as I put myself in the shoes of those families, just eleven days before Christmas, who lost their precious angels. I thought of the brave heroes who risked their lives to protect those innocent children.  I thought of the children who will never get to open presents from Santa this Christmas... who will never have their first kiss, their graduation, the chance to make a difference in the world.  It is hard to rationalize that which is not rational.  The breadth and scope of humanity is just a fleeting second, and for those precious gifts of God, much too short.  My heart breaks...

In memory of the recent tragedy in Newtown we are hoping to come together as a community in the thought that “those children are our children” and show the people of Newtown that we are in this together. So many of us watched the news with broken hearts and a feeling of helplesness. Here is the opportunity for all of us to show our love for Newtown, to let them know they are not alone. To let them know as they piece their lives back together that we are there to shed tears with them, prayer with them, and help in any way we can.

Here is what you can do: Cut out a paper heart, decorate it, and write a message of love (positive messages only please). Address them to Hearts of Hope and send one or many and mail them to:

Newtown Congregational Church 

14 West St, Newtown, CT 06470 

or

First Church Congregational

148 Beach Rd, Ffld CT 06824

This Christmas as I gather with my fiance, his mother, and two step daughters we will make and send these to show our love and support.  We are going to take these hearts and cover Newtown with our love from around the world. We are going to take these hearts and hang them up in local businesses, churches, and banks so that no matter where the people of Newtown go they will be surrounded by love and reminded that from hate rises love and support. That humanity is still very much alive and if we band together with love and hope in our hearts we can accomplish so much more. It really does take a village...

Additionally, it didn't take long for many more generous people to start online fundraisers for the victims and their families.

Here are five online campaigns you can contribute toward right away to help-sandy-hook-victims.  If you know of other online efforts to help the victims, please share them in the comments.

·        Sandy Hook Elementary School Fund: Chris DeLetto of Champaign, Ill., started this fundraiser on Crowdtilt, hoping to raise $50,000 in 30 days.

·        Help for the Sandy Hook Elementary School Families: Razoo's campaign started by Joe Waters is raising money for the Sandy Hook Parent Teachers Association.

·        Sandy Hook Elementary School Victims Relief Fund: This Crowdrise campaign, started by Ryan, is raising money for the school's PTSA organization.

·        Secure Schools: Becky Hoover launched this campaign to get security systems in place in all U.S. schools, including pass-key systems with cameras.

·        Wall of Love: This interactive website, designed following the tragic shooting, wants to show everyone affected by the tragedy that there is more love than hate in the world.

In the last few nights I have read many posts from parents saying they were going to hug their children a little tighter.  I urge us all to cherish the time we have with our loved ones, for we never know what can happen.  May we all find light in this darkness, and may God bless those who so needlessly lost their lives and bring comfort to those still on earth. 

U Touch the World!

Hello Friends,

I learned about a wonderful organization called U-Touch, which I am very excited to be a part of and  wanted to share it with all of you.  The Mission of  U-TOUCH is to transform lives in disadvantaged regions by facilitating innovative solutions for individual and community development by providing Technology, Training and eMentoring.

Their audience is currently in Uganda, but the founder @Deb Plotkin has an interest in helping Disadvantaged youths,gloally and locally, with a focus on empowering women.  Why Uganda?  The people of Northern Uganda, from 1986 -2006 lived as captives under the reign of the LRA War, children were kidnapped and forced to become child soldiers, and entire communities were relocated to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. While atrocities ruled in North Uganda the western world moved on and the information age exploded with innovative technologies and communications. Uganda, like many other impoverished countries had been left behind.97% of Ugandans have no access to Internet,  Illiteracy high-especially high in females- over 75% can’t read). But- we can help!

Computers and the internet are powerful tools that provide opportunities for people to improve their social and economic well being. U-TOUCH provides the following resources:  Computers with Internet Access, Computer -training and eMentoring.

Deb is currently in Uganda, and this is the letter I got from her yesterday, "Every day from the ground we are hearing exciting news of people from the U-TOUCH Centers!  Today, I am delighted to share that NellyBrian, previously never having had a job or computer experience, gained a strong education in computer technology and health at the U-TOUCH Center in Gulu.  I am thrilled to report that she applied for a job online and successfully gained employment.  We are sad to see NellyBrian depart and  will miss her exuberant energy and bright smile but are extremely proud that she accomplished her goal and is part of the change in the community that U-TOUCH serves!  It is most exciting to witness these positive changes in this war-torn, extremely needy region of the world!"

In addition to this great news from the ground,  I would like to share the exciting news that U-TOUCH has been nominated for the 2012 Classy Award for Small Charity of the Year! The Classy Award is one of the most prestigious recognitions within the nonprofit industry. It has become a nationally-recognized honor, awarded to the most outstanding and compelling philanthropic achievers by their peers and supporters. As a young organization we need YOUR support!

I would be most grateful if you would please support U-TOUCH by voting and then share this news with your network of colleagues, friends and family!

1. Please click on this link: http://www.stayclassy.org/classy-awards/vote
2. Select the Western region
3. Scroll down to "Small Charity of the Year" and Select U-TOUCH
4. Click Submit My Final Ballot
5. Confirm your vote via Facebook

The Classy awards are covered by the national media and your vote brings us one step closer to the opportunity to share U-TOUCH with a nationwide audience.

Voting closes TONIGHT July 26th at midnight PST.

With your VOTE and that of your friends, colleagues and family you too will be a part of the amazing transformation!  We would be most appreciative!  Please help vote, and check out UTOUCH STORY! http://www.u-touch.org/

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Join us in the change with the touch of your fingers. Reach across the world as U-TOUCH the hearts and souls of those so deeply in need!

With deep gratitude,
U-TOUCH Team
The lives you change are the lives U-TOUCH!

27 Million in the World are enslaved today- help STOP Human Trafficking

I never worry about action, but only inaction.

-Winston Churchill

Not very often, am I left seeing a movie, enraged and horrified. I am very glad I watched "The WhistleBlower"  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0896872/ *which was an eye opening film, which quite literally left me feeling sick to my stomach after watching. A "based on truth" drama, based on the experiences of Kathryn Bolkovac, a Nebraska cop who served as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia and outed the U.N. for covering up the most vial and disgusting sex scandal. As a peace studies minor, and someone who once wanted to work for the UN I am   saddened, and left feeling utter shame for those involved in, and what was allegedly done to the poor women of war who were brutally tortured. I do not want to paint every member of this organization with the same brush, but for those involved, and those who covered it up (which in my heart I believe to be sadly true), you make me sick to my stomach, and I don't know how you sleep at night? Please see this movie if only to spread awareness to a horrendous issue. The estimated average is anywhere up to 4 million -20 million women and children around the world (approximately 14,500 a year) are being "human/sex trafficked"- and that might be an understatement.. Unicef reports that around the world, over one million children are being trafficked every year.  I have no words...


Martin Niemöller (1892-1984) was an ardent nationalist and prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last 7 years of Nazi rule in concentration camps. He is perhaps best remembered for the following poem:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out -- 

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out -- 

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out -- 

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me.

If you think this doesn't affect you, you are wrong.  This affects all of humanity, regardless of race, nationality, or religion.  We are all citizens of the same world, and we can not sit idly by while injustice occurs.  If you can bear it, please read the sex traffic facts:  http://www.iast.net/thefacts.htm.  It is speculated $32 billion dollars of profits are made annually, but what is the price of ones soul who allows such atrocities to occur?  Who does nothing?

If you think you have come in contact with a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1.888.3737.888. This hotline will help you determine if you have encountered victims of human trafficking, will identify local resources available in your community to help victims, and will help you coordinate with local social service organizations to help protect and serve victims so they can begin the process of restoring their lives. For more information on human trafficking visit www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking

To learn some more information on Human Trafficking:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking

I literally was left feeling with a pit in my stomach, and the age old question, "I am only one person, what can I do to help stop this international horror?".  I could not sleep thinking about the harsh truths of reality.  I feel called to action, and I wanted to learn more, to do more... somehow, someway.  There are so many things which occur in our world, and we may or may not know about them, in the deep recess of our minds.  When someone shines a light on the harsh reality, and clears away blindness of ignorance, how can we do nothing?  Sometimes, the issue is we are unaware; sometimes it's just about educating ourselves, and those around us.  Sometimes it's about creating awareness and taking a call to action.  If after watching this movie you are not left wondering how can I help?

If you are thinking, I am just one person, what can I do? Read here:
http://www.soroptimist.org/trafficking/stopping.html

Organizations which help to combat this are: Not for Sale-
 http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/

The project to end human trafficking:
http://www.endhumantrafficking.org/

Coalition Against Traficking in Women:
http://www.catwinternational.org/

“Peace is not something you wish for; It's something you make, Something you do, Something you are, And something you give away.”- Robert Fulghum