Thursday, December 5, 2013

The ROI of Giving

EVENT POSTPONED: Will POST when rescheduled.

Each day we are asked to give our attention, our resources and often our hearts to individuals, causes or ideas. How and why we decide where we invest is critical to achieving the right results, that will make a life or a community better.


The question we have been considering, as resources become more precious is, are we giving or are we investing?

We believe it is about investing. When we give, are we to expect an outcome, most often not. Yet over the years of researching this topic, I have found this to be a falsehood. We have a natural expectation that when we give, there will be a result. Our innate desire to make a difference in the world is connected to our ability to manage the resurces we have to achieve the greatest result. 

Quite simply, the goal of igniting this conversation is to get each of us to think more strategically on how and where we give for the greatest impact in our community.

Join us January 9th at Everbank stadium for an afternoon of discussion, passion and purpose.

We ask you to consider...

Business Owners:  
• What charitable organization touches your heart?
• Who do you decide to give to?
• How does your community investment affect your brand?
• What social impact is your business most proud of?


Non-Profits, Social Entrepreneurs:
• What makes you investable?
• What makes your organization worthy of investment?
• How are you articulating return on investment to your donors? Funders?


 Individuals:
• Where are you volunteering? 
• Are you learning while volunteering? 
• What skills are being honed?

These are hard questions to consider. Join us to explore these questions as a community. Come away with new perspectives and insights that will inspire action!










Join author Robert Clancy for an afternoon of inspirational stories and spiritual highlights from his acclaimed new book, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Soul. Through thought-provoking excerpts and open dialogue, experience how volunteerism, community service and a compassion for humanity can help shape your career, bring deeper meaning to your business and enlighten your soul!

After Robert shares his insights we will have time to speak with each other and listen to a panel of local and national business leaders and philanthropists. Our special guests are finalizing their calenders. As we know more we will post!

Three "take-aways":
• Learn how community service can tangibly enhance your business and your bottom line.
• Discover how volunteerism truly makes a difference in our community and why you    should be involved on deeper levels.
• Gain insights on how to engage with volunteers and donors in new ways.

This thought provoking afternoon is sure to fire you up and inspire your next move in the giving community!


Register NOW!
Cost: $45 Individual • $180 - Buy 4 - Get 5  • $360 - Buy 8 - Get 10

This event is proudly sponsored by Everbank, Hunter & Associates, Bold Bean Coffee Roasters. and Einstein Bagels 

Are you interested in sponsorship? Spots still available!

This event is proudly supported by AIGA Jacksonville and Jacksonville American Marketing Association

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Who is worthy of your help?

 Who is worthy of your help?
How may you hold them accountable?


The act of asking for help is a deep and powerful expression of self worth. Often it is the hardest thing a person or organization can can do when in need. 

This morning I received word that an old friend took her life. I sat praying for her, for her family and finally for myself. That I would remember this moment of personal doubt that was fueled by my, "What could I have done?" thoughts.  

Regret is here. Shame is here. Passion has been stirred. Action is real!

Several years ago I created a workbook that was about the cycle of giving and receiving. I interviewed hundreds of people on the topic and came to two very deep conclusions. We ASK for help when we feel worthy and GIVE help to those we deem worthy. 

It was a humbling exploration into my own self worth and that of those around me. My journey these past years has been a deeper education on the cycle of help. I know today when I ask for help, I MUST be willing to be held accountable to the giver and I have a responsibility to hold those I give help to accountable.  

As you give this holiday season, I ask you to ponder the notion of accountability and how it plays into who and how you give.


Sunday, September 22, 2013

Frank Denton: Redemption for the worst among us

Redemption for the worst among us.
 
Originally Published in the Florida Times Union
September, 22 2013


Written by Frank Denton

You and I love stories about redemption — people overcoming, surviving and conquering.


This column was going to be about the redemption of a convicted felon named Shawn, but then I found out what he did to earn 12 years in prison, and I — and probably you — can’t handle that yet. I need a more open mind and a bigger heart.


Let’s see if we can find that. Maybe through another powerful story of redemption, that of Florence Haridan, who ultimately became one of Shawn’s angels of redemption.
Eleven years ago, Haridan was a senior executive at Citibank in Jacksonville, leading teams of hundreds of people in the credit card division.


But her life was a disaster. The daughter of an abusive alcoholic father, she was married to an abusive husband. And she weighed more than 400 pounds. “I’d been fat my whole life. Food was my drug of choice.”


About 11 years ago, at the age of 40, she had a “personal awakening,” when her weight was keeping her from enjoying the beach, one of her few pleasures. It just wore her out to walk on the sand and bend over to pick up seashells. So, she said, “I went on a personal journey. I gave myself a chance.”


She had gastric-bypass surgery, committed to a 12-step program, lost 220 pounds and kept it off. After a particularly violent night — “my birthday” — she divorced her husband and left him with “half of my net worth.”


But trouble wasn’t through with her. She had left Citibank to find more creative work, but instead, she developed pernicious anemia, a very serious disease that enfeebled her for 2½ years and left her impoverished and miserable.


In 2008, Haridan decided to kill herself. She wrote the note, took some pills and planned to jump off a bridge in St. Augustine. A friend called the police, and the cop who checked on her, noting the religious art around her apartment, asked if she believed in God.
“Where is he now?” she remembers responding. “I’m broke, I’m almost dead.”
The officer said: “He sent me.”


Haridan spent nine days in the Flagler Hospital “psych ward” under the Baker Act, then went through psychotherapy. She said the doctors figured out her misery traced back to the pernicious anemia.


Haridan remembers the moment in the hospital that jolted her to end her free fall and begin the ascent. “Some friends had come to see me, and I felt so bad when they left because I couldn’t leave. I saw people in there being given up on. They had no one.”
They were almost disposable people, being tossed out as useless, and that became a metaphor for her and what came next.


“I just got busy getting better. The psych ward had a creative room, so I started getting creative again.” She had a BFA in graphic design and had worked in that field early in her career. One of her favorite, and oft-used, words is “creative.”


And she got a job as the local executive director of Character Counts, the national program that works to infuse schools, governments and agencies with its “six pillars of character” — trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.


“We work to bring character to life in unique and innovative ways by creating experiences that engage the participants to have their voices heard,” the organizations says. “We endeavor to create a sense of accountability and empowerment for all our members.”
Something in those words resonated with Haridan — her education, experience and personal redemption. “All that life experience prepared me for this.”


She decided to create an entrepreneurial enterprise for Character Counts that would recycle or revive disposable things — food, material and people.


So far, she has created Conscious Eats, which takes donated food and uses it for catering or different products — Einstein Bagels, for example, donated day-old bagels that Conscious Eats is turning into trail mix and bagel chips for Intuition Ale Works.
Still to come are Conscious Threads, to repurpose clothing, and Conscious Story, to tell inspirational stories of re-created lives like Haridan’s.


But after the entrepreneurial creativity and business plans are the heart of the Conscious projects — reclaimed people to work for the enterprises.


Remembering those lost souls in the psych ward and, for a time, herself, Haridan targeted the most disposable people, those no one wants — ex-cons. She takes them fresh out of prison, sees they get character coaching and counseling with mentors, helps them develop a “business plan” for their lives, insists they follow the parole rules, gives them some work to do and some self-respect, and shows them there is a way up.


Her star is Shawn, a former Blue Cross manager who came to her 2½ years ago after serving 12 years in prison — for sexual assault of a child. Haridan said he himself was abused as a child, and he turned himself in, and so on, but still … sexual assault of a child.
Haridan said Shawn has worked hard and straight since he went to prison. He taught GED classes inside and learned Spanish. Since he’s been out, she said, he’s obeyed all the parole and sex-offender registration rules, and he’s about to receive his bachelor’s degree at FSCJ. He’s chair of the finance committee of his church, and he and his fiancĂ©e are planning their wedding.


Hardly anyone else wants him. He has to live in a “hellhole, with a slum landlord,” Haridan said, and keep a log of everywhere he goes and avoid certain social situations. (Shawn is so nervous about this column that he finally asked that his last name not be used. Out of hope for his redemption, I agreed.)


While Shawn worked at menial labor, Haridan started hiring him part time to help establish Conscious Eats, and through hard work and creativity, he now is full-time director of operations.


In talking about Shawn and her other ex-offenders, Haridan fairly exudes energy, enthusiasm and optimism. Her eyes brighten and her words accelerate as she describes the emotional, psychological and functional transformations she sees in her recycled people.
“While they’re in prison,” she said, “they’re just sitting, and their neuro pathways for problem-solving are set aside. Someone tells them when to eat, when to drink, when to sleep. They can’t use their creative side where they have to improvise, make something out of nothing.”


So after they’re released, receive some counseling and supervision, they need work, which is hard enough for an ex-con. Haridan said they also need a chance to succeed at something and earn self-respect. A lucky few get a chance to do that with Character Counts and the Conscious project.


“These are amazing men who can be wildly creative, but before, they used it in crime.” Haridan said that, with some opportunity and their own commitment, they can recycle that creativity into a new life.


“I am very ambitious and very determined,” Shawn said, “and as my personal coach, she has managed to pull me out of my shell and take my strengths, skills and abilities and start to hone them. Working with her has pushed me back to where I focused, taking more initiative, more problem-solving as related to business opportunities.


“Rather than being something of an outcast, she has helped me meet people and have some purpose in my life again, rather than just a run-of-the-mill job to pay the bills.”
Shawn, now 39, said he understands why people are revolted at his crime. “Nothing I can say will excuse it or justify it or make it go away. I don’t try to minimize what I did, but I also have learned how I got to that point and why I did what I did.


“While I was in [prison], it took me several years of really finding what was meaningful in life to me, to where I really gave my life to Christ. He has changed me immensely, while I was inside and now on the outside. A catalyst to me becoming a different person.


“I want to live uprightly and do what’s right and be a contributing member of society. People can change. People who get to know me see my person, see how I live my life, they’re very comfortable and at ease with me. They see what I’m focused on and what my life is about. I know that redemption is possible, that redemption is real.
“Nothing is throwaway. Everyone has potential.”


So will Shawn make it? “Absolutely,” said Haridan. “He’s going to run this company, or another one. He’s an entrepreneur, way smarter than humping boxes in a warehouse. He has a dream. He wants a family again. He’s going to be fabulously successful.”
She said she will be, too. “I’ll employ hundreds of guys, and I’ll have tons of jobs created — and people living in character.”


Go back to the bagel analogy. “Those bagels are half a day old,” Haridan said, “so they’re disposable, just like these guys. But with a little bit of ingenuity, a little bit of creativity, you can make something that’s garbage into something that’s unexpected and beautiful.
“I helped Shawn get his faith in himself back. I help people love themselves again.”
Most of us can’t see the potential in people like Shawn. Thank goodness someone does.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Asia Week TOGO Menu

This weeks ASIAN TOGO menu is available in 12 ounce containers

Veggies - 12oz. $4  -  serves 2-3
Rices, Noodles - 12oz. $4  -  serves 2-3
Quinoa, Grains - 12oz. $5  -  serves 2-3
Egg Dishes - 12oz. $5  -  serves 2-3
Meats - 12oz. $6  -  serves 3-4

Delivery within Riverside, Downtown or San Marco - $2 OR
We can meet in Riverside and that is FREE!!!


This weeks Asian Menu

Almond Scallion Quinoa & Brown Rice Salad •  12 oz - $5

Hoisin Green Beans •  12 oz - $5

Lemon Grass Kale and Carrot Salad •  12 oz - $5

Rice Noodles Ponzu Mushrooms •  12 oz - $4 - Sold OUT

Ginger Cucumbers •  12 oz - $4

Egg Fu Young Squares •  12 oz - $5

ToFu Bundles •  12 oz - $4

Terriyaki Chicken •  12 oz - $6

Sesame Slaw •  12 oz - $4


Call Florence for pick up and delivery!  612-3934






 

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

September 18 - Asian Lunch Menu

AsianJoin us at Beaver Street Enterprise Center for a healthy flavorful meal!

11:30-1:30
Small Tasting Plates $4.00
Full Plate Vegetarian $8.00
Full Plate with Meat $9.00


There are many new tastes to explore so
Lil Tastes are available too!!  

1225 W Beaver St  Jacksonville, FL 32204
Ample Parking available!



This weeks ASIAN TOGO menu is available in 12 ounce containers

Veggies - 12oz. $4  -  serves 2-3
Rices, Noodles - 12oz. $4  -  serves 2-3
Quinoa, Grains - 12oz. $5  -  serves 2-3
Egg Dishes - 12oz. $5  -  serves 2-3
Meats - 12oz. $6  -  serves 3-4

Delivery within Riverside, Downtown or San Marco - $2 OR
We can meet in Riverside and that is FREE!!!


This weeks Asian Menu

Almond Scallion Quinoa & Brown Rice Salad •  12 oz - $5

Hoisin Green Beans •  12 oz - $5

Lemon Grass Kale and Carrot Salad •  12 oz - $5

Rice Noodles Ponzu Mushrooms •  12 oz - $4 - Sold OUT

Ginger Cucumbers •  12 oz - $4

Egg Fu Young Squares •  12 oz - $5

ToFu Bundles •  12 oz - $4

Terriyaki Chicken •  12 oz - $6

Sesame Slaw •  12 oz - $4


Call Florence for pick up and delivery!  612-3934






 

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Mediterranean TOGO 9/9-9/13

Mediterranean TOGO  9/9-9/13

Delivery within Riverside, Downtown or San Marco - $2
OR 
we can meet in Riverside and that is FREE!!!

Mushroom Quinoa •  $4 - $7
Tomato Kalemata Basil Salad
Kale and Chick Pea Salad
•  $4 - $7 
Tri-Color Couscous with Caramelized Onions •  $4 - $7
Thyme Cucumbers •  $4 - $7
Smoked Paprika Pickles •  $4 - $7
Lemon Garlic Smoked Chicken •  $5 - $8
Smoked Gouda Frittata •  $4 - $7  - Sold OUT
Zesty Tuna Salad
•  $5 - $8
Pumpkin Heaven Dip with Protein Biscotti •  $4 - $7

Also available: 
Asian: ToFu Bundles  •  $4 - $7
Caribbean : Mango Glazed Cucumbers •  $4 - $7
Southwestern: Adobo Pulled Pork •  $5 - $8
Indian: Masala Butternut Squash •  $4 - $7
Indian: Curried Cabbage and Chick peas  •  $4 - $7

Call Florence for pick up and delivery!  612-3934

Monday, September 9, 2013

Weekly Lunch • Wed, Sept 11

Beaver Street Enterprise Center is Ready To Eat!

WEEKLY LUNCH 
 Open to the public!

 
Mediterranean
  Olives • Sun Dried Tomatoes • Basil • Lemon
to name a few flavors of the day!

Mushroom Quinoa • Tomato Basil Salad 
Kalamata Roasted Potatoes • Kale and Chick Pea Salad 
Tri-Color Couscous with Caremelized Rosemary Onions
 Thyme Cucumbers • Lemon Garlic Chicken 
Smoked Gouda Frittata • Mixed Greens


WED,  September 11
11:30-1:30

We are creating a fun inspiring space for weekly lunch. 

Come eat, meet people who share your
creative spirit and walk away inspired!


Small Tasting Plates $4.00
Full Plate Vegetarian $8.00
Full Plate with Meat $9.00
Ample Parking available! 
Learn more about Conscious Eats now!

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

9/2 Indian Menu At Beaver Street and TOGO!

This weeks menu is available TOGO!


Large and Small Portions Available

Delivery within Riverside, Downtown or San Marco - $2 OR we can meet in Riverside and that is FREE!!!


Today's Menu 
• Curried BBQ Ribs  •  $5 - $8
• Peach Chutney •  $4 - $7
• Ginger Glazed Sweet Potatoes  •  $4 - $7
• Kale and Moong Dal Salad •  $5 - $8
• Tandori Red Cabbage •  $4 - $7
• Mustard Seed Red Potatoes •  $4 - $7
• Yellow Tomatoes with  Coriander Dressing •  $4 - $7
• Cucumber Raita •  $4 - $7
• Basmati RIce •  $4 - $7
• Popadums

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

This Weeks TOGO Menu | SOUTHWEST!!

This weeks menu is available in 2 or 4 serving containers.

2 servings is  $6
4 servings is  $10

Delivery within Riverside, Downtown or San Marco - $2
OR we can meet in Riverside and that is FREE!!!

• Green Pepper Tri-color Cous Cous with Red Quinoa •  Black Lentils with Shallots
• Yellow Squash with Red Pepper Cream
• Coriander and Cilantro Cucumber Pickle • Fresh Salsa Cruda 
• Jalapeno Creame Chopped Salad
• Golden Quinoa with Cilantro Pesto
• Smokey White Beans with Butternut Squash 
• Chicken Adobo  
• Mixed Field Greens 

• Corn Chips • Flour Tortillas


Call or text Florence to arrange delivery 904-612-3934
Beaver Street Enterprise Center is Ready To Eat!

WEEKLY LUNCH 
 Open to the public!

Tuesday, Aug 27
11:30-1:30

We are creating a fun inspiring space for weekly lunch. 

Come eat, meet people who share your
creative spirit and walk away inspired!


Small Tasting Plates $4.00
Full Plate Vegetarian $8.00
Full Plate with Meat $9.00
Ample Parking available! 
 
Learn more about Conscious Eats now!

Southwestern Inspired today!
Green Pepper Tri-color Cous Cous with Red Quinoa • 
Black Lentils with Shallots • Yellow Squash with Red Pepper Cream • Coriander and Cilantro Cucumber Pickle • Fresh Salsa Cruda  • Jalapeno Creame Chopped Salad • Golden Quinoa with Cilantro Pesto • Smokey White Beans with Butternut Squash  • Chicken Adobo   • Mixed Field Greens • Corn Chips • Flour Tortillas



Friday, August 23, 2013

TO GO Options Conscious Eats | Weekend 8/23

This weeks menu is available in 2 or 4 serving containers.

2 servings is  $6
4 servings is  $10

Delivery within Riverside, Downtown or San Marco - $2
OR we can meet in Riverside and that is FREE!!!

• Caribbean Coconut Rice 
• Curried Tomato and Okra 
• Smokey Black Beans 
• Honey Lime Slaw 
• Citrus Garden Tomato Chunky Salad 
• Field Greens with Zesty Tricolor Tuna 
• Blackened Okra 
• Sea Salt Brinded Thyme Pickles 
• Pinto Bean Hummus with Kalamata Olives 
• Mango Peach Salad 

All come with a package of dipping bread...

Call or text Florence to arrange delivery 904-612-3934

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Call For Nominations for the 2013 Golden Rule Award

The Golden Rule Award has been recognizing character in individuals in our community since 2005. Our first winners, Sheriff John Rutherford, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and Doug Milne, of Doug Milne Company Inc, set the standard high!

This is a year of expansion on several levels. We are adding two additional categories: family and business as well as opening the nomination process to the community!

As we work to instill a character based approach to community building, it became clear that the fastest way to expand the discussion was to bring the community into the process in a more meaningful way...

We know amazing expressions of character and ethics happen every day in our city. We want to be able to hear about them and recognize them. The Six Pillars are the foundation of our philosophy. We look to them for a standards and structures.

This year we are not only opening the nomination process to the community, we are bringing on more perspectives as we select our winners. The selection committee is being formed and will be announced soon! As well as the location of the award ceremony!

To nominate an individual, a family or a business, take a look at the criteria and see who in your life teaches you about living a life of character!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Carribean Week At Beaver Street Enterprise Center!


Beaver Street Enterprise Center is Ready To Eat!

WEEKLY LUNCH 
 Open to the public!

Tuesday, Aug 20
11:30-1:30

We are creating a fun inspiring space for weekly lunch. 

Come eat, meet people who share your
creative spirit and walk away inspired!


Small Tasting Plates $4.00
Full Plate Vegetarian $8.00
Full Plate with Meat $9.00

Ample Parking available! 

Learn more about Conscious Eats now!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

All Kinds of Places to Experience Conscious EATS!

Starting Aug. 14
As we work to bring Conscious Eats to life, we are partnering with several other nonprofits in our community to create synergistic relationships. 

We shall be serving lunch at Beaver Street Enterprise Center once a week and will be creating regular tasting events with Rethreaded.

Please keep your eyes open as we post dates on our Cuisine Timeline and note the links to make reservations! We are looking forward to your getting to taste our treats!

Reservation Link coming SOON!

Friday, August 9, 2013

BRING IT!

We are blessed to be the recipients of many generous donations. We will be sure to post updates to this page as the bounty flows!

Southwestern Inspiration

We will share Southwestern Cooking tips, links, as well as nutritional and historical references! 

We will be hosting several guest bloggers that will share their insights as well!!

Caribbean Inspiration

We will share Caribbean Cooking tips, links, as well as nutritional and historical references! 

We will be hosting several guest bloggers that will share their insights as well!!

Asian Inspiration

We will share Asian Cooking tips, links, as well as nutritional and historical references! 

We will be hosting several guest bloggers that will share their insights as well!!

Mediterranean Inspiration

We will share Mediterranean Cooking tips, links, as well as nutritional and historical references! 

We will be hosting several guest bloggers that will share their insights as well!!

Indian Inspiration

We will share Indian Cooking tips, links, as well as nutritional and historical references! 

We will be hosting several guest bloggers that will share their insights as well!!

Announcing our Newest Alliance!


Beaver Street Enterprise Center
is Ready to Eat Healthy!
We're BRINGING a weekly lunch
to their Board Room,
that is open to our whole community.


Come share taste what we are all about!

Each week we will rotate through our five cuisines:
 Asian • Caribbean • Southwestern
Indian • Mediterranean

11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Small Tasting Plates $4.00
Full Plate Vegetarian $8.00
Full Plate with Meat $9.00


There are many new tastes to explore so
Lil Tastes are available too!!  

Wednesday, September 18th • Asian
Tuesday, September 24th • Caribbean
Tuesday, October 1stSouthwestern
Tuesday, October 8thIndian
Tuesday, October 15thMediterranean
Tuesday, October 22ndAsian
Tuesday, October 29thCaribbean


1225 W Beaver St  Jacksonville, FL 32204
Ample Parking available! 

Learn more about Conscious Eats now!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Updates and Excitment!!

We Like to take time each month to let ya know what is shaking with the details. Results of the hard work Matter!!

CC! In Jax
    •    We continue to negotiate for donated event space for our upcoming Golden Rule Award and Chick-Fil-A Leadercast events in 2014. Sending proposals to several community partners. Jaxport is the most promising!

    •    We listed some new volunteer opportunities with Hands On Jacksonville so that we can find people to assist us with various tasks.  Already we have had three new ones contact us! Visit their site and see what you can do to participate!!


    •    We hosted a Parents Class at Teen Court to help parents and guardians deal with children who have had minor infractions of the law.
 

Conscious Eats•    Our employee Shawn is making great progress in school as he maintains his 4.0 average. He is now a member of his church leadership team and is making a difference there day to day. He continues to learn more about the non-profit world and is attending classes at the Nonprofit Center of NE Florida. His focus and energy are a great asset!!

 •    We held our second Launch Event at Paul Figura Studios!  Look for the next one coming in mid-August. Almost 80 people attended the four events.

    •    We continue to modify and perfect our snack mixes.  We want the healthiest and most delightful tastes to attack your taste buds!


    •    We are almost finished working with our fabulous team of interns to launch a completely revamped website by mid-August. A full photo shoot with pics by Laura Evans and Mike Lukus!


    •    We have started working with a software developer who will create an app for our customers to use of their smartphones.


    •    We launched a new Facebook campaign with free prizes, so go check us out!! you could win one too!!

The Realities of Running a Non-Profit


For two and a half years I have been working for a non-profit. I am new to this crazy world and often struggle with staying in it. I used to make six figures, now I struggle week to week. I used to have  huge teams to help me accomplish goals, now I have 1, plus a growing crew of volunteers. I used to have huge amounts of money to invest in smart projects, now I invest mostly sweat. I used to know what my days were going to be like, now I am routinely surprised with how my days unfold. I used to show up at an office to work, now I go to a office, a kitchen, a jail, a rescue mission, a halfway house, a court house, a hospital and when I am lucky a coffee shop.

I used to have to sneak in a lil prayer with a colleague, now I get to openly say grace before every shared meal. I used to have to ask permission to give someone a second chance, now I meditate before I do and let it unfold. I used to question why I was doing what I do, today I am crystal clear about my place in this world. I used to think I was in control of it all, now I am darn glad, I know who is! I used to work with people who only cared about the bottom line, now I work with people who walk the high road. I used to have to hide my emotions, now I celebrate and harness the power of them.

Yes, most days I am ecstatically working and seeing massive strides happen. Other days, not so much. The blend of the kinds of days that I have now is what keeps me on my toes, spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and physically...

Basically there a few kinds of days here in the non-profit world. Pretty similar to the rest of the world, yet, for me, the spiritual and emotional elements make it waaay more intense.

Basically Four kinds of days:
1.  The work we do matters and we are making a difference in the world. Yee haa!! I love my life.
2.  Nobody cares about the work we do, if they did, I would have more money to do it. Gotta work harder to grow this bad boy...
3.  Why the heck am I doing this, I must be crazy, stupid, a dreamer...I gotta find a new job.
4.  Ohh right...this is why I sacrifice, a life has been touched.

These days ebb and flow, ya just never know what will come at ya on any given day in this world full of emotions, full of passion, full of risk and most importantly full of love.

I was having a number three kind of day...Today I asked for some prayer to help me ask for more help. Just as I posted a prayer request I had a conversation with with a man I help and he told me he has a job interview that looks hopeful. As the day rolled on I have been blessed to receive prayers, loving calls, hugz and even some tangible expressions of support. Veggies, money and a few hours of volunteers time. Suddenly I was having a four kinda day, that quickly found itself being a ONE...

So if ya out there having a three kinda day...reach out for help and I guarantee it will shift itself soon!!


Wednesday, June 19, 2013

The Birth of a Social Enterprise.

As we work to fully launch Conscious Eats, we are in awe of all the support that is coming our way. We have been very generously supported by so many gracious members of our community. 

Time, talent and treasure have all been flowing our way in support of creating a social enterprise that will employ those who need a second chance and are diligently proving themselves worthy of a second chance. 

We are learning so much about creativity, compassion and diligence to name a few. We are working on a very tight budget to get Conscious Eats up and running. We are creating a catering company that will bring healthy delicious food to your office or home. We bring tasting experiences that not only are healthy, they educate and inspire exploration. 

Seeing our team use every ounce of their creativity to create a brand and a product that stands for the six pillars of character, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, caring fairness and citizenship has shown me a whole new perspective on brand and mission development. 

As we continue to grow and evolve, I will work to give you a peek behind the scenes. 

We invite you to join in the conversation and as you do we hope you will join us around the table!