Last week I went to the annual fund-raising breakfast for Youth and Family Enrichment Services (YFES,) an organization that provides an incredible fabric of counseling, intervention, education and crisis services to families in San Mateo County. All I can say is thank God for waterproof mascara. I have been involved with this group now for several years but I am still reduced to tears every time I attend one of these events. What got me this time? A short video about The Children’s Place, a Redwood City-based organization that provides services, including summer camps and group counseling for children of parents struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction. The video shown this morning was a clip from a longer documentary called Lost Childhood: Growing Up in an Alcoholic Family produced and narrated by Emerald Yeh. The documentary combines clips of young kids talking about the challenges, fears and sadness that go along with growing up in an alcoholic household. Fast forward these same kids a few years later to middle school - talking about those same struggles, with a maturity and insight far beyond their years. Final fast forward to those same kids in their 20s, facing their own struggles, opportunities and dreams, all impacted by living under the cloud of alcoholism. It’s incredibly moving. Following the video, Jerry Moe, founder of The Children’s Place, took the stage. He clearly understands the power of a good story, well told. He had the audience in the palm of his hand, waiting to hear what had happened to Grace & Juliana, two of the young women profiled in the video.

And the Children’s Place was only part of it. We heard from a panel of teenage girls involved in a youth development initiative at Sequoia High School in Redwood City, talking about how helping their peers and contributing to their community has helped them navigate the high school years with a sense of purpose and hope. These are two glimpses into the many ways YFES helps children and families. Check out the organization and read some of the stories. And if you can find the Lost Childhood documentary on your public television station, its definitely worth a look. But keep the Kleenex box handy.

Community, Uncategorized

I was listening to Forum on KQED radio this morning and heard a sobering statistic. It’s estimated that 25% of the homeless population is made up of veterans. Not much of a way to honor our war vets, is it? It’s bad enough to hear the horror stories about disabled vets from our current two wars having to fight for reasonable medical benefits. But you shouldn’t have to live under a bridge or sleep in a park when you’ve put your life on the line for your country. I realize it’s way more complicated than that, but at some level, it should be quite simple. There are some wonderful organizations providing services — food, shelter, healthcare. But so many slip through the cracks.

Some of the homeless I see around my community hold signs that reference their service — “homeless vet needs help” or the like. But there are numerous others who I assume are vets, but don’t know for sure. Take George, for example. I think of him as the unofficial greeter of Menlo Park, a local fixture. Everyone knows George. From his perch outside Peet’s Coffee, he chats it up with passers by. I look forward to his greetings as I head in for my morning fix. But a couple of weeks ago, George stopped showing up. I’ve asked around, but haven’t found anyone who knows what’s up. I suspect he’s a vet but it’s only a hunch. George, wherever you are, I’m thinking of you this Veteran’s Day and wishing you better days ahead.

Community, homeless vets, KQED, Menlo Park, Peets Coffee, Veterans Day

I’ve always loved the Habitat for Humanity model. Volunteers working side by side with future homeowners who are providing sweat equity. Comunidad para Baja, one of my pet organizations, uses the same approach. If they install a septic system in a tribal community, for example, the Nativos are the ones doing the heavy lifting and getting the system up and running. When you have more skin in the game, you’re likely to care more about the resource, whether it’s a house, a bathroom or a schoolroom.

SOLARTHON 2007, happening this Saturday, October 6, is a green take on this idea. Conceived of and organized by local non-profit organization GRID Alternatives, a group of corporate participants & volunteers will be installing solar electric systems for eight low-income families in East Oakland. In fact, the systems will be installed at Habitat for Humanity’s new Edes Avenue development. Corporate participants include PG&E, Google, WaMu, Solar City and others. By putting a spotlight on this effort, I hope they’ll raise some money for a good cause and raise awareness about the good work that organizations like GRID Alternatives are doing around renewable energy. The forecast for Saturday calls for a sunny day. That’s only fitting.

Community, Comunidad Para Baja, Environment, giving, Habitat for Humanity, SOLARTHON 2007

I was on vacation just last week, and one of the best parts about it was having the luxury every day to linger over the New York Times with a cup of coffee, chat with friends, and reflect on the state of the world.  Ah, the simple pleasures.  We talked about one piece that really caught me by surprise. There was an article in June in the NYT (subscription required) about the number of NY women who spend $3,000+ per month on personal maintenance (facials, Botox, hair, etc.)  Now I’m as big a fan of the mani-pedi as the next gal, but $3,000/month??!!  That is what I call high maintenance.  

But if you’re in the mood for a little maintenance (without the high price tag), there is a way you can indulge yourself and still do some good, too.  The Preston-Wynne Spa in Saratoga is hosting its second annual Healing Touch Spa Party on the evening of Thursday, August 16th, in support of Next Door Solutions for Domestic Violence.  (Full disclosure — Next Door Solutions is an Eastwick client but more on that in future posts.)  The event was a sell-out last year and they’re hoping to repeat the success this year.  It promises to be a fun evening.  Check out the Next Door site for details.

Preston-Wynne isn’t the only spa that supports local non-profits with fundraisers like this.  LaBelle Day Spas held an event to benefit the Rafael House of San Francisco earlier this year.  Rafael House supports the homeless in San Francisco.

I’m sure there are others doing similar events.  My guess is these spas have found a ready audience for this winning combination of friends, good food & wine with a little dose of pampering tossed in.  Hats off to Preston-Wynne and LaBelle for supporting groups like this — the local non-profits working with the most neglected groups in our communities.  So indulge yourself at the Next Door event.  You don’t even have to feel guilty about it.

Community, domestic violence, giving, Healing Touch Spa Party, Labelle Day Spas, Next Door Solutions, Preston Wynne Spas

I’m fortunate to be on the board of Comunidad Para Baja, a wonderful organization that provides health and education services to the indigenous tribes of Baja California, Mexico. (More about Comunidad in future blogs.) Recently, I spoke about Comunidad at a meeting of the Geneva-Mission Lions Club.

The meeting took place a a wonderful, old hall in the Mission. Most of the attendees were retired men. A couple of women, plus one guy who seemed to be about my age (okay, not young but younger.) They had a drink together, and held their business meeting over dinner. Clearly there were deep friendships in the room, I imagine forged through years of social fellowship and working together to help the community.

The people who sat together at this meeting and listened to my pitch were thoughtful, engaged and ready to jump in and help. And help they did. Since the meeting, they’ve connected us with an eye surgeon who is interested in volunteering with Comunidad and performing much-needed cataract surgeries on tribe members. Comunidad has also met with the Rotary Club of San Jose, and the group is connecting them with a local Rotary group in Mexico.

My colleague, Mo Mahmoud, describes these groups as local pieces of a global puzzle, an international organization with shared values as well as resources. I’m struck by just how powerful the service club model is and am wondering if this tradition is slowly dying out. I hope not, because there is such good work being done by these groups. And beyond the good work, there are business networks and lasting friendships formed.

Are there business groups out there who are committed to service and successful at drawing in new members just starting out in their careers? If so, I’d love to hear about them.

Community, Comunidad Para Baja, Lions Club, rotary club, service clubs