LIVE UNITED Y’All!

By Christopher Locke

Wow, it’s that time of the year again! A time when young people of all ages have visions of cartoon-covered backpacks, reams of three-hole, loose leaf paper and bounties of yellow Number 2 pencils dancing in their heads… Which means it’s indeed time for school! With the return to school and visions in mind, I’m reminded of a Henry David Thoreau quote that says “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”

And while most parents and adults in the community are expectedly looking at purchasing items like sports and band uniforms, instruments, or even lab supplies to support their children’s education success in the classroom and school– a lot of well-meaning and caring adults have been spending a lot of time creating a compelling child-centered, community-based vision for young people to be successful outside the classroom and school. These caring adults and young people were callers, conveners and participants in a community effort called the Youth Vision. It was exciting to participate and witness the process of developing a vision that the community can be proud of that will also mobilize us to action.

The community response to an invitation from a group of youth development and education experts convened by Metro United Way to come and share their thoughts on youth success was overwhelming. When all the conversations were complete, 36 community conversations had taken place with residents from 30 of the 32 zip codes in the Louisville Metro area, from 11 other Kentucky zip codes and from 3 Southern Indiana County zip codes. The participant demographics revealed that the conversations had attracted broad and diverse participation from community residents interested in young people.

And as Thoreau said, they looked at some things. In fact, the participants looked at a long list of depressing challenges that often impede many young people’s paths to educational success.

• 1 in 4 freshman entering 9^th grade in JCPS don’t graduate on time and in four years with their peers.
• 65% of JCPS students are on free and reduced lunch.
• Worse still, last year JCPS reports that 10,500 students were classified as homeless.

In all three cases, a disproportionate number of the students are African American and Latino.

But again, like Thoreau wisely recommended, the community residents participating in the youth vision conversations did not get mired in pessimism. No, instead, this spirited group, led by Metro United Way and Metro Government, decided that the callers and the residents see what matters. So the optimists flipped the deficit-based reality that many of our students and families deal with everyday on its head and decided to engage resident voices in the process by asking three strengths or asset-based questions.

• Think about a young person in your life…What are your hopes and wishes for their success?
• What helps a young person be successful?
• If you could waive a magic wand, how would our community look different if ALL youth were succeeding?

After over 500 people had answered, the compelling Youth Vision emerged.

Louisville Youth…

• Have the skills and education to be self reliant, healthy, engaged and economically thriving.
• Have hope and show strength of character to achieve their goals, follow their dreams, respect others and contribute to bettering their community and world.
• Live in a caring community where everyone values, supports, invests in and fights for their success.

It sounds  pretty compelling to me, and we hope you agree! What are some of your ideas for our community’s youth? Would you be willing to act in creative ways to bring this vision to life in the community? How?

Advocacy, Education, General back to school, Children, Community, Education, future, High School Graduation, kindergarten, making a difference, Metro United Way, opportunity, parenting, Southern Indiana, students, success, youth, youth development, Youth Vision

Challenge (noun)

-a call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc.

- something that by its nature or character serves as a call to battle, contest, special effort, etc.

- difficulty in a job or undertaking that is stimulating to one engaged in it.

Everyone likes a good challenge now and then.  When I think about what it is that I find challenging; my challenges have changed over the years, including those that I am willing to accept.  For instance, in college one of the challenges I faced was to chart my course, choose a major, and complete large multi-page papers (ugh!).  Five years ago, I chose to take the challenge of a life-long commitment in marriage, and at the same time plunged head first into my work and career.  My most recent challenge was diving head first into mommy-hood which - for those of you who are mothers, or play the role of a mom, you know - it is your biggest challenge ever.   There are challenges that I took 10 years ago that I wouldn’t take today.  And there are those challenges today that are more important than ever; that didn’t seem very important 10 years ago.

In our Southern Indiana region, Mayor Galligan of the City of Jeffersonville, and Mayor England of the City of New Albany recently initiated the Second Annual Mayor’s Challenge for Metro United Way.  The two Mayors have accepted this challenge to raise additional resources for Southern Indiana and the losing mayor will drive a street cleaner around the winning mayor’s city.  This past year Mayor England had to clean up around Galligan’s city hall.  Galligan said, “I’m proud that so many employees from Jeffersonville and New Albany decided to participate in Metro United Way’s campaign, because giving back to your community is so important.”  Because of this challenge there will be additional resources for the residents of Floyd and Clark counties due to the employees who chose to participate by giving to the Metro United Way campaign.

For these Mayors it was important enough to them to take the challenge.  Is it important to you that:

• Food pantries are available in your community?
• Shelters are accessible to families after a house fire?
• Seniors have access to transportation to and from doctor’s appointments?
• Children are mentored and have role models available?
• Low-income and uninsured residents have access to preventative healthcare?

Currently in our community, of the agencies that Metro United Way funds there is clearly an increase in need.  Did you know that the Family Health Center of Floyd County has seen an increase in its new patients from an average of 20 to 30 per month this time last year to its current average of 20 to 30 per week?  Additionally, agencies who operate food pantries have seen a 40% increase in first time recipients. 

One way our community can become the most vital, caring community in the nation is if you and I choose to be challenged.  How can you raise resources for your community?  Who can you challenge, how can you make a difference this year for over 90 agencies and 160+ programs in your community?

Take the Challenge.  Live United.

Giving challenges, community resources, Southern Indiana

Hi ya’ll. I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing this entry in anticipation of my trip to the National Conference on Family Literacy. All of my enthusiasm for this trip isn’t just because it’s held in Orlando, FL and I leave tomorrow for warm, sunny days. I’m most excited because of all the great keynote speakers and informational sessions they have planned. (I know, just by admitting that, it only further confirms my nerdiness…)

All that aside, family literacy is a very serious issue. Have you ever thought about how hard it must be for a child raised in a household with very low literacy levels to be successful in school? And if a child isn’t successful in school, research shows that the odds are unlikely for them to be successful in adulthood. Then the cycle continues.

Over the past three years, I have worked to broaden my definition of literacy. When I used to hear that word I thought it only meant someone’s ability to read and write. But, that’s not the only definition. It also means being knowledgeable on a particular subject.

So, let me reconsider the previous example with this new definition.

• Imagine how hard it must be for a child raised in a household with low financial literacy levels to grow up and spend their money wisely.
• Imagine how hard it must be for a child raised in a household with low social literacy levels to interact well with their peers in school and later in the workplace.
• Imagine how hard it must be for a child raised in a household with very low parenting literacy levels to grow up to be the kind of mommy or daddy their child deserves.

Imagine if every family could recognize an area where they could build their literacy levels and had the courage to ask for help - and when they did - their community provided the support they needed. This is exactly what we are working to do in Southern Indiana with our new Legacy of Literacy initiative.

This project is in its very early stages of planning, but we are very hopeful of the positive change it can help create. Would you like to be a part of helping make this change? We would love to have you.

Photo credit: ::: Billie / PartsnPieces :::

Education 4community2, Education, functional literacy, Legacy of Literacy, National Center for Family Literacy, Southern Indiana

OK, OK, they say that the first step in recovery is to admit that you have a problem.  So I admit it.  I’m a shopaholic.  I have way more clothes and shoes than any sane person needs.  I suffer from the delusion that the perfect sweater or just the right pair of shoes will complete my life and transform me into a swan.  In rare moments of rational thought, I know that this cannot be true; I realize that a new dress will simply add to the overcrowded condition of my closet.  But still my delusion persists and I continue in my quest for the perfect outfit.

But I’ve discovered a way to both indulge my acquisitional addiction and keep out of debtor’s prison.  The answer is Bridgepointe Goodwill.  The Goodwill stores in Jeffersonville, Clarksville, New Albany and Floyd Knobs are my lifeline.  I’ve been shopping at these stores for several years and I’d estimate that I’ve probably bought 95% of my wardrobe there.  I’ve been able to find amazing deals, like the 100% cashmere sweater for $3.95.  Like the wool winter coat for $1.00.  When I needed a sparkly dress to wear for a special event, I found one at Goodwill for $5.95.  And I found dressy shoes to wear with it for $3.95.  I’ve found terrific items for my house at Goodwill, too, like the floor sample coffee table for $37.50 and the bench for $25.00 (selling for $125 and $100 new at Target). Like the 2-cup coffeemaker I got for $5.  I’ve bought video cassettes there for $1, watched them, and then donated them back -  it’s cheaper than going to the video store.

Bridgepointe Goodwill stores have a “color of the week” that can save you even more money.  Each of their clothing items is tagged with a colored plastic barb.  If you choose an item that has a red barb and the color of the week is red, you can buy that item for $1, regardless of what the regular price is.  If you’re age 55 or over and shop on Wednesdays, you can receive a 15% discount.  You can also ask for a preferred customer card.  For each $10 you spend, you get a stamp on your card.  When your card has been stamped 10 times, you can turn in your filled card to receive $10 off your next purchase.

When you shop at the Bridgepointe Goodwill stores, everyone wins.  You find terrific bargains.  Perfectly good items that might have ended up in a landfill are used and enjoyed instead.  Bridgepoint Services generates revenue for their many programs that assist children and adults in acquiring the skills they need to live independently.  And when you donate your useful but unwanted clothing and household items to Bridgepointe Goodwill, you get stuff that you’re no longer using out of your house and get an income tax deduction besides.  It’s a sweet deal all around.

Bridgepointe Goodwill is one of the many nonprofit health and human service agencies that’s supported by Metro United Way.  So you can feel great about indulging your shopping addiction…you just have to know where to shop!

General, Giving, Income Bridgepointe Goodwill, Community, Southern Indiana

Hi Ya’ll,

It’s nice to meet you.   I’m Kerri, Kerri Cokeley.   Since I will be a regular on this blog I thought I would share a little about myself.   It may help you understand my random thoughts, observations, opinions, and rants that you are bound to be exposed to over time.

I’m an Associate Director of Community Building at Metro United Way in Southern Indiana.   You may ask, what in the world does that mean?   My best answer is that I help organize volunteers to fulfill the vision of our organization, “for our regional community to be the most vital, caring community in the nation.”

Another professional role I fill is that of Adjunct Professor of Business at Ivy Tech Community College, my Alma Mater.   I spent 9 years going to school at night and ended up with an MBA.   I expect that I will be in a classroom, one way or another, for the rest of my life.

I’m 30 years old.   Never married, but in a relationship.   I have three adorable “nibblings” – a word I invented to mean nephews and nieces.   I’ve also been a caregiver for my grandmother, or “Grandmammy,” in varying capacities over the past 10 years.

I’ve overcome a plethora of challenges from my childhood, and without the promise of a book deal, you won’t read those stories here.   Ha, ha.   However, you can know that my colleagues consider me proof that Success By 6 really is a cause worth promoting and growing - thanks to the wonderful neighbor Edith Murley who stepped in to raise me for the first five years of my life.

So, that may be more than you ever wanted to know, TMI.   But, I hope it gives some context for the future posts you will read from me.

Sincerely,
Kerri

General Community, Ivy Tech, Metro United Way, Southern Indiana, Success By 6