Sunday, December 29, 2013

Mission of Hope Provides Model for Rebuilding Haiti as 4-Year Earthquake Anniversary Approaches

With the four-year anniversary of Haiti's devastating, 7.0 magnitude earthquake just two weeks away, Mission of Hope (MOH) a Christian nonprofit headquartered in Haiti, has developed a holistic model for long-term development and rebuilding that works and is sustainable. 
"The earthquake didn't just affect people physically, but it affected the lives of millions of Haitians as a whole: mind, body and soul," said Brad Johnson, President of Mission of Hope. "Mission of Hope has shown that long-term transformation and effective rebuilding are possible but require a holistic approach and not just immediate relief."
Founded in 1998, MOH started as a small, Christian ministry providing Bible studies and limited medical treatments through its one, on-site clinic. Over the past fifteen years, the Haiti-based nonprofit has grown ten-fold into a sprawling 236-acre organization covering four sites and providing a variety of programs impacting more than 200,000 Haitians.
MOH today incorporates holistic programming including housing, medical, food and education in addition to its Christian ministry.  On a daily basis, MOH and its partners feed more than 80,000 Haitians using food supplies stored in the organization's 32-thousand square-foot warehouse. In addition, MOH has built more than four hundred permanent homes for displaced Haitians affected by the 2010 earthquake. The organization is also in the process of expanding its medical clinic and building a hospital on-site in addition to a technical school and sports complex.
"Our vision at Mission of Hope is not just to see Haiti survive but thrive," said Johnson. "But the biggest challenge is that Haitians aren't being given enough opportunities beyond rebuilding. Our model changes that as our team works to train the people of Haiti to dream and lead."
Uniquely headquartered in Haiti, MOH is strategically equipped to meet the specific needs of Haitians impacted by the 2010 earthquake that killed nearly 300,000 and destroyed approximately 250,000 homes.  Today, MOH says it has developed a model for reconstruction that delivers high-impact results dedicated to long-term development in addition to its initial immediate relief.
"We are just as frustrated as anyone else to see the rebuilding process moving slowly as a whole, but a lot of resources have not been put to their best use across the board," said Johnson. "Yet, those who say they don't see Haiti improving likely never saw Haiti before the earthquake and don't know how far we have come, especially here at Mission of Hope."
Plus, for every dollar donated to MOH, 97 cents is directly contributed to programming.
"We have never heard of another organization that can match the effectiveness of Mission Of Hope," says Johnson. "But our funding model reflects our dedication to give directly to Haitians to transform Haiti themselves."
Immediately following the January 12, 2010 earthquake, Mission of Hope says it was strategically positioned to respond to the critical needs of Haitians most impacted. Located just 37 driving miles from the earthquake's epicenter, the organization began dispatching emergency food supplies across the nation despite minor damage to its own facility and the emotional impact on staff.
"Mission of Hope suffered minor cracks in our walls and one of our staff members was killed in his home," said Johnson. "Everyone in Haiti was impacted by the earthquake, but we knew we were in a unique position to respond."
MOH delivered more than 15 million meals to Haitians in the aftermath of the earthquake while evolving as an organization to meet the ongoing needs. The organization treated thousands of injured Haitians through its on-site medical facility and established a prosthetic clinic that is still in operation today.
SOURCE Mission of Hope Haiti

Sunday, December 22, 2013

The United Nations, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Editorial Comments From Kristen in Red: 

Many people, including myself, need to become more familiar with where they stand on many issues, and if they are consistent. 

Consistency Issues: 
- We cannot provide mental health services to those depressed on social services, veterans who have PTSD, but we can fight to rehabilitate known sex offenders and murderers? 

- Super sized fast food meal with a diet soda?

-Pro-life for religious reasons, yet  pro-invitro?

-Wrong to want to sentence pedophiles to death, but okay to screen for downs to terminate the pregnancy?

-Okay to have an opinion on politics and government, and never vote because you can't decide. You know you can abstain and be counted. 

-Prius owners in the HOV lane . . .  who are NOT part of a carpool.

-People who attack Vaping, but are okay with cigarettes. 


At this moment in time, we cannot save everyone. We do the best we can with those we are connected with.

Debates get muddled because people veer off track, or show huge inconsistencies in their logic. This is why I stress a return to the basics to start the discussion. Throw out everything you believe, and start from scratch. Here is a document that I don't remember ever reading before. I wonder if you have read it. 

I believe in this document. Especially the last Article:

Article 30.

  • Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
Known murderers, sex offenders, slavery traffickers, pedophiles, cannot use this document to protect themselves, or seek asylum. 

The United Nations was created as a result of World War II and the attempt to murder every person in existence who was Jewish by blood or by practice. For what ever reason, just like spectator traffic, people slowed down to watch what was happening, but few acted to help. More of us need to stand up and speak out. We must keep the scales balanced.



http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml

PREAMBLE

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

Article 1.

  • All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2.

  • Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3.

  • Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4.

  • No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5.

  • No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6.

  • Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7.

  • All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8.

  • Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

Article 9.

  • No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10.

  • Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Article 11.

  • (1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
  • (2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

Article 12.

  • No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Article 13.

  • (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
  • (2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Article 14.

  • (1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
  • (2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 15.

  • (1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
  • (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

Article 16.

  • (1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
  • (2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
  • (3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Article 17.

  • (1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
  • (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 18.

  • Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19.

  • Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20.

  • (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
  • (2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 21.

  • (1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
  • (2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
  • (3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 22.

  • Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Article 23.

  • (1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
  • (2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
  • (3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
  • (4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Article 24.

  • Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25.

  • (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
  • (2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26.

  • (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
  • (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
  • (3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Article 27.

  • (1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
  • (2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Article 28.

  • Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Article 29.

  • (1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
  • (2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
  • (3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 30.

  • Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Communication Matters: Best & Worst Communicators of 2013 Revealed

18th Annual List Features World & Business Leaders, Pop Icon, Pope & Politicians

While it may be easier to earn space in the spotlight if you are a chart-topping musician, a politician or a business executive, effective communication skills are essential in order to motivate action, drive change and influence the status quo. Decker Communications, Inc., the leading business communications training and consulting firm, announced today the 18th annual Top Ten Best and Worst Communicators of 2013.
"From informal conversations and tweets to high-stakes interviews and speeches, we are constantly communicating," affirmed Ben Decker, CEO of Decker Communications. "This Top Ten is always fun to do, and it creates great discussion. We get to compile the list with help from our clients, Twitter followers and team members, and we love doing it because it creates buzz about communication."
Heed the lessons of the year's top leaders, athletes, politicians and celebrities.
The Highlights:
The challenge and testament of a true communicator is to lead and influence action. The best communicators of 2013 created change, caused us to think and act differently, and powerfully moved us in the process.
Top 10 Best Communicators of 2013:
1. Nelson Mandela and Malala Yousafazi
2. Dick Costolo
3. Pope Francis
4. Astro Teller
5. Blake Mycoskie
6. Alan Mulally
7. Debbie Sterling
8. Chris Christie
9. Dr. Brene Brown
10. Jimmy Spithill
United against injustice and persecution, the top spot is shared by two extraordinary communicators – symbolically passing the torch from the legendary Nelson Mandela to the young Malala Yousafazi, poised and outspoken beyond her years.
Mandela was a consummate communicator. An icon of unrelenting dedication, he epitomized three communications lessons: Authenticity, influence and humble confidence.
Yousafazi burst forth on the scene in 2013. Confident, focused, likable and articulate, she has command of message, and she continues to speak out for freedom and education for all. A modern symbol of influence, she inspires through communication.
The Lowlights:
Obfuscation at best, lying at worst – those are the common denominators of the year's worst communicators. Common to all are poor communications skills, and for most, missed opportunity to use influence or a circumstance for positive impact.
Top 10 Worst Communicators of 2013:
1. James Clapper
2. Paula Deen
3. John Boehner and Harry Reid
4. Chip Wilson
5. Richie Incognito and Mike Rice
6. Miley Cyrus
7. Anthony Weiner
8. Edward Snowden
9. Rob Ford
10. President Obama
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper testified before a congressional committee, and when asked a yes-or-no question, he answered – so undermining trust, that this clip of head scratching has become a classic example of behavior contradicting content. Unfortunately for Clapper, it was a symptom of many.

SOURCE Decker Communications

The Human Success Chain - No one LEFT behind, it's just RIGHT

It took me 37 years to get to the point where I am beginning to understand that life is constantly in motion. We can not freeze time; however, we can freeze our minds.

When I look back on my life the pictures and lessons are broader. When I recall going through ups and downs, I was so caught up in the details. I could not see the big picture no matter how many times I tried to look up.

Today I see life constantly moving. I see the reflection of my soul in the sky, the ground, the water, the people, and the seasons. I understand that the water will always flow. That we can try to hold and store, but eventually it will be consumed, and run through us and circle back through the earth, until we drink again.

When I think about #k10earth, the vision of a peaceful world, I think about the quality of the person who will help make that dream a reality. Yes my vision I call #k10earth, but that doesn't mean that my vision isn't the same as yours, just because I named it. Names are relative, names mean nothing.

#k10earth is about fairness and equality. We are open to unlimited possibilities, and believe that humans are capable of great love and great evil. We believe in continuous improvement of our individual person, and our communities, and our planet.

We understand that life is not a race. We are not in competition with each other. We are here to inspire and help raise the bar  . . . you know the bottom bar, not the top bar. The top bar is where individuals go when they climb to the top. I do not see the value in rising to the top alone. What fun is it to raise the bar and watch your peers struggling to reach it?

I like to work on the bottom bar. I want to build strength at the base of the mountain. I want an easier climb for all. I have two hands to use to help us climb this mountain of life. My right hand is stretched and used to steady myself on the rock. I have to anchor the chain. My left hand is open so someone can grab it, no one is left behind. If either of us stumbles, we are connected to help each other. My friend has his right hand stretched into my left hand. His left hand is open for a third person to walk up this mountain too.

Our hands when linked can make a human chain that circles back to us. Have you thought about that? If a circle of people holding hands tried to walk up a mountain from all sides? That is our G+ circle, and why we have so much momentum. This little piece of magic has been happening for us. People have opened their left hands to us. They not only lift me up, but they take our entire human chain too. Some of these people on the top are so firmly planted where they are, they have decided to use both their hands to pull us up. Maybe because one time they sat at the bottom and needed to be lifted up by two hands too, or maybe they fear what will happen if they don't raise the bottom bar.

We each have this amazing ability to help others. We have two hands to use however we want. There is great power in our hands. We can hurt each other or love each other with our hands. We have two hands to keep us balanced. Like our eyes and ears, we should use caution to observe the different perspectives and come to our own middle ground.

I am so grateful that there are so many of us, over 18,000 of us who believe in being good fair and honest people. This means, no matter what your physical appearance is, or what human affiliations you may have, we judge you on your ability to be fair, honest and respectful. We have been doing some amazing things together! We have a lot to be proud of.

Right hand and left hand . . . No one LEFT behind, it's just RIGHT.




Monday, December 16, 2013

New Federal Report Finds 1 in 4 Americans Volunteer

Americans Volunteered 7.9 Billion Hours in 2012; Gen Xers and Parents Lead the Way
A new national study released today by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) shows that millions of Americans make volunteering a priority in their lives.  The annual Volunteering and Civic Life in America research shows that volunteering in the U.S. remains stable and strong across generations.
"Volunteering is a core American value. Americans who volunteer enrich our communities and keep our nation strong," saidWendy Spencer, CEO of CNCS. "As citizens, there are so many ways we can make a difference for those who are in need, during this holiday season and throughout the entire year."
This year's report found that one in four adults (26.5 percent) volunteered through an organization in 2012, demonstrating that volunteering remains an important activity for millions of Americans. Altogether, 64.5 million Americans volunteered nearly 7.9 billion hours last year.  The estimated value of this volunteer service is nearly $175 billion, based on the Independent Sector's estimate of the average value of a volunteer hour.
The research shows that Americans' commitment to volunteering spans across generations.  Key highlights of the report include:
  • The volunteer rate of Generation X has trended upward over the past 11 years, increasing nearly 5.5 percentage points, and Generation X has the highest volunteer rate of any age group.
  • Older Americans (ages 65 and older) donated nearly twice as many hours per volunteer than the population as a whole, with a median of 90 volunteer hours in 2012 compared to 50 hours for the general population.
  • Volunteering has trended upward among teenagers (ages 16-19) over the past six years, up nearly 3 percentage points since 2007.
  • Working mothers continue to volunteer at a significantly higher rate than the population as a whole and people who do not live with children under 18 (38.5 percent compared to 26.5 percent and 23.8 percent, respectively).
  • The volunteer rate of parents with children under age 18 (33.5 percent) remained higher than the population as a whole (26.5 percent) and for persons who do not live with under 18 (23.8 percent).
  • Volunteers are almost twice as likely to donate to charity as non-volunteers. Eight in 10 (79.2%) volunteers donated to charity, compared to four in 10 (40.4%) non-volunteers. Overall, half of all citizens (50.7%) donated at least $25 to charity in 2012.
"Volunteering is a critical component of civic life," said Ilir Zherka, Executive Director of NCoC. "When people are involved in their communities through service, giving, political involvement, and other civic actions, our country is stronger and more prosperous."
"Helping others who are in need and working together to strengthen our communities is an important American tradition that helps make our nation so resilient," said Spencer. "But volunteering goes beyond helping other people; studies have shown that the volunteers themselves benefit, whether through increased job prospects, better health, or even better overall well-being."
The research comes on the heels of the "Volunteering as a Pathway to Employment" study released by CNCS over the summer, which found that volunteers have 27 percent higher odds of finding a job while out of work than non-volunteers. Among rural volunteers and volunteers without a high school diploma, the likelihood increases to 55 and 51 percent, respectively.
As more Americans volunteer, momentum continues to build around national service and its important role in addressing critical local issues. This year marks the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps, celebrating more than 800,000 members who have served our country since the program's inception. In 2012, AmeriCorps members recruited and managed more than four million volunteers.
CNCS' more than 360,000 Senior Corps volunteers are also helping millions of Americans find economic empowerment through mentoring and tutoring youth, helping veterans transition into civilian life, and conducting job training to unemployed individuals.
The full analysis and customizable data sets can be found at www.VolunteeringInAmerica.gov. Americans interested in finding local volunteer opportunities can visit www.serve.gov.
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), an independent federal agency, plays a vital role in supporting the American culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility and is a leading grantmaker in support of service and volunteering. Through Senior CorpsAmeriCorps, the Social Innovation Fund, and other programs and initiatives, CNCS provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and address critical needs. To learn more, visit NationalService.gov.
The National Conference on Citizenship is a dynamic, non-partisan nonprofit working at the forefront of our nation's civic life. NCoC was chartered by Congress in 1953 to harness the patriotic energy and national civic involvement surrounding World War II, and we've been invigorated by this charge ever since. Through our events, research, and reports, NCoC expands our nation's contemporary understanding of what it means to be a citizen. We seek new ideas and approaches for creating greater civic health and vitality throughout the United States. To learn more, visit NCoC.net.
Background on the ResearchThe data for this report was collected through the Current Population Survey (CPS): the Volunteer Supplement. The CPS is a monthly survey of about 60,000 households (approximately 100,000 adults), conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau on behalf of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The supplement collects data on the volunteering of adults age 16 and older. Volunteers are considered individuals who performed unpaid volunteer activities through or for an organization at any point during the 12-month period (from September 1st of the prior year through the survey week in September of the survey year).
SOURCE Corporation for National and Community Service


RELATED LINKS
http://www.nationalservice.gov/
http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/