tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46667310279156663132024-03-12T23:53:55.503-07:00The Waiverly ProjectsAll about efforts to change the world, just a little.ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-55530683743865019732011-06-24T12:09:00.000-07:002011-06-24T12:09:37.236-07:00What does community mean? The Co-Op We have often talked about what it means to be a part of a community. What should we expect from one another? I have always thought that, as Kennedy said, "...our most basic, common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air." We are facing difficult times and I do not think that we can face them alone, sequestered from one another. As a community, we can be bold and accomplish much. There is strength in numbers. This past week, we have talked and we have listened to one another. We have seen the each others' needs and we have seen each others' wants, for ourselves and for our children.<br />
This past week we talked about health care. We talked about education, both grade school and college, and we talked about child care. We talked about jobs, and owning homes, and retirement. We talked about war and peace and supporting local economies and the storms in Clemson have made us wonder about global warming and the environment. This past week has been a week of conversations about what really matters to people.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Q3Ul0AvQIyd0ypH6y-yXNY08ciR8jaGENVC9YFsWlEQSyRpdo03ix64eirJfRRLKuQ_7LAa1vly81U8dDisdY2qw6-gWeuSv-LHGUVm4aBD5R_pPsDAbBisYnGHh2AhUnjfksLQ1IXg/s1600/LinkedHands2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Q3Ul0AvQIyd0ypH6y-yXNY08ciR8jaGENVC9YFsWlEQSyRpdo03ix64eirJfRRLKuQ_7LAa1vly81U8dDisdY2qw6-gWeuSv-LHGUVm4aBD5R_pPsDAbBisYnGHh2AhUnjfksLQ1IXg/s200/LinkedHands2.jpg" width="186" /></a></div> So, now that we know the problems, what are the solutions? The Co-op idea came up. A group of people, each having needs and wants, yet each also having something to offer to their neighbor. This is not so much the beginning of a new yet tradition, yet a continuation of an old one. The thing that makes us Americans and moreover, what makes us humans is our responsiblity to one another; the knowledge that though you skin is a different color or you worship a different or many gods in different ways, you, as I am, are human. I am my brother's keeper and what gives me faith, what gives me hope, is that he too shall believe that he is mine.<br />
We believe that if we take care of the small problems, the big problems will be that much easier to deal with. We believe that if we take care of what is right in front of us, those things in the distance will not be so scary. The future is not so scary if the present is not so bad and there is no darkness that we cannot all walk through together. So, ask me about the co-op.ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-7546648072018995162011-06-18T11:14:00.000-07:002011-06-18T11:14:25.036-07:00New Beginnings...kinda<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nuj3Fd5z9Jupt1zBPcLjfYgDSqs0FW5GKVq_wBU_ipJMiVjPdC6WcCOVBn7kxnemEn2wQG1dmzPLxRR9kRpBL2OYDEE8O09Wu33_9q5mBocoq5jljymZVeRt9IZkUAowkV3-H7LODME/s1600/101_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nuj3Fd5z9Jupt1zBPcLjfYgDSqs0FW5GKVq_wBU_ipJMiVjPdC6WcCOVBn7kxnemEn2wQG1dmzPLxRR9kRpBL2OYDEE8O09Wu33_9q5mBocoq5jljymZVeRt9IZkUAowkV3-H7LODME/s320/101_0116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Where ever I go, whatever I do, I find a lot of differences in the landscape but the people are basically the same. There are a lot of people who are just good with a sincere desire to help and Clemson is no different. As we embark on a new chapter of The Waiverly Project, it has been the goal to get in contact with people and share our mission. People have been very receptive and incredibly helpful to what we are trying to do (even if we cannot always explain it well). So, I am very busy beginning a compost pile here in beautiful Clemson, SC and dedicating this week to talking to more and more people about what we would like to do. I left here in 1999, but it is amazing how quickly and easily one can slip back into a good community.ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-7497464841733691672011-06-10T15:59:00.000-07:002011-06-10T15:59:19.663-07:00Couldn't Stay Away...My last post (about 3 weeks ago) was all about quitting and walking away from this whole thing. The major thing that I noticed since then, was that even though I made all of the right arrangements to leave it all behind and get on with my life, I have found that the connections that I have made are hard to sever and even having been a part of this thing of ours for a relatively short time, it is hard not to want to form new connections.<br />
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While sitting on the dock, by the lake, in Clemson, SC I recieved a text from a young man who we had helped some weeks ago. When it was cold and miserable outside in Atlanta, we had given out Starbucks cards so that people could go in and out of Starbucks, get a cup of coffee, maybe a snack while they got warm. The main thing was that we did not just want to give people cash. With thse cards, we could refill them on-line where ever they were. We had given this young man one and he had only used it a couple of times as it only had 10 dollars on it, but it did not take long for that money to run out. <br />
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The heat has been oppresive lately and this has been terrible for the homeless. Today, approaching summer, air conditioning can be just as important as heat is in the winter. Rain falls hard and all year round. Being exposed to the elements in any season is dangerous. I had forgotten that or ignored it.<br />
On the other side of that, while taking in my surroundings and doing a bit of relaxing, I saw that while I was sitting and talking to people about various things, the same concerns were arising. Every conversation, would without trying, come to these big and small social, environmental, and economic issues. It is apparent that people have a desire and the will to do something, but lack the outlet.<br />
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One must do what they are interested in and I cannot see myself just working in an office anymore. I have tried to get out, but it all just pulls me back in. Leaving the state of GA did nothing to get rid of my desire to help and I have noticed that even Clemson has at least one homeless person. So, I am back and I hope that others will join me as I work to do some good things.ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0Clemson, SC, USA34.6834382 -82.8373654000000134.6573882 -82.874615900000009 34.709488199999996 -82.800114900000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-50518562449932993042011-03-17T12:54:00.000-07:002011-03-17T12:54:31.742-07:00The birth of Guudwagon...Social Entrepeneurism is coming...in a van.OK, the main problem that The Waiverly Projects have been having is transportation. There is so much to do and MARTA just is not cutting it. As ideas often do, when we thought about getting a vehicle, the idea evolved.<br />
We have begun a number of initiatives in the past year and a lot of them have worked and some have failed or stagnated, mostly for want of transportation. Recently, we have begun to get involved in the food cart battle here in Atlanta, with the thought of doing something like that, along with Winnie Mae's as a stand alone restaurant. <br />
So, we thought of Guudwagon (working title). There are so many things that we can do with a little movement and so many more things we can bring to life. <br />
We have been collecting/recycling cans, but getting them to and fro is a bit of a hassle...Guudwagon.<br />
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We have been collecting garbage and yard waste for composting, but getting it around has been a task...Guudwagon.<br />
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Those are the things we have BEEN doing. Let's look at the things we WANT to do.<br />
1. Use it to deliver meals to youth this summer via S.O.S. (Share our Strength) because a lot of young kids only get to eat when they are at school. We would like to be able to deliver healthy lunches to these kids over the summer.<br />
2. We are looking to outfit it with mobile Wi-Fi and computer access for those who do not have it.<br />
3. We will be selling coffee, ice cream, fruits, vegetables....etc. etc. from local producers and using part of the proceeds to go to charitable organizations.<br />
4. Whatever else we can come up with! <br />
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Have ideas? Let me know!<br />
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Social Entrepeneurism is the wave of the future for Non-profits. The idea is simple. We will no longer ask you for your money, we will earn it. Imagine some of the largest Fortune 500 companies acting as for profit businesses, but giving their profits to charitable organizations.<br />
This past week has seen devastating tragedies in the Pacific, and people have begun to mobilize to help. Still, if there were companies solely dedicated to earning money for these instances, wouldn't it be a lot simpler? a lot more immediate? Guudwagon is a start!ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-88771852251921515442011-03-02T09:27:00.000-08:002011-03-02T09:27:02.892-08:00Brunches, Movies, Good Times, Good Causes<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-pagB2HiFtkfdvLb8BB072s-0AMRTZzL0IrWzXB3gfLNtvMjYMWDSIhOWChoIsORPkn3sVXlTxgC83GdzXV3apFXyg4BHfP5r09xokgcrWVQV6beRKSQwBh-P2T5SrEgID7Va7Wewxk/s1600/miss-representation1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-pagB2HiFtkfdvLb8BB072s-0AMRTZzL0IrWzXB3gfLNtvMjYMWDSIhOWChoIsORPkn3sVXlTxgC83GdzXV3apFXyg4BHfP5r09xokgcrWVQV6beRKSQwBh-P2T5SrEgID7Va7Wewxk/s200/miss-representation1.jpg" width="160" /></a>On Saturday, April 2, 2011 we will be screening Miss Representation, a powerful new film by Jennifer Seibel Newsom that shows how the role of women in the media needs to change in order to give our daughters a more positive view of what they can be. We will be showing it at Youngblood Art Gallery at 632 N. Highland ave. at 7 pm. This is a small showing. Food and beverages will be served. Please donate at the right to attend.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We have a Brunch on the Beltline on the March 19, 2011 (<a href="http://brunchonthebeltline.blogspot.com/">http://brunchonthebeltline.blogspot.com/</a>). Sponsored by <a href="http://www.dreamingcow.com/">Dreaming Cow Creamery</a>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Hunger Games begin on April 1....(<a href="http://hungergamesatl.blogspot.com/">http://hungergamesatl.blogspot.com/</a>)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii87SBDkbzyqmoOuuH52cwkyz6-38xVRDirDdYI71fWR51COjN9hpcrVzehunNyTsUgsOCzPSsCwiB_GdoxxPVufHaUlZhYTSyKWIo5TF_55D_Ly8b3FKvOJwSJz_MiOKYn5iTT4yFbeQ/s1600/the-hunger-games-movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><img border="0" height="152" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii87SBDkbzyqmoOuuH52cwkyz6-38xVRDirDdYI71fWR51COjN9hpcrVzehunNyTsUgsOCzPSsCwiB_GdoxxPVufHaUlZhYTSyKWIo5TF_55D_Ly8b3FKvOJwSJz_MiOKYn5iTT4yFbeQ/s200/the-hunger-games-movie.jpg" width="200" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We have a lot going on in the months of March and April and we hope that you wil join us for some of these events. The profits and proceeds will be going to some great causes. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Like...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4XcGPTHoDa9LzU5xlAeft4v4CU2RGrTgF-Gdkl3hff84c3Bar_dZcu7w455iq257aCXnvfh8guVEoJkTFhX1oe-Q7AObJaYUBWXkVoW7O5VTcG7LfRt7ZZDc3rbsSWRU6IbtEvIQcTk/s1600/Earthshare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4XcGPTHoDa9LzU5xlAeft4v4CU2RGrTgF-Gdkl3hff84c3Bar_dZcu7w455iq257aCXnvfh8guVEoJkTFhX1oe-Q7AObJaYUBWXkVoW7O5VTcG7LfRt7ZZDc3rbsSWRU6IbtEvIQcTk/s200/Earthshare.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Vpg3yKCsfBShyMYRrQjoiM8hNjbMC3QJuxvGY3-tHyBm5h5AYh2tpSctARoQSZcyBXOcWnCbrGvFpmWhJRXq47WWBC8CrLBCq5aJm0K0x6eRpoQdy75cFC1zBasm4hha3brJmjdT3WI/s1600/Seattle_Children_s_logo_-_5_largest.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Vpg3yKCsfBShyMYRrQjoiM8hNjbMC3QJuxvGY3-tHyBm5h5AYh2tpSctARoQSZcyBXOcWnCbrGvFpmWhJRXq47WWBC8CrLBCq5aJm0K0x6eRpoQdy75cFC1zBasm4hha3brJmjdT3WI/s200/Seattle_Children_s_logo_-_5_largest.png" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AjsWpuUr1w2LPzaa9XnPjfay6_MloN2WSwACIW9FltWGC47b9At1gl7WYrB8_9fGo-HWQ2vyu3sFYm5-OmAxbmmBSmY7eeO_tWX_70ajWRo62OUJURecDulUpMbEhNF6xMuKVuuSVyU/s1600/breastcancer-org-freead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AjsWpuUr1w2LPzaa9XnPjfay6_MloN2WSwACIW9FltWGC47b9At1gl7WYrB8_9fGo-HWQ2vyu3sFYm5-OmAxbmmBSmY7eeO_tWX_70ajWRo62OUJURecDulUpMbEhNF6xMuKVuuSVyU/s200/breastcancer-org-freead.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Please join us!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-70547745821730839142011-02-28T07:18:00.000-08:002011-02-28T07:18:05.865-08:00Working through setbacks...What is life without adversity? This week has seen a lot of setbacks, accidents and problems will always arise and the spectre of doubt will raise its ugly head. Still, it is moments like this that cause me to look at what I have to be thankful for.<br />
I used to work at a restaurant with an older gentleman named Gary and whenever I would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "better than most." It was his standard reply. It never seemed more applicable than it does now. <br />
I spent all of Saturday in the hospital after having been hit by a car that morning. I left there the next morning with a couple of scrapes, two cracked ribs, and a cracked jaw. Nothing was broken all the way and there was no permanent damage. I will be fine in a few weeks.<br />
I cannot help but think about the people I passed who were going in as I was being wheeled out. For me, it was merely a formality that I was in a wheelchair. I can walk just fine...I am doing better than most.ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-23588640487217622012011-02-23T14:26:00.000-08:002011-02-23T14:26:48.532-08:00Miles to go...We have set the goal for the Nationwide Bike Ride at $3400 by May 1. Basically, it is a dollar a mile. I hope to exceed this amount by leaps and bounds and be able to make contributions to some really great and needy causes. The basic theme of this and every other endeavor that we do, is that we are all in this together. Each cause is staffed by workers and volunteers who truly want to make a difference in the world and everyone needs as much help as they can get. We have miles to go! As of this writing, we have received $12 in donations, starting in Charleston, SC, that puts us in N. Charleston about 12 miles away. Every dollar given gets us one mile closer to Seattle!<br />
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Causes we support (so far):<br />
<a href="http://earthsharega.org/">Earthshare</a><br />
<a href="http://madd.org/">MADD</a><br />
<a href="http://breastcancer.org/">Breastcancer.org</a><br />
<a href="http://seattlechildrens.org/">Seattle Childrens Hospital</a><br />
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Please give so that we can make this ride!<br />
Take a moment and click on the Paypal link at the right and help us get a few more miles down the road!<br />
Tell us about a cause you support and that you would like us to help bring awareness to!<br />
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Thanks!ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-82850362691241326692011-02-15T14:12:00.000-08:002011-02-15T14:12:04.765-08:00Food! Now that I have your attention...I am very excited for the next couple of months because I feel like I can contribute more with the things that I am best at. I have been working in and around the food service for quite some time. I have done everything from bar back to restaurant manager. I have worked in every kind of restaurant from fast food to fine dining.<br />
The next couple of months will see us doing a lot of events to raise awareness for some really great causes. This is what I do. This is what I am trained in and is that not what it is all about? It is about doing what you are best at in hopes that what you are best at, where you are able to contribute, is able to help out someone.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OZNuBNyxCTwk5J4dXm0CcR5yRV4Z25caxnrZ56adfmfbvcNTR8EPBVkZ15c5lH2ouFhHDZ1vLSPEpHZSaJwnKZqkrDjcu73Ib78Cq_LGJHS9mC2eOvox0GgPBF0rNm5i3HKZI7f8hKA/s1600/burger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OZNuBNyxCTwk5J4dXm0CcR5yRV4Z25caxnrZ56adfmfbvcNTR8EPBVkZ15c5lH2ouFhHDZ1vLSPEpHZSaJwnKZqkrDjcu73Ib78Cq_LGJHS9mC2eOvox0GgPBF0rNm5i3HKZI7f8hKA/s200/burger.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ngnKIQTz-b4B0t52qR5c3dguUOxWzgHn8TcD9A0pGxUOxa3vRIIGwYHOPuaR9a54IyDQcI2GSpgLkmMknEDSem_Ov3gkNmTy0O7sRdmVUCu1M96HnzEw1v_bNLgzVl9FG6ekkjjPNdw/s1600/bt0114_bobby_pulled_pork_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ngnKIQTz-b4B0t52qR5c3dguUOxWzgHn8TcD9A0pGxUOxa3vRIIGwYHOPuaR9a54IyDQcI2GSpgLkmMknEDSem_Ov3gkNmTy0O7sRdmVUCu1M96HnzEw1v_bNLgzVl9FG6ekkjjPNdw/s200/bt0114_bobby_pulled_pork_lg.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So this month, we have a BBQ with the guys at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/soulfulhealth#!/pages/Atlanta-Pro-Bicycle/298340712577">Atlanta Pro Bicycle</a>. They are sponsoring our Nationwide Bike Ride and have been a tremendous help with our aluminum can drive.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Next month, we are doing a wedding for one of our biggest supporter. This includes the bike themed cake and a southern menu for dinner. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWKm9PzkSw4Pd5JjyYKoN9xwjPED0DjULqiN-CNqNDcr51VzvZSMIKLACET7kgouQB-Vc4TSLMAugKQk8WGuUyVmHmvGaNrOwdeHtPiJNz-Nl5svvzSInxnw__xiwpSQe89MYT2qJ8-Q/s1600/grill-bbq-chicken-wings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWKm9PzkSw4Pd5JjyYKoN9xwjPED0DjULqiN-CNqNDcr51VzvZSMIKLACET7kgouQB-Vc4TSLMAugKQk8WGuUyVmHmvGaNrOwdeHtPiJNz-Nl5svvzSInxnw__xiwpSQe89MYT2qJ8-Q/s200/grill-bbq-chicken-wings.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> We will also be doing Brunches on the <a href="http://www.beltline.org/">Beltline</a> in March and April. Atlanta is such a beautiful city this time of year and we are taking every opportunity to get out and enjoy the sun and all the hard work the city has put into creating a beautiful belt line for people to walk and ride comfortably in downtown Atlanta. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOdshND9hhSb24GRXvcSm0S5XiREhz6NJodQUXabFmW0Aobj9j5pBm8Ma1bYP1XhxKtDdkprld9Gb42VvWzFkSRJXDHO7IiXzZl58SOV3vru4puqzKG4ZCrAACA0ldrCQYn7AhGHEGrY/s1600/miss-representation1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOdshND9hhSb24GRXvcSm0S5XiREhz6NJodQUXabFmW0Aobj9j5pBm8Ma1bYP1XhxKtDdkprld9Gb42VvWzFkSRJXDHO7IiXzZl58SOV3vru4puqzKG4ZCrAACA0ldrCQYn7AhGHEGrY/s200/miss-representation1.jpg" width="160" /></a> Finally (at least as of this writing, we would like to do so much more) we will sponsoring showings of <a href="http://www.missrepresentation.org/splash.html">Miss Representation</a>. This is such a powerful documentary about the media representation of women. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> We need to see more positive roles for women in the media. As the tag line says, "You can't be what you can't see". We have decided that it is something that we have to spread it as much as we can, so we are sponsoring showings in Atlanta, Seattle, and Clemson and doing yes, more food!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> These are some great events and we would love for people to attend. The proceeds go to the Nationwide Bike Ride, supporting breast cancer awareness, alzheimers and diabetes research, as well as an end to homelessness and overall, the healthy lifestyle that comes with a life of cycling and just plain getting in shape.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> So what is it that you do? How can you contribute? We would love to have people volunteer their skills for our fundraising so please contact us if there is something that you would like to do. Or just take a moment to make a donation. Get involved! Contribute!</div>ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-85687386370489129702011-02-06T16:47:00.000-08:002011-02-06T16:47:37.965-08:00The long spaces...<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyO5dk_ZrvUgC_jW06yrGjjafQ3_CPUkeXPiMWjrxGLGJMDqwnSm7hfEx4loRW5V5U93x7E4E6FAifM270MUfIC3YXG8PMaBLeJmSS-roTG8Tv8NjiUDe53O4XSX4HIn9zAUDwb6bjgg/s1600/ssbccuds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyO5dk_ZrvUgC_jW06yrGjjafQ3_CPUkeXPiMWjrxGLGJMDqwnSm7hfEx4loRW5V5U93x7E4E6FAifM270MUfIC3YXG8PMaBLeJmSS-roTG8Tv8NjiUDe53O4XSX4HIn9zAUDwb6bjgg/s320/ssbccuds.jpg" width="320" /></a>On May 1, I am leaving for a nationwide bike ride that will take me and anyone else who wishes to join me across the United States, from Charleston, S.C. to Seattle, WA along the lower half of the U.S. for nearly 5000 miles. My problem with long rides has always been the long spaces in between "things". </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I was always fascinated with triathlons and especially the Iron Man, where they would have long stretches of riding where it is nothing but lava fields and baking sun. Those times, I thought, would be the times when one would have to really be a competitor. Those were the times when I thought that people would have to lock down and focus on where they were going and how fast they needed to get there. Those times, were the times when it would have to be more mental and emotional than anything else. It will be those long spaces, when we are separated from the pack and the only ones we are competing against are ourselves, that we will have to deal with and that we are dealing with now, in day to day life.</div> That is what we are dealing with now...the long spaces. These long spaces are the times that we have to do what needs to be done to get to the finish line. So, I have not been posting for a couple of weeks, but rest assured this is in preparation for the things to come. The compost is cooking, we are working out and getting in shape for the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/elimontgomery/posts/198071003538852?ref=notif&notif_t=share_comment#!/pages/The-Nationwide-Bikeride/199134066769388">nationwide bike ride</a>, the A.I.R. project with documentary is underway...these are the lava fields before the finish line.ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-65102090503240988972011-01-21T16:29:00.000-08:002011-01-21T16:29:51.612-08:00seattle bound...In a couple of weeks, I will make my return to Seattle. I have to admit that I consider Washington state my adopted home and I was sad to leave there a year or so ago. When I left, Week on the Street and The Waiverly Projects were just a glimmer in the back of my mind, but I had put them aside for concerns of family and a new life in the south. <br />
I am going back for personal reasons, and I had debated about whether or not to address this, but those reasons tie into everything that we are trying to do with these projects. My sister lives in Seattle. She is the third oldest of my eight brothers and sisters and is mentally challenged. For as long as I can remember, she has moved around on her own and done whatever she wanted. She is a survivor and to be so given the physical and mental challenges she has faced is inspirational. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, because of her, we are going nationwide and tackling all new issues as well as the ones with which we started. She has been homeless and lived on the streets of L.A. She has been immersed in a system that has warehoused the homeless and the mentally challenged. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tPxj6JoinB44sZe0oRPbqe3lkt5oQ5TZxdxVoCfZ4MRnegHrOF_pAclb3T4g3wYJ4rRs2kvLFAa5O1eetRVBf5UCNx76UX8dMQwxEEUY3aZhgOs74BX5n4xVrxKr2X2XHfrGrYRMg5o/s1600/ribbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tPxj6JoinB44sZe0oRPbqe3lkt5oQ5TZxdxVoCfZ4MRnegHrOF_pAclb3T4g3wYJ4rRs2kvLFAa5O1eetRVBf5UCNx76UX8dMQwxEEUY3aZhgOs74BX5n4xVrxKr2X2XHfrGrYRMg5o/s320/ribbon.jpg" width="320" /></a>She is beginning a battle with breast cancer, something that I could not even imagine dealing with. So how many people, homeless and otherwise have had to deal with all of these issues, all at once. To imagine the strength and bravery that it takes to deal with one of these issues, let alone ALL of them, all at once. </div><br />
So while I am in Seattle, I will be doing a Week on the Street. I will look at all of these issues, and most of all I will visit my sister and support her in any way that I can.<br />
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So please check in with this blog as we look at these issues and help us make a difference.ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-45640834615270011492011-01-13T12:29:00.000-08:002011-01-13T12:29:43.407-08:00The A.I.R. Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzln9H9YZNaDHRNoEZk8uq5ROvCQ6TDWVEa7IX2ic0sMqyL134uK_dGa9LcjeQCpiynf5cBmFdwQ-ib1c-UcBrlVchU_EhUam92QJkmDeeP9_ds-2Si6ZRRQ-YOPRerrozJwfDwwbe1U4/s1600/1276293173-shelterart1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzln9H9YZNaDHRNoEZk8uq5ROvCQ6TDWVEa7IX2ic0sMqyL134uK_dGa9LcjeQCpiynf5cBmFdwQ-ib1c-UcBrlVchU_EhUam92QJkmDeeP9_ds-2Si6ZRRQ-YOPRerrozJwfDwwbe1U4/s320/1276293173-shelterart1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>One of the things that we have tried to impress here is that there are very few differences among us. We are all one and united by, as Kennedy said, the fact that we all breath the same air. This past week we came across some amazingly talented individuals. They reside at the shelter at Peachtree and Pine and spend their days creating great works of art. There is no mistaking their talent and love for their craft.<br />
Gregory was painting at his station and took a few moments to talk to us about what he does. I was lost in his knowledge of printing and painting. An older man, his knowledge of computers was phoenomenal and impressive. More than his knowledge of computers, the calm measured meter of his voice and also of his painting was amazing. He just sat there, talking.<br />
He let us know some of the things with which they were struggling at the shelter. The problem, as I understood them, were that they were easy fixes. We are going to take this on as a project, calling it the A.I.R. project. The Artist In Residence program or A.I.R. is going to do one thing and one thing only, get some of those artists out there. We are going to do what we can to get these people out there so that people can see there is no separation. So, when you walk into the local Starbucks, you may see a painting there and I ask you to take a look. You may see an artist there, painting, and without know his origins, see that he has created a thing of beauty.ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-43487659774457039622011-01-05T14:34:00.000-08:002011-01-05T14:34:15.632-08:00Progress, progress, progress....Happy New Year!I am happy that I could not post last week. We have been doing so much and we have been working on so much for this coming year that I have been too busy to write. I am glad not to have the time!<br />
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Over the holidays, we had our aluminum can drive. I like the idea, the theater, so to speak, of using small things to do bigger things and we got what we wanted with this drive. From Christmas eve until the day after New Year's, we collected over 200 pounds of cans. These are cans that will not go into landfills and proceeds are going towards all of the "housekeeping" measures for The Waiverly Projects, like printing and mailing.<br />
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Our next initiative is an Art Show, showcasing the talents of people who are dedicated to making a difference in the world and those talented homeless men and women of Atlanta. It will be an opportunity for people to show that even though they are in different circumstances, they are still able to bring some beauty into the world.<br />
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Speaking of beauty, we are working very hard on the winter phase of the Art in Agriculture project. We are converting an abandoned lot in Doraville, GA into beautiful art installation, with murals, decorated containers, and sculptures with a practical purpose as well. The profits, proceeds, and produce will go to helping those in need!<br />
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The next "Week on the Street" will be during the final week of January. The Month on the Street was exhausting, so this week will be a lot less taxing, but still hopefully we will be able to do some good.<br />
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We are all looking forward to a great 2011 and getting to know more people and doing more good things!<br />
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Now that we have the new year off and running, I will updating this page a lot more and I hope that you will check back often!ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-75585784115766945402010-12-28T13:10:00.000-08:002010-12-28T13:10:22.741-08:00The unknown seedsAs we embark on a new year, we are getting a lot of questions about what we are doing. I can never give a simple explanation. I think the reason that tend to be so long winded is that I do not want to be pigeon-holed into being just one thing. I have said it before and I will say it again, the solutions to the world's problems will not come from one thing. They will come from cooperation and unity. They will come from the establishment of a foundation and building on that foundation, branching from it, and growing. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_z0YWbkmDEl8N-mjWG0p1uexLQaMfkOKvPhyHRA-zYrmIwaTyKOEIbnEG5SqkaMAMbUyTa-0uspSSYf53KhZozHA6fCuP04Ap-oXlc09reytKfwTXtcihc4GpKPE2NfeskY5n9ySGXyE/s1600/j1alogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_z0YWbkmDEl8N-mjWG0p1uexLQaMfkOKvPhyHRA-zYrmIwaTyKOEIbnEG5SqkaMAMbUyTa-0uspSSYf53KhZozHA6fCuP04Ap-oXlc09reytKfwTXtcihc4GpKPE2NfeskY5n9ySGXyE/s200/j1alogo.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>I get a lot of joy from helping the homeless. I can do that because I use other likes and interests to help me help them. I love to cook. I love to garden. I love working with the environment. I like politics and meeting new people. All of these things, and so many more tie into what The Waiverly Projects are. They are me doing what I like doing, so that I can help others and teach things to my daughter. What is it that you want to do? Who are your projects for?<br />
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So now, these unknown seeds have been planted. I am often out and about, meeting new people and doing new things, but most of all, I am both learning and teaching (more learning THAN teaching). Recently, we began working on biochar expirements. For those who do not know, Biochar is burning carbon based material (which comprises most of our waste) in a low oxygen environment. The resulting blackened char (similar to charcoal) is ground up and added back to the soil. It does nothing to the soil alone, but as an addition to the soil, it draws helpful nutrients and micro-organisms. It also aids in water retention for the plants. Most of all, it takes all that carbon that would otherwise go into the atmosphere and puts it back into the ground. Forget reducing your carbon footprint, this process is carbon negative, so it theoretically erases your footprint altogether.<br />
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How does this help? We are building a community garden with soil comprised mainly of sand and clay. With Biochar and compost we are able to turn orange clay and sand into a nutrient rich growing medium. It is very stable and has the same properties that most compost and petroleum based fertilizers use, but it is much better for the soil over time.<br />
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So, where there was nothing, we see that there is potential, with work and planning, for something. Garbage becomes compost...An abandoned lot in Doraville, GA becomes a garden...wasted wood and carbon rich waste that would have gone into landfills, becomes biochar...seeds will become plants and plants will yield food for those who need it.<br />
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I said all of that to say this, once the seeds are planted we do not, in this case, know what will grow. We know that with nurturing and loving care, something will emerge and we hope that something will be something positive and become the seeds again for something else to grow. So when people ask me what The Waiverly Projects are all about, I can honestly say, I do not know...yet. ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-19325267560680063152010-12-26T13:47:00.000-08:002010-12-26T13:47:14.452-08:00RemixI am truly happy about the way things have gone this year. 2010 has had some stops and starts, and things that have been good and bad, but overall, we have our foot in the door and things are moving!<br />
So, when we look at what is going in in the next week (nothing for us) with the holidays, I think it is a good thing to look back at a few of the more salient occurances of the past year. We started late in the year with all of the things that we are doing. So as we approach the new year, we have a sort of a jumping off point, where the problems and goals are defined. We have seen our limitations and we know where our skills are. We are looking forward to a great 2011.<br />
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Somethings need to be remembered though. For whatever milestones and dates we are marking, we should keep in mind that there are people for whom homelessness is a day in, day out toil. So for all the things that we are doing, we see that one thing that someone said to me after Thanksgiving, "The next day, we were hungry again." So, I think we need to keep that in mind while we go into our daily work. Thank you all and may you all have a wonderful new year!ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-39007262676872900092010-12-17T10:11:00.000-08:002010-12-17T10:11:36.892-08:00Outcomes...Today is a bitter sweet day. Our "intern" has left us. Thankfully, it is because he has gotten another, better paying job! These are the moments for which I live. These are the simple moments. These are the moments and the times when you realize that all it took to make a difference was something simple. The bottom line is that we didn't do much. He did all the hard work and yes, he is still without a home but in a few weeks, at least he will have a paycheck.<br />
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Things that are on the horizon for The Waiverly Projects....<br />
The Blend Talent Show at Peachtree and Pine (<a href="http://www.theblendatlanta.blogspot.com/">http://www.theblendatlanta.blogspot.com/</a>)<br />
We are still working on the Art in Agriculture project (<a href="http://www.just1acre.blogspot.com/">http://www.just1acre.blogspot.com/</a>)<br />
Winnie Mae's is assembling a crew to work on a wedding in March. Our client wants a socially responsible wedding and has hired us to do the cake and the catering.ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-25581478084242599342010-12-10T12:52:00.000-08:002010-12-10T12:52:42.826-08:00A new job!This morning we had a marathon of meetings and I was set for a horribly long day. There are often times when you wake up and wonder why you would want to walk outside on a cold day like this. Yesterday, we broke ground on the Genesis project and my back was killing me. Needless to say, I was not looking forward to the day ahead. At 8:45, there was a soft know at my door and there was someone who made it all worthwhile. <br />
Two weeks ago, we hired a young man who is homeless and struggling to find a job. He had been working by raking leaves on a daily basis for about 20 dollars a day. We met during my Month on the Street and I spoke with him at length during a couple of long nights. So, we decided to give him a shot. There was not a lot that we could do, but the amazing thing is that he did not want much nor did he need it to be off an running.<br />
We gave him a Starbuck's card and a mission and he took to it immediately. I am not one to have a personal assistant, but this man (not a kid at 18), contacted me daily asking what he could do. I would tell him that there really was not a lot that we had for him to do. I told him that we would really need someone to help out with running errands. I asked him to show up at 9 a.m. on Friday and over the course of the week told him to do something here and there, offered him a chance to use my computer to apply for other jobs. I loaded and tracked his Starbucks card. He used it to buy coffee to keep him going and for one other thing.<br />
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He showed up at my door this morning 15 minutes early with a double tall soy, raspberry, no whip, mocha and a stack of flyers that I had asked him to make earlier in the week. I am going to go ahead and say it, Employee of the Month.<br />
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We took the train into Little Five Points and sat for a while talking about what we are going to do with the day. Not a great deal was on the table, passing out flyers and talking to people and we would pay him $10 per hour for about 4 hours of work.<br />
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The great thing is that while I was working at this particular Starbucks, a manager was talking to me about the interview I had done some weeks ago and she said that she would hire someone homeless if she could find the right person. It was then I said, "Have I got a guy for you..." <br />
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We shall see.ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-44214693279418994362010-12-03T13:08:00.000-08:002010-12-03T13:08:41.777-08:00Home again, home again...It is so good to be back in the real world, bills and all. There is no rest for the wicked, though. We are happy with the progress that we are making. The interesting thing is that the end of Month on the Street is not an ending. We are just heading into another phase. If nothing else, we have added to our mission with the start of the new <a href="http://www.just1acre.blogspot.com/">Art in Agriculture project.</a> The beautiful thing about The Waiverly Projects is that they encompass a wide area of well...areas that are all designed to improve the world a little. <br />
Our installation is designed to bring the beauty of the world out with a practical purpose. We want to create an entire acre of green space. It is pretty simple when you think about it. Look around. Take a moment to notice all of the disused places where, with a little time and effort, there could be green, life producing, life enhancing...life! Abandoned lots, odd corners, and barren spots in your backyard, there are so many places that can be greened! An acre is about the size of a football field with the end zones cut off. I can see about that much just looking out of my window.<br />
On top of all of that, we see so many people, mainly kids, who have no idea where their food comes from. The average meal originates about 1100 miles away and by the time it reaches us, it has been injected and modified in so many ways that it only moderately resembles what it began as. <br />
<br />
On top of all of that...Fresh air! So please follow along as we go on this new journey. We are still working on Winnie Mae's. We will still be doing Week on the Street in January...We will still be working on all of our goals!ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-88420659069507256722010-11-30T15:56:00.000-08:002010-11-30T15:56:41.981-08:00The last day!!!! One night to go.So, we have come to the end of this adventure. It was really very interesting and I learned a lot more than I thought I could or would. In the future, I will update this blog every week, but that is not to say that there is not a lot going on. In fact, the fact that I am moving it to a weekly thing shows that there is a LOT going on and I do not even have the time to write this on a daily basis.<br />
<br />
I may have seen too much.<br />
The goal was attained, I guess. I was able to see what really goes on out here and I wonder how much I can put into this posting without offending people. This is something that must be said and these are things that must be known. I have seen people shoot up, smoking crack pipes...I have seen people offer and accept $10 for oral sex. Dumpster diving, robbery, I have seen a lot but I do not think I have seen it all. Some days the sadness is overwhelming and I think I have seen too much. So when I read about people spending one night out, or two, I tend to think maybe more than a night or two is needed.<br />
<br />
The idea behind Winnie Mae's and The Waiverly Project as a whole is to find links and find solutions to problems. Real solutions. Winnie Mae's and social entrepeneurism in general is about. The idea is simplicity. That means using realistic and sustainable means to advance the cause. Donations do not seem to be the way to go for the future. People seem too constrained by the economy and for that matter, their own ideology about homelessness. If we want to find long term, serious solutions to this problem, we have to find ways to tie into the economy. Donations and social programs may not be the means for a long term solution, in my humble opinion.<br />
<br />
Give a man a fish...<br />
Giving two or three dollars to those we pass on the street is not the solution either. The old maxim about giving a man a fish versus teaching him to fish is quite literally true here. When you give a person a few coins on the street, they may be able to eat lunch or something cheap but hours later, they will be hungry again. That was the main thing that people on the street want everyone to know, it seems, is that Thanksgiving and Christmas are nice, but the next day and maybe even hours later, they are hungry again.<br />
<br />
Shelters<br />
One person advised me not to even go to shelters. I have heard nothing but bad things about shelters for some reason. People say that they have been robbed and attacked in shelters because the bad guys tend to go where the weak and vulnerable are to take advantage of them. The people who run them work hard and have the best of intentions, but the fear that the homeless have is what goes on when the guards and the police turn their back. Those who would do harm, know that those who would do good cannot look out all the time. One person told me that he was robbed for his phone at gunpoint.<br />
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Lifers <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26JTjTRkUwCYcnRjBDndYkko9ZnxjlhGei0oo0kTUedArovgHFPWw2ZrmdpR5rbw6xIQcZroLkWnQCyyxRwqk3Q7waDs3yRlukAjq4tHZPC6m3QkkQrhuZOtbvi6xvIpFHVY_X3abd9s/s1600/P111610002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26JTjTRkUwCYcnRjBDndYkko9ZnxjlhGei0oo0kTUedArovgHFPWw2ZrmdpR5rbw6xIQcZroLkWnQCyyxRwqk3Q7waDs3yRlukAjq4tHZPC6m3QkkQrhuZOtbvi6xvIpFHVY_X3abd9s/s320/P111610002.jpg" width="320" /></a> Some people have been out here for years. They sit and they talk about the younger people who are out here and they see themselves when they were young. They wish someone had grabbed them before they became part of "the life". It is such a devided group...good guys, bad guys...those with homes, those without and sometimes, there are those who have decided that they will be out here for the rest of their lives. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyOh8f3qNY6EeaCzg8F-xsabBGHpvprtlPFGs7aj-uj0FJBOxEV2gGelO5M0MTp2w_CzPYIOpePh9ov9iQaksLgJ7ecHzcluLk-v9ti6Qt-KiT33Yyn8TnT6Pw6cM02NXG4i8cOVJez4/s1600/P111610003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyOh8f3qNY6EeaCzg8F-xsabBGHpvprtlPFGs7aj-uj0FJBOxEV2gGelO5M0MTp2w_CzPYIOpePh9ov9iQaksLgJ7ecHzcluLk-v9ti6Qt-KiT33Yyn8TnT6Pw6cM02NXG4i8cOVJez4/s320/P111610003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> There are those who have mental problems and these need to be addressed and it is sad to have seen so many. Survival is hard enough without the spectre of dealing with a world that does not make sense.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If I can sum it up...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> If I could just sum it up it up, I think what is needed is aggressive attack on homelessness. People who want to help need to get out there and dedicate to it. We need a concerted effort. We need to attack the causes of poverty. Ironically, I think a down economy is the best time to do it. As this tide of recovery rises, it has the power to lift some of the smaller ships that are bobbing on the water. It is not going to be easy. Nothing worth doing ever is and that which needs to be done rarely is...In my humble opinion. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxs8kbkzawMwLJmHJSWClcbpyOwHPhonGXoa0LhnSXNvQQo1KYIqO5vkRDK6kw6llFT5DFlOUD9mAkr1CDCcaJHmKm6jw1yeuohdFf4qCU5b8RKf7GK5wM04T-8AU1dPSXTB7oTjoy40/s1600/P110610004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxs8kbkzawMwLJmHJSWClcbpyOwHPhonGXoa0LhnSXNvQQo1KYIqO5vkRDK6kw6llFT5DFlOUD9mAkr1CDCcaJHmKm6jw1yeuohdFf4qCU5b8RKf7GK5wM04T-8AU1dPSXTB7oTjoy40/s320/P110610004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-47246701982535300842010-11-28T12:12:00.000-08:002010-11-28T12:12:12.728-08:00"We were hungry the next day..." Day 28, Two to go!I talked to a lot of people this weekend. When they find out what I am doing and why, they tend to get pretty excited. When I spoke to people on Friday morning, though, they were happy for the "feed" on Thanksgiving day and very thankful. The major sentiment of that next day was, "We were hungry the next day..." Shawn was upset that it was a Friday and he could not rake leaves to get money for food, nor could he go to the day labor place and get a job there for the day. I think the main thing that we need to remember is that there 363 other days in the year aside from Thanksgiving and Christmas...ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-74881615679274161722010-11-26T11:36:00.000-08:002010-11-26T11:36:42.252-08:00Light...! Day 26...5 to goI see a light at the end of the tunnel and I can only imagine how that would feel for someone who is in the same boat as I but worse. I mean to say that if there is someone out there who somehow and for some reason fell, I can only imagine what it would feel like to know that you are on the verge of a life off of the street. To be able to return to a place that is warm and comfortable and all your own, would have to be fantastic. <br />
With everything that we have done this month, in these 26 days, I have been motivated by the bad and seeking to keep others from having to go through what I have gone through voluntarily, but now I see that I can be motivated by the good of wanting to see someone go through it and come out of the other side. ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-62542086404211336382010-11-24T11:12:00.000-08:002010-11-24T11:12:08.949-08:00Taking Thanksgiving Off...Day 24 continued...I hope that everyone is enjoying their turkey day. When I first started this, I did not give a lot of thought to what I would be doing on Thanksgiving. To be honest, the thought didn't even really cross my mind when I committed to this. Most Thanksgivings I can be found in front of the TV full of food and happy. Not so this year.<br />
Still, I feel as though I have worked really very hard and if nothing else, I am going to take the day off and reflect on what has happened, and what we would like to see happen. I have no doubt that we can make Winnie Mae's happen. Using companies like Fare Start (<a href="http://www.farestart.org/">http://www.farestart.org/</a>) and Street Bean Espresso (<a href="http://www.streetbeanespresso.org/">http://www.streetbeanespresso.org/</a>) as templates, we can do the same with Winnie Mae's.<br />
The major thing to keep in mind is that we are not reinventing the wheel. What we would like to do is not incredibly unusual and it has been done a thousand times before. When we add the relatively new component of hiring homeless and at risk youth, we see that something as basic as a first job, can make a world of difference in a person's life. <br />
So, that being said, we want and need your support to get this done. Please help. "Never doubt that a small group of committed individuals can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-64574612480219035332010-11-24T05:12:00.000-08:002010-11-24T05:12:16.854-08:00The good, long day...six days to go. So, we are figuring things out and we are doing some good today on this day before Thanksgiving. Last night, I slept in the park in the crook of a tree's roots. Cloaked in the fog and haze of the night, my sleep was only broken by the occasional drop of rainwater or the sound of voices passing in the darkness. Still, I slept.<br />
I heard this morning, as I was sitting drinking coffee, someone saying that all the homeless are scamming people. I heard the story about the guy who makes $45,000 a year and just begs for money in his spare time. The guy who got robbed by people at the shelter that he volunteered at. I think at this point, I have heard it all. <br />
I am not saying that there are not some scammers out there. I have been robbed since coming out here, though I was not around when my stuff was taken. Perhaps it was even the people that I was trying to help. Who knows. Who cares. It is only stuff. I guess my point is that the homeless are just like every other group of people on the planet. There are good and there are bad. Spending the night in the wind and rain like I have, leaves me with only one conclusion: whatever your belief about what is going on, there are people suffering.<br />
It is horrible out here. That is all. There are people who aer out here for various reasons, bad economy, drugs, alcohol, but whatever the reason, we are talking about human beings and our fellow human beings are sleeping in puddles of cold water.<br />
We have a long day ahead of us, interview with Fox5 and then dinner at Standup for Kids! I am going to post twice today to keep people updated on what is going on because these are the reasons we do it. ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-77723559774554982532010-11-23T14:51:00.000-08:002010-11-23T14:51:56.525-08:00Momentum...Day 23...one week to go.We are drawing to the end of this and I am thankful. I am nowhere near giving up. I like meeting people and getting out on the street, but there comes a time when we have to sit behind a desk and make some phone calls, mail some things, and do the annoying paperwork! This morning I met with the city planner of Doraville, Scott Haeberlin. We are moving forward. Progress is being made at every turn and we have that greatest of things...momentum! So, with seven days to go in this, we can see that this is not the end but just a passing the next phase. ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-13822174551639603642010-11-21T11:57:00.000-08:002010-11-21T11:57:08.975-08:00<span lang="EN"> Cans…Day 20, 11 to go<br />
Ok, yes a simple metaphor and delightful double entendre, but I could not help it. We are drawing to the end of this whole thing and yes we can. I will not hit my original goal. I believe that goes without saying. The great thing is that we are now bold of spirit and I think that is more of the issue. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ejQ4O1zCHPjMFwrqcs3JqUh8DuHxo2seyt5kXw_UrwgIZKg_ZhztRzh69DRwzoAC0pYMca6zj2zrCNEjIiC6mOjOQWxNmY__P-kiv_L4dmB4huqbtI1FA9Zn82ILSEx-vALsZRK03w0/s1600/P112010001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ejQ4O1zCHPjMFwrqcs3JqUh8DuHxo2seyt5kXw_UrwgIZKg_ZhztRzh69DRwzoAC0pYMca6zj2zrCNEjIiC6mOjOQWxNmY__P-kiv_L4dmB4huqbtI1FA9Zn82ILSEx-vALsZRK03w0/s320/P112010001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTT2-fOtGo5vrFYJxMfxHX-811CprlprSQPOXLM8fc2gh3wGRYXbgZkH3luny12o4EEXaOwdY469fGIRZv6lzwQufl97PjtoiSX6Lo28mkO8wSaATQP757TmlX1mmRj1d8udwLpyK2ss/s1600/P112010004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTT2-fOtGo5vrFYJxMfxHX-811CprlprSQPOXLM8fc2gh3wGRYXbgZkH3luny12o4EEXaOwdY469fGIRZv6lzwQufl97PjtoiSX6Lo28mkO8wSaATQP757TmlX1mmRj1d8udwLpyK2ss/s320/P112010004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNlRLBLSKIHbudWbDKaFLxTRJyMgaszRcq4EoAecNvGBKExs-ytw3J4QQqtrygN4I5ikD2ebyLFKangZJOFk5zWnTlsWWLtXWqIN-6GOPSdu_ac6bmrgoU5qvRgq5mssPGm6db97B7uY/s1600/P102110011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNlRLBLSKIHbudWbDKaFLxTRJyMgaszRcq4EoAecNvGBKExs-ytw3J4QQqtrygN4I5ikD2ebyLFKangZJOFk5zWnTlsWWLtXWqIN-6GOPSdu_ac6bmrgoU5qvRgq5mssPGm6db97B7uY/s320/P102110011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I now hate the site of beer and beer cans. I hate the smell of stale beer, soda, and overly fruity energy/alcoholic beverages that have been lying around for days or weeks. Still, I know that each can that I pick up and crush goes to a good cause. If I don’t get it, it will be wrapped up in a plastic bag and buried under tons of garbage. I could give up. I could do without the smell of stale beer at the end of the day; and the annoyance of having to cart them from spot to spot. Every ounce counts, though and every can that I can get, I will.</span>ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4666731027915666313.post-47928166174052919192010-11-19T11:42:00.000-08:002010-11-19T11:42:14.247-08:00Simple...day 19, 11 to go.Today is simple...I am alive and well and all is good. It is good to be thankful for the simple things.ElaijahMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02617668409576091587noreply@blogger.com0