This post is going to have nothing to do with the weather, but, geez, it’s 100 degrees out and i keep thinking of the scene in Laverne and Shirley where they were both in their bikinis sitting on the big ice block in their livingroom AND i’m thinking maybe I should give that a try.
Moving on… I received an invitation in the mail to a Committed Partners for Youth (CPY) thank you party. And so now I’m thinking about the good people at CPY.
Last fall, Gena and I created a video for CPY. We donated about 95% of our rate, and in return, they pretty much gave us creative license to do whatever we thought best as long as it addressed the need of fundraising.
I’m sure it was partially because we were left to our own devices, but I think it was also so great to do because CPY is doing so many things in Eugene that I find really important…. and shortly after we finished the video, Gena began volunteering her time to be on the Board.
CPY does really critical, hard work. I think on the last count there were close to 2000 kids in our area who have one or both parents in jail… CPY’s main program is hooking these kids up with a positive role model, someone who will hang out with them, take an interest in what they’re doing — you know, a mentor. The idea is that if kids have someone who supports them, that maybe they’ll make more positive choices. It’s a good one, isn’t it? And statistics are showing that it’s an idea that works.
In the past year my family has opened our home to a teen who needed a little support. He has been living with us since September, and I think it’s the combination of him being really amazing, and also us supporting him that has helped him make positive choices. Now this might be a bit extreme to some people — not everyone has the resources or the ability to foster a child — that’s where CPY steps in. They need mentors, they need money, they need people passionate about what they do. If you have a moment, I encourage you to check them out. And if you’re interested, feel free to watch the video we put together for them….
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