Click on the above picture to see an overview video presentation of Phase One (requires Quicktime 7).

It shows the homes that have been refurbished on the street, interviews with some of the staff that are directing the rebuilding, and some "thank you's" from a few people that received a computer.

Note: Click on the following link for a 'low bandwidth' version of the video
(Quicktime 4 minimum):
Phase One (Web Quality)

[File is large---it may take 30-45 seconds to start with a broadband connection]

 

 

CHRISTMASES PAST:
Day Care Kids (1999 - 2002)

 


HOW THIS PROJECT CAME ABOUT

For the past 6 years, my children, Arielle and Tyler, and I have been giving individual Christmas gifts to the 25-30 kids whose parents are residents of Grace Center's one-year drug and alcoholism rehabilitation program.

The "Teddy Bear Express" program serves the needs of nursery/preschool age children and utilizes a comprehensive curriculum to improve both fine and large motor skills as well as academic skills. The goal is to prepare young children socially and academically for entrance into the public school system, while helping them 'heal' by adding balance and structure to their lives.

Last Christmas (2004), in addition to their individual gift, we gave the children a "community" gift---Tyler's old Macintosh (LCIII!) with a whole bunch of games and some educational software. Though it was a bit 'slow' and had simplistic games on it, they went crazy over it! The Day Care Director has mentioned to me that they still use it every day. (They have also received another LCIII as a part of the Seneca Street Phase One installation).

So, during last year's holiday, I was reading the "Purpose-Driven Life" by Rick Warren---specifically, Purpose #4, titled "Shaped for Serving." It planted a 'seed' in me. [Visit the following link if you are interested in a 'summary' web site of the book I have created:
PDL Web Site ].

That seed was 'watered' when I developed the "Life Purpose Statement" for myself that was mentioned in the last chapter (#40) of the book. This Life Purpose Statement guided me to summarize my purposes for my life---it 'aimed' me in the 'proper' direction for my "gift set," properly defined 'success' for me, clarified my roles, and was simply expressed by answering the following five questions:

1) What will be the 'center' of my life?
2) What will be the 'community' of my life?
3) What will be the 'character' of my life?
4) What will be the 'contribution' of my life?
and
5) What will be the 'communication' of my life?

As part of the process to develop a "statement," I was to determine what "gifts" I had---things I enjoy and do well without even thinking about it, and lose 'track' of time when I am doing it.

During the gift assessment process, the following question was asked to 'challenge' the reader (me) to be more specific:

"What action(s) will you take today/tomorrow in starting or continuing to become part of a community group that you can be able to share and develop your abilities for the greater good; to experience the multiplication effect of a group with a 'mission'; to encourage the love and care of a few intimate friends; and to know the joy of what the Christmas season's message is all about."

The main gifts for me, that the analysis brought to the fore, were computers and teaching. This just so happened to fit well with my past work experience, since I was a partner of an Apple dealership during the 90's.

I then learned about something on the Internet called "Freecycle"---a 'grassroots' Yahoo Group that connects people who want to recycle things that still have some useful life left in them instead of throwing them away, and having them end up in the landfill.

On a lark, I thought it might be neat if I could get a couple of old Macs, refurbish them with some of the stuff I have left over from my dealer days, and put them into the new Children's Home on Seneca Street that Grace Center's was refurbishing.

In the past 7 months, I have collected over 30 computers with monitors, keyboards, mice, accessories, and a 'mess' of software licenses!


WHY AM I DOING THIS?
Grace Centers of Hope is doing an amazing work in transforming peoples lives---all without any government funding.

Having be blessed with a 'above average' lifestyle, I just want to encourage these people that society has 'looked the other way' from---and share some of my possessions and abilities. I also want to inspire them to honestly believe that they are 'valuable,' and can make a 'difference' in their own and other's lives.

One of the ways I thought of 'helping' them was to have more than just games and educational software for their children, but to have 'productivity' software for them to learn that they could use someday in the workplace. Hopefully, they will be able to 'compete' in a higher-level job market than they would have in the past without these new skills.


A GREAT 'START'
Microsoft was good enough to donate the entire "Office" suite---authorizing me to install it on as many computers as I refurbish for this project! So, I will be teaching them the 'pieces' of the suite---Word, Powerpoint and Excel---so they will have these specific skills when they go back into the workforce.

Of course, having other large organizations help us with this 'project' would be great. So, if you have any connections to the philanthropic department of a computer hardware and/or software company, or even an organization that has been using Macs that may be in the process of upgrading, please send them a link to this site. Hopefully, they can see what is happening here and decide to get involved.

 

Grace Centers of Hope believes that family and community are the building blocks of a solid society---and that's what "Little Grace Village" is all about.

As the first housing 'campus' that is associated with a homeless shelter graduates from the one-year drug or alcoholism rehabilitation program will be able to move into the village for a two year "after care" experience

.

 

CHRISTMASES PAST:
Day Care Kids (2003 - 2004)