All Posts Tagged With: "social justice"

Collective Cry is an online community of artists, activists and allies of social justice. They are dedicated to uplifting and providing healing to systemically oppressed communities through education, community development, economic development and the distribution of media content. "Collective Cry envisions a social environment in which all have access to the means to reach their potential for self-actualization through self-determination." Some of their justice initiatives and other developing economic and awareness initiatives include "Prison Mentorship Project", "My Quest Home" and "The Center for Prosperity".

Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity is a “non-profit housing organization that works in partnership with families in need of housing to build simple, decent and affordable homes. Houses are sold to qualified homebuyers at no profit through no-interest mortgage loans.” CHHumanity has completed more than 120 homes and has housed more than 300 families. There are job opportunities, internships and school programs to help any person at any age get involved and be a part of strengthening all Baltimore communities. You can also help by donating recycled building supplies or buying goods for your own home improvement project from the ReStore . 100% of purchases go toward the next Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity project.

Living Legacy Development LLC is a 100% Environmentally Friendly Cleaning and post-construction service catering to businesses, residents and schools in the Baltimore area. Owner, Erica McCoullough is a former Baltimore city schoolteacher who developed Living Legacy after receiving unfortunate news about the death of a former student, which was simultaneous with the fortunate birth of her son. It was then that she realized the incredible need to provide alternatives to city youth that thirst for socially responsible job opportunities that would also be sensitive to community/family pressures and support ambitions of higher education. Continued

It was a thrill to vote for Barack Obama on Tuesday during the (I prefer to call it) Chesapeake Primary.

I came to my decision about Obama suddenly and with absolute clarity about a month ago, after reading Doris Kearns Goodwin’s wonderful book about Lincoln and his cabinet, "Team of Rivals." I was so inspired by Lincoln’s example of brilliant, strategic, and compassionate leadership. The man reached out to his rivals, knowing that they were critical to the work that lay ahead. He readily gave others credit and always took responsibility for anything that went wrong. Because he cared so profoundly about this country, he was unremitting in his drive to prove that self-governance is not an absurdity. He had an easy way with people, was a great storyteller, and could relate in a genuine way to any person.

I know it sounds crazy, but – Lincoln was from Illinois (didn’t quite make Senator), was considered an underdog, and initially underestimated by many. Sound familiar? Just to test my theory, I also read "Dreams From My Father ," Barack Obama’s fascinating memoir of his childhood and early adulthood. He tells of his search for identity and meaning with great candor – Continued

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between 2 wolves.” One is Evil. It is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf wins?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed”.

Community Conferencing relies on the brilliantly simple idea of shifting the focus from who did what and how can they be punished, to who has been affected and how to repair the harm. When people come together in a conference, they don’t even have to agree on what happened. The conversation draws out ways to work together to make it better. The facilitator is something of a magician, subtly guiding the process and creating the setting for the group’s compassion and wisdom to blossom.

I love the stories. Continued

Viewing artists’ expressions and community interests as equally important, Art on Purpose seeks to present the two collaboratively in a professional manner. They provide workshops, exhibitions, and programs that deal with issues on education, social justice, and community service, among others. They help the concerns of groups and individuals be heard and understood through a high level of artistic presentation. Their website features current projects, workshops, consulting opportunities, upcoming events, and a gallery of selected work.

Howard County Tomorrow’s mission is to engage the citizens of Howard County “in the work of building an ecologically restorative, socially just, and reliably prosperous sustainable community that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” While focusing on topics such as local economy, green business, ecological land use, and affordable housing, Howard County Tomorrow seeks to educate its local community to further the cause of a sustainable community.