Congratulations Leonie Hermantin! Leonie is one of our valuable speakers for our Miami program. Leonie serves Haiti through her work with the Lambi Fund and her involvement in Miami's Haitian community.
August has been a fabulous month for the Lambi Fund of Haiti! Our very talented Deputy Director, Leonie Hermantin, received the 2009 Community Service Award from the Haitian Diaspora Unity Congress.
She was honored for her outreach work in advocating for sustainable agriculture and reforestation in Haiti's rural communities. Past recipients of this prestigious award include Jacqueline Charles of the Miami Herald and Wyclef Jean of the Yele Foundation.
Keynote speakers at the event included Bill Clinton, UN's Special Envoy to Haiti, and Michele Duvivier Pierre-Louis, the Prime Minister of Haiti.
In other news, a very big thank you is in order for helping us reach the SG Foundation's Giving Challenge! Thanks to you, we more than exceeded our goal, and the first $12,500 donated in July were matched by the SG Foundation. We truly couldn't have done it without you.
Here's to hoping this email finds you well and to continued growth and empowerment in Haiti.
Peace,
Karen Ashmore
Friday, August 21, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
God of this City
Recently, I was in Hollywood for a week. Our city director there started the week with the song “God of this City”. DOOR believes this – that God is indeed in the city. I am excited to visit the DOOR cities this summer, as I get to experience God working in each – and watch how folks each day are experiencing God in news in the city.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d61LamkXfwk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d61LamkXfwk
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Homegirl Cafe'
By Krista Dutt, National Program Director
I grew up thinking that I would end up being the white house chef. President George W. Bush named the first woman to the post right around the time that I figure I might have been ready to take the position actually. Most that know me know that I am a foodie, most things don’t make me as happy as being in the kitchen or trying a new hole in the wall place that I have come across in my own city or as I travel.
Now, I have the honor to visit ministries and see the good work that they are doing for the neighborhood in which they reside as well the greater Kingdom work that these ministries inspire. On my recent trip to Los Angeles, my passions collided at Homegirl Café.
In my understanding, Homeboy-industries, Homegirl Café’s parent, was born out of a priest’s wanting to bring something to the community for the young people that offered a job that was not dealing drugs. Offering a secure job and a safe place, Homeboy Industries has reached out to many young people along the way. Homegirl Café is the newest addition to the many programs they offer. Teaching young people accounting, waitressing, food preparation, and managing skills are all a huge part of the process at Homegirl. I would want to go there just to support that mission! On the other hand, to go there and not have the pineapple guacamole would just be a shame.
For more information on Homegirl Café and other job creation programs go to http://www.homeboy-industries.org/homegirl-cafe.php.
I grew up thinking that I would end up being the white house chef. President George W. Bush named the first woman to the post right around the time that I figure I might have been ready to take the position actually. Most that know me know that I am a foodie, most things don’t make me as happy as being in the kitchen or trying a new hole in the wall place that I have come across in my own city or as I travel.
Now, I have the honor to visit ministries and see the good work that they are doing for the neighborhood in which they reside as well the greater Kingdom work that these ministries inspire. On my recent trip to Los Angeles, my passions collided at Homegirl Café.
In my understanding, Homeboy-industries, Homegirl Café’s parent, was born out of a priest’s wanting to bring something to the community for the young people that offered a job that was not dealing drugs. Offering a secure job and a safe place, Homeboy Industries has reached out to many young people along the way. Homegirl Café is the newest addition to the many programs they offer. Teaching young people accounting, waitressing, food preparation, and managing skills are all a huge part of the process at Homegirl. I would want to go there just to support that mission! On the other hand, to go there and not have the pineapple guacamole would just be a shame.
For more information on Homegirl Café and other job creation programs go to http://www.homeboy-industries.org/homegirl-cafe.php.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (named Materialism)
This was written by Anton Flores, one of our valued board members in Atlanta.
Every single one of the 50 habits listed below is a change that Charlotte and I have undertaken. The key for us was not simplicity or voluntary poverty but a theology of enough. However, we are still living at a level of consumption that is not sustainable at a global level. Join us on a journey to right living.
1. Postpone purchases and ask yourself if the purchase is worth the amount of time it took to work to earn that money.
2. Make homemade gifts.
3. Use your credit card (why do you need more than one?) for only essentials like gasoline and groceries if you can’t go to an all cash system. Also, if you can’t pay your credit card balance in full every month, get rid of the card.
4. Resist the urge to keep up with technology. Do you really need that I-Pod?
5. Shop around for the lowest home and auto insurance rates.
6. Dump the dryer. Line-dry your clothes.
7. Take a fast from buying clothes. If you must buy, buy at a thrift store.
8. During the winter, set your heat at 68o in the day and lower at night and snuggle! Set your AC at 78o in the summer if you even have to turn it on!
9. Use CFL lightbulbs.
10. When needed, replace your water heater with a tankless one.
11. Put a brick or half-gallon jug filled with sand in your toilet to decrease the water flow.
12. Track your energy consumption and try to lower your usage.
13. Lower the temperature on your water heater.
14. Raise the temperature in your fridge.
15. Insulate your attic.
16. Seal drafts in your home.
17. Who needs Tupperware when you can reuse food containers for leftovers or storage?
18. If you have plastic bags from grocery stores, reuse them for trash.
19. Turn lights off in rooms that are not occupied.
20. Unplug phone chargers or even unused appliances like TVs and microwaves.
21. Don’t let the water run to heat up the bath or while washing dishes.
22. Xeriscape, plant native plants and/or view your land as being functional. Don’t spend money on fertilizing and landscaping.
23. Develop a sharing cooperative with neighbors for things like yard equipment, tools, etc.
24. Take a vow of stability and don’t move (unless you want to move to Jefferson Street and join Alterna!). Every move has significant economic (and relational) costs.
25. Live in community and share your resources with others by living interdependently.
26. Move into a neighborhood where housing costs are low and buy a less expensive house than what the bank says they’ll loan you. It’s so thrilling to pay off your mortgage!
27. When and if needed, purchase a hybrid vehicle.
28. Walk, not just for exercise, but as a true form of transportation.
29. Bicycle for places too far for walking.
30. Combine as many trips into one outing as possible so as to cut down on time spent driving.
31. Drive your car until it dies a natural death.
32. When grocery shopping, stick to a list.
33. Plan your grocery list around coupons and, when possible, buy in bulk.
34. Forget name brands, buy generic food.
35. Invite folks over for a home-cooked meal. It’s cheaper than going dutch at a restaurant and a nice gift for your friends.
36. Cook more food from scratch.
37. Make your yard an edible one by starting a garden.
38. Raise chickens for eggs and meat.
39. Do away with disposable. Use cloth napkins and real dishware.
40. Give up meat.
41. Never buy bottled water.
42. Plan meals around what is on sale or growing locally in season.
43. Kick the TV addiction. If you can’t go cold turkey, systematically reduce the number of hours spent watching it.
44. Check out free books and movies from the library before spending money.
45. When you dine out, drink water.
46. Enjoy what’s free!
47. Find a family member or friend to give you haircuts.
48. Find creative ways to barter with friends, family and neighbors.
49. Lodge with family and friends when you travel instead of hotels.
50. Be generous with your money! (Yes, this actually helps save money because it puts money in perspective.)
Every single one of the 50 habits listed below is a change that Charlotte and I have undertaken. The key for us was not simplicity or voluntary poverty but a theology of enough. However, we are still living at a level of consumption that is not sustainable at a global level. Join us on a journey to right living.
1. Postpone purchases and ask yourself if the purchase is worth the amount of time it took to work to earn that money.
2. Make homemade gifts.
3. Use your credit card (why do you need more than one?) for only essentials like gasoline and groceries if you can’t go to an all cash system. Also, if you can’t pay your credit card balance in full every month, get rid of the card.
4. Resist the urge to keep up with technology. Do you really need that I-Pod?
5. Shop around for the lowest home and auto insurance rates.
6. Dump the dryer. Line-dry your clothes.
7. Take a fast from buying clothes. If you must buy, buy at a thrift store.
8. During the winter, set your heat at 68o in the day and lower at night and snuggle! Set your AC at 78o in the summer if you even have to turn it on!
9. Use CFL lightbulbs.
10. When needed, replace your water heater with a tankless one.
11. Put a brick or half-gallon jug filled with sand in your toilet to decrease the water flow.
12. Track your energy consumption and try to lower your usage.
13. Lower the temperature on your water heater.
14. Raise the temperature in your fridge.
15. Insulate your attic.
16. Seal drafts in your home.
17. Who needs Tupperware when you can reuse food containers for leftovers or storage?
18. If you have plastic bags from grocery stores, reuse them for trash.
19. Turn lights off in rooms that are not occupied.
20. Unplug phone chargers or even unused appliances like TVs and microwaves.
21. Don’t let the water run to heat up the bath or while washing dishes.
22. Xeriscape, plant native plants and/or view your land as being functional. Don’t spend money on fertilizing and landscaping.
23. Develop a sharing cooperative with neighbors for things like yard equipment, tools, etc.
24. Take a vow of stability and don’t move (unless you want to move to Jefferson Street and join Alterna!). Every move has significant economic (and relational) costs.
25. Live in community and share your resources with others by living interdependently.
26. Move into a neighborhood where housing costs are low and buy a less expensive house than what the bank says they’ll loan you. It’s so thrilling to pay off your mortgage!
27. When and if needed, purchase a hybrid vehicle.
28. Walk, not just for exercise, but as a true form of transportation.
29. Bicycle for places too far for walking.
30. Combine as many trips into one outing as possible so as to cut down on time spent driving.
31. Drive your car until it dies a natural death.
32. When grocery shopping, stick to a list.
33. Plan your grocery list around coupons and, when possible, buy in bulk.
34. Forget name brands, buy generic food.
35. Invite folks over for a home-cooked meal. It’s cheaper than going dutch at a restaurant and a nice gift for your friends.
36. Cook more food from scratch.
37. Make your yard an edible one by starting a garden.
38. Raise chickens for eggs and meat.
39. Do away with disposable. Use cloth napkins and real dishware.
40. Give up meat.
41. Never buy bottled water.
42. Plan meals around what is on sale or growing locally in season.
43. Kick the TV addiction. If you can’t go cold turkey, systematically reduce the number of hours spent watching it.
44. Check out free books and movies from the library before spending money.
45. When you dine out, drink water.
46. Enjoy what’s free!
47. Find a family member or friend to give you haircuts.
48. Find creative ways to barter with friends, family and neighbors.
49. Lodge with family and friends when you travel instead of hotels.
50. Be generous with your money! (Yes, this actually helps save money because it puts money in perspective.)
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Gardening the Westside of Chicago
In Chicago, most of the folks that come through DOOR get a chance to work with Openlands. Openlands is an urban gardening project that walks alongside different neighborhood blocks to tend to gardens throughout the Westside. DOOR participants often learn more history of the neighborhood and of the people on the block than they do tending to the weeds and flowers and anything else they are asked to do. I appreciate that. Gardening with local people, participants learn about what is a weed as well as a personal story that often spans decades. The following is a tour of some of the many gardens that DOOR spends time. Velma Jackson, a leader in gardening on the west side passed away this year, is featured as a living tribute of the importance of green space in Chicago.
http://vimeo.com/4337450
http://vimeo.com/4337450
Sunday, July 12, 2009
"Help" Homeless
I admit that I am a bit of a blog junkie – its where I get news, opinions, cooking ideas and even comics. One way, I keep learning about my city is blogs. This morning, I read this blog -http://www.uptownupdate.com/2009/07/helping-those-who-live-in-parks.html.
Reading the text and the comments outlines an interesting debate about how people look at things differently. The alderman (who in other places might be called a councilperson) has started a program to “help” homeless folks by going into the parks and when coming across someone who is assumed homeless letting them know about services that can be provided and a reminder that folks are not allowed to sleep in the park. Is this really helpful? A writer on the blog wrote as if this was a true service, and many commenters believe that it is a disservice.
I am solidly in the camp of the many commenters thinking this is a disservice and a way for the alderwoman and men to usher people they would rather have hidden into hiding. And yet, I understand how this can be understood as a way to help. Many times, “help” is help to some and harm for others. What are some things that could be seen in both ways in your home area?
Reading the text and the comments outlines an interesting debate about how people look at things differently. The alderman (who in other places might be called a councilperson) has started a program to “help” homeless folks by going into the parks and when coming across someone who is assumed homeless letting them know about services that can be provided and a reminder that folks are not allowed to sleep in the park. Is this really helpful? A writer on the blog wrote as if this was a true service, and many commenters believe that it is a disservice.
I am solidly in the camp of the many commenters thinking this is a disservice and a way for the alderwoman and men to usher people they would rather have hidden into hiding. And yet, I understand how this can be understood as a way to help. Many times, “help” is help to some and harm for others. What are some things that could be seen in both ways in your home area?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Oh look at the pretty buildings :)
Chicago – it’s the city that invented the skyscraper, it’s the city that has declared that the all lake front property should be free and public land. The Chicago Architecture Foundation recently unveiled a model of the city with all the skyscrapers and other buildings from Roosevelt St to Oak St. I admit I am a sucker for such things and I will make sure I go see it soon. If you would like to get a tour yourself, yochicago has produced a YouTube video that can be found here.
Even though it is on my to do list to go see, it is not a true representation of the city that I love. Buildings are cool, skylines make me smile deeply…but really, people are the reason I love the city. Plus, the buildings that really mean something to me, due to the experiences I have had there, are not in the city core, as the tour guide on the YouTube names downtown. Instead, they are in the neighborhoods, specifically for me on the West side.
If you want to come to DOOR to find out more about the tourist sides of town, maybe you should rethink that trip. DOOR wants to show you the parts of the city that we love, the neighborhoods and the people. May we all see the face of God in the city again this summer.
Even though it is on my to do list to go see, it is not a true representation of the city that I love. Buildings are cool, skylines make me smile deeply…but really, people are the reason I love the city. Plus, the buildings that really mean something to me, due to the experiences I have had there, are not in the city core, as the tour guide on the YouTube names downtown. Instead, they are in the neighborhoods, specifically for me on the West side.
If you want to come to DOOR to find out more about the tourist sides of town, maybe you should rethink that trip. DOOR wants to show you the parts of the city that we love, the neighborhoods and the people. May we all see the face of God in the city again this summer.
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