I had a lot of fun making “Maggie Gallagher Meets St. Peter,” but this morning I wondered how long it had been since I’d done something to help and protect children myself (and not just our nieces and nephews).
Fortunately, my friend Jeff is involved with The Torch Foundation:
The Torch Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that offers leadership trainings to at-risk teens from low-income, underserved neighborhoods throughout California. The Foundation’s mission is ambitious: it seeks to change the world by instilling in each child confidence, passion and desire to actively help create the life of their dreams and to produce amazing changes in their own communities.
The Torch Training is a two-day experiential leadership training designed to profoundly alter the lives of young adults. Its unique format allows the students to experience an environment of trust that fosters openness, honesty, and self-expression.
Through one on one, team, small group and “dyad” (a two person exercise), teens and youth experience themselves through the eyes of their peers and coaches. They are supported to look deep into themselves to find the answers for their future – to take responsibility for their lives.
I’m donating today, and you can, too. Call them at 310-301-3334 (to earmark your donation for Jeff’s project, mention Thurgood Marshall School or LP87 when you call).
If that doesn’t feel like the right fit, don’t forget the Trevor Project, a suicide hotline that fields 30,000 calls a year from gay, lesbian, and questioning youth. Or you can check out these websites to find the one that provides the service that means the most to you. (And, of course, always check the charity out before you send money).
It’s great fun to mock the hypocrisy of Maggie Gallagher and NOM, but let’s put our money where our laughter is.
This is great ! Thanks Rob – I just contacted the Trevor Project to see if they need any volunteers. Will keep you updated…
Even more importantly, I would encourage everyone to truly assess their lives and determine if parenting is something they want to do and are ready to do. In 2004, 4535 children aged out of California’s foster care system. And the figures have gotten worse since then. Using the 2004 data, that means approximately 12 kids a day are thrown out of California’s foster care system having never found the love and support of a family. These kids have no safety net, no one to rely on. Thus is it any wonder that a quarter of them will be in jail In the first two years of leaving foster care. A fifth will experience homelessness during their lifetime. Only 58% will have a high school diploma, compared to 87% of non-foster care youth. Of the kids who age out, by the time they 25 less than 3% will have a college degree, compared to 28% for non-foster care youth.
I would encourage folks to rent or buy the documentary ‘Aging Out’. It chronicles the story of 3 kids as they age out of foster care.
Remember these facts the next time some idiot says they want to protect children from gay people, especially those who support laws like Florida’s ban on gay adoption which reduces the number of homes, thereby increasing the likelihood that kids will simply age out.
Parenting is certainly not for everyone but I can truly say that being a parent has been the most wonderful experience of my life.
Rob, you are a knight in every sense of the word. Your thoughtfulness on a subject you brought up with this vid clip proves that.
We all have friends involved in some kind of altruism. That you did, who you knew could help you make a decision about where to place your charity is another point regarding the kinds of people we associate with.
Consciousness regarding being just, fair and compassionate are all of a piece.
NOM’s reps speak loudly and long and forcefully about how much courage they have, how strong they are and also how PUT UPON they are.
They speak on their persecution for speaking out, for openly associating, and being silenced, all the while as nothing of the kind occurs.
They have vivid imaginations regarding their place in the scheme of things. It would be amusing, but for the serious consequences of what they do.
As we ourselves speak of equality, justice, fairness, compassion and our responsibilities, the others speak of their persecution, lack of rights and being under constant threat.
It is a strange thing to witness, but very teachable to us.
We can LIVE what we speak of and they cannot.
I think, they envy us in so many ways. Envy, makes people resentful and know they are void of what we have. And they take that resentment out on us…and others.
Evidenced by how singular their obsession is. What they are claiming for themselves, never earning any of it. Envious people have no shame in those claims and what the steal because they have an overgrown sense of entitlement, and never like to share or think that sharing is an option.
Few, on our side of things, do it for glory, for God’s favor or a place in heaven or at someone else’s expense. We do it because it’s right.
Good luck and hopefully I’ll see you soon!
This year I supported SMYAL through my Federal Combined Campaign at the “Eagle” level. They do great work and I gladly give.
I just wanted to say, after viewing your videos and reading some of your posts… you are an AMAZING individual! Please keep posting.