(Cross-posted at DailyKos)
I quoted the following words almost two years ago:
“Few will have the greatness to bend history; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation … It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is thus shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
– Robert F. Kennedy, June 6, 1966, Cape Town, South Africa
I did it in an effort to inspire the Kos & BooMan (through Maryscott) communities to help at-risk kids at a high school called Community Prep in New York City, which exclusively serves kids who have been released from juvenile detention facilities.
And help you did.
If you don’t remember, or didn’t catch it the first time, check out these diaries:
You should know the kids keep these diaries, and the comments, in a hardcopy book at the school.
The community raised over $3,000 to send these kids to a dude ranch, to experience for a day what it’s like not to be trapped between steel and concrete, to see horses instead of rats. A couple of pictures are in the mirror post at Daily Kos (imageshack not allowed here?)
Now, far too late, I’m back to report. The trip was a smashing success. The kids all had a great time – though some were a bit intimidated by the horses. To see them splashing in the pool, on the archery range, on a hayride, fishing for the first time….you did a wonderful, wonderful thing, all of you…
…but now, Community Prep’s funding is in danger. Budget cuts are expected to eliminate art, music, gym (the usual suspects)…the discretionary funds to help support trips like the dude ranch adventure are gone.
Last time around, some of you said we should do more, begin a standing relationship with Community Prep, or at least try to revisit our efforts at a later time. It’s a later time. Now we revisit.
I’ve decided to atone for some cosmic debts with $500 to start, I hope, a new set of ripples. Do you have a stone to throw? There is no target or goal – just our collective imagination.
I had hoped you could give at paypal, but I’m having a hard time retrieving my account – I will put in a link as soon as I can. In the meantime, you could always pledge to give in the comments, or make out a check or money order to:
Community Prep High School
and send directly to the principal at:
Community Prep High School
c/o Principal Mark Ryan
40 East 29th Street
New York, NY 10016
It’s good to be back at BooMan – I hope it ends up being good for the kids at Community Prep, and for all the wonderful people who gave, and rooted on with recommends and comments, and who will maybe have it in them to keep the ripples going…
UPDATE: A note just received from principal Mark Ryan:
I just got back from the adirondacks. Wouldn’t it be great to
take a few kids up mt marcy – the highest peak in new york state? Or
casacdes – another high peak with a great view? Just a thought.