Simple Ways

8 years old with many layers

2012-03-09T08:34:00.000-08:00

This week, Chelsea Herzberg, HALO Center Director shares a story about a talented youth in the Kansas City Center.

8 year old Dakota unknowingly quoted a famous artist. In an interview, artist Robert Rauschenberg was asked, "How do you know when you are finished with a painting?" and Rauschenberg replied, "When I sell it". Dakota was sharing with HALO Center volunteer, Heidi Wetzel, about the different layers on his painting. Heidi asked Dakota how he would know when he was finished with his piece. Dakota simply replied, "When I give it away." We've got a young artist on our hands!

Dakota also impresses with his vocabulary and intention. When asked about his self-portrait, Dakota went into deep detail about why he chose to layer different colors and why he chose the colors he did. You can see bits of blonde hair poking out above brownish-purple paint; Dakota spent a lot of time adding detail to his shirt, face and hair. Upon what appeared to be a nearly finished piece, Dakota mixed together red, blue and a touch of black and applied as a top layer over his face and shirt.

Layers return in another work of art done by Dakota. In this piece (a quilt block to be added together with many other HALO Center youth's blocks to create a community art piece that will be displayed throughout Kansas City) Dakota uses black material to symbolize mountains, brown for buildings that make up the cityscape and blue and purple to represent the people living within the city.Dakota has chosen to lay a striped piece of cloth on top to signify how the community quilt will ultimately bring the city together.

Robert Rauschenberg started his art career here in Kanas City at the Art Institute in 1947. Throughout his life, Rauschenberg was able to live in or travel to Paris, North Carolina, New York, Rome, Florence, France, India, China… to name a few. It is inspiring to see how art can transform your life. We can’t wait to see how it will continue to transform the life of young Dakota and many other homeless, foster and at-risk youth in Kansas City.

The ripple effect

2012-02-20T08:02:00.000-08:00

At the HALO Center, our volunteer hosts prepare for weeks leading up to our workshops that are geared toward giving youth the tools to become contributing members of their communities. Here is an example of a struggle we have had and how one person created a positive ripple effect to eliminate that struggle.

Stacey, a volunteer workshop instructor, creates a curriculum based on her experience as a cosmetologist. She imagines how her workshop will play out, how the kids will respond and how her course may just be the spark that helps one of the HALO youth find a positive path, much like she did. There is an excited, anxious energy at the HALO Center as Stacey and other volunteers wait on the youth to arrive. They are expecting the group at 6:30 and lay out materials for each youth.

At the homeless shelter, Valerie prepares for her time at HALO. She has been there a few times before, and explored some options for what she may want to do beyond high school. Tonight she has signed up for a cosmetology workshop, which has interested her since she can remember. She is excited to learn from someone who actually does it for a living and who could give her some direction. Right when she is ready to walk out her room door, a shelter staff member knocks to say the workshop has been cancelled.

6:30 rolls around and nobody shows up at the HALO Center. 7:00 and nothing happens. Our Program Director calls the shelter to see when they can be expected and the answer is disappointing. They are unable to come tonight because of transportation issues.

Its a ripple effect. Shelters have had budget cuts, which means staff cuts, which means if something comes up ranging from transportation issues to behavior issues, HALO can take a back seat. This has been a challenge since we opened the HALO Center. The children are disappointed, the volunteers are bummed. The wind is taken out of the sails for everyone.

Last week a very engaged donor heard about our need for our own transportation. We explained that with freedom to pick up youth from any point in the city comes stability for everyone involved and a more effective program. After learning about the impact, he said "Let's get a van!"

Chelsea Herzberg, HALO Center Program Director, shopping for a new van.

Now this ripples throughout our organization. Our staff is more confident in recruiting volunteers, our volunteers are more engaged without dealing with let down, our youth is exposed to more opportunity, and hundreds of additional children and teens like Valerie will get a chance to pursue their dreams. This van will get Kansas City youth in the most need from point A to point B. Point A being some of the most difficult situations you can imagine. Point B being a bright future.

Let's say Valerie takes the cosmetology class, succeeds, and is encouraged by Stacey to look at some schools. She applies, gets in, and receives a full pell grant which she will not have to pay back. She graduates and is referred to a high-end salon by Stacey, her mentor. Valerie is the first person in her family to hold down a regular job since she can remember. She gets and apartment with a fellow stylist, saves her money to buy a car, and is able to completely support herself.

The pattern has been broken. Thanks to Stacey and the volunteers, the van donor, the shelter, the HALO Program Director, and the man who generously donates the space for the HALO Center, Valerie is reaching her dream. Each of these people may not get to see the impact they have had, but Valerie knows it every day.

We all have the capability of creating ripple effects in this life, positive or negative. If we were able to see the full impact of our actions, we may reconsider some of our choices. This is something to consider with every action we take. To learn more about creating a positive ripple effect by supporting or volunteering at the HALO Center, email chelseaherzberg@haloworldwide.org.

When we really don't want to

2012-02-09T14:14:00.000-08:00

Self discipline - Doing something you should do when you REALLY don't feel like it.

On my flight to L.A., thinking about the lovely young woman at the terminal with whom I just had an interesting conversation. She was refreshingly curious, asking questions about the 20 pound ball of joy jumping on my lap known as Klaebel, my son. Her honest and up-front inquiries were much like those I had during that period of my life. Does having kids change things that much? Is it difficult? After a challenging day of packing for two (including a stroller, car seat, and 30 diapers), going through security, and feeding him a bottle while answering work calls and emails, I thought, diffucult - yes. Change things - yes. Does one giggle from Klaebel make it worth it? YES.

During our conversation I discovered her aspirations of opening a shelter for homeless children with art as a main focus. I shared the mission of HALO and her curiosity was off the charts. She asked a line of questions and made reference to taking a leap of faith and the extreme amount of work that must go into something like this. Has it been difficult? Yes (I would like to say its been a great challenge). Does giving just one child a safe place make it worth every hour spent on our mission? YES.

There are definately times I don't feel like doing things. Do I really enjoy reading contracts, hearing bad news, or doing database work? No. But I do it. Why? Because there are 1000 kids counting on us and there are 1000 more waiting on us.

I believe in self-discipline, but without proper motivation, it would be near impossible for me to get the things done that I do not want to do. Would I eat healthy every day of my life if I knew it meant just one more day of life with my son and husband? YES. I know it's extreme, but thinking in these terms makes self-discipline a piece of cake.

If during the times we feel sloth-like we remember the core of WHY we are doing something, we can accomplish more than we could ever imagine. Whether it's pulling a report, working out, or making that dreaded call, there can be a positive motivation at the core of every action. We just have to find it and focus on it.

HALO's monthly life skill is self-discipline. We will all be working on improving this aspect of our lives, including our youth. Our challenge: identify 3 things you don't like to do but should. Find a motive for each that will change your attitude.

The balancing act

2012-01-25T09:18:00.000-08:00

Balance. We all try so hard to balance work with personal goals and round ourselves out. Balance makes life better because it puts life in perspective, helps us realize that the end of the world has never been the end of the world and we aren't able to obsess about meaningless things. I have been learning balance as a new mom who works, while still trying to reach my potential in all areas of life.

HALO began with a beautiful spark of interest, collaboration, and fervor. Our plan was simple: raise as much as we can and we will support as many kids as we can with those funds. Reliance on volunteer team members in the beginning was unspoken, understood, and much appreciated. The outcome of the hours of work put in has been direct and extreme but also unpredictable and we have been lucky to have had so much success.

We have gotten pretty far by operating on these loose-terms, but we are now at a point where pretty far is not enough. We must meet our full potential because it is our duty to the children we meet who are in the greatest need imaginable and are not yet supported, waiting for us, waiting for a home. We also have far too much responsibility to operate on loose terms. Supporting over 1000 children around the world cannot be done without organization, deadlines, and accountability. Our mission to best serve the children we currently support while bringing in additional youth will only be met by sticking to strict time lines and goals.

At HALO, we are working toward finding the balance between being a fun organization to volunteer with and one fiercely committed to the success of our programs. We rely on volunteers who are also trying to find balance in their lives. We firmly believe in the empowerment of the volunteer but we also must have a structure of open communication that helps us reach our goals. Open communication includes both sides - committing to a task and communicating when an overcommitment is realized. Our staff appreciates a volunteer commitment as much as when someone calls to say they have overcommitted. That way they don't get burnt out and we are able to ask for help from another volunteer, still reaching our goals. I personally feel combining fun with clear communication and a clear plan makes us closer to reaching our potential every day.

HALO will continue to strive toward being an invigorating organization while seeking out the best team of volunteers, because that is what we have always had - volunteers who are excited to set and meet deadlines, raise their hand to help, follow through on ideas, make a profound impact, are positive, and say no if they are unable to do something. We have been blessed with many of these incredible volunteers, but we always need more.

If we all do what we say we will do, when we say we will do it, the outcome is direct and extreme. For HALO, it will mean the world to the additional children we will be able to support. Actually, it will mean their whole world. The balancing act becomes a cinch if we all keep that in mind, putting life in perspective for all of us.

If you are interested in making a profound impact, click here. Being part of bringing in children in the most need to a safe-haven of support is quite rewarding, no matter what is the task at hand.

Making time for greatness

2012-01-18T20:53:00.000-08:00

We all say it. I would love to do that, but I just don't have the time. Have? Or make? Its getting up a half hour earlier, its turning off the TV, not being afraid of accountability, pushing ourselves just a little further, setting priorities and following them. Eminem makes time to read the dictionary and has since he was a child. Mother Teresa made time to ask thousands of people for help. The Beatles performed over 270 times in a year and a half before they were famous.

Its easy to place the blame for mediocrity on not having time. That's a cop out. We are all capable of greatness, we just need to make the time for it. It all comes down to self-discipline. No matter what we are doing in our lives, helping others is one of those things that makes us great and can't be ignored.

There are people in need on every block and across the world - elderly people dying of loneliness, abandoned children who are terrified of their next night on the streets without a meal, people who are sick or loosing a loved one. Making time for one person in need is making the time for greatness, whether its volunteering for 20 minutes a week, making small donation, or just stopping by. No matter how much work we have to do, we can all do that.

I have the pleasure of working with people who make time to do great things in all aspects of their lives. They are proof that we are all capable of greatness, we just need to make the time for it.

The year of vibrance

2012-01-04T18:57:00.000-08:00

I went to high school in Jefferson City, MO. Most of my family still lives there and over the holidays, I basically do too. Jeff is a quaint town with a vibrant group of people who are excited about getting involved and giving back. I had the pleasure of meeting with a few of these people during my most recent visit and have to say I was inspired.

HALO has had a branch in Jefferson City for the past 4 years which has been extremely successful in raising funds and awareness for their sister orphanage, the Mengo Home in Uganda. More recently, local needs for at-risk and homeless youth have been coming to our attention.

Mengo Girls in Kampala, Uganda

During 2011, we committed time to researching these needs and how HALO may be able to help. According to the 2009 census, the population was around 40,000 in Jeff and about 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line. We've met with multiple potential partner agencies who take care of the children in the community who are in the harshest of situations. This includes a homeless shelter which has 15-20 youth per night who have nothing to do but sit among the adult homeless people. I never knew there were homeless youth living in Jefferson City. It also includes agencies that serve at-risk youth who come from unstable families and children who are in the foster care system and there are a lot of them.

All of these agencies expressed a profound need for a safe haven that provides educational, future-focused opportunities for these children. They need a place where they are able to grow and flourish while building relationships with mentors who will invest in their future. These are things most of us grew up with every day. These are things every child deserves.

After careful consideration, HALO is opening our third HALO Learning Center in Jefferson City. The faces that pass through those doors will be the vibrant group of people I mentioned committed to investing in youth who deserve to succeed. The children who are staying at the homeless shelter will have someone to turn to and help them dream beyond their situations. We will open our arms to foster and at-risk youth who are the in the most need to give them hope, opportunities, and a bright outlook.

HALO Learning Center, Kansas City

HALO Jefferson City will continue to support the Mengo Home. They have just made a huge leap and will also be supporting their local center. Everyone at HALO Headquarters feels this will be their year. We know it will be. Stay tuned for more updates. They are only getting started.

To get involved or learn more about how you may support HALO JC, email halojc@haloworldwide.org
Like HALO JC on Facebook here.

The most wonderful time of the year

2011-12-14T13:38:00.000-08:00

Imagine 200 people in Kansas City without a home. Now imagine them without warm coats in the freezing weather. I get bent out of shape when I am cold for a few minutes walking from my car to my house. Think about being cold to the bone ALL NIGHT. These 200 people have now been given coats by a few 10 year old boys with an idea. My nephew Mikey and his friend Jack had an idea to do a coat drive for homeless people. A few weeks later, they were passing them out to 200 people in need. How inspiring.

I love this time of the year. It is always full of surprises like that. People get in the giving spirit and very interested in what they can do for others, including HALO kids in need around the world. We get excited to check the mail every day. Our volunteers have worked hours on end preparing for these few weeks. The orphanages have sent in their requests for the kids, ranging from food to new clothes and the HALO office becomes like Santa's workshop. Its a beautiful thing to feel that giving spirit and to know that the kids who receive are so incredibly grateful.

Click here to read more.

Their warm meals, Christmas parties, new clothes, and opportunities to go to school light up their lives and make them feel loved. We have our built in Santas who are our supporters. If you are interested in giving a gift to HALO children, check out our gift catalog. All the opportunities are listed. Its especially great for that unique person you can't find a thing for... making a donation in their name is always a wonderful idea. Click here to learn more, view our catalog, and become a HALO Santa. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

The Impact of ONE

2011-11-22T08:28:00.000-08:00

HALO was started with a group of 10 volunteers who had an extreme commitment to making a difference in lives of children in need. These individuals each took on a responsibility and assured that HALO’s potential was reached in that arena. By structuring HALO this way, we were able to support over 120 children at 4 large orphanages. This means each person was supporting 12 children with their efforts.

This is still the case today. As we have grown, it has become necessary that we have 2.5 paid employees in the HALO office since we are supporting 13 programs around the world.

Our Ambassador Board currently accounts for at least 4 full-time paid positions, which at $30,000 would be $120,000. That amount supports 5 orphanages, or 120 children. This means that the average HALO KC Volunteer Ambassador is supporting 8 children.

Our structure sets us apart from other non-profits, which is why we are able to stretch our dollars so far. It also gives volunteers a true opportunity to make a profound impact with their skills, grow, and be part of a team or family of like-minded people committed to doing good.

Businesses are run with departments. These departments collectively make the business a success. Without accounting, bills don’t get paid. Without marketing, nobody knows what the company does. This is why our volunteers are important. Our theory has always been if we are helping just one child, just one life, all our work is worth it. Each of our Ambassadors help us reach that one more child on the horizon.

When thinking about what a volunteer truly is to HALO, I think about the children. Our volunteers give a family to children around the world.

Resilience

2011-10-31T09:03:00.000-07:00

I took a hiatus from my posting as I have been reveling in the new addition to our family, Klaebel James Welsh. We adopted him 9 weeks ago and are thrilled to have him with us every minute.

Motherhood has shifted my paradigm quite a bit. I have always had compassion for children but now that I understand the daily, hour to hour, minute to minute needs of a child, my capacity for this compassion has grown. I have always known that our youth have been through incredible trials. It is evident to me now more than ever that the trials they face are more than we could possibly imagine. The mere fact that they have experienced the loss of their parents breaks my heart.It makes me realize just how resilient they are. When I hear stories of our youth succeeding in school, becoming a carpenter, or serving their community, I feel I sometimes take it for granted.

These are children who have experienced great loss and risen above extreme challenges to change their own paths. Take Kennedy for example:

"I have always dreamed of being a carpenter," says 18-year-old Kennedy Kiiru. "I believe I can be a very good mason and maybe one day I would become a contractor. I wish to be a reliable person in the future who will be able to assist my family, whatever the cost." When he was only five years old, his mother became paralyzed. Kennedy was unable to attend school because he had to begin working to support his mother and siblings. Think about that. No school, working in fields to dig for food, worried sick about your mom and eventually loosing her at such a young age. That's more pressure than I have ever experienced.

Since being placed in the HALO Kenya Home, Kennedy has been a role model for the other boys. He has become a natural caretaker and a humble example to others. Kennedy is a Woodland Scholarship recipient, attending school to become a carpenter. Thanks to our HALO Heroes, Kennedy is capitalizing on an opportunity for a brighter future. He is a brilliant example of resilience, as are many of the children in this video.

These children put life in perspective for me. The next time I am frustrated or feel sorry for myself, I will think of Kennedy.

Through my lens

2011-08-04T20:51:00.000-07:00

Art has always been an integral part of our programming. It is a vehicle that provides healing and freedom of expression. Thanks to our volunteers, HALO Youth attended a photography workshop recently during HALO Summer Camp. Featured are a few unique photos of life through their lenses.

Food for thought

2011-07-22T10:19:00.000-07:00

We have all seen the recent news about the food crisis in Africa, particularly Kenya and Somaila. I recently received an email from our HALO Field Coordinator, Asiimwe Venancio, who manages our home budgets and tracks Ugandan trends. The below info from his email addresses issues we are facing in Uganda and how we may handle it. Reading this made me realize, once again, how blessed we are to live in this country.

Makarere Home Cooking, Uganda

Current situation.

There is a very high price increase that is very alarming, increased depreciation of our shilling against the dollar and others. In less than three months, the commodity prices have more than tripled and almost quadrupling. A few months back a 50 kg sack of corn was at UGX 40,000 but its now 110,000 and in some places like Kibuli and Ntinda, its at 130,000 and the rest of the commodities are going up like that. What is worrying is that it seems to be going up week after week and we are not sure how much it will be in two months time. Market speculations are that prices are expected to be higher. Inflation rate has risen from 6% to 16.5% and its still going up and it could get worse towards September,October and November if nothing is done in time.

Actually the problem is not that there is a food shortage in the country. On the contrary, there is food though not very much but its in the rural areas and transporting the food town is a problem because of the high fuel prices. By the time food reaches us, its final price is really high.

This has been caused by;

1 - During the presidential and parliamentary elections and campaigns that just ended, its speculated the candidates used a lot of money especially the government candidates that increased the money in circulation thus high prices.

2 - At the start of the year the Central bank issued new currency notes and its speculated that instead of with drawing the old ones, they left them to used too alongside the new ones. It is speculated that this was a plan to have more money for those political campaigns.

3 - The government sold 2 of their 4 bank reserves to purchase fighter planes.

4 - The fuel crisis created by the Libyan war.

5 - Low food production over the past years.

Threats.

One can ask him/herself what if the dollar rates go down or stay normal while the prices continue to soar. There, it might become a big problem for all of us as it would force us to only meet the children necessities and leave others or we ask for budget increments.

This is a season when Uganda has always experienced bumper food harvest and we had hoped that prices could go down in these months but instead they are going up. The coming months of September up to December are always months of food shortages so there is a possibility that things could get worse.

Opportunities.

The government officials are scratching their heads in trying to find solutions to this problem. There is a need to help empower the agricultural sector so that it can support the economy by reducing the food prices which can also help us. The Central Bank is working hard on reducing the amount of money in circulation by employing measures like increasing the bank rates for all commercial banks.

Strategies.

Because of the uncertainties in the future, I have been advising the homes to store more food in this period when things are relatively lower. We think two or three months of stored food will held reduce the effects of the rotting economy. I have worked with the mentors in identifying a good supplier who is giving us discounts because of buying in bulk so that he can supply to the homes enough food for at least two months. We will then advance them funds to pay this and this would reduce the total money spent on food next months.

To learn more about how to help, visit http://www.haloworldwide.org/give/1-for-30/

Corporate Social Responsibility for the small business

2011-07-14T13:48:00.000-07:00

The past few days I have been in Baltimore contributing to "Think Big Baltimore" which is a great event geared toward empowering and connecting entrepreneurs. I have been honored to speak about our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program called HALO Alliance (www.haloalliance.org).

Usually CSR pertains to what a corporation is doing to make a positive social impact. This includes examples such as a recycling program, being consious of the impact they have on communities by manufacturing a product, employee volunteer programs, and how they give back in their communities.

HALO's CSR program is unique because it is a seamless way for a small business to partner with us. Most CSR programs are developed for large corporations and can be very complex, taking multiple resources from the company to develop. Through HALO Alliance, small businesses select from a menu of customizable options for their company to receive return on their $125 monthly investment to meet a specific need.

By making CSR a part of company values and brining it to the forefront of daily culture, the identity of the entire workplace can shift. Employees and clients look at a photo of the supported program instead of that piece of cheap framed print that has been collecting dust for years. They can receive a monthly update on how the children are doing via email. They are given the opportunity to volunteer at the partner organization and they look forward to a Holiday Party where they bring an item of clothing to donate. When they visit the company website, they are happy to see the "Proud to be a HALO Alliance member, supporting x need." logo and link. And best of all, the program is being supported, a need is being met.

I can't say how many times new volunteers come to the office talking about how much they hate their job and how they just want to make a difference. We ask the volunteer about their passions and give them a platform to truly use their skills to give back, which is a win-win. Its how we stay tight and nimble.

But it can be a win-win-win. We can help the business with employees who "hate their job so much". If their company were to give back, invest in the future of children in need (in HALO's case) and share that with their employees - making it part of their day to day life - would it make a difference in how they view their job? If their employer was giving them true opportunities to get involved and updating them on the impact that is being made, would it shift their paradigm?

Click here to read stats on CSR.

Large corporations have caught on to this and are hiring CSR Directors, sometimes full CSR departments, to be their moral compass. Small businesses can't afford to do that...but they can afford HALO Alliance, which is why we developed the concept.

People are more concerned than ever, especially people in their 20's and 30's. They are concerned about recycling, the environment, and social change, among other issues. (Plus, being concerned is cooler than ever). If companies don't get on board with some sort of CSR, they are going to miss opportunities to keep employees happy and engage their clients in their company values (which include making a positive social impact). They may be left behind. The non-profit world is shifting. WIthout innovation, true partnerships, sustainability and social enterprise, we will be left behind.

The Bond of Family

2011-07-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

When a HALO child enters a home, they have most likely lost both parents, been abandoned, or thier families not capable to care for them anymore due to illness. They then go through a time of getting acquainted with their new surroundings and family. The child in the bunkbed next to theirs slowly becomes their friend, then best friend, then sister or brother. Their similar backgrounds makes their bond unbelievably strong. Once they live in the home for a while, I have a tough time figuring out who is blood related.

Timau boys making faces

The caretakers in Kenya don't allow fighting among the children. They teach that the other children are your siblings and you should look out for them. If your brother or sister needs something, you step up to help. The youth in the homes rely on each other for love and support. The kids work together with the Caretakers to clean their rooms, do laundry, fetch water, and do household chores.

Sisterhood in Naibor

Crossing the finish line in Kenya

HALO kids constantly teach me. They truly cherish their family, showing love and respect for them in everything they do. We can all learn from their example.

Henry and his mentor

Where do I sign up?

2011-06-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

During the school year, HALO Domestic Centers serve as safe havens that provide tutoring, educational workshops, and future focused programming for at-risk, homeless, and foster youth. This summer the Denver team has put together an incredible camp for the kids offering tennis, bowling, ceramics, choir, art, step, skating, photography, and swimming... Seriously. Where do I sign up?

I went to the HALO Center this week during the start of their first session of four week summer camp. The staff informed me that attendance was lower than expected because there was a family of multiple children who didn't show up. When one of our staff members did a home visit, she learned their family couldn't afford the $10 per child entrance fee, which is charged to instill ownership for the parents. Not only were they struggling with that, their utilities had been turned off at their home.

Think about it. That's no stove, no fridge, no microwave, no warm water. Its no night-lights, no air conditioner, no phone. The kids shower at a nearby recreation center and stay out as long as they can before they go home.

It is our goal to seek out and reach children in the greatest need. If that means a child living on the streets in Uganda, a homeless child in Kansas City, an orphan in Mexico, or an at-risk youth in Denver, we are ready to help. Giving the neediest child a chance at a brighter future is our mission. With the help of our volunteers, staff and supporters, we are able to offer summer camp, shelters, tutoring, vocational training, mentors, basic necessities, and hope around the world. We couldn't do it without your help. Thank you for making this happen. Click here to learn more about our programs or how to get more involved.

Campers having a blast.

Extreme Makeover: Denver Edition

2011-06-06T06:27:00.000-07:00

Until August, 2010 2804 Welton Street in Denver was a a small, run down house on a yard of dirt located in the Five Points community. This area is known for crime, poverty, and with some of the worst schools in Colorado...

When HALO comes into a community, we seek out the children with the greatest need. We want an answer the question, "How do we make the most profound impact with our resources?" Since every community is different, we spend a significant amount of time meeting with other non-profits, community leaders, and residents to determine how we can best serve the children.

In Denver, we started with programming for children living at homeless shelters. Our volunteers now reach hundreds of children each month through art therapy and other programs. After researching the community, Nikki Cady (Denver HALO Director) discovered that the next greatest need was a safe-haven for children. The children of Five Points needed a stable place to come every day for tutoring, workshops, and fitness programs. These proactive programs are geared toward keeping kids off the street, out of gangs, and succeeding in school.

With a paint job, a lot of elbow grease and countless volunteers, that house now serves as a safe-haven. Every night, 64 children come through those doors to receive tutoring, art therapy, and workshop instruction. These are children who most likely receive free lunches at school, come from a single parent home, or who are bouncing around in the foster care system.

I recently heard a group wanted to do some landscaping at the center. I was excited to hear this since the dirt yard was less than appealing. My husband Eddie and I showed up that Saturday morning to find more than 30 volunteers laying sod, planting a garden, spreading rocks, planting flowers, and putting in a basketball court. It was way more than we imagined and needless to say, tears came to my eyes.

Concerts for Kids is run by Walter and Khristie Isenberg, a wonderful couple who are making a great impact in this world. They organize huge concerts each year to raise funds for organizations in Denver. The Isenbergs use their contacts in resources to get corporations donate materials and ask their employees to volunteer at the sites. That Saturday over 800 volunteers were doing the same thing at other non-profits around Denver.

The HALO Center paints a different picture now. What was once a desolate, worn down corner is now a beautiful lot with a vibrant home full of kids who deserve a safe haven. It shows promise and hope of a bright future for that community.

Charged for just one more

2011-05-02T08:45:00.000-07:00

During our most recent future-focused trip to Africa, we visited 8 orphanages and programs. It was invigorating to see our Ambassadors at work, implementing ideas to give our youth a true chance at a brighter future. Here's a little peek into the homes we visited.

Samson, Naibor Kenya

By evaluating each child on a case-by-case basis, identifying tangible education/career goals, and helping our youth view life beyond the orphanage as a positive place, we are able to help them become contributing members of their communities. Our Ambassadors are committed to helping each child reach their full potential.

Miriam, Naibor Kenya

The boys of the Timau Home

Thanks to our HALO Heroes, our scholarships have given hope to the children we support. HALO kids are now able to reach their dreams beyond the home by going to vocational school or college.

Alice, Uganda

Bukesa, Uganda

HALO Ambassador Dani Walker with Girls Home Mentors in Uganda

Josh Fry, Halo Volunteer and Eunice in Kenya

Every time I go, I come back saying the same things. 1) Words cannot express how grateful the children are for our support. 2) I am incredibly charged to work toward a goal of bringing in one more child from the street... and another... and another. If we put ourselves in the shoes of a child on the street, we have profound drive to work on their behalf. This drive is what keeps HALO going and growing.

Spark...The ArtReach Auction

2011-04-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

It was the spring of 2006. We had been in existence for almost a year and a half and HALO was housed in a tiny room of my apartment in Kansas City we were supporting a few orphanages at that time. My roommate Sunny and I held meetings at a garage sale table in our place. We asked almost every person with whom we came in contact to be part of HALO and soon we formed a powerful team.

All the while, artwork from the children in orphanages was delivered to our door every time we turned around and soon enough there wasn't enough space for it all. Spark. The Artreach Auction. Why don't we auction these pieces off? The stories of their lives are expressed in these pieces. We should share them. It will connect our donors.

Timau Orphanage, Kenya

Our first Ambassador Board came together for nothing short of a miraculous feat in 6 weeks. Volunteers stayed up all night at our place making frames for pieces, putting together silent auction baskets, painting huge flowers that would decorate the room. Since we had a $0 budget, our community donated the food, the cocktails, the printing donated, almost everything.

HALO Volunteers Marshall, Sunny, and Monica at 2007 Artreach Auction

I remember walking on the auction stage that night with the first piece of HALO art. I knew it cost $12.50 to frame that piece. I said a little prayer - please, please let someone pay at least $15 just so we cover our expenses. It went for $250. I screamed. We raised $35,000. It was magical.

Fast forward to today. We are supporting 13 homes and programs around the world. We have received thousands of pieces from the kids over the years, expressing their lives, dreams, and realities. To date, The Artreach Auction has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and been held in 3 cities for over 2000 guests to enjoy. Nationally known artists have joined by donating their work to our cause as well. There are hundreds of walls in homes around the U.S. adorned with HALO artwork and a story that goes with each.

Vera Von Holdenberg, 2009 HALO Artreach Auction

At this event, our supporters get a peek into the lives of the children they support; what life is like in their shoes. We want our donors to be connected to their good works and to watch HALO kids, who have a better life because of them, grow. The 13th HALO Artreach Auction will be held May 6th, 2011. Join us for a magical evening. We are expecting to sell out. Click here to come take a peek.

Future-Focused in Uganda

2011-04-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

“I am a good candidate for a scholarship because of my academic performance in past years and I have the potential. I value education so much, and, according to me, in this global village many successful people have toiled with education and have achieved the best in their lives. Therefore, I also want to work hard to become the best and fulfill my expectations in the future. Furthermore, my personal goal is to become a good example to the younger generation.” Joel Batte

Joel Batte, HALO Hero Scholarship Recipient

What does it mean to be future-focused? According to the book "The Time Paradox", for future-focused people, long-range goals fuel today's decisions and actions. This keeps them ambitiously working, saving, and planning for a better life. Self-discipline and the ability to delay gratification are key. Future-focused people are more successful professionally and academically. You need safety and stability in the present to start thinking about the future.

Diner time in Uganda

My recent trip to Uganda was all about our future with questions such as: How will we maintain our programs in five years? What is the most responsible way we could bring in the other100 identified children in need? Who will our children become beyond the home?

The Makarere Home, Uganda

For HALO, first we need safety and stability. This means we must secure sustainable funding through monthly donations or multi-year commitments to our programs. Then we are able focus on our programs, which must be geared toward giving our kids the tools to become contributing members of their communities.

Joel Batte is an example of a future focused youth who grew up in the Makarere Home in Uganda and just received the HALO Hero Scholarship. We want to follow Joel's example and continue to plan for the future. That way we are able, planning, and expecting to improve the lives of more children in need. We can all learn from Joel. I know he will be a great example for my personal life...

Who's on first? The catcher.

2011-03-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

The last trip I took to Timau, I thought it would be a great idea to teach the kids how to play the game of baseball. A kind man from Kansas City donated some bats, balls, helmets, and catchers gear. While packing my over-sized suitcase I slowly realized that it may be a bit difficult to lug this around Africa and could have been smarter to just bring some soccer balls. Or how about teaching them flag football? Too late.

First Baseman

I really didn't think about the challenges. I set up the bases and thought it would be quite simple. After I explained the game, I thought we should be good to go. Well, we had quite a few issues: they would hit the ball and run past the base out into the field or just run around the bases over and over and everyone would just laugh or not understanding what "out" meant. After a few days of playing, I felt like they finally got it. They looked like a MLB team, well, except for the fact that most were barefoot and our bases we sticks in the ground. But they got the rules for the most part.

3 guys playing 2nd base, pitcher with batter's helmet

During this trip the kids were so excited to play baseball again. They got out all their gear and set up all proud to show that they could play the game. They had made a few minor changes: 1) The pitcher wore the batting helmet. 2) The first baseman wore the catcher's gear. (I assume someone got hit with a ball on first base and decided it was a better position for protection.) 3) They had 2-3 players at each base, just in case someone made an error. It was my favorite baseball game of all time.

You are not a ghost

2011-03-06T12:26:00.000-08:00

34 children, 4 mud huts, and a wealth of love. We are in Naibor, Kenya. The kids are starting to grow up. Four years ago I heard them talk about what they wanted to be when they grow up. Now, thanks to the HALO Hero scholarship, the older ones are starting to reach those dreams.

During this visit, we have listened to many of the kids open up about their lives before the home and their dreams for the future. One of the older kids named Moses had such a compelling story. He shared that when he lived on the streets he felt like a ghost when he would approach people to beg for food. People would just look past him as if he wasn’t there. My heart broke when I heard that. He also shared about how he was jealous of other kids walking by in their uniforms on their way to school.

He explained his favorite day when our orphanage director saw him on the streets and invited him to a probationary stay at the HALO Home. After 2 weeks of good behavior, Moses was taken to a school to enroll. He is now trying to finish primary school and apply for a scholarship to become a mechanic.

Moses is very behind in school for his age, which is a common issue for street children. I cannot begin to imagine how that must feel. The mentors at the home were telling me many of the kids struggle with being the oldest in their class. The other kids make fun of them, calling them JaJa (which means Grandpa). The good thing is, Moses and most of the others are resilient because of their difficult pasts. They have slept on the streets with strangers, been taken advantage of, spent days hungry, and felt like ghosts. Being made fun of in school is not the end of the world for them.

When they enter the home the first step is to help them look past survival level.. Gaining their trust is next – they have to trust that we won’t abandon them, we will always be here, and that we love them as if they were our own. Helping them see their bright future after so many trials is essential for their success. If they are able to commit to that vision and trust that we will provide for them, they are able to push on and look toward their future of being able to provide for their families.

I cannot thank our HALO Heroes enough. These scholarships have had such a direct impact on the lives of HALO supported children like Moses.

Tiptoeing in Timau

2011-03-06T02:01:00.000-08:00

It reminded me of that scene on Wizard of Oz when the house first lands in Oz and Dorothy tiptoes out of her house. First she hears the laughter of the munchkins followed by their little heads popping out around her. When we arrived at the HALO home in Timau, Kenya the boys were scattered about and one by one they would peek out, slowly come to greet us, shyly smiling and giggling.This is the good stuff. Its why we work so hard.

Timau has limited electricity, no running water, and an outdoor kitchen that consists of a fire and a few pots. Staying there is much like camping with a huge family.

The boys at this home are extremely close, sharing similar trials and grief. In all my time staying there I have never seen a fight between them. When it is time to eat, they serve one another. When someone drops something, someone else picks it up. The big boys look out for the little ones. Its absolutely beautiful. I asked Benson, one of the Mentors at the home how it is that the boys have become this way. He said "Because they are brothers. They love each other. They care for each other. They only have each other. They are brothers."

I cannot wait to share the stories of success from this home when I return. They are growing up so quickly, many going to vocational school now... going to be contributing members of their communities. I am so proud of them and so grateful for everyone who makes this happen.

Back on their feet

2011-02-24T22:21:00.000-08:00

Its a familiar place. I approach the door and wait for one of the caretakers to kindly open it to a large group of kids excited to see their visitor. I have been to the orphanage in Mexico many times over the past 6 years. This home was the first we supported and it feels like home to me.

This visit wasn't the same as others. What has always been an uplifting time was pure realization that this home is in desperate need of support and love. The orphanage director, Sara, shared her struggles as donations have dwindled from their main supporter in the U.S.

This is one of two homes that had enough support for basic needs, they just need help with education. The rest of the programs we fully support with food, water, shelter, clothing, education, art therapy and mentors. HALO provides funding for education of the children living in this orphanage and we have done a few other projects over the years.

The economy has greatly affected the home, limiting the number of workers, their support, everything. It is evident in the repairs needed throughout the building and the unfinished building in which the kids are learning. When new children in need show up at the steps, they can't take them even though there is space, for fear of not being able to provide for them.

Their request this year is for salaries for the school teachers who make $50 per week. The average school teacher makes $100 per week in this town, the workers are just committed to helping children in the most need. We are hoping to do that and wanting to do more. This is one of those times when I wish we had an unlimited supply of funds that we could share to help them get back on their feet.

I am off to Africa this week, hopeful this trip will bring better news.

Drina's Dreams

2011-01-31T12:30:00.000-08:00

This past week has been such a humbling experience. HALO was featured on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric Wednesday night and it has been such a humbling experience.

Drina at the Mengo Home in Ugand

HALO has grown with the help of people like you. Hundreds of people with huge hearts and the ability to respond. If everyone brings their skill or compassion to the table, we are able to reach more children in need. Children like Drina.

Drina is an 8 year old girl who was abandoned on the streets of Uganda at a very young age. She is now living in a HALO supported home where she loves to dance and is a very fast runner. Drina dreams of being an accountant someday and with her high scores in Math, she is well on her way. Drina is the most energetic of the house. She is always giggling and running around with a lot of energy. If there is something funny, there is no hiding it! She slaps her hand over her mouth and starts belly laughing.

With the help of our HALO Hero, HALO Helper, and 1for30 programs, Drina will will have the opportunity to reach her dreams and she will never again have to worry about being abandoned. Thank you to our supporters who have signed up to look out for her future! Click here to learn more about helping children like Drina reach their dreams. Even the smallest act of kindness makes a huge impact.

The Seed of Confidence

2011-01-26T11:15:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Grider teaches Julian a Front Stance

In a room full of kids from the HALO Center in Denver, I hear them shouting over and over in a military fashion:

I PRACTICE TO GAIN CONFIDENCE.

I watch as Julian, pictured, stands tall and proud with his chest out, ready to conquer the world. Our newest Volunteer Martial Arts Instructor, Mrs. Grider, approaches him with a high five for his efforts, and Julian's face lights up.

Confidence. That is our word for the next 2 months. It is a life skill that has the ability to dramatically affect the outcome of everything we do.

Julian got me thinking. He started his classes shy and scared to do the moves. Scared of what others would think of him. He has shown so much improvement in the past 2 months. He is no longer scared to speak up in class and has learned how to do some great kicks and punches. He stands proud.

He will be able to use this skill in other areas of his life like saying no to drugs or gangs, saying yes to homework, and practicing respect for people in his life.

Confidence is a powerful thing. It has the ability to change the course of a life. We are grateful Mrs. Grider is such a wonderful volunteer, planting the confidence seed in the lives of HALO children.

To learn more about how to help children like Julian, visit www.haloworldwide.org
Or you may like us on Facebook.

2011-01-20T13:32:00.000-08:00

Check out our HALO Videos on YouTube!
http://www.youtube.com/HALOFoundation

Paradigm Shift

2011-01-17T11:47:00.000-08:00

My first experience out of the U.S. was a 6 month stint in Honduras. It opened my eyes in ways I could have never imagined. Here is a little bit from my journal upon my return:

I ran off the plane, down the runway, reaching my neck over people to see my mom at the window. I was full of fear, gratitude, love, excitement and...fear. We just stayed there for a while and hugged until my mom said, "You look healthy. Really healthy. Did you put on some weight? Where are your bags?"

I could hardly talk. I knew my jeans would hardly zip up and my ragged sweater hardly fit but did I put on some weight? I hadn't looked in a full mirror for months.

We walked through the pristine airport that smelled like America and outside to complete order. Things had their place. People were put together. I literally dropped to my knees thankful to be on that ground. Thankful for America. Thankful for peace. Thankful for safety. Thankful for order. Thankful for English. I could not stop the out pour of tears streaming down my face. My mom had to think I was headed for a mental institution.

Its the things we don't notice. Like how clean our cars are or how clean the roads are and the lines are straight and the signs actually tell you where you need to go. Or that you can call the police and they are there to actaully help you. At night you can go outside without feeling scared. Its the houses. With yards that have green grass all the same length, weed eaters, lawnmowers, insurance, cell phones, computers, tile floors, computers, hair dryers, clean & reliable hospitals, healthy pets and things that didn't need to be fixed.

I didn't have to pause every time I went to drink a glass of water because ALL of our water is clean. The food at the grocery store is always good because we have rules and regulations against anything less than the best. We can speak our minds and hearts without fear of blood running in the streets. These are the differences between us and the rest of the world.

This experience has changed the course of my life. I will again never take for granted the freedom we have as Americans and I will never turn my back on children in need.

To read more about how to help the children of HALO, visit www.haloworldwide.org

Something in the Air

2011-01-08T14:08:00.000-08:00

There is definitely something in the air during the Holiday season, stretching from November to beginning of January with New Years Resolutions. In our industry, it is an exciting time when many donors make the decision to give until it hurts just a bit.

This New Year, many of our supporters are increasing their involvement in HALO by signing up to support a specific need each month. We call these people “Guardian Donors” because they are looking out for the future of HALO children, much like a parent or guardian. A monthly gift commitment takes discipline and sacrifice. That sacrifice may be one less dinner out, one less new outfit, or one less new CD. Whatever it is, that change in habit makes an impact on a child in need. The commitment to make this sacrifice each month helps us rely on our supporters and plan for the future.

Sharon dancing at the HALO Girls Home, Uganda

My favorite part of this job is watching a child transform from being in desperate circumstances to having a solid belief in his/her self worth and future. My second favorite part is witnessing the joy of the donor when he/she realizes this transformation has happened because of them.

What helps me get out of bed every morning and rise with a smile on my face is the faith I have that we are truly making a difference. Far more than what I ever imagined. The obvious help we give the orphaned children of HALO is comforting and rewarding. However, it is the transformation in the mindset of able supporters that truly makes me realize that the power of HALO is infinite.

If you are interested in learning more about our guardian giving programs click here.

New Years Resolutions

2010-12-31T13:22:00.000-08:00

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

- Winston Churchill

Its time for a New Year's Resolutions. Today I have been thinking about what the world would be like if everyone made giving back part of their commitment each year. The entire world would shift. In a big way. It doesn't just impact the person or child on the receiving end. It impacts the giver.

Consider making room in your resolution for becoming more involved. Whether its volunteering in your community, or giving to a cause.
HALO's resolution is to become a more sustainable organization. In 2011, we are asking our donors to help us grow by meeting a specific HALO need on a monthly basis. One of these campaigns is called 1for30. It is a great opportunity for donors to be the meal sponsor for a day each month at a HALO Home. Feeding 30 kids for an entire day each month makes a huge impact and it lasts all year. Plus, donors will receive updates each month on the kids they are supporting.

If one of your resolutions is to become more involved by giving, consider becoming 1for30. Click here to learn more.

Happy New Year! Here's to an exciting 2011!

Chasing Santa

2010-12-17T08:51:00.000-08:00

Last night was the Holiday party for The HALO Center in Denver. The Center is located in Five Points which is known as one of the roughest places in Denver. My afternoon meeting ran late and I got stuck in traffic so I arrived fashionably late.

As I drove by and peeked in the window, it was magic. The bright red room was packed with children, presents, decorations, and love. Later, Santa came out and the kids went nuts. The best part for me was watching the older kids who usually have an "I'm way too cool for this" attitude. Nobody's too cool for Santa.

Three months ago, there was nothing like this in the area. Now, these kids come to the center every day and for a meal, tutoring, art therapy, karate classes, and other workshops. Nikki Cady, Volunteer HALO Denver Director, has lead our team with a heart full of nothing but love for the children and a vision of hope for their futures. Last night, that was so evident. I posted this video of the kids chasing Santa, but you will need to turn your head to the side to view it :)

This Holiday Season, HALO children around the world are in a better place because of people like Nikki. On Christmas morning, I will imagine the kids in India receiving their gifts of traditional clothing made by a local tailor or the girls in the Mengo home getting new school clothes for next year. My heart is full just knowing the children will feel loved by their caretakers and so excited to open their gifts.

I am incredibly thankful for our donors and volunteers. They are spreading love around the world. Literally. If you would like to see opportunities to give a Holiday gift for a child in need click here.

Inspired by your answers

2010-12-09T09:11:00.000-08:00

The collaboration of community makes our mission thrive which is why find joy in asking others to invest in the future of the world. Here are few inspiring answers to questions I have asked lately:

Will you raise awareness? Our Program Director, Lacy Voight spoke at her old high school's assembly in Jefferson City, MO to share her story of why she is involved with HALO and how taking action on compassion can truly impact the life of others. Click here to check out the article.

Will you give advice? When brainstorming about our sustainability goals with a HALO donor last week, she came up with a great idea... We should find a matching donor for HALO Meal Sponsors. By the end of the conversation, she was offered to be that donor. She offered to match donations (anonymously) up to $20,000 for anyone who becomes a meal sponsor for the children of HALO. For anyone who will donate $30 monthly, feeding 30 children for one day each month, she will match their first year of giving. We have until Dec 31st to reach our goal of 55 meal sponsors and thanks to our generous donor, their donation will be doubled. Click here to read more. And yes, it is true... a donor can sponsor meals at a HALO home for the entire day for $30.

Will you lead? Last week was our first annual Branch Retreat, bringing together our Directors of Branches to share vision and make ambitious plans for the next 3 years. The room was sparking with big ideas from dedicated people making the leap to voluntarily lead and bring a community together, fully supporting children in need.

Will you give resources? Our volunteer graphic desiners, Jennifer Grammer, Maggie Miller, and Karina Ginavan used their amazing talents to put together our Holiday Gift Guide. It is designed to give people the chance to use their resources by making an impact with their Holiday gifts this year. If you haven't seen it yet, take a peek here. It is incredible.

Will you give time? As part of the retreat, Chelsea Herzberg, our KC HALO Center (volunteer) Intern shared a breathtaking video of the youth who have been coming to the center. She later wrote to me about how her time at HALO has changed her life. I asked her to post this truly inspiring story on her blog.

Will you share skills? I had a meeting yesterday with a man who owns numerous Martial Arts schools in Denver. He has dedicated his life to sharing Taekwondo with the world and has recently found a passion to bring it to at-risk children in his community.We are going to work together to bring his life skills program to children at the HALO Center in Denver.

Each of these make me realize that this is just the beginning. With true collaboration from our communities, nothing will stop us from reaching the children who need it most. The appreciation for our personal upbringings, opportunities, and environments inspires our desire to share what we have with those who don't. Thank you for being part of the collaboration.

Take a moment to be Santa Claus...

2010-11-29T10:44:00.000-08:00

Its Holiday season - the lights are on the trees, holiday songs are on the radio, snow is on the ground (in Denver, at least). In the office, HALO elves have been preparing our gift catalog that represents holiday gifts for the children we support along with around the year needs.

One would think its Christmas morning every day at HALO homes. The excitement and gratitude at the dinner table, the art table, or on a walk to school overwhelms visitors with a powerful warmth that makes the heart feel like it has grown a few sizes.

It is the season of giving. At HALO that means giving a brighter future to children in need. It means giving a family's love to children who have no parents to wake up to each morning. Join us in making this holiday special for a HALO child. Click here to step into Santa's shoes by flipping through the HALO gift catalog and selecting a gift in honor of someone you love. Go ahead, be Santa for a day...

A Meal a Month

2010-11-15T09:18:00.000-08:00

When I was growing up my 4 siblings, dad, and I would scurry out the door in the morning to school and work, each of us grabbing a personalized brown bag of lunch. My mom drew pictures every morning of each of us on our bags (which were many times embarrassing) that referred to something we had at school that day like one of us passing a test or playing a sport.

Patrick and Kevin enjoying a morning snack and tea (Kenya).

There is nothing like sitting down with a table full of kids after they have been outside playing or at work in the classroom. At HALO supported homes there isn't a lot of talking, just milk running down the sides of mouths and light speed peeling of oranges, which makes the dinner table a place of pure joy. These are children who have been without many meals in their lives and their gratitude is evident in each bite... there are no complaints or special requests, just pure gratitude.

We have started a new campaign called A Meal a Month where donors can sign up to provide one meal for a HALO home (25 children) for just $10 per month. Join us by brown baggin' it for a day a month (you may even draw yourself a picture) and spend that $10 you save on making 25 kids smile... It is a small reminder of how fortunate we are and the impact we are able to make with a small sacrifice. Click here to give A Meal a Month!

The Respect Challenge

2010-11-08T16:34:00.000-08:00

Respect: The state of being regarded with honor or esteem.

Martial Arts curriculum is more than kicks and punches. In fact, the most valuable things I learned in my 15 years have to do with life skills and character. Every two months, we identify a life skill, define it, and apply it to our lives.

Preparing curriculum for the Karate class at the HALO Center this week has lead me to settle on respect as our first life skill. All students must define the word respect and give examples of how they have practiced it at home, school, and at the center.

In order to make us stronger as individuals and as a team, we have asked not only the kids, but everyone working with HALO to do this. I challenge you to do so as well. Identify 3 ways you can better respect yourself, respect others, and respect the world you live in. Feel free to post them below.

These are my personal respect goals for myself and for HALO:

Personal
Respect myself: Challenge myself, be open to change, be aware and present with everyone around me.
Respect others: Put myself in another person's shoes and often, have compassion for people who don't live like I think they should, listen actively and with intent, speak with a polite tone and positive attitude.
Respect the world I live in: Be grateful for what I have and share it.

HALO
Respect the volunteer: Be conscious of the volunteer's time, be aware that an overcommitment is a good intention, be clear of our expectations.
Respect the donor: Be a good steward of funding, clearly communicate updates and needs, be overly grateful for a donation of any amount.
Respect the child: Be careful with information about the child, respect the culture, respect the future for the child.
Respect co-workers: Respect the time of others (keep appointments and be early for them), speak with utmost respect to each other (never talk down to or over), be open to the ideas of others and always work as a team.

If you had any additions to this list as a volunteer or donor, please post them below.

”Every human being, of whatever origin, of whatever station, deserves respect. We must each respect others even as we respect ourselves.” --Ralph Waldo Emerson

A little big impact

2010-11-02T10:41:00.000-07:00

I have a story to share about one little boy's immense compassion and ability to make a difference. For the past 4 years, he has been raising awareness and funding to improve the lives of HALO children in need. This weekend, Spencer hosted a Halloween party to continue this mission. This is an excerpt from an email his mom sent to HALO:

"...the children had a suggested $5.00 donation to attend. They had a scavenger hunt where they got a certain number of points for different things that they found. One of the items was a donation for HALO where they got 3 points for every dollar they received. Spencer's team got $31 and some change donated! One house gave him a $20. Anyway, with the "admittance fee" and scavenger hunt they earned $101.04. We had a lot of fun tonight and the kids were made aware of HALO and orphans. One of the boys said, "There really isn't such a thing as orphans!" So, I took him to the website to look. He took the website home and said that he was going to show his mom. It was neat to see the kids become aware of something new that is outside of their comfort zone."

Spencer's idea raised awareness, involvement, and support for children in need. It also sparked an idea for all of HALO... why not offer this opportunity to all of our supporters? As we approach the Season of Giving, you too can add a little HALO flavor to your office, home, school, or church Holiday Party, giving a brighter future to a child in need. Please consider making HALO part of your Holiday spirit.

Click here to read more about how you can make a little big impact. Thanks for the idea, Spencer.

Much bigger than me

2010-10-21T10:04:00.000-07:00

"Synergism is the simultaneous actions of separate entities which together have greater total effect than the sum of their individual effects." Buchholz and Roth

I studied Martial Arts growing up, which is an extremely individual sport. When the bell rang at a tournament, I was alone, in a ring, with my opponent. I couldn't rely on anyone to get me through the next 20 minutes. I couldn't blame a kick to my head on someone else missing a block. I never really experienced what it was like to be on a team. I was used to doing things myself and I found comfort in knowing things were going to get done on time and just the way I wanted them.

HALO team members at a fund raising event.

When HALO began, I knew its success had to come from a different formula than what I had used in the past. I learned quickly that it was impossible to learn enough about P.R. or graphic design or websites to get things going myself. I didn't start HALO, we did.

It started as a group of people who made a commitment to work together as a team, each signing up for a specific "job" as an Ambassador Board member. We were forced to rely on each other and trust that everyone was honestly working toward a common goal to improve the lives of children in need.

I learned as much as I could about the multiple aspects or "departments" of HALO so I could be an active participant in conversations and decisions, but I was not the expert, the Ambassadors were. They took their jobs very seriously because they knew that if they dropped the ball, it would immobilize our growth as an organization.

When we worked efficiently together, our full potential was reached and we therefore were able to reach out to more children in need. This is how we still work today and it is how we have grown to our size with only two staff members.

An integral piece of HALO is that we are committed to a mutual growth relationship with our volunteers. We want everyone involved with HALO to bring their skills to the table, grow, and feel appreciated. It takes time to find out where someone may fit and help them grow in that position, but if we inhibit this process, our potential as an organization suffers.

At our strategic planning meeting in Kansas City last week, there was a charged spirit in the room of volunteers. Raw feedback, honest opinions, and open brainstorming sessions made everyone excited about their role in making HALO a better organization and reaching our goals for the following year. I was proud to be a part of something that is much bigger than me or anything I could have imagined and I have faith that our team is going to do a phenomenal job improving the lives of children in need.

If you would like to join our team, visit our website.

Back to our beginning

2010-10-13T12:16:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like the energy of a room when people are infected with the spirit of giving. It brings me back to that first day with that group of kids in Missouri who made the birth of HALO possible, and I am astonished.

Events are simultaneously exhausting and energizing. They have made HALO possible. As we strive to become a more sustainable organization with initiatives like HALO Hero and HALO Alliance (our monthly giving campaigns), we still rely on events to raise funding, awareness and give us that strong sense of hope.

HALO started with a determined group of kids from a karate school in Missouri who hosted a Boardbreakathon, raising enough money to send an orphanage of children to school. There was something magical in the air that day that the HALO light bulb switched on.

Saturday was our 5th Boardbreakathon. Last year, the karate schools were not able to do the event because students could hardly pay their monthly dues to keep the school doors open.

This year, although attendance was down from two years ago, participants' spirits were soaring. With every board smash, the energy of hope in the air became stronger. The Boardbreakathon made a comeback and people were more thrilled than ever to be helping children in need.

This event was infected with the spirit of giving. The students and instructors were not focused on the fact that they have been dealing with challenging times. They were focused on the footprint they leave in this world, the small changes they can make, even if it is just one small change.

It brought me back to that first Boardbreakathon, when we didn't know what HALO was going to be but we knew it was going to be powerful. Their spirit of giving brought change, impact, overcame challenges, multiplied, became contagious, and literally altered the path of hundreds of children's lives that were at stake.

We must remember that spirit and strive for it at every day by effectively communicating the need of children around the world.

If you would like more information about HALO, please email halo@haloworldwide.org.

Small Events, Big Differences

2010-10-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

I am in Kansas City for the next two weeks. The fall here is so familiar. It immediately puts me at the bus stop after eating a few of my mom's homemade tortillas with jelly, sac lunch in hand.

HALO is hosting 4 events here in the next week, all with different circles of people and each geared toward the same thing - raising awareness and involvement in our mission.

The first is tonight and its called "Females in Flight", to be held in downtown KC at Mildred's. Our Program Director, Lacy Voight and Art Director Kyla DeTienne have gotten female artists and crafters together to donate fabulous art items that will be sold, proceeds benefiting HALO supported girls in Uganda. Join us, read more here.

The second and third are cocktail parties, to be held at the homes of HALO supporters. These events are geared toward raising awareness about the "HALO HERO" campaign, which is truly a great opportunity to give. Once a donor signs up to be a HALO HERO, supporting basic needs of HALO kids, Woodland Charities donates $1,000 to provide a vocational scholarship for a child. Breaking. The. Cycle. More info about HALO HERO.

The fourth event is Sat., October 9th. It is a very popular event for HALO and is the 5th Anniversary event. The BOARDBREAKATHON. This event was the first ever for HALO, started by a group of kids and has raised over $100,000 for children in need. Read more here: BOARDBREAKATHON

There is something for everyone this week. It is exciting to see so many doing so much for the children of HALO. It only takes using your passions, your connections, reaching out to make a big difference.

A Bigger Apple

2010-09-17T05:50:00.001-07:00

I traveled to the wonderful world of New York City this week. When I got in my first cab I rolled down the window, closed my eyes and felt the city. The smell of exhaust was quickly drowned out by a bakery stand on the street. Ahh, New York.

The song by Alisha Keys about New York with the lyrics, “the big lights will inspire you” is true. I felt inspired just watching people walk briskly to their next important destination. Times Square reminded me that people do big things. Somebody started each of those stores/campaigns/organizations/companies and somehow they all grew to astronomical sizes. It made me think bigger about HALO. Thanks, Big Apple.

I had a meeting with an acquaintance who works on the corporate philanthropy side of a very well respected clothing company. She was kind enough to let me pick her brain on how HALO could possibly benefit from partnering with a company focused on CSR (corporate social responsibility).

We have produced items over the years for HALO geared toward raising funds and awareness about our cause. We have t-shirts, necklaces, onesies and bags for sale at our events and on our website store. Its very small scale, but it has been successful and for whatever reason we haven’t put much effort into growing it. We print artwork on greeting cards and sell them. We also sell t-shirts that say the difference they make.

Wilson with his picture of someone who cares for him.

This meeting made me think bigger. We have thousands of pieces of artwork that need to be shared with the world. Why couldn’t we mass produce these items and sell them at stores around the US? What is stopping us?

We have a very unique product that has the potential to connect the consumer with the cause and the spirit of the child artist. We could expand to putting artwork on t-shirts. We have such potential to make impact on the consumer and on the lives of children in need around the world.

I leave feeling invigorated. If anyone knows anyone in merchandising or with experience in these sorts of endeavors, please send them my way. I want to talk to people who have done this before, bought for a company, created and driven campaigns… anyone with experience in this arena.

If you would like to purchase a HALO shirt or greeting card, please visit our store at: http://www.haloworldwide.org/store.php

A little investment

2010-09-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Over 3.5 million people in the U.S. are homeless. 39% of those are under the age of 18. 1.3 million runaway and homeless youth live on the streets of America - almost half left their homes because of abuse and over one third because of sexual abuse. Many are homeless with their single mom or dad.

My first time going to a homeless shelter I was expecting to see mostly older men who were addicted a substance, like the ones I see on the side of the road. I was wrong. There are families. There are children. There are teens. It was an eye-opener.

The HALO Learning Center, Kansas City

HALO currently partners with homeless shelters and residential care facilities in Denver and Kansas City with the mission of giving at-risk, homeless, and foster care children life skills, art therapy, tutoring, and hope of a brighter future.

Unlike in the other countries where HALO provides support, in the US there is federal and state funding available to help support these children through the foster care system, shelters, and residential care facilities that provide their basic needs. But most of the time, the missing piece is life skill development and exposure to resources.

How do we break the cycle? It is rare for them to have a role model capable of inspiring them and helping them set tangible goals. Simple things like how to balance a check book, how to get a job, how to pursue an education. There are scholarships and resources out there...we just need to connect the kids with them.

Showing them that there is hope, that they can be happy, responsible adults who are capable of supporting a family one day. All it takes is a little investment from others to share life skills.

If you are interested in sharing a life skill or just spending time with kids who need your support, please email lacyvoight@haloworldwide.org in Kansas City or blaineheydt@haloworldwide.org in Denver.

PS. One way to help homeless people you drive by on the streets - type up a page of shelters and resources in your area, print out multiple copies and keep them with you in your car. You can even tape your pages them to little packages of crackers for a little sustenance :) Shelters are amazing places with missions of helping homeless people get back on their feet.

A good quick read

2010-09-07T09:42:00.000-07:00

I recently picked up the Time Magazine special edition of Mother Teresa at 100, celebrating her work over the past 100 years. Her story absolutely captivated me.

Mother Teresa started working with street children. She would gather them under a tree, and invite other sisters to teach them until their group got so big that the city built them a building. The sisters now reach thousands of orphans around the world.

Her humble beginning invigorates me. She started with that one group of children at 38 years old. 62 years later, millions of people have been touched - the poorest of the poor - from orphans to people dying from horrendous diseases. She loved them with all her might. She was their voice in this world, fighting for their right to live without suffering.

HALO has been around for just over 5 years. I think about us when we are 62 years old. 2067. I can only hope we reach millions, that with each child who comes into our care the world becomes a brighter place. Actually, I hope the world will no longer need HALO by that time.

Boardbreakathon!

2010-08-30T14:21:00.000-07:00

Its an exciting day for everyone at HALO today as we prepare for our 5th Boardbreakathon. HALO was started by a group of karate students (kids) who wanted to raise funds for orphans in need. They raised $5,000 for an orphanage in Mexico. The next one they did raised $40,000.

Needless to say a light bulb went off. Children helping children. This is how HALO was born. It is a unique concept that benefits everyone involved.

Youth in the US learn about what it is like to be an orphan on the other side of the world. What language do they speak? What do they eat? Do they have an X-Box? Learning these things made everyone aware and full of compassion with a desire to make a difference. It is inspiring to say the least.

This is a photo of one of our HALO supported children in India who made this sign for kids who raised funds at the Boardbreakathon. Its a beautiful thing to connect the world and watch kids flourish, making a huge impact on youth just like them.

To read more about the event or watch a video, click here.

Victory

2010-08-27T14:33:00.000-07:00

I firmly believe that any person's finest hour — his greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear — is that moment when he has worked his heart out in good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle — victorious.
~ Vince Lombardi

I read this quote today and it reminded me of the volunteers and staff of HALO. So many people work their heart out for our cause. I feel lucky to watch such a thing take place.

I spent the past week with our Program Director, Lacy Voight. She came to Denver to see our programs and new HALO Center for Youth. I have spent thousands of hours with Lacy, working until we can't see straight at times. It is the truth that when we are done with a project, completely exhausted and we have reached our goal, we feel victorious.

Every effort Lacy puts forth is geared toward giving hope to the children we currently support and improving the lives of more children in need. She works her heart out in good cause and I firmly believe she holds these efforts and outcomes dear to her heart. I have seen her exhausted on the field of battle after events, meetings and programs. All of which are victories for HALO. They all bring us one step closer to improving the lives of children in need. Fulfillment.

Click here to join our mission.

HALO Heroes

2010-08-19T07:50:00.000-07:00

Last night a friend of the HALO Family, Leib Doddell, hosted a cocktail party at his house to share one of our giving opportunities with his friends and family. We are looking for HALO Heroes. Since orphans do not have parents to meet their needs, a HALO Hero is someone who helps us provide food, water, shelter, clothing, education, art therapy and care takers.

We had 4 people sign up to become HALO Heroes last night. Not only are they meeting basic needs, but as soon as they sign up, Woodland Charities makes a donation of $1,000 for a scholarship in their honor. This funding goes toward giving a HALO supported child the chance to learn a vocation, giving them the ability to make a positive impact on their communities once they are out of the home.

This campaign gives HALO children the chance to dream. They dream of learning a skill that will allow them to support themselves... That is why we call it the HALO Heroes. These people become heroes, dramatically shifting the future of children in need.

Click here to read more about how you can become a HALO Hero.

My Favorite Birthday

2010-08-13T14:47:00.000-07:00

I had a birthday this week. Until I was 22 years old I didn't care much for birthdays. 22 was a great one which made my expectations way too high from that point on. I was in Honduras and thought nobody knew or would remember which was no big deal. That day my boss told me I wouldn't be able to go to the orphanages where I spent a lot of time volunteering. She said I had some other task I had to do for work. Boo.

Finally around 5:00 I did a little sneaking and went to the orphanage anyway. I was my birthday, right? I walked in and heard some music playing which was different because they had no radio. I turned the corner into the community room and there were all the kids with a huge sign they made for me that said "Feliz Cumpleanos Rebecca!"

They were thrilled to have a borrowed radio we danced to for a good 2 hours before we busted the pinata to pieces. I was so full of bliss that day. I remember sweating outside with the kids, twirling them around, hearing their screams of excitement as candy fell to the grass. I came home thinking I could never top that. Although there have been many attempts, I have to admit that was my favorite.

Many HALO supported kids have no records when they come to us. Most of them have no idea when their birthday is. It used to be one of the conversation starters for me - How old are you? When is your birthday? Now I just leave that one alone. One time I asked one of our kids, Denis (bottom right) how old he was. He said he was 11. He had been living as an 11 year old for a long time. When we got his records we realized - Denis was 9 years old. When we told him about his new age, he laughed. He didn't know his birthday. He was actually excited... he was a bit small for his age before :)

I was with a celebrity today

2010-08-09T19:22:00.000-07:00

Spencer Castle walked in like a pro. Although his heart was pounding, no one would ever know he was nervous. He stepped on to the elevator and rode up to the 19th floor, headed where not many kids have gone before. Radio Disney.

This is where magic happens. Disney. Kids spend hours of their lives watching Mickey Mouse and Selena Gomez. Spencer rang the bell of the big door and was greeted by Brenda, his bubbly new friend who was going to interview him.

He sat in front of the microphone that was bigger than his head and when Brenda asked if he was ready he asked, "Do you have a pen?" He had some notes to make. He anwered every question like a pro. I was in the room with a celebrity.

How did he end up here? When spencer was 7 years old he heard about the children of HALO. He learned about them and decided he could do something. Spencer had a hot chocolate stand. He raised $600 standing in the cold offerring homemade hot chocolate and cookies on the weekends.

Spencer then raised funds from his friends and family to participate in a martial arts fund raiser call a Boardbreakathon. He has raised over $2,000 for kids of HALO. To put it in perspective, that amount can feed an entire orphanage of 45 children more than 125 meals.

I received a phone call a month ago from Spencer's mom, Tanda. She said Spencer made 7 blankets for the orphans supported by HALO and he wanted to give them to me to take to the kids. 7 blankets (pictured)When Brenda from Disney called and asked if we had any unique kids she could interview, Spencer was at the top of the list.

Spencer has a confidence about him I haven't witnessed in a long time. He knows what is right and he does it without hesitation. Being interviewed by Radio Disney for a kid is the equivelent of being on 60 minutes for an adult. Spencer was calm, strong, clear and passionate. It was like being in the room with a professional speaker or celebrity.

Kids who volunteer are twice as likely to do so as adults. I am certian Spencer will conquer something when he grows up.

"Knowing I am helping orphans makes me feel good." Spencer Castle

To read more about how you can give, click here.

Respond Ability

2010-08-06T07:43:00.000-07:00

Who is responsible for the well being of a citizen? Is it the corporation, the non-profit, is it the citizenry as a collective, the consumer, or the state?
I believe it is a combination. It takes individuals doing small acts of kindness, non-profits spreading the word while managing donors and volunteers, government programs (run efficiently) and corporations owning responsibility for their communities and footprints.

We have recently been focused on the corporation. There is a new buzzword in the business world: Corporate Social Responsibility - self regulation combined with social awareness and action.

We have launched a new campain called HALO Alliance which brings businesses together to support children in need. It takes 16 businesses giving $125 per month to fully meet the needs of 20 children in an orphanage. That's everything from rent to food to school.

As part of the HALO Alliance, businesses receive a significant return on a small investment. They improve the lives of children in need, learn about the children they are supporting, and share their efforts as an example to their community. It increases the moral of the workplace and their reputation becomes one that is compassionate, conscience and willing to make a difference.

Imagine if all businesses were part of an Alliance like this, joining non-profits and spreading awareness of the needs of the less-fortunate among their community. Children like Kevin, pictured above, would no longer suffer. People in need would feel the giving spirit of others. It would shift the world.

To learn more about HALO Alliance or to sign your business up, email lacyvoight@haloworldwide.org

Peace

2010-07-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Definition #1 from Dictionary.com: the normal, nonwarring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world.

I spoke with Dani Walker, HALO Ambassador to Uganda yesterday. She said that as a result of the recent bombings, there is still a sense of unrest in Kampala. Since Uganda is normallly a peaceful place, people feel on edge, security is heightened and lines of people are being searched at public places.

Sounds familiar. Airports in the U.S. - The security lines, the searching of people and the multiple soldiers getting on planes to fight for peace. They remind me that there is unrest in our nation, that we are still at war.

Everything from the state of our nation to our relationships to our immediate surroundings impacts our peace.

Definition #6: freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.; tranquillity; serenity.

Peace is freedom. Freedom of the mind. Freedom of the soul. Sounds like a good thing to strive for.

The beginning of something great

2010-07-28T12:09:00.000-07:00

Its funny - when you paint, you find paint in the weirdest of places the next day. Yesterday we gave HALO Denver Center for Youth a makeover. HALO rented a house that is undergoing a lot of work in 5 Points, downtown Denver. I found paint in weird places today...

I dislike painting. Mainly because I am not good at it. But I felt charged up yesterday, thinking of how many kids will walk through those doors and feel safe, comforted and ready to learn. I could almost hear their voices. And I forgot I was painting.

Pictured is Nikki Cady, HALO Denver Director. She is 100% volunteer and works full-time on HALO. This Center was her vision last year. This year it is happening.

Its the beginning of something great. Volunteers and Interns have started to apply to work at the Center. The community is starting to buzz about it. There is an energy in that house already.

To read more about HALO Denver, click here.

Good people

2010-07-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

There are a few simple facts about HALO. One is that we rely on good people to improve the lives of children in need. We rely on them every day.

If you haven't looked at our website lately, take a peek: www.haloworldwide.org It is run by our volunteer marketing team, a brilliant group of passionate individuals who find time to give the children of HALO a voice.

We are in the process of reviewing applications for fall internships. The applicants are good people looking for a way to give back while gaining experience.

At any given time in a day there are numerous good people from all walks of life giving their time or resources to HALO. From our full time Ambassadors to our one-time event volunteers to our donors - we rely on every single one of them to make HALO kids like Samson (pictured) have a brighter future.

Put simply, my job is to ask for help. Help with our operations, help overseas, help in donations, help in time... Its a vulnerable position to be in. But each time I ask, if I start to hesitate, I remind myself of the good people who have been helping HALO for years. And if I don't ask, they may not ever get the chance to use their skills for the greater good.

Uncomfortable

2010-07-23T08:38:00.000-07:00

I had a lunch with a friend the other day that reminded me of the first time I traveled to a developing country. Our conversation took me back to when volunteered for 6 months in Honduras at the age of 22. I now realize now how lucky I was to have had the opportunity to experience life outside of what was real to me at such a young age.

I recall riding through the streets of Puerto Cortes for the first time, shocked by the tiny family shacks and heaps of trash on the side of the road. I remember the barefoot children sitting on their porches sucking Coca-Cola out of a plastic baggie with a hole bitten in the corner. I recall the smell of my skin after working a blistering day in the sun at a trash dump.

I woke up every day knowing I would be in an uncomfortable situation at some point. We did all sorts of projects from cleaning up the town hospital's yard (full of medical waste nobody should see) to helping the well drilling team explain to locals that using the water pump was a good thing - that allowing a donkey to drag a bucket up the well would contaminate the water (since the rope dragged in his excrement and then back into the water for the people to drink).

I was lucky. My days made me grateful, angry, uncomfortable and they invigorated at the same time. I was emotionally and physically exhausted every night. But I slowly started to realize that being uncomfortable made me feel so alive.

I started to develop a broader emotional spectrum. My happiest happy was stretched to be happier. My saddest sad became much sadder. I started to realize that in order to fully experience life, we need to put ourselves in uncomfortable situations. Its a simple as forcing ourselves to talk to someone in an awkward social situation, confronting a loved one, or it can be as big as taking on a role to make the world a better place.

There are many things about my job that feel uncomfortable, like asking people for funding or drinking 2 month old milk from a gourd because it is considered a delicacy in Kenya. But in order for HALO to reach our potential, these things must be done. Being uncomfortable makes us better people. Once the uncomfortable becomes comfortable we have learned something new.

Our community raising our future

2010-07-19T06:44:00.000-07:00

I somehow made my 6:00 a.m. flight from Denver to Kansas City. I don’t know why I feel invincible when I book early flights like that. I think, “4:15 isn’t that early, I am sure people in the Army do it all the time.” News flash – I am not in the Army.

While in Denver I have watched our HALO Center for Youth come alive. With the help of Nikki Cady, Denver Director of HALO (and our new mascot, her son Jaxon - pictured above), we leased a house in the downtown area of Denver called Five Points. It is a troubled part of the city with thousands of at-risk, homeless and foster youth. The center will serve as a safe haven for children in the area, offering art therapy, educational workshops taught by local volunteers and an after-school tutoring program.

This fall I will get to see a team of interns and volunteers serve the children of the community by sharing their life skills. This is the good stuff. Getting to see our communities raise our future - watching kids transform each day and work through issues we are unable to fully understand. The best thing is imagining the number of children and volunteers who will be reached at the center in years to come.

How it happens

2010-07-14T07:56:00.000-07:00

This morning I received an email from our orphanage director in Kenya. Stephen wrote "We have a very desperate cases of two boys. They were happily leaving with their parents but unfortunately their mother passed away. Since they were left with their father, things were not very bad even though he was also sick. The father died recently and they were left alone at a place called Meru, very far from Timau. They had heard about their grandmother who is staying at Timau slums area and they came to look for her." He went on to say their grandmother is not fit to care for them and they need a place to stay.

Last year when I was in Timau, Stephen introduced me to the similar case of brothers, Alvin (pictured) and Kevin. They too had lost both parents and were in desperate need of shelter and care. At the time we had 26 boys in the home and having 28 would really stretch us. Then reality sunk in. If we don't take in these boys, nobody will. We made it work. Although it wasn't in our budget to care for them, we said yes.

Now Alvin and Kelvin have 26 other brothers around them, support from their caretakers and doing well in school. Here we are again. Somehow Stephen has made space for 2 more. He asks, "I do deeply feel troubled about their situation. If you would please allow us to take them in as residential orphans, this will not only help them get a new home but also their lives will be out of danger..."

This is how HALO has grown. I know saying yes will mean more work, more commitments from our donors, more mouths to feed. It means we will provide food, water, shelter, clothing, education, art therapy and vocational training until they are able to live on their own. But how can we say no? This is why every dollar counts. With the help of our donors we are able to take children from living in fear of where their next meal will come from to living in a safe haven of support.

I have given in

2010-07-12T08:24:00.000-07:00

For the past few years people have advised me to blog. I keep hearing about the importance of Facebook and Twitter. I have finally given in. I signed up for Facebook. And Twitter. I realize it is my purpose to communicate what we are doing as an organization. I have witnessed incredible, improbable outcomes that are a direct result of our supporters' commitments. It would be an injustice if I kept these stories to myself.

I have made this blog part of my goal to intimately share our successes, challenges, stories and goals in hopes of connecting you to our mission of improving the lives of children in need.

Good Morning
Yesterday morning I woke up to a text from our ex-HALO International Ambassador to Uganda, Kristen Vogel. It read, "Did you hear about the bombings in Kampala?" I got out of bed, went to cnn.com and saw that 74 people were killed in a terrorist attack on Kampala during the World Cup. What went through my mind? The children we support. And then I thought of Dani Walker. Our new HALO (Volunteer) International Ambassador arrived 2 days earlier. Welcome to Uganda, Dani. Here's to the start of your 2 year commitment.

Dani's role is to oversee our programs, relationships and finances in Uganda. Once the phone lines were cleared up, I got through to Dani. Her response confirmed the reason she was selected for this job. She was completely calm, practical and had an overall positive outlook on the situation. She informed me that the children in our five supported homes are fine and that our partner organization, Cornerstone, made her feel comfortable and safe.

One integral piece of HALO is our commitment to forming partnerships with organizations that work on the ground successfully in the countries where we have programs. Cornerstone has served the Uganda for 35 years and have an undeniably strong reputation among the community. Our partnership with Cornerstone gives us peace of mind during times of crisis. Their experience and resources gives help us provide the most effective programs to the children we support. Our partnership also allows graduates from their Leadership Academy to serve as mentors in the homes we support.

It gives us the privilege of working with Ugandans who have the personal goal of raising up their own community. Today I feel grateful. Grateful that Dani was the right person for the this very important job. Grateful that Cornerstone is part of the HALO family. I spent the day grateful...and saddened for so many who lost a loved one in the attacks.