Stronger Together...

Lessons Learned…

Collaboration 1

The unflattering and very disheartening distinction by Forbes Magazine as being among the top contenders for Most Violent City In The US was the topic of discussion over lunch at an outside café with a good friend.  We, just a couple of ordinary teachers from a nearby elementary school, talked passionately about this hurting city which was the home to much excellence and a home we loved. As with all frustrating luncheon topics on the discussion docket, denial is an expected and frequent response, as is anger, and general complaining, but not one of these responses “does anything”  other than drive up blood pressure and perpetuate negativism. Not good enough. We determined right then to “do something” to bring a lift, a smile, a hug to this, our hometown which was tangled in a dark despair not unknown to countless hometowns these days. We determined right then to gather a local team of optimists, believers, neighbors and other such enthusiastic, collaborating, hometown helpers who would willingly, cheerfully work alongside us to build bridges of hope and trust into the corners of this beloved, beleaguered community. We determined right then that any effort brought forth in good faith to serve our neighbors was worth the try.  We determined that together we could be stronger, together we could be better, and that together we could begin to chip away at the paralyzing, isolating fear that dwells in the wake of violence.  Collaboration held a key. To be continued…