Blog mission - find ideas that WORK and shine a spotlight on them.
In hard times like these when what's broken is far more obvious than what's improving, and being afraid can seem like the only option, we need to support one another with encouragement, optimism, and stories of success.
This blog is an eclectic collection with a common theme "ideas that are working". Some days the posts will feature legislation or the actions of government agencies, the next day a non profit organization, group of neighbors, or a caring individual. Regardless of where the "good news" comes from it will be celebrated here.
At the end of each blog post you will find a call to action. Reading about a great idea is a good thing, telling someone else is even better, taking action that makes a change is the best. The blog is dedicated to folks who took action and made a difference.
The first post was Shower to the People - a story of Frank and Louise Fargo from Everett, Washington who offer showers to homeless folks from their mobile home.
Soon after came a story about Builders of Hope a remarkable non profit that saves older houses from demolition, remodels them to green standards, and then sells them at below-market rates to low income buyers. Among the employees you will find the homeless and recently incarcerated who would otherwise be unemployed.
Now it was time to add stories about the acts of Congress and the President Obama. I discovered that the Affordable Care Act was not only helping keep Americans healthy but also requiring Insurance companies to spend more on patient care.
When the White House released a document highlighting the top 100 Stimulus Projects, I was afraid to look. The Stimulus had gotten such bad press, I was convinced it was one big waste of $$. Imagine my surprise when I learned it was not only helping provide jobs today, it was building a green economy that will help us for generations to come. The Stimulus 101 page was born.
The biggest shock came when I started finding stories of how small and large businesses were doing the right thing. Lola Gonsalez laid herself off so she keep her employees on the payroll. Darn Tough, a company that figured out how to keep manufacturing jobs in America.
As the stories piled up I started to believe this “optimism thing” might work after all. Each day I become more confident that the country is moving in the right direction and it is important to spread the word. We need to believe in ourselves as we work toward recovery. Attitude matters.
I realize we have many serious, complex problems that have not yet been resolved. I do not mean to minimize the suffering and sacrifice of the unemployed and under-represented.
My theory is simply this - in addition to discussing the problems we need to celebrate and build upon the solutions. Stop by daily to be encouraged.
In hard times like these when what's broken is far more obvious than what's improving, and being afraid can seem like the only option, we need to support one another with encouragement, optimism, and stories of success.
This blog is an eclectic collection with a common theme "ideas that are working". Some days the posts will feature legislation or the actions of government agencies, the next day a non profit organization, group of neighbors, or a caring individual. Regardless of where the "good news" comes from it will be celebrated here.
At the end of each blog post you will find a call to action. Reading about a great idea is a good thing, telling someone else is even better, taking action that makes a change is the best. The blog is dedicated to folks who took action and made a difference.
The first post was Shower to the People - a story of Frank and Louise Fargo from Everett, Washington who offer showers to homeless folks from their mobile home.
Soon after came a story about Builders of Hope a remarkable non profit that saves older houses from demolition, remodels them to green standards, and then sells them at below-market rates to low income buyers. Among the employees you will find the homeless and recently incarcerated who would otherwise be unemployed.
Now it was time to add stories about the acts of Congress and the President Obama. I discovered that the Affordable Care Act was not only helping keep Americans healthy but also requiring Insurance companies to spend more on patient care.
When the White House released a document highlighting the top 100 Stimulus Projects, I was afraid to look. The Stimulus had gotten such bad press, I was convinced it was one big waste of $$. Imagine my surprise when I learned it was not only helping provide jobs today, it was building a green economy that will help us for generations to come. The Stimulus 101 page was born.
The biggest shock came when I started finding stories of how small and large businesses were doing the right thing. Lola Gonsalez laid herself off so she keep her employees on the payroll. Darn Tough, a company that figured out how to keep manufacturing jobs in America.
As the stories piled up I started to believe this “optimism thing” might work after all. Each day I become more confident that the country is moving in the right direction and it is important to spread the word. We need to believe in ourselves as we work toward recovery. Attitude matters.
I realize we have many serious, complex problems that have not yet been resolved. I do not mean to minimize the suffering and sacrifice of the unemployed and under-represented.
My theory is simply this - in addition to discussing the problems we need to celebrate and build upon the solutions. Stop by daily to be encouraged.
Apple Needs to Make it in America
