Jeremiah Program’s Post

Great to be back again serving as emcee at the 17th Annual Hearts of Texas Luncheon, honoring Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Randy Bowman, Community Partners of Dallas and the Lewisville ISD. Volunteerism transforms lives! Thanks to Volunteer Now CEO, Rachel Currie Triska, for inspiring her incredible team. Americans gave 4.1 billion hours of service to humanity as volunteers last year. There's nothing more impactful than making a difference in the lives of those who need it most. As I share in my keynote address: "Live your life as a go-getter, yet, forever share your life as a go-giver."

June is National Make a Difference to Children Month. In honor, we remind adults that you probably already do things every day to support children. Whether it’s simply showing up or listening to what they have to say – you have a huge impact. Here are a few tips to help do more to make a difference:

Newman's Own Foundation with a grant opportunity for organizations focused on food justice for kids. Paul M. Angell Family Foundation with a grant opportunity for certain Latino arts organizations. From their websites: > Newman's. "Is your organization working towards food justice for kids in the United States? If so, this is your chance to receive up to $100,000 in grant funding over the next 2 years and deepen your impact! Apply by June 11, 2024." > Paul M Angell. "Mini grants are available for small Latino arts organizations which have budgets of under $200,000.00. Awards are $5,000.00 for grounds with budgets up to $100,000.00 and $7,500.00 for groups with budgets from $100,000.00 up to $200,000.00." Applications due June 7.

Celebrating Father’s Day. Father’s Day bring different emotions to all of us. Happy memories and sad memories at times. My Dad was my hero, even though he is nolonger with us, l still celebrate him. Father’s Day is a special occasion dedicated to honoring the men who have played pivotal roles in our lives. It’s a day to recognise the contributions of fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, and father figures who have provided love, guidance, and support. Father’s Day has a rich history that dates back over a century. The idea for Father’s Day is often credited to Sonora Smart Dodd, who was inspired by the newly established Mother’s Day. Dodd wanted to honor her own father, a Civil War veteran who single-handedly raised six children. The first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington. It wasn’t until 1972 that President Richard Nixon signed it into law as a permanent national holiday in the United States. Fathers wear many hats: they are providers, protectors, teachers, and role models. Their influence is profound, shaping the character and values of their children. A father’s love and guidance help build the foundation upon which children develop confidence, resilience, and a sense of security. In today’s world, the role of a father is evolving. More dads are taking on active roles in parenting, from attending school events to sharing household responsibilities. This shift not only benefits the children but also fosters a more balanced and supportive family. Father’s Day is also a time for us as fathers to reflect on our own journey. It’s an opportunity to appreciate the joys and challenges of fatherhood and to acknowledge the impact we have on our children’s lives. Being a father is a lifelong commitment filled with ups and downs, but it’s also one of the most rewarding roles a man can have. As we celebrate Father’s Day, let’s take a moment to honour and appreciate the fathers and father figures who have made a difference in our lives. Their love, sacrifice, and dedication deserve recognition and gratitude. Whether through words, actions, or gestures, let’s show them how much they are valued and loved. Happy Father’s Day to all the incredible dads out there! #menshealth #mensmentalhealth #reachout #suicideawareness #suicideprevention

Do you have a Black Lives Matter sign in front of your house? If you have kids, do your kids know what Black Lives Matter means to you? Your sign offers a great opportunity to talk to your kids about white supremacy.   Do your kids know that the police do not act in a vacuum? Fear, control and violence are part of the construction and maintenance of the structure of white supremacy in America. Our police departments grew directly out of slave patrols. They act as a critical part of the control and violence that upholds unequal and unjust outcomes for communities of color. I’m not anti-police. I’ll be the first one to call 911 in an emergency. And I have once experienced the relief and joy of knowing the police were there to protect me (I barely remember the danger, but I remember the feeling of being protected - it was amazing). I also know that involving the police means that anyone who looks like me is in greater danger. I know that anyone with mental health difficulties, autism, or other developmental deficits, is in greater danger. And I believe it doesn’t have to be this way. I believe if we can talk to each other and our kids about race, we can build better, safer police departments and a better, safer country. I know that talking to your kids about race can be difficult; I’d like to help. I’m offering a developmentally appropriate guide for talking to kids from 0-18 about race. You can get it for free here. https://lnkd.in/gVt5GwGP

Here is my latest article published on Medium. Y'all check it out!

The Genius of Play's Step by Step Sculpture play activity develops fundamental skills in following verbal directions, essential for everyday life and academic success! #geniusofplay #allabilities #disabilities #toys #play #toyindustry

The Justice Is The Foundation report reveals a crucial truth: while movements for racial justice in education are expanding, investment is tapering off. Explore how the Schott Foundation is working to address this gap. #BlackPhilanthropyMonth Thank you, Black Philanthropy Month, for the insightful panel discussion last year, which featured Schott CEO Dr. John H. Jackson, Bakari Sellers, Christina Lewis from Giving Gap, Nneka Eze from VestedWorld, and BHEKINKOSI MOYO.

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