Perception Is Everything

You may have read this story before but it perfectly captures not only the importance of our perceptions but the importance of acting ourselves rather than thinking someone else is going to do that for us.  While some claim this story is an urban legend, if it is, it really doesn’t diminish its power.  This exchange occurs when an American ship at sea spots a light in the distance, bobbing along the horizon. 

Americans: "Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision."

Canadians: "Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision."

Americans: "This is the captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course."

Canadians: "No, I say again, you divert YOUR course."

Americans: "THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, THE SECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE UNITED STATES' ATLANTIC FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH. THAT'S ONE-FIVE DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP."

Canadians: "This is a lighthouse.Your call."

We’ve all had those lighthouse experiences.  At Entrusted Legacy we want to encourage you to change your course and invest with us so we can be sure that adults who are working with you can have the training they need to be positive role models and mentors for youth.  Our goal is to unleash the power of these fine people.  Go to our website at www.entrustedlegacy.org and DONATE now.  Entrust your legacy with us.  Together we can make a difference.  

Entrusted Legacy--2013

179 Educators

3,723 Youth

23 Afterschool Sites

5 Communities

3,902 Total Reached

Thanks to You---100% participated at No Cost

Why We Work with Those Who Work With Youth

Working with youth is about touching the future and making a difference in someone else’s life when the impact of your work is magnified by the recipient themselves.  Youth are like sponges, soaking up as much as possible so they can figure out how to navigate the world.  People who work with youth experience the thrill and the frustration inherent in unleashing the power of these young people to become what they were meant to be. 

In the song, You Raise Me Up, the chorus reads:

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up... To more than I can be.

To raise youth up is our goal and we believe that goal can be achieved by supporting the adults who work with youth.  The possibility in each young person to stretch forever is its own reward, and to be a part of the support is more than gratifying.  A quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln, "No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child" captures the essence of the work of positive role models and mentors. 

Please join with us at Entrusted Legacy to increase the impact we have on youth and the adults who work with them.  Donate to this worthwhile work by going to our website at www.entrustedlegacy.org  We welcome your support and help.  Together we CAN make a difference.

What Picture Do You See?

Recently I was channel surfing, disappointed that I wasn’t finding something to pique my interest.  Just about when I had given up, I happened upon a PBS channel that I didn’t even realize was in my service area.  A young man was talking about his passion for rescue animals and how in trying to save them he had found his career in being an animal photographer.  He was speaking to a group of volunteers who were interested in using their photographic skills to help the shelter animals as well.  He began by asking them to consider the infomercials on television that show one pathetic and sad animal after another and how those pictures made them feel.  He followed up by asking how many of them turned the channel because it was just too sad to watch.  Most responded with a nod or a raised hand of agreement. 

He went on to say that his goal was to show these same animals in a positive light by taking pictures of them that showed them to be alert, interested, and a pet that you could actually see yourself having in your home.  He described and demonstrated how he worked with the animals and talked about being at their eye level, capturing their attention, and then quickly snapping the pictures. 

If nothing else, this presentation reminded me how important the “picture we paint” really is.  We at Entrusted Legacy believe that every youth needs and deserves a positive role model and mentor.  We believe that these role models and mentors must receive training so they can be effective and have a positive impact on the youth.  We believe that these role models and mentors have “best days” yet to come and we believe that the results of the positive interactions between youth and adults will pay big dividends.  We believe that our pictures are of caring, dedicated adults, and bright, eager youth who just need a bit of support.  We hope you join with us in capturing a picture of possibility and passion.  At Entrusted Legacy we ask you to entrust your legacy with us and help us to highlight the great work of those in the afterschool world and strengthen their opportunity to be a positive influence on the youth they serve.  Go to our website at www.enturstedlegacy.org and DONATE now.