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>>> A LOCAL CHARITY FULFILLS IT'S DREAM TO PROVIDE SHOES FOR
1,000 CHILDRENS THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF A NATIONAL RAP
ARTIST, AND WE'LL MEET THE FOUNDER OF AN EXTRAORDINARY
GROUP THAT TACKLES THE ISSUES OF FAITH, DISABILITIES AND
INCLUSION. "THE FORUM" BEGINS NOW.
>> I'M JAN CALLAGHAN. IMAGINE STARTING YOUR FIRST DAY
OF SCHOOL WITHOUT A NEW OR DECENT PAIR OF SHOES TO WEAR.
THAT WANT AND NEED THAT SPARKED THE CREATION OF 1,000 SHOES FOR
1,000 SMILES, A LOCAL NONPROFIT LIVING UP TO ITS NAME.
FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR LIZETTA McKESSON AND ORNA DIXON AND
BOARD MEMBER ANIEKO COLEMAN ARE FLOATING ON AIR THANKS TO THE
GENEROSITY OF A LOCAL RECORDING ARTIST AND BIG NAME SPONSOR.
YOU HAD A BIG EVENT ON MONDAY NIGHT, AND IT WAS WELL ATTENDED
AND WELL ORGANIZED AND THERE WAS A RECORDING ARTIST, A RAP ARTIST
THAT CAME IN AND HELPED YOU OUT THIS TIME AROUND.
>> YES. PUSH IT T.
HE IS WITH GOOD MUSIC, WHICH IS UNDER KANYE, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE
KNOW WHO THAT IS. I APPROACHED HIM IN SEPTEMBER OF
THIS YEAR AND ASKED HIM IF HE WOULD BE OUR CELEBRITY
SPOKESPERSON FOR OUR ORGANIZATION TO HELP US GET
BRAND-NEW SHOES, BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES COMPANIES WILL GIVE
ARTISTS THEIR PRODUCT TO PROMOTE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THEIR
FANS WILL FOLLOW THEM AND, YOU KNOW, PURCHASE WHAT THEY
PURCHASE. SO HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD A FEW
CONTACTS AND THAT HE HAD ALREADY BEEN GIVING TO OUR ORGANIZATION
FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW. I WANTED HIM TO STEP UP HIS
LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTION TO US, AND HE DID.
HE APPROACHED ADIDAS AND THEY GAVE US 1,000 SHOES TO GIVE TO
1,000 KIDS FOR CHRISTMAS. >> YOU SAW PICTURES THEY PUT UP
ON THE SCREEN OF THE EVENT, AND THERE HE IS, THERE'S PUSH IT T
WITH A LITTLE BOY. HE WAS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.
>> YES. >> I WAS THERE AT THE EVENT, AND
A LOT OF KIDS SHOWED UP. THIS IS ALL VERY WELL-ORGANIZED,
AND IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME YOU'VE HELD SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
IT'S THE FIRST TIME HE'S BEEN THERE TO REALLY SHOW SUPPORT AND
TO HAVE A LARGER SPONSOR LIKE THIS.
>> THIS IS OUR FIRST CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP, AND WE WERE SO
EXCITED ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT ENABLED US TO GIVE MORE CHILDREN
THAN WE'VE EVER GIVEN. WE'RE GOING ON 2014, AND WE'LL
HAVE OUR TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY. TO HIT OUR 1,000 MARK GOAL THAT
WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO SINCE 2004, IT WAS VERY SPECIAL TO US.
>> THAT SAYS SOMETHING RIGHT THERE.
YOU'VE DONE IT FOR TEN YEARS AND WORKED VERY HARD, AND YOU HAVE
TRIED VERY HARD TO GET THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE.
THEY HAVE. I KNOW, ORNA, YOU'RE VERY
INVOLVED IN THIS AS A DIRECTOR AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD,
SO YOU KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF EFFORT TO GO INTO GETTING
PEOPLE -- MAKING PEOPLE AWARE OF THE NEED.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WOULD NECESSARILY THINK OF EVERY
DAY, BUT SOMETHING AS BASIC AS A PAIR OF SHOES MAKES A BIG
DIFFERENCE. >> IT REALLY IS, GATHERING ALL
THE VOLUNTEERS AND ASKING DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN THE
COMMUNITY TO DONATE. IT'S A HARD PLACE AND IT'S A
HARD POSITION TO BE IN, BUT WITH ME BEING THE DIRECTOR, IT MAKES
IT EASIER BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO BE A PEOPLE PERSON TO GO OUT AND BE
ABLE TO SAY, YOU KNOW, WILL YOU DONATE TO MY ORGANIZATION?
WE HAVE SOME VERY WILLING PEOPLE IN THE AREA HAVE BEEN DONATING
TO OUR ORGANIZATION FOR YEARS WITH KMART, WALMART, PAYLESS,
FOOT LOCKER, THEY ARE HUGE SPONSORS OF THE ORGANIZATION,
AND WE'RE SO GRATEFUL THEY STEPPED UP AND JOINED US.
>> THAT'S WONDERFUL. ANIEKO, YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED
ALSO WITH THE ORGANIZATION AND ACTUALLY DID, I GUESS, WORK WITH
LIZETTA AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES UNTIL RECENTLY.
YOU'RE STILL THERE, BUT LIZETTA IS FOCUSING NOW ON THE CHARITY.
>> WHICH IS AWESOME AND AMAZING. >> I MET HER WHEN SHE CAME ON
BOARD WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES THREE YEARS AGO,
AND I WAS ELATED TO KNOW THAT SHE WAS DOING A NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION, 1,000 SHOES FOR 1,000 SMILES.
IT IS A HELPFUL TOOL FOR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE THERE ARE SO
MANY CHILDREN IN HAMPTON ROADS WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE WHO NEED
A LITTLE HELP AND WHO RECEIVE HELP FROM OUR AGENCY.
THEN, YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY'RE ABLE TO ALSO GET THAT EXTRA PUSH
WITH A BRAND-NEW PAIR OF SHOES AT BACK TO SCHOOL AND NOW WITH
THE ASSISTANCE OF PUSH IT T AND ADIDAS FOR CHRISTMASTIME, IT'S
SUCH A BONUS. I'M GLAD TO SEE IT GROWING, AND
HOPEFULLY IN THE FUTURE IT WILL -- YOU KNOW, IT WILL GROW
EVEN MORE. I'M EXCITED.
>> THAT'S GREAT. BEING AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN
SERVICES, YOU SEE THE NEED EVERY DAY.
YOU SEE THE PEOPLE EVERY DAY. YOU WORK WITH THEM.
YOU ARE IN WORKING ELIGIBILITY? >> THAT IS CORRECT, I'M AN
ELIGIBILITY WORKER. JUST THE NEED IN HAMPTON ROADS
IN GENERAL, NOT JUST DURING THE HOLIDAY TIME BUT YEAR-ROUND.
SO, YOU KNOW, WE ACCEPT THE DONATIONS DURING THE SOFTBALL
DRIVE AND THE CELEBRITY SOFT BAUER TOURNAMENT WE HAVE AND
ALSO THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRIVE AND NOW AT CHRISTMASTIME.
IT'S AN ONGOING THING, SO WHOEVER WANTS TO GET INVOLVED
SHOULD CONTACT MS. McKESSON DIRECTLY THROUGH THE WEBSITE OR
EVEN CALL. IT'S SOMETHING TO GIVE BACK, BUT
THEN TO DO IT RIGHT IN YOUR COMMUNITY, IT'S AN AWESOME
THING. >> YEAH, YEAH.
THEN YOU GET TO SEE THE RESULTS. >> FIRSTHAND.
>> YEAH. NOT JUST THE KIDS BUT THE
PARENTS, TOO. >> THEY ARE SO GRATEFUL, AND IT
FEELS GOOD. I KNOW WE HAVE ALL WITNESSED
PARENTS COMING UP TO US AND SAYING HOW THANKFUL THEY ARE AND
JUST WITH THE CHRISTMAS DRIVE ON INSTAGRAM AND ON FACEBOOK, I SAW
SO MANY COMMENTS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE WOULD HAVE
DONE. I REALLY APPRECIATE 1,000 SHOES
FOR 1,000 SMILES DOING THIS FOR US.
I DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO GIVE MY KIDS FOR CHRISTMAS, AND THIS
IS WHAT THEY'RE GETTING. THEY WOULDN'T HAVE HAD ANYTHING.
SO IT JUST MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, WHY DO YOU
DO THIS? THIS IS WHY I CONTINUE TO DO
THIS. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU DO ANYTHING
AND GIVING BACK, IT'S HARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN PEOPLE TELL YOU
NO OR YOU DON'T HAVE AS MUCH AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE.
THIS IS WHAT PUSHES US TO KEEP WANTING TO DO THIS.
WHEN WE HEAR THAT ONE PERSON, THAT ONE PARENT OR CHILD SAY,
THANK YOU, OR THESE ARE THE SHOES I WANTED, OR I'VE NEVER
HAD A NEW PAIR OF SHOES, THAT'S WHAT OUR ORGANIZATION IS ABOUT,
GIVING BRAND-NEW SHOES TO THESE KIDS BECAUSE THEY GET USED OR
PASSED-DOWN SHOES ALL THE TIME. I KNOW HOW MY SONS HAVE
CHILDREN, HOW OUR KIDS FEEL WHEN THEY GET A NEW PAIR OF SHOES OR
I GET A NEW PAIR, SOMETHING I LIKE.
I'M EXCITED. >> NO.
>> SO GIVE A CHILD SOMETHING BRAND-NEW THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS
PUT THEIR FOOT IN AND TO SEE HOW EXCITED THEY ARE ABOUT THAT
MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD AND MAKES YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO THIS.
>> YEAH. IMAGINE, TOO, WITH WORKING WITH
PEOPLE THAT COME IN THE DOOR EVERY DAY AND HAVE NEEDS, THIS
IS A WAY OUTSIDE OF THAT TO ADDRESS SOMETHING SPECIFIC BUT
VERY, VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO A LOT OF PEOPLE'S HEARTS.
YOU CAN'T DO THAT WHEN YOU'RE PROVIDING, YOU KNOW, AND
PROCESSING AN APPLICATION OR GOING BY STATE STANDARDS
ALTHOUGH I'M SURE YOU HAVE THE ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS BECAUSE OF
THIS. THE CHILDREN CAME.
IT WASN'T JUST PEOPLE THAT CAME IN AND GOT STUFF, IT WAS ALL SET
UP SO THEY CAME IN WITH VOUCHERS.
>> IT IS A QUALIFICATION, BECAUSE LIKE YOU SAID, A LOT OF
PEOPLE HEAR THAT YOU GIVE NEW SHOES, EVERYONE WITH A FOOT
WOULD BE THERE. SO WHAT WE DID TO KIND OF MAKE
SURE THAT WE GET TRULY NEEDY CHILDREN WHO ARE FAMILIES THAT
NEED THESE SHOES, I HAVE PARTNERED -- OUR ORGANIZATION
PARTNERED WITH NORFOLK HUMAN SERVICES, AND THEN WE BRING THE
VOUCHERS TO HUMAN SERVICES AND THE ELIGIBILITY WORKERS
DETERMINE WHICH FAMILIES THEY FEEL ARE MOST IN NEED.
THE FAMILIES MUST BE RECEIVING EITHER TANIS, MEDICAID OR SNAP
BENEFITS TO QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM.
IT IS FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12th GRADE, BECAUSE THOSE
CHILDREN ARE IN SCHOOL ALL DAY LONG.
>> THEY MAY BE KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12th GRADE, BUT THEY ARE
CHILDREN. SOME OF THEM ARE LARGE CHILDREN.
>> YES. >> AND THERE HAVE BEEN SHOE SIZE
ISSUES THAT I THINK ARE ALWAYS THERE.
PRETTY AMAZING WHEN YOU'VE GOT A KID WHO IS 13 AND 14 AND WEARS A
SIZE 13 SHOE. >> WE HAD ONE YOUNG MAN, HE WAS
IN LINE, AND HE WAS A 14. THE HIGHEST WE WENT UP TO WAS
13. >> IT'S DEVASTATING.
>> THAT'S WHY DIRECTING THE DONATIONS AND STUFF LIKE THAT,
THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT. ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO DONATE,
THEY CAN CONTACT MYSELF, MISS McKESSON OR ANIEKO BECAUSE WE'RE
STILL IN NEED. WE HAVE THE AUGUST DRIVE COMING
UP. WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO BE
REPLENISHED. WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, A FEW
DONATIONS ALREADY COMING IN, BUT WE NEED MORE.
THE LARGEST SIZE AND SIZE OF KIDS, THEY GO FIRST.
SO 8 THROUGH 11 AND THEN WE'LL HAVE MAYBE FIVE OR SIX YOUNG MEN
WHO COME IN WHO ARE SIZES 12, 12 1/2 THROUGH 14.
>> THEY MAY HAVE SOME ADULT SIZES.
>> THAT'S THE SIZES WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE IN SCHOOL, THEY ARE ADULT FEET, I MEAN.
USUALLY YOUR FEET STOP AT NINTH, TENTH GRADE, BUT YOU HAVE SOME
BOYS AND GIRLS WHO ARE -- >> LARGER SIZES.
>> WE NEED THOSE DONATIONS. >> THE CHRISTMAS THING WAS
DIFFERENT THIS YEAR. YOU DO FOCUS ON THE START OF
SCHOOL MOSTLY, SO WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING IN THE MONTHS AHEAD WILL
BE TO GARNER THE INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY AND OF SPONSORS TO
HELP YOU WITH THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRIVE.
>> YES, YES. >> SO THAT'S WHAT AUGUST IS ALL
ABOUT, AND THAT'S WHEN YOU ACTUALLY DO THAT GIVE-AWAY.
THIS IS REALLY SPECIAL. >> YES, IT REALLY WAS.
>> IT HAPPENED WHEN IT DID. >> IT WAS NOT -- IT WASN'T THAT
HARD FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR. >> IT'S NICE, ISN'T IT?
>> YEAH. >> YOU CAN FOCUS ON MAKING
SURE -- ACTUALLY, WE HAD ALSO OTHER COMPANIES DONATED
T-SHIRTS, FRIENDLY STUFFED ANIMALS WITH FLASHLIGHTS FOR THE
LITTLE KIDS, ADIDAS SENT BOOK BAGS AND SOCKS BECAUSE THEY
WANTED TO MAKE SURE NOBODY LEFT WITH ANYTHING.
EVEN IF THEY COULDN'T GET A SHOE, THEY GOT SOMETHING WHEN
THEY LEFT. THAT MADE US FEEL GOOD, BECAUSE
WE USUALLY CAN'T DO THAT. WE OFFER THE SHOES, AND WE JUST
HAVE TO SAY, YOU KNOW, MAYBE BACK-TO-SCHOOL OR CHRISTMAS, YOU
GET HERE A LITTLE EARLIER, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GET YOUR SHOE
SIZE. >> THAT'S A NICE IDEA, AND THE
FACT EVERYBODY GOT SOMETHING TO TAKE HOMEMADE IT EXTRA SPECIAL
FOR THE KIDS. IT WAS A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE,
AND OUR GUEST ARTIST WAS GREAT AND REALLY CHARMING.
>> HE WAS. >> HE WAS REALLY WONDERFUL WITH
THE KIDS. >> HE WAS IN THE MIX WITH THE
KIDS. HE WASN'T STANDOFFISH AT ALL.
HE MADE IT VERY COMFORTABLE FOR THE KIDS TO COME UP TO HIM.
>> HE WAS VERY APPROACHABLE. YEAH, HE WAS.
HE WAS GOOD ABOUT IT, SO IT WAS REALLY FUN TO BE THERE.
I'M GLAD I HAD THE CHANCE. >> I'M GLAD YOU CAME.
>> I'VE KNOWN ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION AND IT'S REALLY
NICE TO SEE THAT HARD WORK DOES REALLY GET RESULTS.
SO THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR, BUT NOW YOU HAVE TO FOCUS ON AUGUST.
SO, PLEASE, WE PUT THE NUMBER UP ON THE SCREEN.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT MORE ABOUT DONATING OR IF
YOU'RE INTERESTING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION, PERHAPS
YOU KNOW SOMEBODY IN NEED, CERTAINLY THESE LADIES CAN HELP
YOU OUT. THEY'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO
TALK TO YOU. THANK YOU FOR TALKING TO ME AND
COMING ON THE SHOW. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
>> SO SOON FRESH OFF THE RED CARPET.
CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> WHEN WE COME BACK, WE'RE GOING TO MEET SOME OF THE PEOPLE
BEHIND A MOVEMENT IN THE FAITH COMMUNITY WHO STRIVE TO LEAVE NO
MAN, WOMAN OR CHILD BEHIND. DON'T GO AWAY.
>>> IF YOU ARE OF ABLE-BODY AND SOUND MIND ATTENDING YOUR CHURCH
OR SYNAGOGUE MAY BE A MATTER OF COURSE.
THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE CASE FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH
MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DISABILITIES. ENTER THE FAITH INCLUSION
NETWORK. IT'S A REGIONAL ORGANIZATION
THAT'S BEEN WORKING HARD TO OPEN THE DOOR TO ALL WHO WISH TO
ENTER. DIRECTOR KAREN JACKSON IS
JOINING US ALONG WITH BOARD MEMBER JEFF TURNER.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE WORD ABOUT YOUR MINISTRY AND YOUR
ORGANIZATION AND WHAT IT'S DOING FOR THE COMMUNITY.
IT'S OPENING DOORS AND MINDS AND EYES, I THINK.
>> GLAD TO BE HERE. THANK YOU.
>> I'M GLAD WE'RE HAVING YOU. WE HAVE TALKED TO YOU
PROBABLY -- WE DECIDED IT WAS ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO, SO YOU ARE
RELATIVELY A NEW ORGANIZATION, THEN.
YOU HAVE FIVE YEARS UNDER YOUR BELT, AND WE'LL START AT THE
BEGINNING. YOU HAVE THIS GOING FOR A
REASON. >> THAT'S RIGHT.
IT WAS MY EXPERIENCE WITH MY DAUGHTER WHO IS 16 NOW AND SHE
HAS AUTISM, AND TRYING TO GET HER INVOLVED IN A FAITH
COMMUNITY WAS CHALLENGING. THE BEHAVIORS ASSOCIATED WITH
AUTISM, HER INABILITY TO COMMUNICATE, THESE ARE ALL
THINGS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH AND
CERTAINLY FAITH COMMUNITIES STRUGGLE WITH.
SO WHEN WE STARTED GOING TO OUR CHURCH THAT WE GO TO NOW,
BLESSED SACRAMENT IN NORFOLK, AND THEY WERE HELPING TO INCLUDE
HER AND CREATE MORE AWARENESS AT THAT PARTICULAR CHURCH ABOUT
WHAT AUTISM IS. I STARTED TO REALIZE THAT THIS
IS JUST NOT AN ISSUE WE'RE HAVING HERE.
CERTAINLY THIS HAS GOT TO BE AN ISSUE WITH OTHER FAMILIES AND
OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND SORT OF FELL
RIGHT INTO THIS WHOLE WORLD OF FAITH AND DISABILITIES WHICH IS
THE WHOLE IDEA OF INCLUSION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND
EXPLODING AROUND THE COUNTRY AND WHAT ARE THE ISSUES.
IT'S EXCITING TO ME TO SEE THAT WE STARTED OUR EFFORTS HERE
REALLY AT THE SAME TIME AS THIS ISSUE WITH DEVELOPING
NATIONALLY. I'M EXCITED TO DO OUR PART IN
HELPING FAITH COMMUNITIES BECOME MORE EDUCATED AND FIND RESOURCES
TO HELP INCLUDE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
>> SO THE NEED OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT NEED THOSE RESOURCES HAVE
COME TO YOU. HAVE YOU FOUND THE RESPONSE TO
BE STRONG? >> YES.
PART OF OUR EFFORT IS WITH OUR WEBSITE, AND ON THE WEBSITE WE
NOT ONLY LIST FAITH AND DISABILITY RESOURCES, BUT WE
HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FAITH COMMUNITIES TO LIST CONTACTS OR
DESCRIBE PROGRAMS THAT WORK WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN
THEIR OWN FAITH COMMUNITIES. ON THE WEBSITE IT'S LISTED BY
CITY, AND THEN IT'S DENOMINATION.
WE PROBABLY HAVE ABOUT 40 FAITH COMMUNITIES RIGHT NOW, SO THIS
YEAR AND COMING YEARS THE EFFORT WILL BE TO JUST FIND ALL THE
PLACES THAT ARE DOING A GOOD JOB OR ARE STARTING TO ADDRESS THE
ISSUE AND GET THEM ON THE WEBSITE.
SO FAMILIES, INDIVIDUALS CAN ACCESS THAT AND NOT HAVE TO GO
THROUGH A LOT OF VISITING DIFFERENT PLACES TO FIND THE
PLACE THAT WORKS. >> NETWORKS ARE ALWAYS A GREAT
THING TO HAVE, AND YOU KNOW, GETTING THEM ESTABLISHED IS THE
KEY. THAT TAKES A LOT OF TIME AND
EFFORT. YOU CAN'T DO IT OVERNIGHT.
CLEARLY YOU HAVE MET A NEED. JEFF, YOU'RE A BOARD MEMBER SO
YOU CLEARLY ARE INVOLVED AND INVOLVED FOR REASONS THAT MAYBE
SOME ARE QUITE PERSONAL AND SOME ARE ONES YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE.
>> WELL, IT'S JUST BEEN A REAL HELP TO ME, BECAUSE YOU NEVER
THINK ABOUT THE OTHER SIDE OF IT UNTIL YOU'RE DISABLED OR HAVE
SOMETHING TO LIMIT YOU IN SOME WAY.
I'VE BECOME DISABLED FROM WORK AND HAD TO QUIT.
I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT I COULD BE HELPFUL WITH OR
PARTICIPATE IN, FEEL USEFUL. SO WHEN I HEARD OF FAITH
INCLUSION NETWORK, A FRIEND INVITED ME.
IT REALLY DID FIT, BECAUSE NOW I WAS ABLE TO SEE, BECAUSE I
WORKED FOR CONSTRUCTION BEFORE AND WAS NEVER IN A WHEELCHAIR
AND NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT. NOW I HAVE A DIFFERENT
PERSPECTIVE, AND HAVING THE CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND, I SEE
EASY WAYS TO FIX PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS.
THE OTHER ONES, THE HARDER ONES ARE THE ONES THAT ARE MORE --
NEED MORE EDUCATION AND MORE COMPASSION IN MY MIND.
THE PHYSICAL FIXES ARE EASY AND TAKE CARE WELL.
>> YOU CAN SEE THEM READILY. FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, YOU CAN
SEE THEM READILY AND HELP OTHERS SEE THEM, BUT IT'S DIFFERENT
WHEN IT'S NOT AS VISIBLE AND TANGIBLE.
>> I THINK THE OTHERS TAKE MORE OF YOURSELF TO PUT OUT TO HELP
PEOPLE. YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE COMPASSION, A
REAL DESIRE TO HELP PEOPLE WHO WANT TO WORSHIP OR MAKE IT
SIMPLE FOR THEM. YOU WOULD THINK A CHURCH WOULD
BE THE MOST WELCOMING OR SYNAGOGUE OF PLACES, BUT
SOMETIMES IT JUST ISN'T THE CASE.
THAT'S MY HARDEST, TO TRY TO TAKE THOSE BARRIERS AWAY AND
FACILITATE THAT ASPECT. >> A CHALLENGE TO THE ASSUMPTION
THAT ALL CHURCHES, YOU KNOW, HAVE FIGURED ALL OF THIS OUT,
WHEN THEY ARE LIKE ALL OTHER FACILITIES, AN ORGANIZATION, A
GROUP, AND MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE THE SKILLS, THE INSIGHT OR THE
ABILITY IN SOME CASES TO REALLY ADDRESS IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T
POSSESS THAT -- >> THEY'RE NOT AWARE THAT
THERE'S EVEN AN ISSUE USUALLY. >> THAT'S OPENING SO MANY
PEOPLE'S EYES IS PART OF WHAT YOU DO.
THE WEBSITE IS REALLY KEY IN YOUR ORGANIZATION.
>> IT'S A BIG PART OF IT. WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF EVENTS.
WE SPONSOR CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS AND BRING IN NATIONAL
SPEAKERS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF INCLUSION INCLUDING HOW DO
YOU HELP IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WHO HAVE
DISABILITIES, ESPECIALLY DEVELOPMENTAL AND COGNITIVE
DISABILITIES, AND WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, THESE EVENTS AREN'T JUST
EDUCATION BUT THEY'RE NETWORKING AND A CHANCE FOR EVERYONE WHO IS
WORKING ON THIS ISSUE IN THE AREA TO GET TOGETHER AND SHARE
WHAT THEY'RE DOING, TOO. >> WHICH JUST MAKES EVERYTHING
GROW. >> EXACTLY.
THEY CAN FIND THOSE CONTACTS IN PEOPLE THEY WANT TO WORK WITH
LOCALLY. >> YOU HAVE SEVERAL EVENTS IN
THE YEAR, AND INCLUDING ONE COMING UP IN JANUARY, CORRECT?
>> THAT'S RIGHT. THIS IS OUR SECOND GIFT OF THE
HEART CELEBRATION, AND WHAT IT IS IS PRIMARILY A COMMUNITY
AWARENESS EVENT. TRYING TO BRING PEOPLE AGAIN
TOGETHER WHO HAVE HAD ALL KINDS OF EXPERIENCES WITH FAITH
COMMUNITIES. THEY MAY HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS
WITH DISABILITIES, THEY MAY HAVE DISABILITIES THEMSELVES.
WE HAVE A PROGRAM ON STAGE OF MUSICIANS AND DANCERS AND
SPEAKERS. SO PRIMARILY THAT'S WHAT THE
EVENT IS ABOUT. IT'S ALSO OUR FUND-RAISER, AND
THE ONLY ONE THAT WE DO. SO WE'LL HAVE A SMALL SILENT
AUCTION WITH A LOT OF ARTISTIC TYPE ITEMS, ITEMS FROM THE
COMMUNITY. ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE DOING IS
A RAFFLE. ONE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS, GRAY
PERIYER, HIS WIFE IS WITH THE JEWELLERS IN NORFOLK.
FOR THE SECOND TIME SHE HAS DEVELOPED THIS -- CREATED THIS
BEAUTIFUL NECKLACE TO RAFFLE, SO WE CALL IT THE GIFT OF THE HEART
NECKLACE. THAT WILL BE THERE.
THAT WILL BE A RAFFLE ITEM. A LOT OF FUN THINGS, A FUN NIGHT
OUT. CERTAINLY IF THERE ARE -- THE
TICKETS ARE $40 INDIVIDUALLY, AND WE ALSO HAVE SPONSORSHIPS
AVAILABLE. BUT IF THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH DISABILITIES, WE CAN PROVIDE
SOME FREE TICKETS WE HAVE. WE ALSO HAVE -- WE WANT EVERYONE
THERE. IT'S A BIG PARTY.
WE WANT EVERYONE THERE, AND THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IS INVITED.
>> INCLUDE EVERYONE IN THAT. THAT'S PART OF YOUR NAME.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. >> PART OF YOUR NAME IS
"INCLUSION." THIS WILL BE HAPPENING WHEN AND
WHERE? >> THURSDAY, JANUARY 30th AT
6:00 TO 9:00 P.M. AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN NORFOLK
WHO HAVE BEEN AMAZINGLY GENEROUS IN SPONSORING THIS EVENT FOR THE
SECOND -- THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THEY SPONSORED IT.
SO IT'S COMING UP RIGHT AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.
>> YEAH. THE ADDRESS AND THE EVENT TIME,
PLACE, PHONE NUMBER AND THE WEBSITE IS UP ON THE SCREEN.
>> RIGHT. >> THAT'S FOR THE ORGANIZATION.
FAITH INCLUSION NETWORK, BUT ALSO SO YOU CAN FIND OUT ABOUT
GIFTS OF THE HEART. IS THERE AN E-VITE?
>> THERE'S AN EVENT BRIGHT ADDRESS.
YOU CAN ACCESS THAT THROUGH OUR WEBSITE.
>> YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR IT THAT WAY AND GET YOUR TICKETS AND
FIND OUT ABOUT THE -- IF YOU WANT OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS OR
THOSE WHO MAY HAVE SOME NEEDS SO THEY CAN ATTEND AS WELL.
SO YOU'VE REALLY MADE THIS ACCESSIBLE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE,
WHICH IS THE POINT. >> EXACTLY.
>> THIS IS THE SECOND ANNUAL, AND YOUR FIRST ANNUAL MUST HAVE
BEEN PRETTY GOOD IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT A SECOND TIME AROUND.
>> WE ACTUALLY CONSIDER IT OUR SECOND BIANNUAL.
WE HAD IT IN 2012. WE DID A BIG SO THAT ALL MAY
WORSHIP CONCERT AND THIS EVENT. THIS IS OUR BIG EVENT FOR THE
YEAR, AND ALTHOUGH WE DO HAVE IN MARCH AN AUTISM AND FAITH
WORKSHOP, AND THAT WILL BE OUR SECOND ONE, TOO.
DETAILS ABOUT THAT WILL GO UP IN JANUARY ON OUR WEBSITE.
THAT WILL BE A FREE EVENT. IT'S AN EDUCATIONAL EVENT FOR
THE LARGE POPULATION OF PEOPLE WE HAVE IN THE AREA WHO HAVE
AUTISM IN THEIR FAMILIES. SO I THINK THAT DATE IS MARCH
27th. SO LIKE I SAID, INFORMATION
ABOUT THAT WILL GO UP ON OUR WEBSITE IN JANUARY.
ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE HAVE THIS KIND OF FUND-RAISER IS SO
WE CAN HAVE PROGRAMS LIKE THIS WHERE WE BRING IN SPEAKERS AND
TALK ABOUT THESE KIND OF ISSUES AND MAKE IT FREE TO THE
COMMUNITY. >> IT ALSO MAKES THEM AWARE IT'S
GOING TO HAPPEN, WHICH IS GREAT, TOO, SO YOU HAVE ANOTHER WAY TO
SPREAD THE WORD AND HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HELP IN A WAY.
YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH THIS PARTICULAR FUND-RAISER STILL
PRETTY BIG. I KNOW ALL YOUR BOARD MEMBERS
MUST HAVE SOME. >> VERY ACTIVE, BUSY BOARD
MEMBERS. >> YOU MAKE SURE THEY STAY BUSY,
HUH? THAT'S GOOD, THOUGH.
>> IT'S FUN, YES. PLUS, TOO, THIS IS WHAT WILL
PROVIDE THE FUNDS THAT WE FUNCTION OFF FOR THE NEXT TWO
YEARS. WE'VE OPENED A RESOURCE LIBRARY
AT FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, WHICH ANYBODY CAN COME IN AND PICK OUT
ALL SORTS OF -- >> YOU GO TO THIS PLACE.
>> IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN STARTING SOME KIND OF MINISTRY
OR SERVICE IN YOUR PLACE OF WORSHIP, ALL THE MATERIALS ARE
THERE TO CHECK OUT LIKE A REGULAR LIBRARY.
IT'S VERY FOCUSED ON OUR PARTICULAR MISSION.
>> THAT'S WONDERFUL. THEN, OF COURSE, THE WEBSITE
ITSELF AND THERE'S CONTACT INFORMATION IF THEY WANT TO
SPEAK TO SPARTANBURG ABOUT STARTING SOMETHING IN THEIR
FAITH COMMUNITY. >> WE DO CONSULTATIONS AND
PROGRAMS IN THE INDIVIDUAL FAITH COMMUNITIES AS WELL AND SO MANY
FAITH COMMUNITIES ARE RIGHT THERE RIGHT NOW.
THEY'RE STARTING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF INCLUSION FOR PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES, AND THEY GO, WELL, WHAT DO WE DO?
HOW DO WE START? WE CAN STEP IN AND SAY, WE'VE
GOT THESE RESOURCES, AND WE CAN DO A PRESENTATION.
WE CAN GET THE BALL ROLLING FOR THEM, AND THEN SUPPORT THEM
ALONG THE WAY AS THEY TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING TO WORK
BEST AT THEIR PLACE OF WORSHIP. >> EACH PLACE IS GOING TO HAVE
DIFFERENT NEEDS AND THINGS TO ADDRESS.
SOME OF THEM ARE ALL PRETTY COMMON, AND THAT'S WHERE YOU
COME IN TO BE ABLE TO LAY THE GROUNDWORK.
THAT'S GREAT. WELL, SOUNDS LIKE A WONDERFUL
THING GOING ON, AND A GREAT EVENT FOR PEOPLE TO LOOK FORWARD
TO. WE HOPE WE CAN GET THE WORD OUT
ABOUT GIFTS OF THE HEART ON JANUARY 30th OF THIS MONTH AT
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ON COLONIAL AVENUE IN NORFOLK.
SO CONTACT THEM IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION, AND I WANT TO THANK
YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO COME AND SHARE THE INFORMATION WITH
US. BEST OF LUCK ON YOUR EVENT IN
THE YEARS AHEAD. >> THANK YOU.
>> AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT TIME.