Amazing Story of Perseverance

[JoeRedskin]

Been a lot of bad news around here lately. This is an amazing story of hard work, volunteerism and, generally, an example of what can be accomplished when people refuse to surrender to their surroundings. Also an example of how government & volunteerism can and should work together.

After nine years, a school project that many thought was only a dream becomes a reality - baltimoresun.com

It's the story of some inner-city kids and their 10 year struggle to accomplish an incredible goal. As a setting, I live near the Waverly area they are talking about and it is a harsh, harsh neighborhood. Truly an amazing accomplishment in light of all the knocks against these kids.

[CRedskinsRule]

Awesome stuff!

[GMScud]

What's perservance?

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by GMScud

What's perservance?

Don't know I only read the first paragraph.

[JoeRedskin]

ummm, I don't know. I gave up before I could figure it out.

[JoeRedskin]

Thanks for the fix SS.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Thanks for the fix SS.

Who's ss I'm too lazy to look.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Who's ss I'm too lazy to look.

Really?? It starts with a Smoot and ends with a.... Smack!! Grab a cup of coffee FD.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Really?? It starts with a Smoot and ends with a.... Smack!! Grab a cup of coffee FD.

Ok, thats fine but why is the thanking SS when he did not start the thread or post in this thread. I quit coffee now its MD to get my day started.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Ok, thats fine but why is the thanking SS when he did not start the thread or post in this thread. I quit coffee now its MD to get my day started.

SS corrected the spelling in the thread title.

[JoeRedskin]

Well, I was hoping this would lead to a discussion of how govt., private enterprise and individual effort can create societal benefits. But I guess discussing the thread title is more interesting.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Well, I was hoping this would lead to a discussion of how govt., private enterprise and individual effort can create societal benefits. But I guess discussing the thread title is more interesting.

well you know I'm not joining in THAT discussion

[mlmpetert]

Awesome story it sounds like it will benefit many people for years to come.

I dont want to take away from it either, but does this bother anyone else:

Their big break came over the summer when Sen. Barbara Mikulski snared them $70,000 of federal money. Suddenly, with real cash, paper work and taxes to contend with, Berdan knew they needed legal help. They scored what ended up to be nearly $200,000 of legal advice over the years, pro bono, from the University of Maryland's Law Clinic.


Really 200k in legal and accounting work to do something good? It sounds like it all came from around last summer too, less then a years worth of work. Thank God it was pro bono. I wonder how many other attempts have been haltered due to the barriers of our tax system?

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Well, I was hoping this would lead to a discussion of how govt., private enterprise and individual effort can create societal benefits. But I guess discussing the thread title is more interesting.

Yes from reading the article it sounds like despite the goverment they were able to open this home. I believe that it is only private enterprise and individual effort that can turn communities around. I urge all people to volunteer for one thing or the other. I love helping children and there is no greater high then seeing a child smile. One of my past groups I was with, did christmas for needy children or you could say children with worthless parents. I played Santa even though I'm not very fat and the memories that it brought I'll never forget. There was this one girl who followed me/santa around all day and became my little helper. This was back around 1995 and just about everyday I wonder what happened to this sweet little girl. Her mother was so bad she did not even show up to pick up her daughter and someone had to drive her home. But I know for that one day she was treated like the special person and I hope maybe that we helped her in some way.Thats why I wonder all the time about what ever became of her life. Is she even still alive. Sorry but goverment cannot do these things it takes people so thats why alot of times I'm against the goverment and there waistfull programs. Until we can get parents and neighbor hoods to take control there is no goverment program that can fix broken communities.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Yes from reading the article it sounds like despite the goverment they were able to open this home. I believe that it is only private enterprise and individual effort that can turn communities around. I urge all people to volunteer for one thing or the other. I love helping children and there is no greater high then seeing a child smile. One of my past groups I was with, did christmas for needy children or you could say children with worthless parents. I played Santa even though I'm not very fat and the memories that it brought I'll never forget. There was this one girl who followed me/santa around all day and became my little helper. This was back around 1995 and just about everyday I wonder what happened to this sweet little girl. Her mother was so bad she did not even show up to pick up her daughter and someone had to drive her home. But I know for that one day she was treated like the special person and I hope maybe that helped her in some way.

Good stuff. I do volunteer work for kids every Thanksgiving/Christmas and other times during the year.