project680.org

Okay everyone, get your calendars and a pen. We plan to meet on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 6:30pm at a location TBA (we already have a local business owner who has offered her place). We invite local community members to come to this meeting and be a part of the vision that is unfolding for the Project 680 family in the Fall.

At this meeting we are going to brainstorm some ideas and get creative about an opportunity we have to support a shoe drive for homeless students in the FCUSD. There is also a strong possibility of putting together a boutique where some of our target students can do some shopping for themselves (in December) after they get new shoes. What we do will really come down to the level of buy-in from community members and what we decide to move forward with.

Do any of these ideas resonate with you? There is so much potential, so let’s unpack the vision a little, kick around some thoughts and figure out what we can do as a team.

More details coming soon.

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We have a new video on YouTube that gives a glimpse into what we are about. Have a look HERE or below and let us know what you think.

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I wanted you to be aware that there are now 783 documented cases of “homeless” students in the FCUSD (up from 680 last year). I just spoke with the District Liaison for Homeless Services and she informed me of the new figure.

Let’s be honest, this is not great news. But at the same time, it is what it is and there is nothing we can change about this figure right now. All we can do is blaze forward with vision and persist in our efforts to support and empower local homeless students. Our courage will not be deflated and we will not be deterred in our quest. Bottom line.

With that being said, be on the lookout for a meeting in mid to late September to discuss our team strategy for the Fall and 09-10 school year. We are currently considering some opportunities for how we will get involved to support the efforts of the District Liaison for Homeless Services and what it might look like for us to meet some practical needs of local students. As information unfolds in coming weeks and months, please consider how you might apply a few minutes here and there to benefit these wonderful students in Folsom and Rancho Cordova.

May we dream big. May we grow in our dynamic as a team. May we learn to respond to student homelessness in relevant and meaningful ways.

Ryan L
Project 680

p.s.  By the way, we won’t change our name to Project 783. We will keep Project 680.

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The Rancho Cordova Post wrote a story about this video and I wanted to do the same. The video is definitely worth a watch (only 2-3 minutes).

Watch CBS Videos Online

The “homeless” students we work with are often not homeless in the classical sense like the man in the video, but they are living in unstable places like motels, in households without a parent or legal guardian, or in other difficult situations. This video is great because it shows how one person can make a difference simply by walking to work and taking a moment to talk with someone. The lawyer didn’t have to start a big program, front a stack of cash, or exhaust himself to do something altruistic. He simply built relationship with a homeless man in the park and the result was a book club that evolved organically over time. 

Let’s keep going everyone and start to dream afresh as the new school year begins. What does it look like for a community to get practical about supporting local homeless students in the FCUSD? What does it look like for busy people like us to find relevant and organic ways to partner with local students? 

What do you think of the video? What stands out to you?

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