Profits Will Benefit a Minnapolis Homeless Shleter
Profits from sales of Staarabu Was Wise, Anana Was Gentle will benefit a Minneapolis-based homeless shelter – Simpson Housing Services. This is a model program that has been doing good work in the Twin Cites for many years. In fact, I have known Simpson’s Executive Director for more than twenty years. I couldn’t have picked a more effective organization to help. And, since Staarabu Was Wise, Anana Was Gentle, is, in many ways, a book about homelessness, the fact that profits will go to Simpson Housing Services is a great fit. In time, I would like to publish several other manuscripts that I’ve written and use the proceeds to start a charitable family foundation that will focus on homelessness.
I can only imagine there are many talented people in our community who are looking for ways to make pro-social contributions via those talents. They simply need examples of how to translate their talents into tangible activities and projects. Perhaps I am a good example of someone who has carved out a career in one area, who also aspires to making contributions to the community through other areas – in my case, children’s literature. More specifically, although my career has been spent in the human services and higher education, I am intrigued by the pro-social power of good children’s literature. I hold a PhD in Social Work and have served human services organizations such as the Neighborhood Involvement Program and higher education institutions such as the Adler Graduate School since 1978. I am using my writing skills and proceeds deriving from these skills to benefit the homeless and, ultimately, plan to use these resources to establish a family foundation that will increase my family’s capacity for serving the community.
At its best, children’s literature offers constructive messages for children and youth, and ideas for parents, educators and other caregivers. In addition, as I use my writing skills to speak to children, I sincerely believe my project will benefit the homeless and, in turn, inspire others to identify a skill and use it on behalf of their community. Once again, I think there are many people who are looking for ideas and projects that allow them to do something tangible to address the daunting challenges facing our community.
I have no profit motive. I simply want my book to do well so that I can maximize my contribution to Simpson Housing Services and, ultimately, establish a platform upon which to publish my other manuscripts and, subsequently, establish a charitable family foundation. I believe my motives will resonate with the community and readers from all backgrounds.
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