What is this?
This is the project's blogsite, but more importantly this will act as a journal and "inside scoop" to what I am doing, where I am, and what the culture and community is like.
What Can You Expect?
Expect to read about my experiences abroad and what life is like where I am staying. I will make simple notes and observations about the culture, scenery, people, and organizations in which I am volunteering. Expect interesting links of articles or data that are relevant to where I am. Expect pictures I take to provide a mental image and allow you to visualize the world around me.
How Can You Get Involved?
Come by periodically and visit. I will post every 3 days! This blogsite is meant to be interactive and keep people interested and, most importantly, involved. Click the pictures, utilize the links, and stay a part of the project. I invite you to post comments, suggestions, or even simple responses to my posts.
Let the Conversations Begin...
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Journey Begins . . .
1st Stop California - "Kick Starting the Project"
Weekend FACE AIDS Conference at Stanford University
I co-ran this national conference last year at Fairfield University and think it is a great way to begin the traveling part of the project. Dr. Paul Farmer, an inspirational and world reknowned doctor of social medicine, will be the keynote speaker and several other noteworthy and passionate specialists, public health officials, and media personnel will all be part of workshops and panel discussions regarding global HIV and cutting edge topics, such as microbicides and the "scaling up" of the very successful health programs run in Rwanda by Partners in Health. (To learn a little about Dr. Farmer and how Partners in Health is literally changing the world one community at a time read this brief article from Forbes Magazine )
Getting the West Coast Perspective
After attending this Conference, I will be volunteering in San Francisco at a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing nutritional support to people who are critical ill or fighting HIV. The organization is called Open-hand, and to learn a little more about them their website is Openhand.org. For the majority of the two weeks I will be in San Francisco I will be staying at University of San Francisco as a favor from the Jesuits. Again, I am lucky to have the support of St Peters Prep and Fairfield University, both have been extrordinary in aiding in whatever ways possible. It is exciting to think that 6 months of work and preparation will be realized in a few days.
The interview questions have been read over by infectious disease doctors, HIV volunteers, program directors, and several other keen minds. I have taken to heart suggestions and feel the questions balance both the humanistic perspective and the on-going struggle against HIV.
Weekend FACE AIDS Conference at Stanford University
I co-ran this national conference last year at Fairfield University and think it is a great way to begin the traveling part of the project. Dr. Paul Farmer, an inspirational and world reknowned doctor of social medicine, will be the keynote speaker and several other noteworthy and passionate specialists, public health officials, and media personnel will all be part of workshops and panel discussions regarding global HIV and cutting edge topics, such as microbicides and the "scaling up" of the very successful health programs run in Rwanda by Partners in Health. (To learn a little about Dr. Farmer and how Partners in Health is literally changing the world one community at a time read this brief article from Forbes Magazine )
Getting the West Coast Perspective
After attending this Conference, I will be volunteering in San Francisco at a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing nutritional support to people who are critical ill or fighting HIV. The organization is called Open-hand, and to learn a little more about them their website is Openhand.org. For the majority of the two weeks I will be in San Francisco I will be staying at University of San Francisco as a favor from the Jesuits. Again, I am lucky to have the support of St Peters Prep and Fairfield University, both have been extrordinary in aiding in whatever ways possible. It is exciting to think that 6 months of work and preparation will be realized in a few days.
The interview questions have been read over by infectious disease doctors, HIV volunteers, program directors, and several other keen minds. I have taken to heart suggestions and feel the questions balance both the humanistic perspective and the on-going struggle against HIV.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Three Talks Reach Over 350 Minds
Talks Spark Crowd and Recieve Positive Feedback
Talk Number 1 -
Sept 23 Lyndhurst
I had the honor of giving the Keynote Address at the annual Rosarian Society Brunch at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Lyndhurst for roughly 250 people. The speech highlighted the positives of the Catholic Church in the fields of Education and HIV/AIDS Relief. I made sure to discuss members of the Church, such as Fr. Jim Keenan SJ of Boston College and Fr. Fernando Cardenal SJ of Nicaragua, who preach contraceptive use as a deterrent to the destruction of life caused by HIV/AIDS and to limit abortions.
The latter part of the speech discussed the HIV/AIDS pandemic from a perspective of basic human rights and social justice. Furthermore with the awarding of the "woman of the year award" the concept of Orthopraxis, as in placing importance in what one does over what one says, fit in perfectly with the active and service driven lifestyle of the award recipient.
I wish the Rosarian Society well and hope to return in a year's time to update the parish community on the project.
Talks Number 2 and 3
2 = St. Philomena's Youth Group Livingston, NJ
3 = St. Catherine's Youth Group Cedar Grove, NJ
These two talks, for roughly 50 high school teenagers each, centered on the merits of determination and passion in reaching for one's goals. Along side this message was the power each person has to build and make change around them. In addition to these topics, the effects and transmission methods of HIV/AIDS
were discussed at length. This proved interesting as more high schoolers were in the dark about HIV/AIDS than I expected.
It was certainly special to talk to teenagers whose position and seat I sat in five years prior. The questions asked following the talk and the discussions, which took place nearly half hour after the talks, proved priceless and allowed me to take some pride in what I am doing.
I thank Deacon Joe for the opportunity to talk to the Youth Groups, and I look forward to working with them on the Oct. 28th volleyball fundraiser in Livingston, NJ. I have the pleasure to announce that half of the proceeds of the fundraiser will be donated toward the project's costs.
Talk Number 1 -
Sept 23 Lyndhurst
I had the honor of giving the Keynote Address at the annual Rosarian Society Brunch at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Lyndhurst for roughly 250 people. The speech highlighted the positives of the Catholic Church in the fields of Education and HIV/AIDS Relief. I made sure to discuss members of the Church, such as Fr. Jim Keenan SJ of Boston College and Fr. Fernando Cardenal SJ of Nicaragua, who preach contraceptive use as a deterrent to the destruction of life caused by HIV/AIDS and to limit abortions.
The latter part of the speech discussed the HIV/AIDS pandemic from a perspective of basic human rights and social justice. Furthermore with the awarding of the "woman of the year award" the concept of Orthopraxis, as in placing importance in what one does over what one says, fit in perfectly with the active and service driven lifestyle of the award recipient.
I wish the Rosarian Society well and hope to return in a year's time to update the parish community on the project.
Talks Number 2 and 3
2 = St. Philomena's Youth Group Livingston, NJ
3 = St. Catherine's Youth Group Cedar Grove, NJ
These two talks, for roughly 50 high school teenagers each, centered on the merits of determination and passion in reaching for one's goals. Along side this message was the power each person has to build and make change around them. In addition to these topics, the effects and transmission methods of HIV/AIDS
were discussed at length. This proved interesting as more high schoolers were in the dark about HIV/AIDS than I expected.
It was certainly special to talk to teenagers whose position and seat I sat in five years prior. The questions asked following the talk and the discussions, which took place nearly half hour after the talks, proved priceless and allowed me to take some pride in what I am doing.
I thank Deacon Joe for the opportunity to talk to the Youth Groups, and I look forward to working with them on the Oct. 28th volleyball fundraiser in Livingston, NJ. I have the pleasure to announce that half of the proceeds of the fundraiser will be donated toward the project's costs.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Super Success
Dinner and Silent Auction Raises $16, 715!!!
There I was last Friday Night getting ready to address the 130 people that had come to the fundraising dinner, as i scanned the crowd I ran into face after face of people who have played both large and small roles throughout my life. Whether large or small the role is significant and at that moment what ever nervousness or apprehension I had drifted away with each smiling face. After all, a couple had driven an hour and half from Toms River to attend and one special guest had come all the way from Boston, MA. It was time to say what was on my mind, and the best I could put forward was that I understand how blessed I have been and am.
Tables of people from my grammar school, parish, high school, family, and even college. I had promised good food and great company, and both were provided without any input or help by myself. The exquisite Italian meats and food were donated by the Buzzio family and their restaurant Birichinos in the city (http://www.salumeriabiellese.com/). The great company increased as each person entered the door; smiles, hugs, and salutations for friends and acquaintances who have not been able to catch up for some time. As the music played, and even as the fire alarm raged (on account of the oven smoke) I thought about life and its precious and uniquely special nature.
It is not enough to say thank you to the many people who made the event possible and even more so a success. There was Deacon Joe and my Parish (St Philomena's) who were ready for questions and had all the answers. There was the Specchio Foundation that allows me the honor of attempting this worthy endeavor under the name of their beloved late daughter. In addition, I am indebted to my mother Elvie, stepmom Amy, Aunt Celeste , and cousin Tess for the countless hours of work they put in before and during the event. With the help of all these people I was able to raise more than half of the projects budget in one night.
What lays ahead is the planning of the trips and the finalization of dates with the clinics. Make sure to visit now and again for pictures and updates.
I invite those who attended to post your comments on the night. Lastly, I thank you for the generosity and the support.
There I was last Friday Night getting ready to address the 130 people that had come to the fundraising dinner, as i scanned the crowd I ran into face after face of people who have played both large and small roles throughout my life. Whether large or small the role is significant and at that moment what ever nervousness or apprehension I had drifted away with each smiling face. After all, a couple had driven an hour and half from Toms River to attend and one special guest had come all the way from Boston, MA. It was time to say what was on my mind, and the best I could put forward was that I understand how blessed I have been and am.
Tables of people from my grammar school, parish, high school, family, and even college. I had promised good food and great company, and both were provided without any input or help by myself. The exquisite Italian meats and food were donated by the Buzzio family and their restaurant Birichinos in the city (http://www.salumeriabiellese.com/). The great company increased as each person entered the door; smiles, hugs, and salutations for friends and acquaintances who have not been able to catch up for some time. As the music played, and even as the fire alarm raged (on account of the oven smoke) I thought about life and its precious and uniquely special nature.
It is not enough to say thank you to the many people who made the event possible and even more so a success. There was Deacon Joe and my Parish (St Philomena's) who were ready for questions and had all the answers. There was the Specchio Foundation that allows me the honor of attempting this worthy endeavor under the name of their beloved late daughter. In addition, I am indebted to my mother Elvie, stepmom Amy, Aunt Celeste , and cousin Tess for the countless hours of work they put in before and during the event. With the help of all these people I was able to raise more than half of the projects budget in one night.
What lays ahead is the planning of the trips and the finalization of dates with the clinics. Make sure to visit now and again for pictures and updates.
I invite those who attended to post your comments on the night. Lastly, I thank you for the generosity and the support.
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