TIGblogs - Tambra 's TIGBlog http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us Postcards from Katrina awarded the Capitol One Youth Service Grant and Freddie Mac Serve DC Grant to lead a Plant Hope Campaign on National Global Youth Service Day- April 20-22, 2007 http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/185907

Washington, DC– Postcards from Katrina, a program of Creative Cause, Inc. was awarded the Capitol One Youth Service Fund grant to launch ‘Plant Hope in the City’ –a youth-led civic engagement campaign using the arts to address youth violence and mental health for National Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007. The pilot initiative is supported by Youth Service America, Capital One Financial Corporation, Serve DC, and the Freddie Mac Foundation to engage youth in service-learning throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area.


On April 21, 2007 nearly 50 youth and area college students will demonstrate service through the arts by using poetry to promote volunteerism as a healthy option to risky behaviors such as youth violence. In addition they will make postcards and posters in remembrance of the victims of Hurricane Katrina and of Virginia Tech community impacted by the events of April 16th.


Through the arts and writing, students will learn how to use creativity to inspire and provide healthy choices to inspire people to make a difference in their community. Through a ‘Plant Hope’ Idol contest, the winning artwork and poetry will become a part of the Plant Hope campaign to promote community service to address youth violence and promote mental health. Also the youth will send framed artwork as a gift donation to Virginia Tech.


Led by ‘Plant Hope’ youth ambassador, 22-year old Joe Smith, a native of Mississippi and Howard graduate, will kick off at 9.a.m. the pilot initiative in the library at McKinley Technology High School located at 151 T Street, NE, Washington, DC. Mayor Adrian Fenty and Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr. of Ward 5 have been invited.


“Given the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech, youth can learn how to illustrate how to plant hope in their community through art which is a powerful educational tool and recognize how they can make poetry or rap with a purpose and inspire hope for a better tomorrow,” said an Oklahoma native, Tambra Stevenson, Founder/Executive Director of Creative Cause and creator of Postcards from Katrina with family in the Gulf region.


“Today marks the anniversary of the Columbine tragedy and now Hokie Hope for Virginia Tech. Yesterday was the Oklahoma City bombing anniversary which my father, a retired Oklahoma City firefighter who volunteered and who died this month in a tragic accident. He embodied the mission of Plant HOPE which means helping other people every day through his community service. That’s why I created www.planthope.org.There is no other time but now when we need to plant hope in our communities.”


This community event is free and open to the public. Also in celebration of Earth Day at 1:30pm they will participate in a community park beautification project and cookout at the Crispus Attucks park located in the Bloomingdale section of northwest DC. Interested youth or groups who wish to attend this free event should visit the website: www.postcardsfromkatrina.com or email info@postcardsfromkatrina.com for more information.


Based in Washington, DC, Creative Cause is a nonprofit social enterprise that develops educational campaigns to inform, inspire and engage youth and the next generation of socially responsible leaders in the creative industry to use their talents to bring awareness and action on issues such as public health, human rights, educational, and environment to make a positive impact in their communities through arts and service. Best known for its nationally recognized Postcards from Katrina TM project and most recently the Plant Hope TM initiative, you can learn more visit www.creativecause.org.

National Global Youth Service Day, the largest service event in the world, mobilizes youth to identify and address the needs of their communities through service-learning and community service. The event is organized by Youth Service America (YSA) with the support of State Farm Companies Foundation as the Presenting Sponsor. More than 115 National Partners and 51 Lead Agencies throughout the United States organize projects. Overseas, National Lead Agencies in 118 countries around the world manage international events. Planning Tool Kits, Service-Learning Curriculum Guides, classroom posters, grants, and more are available for youth, parents, teachers, and organizations. For the U.S. Map of Service Projects for National Global Youth Service Day 2007: www.YSA.org/map.

Youth Service America is a national nonprofit resource center that partners with thousands of organizations committed to increasing the quality and quantity of volunteer opportunities for young people ages 5-25, to serve locally, nationally, and globally. Founded in 1986, Youth Service America’s mission is to expand the impact of the youth service movement with communities, schools, corporations, and governments. In addition to National Global Youth Service Day, which take place concurrently each April, YSA also hosts SERVEnet (www.SERVEnet.org), providing the largest database of volunteer opportunities in America. For more information: www.YSA.org.


]]> Fri, 20 Apr 2007 11:20:00 EDT http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/185907 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 President's Remarks at VA Tech Memorial Convocation http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/185157 President Bush at Cassell Coliseum, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

April 17, 2007
2:36 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Governor, thank you. President Steger, thank you very much. Students, and faculty, and staff, and grieving family members, and members of this really extraordinary place.

Laura and I have come to Blacksburg today with hearts full of sorrow. This is a day of mourning for the Virginia Tech community -- and it is a day of sadness for our entire nation. We've come to express our sympathy. In this time of anguish, I hope you know that people all over this country are thinking about you, and asking God to provide comfort for all who have been affected.

Yesterday began like any other day. Students woke up, and they grabbed their backpacks and they headed for class. And soon the day took a dark turn, with students and faculty barricading themselves in classrooms and dormitories -- confused, terrified, and deeply worried. By the end of the morning, it was the worst day of violence on a college campus in American history -- and for many of you here today, it was the worst day of your lives.

It's impossible to make sense of such violence and suffering. Those whose lives were taken did nothing to deserve their fate. They were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now they're gone -- and they leave behind grieving families, and grieving classmates, and a grieving nation.

In such times as this, we look for sources of strength to sustain us. And in this moment of loss, you're finding these sources everywhere around you. These sources of strength are in this community, this college community. You have a compassionate and resilient community here at Virginia Tech. Even as yesterday's events were still unfolding, members of this community found each other; you came together in dorm rooms and dining halls and on blogs. One recent graduate wrote this: "I don't know most of you guys, but we're all Hokies, which means we're family. To all of you who are okay, I'm happy for that. For those of you who are in pain or have lost someone close to you, I'm sure you can call on anyone of us and have help any time you need it."

These sources of strength are with your loved ones. For many of you, your first instinct was to call home and let your moms and dads know that you were okay. Others took on the terrible duty of calling the relatives of a classmate or a colleague who had been wounded or lost. I know many of you feel awfully far away from people you lean on and people you count on during difficult times. But as a dad, I can assure you, a parent's love is never far from their child's heart. And as you draw closer to your own families in the coming days, I ask you to reach out to those who ache for sons and daughters who will never come home.

These sources of strength are also in the faith that sustains so many of us. Across the town of Blacksburg and in towns all across America, houses of worship from every faith have opened their doors and have lifted you up in prayer. People who have never met you are praying for you; they're praying for your friends who have fallen and who are injured. There's a power in these prayers, real power. In times like this, we can find comfort in the grace and guidance of a loving God. As the Scriptures tell us, "Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

And on this terrible day of mourning, it's hard to imagine that a time will come when life at Virginia Tech will return to normal. But such a day will come. And when it does, you will always remember the friends and teachers who were lost yesterday, and the time you shared with them, and the lives they hoped to lead. May God bless you. May God bless and keep the souls of the lost. And may His love touch all those who suffer and grieve. (Applause.)



END 2:45 P.M. EDT

]]> Thu, 19 Apr 2007 07:02:00 EDT http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/185157 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 Planting Hope in Our Communities from the Gulf to Roanoke http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/184777
Everyone at some point in their lives will experience a mini-Katrina. The question is what do you do after the storm? This week that raging storm hit the quaint collegial community of Roanoke, VA – home to Virginia Tech. Our focus should be on healing, supporting and reflecting how do we plant seeds of hope to prevent violence. The storm was building overtime within the young man who committed this violent act and expanded into other peoples worlds.

Following Hurricane Katrina, the Plant Hope project was created with the focus on how do we help and give hope to other people everyday such as the quiet person. With the recent passing of my father, a retired Corporal of the Oklahoma City Fire Department for 26 years and was commended for his volunteerism while off-duty during the Oklahoma City Bombing, I rededicated the project in his honor.

So this Saturday, April 21st, we kick off the Plant Hope initiative at McKinley Tech High School in Washington, DC for National and Global Service Day, which youth and adults to come plant hope in the community and the Gulf. That day youth will create postcards and poetry of hope for VA Tech and the Gulf showing the value of art for healing and public service.

Also the community can join in the are encouraged to plant hope on April 29th at the Kogan Plaza on the campus of George Washington University from 2-4pm with Creative Cause, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Chapter of GWU, Influence PR (Public Relations Student Society of America Chapter). The community will have a chance to make postcards of hope for VA Tech and the Gulf.

In a society that’s always on the go, sometimes we need to step back and take time to plant hope from what we say to people in the morning. Give a smile, a hug, or a thank you will do to your neighbor, child, parent, teacher or co-worker. That’s on an individual level. An on a societal /policy/media level, we can plant hope by strengthening youth programs in our communities giving youth creative outlets and mentorship to give them a sense of purpose.

Also we plant hope with images in ad campaigns and media with positive personal stories to inform and inspire all people to feel like they can make a difference in the world and starting within their life. We each can do our part in building a better community together and that involves planting hope. First we all should start with ourselves because we cannot give what we do not have. And this young man did not see hope. And when there is no hope there is no future.

Why do I know you need to plant hope? Because I had no feeling of a future as a child while growing up in Oklahoma City living through the OKC bombing and formerly worked on youth trauma programs in mental health; and now my future is full of hope because my community and I planted hope in me.

–Tambra Stevenson, Creator of Postcards from Katrina, a program of Creative Cause

Let me know how you planted hope today! Email me at tambra at planthope dot org.
]]> Wed, 18 Apr 2007 12:19:00 EDT http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/184777 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 Youth Plant Hope for National Youth Service Day and Earth Day http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/183617
In partnership with Yayah's, Inc., Creative Cause brings to the community its pilot program, 'Plant Hope in the City.' The initiative presents a healthy challenge to our nation's capitol on how we all--young professionals, community members, parents, educators, and students-- can plant hope in our community.

On April 21st, we invite youth to take the Plant Hope Challenge at McKinley Tech High School(151 T St, NE) in Washington, DC. Starting at 9am, the PlantHope in the City event is part of a national effort to mobilize over 9,000 youth volunteers in 80 community service projects through a large coalition of local organizations. Space is limited; so register online today! Refreshments and limited on site registration begin at 8-9am!
That day, youth volunteers from middle school to college age will have fun participating in taking the plant hope challenge, developing postcards for the Postcards from Katrina project, and winning hot prizes while meeting other students and young professionals who care about making a difference.

Also youth will develop ways they can ‘plant hope’ in the city through plant hope challenge –a great team building activity. The goal is to engage youth in a creative community service project and kick off the Plant Hope pilot initiative.

We also want to increase the number of youth service opportunities in the District to counter youth violence and promote civic engagement. It’s great opportunity to meet the Plant Hope youth ambassador, learn about how you can play

The postcards created by youth will be incorporated into the 2010 goal of displaying postcards of hope for the community by the community for the 5th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

In support of the promote walk DC initiative and Earth Day, that afternoon youth walk to the neighborhood park to beautify Crispus Attucks Park located in the Bloomingdale area NW DC from 1-4pm with college students and community volunteers. BBQ will be served afterwards.

Creative Cause gives special thanks to the Freddie Mac Foundation, Youth Service America, Capital One and Serve DC for their support. Free parking is available. Closest metro is Rhode Island Avenue (red line) or take the metrobus G8 or 80 to McKinley Tech High. Breakfast, snacks, and lunch will be provided. For questions about this day, email info@postcardsfromkatrina.com.


Promoting service-learning through the arts, Postcards from Katrina is a refreshing public service arts project developed by Creative Cause, a Washington, DC-based nonprofit social enterprise connecting creativity to bring awareness and action around public health and social causes. Postcards from Katrina TM, a project of Creative Cause, is a community arts and health prevention project to build promote arts and writing for healing after crisis. (http://www.creativecause.org)

Register at http://www.postcardsfromkatrina.com

Learn more at http://www.planthope.org
]]> Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:40:00 EDT http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/183617 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 Music Legend Brings New Orleans to DC http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/171261
WASHINGTON, DC--This Spring weekend in Georgetown, producer/songwriter and pianist Allen Touissant will join forces with Marva Wright, New Orleans' Queen of the Blues to perform at Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, with shows from March 22-25 at 8pm and 10pm for $45. Drawing his inspiration from New Orleans, Touissant relocted to the Big Apple after Hurricane Katrina while having his home rebuilt. "I consider myself a visitor in New York," he said. "Idefinitely think that New York is the best place for me to be at this time, for just for business reasons. But whereever I am, I'm always on my way back to New Orleans."

And for singer Wright, she has relocated to Bel Air, Maryland in the wake of the Hurricane. They both participated in the IMAX Theatre Film, "Hurricane on the Bayou." Touissant hopes to move back to New Orleans in two months and remains optimistic that the city will return to its full glory in about ten years. "Whenever I go back, I ride all over town. Htere are still miles and miles of houses that are totally gutted," he said. "But there are many trailers with people constantly working on their own houses and getting things in order. So there's progress going on constantly." For more information on the show, call 202-337-4141.
Postcards from Katrina TM, a project of Creative Cause, is a community arts and health prevention project to build promote arts and writing for healing after crisis.
]]> Thu, 22 Mar 2007 06:03:00 EDT http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/171261 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 Support Women Making Movies: Watch "Run Cody" http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168345
WASHINGTON, DC--Got plans on March 10? If so reschedule to check out Run Cody this weekend at Busboys and Poets in DC! Like the Postcarsd from Katrina project, this documentary places a human element after storm. Looking through the eyes of 13-year old Cody, the documentary addresses the continued struggle of one teen who hopes to lives his dreams. Written amp; directed by filmmaker Amy Flannery, Run Cody is a 30 minute fiction focusing on Cody who escaped hurricane Katrina, but can he survive life in Washington, DC with his drunken father?

"To me, the movie calls on the question of empathy in humanity," said Tambra Stevenson, creator of Postcards from Katrina. "Though much attention is focused on the Gulf region and rightfully so, many people displaced from the storm are in our communities. So how do we plant seeds of hope for them and existing children to have hope for a better tomorrow? We never know what our neighbor has gone through. Maybe they are Katrina survivors? The point is to create and be the change we wish to see in the world!"

Also that evening at Busboys, the documentary, Home, 25 Minutes, will be shown. Produced by Advancement Project, most of the New Orleans’ public housing withstood the hurricane with little or no damage, yet thousands of families are still shut out of their homes and remain displaced across the country.

WHEN: March 10, 10 p.m. (doors open at 9 p.m.)

WHERE: DONATION: * $3.00 entrance fee. Larger donations welcome. All proceeds will be donated to Habitat for Humanity to benefit Hurricane Katrina/Rita victims.




Postcards from Katrina TM, a project of Creative Cause, is a community arts and health prevention project to build promote arts and writing for healing after crisis.
]]> Tue, 06 Mar 2007 05:03:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168345 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 PfK Creator Showcases Art and Poetry for Women's History Month http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168347
WASHINGTON, DC--For Women's History Month, creator of Postcards from Katrina, Tambra Stevenson, captures the challenges for the quest of equity in humanity through her art and poetry with other female artists in. On March 3, 2007 in Baltimore, MD participating in the Art with Joes Series, Stevenson will present Katrina-inspired original art and poetry in the 2nd Annual Women's History Month Exhibition, which is co-sponsored by ThickArt Collective and Authentic Art Consulting. The theme is "Making Herstory: A Feminine Perspective in Art and Words." Artwork will be available for purchase.

"I am pleased to participate in the exhibition," said Stevenson. "It's a great opportunity to bring awareness of the struggle and successes of women and art is a special way to convey their story."

Postcards from Katrina began an initiative called 'Sisters Sharing Stories of Hope and Help,' which includes ten concept ads. The ads convey the different stages of women in their lives and their hope to find meaning in the eye of the storm. Recognizing in life we will always experience crisis, but our ability to overcome the struggle and find hope is critically important in inspiring our children. Stevenson's artwork and poetry will be capture that meaning at the exhibition.

Opening Reception: Saturday, March 3, 2007, 3 pm – 7 pm

Peace and A Cup of Joe Café
713 West Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD. 21201
Phone: (410) 244-8858
Celebrate National Year of the Woman Artist during this special exhibition at Peace and A Cup of Joe. Women artists from Maryland, Washington, DC and Virginia will be featured in this special exhibition as well as poets and spoken word artists!

Check back to see highlights and information on the following artists that will be featured in this exhibition:

Prudence Bonds
Sharon J. Burton
Karen Buster
Ann Chisley
Kimberly Gaines
Sandra Getlein
Rukiya Hawthrone
Kristen Hayes
Jennifer Judelsohn
Keely Kernar
Elizabeth Linares
Heather Levy
Robin McDougal
Janie McGee
Michelle d. Parrish
Alison Poland
Marina Reiter
Healther Schmaedeke
Amanda Scott Campanella
Patricia Steck
Desiree Sterbini
Tambra Stevenson**
Schonda Sweeney
Cynthia Widmer
Tanekeya Word

Postcards from Katrina TM, a project of Creative Cause, is a community arts and health prevention project to build promote arts and writing for healing after crisis.
]]> Sat, 17 Feb 2007 10:02:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168347 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 National Youth Service Day and Earth Day http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/162043
Plant Hope in the City
Community Service and Arts Project for
National and Global Youth Service Day and Earth Day
April 20-21, 2007
(Shaw/Howard Neighborhood)
Washington, DC

Serve. Renew. Grow. Plant. Hope in the City with PfK.

For more info on how to volunteer, donate, and support, email postcardsfromkatrina@gmail.com]]> Wed, 14 Feb 2007 14:29:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/162043 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 Attend the National Women's Heart Day Health Fair http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/162041
Date: Feb 16, 2007
Time: 8AM - 2PM
Location: Verizon Center, Washington, DC
Metro: Gallery Place
More info: postcardsfromkatrina@gmail.com]]> Wed, 14 Feb 2007 14:23:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/162041 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 For Valentine's Give Art from the Heart http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/162037
Also remember to stop by the National Women's Heart Day health fair this Friday, February 16th, at the Verizon Center in Chinatown (Washington, DC)anytime betwen 8AM and 2PM to make art from the heart in partnership with Howard University's National Council of Negro Women Chapter and Sister to Sister, a national nonprofit promoting heart education.

Sources:

http://www.helpothers.org

http://www.ncnw.org

http://www.postcardsfromkatrina.com

http://www.sistertosister.org]]> Wed, 14 Feb 2007 14:10:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/162037 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 Give art from the heart for Valentine's day http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/171869 Valentine's Day falls on the Week of Random Acts of Kindness. So I challenge everyone to plant hope in at least one person today...be a colleague, a homeless person, estranged friend or family. When hearts may feel disconnected on V-day, you have a chance to re-connect them. Give hope with a simple smile as you pass somone on the street, give a donation to a person in need, mentor a child, or send a postcard of hope. You never know what little gesture can mean in making a big impact in someone's live. Someone may have lost a loved one and Valentine's day can be a sensitive time. So be hopeful for someone and hope will return to you as well. By planting hope you become one step closer in pursuing your happyness!

Also remember to stop by the National Women's Heart Day health fair this Friday, February 16th, at the Verizon Center in Chinatown (Washington, DC)anytime betwen 8AM and 2PM to make art from the heart in partnership with Howard University's National Council of Negro Women Chapter and Sister to Sister, a national nonprofit promoting heart education.

Postcards from Katrina TM, a project of Creative Cause, is a community arts and health prevention project to build promote arts and writing for healing after crisis.
]]> Wed, 14 Feb 2007 12:02:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/171869 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 Postcards from Katrina: Arts in Action http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168351
Postcards from Katrina TM, a project of Creative Cause, is a community arts and health prevention project to build promote arts and writing for healing after crisis.
]]> Fri, 26 Jan 2007 10:01:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168351 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 Creator awakens our souls through the eyes of Katrina http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168353














WASHINGTON, DC—Standing on an illuminated stage this past snowy Sunday afternoon, Tambra Stevenson, creator of Postcards from Katrina, shares her poem, "Who Are We?" in front of a crowd of 20 art lovers as part of the first Anniversary of the Open Mic sessions, which began on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday at Busboys and Poets.

She shares her inspiration for writing the poem. “When I first learned about the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, I could only think about the images of the people who were not on the television and web – the homeless, New Americans, other ethnic groups, blind, hearing impaired, and mentally ill.” And in January she meets an entrepreneur who shares a poem by German religious leader reflecting on the social responsibility of the German citizens to all people within the nation.

And in this latest piece, Stevenson awakens our consciousness and has us reflect on own humanity. True change in the world has involved some form of art expression imprinting an enduring declaration about our world. “Though I am proclaim myself to be a visual artist/illustrator capturing essence of key historical moments, I appreciate and value all forms of art expression.”

Seen as a spoken art from the heart, Stevenson uses poetry to preserve and document history. “Written art is an especially important from since it can be documented, disseminated, shared and help to preserve our history throughout the ages.” For example, just think about our accessibility to great works by Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Emerson, Alice Walker, and bell hooks.

Busboys and Poets is a DC-based restaurant, bookstore and gathering place for people who believe that social justice and peace are attainable goals.

The Busboys and Poets location enhances the community -- allowing us to bring together a diverse clientele reflective of the surrounding neighborhoods and the city at large. Busboys and Poets creates an environment where shared conversations over food and drink allow the progressive, artistic and literary communities to dialogue, educate and interact.
Postcards from Katrina TM, a project of Creative Cause, is a community arts and health prevention project to build promote arts and writing for healing after crisis.
]]> Mon, 22 Jan 2007 10:01:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168353 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 Postcards from Katrina featured in the White House Weekly Review http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168355 Read more at http://www.whitehouse.gov
What should we do with the Postcards?
Email your thoughts to PfK.
To learn more about the project and how to support PfK,
Postcards from Katrina TM, a project of Creative Cause, is a community arts and health prevention project to build promote arts and writing for healing after crisis.
]]> Mon, 22 Jan 2007 10:01:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168355 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 Who Are We When We Have a Suffering Nation http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/149239
In reflection of those voices lost during and after Hurricane Katrina and Rita, Dr. King’s quote resonates still today of what we must do in the moment of crisis versus comfort. So I have a dream that one day that we help our neighbor regardless of their situation if we have the ability.

Yesterday I was inspired by a fellow traveler on my road to pursuing happyness. He hopped at out his seat dashed to the computer and said, ‘I have something to show you,’ after learning about the postcard project. And he shared with me a poem by Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984). The writings were a response to the apathy versus the empathy and being of service to mankind by the German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group.

Who in America mirror the behavior of a ‘German intellectual?’ So from his poem, I created my own rendition.

Who Are ‘We’? (2007)

They came at last for the homeless,
And I didn’t speak up because I have a home.

They came at last for the poor,
And I didn’t speak up because I was well to do.

They came at last for the disabled,
And I didn’t speak up because I was able.

They came at last for the children,
And I didn’t speak up because I was no longer a child.

They came at last for the meek,
And I didn’t speak up because I was proud.

They came at last for the mis-educated,
And I didn’t speak up because I have an education.

They came at last for the unfaithful,
And I didn’t speak up because I was full of faith.

They came at last for the incarcerated,
And I didn’t speak up because I was free.

Then they at last came for me,
And by that time no one was around to speak for ‘we.’

So I ask who are we?

By Tambra Stevenson, Creator of Postcards from Katrina
http://www.postcardsfromkatrina.com

Postcards from Katrina TM is a community arts and health prevention project to build awareness that hope and help is still needed.]]> Mon, 22 Jan 2007 09:32:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/149239 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 Who Are We When We Have a Suffering Nation http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168357

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. - Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963


In reflection of those voices lost during and after Hurricane Katrina and Rita, Dr. King’s quote resonates still today of what we must do in the moment of crisis versus comfort. So I have a dream that one day that we help our neighbor regardless of their situation if we have the ability.

Yesterday I was inspired by a fellow traveler on my road to pursuing happyness. He hopped at out his seat dashed to the computer and said, ‘I have something to show you,’ after learning about the postcard project. And he shared with me a poem by Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984). The writings were a response to the apathy versus the empathy and being of service to mankind by the German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group.

Who in America mirror the behavior of a ‘German intellectual?’ So from his poem, I created my own rendition.

Who Are ‘We’? (2007)

They came at last for the homeless,
And I didn’t speak up because I have a home.

They came at last for the poor,
And I didn’t speak up because I was well to do.

They came at last for the disabled,
And I didn’t speak up because I was able.

They came at last for the children,
And I didn’t speak up because I was no longer a child.

They came at last for the meek,
And I didn’t speak up because I was proud.

They came at last for the mis-educated,
And I didn’t speak up because I have an education.

They came at last for the unfaithful,
And I didn’t speak up because I was full of faith.

They came at last for the incarcerated,
And I didn’t speak up because I was free.

Then they at last came for me,
And by that time no one was around to speak for ‘we.’

So I ask who are we?

By Tambra Stevenson, Creator of Postcards from Katrina
Postcards from Katrina TM, a project of Creative Cause, is a community arts and health prevention project to build promote arts and writing for healing after crisis.
]]> Thu, 18 Jan 2007 02:01:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168357 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 Mr. President Comes to Sign Postcards of Hope http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168359
WASHINGTON, DC---Postcards from Katrina (PfK) received an unexpected supporter, President George W. Bush to create postcards of hope for Katrina survivors. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., PfK held a workshop on teaching nonviolence through the arts in partnership with City Year’s Young Heroes Program at Cardozo High School in Washington, DC.

During the workshop, President Bush came to sign postcards, share a few words, and thank the organizer, volunteers and children. In capturing the spirit of the day, President Bush noted that “one of the things that Mrs. King wanted was for MLK Day to be a day of service. It is not a day off, but it's a day on. And so I'm here at Cardozo High School to thank the hundreds of people who have showed up to serve the country by volunteering.”

He went on to say that “and right here in the library were with a group of folks who are sending post cards to folks who have been affected by Katrina, cards of hope, an opportunity for a citizen here to say to somebody in the New Orleans area, we care about you, people are thinking about you -- and all in the hopes of lifting somebody's spirit.”
Along with making postcards, students shared personal stories of violence with their peers while team leaders from neighboring universities such as Howard, Georgetown, and American provided nonviolent solutions to the youth handling mostly violence in their schools. "Wonderful program. I feel very much reinvigorated that day," said Amber Wiley, a Yale graduate and current doctorate student at George Washington University.

The 50-plus elementary and middle school students developed over 50 postcards of hope to send a special message to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. For the elementary kids we had story time with “Kara Finds Sunshine on a Rainy Day” by children’s book author Caroline Brewer to learn how to handle crisis.


“On Dr. King's birthday, we came together to spread hope to the children and help them find ways to gain peace within through the healing power of the arts,” said Tambra Stevenson, artist and creator of the PfK project. "After the program unexpectedly one male student came up to hung me so I know we planted hope that day."

PfK’s new pilot initiative Plant Hope will address youth violence in our communities given the high rise in crime and mental health crisis in New Orleans and other parts of the U.S. as in our nation’s capital. The initiative will include an arts/writing contest, a community garden day and healing arts workshops. The project will be developing partnerships with media, public and private sectors.

Created by the Oklahoma native who is now residing in Washington, DC, Tambra shares her own personal experience of using creative arts healing after coming back from rebuilding homes in the Gulf in January 2006 with her alma mater, Tufts University in Gulfport, MS. There she had family affected by the powerful winds of Hurricane Katrina. “From that moment, I knew that my purpose was to increase awareness of hope and help especially among youth experiencing the post-traumatic responses to the natural disaster and by man,” said Stevenson, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Accompanying the President, Attorney General Gonzalez of the Department of Justice came to the event and senior officials from City Year, Corporation for National and Community Service, CASE Foundation and Serve DC.

The day's activities captured national and location media attention on CNN, CSPAN, FOX TV networks, the White House website, and The Hill, a DC-based congressional newspaper.

Postcards from Katrina TM, a project of Creative Cause, is a community arts and health prevention project to build promote arts and writing for healing after crisis.
]]> Thu, 18 Jan 2007 01:01:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168359 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 The Mental Health Crisis Post-Katrina http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168361 In USA Today this week, an article was written about the mental health crisis in New Orleans. In reality the United States in general suffers from a fractured mental health system with lack of funds, leadership, and services. Currently groups like Families USA have created a Children's Health Care Campaign advocating to for health care for all children by reauthorizing the Medicaid bill to fund the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). One Congressman mentioned the need to improve children's mental health services.

This issue is real when you hear the stories of attempted suicides by teenagers who fill no hope anymore especially after dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the many negative messages repeated after the storm such as no one cares from them.
What do you say to a child when all he or she feels is being barried in the
weeds? We must begin planting seeds of hope in the community and in our
children. - Tambra Stevenson, Creator of Postcards from Katrina TM
It starts by what we say and what we do. We should speak words of love and act in the name of love for ourselves and for a better life. To achieve you must believe you can.

The USA Today article captures what happens when we don't plant hope in the community: increase homicide, suicide, verbal abuse, domestic violence, chronic disease, stress-related disorders like fibromyalgia, and the like. I know from experience and from living through the Oklahoma City bombing. Children need love, hope and faith. And we are the ones they have been waiting for.

Check out the article at http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-01-15-katrina-mental-health_x.htm

Postcards from Katrina TM, a project of Creative Cause, is a community arts and health prevention project to build promote arts and writing for healing after crisis.
]]> Tue, 16 Jan 2007 11:01:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168361 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 50 DC students create arts and writing in honor of MLK Day http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/86503
WASHINGTON, DC—In living the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr., fifty DC middle school students will participate in a free workshop entitled “Post-Katrina: What would MLK do?” creating art and poetry reflecting on how they can achieve the dream through Dr. King’s teachings on nonviolence on January 15th at Cardozo High. The goals of the free youth social change arts program is to recognize the role of community arts in transforming the MLK holiday into a day of action, “A Day On! Not a Day Off."

WHAT: Using the lesson plans from the new movie, Freedom Writers, volunteer team leaders will work with students in the areas of creative writing, visual arts and drama to develop individual and group civic arts projects to showcase after the free 6-hour workshop. Students will take a quiz to test their civil rights knowledge, create a pledge, learn how to continue the dream after the workshop with local resources, and receive a certificate for completing the workshop. Students will vote on best final projects reflecting on achieving the dream through nonviolence. This program is part of the Postcards from Katrina’s Plant Hope initiative to reduce youth violence. Given the spike in violence in DC and the Gulf region, MLK Day is a fitting opportunity for each of us to reflect on ways to be compassionate, build character, and appreciate our shared human values to build one community for all.

WHO: Postcards from Katrina, City Year AOL Civic Engagement Team, City Year Young Heroes Program members, and community volunteers.

WHEN: Monday, January 15, 2007, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

WHERE: Cardozo High School, 1200 Clifton Avenue, Washington, DC (Near U Street Metro)

ATTENTION PHOTO AND TV EDITORS: Join co-hosts Postcards from Katrina, City Year, and hundreds of volunteers creating art, poetry, and drama. Photo opportunities include art project, students and volunteer work groups.

Postcards from Katrina TM is a Washington, DC-based community arts and health education program using the power of the arts to address social, emotional and mental health concerns, particularly among youth, in post-traumatic situations. Recognizing art as a healing tool, PfK provides workshops and invites people to share their story of hope with a homemade postcard of original art, photography, poetry and music.

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]]> Sat, 13 Jan 2007 00:25:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/86503 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 Did you plant hope today? http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168363
Postcards from Katrina TM, a project of Creative Cause, is a community arts and health prevention project to build promote arts and writing for healing after crisis.
]]> Fri, 12 Jan 2007 09:01:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168363 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 Post-Katrina: What would MLK do? Ask 50 DC students who will learn nonviolence thru the arts http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168365 Postcards from Katrina hosts a workshop focused on Dr. King’s teachings of nonviolence

WASHINGTON, DC—In living the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr., fifty DC middle school students will participate in a free workshop entitled “Post-Katrina: What would MLK do?” creating art and poetry reflecting on how they can achieve the dream through Dr. King’s teachings on nonviolence on January 15th at Cardozo High. The goals of the free youth social change arts program is to recognize the role of community arts in transforming the MLK holiday into a day of action, “A Day On! Not a Day Off."

WHAT: Using the lesson plans from the new movie, Freedom Writers, volunteer team leaders will work with students in the areas of creative writing, visual arts and drama to develop individual and group civic arts projects to showcase after the free 6-hour workshop. Students will take a quiz to test their civil rights knowledge, create a pledge, learn how to continue the dream after the workshop with local resources, and receive a certificate for completing the workshop. Students will vote on best final projects reflecting on achieving the dream through nonviolence. This program is part of the Postcards from Katrina’s Plant Hope initiative to reduce youth violence. Given the spike in violence in DC and the Gulf region, MLK Day is a fitting opportunity for each of us to reflect on ways to be compassionate, build character, and appreciate our shared human values to build one community for all.

WHO: Postcards from Katrina, City Year AOL Civic Engagement Team, City Year Young Heroes Program members, and community volunteers.

WHEN: Monday, January 15, 2007, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

WHERE: Cardozo High School, 1200 Clifton Avenue, Washington, DC (Near U Street Metro)

ATTENTION PHOTO AND TV EDITORS: Join co-hosts Postcards from Katrina, City Year, and hundreds of volunteers creating art, poetry, and drama. Photo opportunities include art project, students and volunteer work groups.

Postcards from Katrina TM is a Washington, DC-based community arts and health prevention program using the power of the arts to address social, emotional and mental health concerns, particularly among youth, in post-traumatic situations. Recognizing art as a healing tool, PfK provides workshops and invites people to share their story of hope with a homemade postcard of original art, photography, poetry and music.
Postcards from Katrina TM, a project of Creative Cause, is a community arts and health prevention project to build promote arts and writing for healing after crisis.
]]> Fri, 12 Jan 2007 07:01:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168365 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 Lessons from Katrina: Teaching Nonviolence through the Arts http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168367
Postcards from Katrina TM, a project of Creative Cause, is a community arts and health prevention project to build promote arts and writing for healing after crisis.
]]> Tue, 09 Jan 2007 12:01:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168367 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 Visit the Postcards from Katrina booth at the NBC4 Health amp; Fitness Expo: January 13-14, 2007 http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168369 Postcards from Katrina TM is a community arts prevention program, part of Promising Futures, invites you, friends and family to come to the booth (#3033), make postcards and win fabulous prizes during the free NBC 4 Health and Fitness Expo on Saturday and Sunday, January 13-14, 2007 from 9AM - 5PM at the Washington Convention Center off the Mt Vernon metro stop (yellow/green line) within walking distance from Chinatown.

Stop by the booth to learn about the 2007 PfK Plant Hope Campaign and youth arts/writing contest and how to enter.

While there, get freebies, a Got Hope? screening, and pick up tips to help youth cope with crisis, depression, and stress. Also Got Hope? kit of helpful info like a recommended self-help book list, and a referral list of quality parent educational resources, life coaches and mental health providers. Coloring materials will be available for kids to make postcards of hope.

Send a digital video message of hope to Katrina survivors. Make postcards for the project. Come by booth #3033 at the Health Expo.

A proud sponsor of the 2007 NBC 4 Health Expo, Postcards from Katrina believes channeling our energies in the form of artistic self expression can inspire positive change in our lives and our communities.This FREE-to-the-public event is designed to capture the attention of tens of thousands of health conscious consumers and offers dancing, aerobics, health tests and screenings, jazzercising, soccer, rock climbing, a community blood drive and much more! Tons of fun family activities combined with important health and medical information to help our community get healthy and fit. We expect to see more than 80,000 people from the Washington Metropolitan area at this one-of-a-kind event!

On that day we will be giving away the following:
- Free sunflower seeds to the first 100 attendees to fill out a Got Hope? Screening
- Free "Create-Your-Own Postcard of Hope" art materials
- Free "Got Hope?" guide with list of mental health providers, life coaches, tip sheets and
- Free 10-minute hope sessions with a licensed mental health therapist
We will be conduction a drawing for the following prizes: 3 drawings each day:
- Autographed copy of "Kara Finds Sunshine on a Rainy Day" children's book from the one-time journalist turned author Caroline Brewer ($25 value)
- Rebuild New Orleans memorabilia t-shirt ($14 value)
- Framed mixed media art print from the Postcards from Katrina's Gulfport Art Collection ($50 Value)

- Personal/professional development workshop/seminar up to 3 hours by either Postcards from Katrina or Promising Futures for your youth-organization organization ($150 value)

- Journal writing kit for kids ($15 value)
- Framed photographed works "Power of the Sunflower" ($50 Value)
- One life coach session by K.I.M. Says ($65 value)- An art/painting set for kids ($5 value)

- Photography, marketing, and consulting services from T Raye Communications ($500 value)

If you can volunteer to videotape, work with the kids, speak to parents on mental health related issues or donate materials or resources for the booth, please email postcardsfromkatrina@gmail.com as soon as possible. We wish to thank our supporters for making this possible.




Postcards from Katrina TM, a project of Creative Cause, is a community arts and health prevention project to build promote arts and writing for healing after crisis.
]]> Wed, 03 Jan 2007 08:01:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168369 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 Help Clean Up a DC School on MLK Day with PfK! http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168371 Live the Dream. Be the Dream.


Participate in the National Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Community Service

Let's beautify Cardozo High!


Join City Year and Postcards from Katrina


Monday, January 15, 2007
9:00am - 5:00pm
Cardozo High School
1300 Clifton Street NW
Washington, DC





Join City Year, Postcards from Katrina and 350 other community organizations to help clean up a DC public school. And live the Dream of Dr. Martin Luther King.After the holidays, make this Martin Luther King Jr. Day a "day ON, not a day OFF." On Monday, January 15, celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and revitalize Cardozo High School (1300 Clifton Street, NW). If you wish to volunteer with Postcards from Katrina, RSVP via email postcardsfromkatrina@gmail.com by January 12. Spaces are limited. So sign up early.
Postcards from Katrina TM, a project of Creative Cause, is a community arts and health prevention project to build promote arts and writing for healing after crisis.
]]> Wed, 03 Jan 2007 08:01:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168371 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667 School Girls Speak and Heal with the Power of Art http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168373 Postcards from Katrina holds 'Sister Speak: Through Art' Workshop with Girls, Inc.










In late December, Postcards from Katrina TM teamed up with Girls, Inc. to speak to teen girls at the Garnet-Patterson Middle School in the northwest side of District of Columbia about the power of arts to express and channel their energies in a positive and inspiring way. PfK highlighted powerful books such as a "Nonviolence Communication: A Language for Life," "A Lifetime of Peace" and "Just Peace" that draws on postive words, building a community of hope and peace within ourselves.





Tambra Stevenson, creator of Postcards from Katrina, shared stories from the Gulf and her own story of having hope even when the big and mini-Katrinas occur in our lives. She also showed the drawings of other youth who effectively illustrated what they perceived what hopes looks like. From there the girls worked on developing art that reflect faith, hope and love along with sharing the battle of internal peace and anger within ourselves.





She encouraged the girls to interpret what their artworks are to mean. She noted that art llike writing are channels by way of our soul speaking. "We are merely the messengers and through our art we speak the message of hope and inspiration," said Stevenson, a graduate of Tufts School of Medicine. She spoke about the age of 14 years old being a critical time in our lifespan when we are most vulnerable to having suicidal thoughts and suffering from bouts of depression.




"Middle school age is where we hit our first peak of egocentricity. Everything feels extreme - the way people speak and interact with us. So creating ways for youth to speak their own truth and channel their voice is extemely important for their own emotional and social development," said Stevenson.


"If we don't allow their voice and opinions to be expressed, it can be a matter of life and death. This is a serious matter. We could loose the next community leader of change, the next university president or the next Nobel prize winner, "Stevenson declared.


"The unfortunate reality is that most people have not been presented with the body of knowledge in the area of family and child development as general health information. If we understood social and emotional development (e.g. knowing what aches and pains that are mind may go through) as we do with our physical development (e.g. knowing grey hair, balding, and aches in our joints may happen) we could take in the proper measures to prevent these 'mental aches' of negative and self-sabotage behavior for our selves and our youth to lead and live a healthy life--mind, body and soul."




If you wish to have your students to learn the power of the arts to heal, email postcardsfromkatrina@gmail.com to become a part of building and developing youth with a healthy in mind, body and soul. Also for the holidays, Postcards from Katrina encourages you to send a homemade postcard at the email provided.
Postcards from Katrina TM, a project of Creative Cause, is a community arts and health prevention project to build promote arts and writing for healing after crisis.
]]> Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:01:00 EST http://pfkcreator.tigblog.org/post/168373 38.8950000 -77.036666738.8950000-77.0366667