Special Thanks To Those Who’ve Stepped Up For Mapping For Justice

We’ve been running a Map-A-Thon to raise $5000 before October 15, in order to continue Mapping For Justice.

(The blog I wrote last week speaks as simply as possible to why this fundraiser is essential.)

This past week, CBS dropped by to interview Dan Bassill, president of Tutor/Mentor Connection. Dan says a few words about why "we're broke," but they also do something that is far too uncommon... they use their media reach to focus on why tutor/mentor programs like Cabrini Connections (one of 140+ programs I feature in my maps) are vital. Watch it to meet a few of the kids and learn from CBS coorespondants and the kids themselves why this is a program that needs your support.

I want to thank those who have taken the time to talk with me since the fundraiser started... those who have looked into why these programs are important... and those who have stepped to the plate and given what you can afford to give, in our effort to raise $5k. This means a lot to us in our fight against poverty and for students, and I’ve been making an effort to thank each of you personally. (“Bob” and “Shoba”… shoot me an email… not sure who you are and want to thank you!)

At the time of this posting, we’re only about 1/4 of the way there. We need more help!

I’d also like to bring attention to some of the people who have found creative ways to help.

Thanks again to CBS for taking time to give you an inside look at a tutor/mentor program, but again, this treatment from a selective media is rare. We need to spread the word the old fashioned way - by joining hands and promoting important causes with grass-roots techniques.

Even if you’re out of work or dirt poor or whatever, if this is a cause that interests you, you can help spread the word, create a discourse, and mobilize action.

How?

The Dakota Inn in Alsip, IL, for instance (map of Alsip coming soon!), took a night and promoted a bean-bag tournament, with the procedes going to Mapping For Justice. The customers of this biker bar rode in on their Harleys, entered the tournament, had fun, and learned about what we do.

The process toward change can’t begin without those who want to help knowing where to turn. The beanbag tourney guided locals to the maps. The maps guide them to programs. This is the way this country worked for almost 200 years prior to CBS News and text messaging. This is grass roots organizing at a public place.

Thanks to Debbie and Angele at Dakota Inn for creating a community meeting on behalf of community issues!

But we’re in the digital age, love it or not, and most of us spend more time in fromt of computers and TVs than we do at bars and town halls. Gregg Ott used his personal blog to spread the word to his network. This is something you can do for free. You all have Facebook and/or blogs, right?... Social Networking on behalf of the community... Cross-promoting your causes with ours... Strength in numbers! Thanks, Gregg!

Thanks again to everyone who has taken the time to learn about what we do, use their social networks to advocate on behalf of our cause, and help us meet our fundraising goals.

Please contact me with any questions...

And please donate and spread the word today, so that we can continue Mapping For Justice!

We're only 1/4 of the way there!