tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86397488308086282442024-03-13T19:23:52.930-07:00Further Faster Initiatives Ambassador for YouthDemonstrating best practices in youth programming that promotes both personal growth and global citizenship.Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-74649781661716758552013-03-26T15:56:00.000-07:002013-03-26T16:29:13.605-07:00Hello My Name is World Trav'ler Toronto-Canada<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JlPkfFZ-Pas/UVInQXxJxMI/AAAAAAAAAI8/lO6hzMX2lp4/s1600/581758_130894387093908_924014729_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JlPkfFZ-Pas/UVInQXxJxMI/AAAAAAAAAI8/lO6hzMX2lp4/s320/581758_130894387093908_924014729_n.jpg" /></a>
HMNIWT is delighted to have spent a fabulous Wednesday in the company of 240 bright minded High Schoolers in Toronto, Canada. We were blown away the ethnic diversity of those students in attendance. It is amazing to know that the greater world at large benefits by our willingness to “reach to teach”. When delicious food for thought is consumed by a hungry crowd of enthusiastic participants successes have to be claimed and we’re claiming our successes! Can’t wait to cook up another experience soon.Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-65670675453286526052013-01-22T06:29:00.002-08:002013-02-23T07:19:16.682-08:00People's Republic of ChinaI have just returned from People's Republic of China having taught at Huaibei Normal University for the last year. It was a fabulous experience that reinforced in me some lessons that I have grown to believe and demonstrate. <br />
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First & Foremost...Travel matters! To read of a place or hear someone talk of visiting a destination or catching a snippet of a story on the evening news is entirely different than living and immersing yourself in a faraway land and all that their culture has to offer.<br />
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Secondly, there are students in our world who are eager to stretch their imaginations and grateful for<br />
experiences that prepare them for their opportunities in waiting.<br />
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Most importantly I learned again that my style of interaction works. China is the 37th country I have visited and again I take great pride in knowing that I'm leaving a small thumbprint in tiny towns along tmy way . From buying medicine for the elderly, to supplying winter blankets for poor villagers, to floating micro-loans to the deserving, to securing eye glasses and sporting equipment for children who benefit by benevolence, to educating university students in the classroom...it all matters. <br />
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I am a global ambassador of youth but more importantly I am a citizen of the United States of America who has chosen to travel and seeks opportunities to reach and teach. <br />
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My life is enriched by the choices I have made!Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-85741333814800451862011-06-24T15:02:00.000-07:002011-06-24T15:29:42.238-07:00Haley Thomas, F.F.I. Ambassador for Youth, conducts research in South Africa<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmzHyfvPh6M/TgUKnW6zUDI/AAAAAAAAAHU/WKjdsa15glg/s1600/haley2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmzHyfvPh6M/TgUKnW6zUDI/AAAAAAAAAHU/WKjdsa15glg/s320/haley2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621911381125320754" /></a><br />F.F.I. is proud to annoint and announce Haley Thomas as an Ambassador for Youth days before she sets out to South Africa to conduct an independent research about the importance of self-image. Haley, a political science major at College of Charleston, designed an initiative that will take her to a small village with the intent of capturing poinant portaits of the villagers. She will then have them printed, sleeved, and ceremoniously presented to each villager with intent of building self-esteem through gift. Miss Thomas recognized on her last trip to Africa that very few villagers had photos of themselves. She also concluded that those beautiful photos that she captured along the way, must be left behind believing that those individuals that were so gracious in allowing their pictures to be taken would genuinely appreciate and benefit by her willingness to give back. What a brilliant concept! We, here in Myrtle Beach, wish her safe tavels as she works to impress and potentially impact those who need it most.Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-12880141557941980402011-04-12T04:10:00.000-07:002011-04-12T04:26:34.604-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-58eQyaUE55A/TaQ2r6KJ5UI/AAAAAAAAAHI/2iKgJtCJalg/s1600/ps_2011_02_17___12_11_46.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-58eQyaUE55A/TaQ2r6KJ5UI/AAAAAAAAAHI/2iKgJtCJalg/s320/ps_2011_02_17___12_11_46.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594656765075121474" /></a><br />I recently returned from Huntsville, Alabama having assisted in the development of <em><strong>The Studio</strong></em> of Tennessee Family Services . This dynamic, federally funded program will serve runaway/homeless street youth and has adopted the "travlers" philosphy that prepares each indivual to move forward in knowing that where they come from is not where they will ultimately end up. Staff was trained in utilizing very progressive language that been proven effective in meeting our young friendz where they are knowing that they will ultimately travel onward. Support services, counseling, and art programming will be made available with the intent of getting each client further faster.Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-90457197598223321592011-01-23T05:08:00.000-08:002011-01-23T08:17:59.555-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/TTwuhwTHdzI/AAAAAAAAAG8/2-NSGOH1-Jw/s1600/Worldtravelsticker.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/TTwuhwTHdzI/AAAAAAAAAG8/2-NSGOH1-Jw/s320/Worldtravelsticker.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565374396958734130" /></a><br />Off to Florida State University to share <br /><em>Hello</em>...<em><strong>My Name is World Travler</strong></em> seminar with a crew of talented, enthusiastic student leaders. Global Photography, Slick Slideshow, Global Passports with Visas, Live Music, "Poor Man's Theater", Critical Thought, and Great Conversation culminate into an experience that emphasizes the importance of service to others as a necessity for each of us as we move forward on our "personal paths of progress".<br /><br />Several thanks are in order. <br /><br />To John Robertson, Director of Training for the <em> Youth & Family Services Network</em> for facilitating our worthwhile affair.<br /><br />To Dr. Laura Osteen and Dr. Steve Mills of <em>The Center for Leadership & Civic Education</em> for inviting John and I to participate in conversation that matters. <br /><br />And to the students themselves for their willingness to serve and support. <br /><br />I'll look forward to our next convene and am delighted by our last.Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-82486799143304682882010-12-01T06:03:00.000-08:002010-12-06T08:26:51.516-08:00Operation: Have Passport Will Travel - The Conclusion<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/TPZft3of0fI/AAAAAAAAAGg/0y4CtbCRUr0/s1600/MemoirsofaGeishasticker.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/TPZft3of0fI/AAAAAAAAAGg/0y4CtbCRUr0/s320/MemoirsofaGeishasticker.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545725232785904114" /></a><br />As we move into the twelfth and final week of <strong><em>Operation</em></strong>: <em><strong>Have Passport Will Travel</strong></em> I want to thank the 10 area high schoolers, <em>Samantha, Sade, Shaun, Christina, Tae, Paige, TC, Brandon, Tyree, and Sage</em>, who watched the movies, discussed aspects of each film that were important, and responded to thought provoking questions/prompts as part of our effort to get them a viable United States Passport. <br /><br />I also want to praise both Ac<em>ademy of Art, Science, & Technology</em> and <em>Waccamaw Youth Center</em> for hosting such a worthwhile, culturally rich experience. <br /><br />I also recognize that success is never "me' exclusive. <br />Developing thought provoking experiences and putting them in motion, to a place of complete, typically depends on a crew of like minded people. Cathy Hall, James Sellers, Dr. Bill Davis, Jessica Durivage, Carl Kerridge and Linda Look all played pivotal roles in the developement, implementation, and successful completion of this fantastic initiative. <br /><br />We look forward to reorganizing our effort and replicating our successes for a new group of participants in the spring with Dr. Bill Davis acting in a capacity of facilitor.Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-81953022214347321022010-11-23T11:56:00.000-08:002010-11-23T12:14:43.627-08:00Operation: Have Passport Will Travel<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/TOwglONuuaI/AAAAAAAAAGY/M68RageDhaI/s1600/Stripedpajamassticker.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/TOwglONuuaI/AAAAAAAAAGY/M68RageDhaI/s320/Stripedpajamassticker.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542841065229171106" /></a><br />Into our 9th week of watching global movies that reach to teach. Last week, <em>The Boy in the Striped Pajamas,</em> lends to smart dialogue about WWII and the Holocaust. Great fun it is to watch young minds expand. Several more weeks and applications for U.S. passports will be mailed on behalf of the 10 teenagers who completed the program. Their progress not by coincidence but by careful design.Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-34285154862594070202010-10-26T11:11:00.000-07:002010-10-27T07:22:06.615-07:00Passport Program @ AAST &WYC<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/TMcaObpbPbI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/O2L3iD3jeqo/s1600/passport.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 252px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/TMcaObpbPbI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/O2L3iD3jeqo/s320/passport.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532419502489943474" /></a><br /><br />Into our seventh week of Operation: Have Passport will Travel with 6 Education Majors at the Academy of Art, Science, & Technology and 6 young men from Waccamw Youth Center. Premise is simple. Watch Global movies, engage in smart conversation applicable to each film viewed, answer constructed questions that are intended to advance critical thought and earn a viable U.S.Passport courtesy a wonderful friend in our community, Linda Look, who understands the importance of both global citizship and personal growth.Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-13156535588918281972010-10-12T06:42:00.000-07:002010-10-12T07:10:12.961-07:00Operation: Have Passport Will Travel<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/TLRqTmWD5mI/AAAAAAAAAGE/iNCcH8_4iUU/s1600/Buena+Vista+Social+Club.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/TLRqTmWD5mI/AAAAAAAAAGE/iNCcH8_4iUU/s320/Buena+Vista+Social+Club.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527159527633577570" /></a><br />Hello friends! I am involved in building a neat program for teenagers that I wanted to share. <em><strong><br />Operation: Have Passport Will Travel</strong></em> is a smart/simple concept that may change the way youth participants think to live their lives.<br /><br />Utilizing age appropriate movies and/or documentary films from around the world that present interesting cultural experiences, youth participants, ages 16 -21, will view, discuss, and journal about 12 selections over a 12 week period. A capable facilitator will supervise viewing integrity, lead thought provoking group dialogue and ensure that each “student” journals about aspects of the experience. Upon successful completion of this program, the participants will have earned the reward of applying for and acquiring a viable U.S. Passport paid for by the program.<br /><br />Our effort will culminate into an experience that impresses upon kids the importance of global citizenship and the value of developing critical thinking skills. <br /><br />In the weeks to come I will share more about this fantastic opportunity that may be made available to you and a crew of kids that you want to see Further Faster.Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-41743353936687771772009-05-05T05:54:00.000-07:002010-10-12T07:12:51.154-07:00Have you seen Little Timmy's Bicycle?<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/SgA4UbFgdpI/AAAAAAAAAEU/JzM_Ep-OsaE/s1600-h/029_29.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/SgA4UbFgdpI/AAAAAAAAAEU/JzM_Ep-OsaE/s400/029_29.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332323882326062738" /></a><br /><br /><br />Demonstrating that thought provoking programming can be built around any subject matter, even the ridiculous and absurd, FFI Ambassador for Youth, Jesse Jordan created one such experience. Introducing Little Timmy as a lad who lost his bicycle the participants are challenged to create fantastic stories to share as to what might have happened to our young friend's beloved possession. Funny and outlandish tales are crafted with lessons woven into to the fabric of each story that may benefit all in attendance. Fun-a-mental might best describe this best practice.Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-62239737113688087142009-05-05T05:47:00.000-07:002010-10-12T07:14:27.285-07:00Dr. Seuss's Social Soap Box Saturday<div style="width:360px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w603.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w603.photobucket.com/albums/tt120/jessewjordan/48fcd270.pbw" height="360" width="360"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>
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<br /><em>Dr. Seuss's Social Soapbox Saturdays</em> might arguably be the single best effort of FFI Ambassador for Youth, Jesse Jordan's years of public service. Silly characters support this whimsical affair that brings people from all walks of life to a central spot to be entertained and taught some valuable life lessons.
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<br />Dr. Doeslittle, Tipsy Gore, Randy Rotten Tooth, and Reverend Frank N. Stein are a few of the memorable friends that participants rub elbows with during our get- together that culminates into an experience that is fondly remembered. Shelved for several years it might be time to reintroduce this fantastic affair that has everyone asking for more.
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<br />Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-79595463864334797602009-04-23T11:00:00.000-07:002010-10-12T07:15:09.643-07:00Operation Future Graduation<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/Sd5TraRB0_I/AAAAAAAAAAs/7OFkuLLZWGU/s1600-h/OFG.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322783814848730098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/Sd5TraRB0_I/AAAAAAAAAAs/7OFkuLLZWGU/s400/OFG.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><br /></div><div align="center"><div align="center">As one effort to address ‘drop-out’ rates in high school, the FFI Ambassador for Youth, Jesse Jordan, cleverly designed 'Operation Future Graduation’. Young friends are paired up with enthusiastic supporters to engage in meaningful conversation about the importance of graduating from high school. Then caps, gown, tassels, and ‘future’ high school diplomas culminate in a reverent ceremony of graduation in the years to come. A beautiful personal photo and 24” X 36” keepsake poster are given to each participant to commemorate their commitment to education. </div><br /></div>Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-50944560169718933162009-04-23T10:30:00.000-07:002010-10-12T07:15:44.398-07:00Hello, My Name is... World Traveler<div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w603.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w603.photobucket.com/albums/tt120/jessewjordan/d9b91bb8.pbw" height="360" width="480"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/albums/tt120/jessewjordan/?action=view¤t=d9b91bb8.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>
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<br /><div align="center">Fostering Global Citizenship is the focus of a series of experiential seminars presented by FFI Ambassador for Youth, Jesse Jordan. Utilizing his own experiences of personal travels in 34 countries around the world, as well as global music, vibrant photography, and a uniquely crafted passport with visas, the participants are taken on an imaginary trips to faraway places such as India, Laos, Turkey, Nicaragua and Borneo. These adventures nurture fantastic dialogue about ‘rules of the road’ and promote an interest in travel and creative journaling.</div>
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<br />Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-59471808602989422532009-04-23T10:00:00.001-07:002009-05-21T13:53:34.911-07:00Le Cafe Trion<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/Sd48SKY0U-I/AAAAAAAAAAc/rXjZUtd-4bk/s1600-h/Le+Cafe+Trion.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322758092322264034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 434px; TEXT-ALIGN: left" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/Sd48SKY0U-I/AAAAAAAAAAc/rXjZUtd-4bk/s400/Le+Cafe+Trion.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Creating a faux French Sidewalk Cafe with metaphoric foods for thought, this seminar appeals to everyone's palate. French waiters serve patrons delectable topics of conversation as entree accompanied by thought provoking side dishes and desserts. We can cater this experience to meet anyone's menu. Want to talk about diversity in the workplace? Develop leadership within your organization? Facilitating creativity to benefit your staff? Our fantastic French Chef, Pierre Omylore can create to feed anyone's appetite.</div>Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-41538188145977171082009-04-23T10:00:00.000-07:002010-10-12T07:17:12.480-07:00Journaling with Jesse Jordan<div style="width:600px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w603.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w603.photobucket.com/albums/tt120/jessewjordan/2ae1af44.pbw" height="180" width="600"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/albums/tt120/jessewjordan/?action=view¤t=2ae1af44.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>
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<br />Having discovered creative journaling as a hobby along his "path of progress", <em>FFI Ambassador for Youth </em>Jesse Jordan shares his library of writings hoping to inspire others to consider documenting their discoveries along their way. Over sixty literary keepsakes full of 'poor man's art', global pespectives, wit,and day to day observations of people and places support an experience in the company of young friendz that promote critical thinking, great conversation,and good old fashioned 'pen to paper'. Empty journals are given to the individual participants whereby they may begin their own adventure in recording any aspect of their personal odyssey.Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-81190501341592230042009-04-23T09:30:00.000-07:002009-04-24T08:15:05.494-07:00Characters Count<div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w603.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w603.photobucket.com/albums/tt120/jessewjordan/3aeeabef.pbw" height="360" width="480"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/albums/tt120/jessewjordan/?action=view¤t=3aeeabef.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>
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<br /><div align="center">Utilizing oversized cartoon caricatures of historical figures past and present-i.e. Mahatama Ghandi, Merriweather Lewis, Abraham Lincoln, and Harriet Tubman, this fun filled whimsical get-together explores those admirable character qualities that drove these people to excel. Ensuing discussion reveals a deeper understanding of some of the traits that we all share in common. Integrity, honesty, courage, discipline, reverence, and humor all might lend characteristics revealed and discussed. This seminar does not take for granted that the participants fully understand the importance of their own character qualities or those of these quality characters.</div>Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-58496438931157085172009-04-23T06:47:00.001-07:002010-10-12T07:18:33.789-07:00Life Path<div style="width:320px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w603.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w603.photobucket.com/albums/tt120/jessewjordan/c88d8359.pbw" height="240" width="320"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>
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<br />Jesse Jordan, FFI Ambassador for Youth, has participants physically walk through his accumulated life clutter, representing his personal odyssey from 'there to here'. Props galore support stories of laughter, hardship, sorrow, confusion and insight, thus highlighting those moments that shaped his character. Ensuing conversation is facilitated that allows individuals to more deeply explore their own adventure, thus confirming our shared commonalities.Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-69765416116085666412009-04-23T05:59:00.001-07:002009-05-21T14:00:56.894-07:00Wilderness Walk<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/SfBy8I-mpAI/AAAAAAAAADA/MEjkCj70seI/s1600-h/Wilderness+Walk.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 332px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/SfBy8I-mpAI/AAAAAAAAADA/MEjkCj70seI/s400/Wilderness+Walk.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327884736707077122" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Older friends walk in the company of younger friends down an old dirt road with the sole intent of connecting through great conversation. This slow stroll is simply putting people in the company of people with the willful intent of dialoging to a place of insight. Hours later particpants are fed at a 'rallying' point and our sucesses are claimed. Smart and simple describe this outing confirming that it's "to easy not to".Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-55904634921602883102009-04-23T05:00:00.000-07:002009-04-23T06:08:13.198-07:00Caitlin Beidler, Redemption Art Honorariam RecipientJesse Jordan, as an advocate for youth through SOS Healthcare, Inc. and Americorps, has been one of my greatest assets in fulfilling my mission to use mural arts as a tool for positive youth development. Because of him, I have been able to empower at-risk youth to work on private and public murals for the community of Myrtle Beach; therefore enhancing youth's lives and their community's as well. I recently read a quote that said, "Vision without action is merely a dream." Jesse Jordan's advocacy and support for what I do has enabled my vision to be put into action, therefore becoming more than just a dream.Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-46346972003734322842009-04-23T04:59:00.002-07:002009-05-21T14:03:41.406-07:00Cathy Hall, Academy of Art, Science and Technology - Curriculum SpecialistTo Whom It May Concern,<br /><br />Our school is a public high school in Horry County where juniors and seniors from nine base schools attend. We focus on career exploration with each student involved in a major course of study. I am the teacher for the Education Major. Our curriculum includes all facets of teaching and learning and affords students the opportunity of internships, service learning, and the creation of a Senior Exhibition of Mastery.<br />For the past 6 years we have been fortunate to work in partnership with Jesse Jordan. Through a focus on creative journaling we address the following:<br /><br />* Community<br />* Literacy - Reading , Writing, and Verbal Communication<br />* Critical Thinking and Metacognition<br />* Diversity<br />* Art in Education<br /><br />This year Jesse has worked with both Senior and Junior students in exploring aspects of art in education. This has been one of the most rewarding experiences for my students and me. On a regular basis the students are engaged in projects that include journaling, poetry, creative writing, and personal reflection. Jesse helps students develope a deeper understanding for diversity and sensitivity for each other. through their writing and art creations they incorperated critical thinking and self-exploartion. The activities and experiences that Jesse planned for the students helped them to witness learning in a highly creative manner. Students were able to grow academically, socialy, and emotionally. Their reflections of these experiences are testaments to the rewarding and memorable situations that they encountered. They developed a stronger sense of self-confidence, a sensitivity for understanding empathy and were challenged to read, write, and think in a critical manner.<br /><br />Last year Horry County Schools recognized Jesse Jordan for his contributions to our school community. It is our sincere hope that we will be able to continue our partnership with him for many years to come.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Cathy Hall<br />Academy for the Arts, Science, and TechnologyAmbassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-75466774119211982242009-04-23T04:59:00.001-07:002010-11-23T15:46:19.595-08:00Dr. Bill Davis, Dear friend, Mentor, Boss for 2 Years and Local NoblemanTo whom it may concern,<br /><br />SOS is in its 20th year of serving our community. The method that has brought the greatest service has been to capture the best talent in the arena that we seek to serve. We then support that person in their best practices to enhance their work.<br /><br />The most extraordinary talent we have found in 20 years is Jesse Jordan, our Ambassador for Youth. He is a modern day Pied Piper having found hundreds of youth and leaders of youth who wish to sit at his feet and learn. His kind of learning is both effective and fun. His innovative methods and language have drawn young and those educating the young to clamor after him locally and everywhere he ventures.<br /><br />His background as a foster and then adopted child make him a wounded healer. He understands and appreciates kid's who are struggling. His Master's degree level education have prepared him to develope programs that address the needs of these struggling youth. His breadth of life experiences as an adult immersing himself in many cultures for months at a time provide him the richest wealth of stories in capturing the attention of youth. His skill at photography allows Jesse to show a picture that says "a thousand words" to make his point to young people. His Christian motivation to help struggling youth has made him give what it takes to reach youth without judgement or partiality.<br /><br />SOS offers Jesse as a gift to the world since we cannot contain him and keep him for ourselves. Anyway, he is too grand to keep as a secret.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Bill Davis, MD<br />Founder and Director <br /> of <br />S.O.S. Health Care 1989-2009<br />Volunteer Child AdvocateAmbassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-64265261992023942692009-04-23T04:58:00.002-07:002009-04-23T06:18:02.127-07:00Barbara Martin, Revered Boss of 10 YearsTo whom it may concern,<br />Occasionally we work with young people, or cross paths with someone who has that ‘something’ that causes the rest of us to inhale deeply, grin, and say “Wow, I wish I could do that” as we watch them weave their magic with those ‘kids’ we thought had no respect for the adults around them. This is just exactly how I have come to see Jesse Jordan as I have watched him connect with many, many youth over the past 10 years.<br />Jesse first came to work as a staff member of the Sea Haven Shelter, where it became obvious that he had the ability to communicate with young people; to find the button that allowed them to look at themselves and the situation in which they found themselves; to deal with today’s issues and relate those issues to other aspects of their lives; to help them negotiate through serious incidents avoiding major conflict and, at the same time, allowing each party to feel successful in the outcome.<br />When Sea Haven won a grant to initiate the Street Outreach project for runaway/homeless ‘street kids’, it was the perfect match for Mr. Jordan’s energy and talent. The program, called Project Lighthouse On the Boulevard, a drop-in center for youths on the street, was conceived, designed, and launched through Jesse’s creative inspirations. After the initial process of putting the program in place it was obvious that the facility, and its captivating atmosphere, had the potential to serve other populations. With very little fanfare, Jesse inaugurated an after-school reading program for children from Canal Street Recreation Center, using students from Coastal Carolina University for fantastic one-on-one read aloud sessions. Then, with another of those ‘smart and simple’ innovations, he introduced ten minutes of great conversation into the reading program, giving these children the experience of learning to converse with adult partners; making eye contact, introducing themselves, and initiating topics of interest. And, again I wondered “Why didn’t I think of that?” It was such a simple and ingenious way to engage both the children and the adults. Not so amazingly, children competed to attend these reading sessions. And well, over a 100 different students from Coastal Carolina volunteered to spend 2 hours 2-3 days a week participating as reading mentors for the children in the period of one year. He has since added other innovative programs for children, youth and their families, that include art opportunities, motivating seminars, and internships for both teens and University students.<br />I have observed situations between youth and adults where tempers are flying; everyone, including the adult, is out of focus, and Jesse can step in, calming tempers and eventually with all parties maintaining their dignity, reach a reasonable compromise. It is his ability to show respect for each individual, analyze the situation, encourage compromise, and help the participants to take responsibility for their own actions. One might call it magic, but it is simply intuitive for Jesse Jordan.<br />In all my years of teaching, counseling, and working with children and young people, I have never met anyone who has a more highly developed sense of awareness and instinct for inspiring youth to connect, to consider options, to aspire, to believe in themselves, and even to accept humility. It would be remiss of me if I did not speak on behalf of Jesse’s integrity and his reliable sense of values. He stresses always, to young people, the value of education, of work, and of aspiring to be the best they can. He can evoke a sense of fun, adventure and the ridiculous as he weaves his spells and sounds out his message. Whether with individuals or groups, Jesse is an effective motivator of people, sympathetic but firm, discouraging the drama in peoples’ lives, and encouraging ‘starting now’ to improve their own personal quality of life. As is obvious, I would recommend Jesse Jordan for any situation where can, and will, influence people with his with own personal style of counsel.<br />Sincerely,<br />Barbara A.Martin Consultant to Sea Haven Inc.Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-28308130395863220532009-04-23T04:58:00.001-07:002009-04-23T06:19:01.249-07:00John Robertson, South Eastern Network for Youth and Family ServicesTo whom it may concern,<br />Jesse Jordan, and the work he has accomplished as Director of Project Lighthouse @ Sea Haven On the Boulevard, has dazzled and enlightened me since Jesse and I first met in 1998. I find Jesse’s specific brand of “Social Pioneerism” to be inspiring, fresh and with few peers in traditional social service practice. As a trained professional in the youth and family services field myself, I understand the less than glamorous side or providing vital services to young people who are struggling to find their place in this world. I believe the best of intentions often fall short of reaching difficult youth populations due to an inability to communicate our common values in a message that youth recognize as their own.<br />Jesse is both an interpreter and ambassador for traditional social services and our milieu of care. As a self-described “Reluctant Social Worker” Jesse articulates the shortcomings of approaching youth who are challenged by real world violence, poverty, and hopelessness with the traditional language of human services. Jesse is a Master’s Degree therapist and a 20 year veteran of social work. I have begun to doubt his reluctance. His commitment to at-risk youth is unquestionable.<br />Jesse Jordan has a gift. He inspires individuals to see themselves in the very best of light. As a former drill sergeant he barks us toward greater understanding. As a world traveler, he celebrates all cultures and the lessons that lay obvious before our eyes. As an adopted son he intimately understands the sense of displacement many young people feel every day. Jesse brings all of his personal and professional life experiences to bear when confronting a problem like few others.<br />His practices are proven. I have spent profound moments with young people, now 16 or 17 years old, who casually relate that they have grown up in the protective folds of Project Lighthouse. Self-assured, bright, motivated young people who describe the less than perfect circumstance of their upbringing and can tell you of many of instances where Jesse and his teammates were there to encourage, support, and provide what they needed to make it.<br />Loud music, thought-provoking photos of faraway places, funny glasses, silly characters, some call it whimsical, avant garde, or maverick but I personally have found it all to be one simple thing. Effective.<br />Please contact me if you would like to discuss this recommendation.<br />Sincerely,<br />John Robertson M.S. Southeastern Network for Youth and Family ServicesAmbassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-540752399429743972009-04-09T10:47:00.000-07:002009-04-24T08:46:06.911-07:00Silly Serious Seminar<div style="width:300px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w243.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w243.photobucket.com/albums/ff260/globalawareness/ef7fe939.pbw" height="360" width="300"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>
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<br />Utilizing scores of old theatre costumes, mustaches, funny glasses and assorted props, an experience is provided to paticipants that is both joyous and photographed. Silliness is our fantastic segue to involving ourselves in serious conversation about planning our own individual "paths of progress." Days later photo momentos are sleeved and given commemerating both great conversation and our revealing time spent.
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<br />Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639748830808628244.post-89051264185142850502009-04-09T10:37:00.001-07:002010-10-12T07:20:25.562-07:00Operation Global Education & Recreation<div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322785960523638466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9v5H9esNrUA/Sd5VoThypsI/AAAAAAAAABE/6h2DDQxKg_M/s400/Poverty_5.jpg" border="0" />FFI Ambassador for Youth, Jesse Jordan, recently returned from a 100 day trip to Southeast Asia. While there, he sought and found an opportunity to enroll 13 Balinese and Thai children in school for the 2009 school year as well as providing recreation equipment for 3 local villages. A thousand dollars was provided by SOS Healthcare Inc. to pay educational costs- tuition, uniforms, school supplies—for kids that were too poor to attend school. This initiative demonstrates the willingness of SOS Healthcare Inc. to both support and promote global citizenship. </div>Ambassador for Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05709904301638979189noreply@blogger.com0