A Path of Generosity - Something Santa Told Me

As I do this work in the less fortunate neighborhoods of Los Angeles I am constantly inspired by those who have so little and yet who walk a path of generosity and love. Jeiser, our young intern at YMC, took a big step on that path yesterday. When I got to my desk and saw the small envelope with a Christmas card inside and inside the card was a $5 gift card for the “Food for Less” store. The card simply read “thank you Tony for everything you do for me”. Then the buzz around the office started. Jeiser had left similar cards for everyone. There were some who said “We can’t accept these. He can’t afford this!” However, when somebody gives you something, you rob them of their giving if you don’t receive it openly. So in receiving Jeiser’s gift we honor him and complete the flow of giving and receiving.


Jeiser, Derrion, Allisha
and George (Jeiser's Mentor)

Some were simply moved to tears by his simple act. Spontaneously a collection was taken up to give back to Jeiser. My first thought was that we should just accept his gift and honor this spiritual practice that he had found. But then I realized that he had simply stepped into the flow and that’s how it happens: a small act of generosity begets another and the flow of giving and receiving envelopes us all.  I am reminded of how much joy it gives Jeiser when he does a task around the office that helps someone else. I’ll catch him sneaking a peak at me when I go in the kitchen just to see my reaction to his spotless cleaning of the coffee machine because he knows that gives me pleasure. So, today Jeiser is our teacher. For the next few days as my family and friends gather and gifts are exchanged I will set aside concerns for a consumer culture (plenty of time to pick those back up later) and just give witness to the joy that giving brings to those who give.

There are those who give with joy,
and that joy is their reward.

And there are those who give with pain,
and that pain is their baptism.

And there are those who give and know not pain in giving,

nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue;

They give as in yonder valley
the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.

Through the hands of such as these God speaks,

and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.

Kahlil Gibran

peace and blessings,

Tony

PS Boojie (who came up with the title for this blog) would like to add that "giving feels better than getting"!

Boojie the wise

Season's Greetings

What if she doesn’t like Britney Spears?

I’m not going to lie, I was a little nervous when I first signed up to be a mentor. What if she thought I was lame?  I don’t have much contact with teenagers and I can be awkward, I admit it.  What if we didn’t have anything to talk about? WHAT IF SHE HATED BRITNEY SPEARS??!! (Disclosure: I’m a huge fan.) 

I’ve been Angie’s mentor for approximately a year now, and to this day, I’m amazed and absolutely delighted over how naturally our mentor-mentee relationship has blossomed.  Angie is really creative and we’re both interested in fashion and design.  I thought she’d enjoy learning how to make jewelry (which just so happens to be my favorite hobby), so I invited her to come with me to Santee Alley to pick out jewelry fixings, followed by a jewelry-making session at my place.  We must have spent hours lurking in the bead stores, wandering the aisles in search for the perfect beads and brainstorming design ideas together.  Finally, with our purchases and our Subway sandwiches in hand, we headed back to my place for a crash course in jewelry-making by yours truly. 

In the many hours that followed while we hung out making jewelry, our discussion ranged from designs and techniques to celebrity gossip and fashion to how she's doing in school, stories about our families and being the oldest daughters, and her goals in life.  Meanwhile, Angie took the basics I showed her and absolutely ran with it in the most fabulous way!  She ended up creating 1 gorgeous ring, 2 amazing necklaces, and 2 of the cutest bracelets (one was for her baby sister).

I had a blast, and when I got back from dropping Angie at home, my roommate told me that from her room, she could hear us chattering non-stop the entire time.  And so, I just wanted to thank YMC from the bottom of my heart for giving me the opportunity to meet and mentor the amazing Angie!

Oh, and ps: she’s ok with Britney.

-Nasya Lee

CHLA Junior Matches!

Here are your matches for CHLA Junior 2010-2011!

Tuesday with Mentor and Mentee- Tiffney & America

"I would like to thank my mentor for being there for me and supporting me through the ups and the downs. I knew she cared because she listened to what I had to tell her, and she always came to the group sessions and one-on-ones. From this program I learned I have to maintain good grades. I learned that people hear me better if I am patient".

-America

MTV/BET 12.15.2010

During the last session of the year, the MTV/BET program played the white elephant game.

Paramount I and II 12.14.2010

Mentees played the white elephant game for the last meeting session this year, before going on break for the Holidays.

CHLA JR Second Meet & Greet!

Mentors and Mentees get to really know each other!