Happy Holidays!

Give to the world the best you have and the best will come back to you.

~ Madeline Bridges ~

Do You Know A “Difference Maker”?

If you do, then thank them for their contributions. Often, they are the invisible among us. “Difference Makers” come from all backgrounds and operate worldwide.   Like philanthropist, they use their time, talent and treasure to make a difference for others.  One way to say “Thank You” is  with a donation to their respective organization.  At the end of each”Difference Maker” segment below, a link to make a donation or an address to send a check is provided.

From what we get, we can make a living;

what we give, however, makes a life.

~Arthur Ashe~

Linda Brucker

Executive Director

A Legacy of Giving is a local nonprofit that teaches children the value of philanthropy as an integrated part of their school curriculum.  With a vision to ‘Grow a Generation of Givers’, its mission is to empower children to become more engaged in improving their communities and world.

During the 2011-2012 school year, the Legacy program partnered with 33 Central Texas schools, reaching 18,457 students from pre-K to 12th grade.

For their fall service project, Legacy students used their time, talent and treasure to fill storage PODs on their campuses with canned foods and coats for the less fortunate. Their advocacy resulted in 45,010 lbs. of food donated to the Capital Area Food Bank and 3,266 warm coats for Coats for Kids, delivering an economic value of over $188,600 to their community.

Legacy uses the results from the students’ efforts to not only illustrate their ability to impact the community, but also to support their education in mathematics, science, social studies, as well as life lessons on empowerment.

A Legacy of Giving believes if children learn to see themselves as philanthropists at the earliest ages, they will continue to be engaged in their communities and offer their gifts of time, treasure, and talent throughout their lifetime.

As A Legacy of Giving expands into more Central Texas schools, every donation contributes to growing a generation of givers.

Tim King,

President

Urban Prep  is a nonprofit organization founded in 2002 by Tim King and a group of African-American education, business and civic leaders. Urban Prep’s mission is to provide a comprehensive, high-quality college preparatory education to young men that results in graduates succeeding in college. We opened our first school – Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men, Englewood Campus – in 2006. Urban Prep’s Englewood Campus is the country’s first public charter high school for boys. In 2009, we opened our second school: Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men, West Campus. Our third school, Urban Prep Academy for Young Men, Bronzeville Campus opened its doors in the fall of 2010. Urban Prep’s schools are the only all-boys public schools in the state of Illinois.

The Urban Prep motto is “We Believe.” Our motto is a constant reminder that Urban Prep students will not fall into the trap of negative stereotypes and low expectations. Instead, Urban Prep students believe in their potential and believe in their ability to exceed that potential. The Urban Prep family (teachers, administrators, staff, board of directors, community members and donors) also believes in these young men, and in our important and long lasting role in their lives. At Urban Prep, We Believe.

100% of Urban Prep’s graduates have been admitted to college.  Click here to learn more and donate

Dr. Judith G. Loredo

Co-Honorary Chair

2012 Rose Gala

 San Juan Diego Catholic High School is celebrating 10 years of excellence this year! The school is known as “The School That Works” because students work at entry-level positions in the corporate world to earn a portion of their tuition. Students gain valuable job experience by working one day a week at some of the most prestigious companies in the Austin area.

San Juan Diego also offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, with many AP classes, to prepare students for college success. Students build impressive resumes that often help them receive college scholarships to the country’s finest universities.

The work study program also offsets the cost of tuition, so San Juan Diego can provide an affordable college preparatory education for all families. All tuition at San Juan Diego is based on family income and ability to pay, and no student or family is turned away for financial reasons.

Participate in the “Fund-A-Saint” program where you can help one student at San Juan Diego with their tuition at $4,500 a year. A group of very generous supporters has agreed to fund six “Saints” and will match all donations received during the month of December up to $27,000. Help us double the number of “Saints” receiving a college preparatory education!

Board of Directors & Staff

 “I Have A Dream”—LA

Board Member, Richard Wolf  (right) and  Chairman, Grant F. Little, III (Center) accepting the 2011 Department of Justice – FBI “Director’s Community Leadership Award” on behalf of “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles from Steven M. Martinez, Assistant Director.

The “I Have a Dream” Foundation began in 1981 when New York businessman Eugene Lang was invited to address a group of graduating sixth graders at the East Harlem elementary school he attended as a child.  Before he took the podium, he was told that 75% of the children sitting before him would drop out of school before high school graduation. That figure so alarmed him that he offered to pay the college tuition of every student who graduated.  This led to the formation of the Foundation, which has expanded across the country to serve over 15,000 Dreamers.

I Have a Dream” Foundation—Los Angeles, founded by the Whittier Family Foundations, has provided over 22 years of service to nearly 1,000 children in Los Angeles County. Classes are chosen from Title 1 schools, where the majority of students meet the federal guidelines for poverty, perform below expectations academically, and typically experience stress and violence in their communities.

Current classes of Dreamers include 47 fourth grade and 91 fifth grade students in Inglewood, 149 tenth grade students in Boyle Heights, and 60 students in Pasadena, most of whom are in college.

In 2012 another class of Dreamers, our 18th project, will be adopted in Los Angeles. We are now raising the funding, $1.6 million, and we are well on the way to achieving our goal thanks to the support of many generous donors.

If you are interested in supporting “I Have a Dream” Foundation – LA, we have provided this link.

Year-End Tax Preparation

What offers the best tax advantage?  What moves to make before December 31st?  These two questions often guide year-end tax preparation reviews.  Numerous websites offer year-end tax strategies—i.e. American Institute of CPAs’ Tax Saving Strategies For The 2012 Filing System, Kiplinger Personal Finance‘s reading materials and videos, IRS’s Tax Tips For 2011, or CBS’ Get More Money Back Videos.  However, when you say “Thank You” to a “Difference Maker” with a donation to their respective organization, your return is three–fold. The “Thank you” donation (1) shows appreciation for their work, (2) provides a means for their work to continue and (3) provides a non-profit tax write off for you. At the end of each article, a link to make a donation or an address to send a check is provided.  As the “Different Makers” sections document, these organizations have a track record for making a difference.

Educational Opportunities

You might know some of this information. Available data, however, indicate a lack of applicants. Please share.     Wake Forest University has an opportunity for minority students to attend its M.B.A. program for FREE AND SO FAR THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN VERY POOR.   Please pass along this tremendous opportunity to attend a top graduate school to your friends, families. Contact person: Dr. Derrick S. Boone; E-mail: derrick.boone@mba.wfu.edu; Website: www.wfu.edu; Call:  Toll free (866) 925-3622.      Black Male Teachers needed. Do you know any Black Males who are seniors in high school who want to go to college out of state for FREE? The CALL ME MISTER program offered by 4 historical black colleges in South Carolina, Benedict College, Chaflin University, Morris College and South Carolina State University; Website: www.callmemister.clemson.edu/index.htl; Call:  (800) 640 -2657;    Harvard University is offering free tuition to families of honor students and their income is less than $125,000 per year.   Website: www.fao.fas.harvard.edc/  Call: 617 495-1581;    Syracuse University School Of Architecture is desperately seeking young women and men of color interested in pursuing a 5 yr. professional degree in Architecture. Contact: Mark Robbins, Dean School of Architecture, Call (315) 443-2256, Website: www.soa.syr.edu/indes.php; more information.

Free Resources

Alliance for Community Empowerment (ACE) offers the following services: Mobile Response Team (any age) Gang Awareness (any age) Strengthening Families Course (age 10-14) Leadership Academy (age 12-16) services are offered throughout San Diego and are free, Call 1 800. ACE-9458.    The Urban League of San Diego County offers free Financial Literacy Workshop, First Time Home Buyer Workshop, Review of Documents for Home Loan, Modification or Refinance, Credit and Debt Management Workshop, Identity Theft and Senior Advocate Help. Call (619) 266-6237 for additional information and appointment.   Free tutoring, provided by San Diego County Office of Education – Foster Youth Services Program: Who is eligible: Foster youth in SD County placed in out-of-home care, except foster youth placed in kinship, with relatives. Contact: Sophie Lor, Project Supervisor. (858) 503-2627 or Michelle Bailow, Educational Liaison (858) 503-2639 for more information.    A free pair of eyeglasses from Target for any child ages 12 and under with a valid eyeglass prescription from their doctor. Find stores with optical departments see : www.target.com.

Tech Tips

Good News! The best bargain in town, your public library—depending on size, now has a Virtual Library. You can access everything from eBooks to newspapers for free with your Library card. The Virtual Library is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. You can read newspapers and magazines; search for journal articles; find and download eBooks to your eReader, tablet, or computer; and locate authoritative information for your next research paper, business venture, job search, personal project, or just about anything else.

 Less Is More Newsletter

Less Is More December 2011 PDF DOWNLOAD DOCUMENT

Thank you

My undying gratitude goes to numerous friends, relatives, and associates, especially Dr. Beverly Coleman, Maegan Covelli, Sylvia Denwoodie, Jerry Drew, Paula Delacruz, Lindsay Fairless, Obie Hutchinson, Marie Parker, Kim Robinson, Kristen Skjonsby and Tom Wertheimer for their assistance.  All gave unselfishly of their time and talent.  Their support made the December Newsletter a reality.

~Sylvia Hawkins Little, Ph.D.~

I believe it is importance that we become involved in raising

a nation of geniuses—others in addition to our own.

Food For Thought!

Some superior minds are unrecognized because there

is no standard by which to weigh them.

~Joseph Joubert~

Your Genius College Bound?

It is time to DOUBLE CHECK your genius’ college application process. Use the College Boards Application Calendar to REVIEW the application process and deadlines. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine  to obtain background information on BEST VALUES in private colleges, public colleges; paying for college; the ABCs of saving for college; etc. and U.S. News & World Reports to RANK colleges, analyzes graduate school programs and world’s best universities

FINANCE: The Susie’s Scoop analyses Repaying Student Loans: What You Need To Know. FinAid—The SmartStudent Guide To Financial Aid is a MUST READ website. Established as a public service in 1964, this site is FREE for all users,  highly recommended by Susie Orman,  and has as its objective is to be “the first stop on the web for students looking for ways to finance their education”.  Another must read is Calculating The Cost Of College: A Guide To Finding A Fair Price To Pay by Michelle Singletary, Personal Finance Columnist for the Washington Post. This article offers advice for navigating the federally mandated cost calculators on colleges’ Web sites. Last but equally important, peruse the Know Before You Owe student loans, project site launched by The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Education.

SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS, And ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Your State’s Department Of Higher Education, or Higher Education Coordinating Board offers a wealth of information on planning applying, making choices—college match ups, and calculating costs. See Paying For College, Student Resource Guide, 2011-2012 Edition for a wealth of information on scholarships, internships, fellowships, resource books, and websites by months, with contact, eligibility, award, and specific deadline information,  courtesy of U.S. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard’s District Office, Congressional District 34–California. On my website Scholarships, Fellowships, etc. list additional resources that friends and associates shared.

Your Genius Job Hunting?  

JOBS/EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE  American Express New York Manager—Coverage Strategy and Business Development Job; American Express United States Job Listings; Apple—a place where students and college graduates thrive; every day presents new challenges and the chance to collaborate with some of the best minds in business; Central Intelligence Agency — seeking diverse candidate pool skilled in science, engineering, technology, analysis, foreign languages and administration for positions in the United States and overseas. Federal Aviation Association —taking application for Air Traffic Controllers [ages 18-31, High School Diploma.  Excellent salaries up to $100,000 with earn benefits. Google—place innovation and creativity keeps projects changing and improving; consistency comes from Googlers – smart, amazing people who foster an environment of collaboration and fun. Oregon State Government Career Opportunities.  MediaCom  US Digital Media Team is looking for an experienced Media Director to join and lead one of our beauty-ceuticals clients. Other opportunities available including: 

Digital Media Planning Supervisor,
 Communications Planner , Communications Planning Director, Network Buyers – all levels, Contact: Ed Frankel—edward.frankel@mediacom.com 
www.mediacom.com 

Starbucks Bellevue/East King County, Washington—District Manager StarbucksUnited States Job Listings.PNC  Number of jobs available: 1,000+Types of jobs: Mortgage loan officer, bank branch manager, software engineer, part-time teller, relationship manager and financial advisor. AON Number of jobs available: 1,390+ Types of jobs: Risk management, insurance brokerage services, benefits outsourcing, human capital consulting and actuarial.U-Haul Number of jobs available: 1,575+ Types of jobs: General manager and trainees, shop manager, customer care representative, programmer, web designer, traffic control manager, storage team manager, structural engineer, production manager and transfer driver.     FOR COMPLETE  Employment Opportunities List DOWNLOAD WORD DOCUMENT

It’s a good idea to LEARN as much as possible about a company and READ the articles below before you submit your application.

—What Hiring Managers Really Want To See

— Three Things That Make You Irresistible To Employers

— Ten Useless Resume Words (And 10 Eye-Catching Ones)

— Getting Results: 10 Strategies For Job Search Success

Paid Summer Internship Program

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SCHOLARS PROGRAM–FDIC’ s 10-week paid summer internship program  for college juniors. Provides economics, business administration, or a related field majors with a hands-on opportunity to observe and evaluate bank operations, business planning, risk management strategies, and consumer protection practices during a period of high stress for the banking industryApplications due by December 30, 2011.

Tech Tips

Free Texting —Kate Murphy, the New York Times’ Personal Technology Columnist for the New York Times, discusses “All Text, Without All the Costs”.

Browser Beware— Salvador Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times Columnist, shares how to minimize risks when using free public WiFi hot spots.

Memory Lane

Videos  WORD DOWNLOAD SHEET

Reminder!

Genius hath electric power which

earth can never tame.

~Lydia M. Child~

Less is More Newsletter

Less Is More PDF DOWNLOAD DOCUMENT

Summer is over and school has started. There is lots of anticipation along with motivation is in the air. I would say, “The perfect time to start learning a foreign language is now. Where to start? What to use?

Start with Dr. Little’s Tri-Lingual Alphabets and More Books.  If you

• Speak only English-then select Dr. Little’s Tri-Alphabets and More   English ·  Español  · Français
• Sólo hablan español, seleccione Dra. Little, Tres abecedarios y más, English • Español • Français
• Parler seulement le français, puis sélectionnez Dr. Little, Trois abécédaires et plus, English • Español • Françai

Purchase at epic-press.com

Our nation’s capital is an exciting place to be this week. Why? The long awaited Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial officially opens to the public today, Monday, August 22, 2011.  
The 30-foot sculpture of the civil rights icon is situated on a four-acre Tidal Basin site, in a direct line with the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials. It’s open today from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. leading up to a public dedication ceremony Sunday, August 28, at 11 am. (Note: Hurricane Irene pending arrival caused Memorial Dedication to be  postponed  to October 16, 2011.)

Numerous special events are planned for Dedication Week—the days leading up to the official dedication ceremony. If you can, make sure you attend at least one of the events surrounding this historical occasion. Available website resources include:  About the Memorial, Build The Dream Virtual Tour, Memorial Project, Explore the Memorial, Public Expo, In His Own Words, and Washington, D.C. 

A friend and college classmate who visited the Memorial today, emailed

… I walked about 1.5 miles from the Farragut West Metro Station, past the Viet Nam, Lincoln, and Korean Memorials to the site. It is awesome and a stunning vision to behold. As I trudged along, I would not permit myself to be ‘no ways tired’, and remembered the umpteen parades I marched in as a majorette many moons ago and the many marches Dr. King led.

The chain-link fences are down; however, plants have yet to be placed. Many people were there representing all hues and colors; however, you could easily move around and view the entire site. Locals are encouraged to visit today through Thursday and allow those traveling to DC for the dedication full access on Sunday. I will watch the unveiling ceremony on television. It is a must-see memorial for sure…

The Significance!

• Date:  August 28, 2011, the day that The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is officially dedicated is exactly forty-eight years after Dr. King delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech.
• Address: 1964 Independence Avenue is a reference to the Civil Right’s Act of 1964, a milestone that Dr. King played an integral role in achieving.
• Location:  the site creates a visual “line of leadership“ from the Lincoln Memorial to the Jefferson Memorial.
• Monument: it is the first of its kind in honor of not only an African-American, but also a non-president on the National Mall.
  

Questions to Ponder!

• What has happened since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. last addressed the nation 48 years ago?
• What progress has been made in the last 48 years ago?
• Are you a beneficiary of the civil rights movement?
• Are you an individual who “Pays Dr. King’s Gifts Forward“?

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s Contributions/Gifts

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.‘s contributions/gifts to a better world are immeasurable.  Briefly, he was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement.  While his contributions to the civil right movement are numerous, some of  his best known include:

• advancing civil rights in the United States and around the world using Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolence philosophy,
• helping to establish the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and
• leading the 1963 March on Washington where he delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech—which expanded American values to include a colorblind society and established his reputation as one of the greatest orators in American history.speech—which expanded American values to include a colorblind society and established his reputation as one of the greatest orators in American history.

In summation, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a philanthropist—one who uses their time, talent, and treasure for the common good.

Honors And Awards that Dr. King received include: 1964 - the (youngest person to receive) Nobel Peace Prize for work to end racial segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other nonviolent means; 1977 - the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded posthumously; 1986 US Federal Holiday established in his honor;  2004  the Congressional Gold Medal, awarded posthumously; and 2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial—the first on the Mall honoring an African American. “His words, now carved in granite on the National Mall, are a testament to his legacy and its enduring ability to shape lives and destinies around the world.”

If time permits, please answer the questions below. Your responses will be shared with educators and authors. ( “Leave Your Reply” Below)

The Austin Public Library invites you to join us for the University Hills Branch 25th Anniversary Celebration and Community Open House. The festivities take place on Saturday, August 13 from 12 to 5 p.m. at the University Hills Branch located at 4721 Loyola Ln.

There’s something fun for everyone, so bring the whole family and make it a special day at the library. Meet local authors Dr. Sylvia Little, Debra Orr-Ogunro, and Laura Riddell and discuss their books. Get your body moving with Let’s Make Rhythm, Ole’ School Dancing In Modern Day Times, a dance program with L.M. Rivers.

Bring the kids for face painting and crafts as well as a special 1 p.m. presentation of Chicken Big, a puppet show for all ages by Literature LIVE! Enjoy artwork made by students of LBJ High, Andrews Elementary, and Barbara Jordan Elementary schools.

Learn about local organizations including Northeast Austin Caregivers, The Sustainable Food Center, AIDS Services of Austin, Texas Consumer Health Assistance Program (CHAP), and the Dare To Go Zero program with the City of Austin’s Solid Waste Services Department. Browse the giant book sale and purchase books to benefit the library. Light refreshments will be served. The celebration and activities are free and open to the public.

For more information please call 512-974-9940 or visit www.ci.austin.tx.us/library.