Petals N Belles – HerStory Month

Sometimes the best moments are the one’s that catch you off your guard! I received an email last week that truly did just that, but filled my heart up with love and gave me an insight to continue forward with my dream. Even when you are certain of your path, you still appreciate those moments that confirm your truth. It was a request to be featured on Petals N Belles for their HerStory section which celebrates Women during Women’s History Month.

Please help support their campaign if you are on twitter or Facebook by acknowledging the women in your life or those that have inspired your movement forward with the #WHM #PetalsNBelles

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“A women’s light cannot be taken away, but it can certainly be dimmed to the point where it appears to be gone. The more women stand up to celebrate their light, the more examples we have that allow other women to stand up and do the same”.

Being surrounded by love was never an issue growing up, but knowing what I was capable of doing and becoming, not so easy to see. I can’t ever remember seeing people in my neighborhood and saying, I want to be like them when I grow up, except for my Mother. I AM grateful that she was always an example of strength, class and beauty. I knew I was going take on her strength, I just didn’t know how? To me, she was a make it happen kind of woman, that allowed me know if one door didn’t open, another one will. I’m certain, that’s where I get optimism and strength from, that pushes me forward.

Read the rest on http://petalsnbelles.org/feature/raeven-western-herstory/

Empower Me

For the last 4 years GYE NYANE EMPOWERMENT PROJECT has provided young high school ladies with enrichment programs and their annual Sista-2-Sista youth summit, that is put together by some of the most amazing women I have ever met. It is said, the best way to grow your dream is to help grow another persons dream. This will be my 3rd year working alongside the Akua, the fundraising committee, the workshop committee and the entire youth summit committee. These months, have not only allowed me to grow my dreams, but also brought great experiences and personal growth into my life that you never expect when reaching out to help out.

To every lady that I have met along this journey, thank you! Your strengths, talents and beauty are never overlooked, but rather a tool that has brought empowerment into my dreams. I AM certain, that this day for young girls will do the same.

Work is still being facilitated for this years summit on March 12 2011. If you are interested in donating toward the summit, please visit http://www.indiegogo.com/s2s to be apart of the 1000 strong to donate $6. Spreading the word is just as powerful! If you are interested in volunteering or knowing more about this day,  visit http://www.empowermegnep.org/S2S/#

Discussing Pushy Dreams with Raeven Western – Mattieologie

When you tell others about your dreams, you allow people to help you or share your message with another. Listen in on how Mattie and I met and what she allowed me to share on her show!

Listen in, because she gives great tips on how to brand your blog!

Pushy Dreamers

New York Cares & So Do I

Greetings friends,

I’m going to make this quick! Some of you have notice that I have taken a huge interest and enjoyment to volunteering and was presented an opportunity to be a team leader for New York Care Day. I am super excited, because this day is all about giving to NYC schools. It is a wonderful way to give back, share a new experience while having fun and meeting new people, plus the bonus of really seeing what you are capable of doing is amazing.

Normally to volunteer at any projects listed on www.NewYorkCares.org you would have to register online as well as attend an orientation, for this day you do not. All you need to do is make one visit online and be ready to enjoy yourself on October 23rd 2010.

If you or a friend is interested and I hope you are, please read the following below the dotted lines for more information. If you are interested in donating to the site, by all means click here money raised is spent toward reading material and programs, art supplies and programs, and one on one SAT tutoring for an entire year.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Sincerely Raeven Western

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Dear New York Cares Volunteer:

We hope that this email finds you well.  There is a wonderful event taking place on Saturday, October 23, 2010@ Kings College School in the Bronx as part of New York Cares Day which also falls on USA Weekend Make aDifference Day.

Since the projects I work on take me to different parts of the city, we understand that people would be coming from long and far away but remember, this is not about me, it is about cleaning a school, trimming walls, organizing books in a library, planting bulbs and probably painting a mural at an underserved public school in New York Cityand everything you do is greatly appreciated.  If any New York Cares volunteer is available this Saturday on October 23, 2010 to work on these projects it would be great.  Plus, there is no charge. But,

1.) You must participate on Team CSW Project &

2.) You must follow the registration information below.  Looking forward to seeing you as we celebrate Make aDifference Day.

·         Go to www.newyorkcaresday.org

·         Click on the Register Now bubble at the top of the screen

·         Read and agree to the waiver

·         Select the Join a Team option

·         Click on the toggle box at the bottom of the next screen; scroll down until you are able to highlight our team’s name—CSW Project.

·         Hit Continue

·         If you participated in previous New York Cares Days and/or Hands On New York Days, at the top of the screen will be the following text, If you have participated in Hands On New York Day or New York Cares Day in the past, click here to log in and auto fill this form.  Click on the click here; and Enter your username and password (the same as last year’s).  if you need to have it resent, click on the forgot username/password link at the bottom of the screen.

·         If you do not have a previous username/password, continue with the current form

·         Provide personal information, making sure that all the required information is filled in. Please be sure to use the following discount code: NYCD10STU

·         Follow prompts and fill in all information, until notified that you have completed the registration process–you will see a confirmation page as well as receive one via the email address you provided.

·         You have until October 15, a week before the event to join the team.

Join our team and get ready to paint a brighter future for New York City public school students on New York Cares Day. The work our team will do on New York Cares Day benefits everyone in the community. And our work doesn’t have to stop then – New York Cares creates volunteer programs for 1,000 nonprofit agencies and schools every day of the year, building better lives for 400,000 struggling New Yorkers.

I hope to see you on New York Cares Day!

Raeven Western will be the team leader of this team as I handle Site Captain responsibilities.

If there are any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.

Best,

Raeven & Stacy

Be The Change

“Be the change you want to see in this world” Mahatma Ghandi

There is nothing more regretful than being passionate about an idea and not giving it life.

I wanted to create something visible for all to see and not only be inspired by, but pass on the message to others. Lucy and Carmen represents the People. It represents the Change. It represents the Family, the Community. It represents You and the Inspiration in us all to “Be The Change” for something better.

Visit www.LucyandCarmen.com to get your “Be The Change” T shirt.