CUNA's Youth Employment Initiative

On Sunday, CUNA's work was featured on the front page (above the fold!) of the regional newspaper, The Morning Call.

... To help students like Alexander navigate the job process, Dolich asked Congregations United for Neighborhood Action to get involved. With the support of Allentown and Mayor Ed Pawlowski, CUNA launched an initiative to place at least 25 students with local companies.
So far, six have been placed, though getting them a job isn't the pilot program's only goal. It also will give teens opportunities to be mentored or shadow employees, and to receive job training.
In a letter asking business owners to participate, Pawlowski said the effort is of "economic and social importance."
"Teens who work have a greater likelihood to graduate from high school and they receive the soft business and trade skills necessary for future employment," he said.
By the time school ends, Dolich, who is a CUNA board member, hopes the program has placed all 25 students in summer jobs. ...

Read the full article here.

Photo Catch-Up

While feeling a little "photoed-out" and "blogged-out" these days, I still want to share photos from our daily adventures. Here are some recent snaps from my Blackberry. Enjoy!

Daily walks around Moravian College campus to look for small animals, bugs and seeds

Alma at a work event with Joshua at an Allentown park

Eating lettuce from our garden

Rainy walks looking for good puddles to do some splashing

Enjoying the grocery store at the Please Touch Museum

First time to a fast-food restaurant for some fries and chicken fingers

Pretending to vacuum the cat

Hair in a french twist

Driving the bus at the Please Touch Museum

Reading one of her beloved Babybug issues to the cat

Walking around in my sneakers

Being cute

Helping me sort the mail

Yoga

Alma and I have recently started slacking on our daily baking.  I think I might have gotten baked-out.  We make the occasional scones but we are generally taking a break.

About a month ago, we started a new daily tradition of yoga.  Sure, it only lasts 5 minutes, but its really fun and Alma is already at the stage where she can do most of it unassisted.  We keep to the same routine each time.  This consists of the following:

* Reaching up to the sky - touching our toes (4 times for the set)
* Downward dog (yes, there is barking involved) - cobra (3 times for the set)
* Cat - Cow (usually around 5 times for this set, which also involves animal noises)
* Reaching up to the sky - touching our toes (2 times for the set)
* Sing the Namaste song and three OMs while we have hands in prayer

I hope to keep this daily routine going as it is a great way for us to connect and for me to remember to stretch.

Happy Mothers Day

So blessed to be able to celebrate another Mother's Day with my two sweethearts. 

House Projects Update

 We finally painted the kitchen nook a few weeks ago.  We went from this (APPLE JAIL!) to a great shade of green, which honestly isn't showing up in this photo very well, but that makes the area feel clean and bright and perfectly wonderful.  Somehow, it even makes looking out the back window so much nicer.  Can you tell I'm happy with the color choice?!

Alma and I also tore up the carpet in the "monkey room" and installed some closet organizers in what is fast becoming an exceedingly large walk-in closet.  More current photos will be posted shortly.

Love These Faces

This was snapped a month or two ago.  Alma was feeling frustrated but somehow that doesn't stop me from loving this photo any less.

CUNA's Youth Jobs Initiative in Allentown

Last night, Joshua's organization, Congregations United for Neighborhood Action (CUNA), held an action in Allentown asking the mayor to support the effort to create more youth jobs this summer. See the Channel 69 News clip here.  It was a great event filled with positive energy from the women chairing the event, a spot-on research report, and a great mix of over 100 Allentown residents. 

Hooray CUNA on your first citywide action with Joshua at the helm!