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Was having lunch with Mark King, the CEO of TaylorMade-adidas Golf yesterday, when it hit me. I think it was right about the halfway point of munching down the yummy turkey sandwich that Britt had kindly brought up from the Taylor Made cafeteria.
The feeling reminded me of a moment in time while serving as a Marine, assigned to Battalion Landing Team 3/3 aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Fredrick. We were there to protect U.S. interests as part of a bloody civil war raging on in Beirut, Lebanon. On October 23, 1983 the sudden bombing of our U.S. barracks killed 241 Marine and Sailors had jarred us all into a surreal reality – we were fighting something much more devious and dangerous than we had thought. We were committed, and motivated and passionate to stand up to this threat. But despite all of the ability and talent and the resources we had, the burning desire and passion we all had could only do so much. We wanted so badly to do something. Some of us got to go ashore and fight back with our Marine counterparts but most of us were stuck floating off shore, watching all the action and feeling insignificant.
Then one day the Battleship USS New Jersey, sitting close to our starboard side, unleashed a massive projectile from her 16 inch guns. This was, we later learned, the first time that a 16 inch gun was fired anywhere in the world since 1969. We stood there in awe of her power. It felt like the whole sea jumped back 50 feet. One by one she fired off 11 of those projectiles and every time she fired one off I felt this incredible relief, this deep knowing that someone, that something on our side was delivering the message that I wanted to deliver, that all of my fellow Marines standing there with me needed to deliver, but couldn’t.
That is the same feeling I got yesterday as I listened to Mark King, the CEO of a global company, talk to me about how he and the employee’s of TaylorMade Golf are going to help equip us with the “big guns” so that we will be able to turn up the heat even more and stand up in a bigger and bolder way to this threat on our children and our families.
I thought 2010 was a banner year for us in terms of our impact around changing attitudes and rebuilding lives….but it isn’t anything compared to what 2011 will bring. The partnership with TaylorMade-adidas Golf fires off a redemptive and a glorious warning shot across the battlefield of homelessness here in San Diego and beyond. Indeed this is a very good thing.
I also heard Mark acknowledge yesterday that the threats on our children and on our communities are too big for one battleship, even with those massive 16 inch guns. We need more big guns. More boots on the ground. More investors willing to equip solutions driven organizations like ours with the resources needed to defeat family homelessness. Mark said in the documentary taping yesterday that Solutions for Change has the vision, the model and the plan that people in every community in America want and need. Mark concluded with these words: “This is what people have been searching for, to be part of a purpose driven movement that solves the problem. I hear people around me expressing a sense of relief that this is finally the right battle plan with the right attitudes and the right generals. All that is needed now are more people to get involved who want to solve this thing.”
- Chris Megison
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On December 12th at 10:30pm we will be airing our 30-minute documentary, “Finding Our Way Home, One Community Solving Family Homelessness” on Channel 6 San Diego, the CW. Watch the trailer below.
This past Sunday, the San Diego Union Tribune published a front page article in the North Coast section on the upcoming Finding Our Way Home Benefit Concert. Click on the image below to read the entire article! If you have yet to purchase your ticks, click here to buy now!
Thank you to the San Diego Union Tribune for Being Part of the Change
Carol LeBeau, our special guest MC for the Finding Our Way Home Benefit Concert recorded our radio commercial that is currently airing on The Walrus, 105.7. If you have yet to hear it on the radio, take a listen right here and let us know what you think.
Thank you Carol for Being Part of the Change.
Our Finding Our Way Home initiative to solve family homelessness is gaining traction here in San Diego. Click on the image below to see our recent article published on DiscoverSD.com!
If you have yet to purchase tickets to the Finding Our Way Home Benefit Concert we highly recommend getting them fast as they are selling out quickly!
Five-time Grammy award winning Christopher Cross to HEADLINE BENEFIT CONCERT TO SOLVE FAMILY HOMELESSNESS
Christopher Cross to perform at the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista, CA
VISTA, CA – August 4, 2010 – North County Solutions for Change is bringing the legendary sound of Christopher Cross to Vista’s beautifully renovated Moonlight Amphitheatre on October 16, 2010. The five-time Grammy and Oscar award winning recording artist will headline the Benefit Rock Concert. Cross will bring his top hits to help give a voice to hundreds of North County homeless children who are being helped through North County’s Finding Our Way Home initiative, a vision which has moved thousands of people around the Solutions University’s regional public/private sector plan to solve family homelessness.
Cross’ hits include “Sailing”, “Ride Like the Wind”, “Never Be the Same Again”, “Say You’ll Be Mine”, and “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do).” With the Moonlight’s recent 13 million dollar renovation, Cross is thought to be the biggest talent to ever perform in the Vista community. The concert will also feature local celebrity Carol LeBeau, as emcee.
President and Executive Director of North County Solutions for Change Chris Megison said, “We are thrilled that an artist of Mr. Cross’ caliber is coming to Vista to play for our benefit concert.” Megison continued, “So many incredible people are already engaged in helping us do the critical work which must be done to solve something as tough as family homelessness. We are excited to add Mr. Cross’ name alongside those in our community who refuse to allow the impacts of homelessness to claim our neighbor’s kids. Together, we are taking a stand and making a statement through Christopher’s’ timeless voice: when it comes to the impacts of homelessness on our children, we are locking arms and pushing back.”
In April of this year, North County Solutions for Change launched its largest initiative ever. Called “Finding Our Way Home”, the $20,000,000 North Countywide campaign will develop and provide affordable homes which, along with the educational, employment, family health and spiritual support offered within its nationally acclaimed Solutions University, will rebuild futures for 200 families and 400 children in 1000 days.
The purpose of Finding Our Way Home is to equip parents with the skills, knowledge and resources needed to solve homelessness, permanently. To achieve this mammoth goal, North County Solutions for Change has forged community partnerships across a wide spectrum of public and private sector entities engaging fourteen leaders to serve on a regional leadership team. Those assembled include three CEO’s of global (1B+) corporations, several local faith leaders and four elected public officials. Mark King, CEO of the Taylor Made Company leads the initiative as its chairman. In addition to Taylor Made, private sector community partners include Bumble Bee Foods, DJO Inc, Genentech, Watkins Manufacturing, Directed Electronics, Emmanuel Faith Church, Calvary Chapel of Oceanside, New Life Presbyterian Church, St Thomas More Catholic Church and Vista HOPE Church. Local public sector partners include the County of San Diego and the cities of Carlsbad, Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos and Vista.
According to the National Center of Family Homelessness, one in 50 children in America experience homelessness annually – more than 1.5 million children. Their estimated high school graduation rate is less than 25%. For those who do graduate, few are proficient in reading and math. 292,624 California children experience homelessness each year.
Tickets for the benefit concert go on sale to the general public on August 16th through vistixonline.com.
About North County Solutions for Change
North County Solutions for Change (Solutions for Change) is a social purpose enterprise founded in 1999 and organized as a public benefit charity (nonprofit) corporation under IRS code 501 (c)3 for the sole purpose of solving family homelessness. The organization is run by social entrepreneurs who developed a model called the Solutions University, which engages families and the entire community around a permanent solution to homelessness. Abandoning the traditional shelter and human service approach, the Solutions University equips families and communities with the skills, knowledge and resources needed to address and solve the root problems associated with family homelessness. In its first decade of service, Solutions for Change and its community partners have helped over 550 once homeless families move into good homes, get adequate jobs and acquire the resources needed to maintain a stable and healthy home. Solution for Change engages all sectors of the community; churches, civic groups, businesses, schools and government, while working together using the Solutions University as common ground. As a result, the lives of more than 1,200 children have been rebuilt, saving the public an estimated $28,000,000. Solutions for Change owns and operates the Solutions University, which provides 60 families a day with affordable homes and a holistic array of education, employment, spiritual and health related solutions all within one cohesive strategic partnership aimed at the one goal: solving family homelessness, permanently.
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2nd ANNUAL SMOKIN Q CLASSIC BBQ AND 21st ANNUAL ROD RUN RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN VISTA
VISTA – Rev up your engines and fire up your appetites! The Vista Village Business Association proudly presents the 2nd Annual Smokin Q Classic BBQ on July 31, 2010 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society, this Free event has also been chosen by Ranchers Reserve for the BBQ teams to compete in a national competition. There will be 45 teams competing for the top prize. You can purchase “tastes” of the BBQ and enjoy tasty samples of the competitors entries. While you are waiting the arrival of the next BBQ treat, stroll thru the street fair vendors on Broadway and enjoy the carnival style rides and games at the corner of S. Santa Fe and Main Street.
The 21st Annual Rod Run and Car Show will be held on August 1, 2010 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and will showcase more than 300 classic hot rods. Some of the trophies to be awarded are for Best of Show, Best Upholstery, Best Paint, Best Graphics, Mayor’s Choice, Longest Distance, Club Participation, Best Woodie and Best Custom Motorcycle. There are over 30 trophy categories this year! Don’t forget to take a break from the sweet cars and tap your toes to the tunes. “Those Guys” band will keep the stage at Main and Michigan swinging during the event. There will also be food, merchandise, and fun for all.
These free events are sponsored by: Foothill Chevron, West Escondido Automotive & Transmission, San Diego County Ford Dealers, Pacific Marine Credit Union, First National Bank of So.Cal., Davis Stone Inc., City of Vista, Edward Jones, Pala Casino, EDCO and SandL Graphics. A portion of the proceeds from Rod Run 21 will benefit Solutions for Change.
Vista Village Business Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of Downtown Vista through the implementation of the four-point program of the National Main Street Center. For more information, or to register your hot rod, log onto www.vistarodrun.com or call the VVBA at (760) 414-9391.
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SOLUTIONS FOR CHANGE WILL BE AT THE STREET FAIR AND WILL BE A BENEFICIARY OF THIS EVENT! SEE YOU ALL THERE!
Thank you to everyone at Western CNC for being a corporate partner and a voice in the North County, San Diego community. We’re leading 400 children and 200 families out of homelessness together! Every month we acknowledge one of our community partners. You can see the growing list of our community partners by clicking here.
If you would like to be part of the change and solve family homelessness, you can contact us here.
Thank You!
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