Friday began with a snapshot of "Daniel's story"...

Two weeks before Christmas, snow was falling, schools were closing, and on a morning drive to work, I received a phone call asking to help a young boy who didn't have a home. Daniel lived in an abandoned home. His mother died of cancer. His father was homeless. A team of teachers worked to provide food, clothing and support for Daniel. School was closing for Christmas and Daniel needed a home. 

My husband and I drove to school that afternoon. When we walked in, Daniel rose to meet us. "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer. My name is Daniel."

Daniel represents the face of children in America who need someone who cares. While we are familiar with the issues of obesity, poverty, education, hunger and graduation rates, there is a crisis that few are talking about and that is the looming crisis in our country. We call this crisis: Home alone.

From our five brief years of working with organizations in Arkansas, listening to social workers, opening our doors to youth in need of care and support, reading research studies, THIS Day, launches a long-term effort to bring attention, visibility and expansion of community support for children who are without positive adult influence and supervision.

The Shadows is the place of darkness, loneliness, isolation, fear and uncertainty. The Phantom of Fear lives in The Shadows, threatening children's security, stealing their joy and silencing their laughter.  When youth are in The Shadows, they are often hidden. They are not seen. They are not heard. In The Shadows, children cry out, "Is anybody home?" The Phantom of Fear renders silence.  

The most important contribution we can make is to increase the numbers of people who care and can bring light to The Shadows. We intend to leverage the MASSIVE power of people to ensure a Hand on Every Shoulder in three, specific ways:

1.  Global Corps

On THIS Day, over 250 Global Corps leaders gathered. Each brought food to help provide nourishment and support for children in Arkansas. According to the USDA, Arkansas ranks third in the nation for children who are food insecure every day. On THIS Day, TYSON Foods announced a  6:1 match to your food contributions which means, On THIS Day, Global Corps members provided over 16 tons of food to provide food for children and families in Northwest Arkansas.

2.  Global Fellows

We work to leverage the MASSIVE power of people by working with some of America's most promising leaders to expand successful and innovative programs to another level of impact.

THIS Day, we launched the first, inaugural group of the Global Corps Fellows Programs welcoming five of the incoming eight Global Corps Fellows. 

• Talia Rivera, Village Without Walls, Dorchester, Massachusetts - Village Without Walls is a Violence prevention program that serves one of Boston's most established and violent gang communities in Dorchester. This successful program is moving teens from a life of violence to serving as community volunteers.  What IF this program becomes a model program for communities nationwide?
• Marty and Vicki Burlsworth, The Burlsworth Foundation, Harrison, Arkansas-Eye Care for Low Income Youth.  Already providing eye care to approximately 800 youth in Arkansas annually, The Burlsworth Foundation, in partnership with Walmart/Sam's Optical Department is exploring ways to expand eye and vision care services to every public school nurse in Arkansas.  What IF this happens?
• Angela Henry, Safe Base, Iola Kansas-Located in one of the poorest counties in Kansas (approximately 72% children do not have the resources to pay for medical/dental/vision care), serving more than 1,000 students each year, SAFE BASE provides children with mental health counseling, dental screenings and treatment, vision assistance, clothing, food, basic food supplies and summer programming to youth who need these resources and activities. What IF this successful program is replicated state-wide?
• Julie Iglet, CYCLE Kids, Cambridge Massachusetts -CYCLE Kids works toward a national program that will significantly impact the daily health of children, lessen their vulnerability to Type II Diabetes and increase their life expectancy. CYCLE Kids is expanding their program on the northeast coast with programs now in Harlem, New York, Somerville, Mass. and Boston. Shortly before Julie was introduced as a Global Corps Fellow, during lunch she received a phone call from Senator John Kerry's office requesting to visit her office in Cambridge this Tuesday! What IF CYCLE Kids expands, coast to coast?
• Peggy McCall, Miracle League of Arkansas, Little Rock. After constructing a softball field and implementing a successful program for special needs children in Little Rock, Arkansas, Miracle League has broken ground on a second playing field in Northwest Arkansas to ensure children with special needs are not alone but have a place to compete, play and be a part of a team and family. What IF Miracle League Fields are built across the state and becomes a successful model for communities in cities nationwide? 

The third way we can leverage the MASSIVE power of people is by training, supporting and sending forth over 5,000 leaders to empower people in their communities nationwide—and beyond.

Friday we launched this endeavor. The Henkel Global Leadership Conference: Helping Kids Finish Strong, October 26 & 27 in Northwest Arkansas will inspire and support leaders in developing state and local community efforts to create a more healthy future for children in America and beyond. Our goal over the next ten years is to send forth 5,000 leaders to return to their communities with the skills and tools to serve as powerful advocates and Champions for Kids.  Imagine the force for good when over 5,000 education, nonprofit, corporate, faith-based, youth, and government leaders return to their communities of influence prepared to push their levers of influence forward—full throttle?   

Daniel Leads the Way...

A special guest gave us the inspiration to accelerate our work. Moving quickly to the podium, speaking in strong, halting sentences, our guest spoke:

"Hi. My name is Daniel! I graduated from Fayetteville High School in 2005.  I work at Sonic. Others have helped me. I want to help others! I have my bags of food to give to kids today! I have four nieces and nephews. I want to help others because others have helped me. Thank you!”

As Daniel stepped from the podium, Bill Simon took his Red Jacket and placed the distinctive Red Jacket on Daniel's shoulders, "Daniel, you are our Red Jacket Champion. You represent the next generation carrying the torch." Daniel received a standing ovation from the Global Corps.