Bravo, Fight Crimes: Invest in Kids!

I found this news heartening. Not the fact that we in NYS do such a bad job with our delinquent kids, but that our law enforcement professionals are ready to embrace the research and pursue an overhaul of a broken system.

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids New York - Homepage: "Fight Crime: Invest in Kids New York released a new report finding that four out of ten repeat crimes now committed by juvenile delinquents could be prevented by adopting proven reforms."

Listen to the NPR segment on Juvenile Justice

The leaders of organizations representing 300 police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors and victims of violence who make up the state chapter of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids met in Albany as the report was released and called on Gov. Eliot Spitzer and state legislators to overhaul New York's juvenile justice system in the 2009 session based on the report's proposals.

"It's clear that our current system is putting too many juveniles on a path to becoming career criminals," Perkins said. "It's expensive, it's not working and it's time to change."

Listen to the NPR segment. Check out the report on the Fight Crime: Invest in Kids website. You'll find plenty of interesting info there.

Give thanks to our troops

For Thanksgiving, send a Winter Holiday Card to one of our soldiers .

If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a
child designed thank you postcard. Xerox Corporation will print it and
it will be sent to someone currently serving in Iraq and Afganistan .
You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the
armed services.

This is a great site, the cards are adorable. It is free and it only
takes a second. Of course whether you are for or against the war, our
guys and gals over there need to know we are grateful for them...
Garnette Arledge

Spend Nothing Day

Right after Thanksgiving, traditionally a time when we are called upon to spend, spend, spend, the Universalist Unitarian Congregation on Sawkill Road will join with churches across the country to hold a Spend Nothing Day. On Saturday, December 1st, you are invited to bring things you no longer want and to pick up things you need. For further information and specifics, call Annie LaBarge at 691-7283, or check on the UU website: UUCCKingston.org. Blessings--ViVi

World Kindness Day -- Pass It On

Today is World Kindness Day smack dab in the middle of World Kindness Week. Seems like it should be every day.

I've discovered the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. They serve as a resource for spreading kindness. That means when you visit their site you'll find ideas and materials for individual, school, youth group, community projects. You can exchange ideas, send e-cards, print an amazing array of bookmarks, labels, cards, stickers... And, everything is free. They accept no donations, grants, or dues; they provide no financial assistance. They just promulgate kindness.

Quote: Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

— Mark Twain

One Day University

I saw an ad in the NY Times about this program and thought other members might like to know about it.
Love,
ViVi

One Day University: "Remember When It Was Fun to Learn? We've gathered the country's brightest professors from the world's finest universities to create the most stimulating day of college available anywhere on earth. Our class lineup lets you partake in the latest thinking in world affairs, science, politics, history, art, literature, and more — and you don't need to spend $45,000 an academic year to enjoy it!"