On New Year’s Eve weekend I wasn’t actively crafting my resolution. My husband had gone off on a fire call (he volunteers at our local fire department), and my daughter and I were surfing the channels for a movie to watch. We came across Won’t You Be My Neighbor a documentary about (Mister) Fred Rogers. In one of the clips…
Some people say that leadership is about titles, others think some are born leaders, and that predisposes them to hold an official role. . I say we are all leaders. Nothing helps a leader more than clarity of purpose, to see what is right and inspire others along those lines. This blog is devoted to all the leaders who want to create a community where everyone is valued as gifted, and everyone belongs. In this blog I’ll tell stories, ask questions, and ask that we all lead by example, with conviction and intention. I’ll clearly share KenCrest’s purpose, and the how the agency and our amazing team members are committed to doing our part to create a better world for everyone.
Marian Baldini, President and CEO for KenCrest, and author of this weekly blog, reflects in a relevant way on timely themes of disability, advocacy, social consciousness, and the like.
I Want To Start A Movement: The Best New Year’s Resolution
Pete is a diabetic in his mid-40s with Down syndrome, and he makes the very best food choices with little to no support. Although he knows what to do, Pete’s blood sugar requires careful attention; he needs insulin injections on a frequent and unpredictable basis. Because of this, Pete is supported at one of our day programs, but he really…
I Want to Start a Movement: Look for Hidden Treasures
Around this time every year my maternal grandmother—Gran, would put up her manger; and every year, we’d take the little rubber baby Jesus and hide him somewhere nearby. We had learned from my paternal grandmother that the baby could only be put in the manger on Christmas day. Each year Gran would chase us around trying to get the baby…
I Want to Start a Movement: Hope Works
Years ago I traveled all around the Ukraine in a small group—visiting programs, hospitals, and institutions for people with disabilities. Throughout my travels I met some of the happiest people in world in some of the most depressing environments; and I was continuously stuck by the many warm welcomes and ceremonies involved. At each location we were greeted with a…
I Want to Start a Movement: Always Reform
Last year, the Lutheran faith celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation; it was a reminder to us all —that we need to be “always reforming;” always looking for new ways to see the world; and always pursuing our calling in life. We are intentional about living out the Reformation through our mission at KenCrest; and I’m happy to report…
I Want to Start a Movement: Dream at Every Age
At KenCrest, we strive to help our communities do their best by exploring possibilities, mobilizing our resources, and empowering dreams. To do so, we need to be ever mindful of the personal biases that may deter us from making that happen. Recently a colleague mentioned that one of the folks in a group home was ‘up in years’ now, and…
I Want To Start a Movement: Now Is the Time to Speak Up
First, let me say thank you to all of you who voted. While the data is not complete, it looks that we may have had some record turnouts on Election Day in spite of the rain! With many newly elected officials heading into office for the first time in January, now is the time to speak up, be heard, and…
Your Voice, Your Vote, Your Future
Franklin D. Roosevelt once said “nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves, and the only way they could do this is by not voting.” This coming Tuesday will commemorate the 174th Election Day in the United States. Although much has changed since 1845 (…thank goodness…), the power and opportunity to…
I Want to Start a Movement: Open Up the Conversation About Sharing a Life
I’m sure many of us have had this experience; there are some people you just can’t live with! My first experience was in college when a friend and I took jobs and shared a place at the Jersey Shore. I could tell I was getting on her nerves, and I imagine she knew the feeling was mutual; but hey—she put…
I Want to Start a Movement: Everyone Deserves to be Discovered
Growing up, the way in which movie stars were discovered, was always a topic of conversation; now we have TV series’ like The Voice where people compete to have celebrity musicians recognize their talent, and give them special attention. The reality is that we all have special gifts and talents, what if everyone got ‘discovered?’ That’s the concept behind a…
