TEEM is looking for organizations, businesses and churches who would be willing to host a Donation Station box on behalf of TEEM in your parking lot. The boxes collect clothing and other household items, each time the box is filled Professional Recyclers make a $90 donation to TEEM.

The wooden collection boxes are built professionally and are well maintained to keep the exterior of your building looking nice. Anyone can drop-off gently used clothes, toys books and small household items, and each week a member of the Professional Recycler’s team will pick up the collected items. Professional Recyclers, Inc., accepts full responsibility and liability for the station, so you can be at ease about having them on your property. A key will be provided for you in case something is accidentally placed in the Station. The Donation Station requires little time and attention from your organization.

If you are interested in hosting a Donation Station box to benefit TEEM please contact:

Jessica Mayfield

jmayfield@teem.org

405-235-5671 x215

As volunteer coordinator, it is my job to “sweet talk” people into helping others. But through my job I have found that the work truly is  its own reward. When you consider that by helping that one person  you have helped their children, you have encouraged their mate, you have inspired extended family and you have renewed friends. By touching that one life you have affected many.

At yesterday’s TEEM builder Luncheon, I realized that the investment we put into others is no wasted. I am inspired by the transformation of Robert Capps from user to a student planning to become to a drug counselor. I am inspired by Damon Isiaka, a former TEEM student whose currently a senior studying law at OCU. And finally I am inspired by the students I see everyday.

I urge you to come to a hand-up tour, because the impact of TEEM can only be seen and could never be explained in words.

The Education and Employment Ministry  is partnering with Allegiance Credit Union and First Enterprise Bank to host springclean, a hygiene drive to benefit the students of TEEM.

Please drop off hygiene products from May 16 to June 3 at any of the springclean participating locations.

If you would like more information on participating or hosting a drop-off location please contact:

Jessica Mayfield

(405)235-5671

jmayfield@teem.org

Grandmother’s Words

By: Diane

Like a folded Picture kept in a pocket,

I see my grandmother’s face,

Wrinkled, shiny, but still a beautiful sight.

She once told me, you can be anything child.

Anything you heart wishes to be,

And if someone tells you; that ain’t for you:

Keep trying, don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do.

She lived in a time of segregation. When African Americans

Were looked upon as being inferior.

A time when our people was not free,

When signs and white authority told them who and what they could be.

A time when their voices and dreams were not heard.

And being black was not a thing of glee.

Through the strife of our people,

The mold has been broken,

There are no restraints,

Now we are free,

So with pride in my walk,

And power in my talk,

I will hold my head up high,

for all the world to see.

I will obtain my goal,

for I AM driven by determination,

And knowledge is my key.

When I first received this message,

From my grandmother.

I was immature, and found little meaning in her words.

I am a woman now, and I understand.

I see the power and significatance in the word she gave me.

So I will fight for what is right,

And die for what’s precious to me.

To my people… Black is beautiful!!!!!

So be all you can be,

Take a trip to the moon, explore the skies above,

Move a mountain or two.

When someone tells you that’s not for you!!!!

Just smile, and remember this message now, from me to you,

No one can tell you; what you can not do…..

Flight Line Briefing By LTC B.O. Davis

By: Rick

Historically in America, racism had always limited military participation for non-whites. Well into the 20th century segregation and limited advancement were rampant. This was especially true for the flying services. Eleanor Roosevelt insisted on flying with a civilian pilot at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in March of 1941 and fate intervened.

After Congress forced integration in the military services, the Army Air Corps established their all-black training facility at the Tuskegee Institute. Commanding the squadron formed was Colonel Benjamin O. Davis Jr. A West Point graduate, Col. Davis was known for strict discipline. He drove his men to excel as fighter pilots and officers. In combat, the “Red Tails” were a welcome sight to the crews of bombers they escorted. They earned the reputation of never losing an escorted bomber to enemy aircraft.

Col. Davis did what everyone watching said would be impossible. He is a positive influence to me because he successfully faced and over came his obstacles. Col Benjamin Davis’ example has shown me that it is possible to reach my goals if I try hard enough and stay with it.

Ophelia Helen Bridgewater Goodridge

By: Genelle

There’s a lady that I have known for a long time a go. She was born May 25, 1905 in the State of Texas in the City of Wadesight.

Late after her mother died. I beleived that was in 1909. Then she moved to Missouri, later on she moved all over Oklahoma.

She finally made her home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She gave brith to three children, two girls, and one boy. One of her girls was born in Missouri, the other two children were born in Oklahoma.

Before the children ever thought about, she did marry to a saddleback rider, who later died…. I think here in Oklahoma, his last name was Goodridge. She had a sister, that was white skined and lived in Musokgee, Oklahoma, she died when she was one hundred and two years old. That was in year of 2004.

She is still walking around cooking for herself , and doing all the every day things that women normally do. The old lady is very God fearing. I love her for is my great grandmother and she is funny, speak her mind, I just love her so. The main reason is cause she has lived God fearing life and it’s a blessing that she is still here. Her name is Ophela Helen Bridgewater Goodridge.

Participants in TEEM’s Black History Month Contest touring the Capitol

The top three winners were selected by our talented team of judges, Wendell Edwards of KOCO 5, Pam Gonzaque and Moses Njenga of Allegiance Credit Union, and were honored at a luncheon hosted by Senator Harry Coates.

Winner, Rick, with Senator Coates

We are so thankful to all of our supporters that made this such a special honor for our talented students!

The corporation estimates as of June 2010 that 33.6 percent of Oklahomans volunteer. Among large cities Oklahoma City ranked 5^th in volunteering with the average volunteer serving 53 hours per capita.

With all those hours served it is difficult to imagine the value of the amount of service given. Volunteers provide so many services that cant be concretely defined. TEEM volunteers provide work in the kitchen and classrooms, give support financially, and lend their expertise and resources on numerous projects at TEEM.

To put it into perspective, according to 2008 numbers Oklahoma volunteers are were valued at 17.05 (This survey has not been updated since.) I logged 143 TEEM volunteer hours in the 13 business days of December. Im not great at math but the calculator said it adds to a value $2438.15. Wow. Thank You volunteers. But realize this number does not include our board members, those who have donated items, or those who help by spreading the word of TEEM. These are services given to us that would be almost impossible to track yet it benefits TEEM in endless ways.

Which leads me to my conclusion, THE VALUE OF VOLUNTEERISM IS PRICELESS.

I’m about half way through my life skills class. I started the week by doing some personal reflection.

This week we are discussing forgiveness in Character First. Miss M. starts the week by asking the class, “Are you walking around with unforgiveness in your heart?” I started running a list through my mind, names and faces, asking myself if I was harboring any grudges.

I thought back to high school when I was holding a grudge against my grandad’s wife. She had a really difficult personality and in my opinion was especially hard on me. I remember a time shortly after my high school graduation that she made the comment about how pretty I looked at graduation and asked why I dressed so sloppy the rest of the time. Maybe I didn’t fit her image of what she thought I should look like or be. I held such a silly grudge that I refused to eat Christmas dinner at her house one year. I told my parents, “You can make me go, but you can’t make me eat her food.” So at 18 years old, I packed a lunch and took it in my neon orange lunchbox. Some of my family laughed at my silliness, encouraging me to treat her with disrespect. I held this grudge, demeaning her behind her back to other family members and being less than respectful to her face.

In 2007, more than 15 years after they were married, my granddad was diagnosed with colon cancer. He was 87 years old and the doctors said that they did not want to treat him, so they would do what they could to make him comfortable. In early May, I sat by his bed, staring at a man who I had so admired all of my life. He did not have much in the way of formal education, but he had a successful family business that he was leaving to my uncle and cousin. He became a Christian later in life, but served for years as an Elder in the church and was certainly a well-respected advisor for many.

He made the choice to marry a lady, who kept him company, and even if I did not care for her, he did. On his deathbed, I let go of my grudge. Was it too late? Had I been distant far too long? Did I have to apologize to her for all the mean things I had said about her and all ugly faces I had made about the nuts she put in her food? The answer was No—it wasn’t too late and I didn’t have to formally apologize. I was just nice to her. I started being nice behind her back and to her face. I visited her twice after my granddad passed away by myself. She was my connection to him as I was a connection for her. It was a nice visit and I appreciated the time she took to talk with me. She told me things about my granddad that I did not even know; it was amazing.

My grudge did nothing to her. I am sure my granddad knew that we were not overly found of spending time with her. My grudge hurt him. My grudge hurt me. The anger and bitterness I walked around with ate up my energy, stole my joy and possibly kept me from having a better relationship with my granddad. My “unforgiveness” hurt me.

Compassion begins with empathy, and it grows with love.

The wiser you are the easier it gets.

You must be open-minded and lean on the Lord.

Lord knows I’m not a doctor, but I still need patience.

The rewards you will receive will be genuine and from the heart.

So, now is the time to start. Take the first step and open your heart.

- James

One morning when I first woke up,

On the wrong side of the bed.

I found myself in a mood so foul,

I could not rid it from my head.

I pretended not to feel so bad,

But be in a good mood anyway.

Then suddenly to my surprise,

My mood changed to good to stay.

Underneath a beautiful sun,

Walking later through the park.

I saw the face of a lost soul,

Whose good mood missed its mark.

I shook their hand and smiled at them,

with a face so bright and free from strife

I took a step so simple and free,

with a contagious smile I changed their life.

-Jason

Thoughtfulness.

A sacrificial spirit.

Tenderness.

The ability to listen.

Intention to see people through Christ’s eyes.

Empathy.

Tolerance.

Love for God, His creation and who He is in others.

Mercy.

Compassion was our focus in Life Skills today. We shared what we view as qualities of compassion, what it sounds like, how it makes you feel and where you see it. The tone of everyone’s answers were very similar, and it was obvious to me that everyone had a personal understanding of what it was based on experience.

We’ve all had the opportunity to extend compassion or receive it. Regardless of the hand you’ve been dealt by life, we all recognized our capacity for compassion. One student’s eyes brimmed with tears when he shared how a church family that provided them with a Christmas dinner and gifts blessed him and his wife.  This same student extends incredible warmth to me each morning with a joyful smile and hug. Compassion can be shared in so many ways, and sometimes it comes to us unexpectedly.

“Shortly after we arrived that the mission my wife pointed out to me that she felt like goodness was coming from our bleak situation. We feel rich in God’s love, and it wasn’t until we came here that I really felt that,” said one of our students.

I think faith plays such a significant role in the common expression of overwhelming humility we all feel when it comes to compassion. This faith is the tug on our hearts to share compassion and receive it as a blessing. Our instructor said she looks as each of us and sees incredible wealth, not because of who the world says we are, but because we all have the capacity to pour the gifts and love we have into each other. What explainable richness we all posses, share and are given.

- Jessica Mayfield