Like most of you, I have been keeping really busy. In all honesty, I’ve thought about this website several hundred times over the last month. I guess my thoughts haven’t made it to written form until now in recent days. Since December I’ve been working a new job. It’s a good job, challenging and demanding. For the most part I’ve been averaging 60 hours/week. When I get home at night and on weekends, I only have energy to eat some supper, watch a few minutes of television and maybe do a little reading. Throughout the day, my thoughts are with the folks in Goose Creek, especially the children I’ve met.
Week by week, 60 hours at the job, time keeps going by. Unfortunately for many of the children in Goose Creek, time is not on their side. Most of them won’t have a quality early education, a parent reading to them, someone working with them to develop skills at this crucial time in their lives. Although I am tired and overworked, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the mothers and children living in Goose Creek. The ones that will benefit directly from FEC programs. FEC is gaining momentum with volunteers, donors and some great folks who have decided to commit to these families. If you haven’t gotten involved yet, think about joining a committee, volunteering or donating. Email info@fecdavenport.com and we’ll get you started!

I’m certain everyone in the Midwest and Eastern states are more than ready for Spring. Winter has a way of slowing things down, and in some cases even stopping them. In the Quad Cities, for the first time in recent history we had a work snow day. We received so much snow within a 24 hour period nearly the entire area shut down.
Over the winter months, FEC has been very busy. We’ve formed a resource development committee and had 2 meetings. Our constuction committee has been busy planning and collaborating with Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and QC Homebuilders Association.Our board and finance committee have been meeting faithfully to keep things on track. We’ve been applying for grants, fundraising and friend-raising. The resource development committee has planned a fundraising event coming up in March. All of these things in preparation to break ground on our 3200 square foot building. Our plan is to break ground in late April – early May. We have a great deal of momentum right now. Together we can make this happen!

Earlier tonight I was with 6 amazing young children. While I was watching them play, I was reminded of how children have a gift to be able to be in the moment. The pressures of starting this nonprofit have been weighing heavily on me recently. We are in need of operating funds, we need to raise funds to build our building, we have the families of these children that are looking forward to their children learning and being equipped with the best learning tools. On top of this, the 140 people we spoke with in Goose Creek are expecting us to build this center. While these things are certainly a reality, in the moment with these children I experienced once again the joy of laughter, playing and learning. It’s a simple thing that we as adults tend to forget about in the midst of our busy lives. I’m so glad I get to share the joy and learn from these children on a regular basis. Please consider doing whatever you can to help build an education center for these 6 children and the other nearly 700 children in the Goose Creek neighborhood. With everyone’s help, we can make the moment now.

The Goose Creek Association, United Neighbors & FEC hosted a Harvest Party on October 30 @ Goose Creek Park. It was a great time for the 100 plus residents!

Some of you may have heard about the movie “Waiting for Superman.” This post is not about the movie. In many ways, my own version of waiting for superman has been this Pepsi Refresh competition. I had the hope that many people would jump in and help and vote each day to make a huge impact in getting $50,000 to build an education center in Goose Creek. One of our board members made a comment that hurt, but really is true. He said people that aren’t in that neighborhood, say in Bettendorf for instance, don’t care about Goose Creek. Now I know there are people that care about many things that aren’t right in their neighborhood, but as far as a superman (or woman) coming to the rescue, that isn’t going to happen. I can honestly say I am proud of all of you that have been faithfully voting each day! I can also honestly say that I am disappointed that many, many more are not!
Last night we had 6 parents and their children that are expectant about their futures at one of our programs. We are renting space in a building that is inadequate, but we’re making it work. That is why we need this building built. A week and a half ago, we canvassed the neighborhood to see if the residents really want this center. With a few exceptions, it was a resounding “YES”! Quite frankly, that work was as much for our board and volunteers as for the residents. After nearly 2 years, we’re wondering if this is ever going to happen. Not only that, why hasn’t there been something in place long before us? The neighborhood has been without resources for a long, long time.
What I want to know is, are you with me? If you haven’t taken a few seconds each day to vote for FEC to receive this funding, ask that question. If you haven’t taken time to get to know our organization by visiting our website and see “about FEC” ask that question. If you know me and would like to learn why I’m so passionate about this, send an email, let’s get some coffee, lunch or just dialogue via email or Facebook.
Waiting for Superman is Geoff Canada’s (the founder of the Harlem Children’s Zone) story of how he realized there was no Superman coming to rescue him and his family out of poverty. So he decided to do something about being superman to other kids. If you’ve read this far I know you care. What are you going to do to become part of this super team that is going to help Tania, Nay, Desha, Karen, Cierra, Camille, Courtney, Tre, Cedric, Brandon and the 600 plus children that call Goose Creek home? Are you with me?