The longer you live in a community, the more you learn about its inner workings; including the good, bad and sometimes… less-than-desirable. But for today, I can’t help but focus on the “good” or even… the exceptional.
I’ve been living in north Texas for more than a year and a half (yes, time does fly) and I’m regularly impressed by the immense efforts of the charities, non-profits and sweet people I encounter around town.
Recently I got to learn a bit more about the Nexus Recovery Center, a Dallas nonprofit that specializes in substance abuse services for women and girls. They asked me to be the moderator of their fundraiser luncheon so I went out to visit the site to learn more about Nexus. What a place. They even offer programs for pregnant women and moms of young children so they can bring their kids along as they get treatment and learn about parenting. If you’ve ever been gripped by addiction or had a family member who has been, you know how important that is. If you haven’t been, then you’ve been extremely blessed because it’s downright traumatic.Watch movie online The Transporter Refueled (2015)
Moderating the luncheon at the Belo Mansion in Dallas
The main speaker at the luncheon was Koren Zailckas, author of Smashed and Mother, Mother . I’m looking forward to reading her books and I suspect if I ever have a teenaged child, I’ll suggest or … insist he or she learn Koren’s story too.
With Koren Zailckas after the program
I was also able to hear from one of the many Nexus clients who has pulled herself from despair and heartache and is now living a full, addiction-free life. Props to everyone at Nexus Recovery Center for helping so many women and their families!
On the note of charity work—I often wrestle with the thought of opening my own charity or nonprofit. Then, the questions begin. How can I can make the most impact? Who needs the most help? Where do I start? What hasn’t already been done? Etc. etc. etc.
And then I “start nothing” and go back to my various smaller projects, which I deeply enjoy and cherish. Sigh. On that note, I smile and defer to Helen Keller. If you’re in the same boat, I encourage you to do the same, in the meantime.
“I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” Helen Keller
On to the next small… but hopefully noble task.
~Jenny
