Good Monkeys

Stories, Please!

I need your help.

One of the reasons I started this blog was to share stories about good people in the world. I've started by featuring good non-profit groups but I'd like to expand, if you can help me.

Let's collect some stories together.

Currently, I don't have time to interview each organization and get stories about the people and animals they have helped. Some websites have success stories, but many don't have the resources to post them.

If you know someone who has been touched by one of these groups, can you ask them to write a comment on the post and tell their story? Just send them a link to the site (you can get a link to a particular post by clicking "permalink" that is at the end of each one) and ask them to share.

If you are involved in one of these organizations, would be post a comment and share your story? You can tell us how it feels to volunteer, a story about a special someone you've helped, anything so that we can get to know more about the organization.

I've been getting lovely emails from the groups on the blog but it would be so nice for others to join in te pleasure.

There is so much power in a good story. Please share yours. You may never know who you inspire to change the world.

And don't forget to subscribe so you know what new group is featured each day. It will save you having to remember to run back to the blog and check. If you're anything like me, having to remember something is a hit or miss affair.

Thanks again for all the wonderful things you do to make the world a little better place.

If We Didn't Do It, Who Would?

That is the motto of the Richmond Triangle Players.

Formed in 1992 by three gay men as a way to raise money to combat the AIDS crisis, Richmond Triangle Players has grown to produce shows that passionately explore the gay experience in its many forms including breast cancer, diversity, aging and dying, and, of course, relationships.

Their website explains their purpose best. "Richmond Triangle Players is committed to the passionate exploration of theatre and its role in the global community. We embrace a wide audience with a focus on works relevant to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. Our highest aim is to enlighten those around us with theatre that warms the heart, educates the mind and entertains the spirit."

Their productions have run the gamut from humor to serious issues and have featured such well know titles as "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and "The Judas Kiss." They are the only theater company that Harvery Fierstein allowed to produce his "Forget Him."

In their short history, they have produced an impressive 60 productions and over 600 performances. If you haven't seen an RTD production, you are missing out on something special! The intimate theater at Fielden's holds only 76 guests so, no matter where you sit, you feel as if you are a part of the action.

Their next production, "Visiting Mr. Green" is a world-renowned play that explores what happens when a 29-year old law-breaker is given a community service sentence that requires visiting an elderly widower.

RTP also gives back to the community that has supported it so well for its 15 years. Richmond Organization for Sexual Minority Youth, Diversity Thrift, Arts Fund, Richmond Theater Arts Fund and Gay Pride Virginia have all been recipients of RTD's generosity.

Floating In The Sky With Freedom

That's what art makes nine-year old Sionell feel like.

She is just one of the many students who are part of the Art 180 program in Richmond, VA, a group of artists, writer, musicians, dancers, poets and everyday people who aim to change lives through art.

Their purpose is to "create and provide art-related programs to young people living in challenging circumstances, encouraging personal and community change through self-expression."

What they really do is teach young people how to express themselves in constructive ways. Says one student,  eight-year old Starshene, "I know now I can do anything when I grow up."

Art 180 conducts 12-week after school programs with professional artists and volunteers to teach children about art. Students are asked to explore deep topics such as:

• What is a hero?
• What do I want people to know about me?
• How can I make my community a better place

 

Each program ends in a public display of the children's work including venues such as billboards, exhibits and even CD's.

Do you know of  an artist who might like to become involved? Send them a link to this post. Would you like to volunteer even if you don't have any artistic talent? Art 180 wants you! Of course, donations are also appreciated as well. Check out their gift shop too!

If you know of a similar program in your community, please post it in the comments so others will learn about it. Good Monkeys is all about connecting people, resources, volunteers and interested parties.

As you go through your day, don't forget to do something artistic for yourself. Doodle a picture, listen to some music or even dance around your living room. It will make you feel great and remember what's important in life.

As thirteen-year old Johntanae says, "I believe in the sun even when it's not shining."

One Event For Neighbors Of All Colors and Background

About four years ago I was house-shopping in Richmond, VA. I'd been in my two-bedroom brick rancher for seven years and it was time for a change.

After seeing a house located in Richmond's Carillon neighborhood, I fell in love and quickly snapped up the two-story Colonial. Little did I know I'd bought not just a house, but a whole neighborhood.

The first day in the house I was out front in my Pod, wrestling with a large sofa so that I could get to smaller items in the back of the storage unit. At 5'2" I don't look very strong, and the couch outweighed me by a few pounds.

As I was sweating and cursing, the first angel of mercy came to my rescue. Miss Sally, my energetic 60+ year old neighbor (she'll tsk-tsk me if I tell you her real age), came dashing across the street with a, "Girl, let me help you with that sofa," at which point she proceeded to hoist up an end and heading for the house.

That was my first taste of of what a "neighbor"hood is really like.

Since then I have discovered that the neighbors have organized what is practically their own little city. We don't have an official neighborhood watch system, but I know every time I leave for vacation, all of my neighbors keep an eye on my house.

They've even gone so far as to organize "safe yards" for dogs that get out. I know that if my beloved Gracie (my Ibizan hound) gets loose while I'm at work, I can go to one of two designated yards in the 'hood where she will be waiting for me. When neighbors look out for my dog, I'm impressed.

Perhaps the most amazing thing that happens in the Carillon is Arts In The Park.

Started in 1971 by Pat Lovelace and her family, it has become a huge city event. The Carillon is a very racially diverse neighborhood in a city that has suffered from racial tension for centuries. It is also very economically diverse, with houses at one end of my street selling for $120,000 and at the other end for over $1,000,000.

Seeing the diversity and wanting to do something to get people talking to each other, Pat decided that it was time to do a neighborhood project "to draw the community closer together in one event for neighbors of all colors and backgrounds."

Arts in the Park started with 131 artists who spread out their wares in Byrd Park. It was just supposed to be a community event, staffed by volunteers from the neighborhood, who would get to know each other by working together. Money raised from the event would be used for neighborhood beautification projects.

Now, 36 years later, Arts in the Park is still a neighborhood event.

In early March, everyone gets a call from Pat or her daughter, Paige, and is asked where they will be volunteering this year. It's a community honor to serve at the event and it's a wonderful time for us to get to make new friendships and renew old ones.

After the festivities, everyone gathers at the Fisher's house for a neighborhood cookout. Kids race around as adults sip cold beverages and tell stories about this year's event.

One of the unexpected things that came out of organizing the group and putting on what has become a huge event (Over 100,000 visitors in two days) is the money that is raised. The Carillon Civic Association uses the money to clean up Byrd Park as well to host concerts and plays at the Carillon and to fund neighborhood beautification projects in other parts of the city.

I tell you this story simply to let you know that every community, no matter how diverse or disconnected, can be brought together. Maybe this week you can find a way to reach out to a neighbor. Rake a yard, put their newspaper on the porch, clean the snow from their windshield, or just stop and say a warm hello.

Who knows, you might end up starting something big.

As dear old Mr. Rogers said, "Won't you be my neighbor?"

And don't forget to tell us about things happening in your neighborhood that are bringing people together.