If I Won the Lottery

Yes, I play the lottery. It's fun. It's the "what if" fascination. It's the "imagination run rampant" with ways to spend it. It's opening the door to the possibility of something life changing.

Some believe it's a waste of money, and to be honest, so far I could agree with that assessment. Some who play, play everyday, with the hope that this will be the "answer" to their financial woes. They are the same ones who think there's a magic money bullet out there, and they'll catch it.

All that being said, I have always known what I would do if I won.

First, the usual stuff, paying off debts, giving gifts to family, throwing a big party. But when all is said and done, I have much bigger plans.

I've always wanted to set up a philanthropy to help homeless families. The idea requires buy-in from the city, civic leaders, volunteers, local businesses and schools. But I think it has merit.

Here's the basic idea:

There's a lot of research to be done up front, since this would be the pilot project and it's critical that it is set up for success. But I just want to top-line it for your here, maybe get some feedback. Maybe, get some interest.

I would want to find a city-owned, empty building. It can't be too run down, but just a place that isn't in use, but isn't a tear-down. In fact, it doesn't even have to be city-owned, it could be owned by a philanthropic property manager, who donates the building.

Then we'd have to convert the building. I'd want to have at least 10 units with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. They need to be clean, useful, comfortable for a family from 3-8 to be able to live in it. Furniture would be donated, local good samaritan furniture stores. The renovation would have to be donated, or in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity.

All of this relies on good relationships within the community, a rallying of that community and volunteerism.

But building out the building has more to be done. On the first floor, there needs to be a daycare set up. There also needs to be a computer room/training room. And I would encourage a dining room for breakfast & lunch, at the very least.

The purpose of the building and these facilities, is to allow homeless parents the opportunity to know 1) they have a roof over their head; 2) their little ones have a sanctioned, free day care in the building; 3) 2 of their 3 meals are available to them; 4) they are going to get some free training through various businesses in the area volunteering to come in and train them; 5) there will be money management, household living classes to prepare them to be successful outside the walls.

In order to get people back to work, you have to give them an address, give them a meal and give them the confidence that they can do it.

Families can fill out an application to participate in the program. There will be a robust background check and evaluation. The building is a dry building, so no alcohol within the walls of the building. Visitors must sign in and hand over some form of ID. Residents will have a badge. Given the fact that it's 10 units with a max capacity of 8... we'd never have more than 80 residents at a time.

Each family would be given 6 months to attend training, look for work and live stress free. If they secure a job or prove that they have been trying, they can get extensions. In fact, if you do secure a job, we will automatically extend the project for 6 months so that there's time to bank the money and build up some funds for securing an apt for the family. We may even have resources by that time to help them transition.

Our hope would be to move these families from homeless and out of work, to working, thriving, productive, happy families... who stay connected with the program and pay it forward.

Pie in the sky, I know... but I also know the hearts of most people out there... so if I hit the lottery jackpot... this is the vision I would seek to fulfill.

If you ever want to know more about it, I've got a lot more to share, just email me!

You Don't Always Know...

You don't always know a person's life story. Sometimes the fun is filling in the blanks using your own imagination. But when you truly get to know the person, you figure out just how many layers there are to that story, and what you've built in your mind may be so far off as to be embarrassing.

I was just confronted by a perception of me, that I feel is just a lack of understanding of my bigger story. Many think they know me, but I have to admit, only a few really do. I feel like this blog has allowed me to share more of my thoughts and feelings than I would if I met you face to face. As much as I appear to be someone who wears her heart on her sleeve, over-shares on occasion and has some serious opinions, there's a lot more to me than most of you realize.

I know there are some out there who look at my LinkedIn profile and think, "wow, 25 years in the industry, and she's not really moved up very far. I know her. She's smart, funny... why no upward mobility?"

Let me see if I can explain.

The Chiggers:
Mama's In Remission Tour

During my 20s and 30s, I worked as a desktop designer/presentation maven for a couple of ad agencies, was production manager of a magazine and helped run an office for a friend who was a director's rep. While I did all of that, and learned SO much, I was also performing. I was an active member of Chicago's IO (improvOlympic at the time), taking classes at Second City and performing/working at the Annoyance Theater. That was where my passion resided, in the comedy industry in Chicago. I was good, but not great. I have friends that are great, and are very successful at it today, but I stayed in Chicago and got married at 32 years old to my best-est friend, Alan.

Shortly after getting married, and after trying unsuccessfully to have a child, we embarked on the journey of in vitro fertilization. Luckily, I was full time with an agency that had GREAT benefits, and we gave it a shot, without much luck.

Then, my mom got sick.

I spent a lot of my time going between Virginia and Chicago, trying to care for her while trying to keep my job going. You see, my mom and I were best friends as well as mother/daughter. She was my compass, the person who was the most honest with me, and called me on my shit. She had my back at every turn in my life, and now she was dying.

I sucked it up. I told myself there would be plenty of time for crying when she was gone. For now, I was there for her. I rubbed her back. I fed her meds. I held her hand when she had tests. And when she died, for a while, I was ok. Then, I fell apart.

For about a year after my mom died, my emotions ran a roller coaster. The only thing I knew for sure was I wanted to be a mom. I wanted to guild and love someone the way I had been loved. Alan agreed, and we started down the adoption path.

It occupied my mind. It helped me get through each day. It brought some joy back. And, after a year, Alex entered our life... just 4 days old... and we were a family.

Family.

That's what was the priority... family.

I worked, and I worked HARD. I worked long hours, but I did it
so I could help provide for my family. I worked with wonderful people who had been along for the ride. They understood.

My internal struggle was "level-up and commit to moving up a ladder" or "keep doing a great job, hone your skills in this realm and be happy where you are with more time for family"... I picked the latter.

Alex's Kindergarten Graduation

Now, Alex is 10 and I'm 50... the era of corporate ladder climbing for me, was spent exploring the entertainment side of my soul... caring for family that needed me... creating a family to move forward with... and now, when people look at me and think... "wow, why is she settling for where she is" I have to say, "because of the choices I made along the way, and I wouldn't change a thing."

Every choice I made got me to where I am today, and while it's not what I ever envisioned for myself 20 years ago, it's where I'm suppose to be. I wouldn't be married to Alan. I wouldn't have Alex. I wouldn't have had that time with my mom. I wouldn't be able to be there for my friends and family who need me, if I hadn't gone through what I've gone through... and made the choices I made.

Do I sometimes wish I was the EVP, Something Important? Sure! Do I feel diminished as a person for not having reached that? No. Do I feel judged by others sometimes because I'm not there? Yes.  But what I'd ask is, talk to me. I'm more than a skill set. I'm more than a desk jockey. I am the sum of my experiences, many of which you know nothing about yet.

I have jumped to conclusions about people. I have opened my mouth sometimes before getting to know someone. But, I hope I've learned...and continue to learn... "don't judge a book by it's cover, there are a lot of chapters that have yet to be read."