I will be the first to admint – I live a CHARMED life. A wonderful, gorgeous, although somewhat nerdy boyfriend (but I SOOO have a thing for nerds!), beautiful kids, weekends spent with wonderful friends, shopping, SHOES, SHOES, and more SHOES, and JEWELRY JEWELRY JEWELRY! Charmed, and I LOVE my life.
I have been lucky enough to be appointed onto the Board of Directors to a local non-profit organization called, Aeon. They provide Affordable Housing for people in need. As you know, I work in the housing industry – for what I call “not so affordable housing.” Essentially, my firm provides luxury housing. My first board meeting was last night.
I wanted to join the Board for many reasons, one of them being: I feel I live a charmed life. And its time for me to give back. I was not aware of how profoundly one board meeting would hit me. I was most moved by the commitments Aeon had made to help homeless youths (teenagers) in the twin cities. These are the people you will NOT see on 90210 or the Hills – although their stories are much more interesting, heart warming and many times tragic.
Did you know:
That there are homeless teenagers in the City of Minneapolis? AND that the most common reasons for them to be homeless are:
1.) Parents have disowned/abandoned them for being gay.
2.) Parents have disowned/abandoned them for being pregnant.
3.) At some point in time, most homeless youths have directly or indirectly sold themselves (sex) in order to stay off the streets?
WHAT? I didn’t even realize that such a thing existed – parents abandoning teenagers? Some how, I have been living my life oblivious to this issue. In my home, I still (albeit sporadically) pack a “hello kitty” lunch box for my 14 year old (high school) daughter, because it brings her comfort to have a lunch packed by mom.
Yes, I do live a charmed life. I was horrified at these circumstances. I WANTED to do more, some how, NEEDED to do more. And then I realized. I am doing exactly what I was meant to be doing, seeing exactly what I was meant to be seeing, and feeling exactly what I was meant to feel, and that I AM doing something. I am participating and engaging and acknowledging that there IS a problem, and that I, all 5’2 of me, CAN be a part of the solution.
To find out more about Aeon and their mission, please visit http://www.aeonmn.org – I’m not asking for money or for donations. Just asking that you, like me, to become aware and acknowledge there is a problem so that the need an be addressed.
AND, if you are as moved as I am, and feel YOU live a charmed life, please join me Aeon’s next “Building Dreams” presentation. (Again, no, we are not asking for money or donations) For more information on the “Building Dreams” presentation, visit http://aeonmn.org/bd.aspx – click on “Upcoming Dates – Register.” Be ready to BE MOVED.
Tell me how you feel about the 3 facts I outlined above!
-Daisy Nguyen in Minneapolis, Minnesota
CEO
Business & Marketing Consulting to the Apartment Industry
Web: RentSoda.com Email: Daisy {at} RentSoda(.)com
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