Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Want To Make a Difference? Invest In a Child.

"He who opens a school door, closes a prison." - Victor Hugo

Have you ever been to prison? I have, several times. It was enough to scare me straight. I wish somehow everyone could experience prison. I think we would view life and our actions a lot differently.

Just to set the record straight, my adult league soccer team used to play the prisoners at the federal penitentiary at Shelby Farms. We had a lot of fun playing soccer but it was scary being on the inside even though I knew that once the game ended, I would be on the outside. I felt just like Boov did in the movie Home: "Can I come in to the out now?" Those games versus the prisoners confirmed in me that I was going to be a law abiding citizen and toe the line. I want to do as much good as I possibly can in my community. I don't want anybody going to prison.

I'm not going to quote studies and statistics about the correlation between a education and prison.  I'm just going to quote Victor Hugo again. "He who opens a school door, closes a prison."

Have you ever opened a school? I have and it was the best thing I have done professionally. It was second to none. Wish I could open a school every year. That would be my dream job; traveling around the country opening schools. Now, that's a life well lived. Since that isn't going to happen, I plan to stay right here in Memphis and do the best I can to keep the Jubilee Schools open.

Why am I staying in Memphis to help the Jubilee Schools? Memphis needs me just like it needs you! If you are reading this blog right now, we need your help. I love this city, and Memphis needs more people working to develop and promote excellence in education.

I'm sick and tired of the violence. We cannot watch the news without hearing about another senseless murder. Do you realize how many people were shot in the Mid-South this past weekend from Harbor Town to Southaven to Millington to Fox Meadows? Our neighborhoods are filled with the blue light police cameras. I hate that we need to have them but we need to have them. The busiest people in the city are our men and women in blue. If we give ALL our children an EXCELLENT education, our police officers can slow down and catch their breath.

If education leads to a drop in crime, we should be investing all the money we possibly can in education!

We need every single person in this city investing in education, and I'm not talking about just paying taxes. We need to go above and beyond the tax thing and fully fund every public, charter, private, and religious school in this city to ensure ALL children receive an EXCELLENT education.

As the development director for the Jubilee Schools, my job is to help as many people as possible invest in the children of the Jubilee Schools. The more people invest in the schools, the fewer prisons we need. The more people invest in the schools, the more jobs will come to Memphis. The more people invest in the schools, the better our community becomes.

At the Jubilee Schools, we are always coming up with ways to get people involved and investing in the children. There is no secret to this. You invest in a child and a child succeeds. Invest in a child and prison becomes a non-factor. Don't invest in a child, might as well open another prison.

We have a plethora of ways you can invest in the life of a child to ensure they receive the education necessary to succeed in life.

#GivingTuesday, #Jubileeis4me
http://jubileeschools.org/givingtuesday
Jubilee Schools serve over 1,500 students across nine schools located in urban Memphis areas by supplying low-income students with significant need-based scholarships. This year our goal is to meet the needs of the areas we serve by expanding enrollment capacity; minimizing wait lists and incorporating modern classroom technology to ensure the Jubilee schools have a bright future serving the Memphis community.

10x10 Challenge
http://jubileeschools.org/10x10
It’s time for Jubilee’s second ever 10x10 Challenge. This challenge is for all members of the Jubilee family: faculty, staff, friends, and families! Participating is easy, and prizes will be awarded to the top performing teacher and school. When you invest via the 10x10 Challenge, select a teacher and school you would like to honor.

Jubilee Christmas Card- On Sale Now
http://jubileeschools.org/christmas
When you purchase these Christmas cards designed by our students, you are supporting a child at one of the nine Jubilee Catholic Schools in the Memphis area.

Back to School Appeal
http://jubileeschools.org/invest
The unique mission of the Jubilee Catholic Schools opens doors to students who would not otherwise have the opportunity for a quality faith-based education. If you believe all children have value, unique gifts, and the right to a quality, faith-based education... If you believe in helping those that have less than others... If you believe in Memphis then we invite you to join us.

Blue Streak 1,000 Club
https://bluestreakmemphis.net/1000-club
Make a difference in a child's life by partnering with BlueStreak Scholarship Fund today. The purpose of the 1K Club is to grow our membership and encourage long term annual support and recurring giving throughout donor base. By partnering with Blue Streak, we can continue to provide a Catholic education to Memphis families most in financial need.

If you would like to discuss other ways to help, please feel free to contact me at didier.aur@jso.cdom.org or 901-373-1226

Together, let's make a difference in the life of a child.

God bless you,
Didier Aur
http://didieraur.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/didieraur

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