There is a great undertaking going on as I type this post. There is a man, an entrenpenuer, by the name of Tellman Knudson who is doing something unique. He is running BAREFOOT, across the country for over 3,000 miles, to raise $100 million dollars to help homeless and at-risk youth. You might ask yourself why he would do this; after all, that is a long way and a whole lot of money to raise. What if he isn’t able to reach his full goal? What the heck, he is focused on achieving his goal, often at great personal sacrifice. He has a vision or a mission.
Many people don’t realize the extent of the problem of homeless youth. They are at risk for drugs & alcohol addictions, prostitution, violence, human trafficking, HIV, suicide, teen pregnancy, abuse, abortion, early death, mental & physical health problems, and crime & imprisionment. It doesn’t have to be this way.
Tellman started out with this challenge in Battery Park in New York in September of 2009; he plans to end the journey within 99 days in California at the Santa Monica Pier. He has been documenting his journey as he goes. He started in September as I said, and the route has changed some; which is good considering that winter has fallen in many parts of the northern & eastern states. He is meeting great people along the way.
Tellman Knudson believes that the homeless youth are great problem solvers and are good at surviving. He wants to harness those skills and teach them to reduce their risk- related behaviors; and, to get themselves out of whatever kind of dangerous situations that they are living in. After he has accomplished that, he hopes to be able to teach them business and life skills using their unique problem solving abilities. That $100 million dollars will be put to good use. Tellman knows that this is a group of individuals worth saving…he was once a troubled youth himself who faced many challenges including a debilitating leg condition which hindered his ability to even walk well. http://runtellmanrun.com/press-and-sponsors/who-is-tellman/
He has suffered a severely brused, painful heel condition which required him to recently reduce his running schedule. He has been advised by a doctor to only run 3 miles a day and to only run 5 days a week instead of the 7 that he was running. This will of course add time to his original plan of running this journey in 99 days time. No matter, he is following doctors orders and doing as he is told so that he can still achieve his goal. In the meantime….
Tellman Knudson is in Atlanta, today, trying to raise funds in the internet community at the Sheraton Hotel where a seminar is being held with many of his friends and supporters. He asks that we wish him luck; but, I say…even more than that…send him money! If you go to his page you can donate online, what do you say…are the youth of today worth investing in? http://runtellmanrun.com/ This isn’t just a holiday charity drive…this is Tellman’s purpose and passion…won’t you help?
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Your strong suit is shining a spotlight on issues others would shun, Rainy! I appreciate your bringing this to the public’s attention.
Even in our own rural area we THINK there are no homeless. Then, if we admit there might be, we fancy they are ne’er do wells or bad people. NOT TRUE. They are human beings of all ages who need our love, care, concern, prayers, and solutions to their many problems.
The economy will deliver even more of this in the months to come, as businesses downsize or go away; as people lose the ability to pay their mortgages; as fear and despair take over good peoples’ lives.
We owe it to one another to do as much as we can on an individual basis and embrace them ALL. If people who CARE do not take action, then WHO WILL? Not to help would be egregious indeed! These are real people, not statistics.
May God bless Tellman Knudson and his ongoing effort.
Mother Connie