MY SOCIAL WORK LIFE

Having been inspired by my parents I have become a lifelong volunteer social worker. I found ways to give. For most of my life, I have been doing social and community work and supporting others. 

This tendency and love for fellow humans, family, friends, and pets, have been instilled and impressed upon me in my growing years by my loving parents, family, neighbors, and community ‘uncles and aunts’. 

With decades of wide-ranging experience now in social service programs – I have given support and encouraged and empowered others working extensively with different organizations in a volunteer capacity. 

In my hometown of Arima, local organizations included St. Vincent de Paul Society, Memisa Home, and Lions International. Projects included seeing after the elderly with home repairs, researching and finding jobs for the displaced, organizing small businesses, meals-on-wheels, food bank operations, and provided job training and support services to empower those in need.

My Arima community I have served continually, even from the USA and Sweden through my website/blog and Facebook group - Arima Community Info Resource Centre.  

Also, I have been a photojournalist documenting my journey as it unfolds. The photographs I have taken in different communities of other countries I shared with others on my websites and blogs.

I have lived in different parts of the world because such is life. You somehow go to countries as you grow older to work, to find love, and settle down.

To also show others the different cultural ways of life as I unearthed how I could serve. However, in life, there are so many means to aid others in front of our very eyes. 

Whatever countries I resided in or visited for a vacation I found ways to support others there. My main mission was to find out how I could serve this community by redeeming their unwanted social condition!

This is THEIR story.  My hope is that others get to feel the joy we feel in giving. It is Grace from God. 

From 1995 to 2000, as a social worker volunteer, I served the community of Phoenix, Arizona through my church affiliation with Unity of Phoenix. 

In 2002, with my friend George Roundy, to address the issue of world hunger together with a core team of ten individuals, we helped raise close to $100,000 US for The Hunger Project – an organization that empowers inhabitants in different countries of the world to be self-reliant.

Thanks to the generosity of all of you around the world who support my work. This is our community who are helping others around the world when someone crosses oceans to care for others. 

Thanks to you my supporters. I am moved by your love and commitment. If our work is the reason others' lives have been blessed by the outpouring of our benevolence we have used our gifts in the service of others. 

Such communities I have served included my hometown of Arima in Trinidad in the Caribbean. My schools and colleges such as Arima Boys' Government School; Holy Cross College, Arima; and Mt. St. Benedict, Abbey School.

In Seychelles, helping to set up a website to bring further awareness to the people about the pet situation on the island. 

On my website/blog "Empower with Art". This is where I empowered people to be changemakers in their own community and society at large. The topics are about serving communities, as I look for meaningful ways to support others

And now I serve on this website/blog under my name. 

This is being done while I am overcoming a stroke that has placed me in a wheelchair and my right hand and foot partially paralyzed. Life is service! It helps take our minds off our own conditions and focus on helping others, while taking care of ourselves too. 

I continue to serve other communities, empowering others, and supporting social entrepreneurship and sustainable happiness. It is a good cause. For we are investing in our own future and our children’s future.

As we renew our commitment to our environment by the use of alternative energies and environmentally friendly living, we ensure a safe heritage for our coming generation.

We continue to make a difference in the lives of fellow humans in our community and improve our capacity to serve additional communities, as we move forward together as a society. 

“And Sharing Awareness of our Universal Eco-Civilization Consciousness, for We are United Together by the Life Force of Our Earth Home We All Depend On for Sustainability”.  

Somehow remaining active despite the stroke, continuing with my social initiatives and producing my "Grace and Peace Music", other websites, blogs, Facebook Groups, and doing freelance community work. 

Like a statement of purpose, being part of a universal cause for transformation for our planet. It has come to symbolize a way of expressing oneself and looking at the world. And having a special place in the hearts of a universal group of people. 

What we are involved in is a sense of belonging, being part of something bigger. We are making an important contribution. Announcing our commitment and support: Our shared vision and dream, and working together to promote our values and ideals in whatever ways we can.

From a call to action to a rallying cry, signing on and declaring our affiliation with a movement that is seeking the betterment of our world. 

Feeling a sense of pride and making a difference in our communities, so many of us working tirelessly and anonymously for the common good, a groundswell of support and enthusiasm, purposeful. 

Symbols of hope and courage, a passion that seems to go beyond. A universal group of people, embracing, embodying, and serving, taking inspired action every day. 

Dedicated to, and focused on helping one another succeed, by being supportive, encouraging growth, and developing spiritually and mentally. Contributing to being a blessing in other peoples’ lives. Continue fostering peaceful and loving communities – living in harmony. All to the glory of the Infinite Almighty Creator!