Showing posts with label Northern Light School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Northern Light School. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

'Impossible is Nothing'

I attended an “Impossible is Nothing” lunch at The Northern Light School in Oakland on Friday. Dana Carvey was the lunch speaker.

John Novich, one of our amazing local parents, is an ambassador for the school. He reached out to me when I moved to the Bay Area to help support the school. I have also had the opportunity to speak to the kids at Northern Light.


I remember the moment I arrived at the gym, the kids were sitting in a circle holding hands singing “Impossible is Nothing.” I was shocked at my response — uncontrollable tears! There was a feeling of pure love in that gym.

The kids who attend Northern Light would likely not otherwise have a chance at a first class education. They are from very difficult family environments — some parents even on drugs or in jail. Yet their graduation rates are simply outstanding!!

What I love about the school is that they teach the kids to be responsible citizens of the world. While we were there for Dana’s talk, they raised $212 dollars for relief for Haiti. While that may not seem like a lot, these kids do not have much at all, but they fully understand that they have been given the opportunity of a lifetime at Northern Light.

So, when John asked Dana Carvey to speak at the school, he gladly obliged. His message to the kids was wonderful. He talked about not giving up and counting your successes by how much you fail. He also talked about how much time it takes to be good at anything. I left the lunch very inspired by Dana and his story.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Helping the Northern Light School

Good morning, everyone.

What a great weekend. Michael Johnson, an Olympic sprinter who's won four gold medals, and I are involved in helping raise funds for the Northern Light School in Oakland, California. The accompanying photo is from a fundraiser we took part in.

The school is privately funded, so they depend on generous donors for their survival. The kids are all from very difficult circumstances, such as no parents, or parents on drugs or who are homeless.

Northern Light provides hope and a first-class education for kids who would never have this kind of opportunity. 97% of their graduates go on to earn college degrees. The success rate is astounding!

It is my pleasure to be able to help the school in any way. Michael is a first-class gentleman who has taken his fame to make the world a better place.