Around the globe, creative organizations invest in strategies and use techniques that bring peoples, nations and cultural communities together. These are their stories:"

The National Liberty Museum:
Acknowledging the Small People Who Do Big Things

By Linda S. Wallace

The National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia honors the heroes who plant seeds of change in the gardens of democracy.

On August 16th, they added a list of new individuals to their honor roll but, remarkably, few of them were old enough to vote. What they lacked in years, this diverse group of children and teens made up for in an abundance of confidence, creativity and determination. Many already had lists of volunteer activities and accomplishments that were as long as a professional resume, and certainly no less distinguished.

The 2007 Commerce Bank Young Heroes reflected the vibrant tapestry of Philadelphia and its suburbs. You had Matthew Cortland of Marlton, N.J., a teen who already is a major league fundraiser for autism research. You had your mentors who recruited friends to help younger classmates transition successfully into middle-and-high schools. You had Katie Schuyler, an 8-year-old who gave some brand new clothes away to a child who had lost everything in a fire. You had Dillon DeRosato of Gilbertsville PA, who persuaded neighbors to contribute backpacks and basic supplies to less fortunate students. You had Asia Haines Elijah who helped to reduce violence by helping her peers appreciate one another’s style and cultural uniqueness. Woven into each story was the National Liberty Museum’s inspiring theme: Small citizens can do big things.
Read more...