Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Gems of Opportunity: Humanitarian Concept: "Veteran Mentors For Kids"


Hello All,

Just yesterday here in America we celebrated "Memorial Day". It is a holiday where we observe those service military personnel that made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. No matter which military engagement they were deployed under be it in a declared war or otherwise in our history.

The reason why I mention such a recent holiday where many Americans cherished their own families with outdoor barbecues, if not attending a "Memorial Day" parade together. Is today's "Gem of Opportunity" concept is to honor those military service personnel that are deployed oversea's. Be they deployed in times of war or periods of relative peace throughout the world. Those men and woman serving on our behalf in the armed forces whereby they make the sacrifice of becoming separated from their families. Especially leaving behind young children yearning to become reunited with their deployed parent that is in the armed services. Rarely does it occur that both parents are deployed serving together in the military with a young dependent child left with their grand parents for instance.


So today's humanitarian concept is titled "Veteran Mentors For Kids" program. That will pair an available mentor of the same service military branch a parent on deployment is currently committed to in an overseas theater of operations. For instance, be it enlisted or officer corp a father in the Army of a young child such as a boy is left wanting for their father to return. A male Army personnel wishing to become a trained mentor would be paired with the young boy as a surrogate male role model. To offer emotional encouragement and understanding of possibly what his father is doing in service. Besides to offer cultural local enrichment to the child be it through athletic or artistic activities. Not too dissimilar what a contemporary "Boys & Girls Club" provides to children of all backgrounds.

The same instance would apply to young girls where a mother is deployed. For example, an Air Force enlisted female tech is deployed overseas. The father not in the military has difficulty in some instances with an unruly young daughter entering her tween years. (10-12 yrs.) So a willing Air Force mentor of the same gender perhaps a woman Captain fills the role of a female role model. So while the mother is deployed overseas the mentor visits at least once a week the young girl in question. For activities befitting a girl of that age group similar to the young boy in the prior example.

Both parents would be given a dossier of the available mentor candidates that correlate to the age group and gender of their child. So both parents, especially before one enters an overseas military deployment. Is engaged and gets to aid in the hand picking of the eligible mentor for their child. All attempts from the available pool of mentor candidates will be made to match them to their own service branch of the military as noted above. If not, a substitution will be made as a recommendation to the parent to either be placed on a waiting list or select a mentor from another branch of the military. For example where a Navy mentor is lacking a Coast Guard mentor may be recommended instead.

All mentors will undergo a civil / military criminal background check and will be drawn from either present military service personnel. Or past honorably discharged veterans of any of the various military branches. If a dual citizen such an American citizen also holding citizenship in another country. That has served in an International Armed Forces capacity is interested in such a mentor program. Their military service record will be verified including civil / military criminal background checks will be conducted. Let's say a Frenchman that served in the French Legionaries as a young man. That is now an older adult veteran holding dual American citizenship. If interested they would be welcomed to enroll as a mentor veteran for a household that is bilingual in English and French.

Mentors interested in participating in the "Veteran Mentors For Kids" program will take a series of workshops. To prepare them for either child needing role models be they well adjusted to a degree or at risk youth. The Mentors will not be thrown in left to fend for themselves. There will be assigned via the program a Case Worker that will monitor the family and the mentor in tandem. Every mentor is required to meet the mentored child at least once a week. Although the parent may allow up to 3 times a week depending on the mentors personal scheduling availability. Every mentor will be given a journal to help them track personal notes and days / times visiting the child. Hopefully, the mentor will meet with a child before they're required weekly check-up with the child's program assigned case worker. The case worker will meet with the child and the parent at least once a month to monitor how the program is aiding the household overall. Including to compare the notes derived from the mentors journal and their own findings for routine check-ups.

Mentors that have children of their own will be preferably matched with children similar in age group to the potential mentored child in the program. However, in such instances, the Mentors spouse will need to undergo a criminal background check of their own. No matter if they aren't directly involved with their spouses mentor responsibilities. At any time the parent of a mentored child is allowed to tag along or chaperon on an outing of their child with a mentor. At least once a year if at all possible especially if the deployed parent is back on return leave as a temporary visit. That both parents of the child and the mentor go out together on a regular outing with the child. To help pair up the psychological support of the child in question to showcase continuity of the parents and mentor role model as getting along aka bonding well together. If a household has 2 or more children of nearly similar age groups and gender they will be assigned to the same mentor. For instance, a male child of age 10 and another teenage boy that is 14 would be directed together to the very same male mentor role model. Preferably to the very same military service branch that the deployed parent is involved with at the time.

Structured activities can be devised with the help of the parent and the case worker. That the mentor can engage with the child to help them in personal self-worth and overall confidence. Activities as noted above, can be local cultural enrichment events. Be it the local fair, museum trip, holiday parade attendance, air show, a boat regatta, concert, sporting event, etc.... Including partaking in athletic activities be it football, baseball, martial arts, fishing, etc... If not other mundane outings such as a lunch at a restaurant or to attend a family picnic from the mentors own family gathering. For those military bases that are much larger perhaps a "Veteran Mentors For Kids" clubhouse can be erected as a local out reach center. For affected service personnel with young dependents with one or both parents deployed overseas. No matter if the mentor candidate pool sources from other military branches outside the emphasis of the local military installation. (ie an Air Force base with mentors of all other service branches visiting and utilizing the clubhouse)

The "Veteran Mentor For Kids" program is to help households of deployed military personnel. With young children dependents to adjust from the vacuum of an overseas parent in the armed forces. To provide household stability to the remaining parent struggling to keep order at home. To help the young to older child cope and to understand the pivotal role the armed forces plays in the child's household. To provide the mentor with the enriching engagement to aid a child in need of a surrogate role model. To provide emotional, mental, social, and even spiritual upliftment to the children enrolled within such a veterans mentoring program. And, finally to alleviate the societal burden on military households with young dependents to help heal the rift of a deployed parent(s) overseas.

Please check out the "Military Child Education Coalition" (Link) if you are in need of support for your own child within a military household. The (MCEC) is not affiliated in any manner with the humanitarian conceptualization I just provided above.

Ivan "Atrayo" Pozo-Illas, has devoted 21 years of his life to the pursuit of clairvoyant automatic writing channeling the Angelic host. Ivan is the author of the spiritual wisdom series of "Jewels of Truth" consisting of 3 volumes published to date. He also channels inspired conceptual designs that are multi-faceted for the next society to come that are solutions based as a form of dharmic service. Numerous examples of his work are available at "Atrayo's Oracle" blog site of 11 years plus online. Your welcome to visit his website "Jewelsoftruth.us" for further information or to contact Atrayo directly.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Jewels of Truth Statements & Favorite Quotes of The Month

Hello All,

Today's trio of "Jewels of Truth" statements were written back in late December 2009 and early January 2010. Number #1003 was written before the "Like" phenomena took the world by storm via Facebook. So today's topics are on: Liking, Life, and Children. In the series of #1003-1005.

As always may you find them interesting, enjoyable, insightful, if not challenging to your own beliefs and values in life.

Thank you.

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1003) When you are liked by someone else in life be it a person, or a dear pet. You have been given a sacred honestly genuine gift from the heart of the giver. One to be either accepted as either a delight or scorned capriciously with disdain. Being "Liked" is a form of early affection, whether it is between acquaintances, friends, and/or potential lovers. How one responds to such a gift of becoming "Liked" is the difference of acceptance or rejection of the kind act, if not otherwise very selfish gesture. It is all based on the intention of the giver. Is it sincere or tied with lengthy strings of ulterior motivations in order to gain favor by means of subterfuge?

Acceptance of the affection of being liked is paramount of a start of a potential friendship about to take hold. The quality of such a friendship is dependent on what is invested into it. How fair is the relation or otherwise balanced in enjoying each others company. An outright rejection that dismisses any early offers of becoming liked can be one of several instances. The first is very plain a not interested nor having anything to do with you in any future personal connection. The next instance is the opposite gender wants you to prove your worth with strings attached. In earning their affection socially speaking be it in courtship. Or with either gender out of some heavily negotiated business proposal out of mutual convenience.

Thus the gift of the heart by offering acceptance in liking another person surely is a thing of beauty and truthfulness. It is the foundational stone that many later stronger relationships can be built from in all reality. The vanguard emotion to a forthcoming dignity and respect placed on full display for each to partake of earnestly. Always beware of what is genuine appreciation and what is otherwise a selfish tactic of exploitation. By tricking someone's sensibility for another's gain at your expense. Only time will tell which is which in how the relationship feels intuitively and is showcased for all to see by the action of those concerned. ---Ivan Pozo-Illas / Atrayo.


1004)  Life is a struggle for the brave of the heart, mind, and spirit. Not just for the typical person is life a burden at times. It is especially for those with the intent of doing good within their midst. This is not to say that a wrong doer isn't at liberty to do good themselves. However such a choice is harder still for them when it is sincere. Where the easiest way is the best manner for them to live through short cuts.

The determined person whether through just means or misdeeds will always find satisfaction in life through perseverance. It is by the degree of their intents that will distinguish them as a person of conviction or as an utter fool. This is where the soul with a sense of wonder will turn a life of struggle into a blessing to behold. By their own creative mindset they shall reveal openings to greater opportunities that all others are blind to recognize in their own common presence. Follow the just leader stirring you within your own sacred soul. There you will find "God(dess)" directing you to even greater glories yet still to be encountered. Amen. ---Ivan Pozo-Illas / Atrayo.


1005)  If one in life has the greater responsibility of becoming a caring parent with children of all sorts of aptitudes. One must soon realize your children are not just your own as loving parents. They belong to the Earth our great mother and also in the Divine Spirit of our father in Heaven that is God. For this organic planet we call the Earth is a living and breathing organism be it scientifically or spiritually speaking. Our mortal flesh belongs to the essence of our great mother here on this ancient Earth. Yet our souls as we are proper stewards of in origin paradoxically also belongs to God(dess) metaphysically speaking.

Be still to know this truth where your parental frustrations and anguish should always be surrendered to God. That is in turn your holy parent in all things divine. Such a surrendering does not omit you from your own earthly responsibilities to yourself and your own children of birth or adoption. Allow such a holy surrender to become a blessing permitting your concerns to become lifted from your heart and mind. So you in turn may have a clear conscience and a mindset in order to receive guidance and support from the "Holy Spirit of God". The consequences of not surrendering your emotional and mental burdens unto the Lord your God. Will cheat you and your children of a vibrant life because you were selfish with your pain, just as you were selfish with your joys in life. Be still and know we all belong to each other because of our relationship with mother Earth. Deeper still know we also belong to each other because God has loved us so for an eternity. For his "Holy Spirit" unites us all as "One". Hallelujah! ---Ivan Pozo-Illas / Atrayo.

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Those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease. ---Proverbs 1:33

Whatever you are by nature, keep to it; never desert your line of talent. Be what nature intended you for and you will succeed. ---Sydney Smith.

Honor your own complexity. ---Mark Gerzon. "Coming Into Our Own".

Every being is an abode of God, worthy of respect and reverence. ---Hindu Scripture.

The louder our world today is, the deeper God seems to remain in silence. Silence is the language of eternity; noise passes. ---Gertrud von Le Fort.

The breezes at dawn have secrets to tell you. Don't go back to sleep. ---Jalaluddin Rumi.

Victory belongs to the most persevering. ---Napoleon Bonaparte.

We can't control our destiny, but we can control who we become. ---Anne Frank.

Be attentive to my words... For they are Life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. ---Proverbs 4:20-22

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Jewels of Truth Statement: "A Self-Medicating Popular Culture"

Hello All,

In order to make up for some of my missed entries in April due to my family vacation. I'm posting a couple extra entries here in the month of May for your enjoyment.

Today's entry was inspired by a most recent personal journal entry of my own in my notebook. Figuring out one of my own mental processes during my diary entry.  I stumbled on a macro parallel that mimics a pattern in our American society. (if not other Western contemporary societies) By means of story telling in our mass media aka Popular Culture be it in films, books, video games, and music. A form of escapism is alright in a playful balanced fashion, but in excess its addictive and destructive to our cultural psyche to say the least.

As I enjoy saying without a further adieu may you find "Jewels of Truth" statement #1475 insightful.

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1475) All societies come and go for awhile throughout our combined histories as a people. What stands as mass story telling or popular culture is the stuff of legends. Some story telling is instructive and quite entertaining for those who offer hidden messages for personal growth. Not all stories have a bonafide moral to the tale. So it is with any popular cultural materials that such empty stories offer only entertainment value in themselves alone.

Any society that glorifies violence or sexual practices as a popular cultural diversion. Is unconsciously Self-Medicating itself so as to relieve the mass consciousness from the pain of daily living. An escape like no other where if practiced in excess shall only produce a mass neurosis in any culture. The perceived popular escapism comes at a psychological cost if left unchecked and/or not addressed directly. It is never a good thing to gorge oneself on tall tales to the exclusion of all else.

As in life there must be a healthy balance in all things. If not excess takes any people into several expressions of destructive addictions. That instead of a delightful escape will only produce misery henceforth. Be wary what you allow into your hearts and minds always. Amen. ---Ivan Pozo-Illas / Atrayo.

Thursday, May 09, 2013

Jewels of Truth Statement: "God's Saints, Prophets, Angels, and Masters Return To Us Constantly As People"

Hello All,

Today's "Jewels of Truth" statement in the series of #1451 is meant to be provocative to challenge one's own faith to rethink what is possible. Even if the premise that this spiritual statement is rejected outright by the reader. The concept has been codified within several predominant faiths such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and even within Christianity itself.

So the old saying of entertaining Angels when one is unaware is a very viable option to say the least.

Again go ahead and rethink your own assumptions if it is possible regarding your religious or spiritual faith. How many times this may have occurred throughout human history continuing into modern times? In regards to reincarnation of holy figures that we all revere appearing time and again. Serving each human generation as it is needed in pivotal periods of human global history. Especially now with 7 billion plus souls on planet Earth and growing.

Open yourselves to God's Mystery.

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1451) All sacred Holy texts are never a final completed accomplishment or a covenant for all worshipers. It may be presented by religious authorities as the institutions that foster such a system of support may have you believe. That all canon is final stemming from human periods of development arranged in our antiquity. However in all sincerity that is just another fallacy pushed upon the faithful in order to maintain a well centralized base of power in said religious institutions.

All blessed faiths did not have just one set of masters be they prophets, saints, and others even as one esteemed demigod. The Christians have taught that "John The Baptist" was later revered as the reincarnation of the Prophet Elijah. This is not meant to be a one off occurrence however rare such a phenomena is in happenstance. This is a living miracle a dynamic that has been happening throughout our collective history. All anointed: Saints, Prophets, Masters as Demigods, and Angels have come amongst humanity time after time as incarnated flesh. The "Word of God" is an endless stream of a dialogue that has been ongoing since before the dawn of humanity. The "Word Become Flesh" was not a miraculous event just for Christians.

Humanity for its part has been just as clueless to execute many of these blessed vanguards just as "Jesus the Christ" was executed. Another Christian instance of which their are too many amongst the Saints. Is of the French medieval Saint of "Joan of Arc" executed after her own miracles for witch craft. Those Holy Ones spared from persecution have more likely than not enmeshed themselves within the clergy of their own faith. Perhaps as respected theologians, mystics, and/or philosophers of their own time. If they were aware or not of their own past holy identity in human history. It is only God(dess) and the Angels that truly know the lot of them that chose to return to us time and again by the majestic "Will of God". Amen. ---Ivan Pozo-Illas / Atrayo.

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Humanitarian Concept: "Crop Pickers Empowerment Enterprise"

Hello All,

Today is "International Workers Day" (Link) otherwise known as May Day as its celebrated elsewhere in the world. So in honor of Immigrant crop pickers laboring away for a better life for their collective families. I dedicate this concept to them in the spirit of goodwill and humane treatment of such a worker class.

The humane treatment is easy to comprehend since the novelist John Steinbeck of "Mice & Men", besides "Grapes of Wrath". Famously wrote about the American "Dust Bowl" era in the 1930's of California Salinas Valley. Yes, that was eighty years or so away still the abusive plight against documented and especially undocumented crop pickers persists. Unscrupulous fruit and vegetable growers prey on the cheap labor denying them access to social services, clean water, adequate housing stock, even wage theft. If that wasn't bad enough as reported by the "Coalition of Immokalee Workers" (Link) here in Florida's Treasure Coast.

I quote from the top line paragraph:
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"The CIW's Anti-Slavery Campaign is a worker-based approach to eliminating modern-day slavery in the agricultural industry. The CIW helps fight this crime by uncovering, investigating, and assisting in the federal prosecution of slavery rings preying on hundreds of farm workers. In such situations, captive workers are held against their will by their employers through threats and, all too often, the actual use of violence -- including beatings, shootings, and pistol-whippings. ---CIW"
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This concept of mine was inspired in part from a PBS (Public Broadcasting Station) America's response to public television similar to the British BBC stations. On a weekly news and issues show called "Need To Know". From their Season 3 Episode 24 (Link) which first aired back on March 1st, 2013 titled "Down in Salinas Valley". (Of the aforementioned John Steinbeck fame)

Although "Need To Know" didn't cover so much the slavery aspect of migrant workers on America's farms. They did focus like a laser on the systemic poverty amongst such a population of mostly undocumented crop pickers. Although scattered within are documented Americans of Hispanic descent. Communities such as the one within "Salinas Valley, California" are scattered across the American Border States with Mexico. If not further into other States like in the deep south for instance. The United States even has antiquated Agriculture Child Labor Laws (Link) that harken back to America's pre Industrial Revolution days. Which only last year literally to the day the U.S. Congress struck down a bill to improve such child labor practices. That largely affect migrant children working for an income for their respective families.

I quote from a Huffington Post article dated April 27th, 2012:
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"Norma Flores Lopez, a child farm workers' advocate at the nonprofit Association of Farm Worker Opportunity Programs, told The Huffington Post that the rules were "common sense" and would have helped protect children who work as migrants, not because of tradition but because their families need money.

We felt that these were commonsense protections that maintained the traditions of family farms and would have saved many kids' lives. We're sad about it," said Lopez, who herself was a migrant worker as a child. "All the misinformation being put out there was really misrepresenting what these rules were. The benefits were overshadowed. The ones who will be paying for that is kids." ---Dave Jamieson.
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It sadly seems America's boisterous ideals of Freedom and Liberty are only applying to its citizens. Not in its domestic or foreign policy as much as it should when dealing with large swath's of demographic groups that originate elsewhere within our borders. 

Now after this lengthy set up of an introduction allow me to get to the meat of my concept for a sense of empowerment for crop pickers within America. Although it could be applicable to other nations that the "Rule of Law" matters. My "Crop Pickers Empowerment Enterprise" model is part a funding mechanism to further bolster such Hispanic populations entrenched in poverty. Mixed into an equitable working business model to give self ownership and self dignity to the victims from such abusive bad acting produce growers. In regards to the seasonal or year long migrant crop pickers across America. It would take one or more communities to experiment within their locality to see if such a concept could work for them in the final analysis.

There are 3 legs to such an operation in total:

First: To find a "Coalition of the Willing" as founding member organizations to launch such an enterprise. Be it social services to advocacy groups that focus on Immigrant to regular fare farm workers across America. Such as the aforementioned "Coalition of Immokalee Workers" (CIW),  "Farm Labor Organizing Committee" (FLOC), or "Fair Food Standards Council" (FFSC) which is an off-shoot organization of the "CIW" servicing the Floridian Tomato industry.

Once such a confederation of supporting organizations is put together to further empower farm to migrant workers. Especially those within abusive working conditions by unscrupulous produce growers. A cooperative not for profit business plan is patched into place to launch a series of "Urban / Suburban / Rural Green" spaces which are nursery community farms. Touted and utilized to reinvigorate urban spaces within America's impoverished neighborhoods. Pioneered by today's Green Hippies and/or yuppies in many suburban area's that supply larger "Farmer Market's" in American cities. The majority of which utilize organic farming practices as a community member driven enterprise.

Why not co-opt such a green initiative and utilize the professional impoverished crop pickers across America? To empower such a working class in taking partial ownership as a cooperative jump started by such a confederation of organizations. Where such plots of land are either donated or purchased outright by the enterprise itself. To literally rescue those workers found to have been exploited as forced labor. If not generally more so subjected to wage theft, poor safety working conditions, poor housing stock (access to utilities), and access to clean water for daily living conditions. Basically begin to Poach migrant workers away from the abusive produce growers overall where it'll hurt them where it counts, their bottom lines.

The funding mechanism does not just depend on grants or local small to medium sized business sponsors alone. To aid such a venture Crowd Sourced Funding websites can be utilized such as: Crowd Rise (Link) (focuses on Charities), Start Some Good (Link) (focuses on Social Intiatives), Fundly (Link) (focuses on Fund Raising), and Indiegogo (Link) (focuses on Ventures of all sorts as Start-ups).

Second: The listed organizations within the confederation that are mostly social services. In a custodial sense begin to serve those rescued migrant workers working on the nursery farm plots as a cooperative. Be it food security as in nutritional needs, access to housing including rental assistance, access to safe drinking water, wages that are supplemented by community grants, besides local business sponsors such as eatery's, hospitality industry, farmer's market, and the proceeds of the Urban / Suburban / Rural Green nursery farm plots.

Once the business model of the "Crop Pickers Empowerment Enterprise" proves itself. The profits could be either reinvested to launch additional Green spaces as in nursery community farm plots. If not Buy Out a fully fledged working Farm as a wholly owned operation. To compete on near equal terms within the agriculture industry itself within America. Allotting additional out growth in aiding disadvantaged migrant workers in secure job placement within a humane working and living environment.

Third: When step two is in full swing to reinvent such a cooperative into a workers Labor Union. Including gather decades long evidence of inhumane treatment of migrant workers of various ethnic origins in America. To launch an ambitious class action law suit against the solely bad actors that have literally enslaved such a class of people. Similar to the Tobacco industry wide settlement America experienced with the Federal government nearly a generation ago. The Labor Union acting in good faith will help shape the Federal and State laws regarding immigrants working within the agriculture industry, including the undocumented children.

An article from Time magazine from September 21st, 2012 by Alfonso Serrano. Stated not even regular American citizens can be induced to work in such an industry as crop pickers.

Bitter Harvest: U.S. Farmers Urge Changes to Immigration Laws (Link)

I quote:
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"Farming operations nationwide, from New York to Georgia to California, are reeling from similar labor shortages despite offering domestic workers competitive packages that include 401(k) plans and health insurance. Almost in unison, farmers complain that even when they are able to lure domestic workers to what often amounts to high-skilled, grueling work, it’s not long before they abandon the job. ---Alfonso Serrano."
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This is in light of recent stringent Immigration policies enacted by the States such as Arizona. Where literally tons of produce on farms across America lay unpicked rotting on the fields. Since migrant workers were in fear of crack downs by the government so they stayed home in their own host countries in Central to South America.

To use a bad pun America is a Basket Case right now in these post Great Recession days. If leadership from our elected government officials isn't forth coming. Since they are beholden to "Big Industry" or radical conservative wings that sign their election campaign checks. Than it is up to the "Coalition of the Willing" be it aspects of Industry that are acting in good faith for those they serve by means of capitalism. Or more so the ethically minded and passionate citizenry to demand a change for the better in governance and humane treatment of all. That just happen to find themselves within our borders regardless of national origin. By humane treatment I do not mean condoning illegal criminal acts that produce violence. I mean otherwise peace loving peoples that are often discriminated against and ill treated by other citizens that give America a bad name.

*Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) (Link)

**Fair Foods Standards Council (FFSC) (Link)