Letter Archive:
M/D/Y Topic of Focus

Success In The Face of Adversity

BY PETER SLACK
pslack@shaw.ca

In the face of adversity, there is inspiration in the struggles of not for profit.

20/20 Parenting and STOP are two organizations that fight to survive in order to carry on their crusades.

Kerry Jackson is the Founder of 20/20 Parenting (www.2020Parenting.com), a child and family advocate for raising drug-free teens.  Riley Inge is the Founder of STOP (Steps to Overcoming Problems) (www.thestopproject.com) and works to eliminate bullying in children’s behavior.

Both are passionate and idealistic in their hope to make a difference.  Jackson’s grief over the loss of her son due to drug-induced mental illness and suicide motivated her to speak out to inspire much earlier preventive action, and to create an online resource to provide support to parents and communities in raising drug-free teens.  Inge’s repugnance to gangsta’ rap and its overwhelming negative influence on young people prompted him to utilize his musical talents to send a positive message to young people.

These are noble causes undertaken by people willing to sacrifice time and money to make this a better world to live in.  Unfortunately idealism eventually runs into reality when the cause fails to attract the financial and volunteer support needed to survive.  Time and energy is required, distracting them from their main purpose.  The messenger’s spirit is depleted; exhausted by the continuous need to raise funds and seek new audiences.

20/20 Parenting is a non-registered organization. Jackson admits it limits her options but fears registering would be jumping from the fire into the frying pan. Having been devastated financially by her long-term struggles with her son and having full knowledge of the underpaid nature of the social services non-profit sector, she is not convinced registering is the answer at this time. Getting from ground 0 to successful, without funding, has been the challenge.

But that’s not to say that registering eliminates all the roadblocks.  STOP is a registered not for profit and Inge has had limited success in funding.  Riley says “government funding helped finance two videos on bullying and only one organization has raised funds for us over the past eight years.  Yes I have suffered financially since I’ve been on this path.  Spending less time as a professional musician and half time on STOP has been very frustrating.  Much more could be done if we got the proper support.  I’m not a marketer; I’m an entertainer with a message!”

Pursuing government grants has been a discouraging experience for Riley.  “There is a language and protocol in applying that favors larger organizations with the resources to devote to the chase. There is a lot of misunderstanding about bullying.  Boys will be boys and girls will be girls.  Authorities tend to be reactive, not pro-active.”

It’s a catch 22; one that is faced by many not for profit organizations. The option of amalgamating with like minded organizations is not attractive.  Seeking an outside consultant may be intimidating and costly; however the continued existence and success of the organization may depend on it.

Kerry Jackson and Riley Inge are two inspiring people at a cross roads in their respective organization’s journey. In the words of Henry David Thoreau:

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours...If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them."