A Letter from IT2 CEO & Visionary-Derrick Shirley

PLEASE READ AND RESPOND IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE THE PERSON(S) WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Hi friend. If you have known me long enough, you know I rarely sit still, laugh a lot, and at times, can be pretty intense. I have enjoyed many work adventures from tree planting to bartending to municipal program development. Now I am a family and youth counsellor and CEO of the not-for-profit, "It Takes 2 (IT2) Youth Leadership Institute." I'm smiling as I write this because I know this is what I am meant to do. If you have found your "one thing" then you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't yet, I encourage you to look inside; not out.

Starting April 29, 2013, my first act as CEO will be to bicycle from Vancouver Harbour to the top of Signal Hill in St. John's, Newfoundland to raise money for our charity's signature program, the "It Takes 2 Tandem Bike Ride for Youth at Risk." A program that connects youth at risk with police officers in a cross-country, provincial relay on tandem bicycles; the first of its kind in the World. Very cool stuff.

The whole trip is almost 8000 km. The other day I realized just how far that really is. The most I have ever ridden is 100 km and that was when I was 22; now I'm 44. And I do not even have a proper bike yet! Am I worried? Nope. Cause, I have faith, purpose, padded bicycle shorts and great people support.

I will be stopping in at 50+ Police Service units, talking to 1000's of High School students, and connecting up with program sponsors along the way. The "RideofPromise.com" website is almost done and will be launched in the next 2 weeks.

There is still a tremendous amount of work to do though. We need to get final approvals, create the youth leadership program curriculum, secure sponsorship and funding for the next three years, develop our Board bylaws, put drywall up in the Institute, hire staff, get an RV (and a bike)...this list just grows.

I have been working on this program for the last three years and have now joined with 14 of the most amazing and passionate volunteers who do what they can, where they can: Shelley Harris, Nashila Dharshi, Tia Graham, Pete Twiss, Lethbridge Chief of Police Tom McKenzie, Constable Dan Fraser, Constable Russell Hodgins, Keith Shirley, Connie Fraser, Leanne Meek, Fred Sarkari, Richard Amaral, Dino Cabalfin & Beni Johnson. There is no way we would be where we are without their hours of work, dedication and commitment to our shared mission: "To create exceptional youth leaders through partnerships." In short, "We Make Wow."

Here are a couple of our WOW examples:

Nic Lepchuk. Nic is an IT2 Youth Ambassador and program spokesperson. After being jumped and swarmed by a group of teen boys, Nic forgave his attackers and now at the age of 13, IT2 will help Nic fulfill his dream; to be a paid keynote speaker and by the age of 14, he will be a published author.

Isaiah Kuhn. Isaiah is a young boy with Aspergers who at the age of 5 started his own charity work and at the age of 13 will head up our Police Appreciation Division.

Friends, seriously...we haven't even begun our official program yet! Just think of all the lives we can transform together; think of all the WOW we can make together!

Here's where you come in. I know you're probably already busy and stretched for time as it is. But we need the help, leadership, and energy of visionary, dedicated, and imaginative people that can take a lead in your circle of influence; your community, workplace, or church to help organize your own unique fundraising event for IT2. It could be a community garage sale, a dance party, a sporting event, a workplace challenge, or private donations from wealthy or everyday philanthropists. We want to inspire you enough to do your own thing to help in our shared efforts. That is what community is all about.

If you or someone you know can answer this call and are interested in helping us out with our fundraising efforts for the 2013 "Ride of Promise" and beyond, please contact me as soon as possible at:

mr.derrickshirley@gmail.com

Because our program impacts youth all across the country, it doesn't matter whether you're in London, Calgary, Vancouver, Moose Jaw, or St. John's. Whatever you can do, no matter how small or how great will make a difference. Your efforts will help another teenager avoid a life of confusion and hardship, help another young life end in triumph rather than suicide, and help us make more WOW.

Oh and if you're really up to the challenge, we will likely need a community fund raising coordinator to manage all of the community fund raising projects we will soon have!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY WITH THOSE WHO ARE READY TO DO SOMETHING MORE. YOUR MORE AND THEIRS, MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

For more information or to simply make a donation visit:
http://www.derrickshirley.com/It_Takes_2.html

Thank you so much,
Derrick Shirley

Twitter: derrickshirley

 

Keeping The Faith

  
Sometimes it's difficult to keep the faith during the tough situations we all face sometimes in life, but as long as you keep your heart open and don't give up you can achieve the results you want. In life there are so many obstacles and challenges we face everyday, each person has their own story, situation or circumstances and depending on your belief it will determine the outcome. Positive thoughts equal positive outcome. Negative thoughts equal negative outcome. It's up to you to decide.

Since summer I've been home enjoying time with my family, writing, reading, building a support community with the OWN Ambassadors and really embracing the new "Stay at Home" role in my life. While being home one of the greatest gifts I discovered was the power of prayer. My job closed down, my son had a serious head injury and my mother was very sick. There were alot of things that were happening in my life that were very difficult, so I put my trust in God, and he guided me through. 

Over the past several months of being home, and praying everyday, wonderful things are happening, things just keep getting better and better. Attending Lifeclass in Toronto, being a founding member of the OWN Ambassadors, attending OYOU in California with the OWN Ambassadors, private lunch with Oprah, Oprah following me on Twitter, Featured on Top Shots on omg Insider, and the list goes on....

Let me tell you how faith is playing a role in my life. Ever since I can remember as a child I wanted to "Help" people, I didn't know how, what, where or when I just knew I wanted to be of service. I spoke before in previous blogs about my calling. When I was home 5 years ago on maternity leave, I heard a whisper, no better yet a scream to listen to my higher purpose. So the long story short I became a Certified Professional Coach & Mentor and began my journey. 

One of my greatest blessings along the way is joining It Takes 2 Youth Leadership Institute  (Youth Leadership Program) as the Director of Public Relations. With this new role there comes a ton of excitement, rewards, challenges and learning curves. Creating the organization with Derrick Shirley and the rest of the group has been rewarding and fulfilling and I feel like I am right where I am meant to be. Instead of worrying about what is next, I leave it all up to God to guide me through. He knows my path and he knows my journey, my job is, to follow his lead.
 
Recently, the OWN Ambassadors had the pleasure to meet and speak with DeVon Franklin in California. He discussed how everything happening now is meant to happen. One of his quotes "It's Already Done" really struck a chord with me. It really signified how I got to where I am today.  When Devon preaches you listen! Here is a video of DeVon preaching about "True fulfillment comes when you commit to being all God called you to be and run your race no matter what"!  http://vimeo.com/57820288

Keeping the faith means to me to, keep praying, keep believing, keep standing, and keep hoping because God has a bright future in store for me. I truly believe that! 

A few quotes that I love and happen to be about Faith :)
 
Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.  

To me faith means not worrying.
~ John Dewey

Faith makes all things possible... love makes all things easy.
~ Dwight L. Moody  

Thanks for stopping by...

Have a great day!

Much Love,
Shelley

Twitter: mobile_mentor