It's been a while and I need to do a little catching up and updating for friends and family to see but also for me to help digest life a little bit. So what has been going on? Presidential election has me hopeful but a little nervous. I'll never forget that "oh my gosh, this is impossible, how the hell?" feeling from the last two elections, and I don't want to experience that again. Especially with a candidate that seems so sharp, open and grounded...and doing well fundraising which is important.
Intercambio is great, and I'm happy with all the new people on board - new Program Coordinator Maria, temporary replacement for development Dawn, and a new part-time office manager Kathy to help me and allow me to focus on expansion and management issues. Jenna, our development director, will have her baby soon and I'm really excited for her.
The funding for replication is at a stand still for now following a disappointing rejection from the Knight Foundation, but we will get the support we need soon. Two amazing ex-volunteers are starting needs assessments in Boise Idaho and Fort Collins, CO as possible replication sites, and Denver is going well despite challenges receiving funding.
We had a great strategy session with the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Colorado, which is a wonderful
group of people with a mission that could really create some positive change. Here's an article that was in the Boulder County Business Report about our expansion and partnership with EFCO.
I'm finishing up the immigrant guide (170 essentials to know as an immigrant in the US) and waiting now for the Spanish translation to be complete. I'm anxious to get out the first round and see what kind of feedback we get. My vision is for this guide to be the "bible" for immigrants, and that it becomes recognized by governments as information that must be supported and spread. I'd like to sell 2 million copies in the next 3 years and use the revenue to support Intercambio National. Let me know if you're interested in seeing a draft or printed copy when they're done in a few weeks.
Here's another article I was quoted in a few weeks ago, but see if you notice anything funny about the quote :)
Other stuff going on, weekly dance aerobics class Shawn and I are teaching is still incredibly fun and tiring. Playing soccer again and loving it. Summer has been full of fun events (welcome parties, runs in the rain, hikes, bodas, and bailes). Still haven't found a house/condo to buy but am in no rush. Next weekend I go home to MD and visit Grandma in PA.
That's enough for now. Life is intense as always, but I love it and the people in it.
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