In the Arms of Love, a Feature Story

Their Story

It all began with a story. The story of Noah’s Ark is not that of a flood, nor of animals but rather a daughter. This story would change the lives in more ways then one. What about Jack and the parents of those who spend nights wondering what will happen to their children after they have gone? There is hope in this story. This is their story. In 1997, Joanne and Hank Warnock enrolled their son into Noah’s Ark. Having never seen a program like Noah’s Ark it seemed like an answer of prayer. This however, is not just the story of Noah’s Ark but it is about a loving family.

Billy

Their inspiration was Billy. He is their son born with special needs. However, after meeting Billy I soon learned that he was not just a member of Noah’s Ark, but a son of a loving family. My interview taught me that Billy is not a resident of the actually property because he lacks the ability to live so independently. Noah’s landing would open doors for him to no longer have a caregiver. When I met him I couldn’t help but think that he had such a big heart. His parents would tell me stories of how he loved like no one else. Their story is full of love.

From the moment Billy was born, they knew he was special. The doctors said he wouldn’t live to be five, Billy is now a 50 year old adult that did not simply defy gravity but astonished the doctors. He continues to be the exception to this day. The advice given to his parents orignally was to put him in a specialized institution, due to patience and the love of a family Billy would grow and be able to live at home with his family. I asked his father what it was like to raise a child with special needs and his response was this, “I wouldn’t trade my son for anything in the world.” Their love for their son radiated in the room. I found myself wishing Noah’s Landing was built and established with each second that passed. Billy’s mother is on the housing committee and she says that everything is ready and in place they just need the money to complete this community of dreams

Uncertainty

Before Noah’s Ark they would spend many nights wondering what would happen to Billy after they had passed. This program provides a lot of hope. The program started with 15 people and has now grown to about 60 passionate people. Stories that seemed to lack any sense of longevity were proven to be just that in the growth of Noah’s Ark. Billy himself has experienced such growth from being enrolled in this program. In the beginning Billy was in a community mostly alone, through Noah’s Ark he was able to establish friendship with the other members. As time went on Billy would move forward and compete in the Special Olympics. He was rather modest when we met but his talent was apparent. He won gold medals for golf two years in a row. He also competed in swimming and won a medal for the butterfly stroke. No its not Michael Phelps, its Billy. His father was quick to brag on his sons accomplishments and I watched as he laughed and he inquired about the Yankees with a fellow reporter.

I found this movie one day and it was actually my inspiration for interviewing this family. I wanted to know what a typical day is like in the parents lives. Hearing the story of this wonderful family I heard stories of hard times and stories of victory. Stories that involved the special olympics and stories that captivated my heart. He is a story of a mormon mother who has children with special needs.

The truth is I had no idea what I would find when I walked through the door, possibly brokenness maybe even a disconnect. I expected to find these statistics,

“ Individuals with developmental disabilities will likely live at home
until their parents are too old to properly care for them, (or the 
parents die).  Only then will the Agency for Persons with Disabilities
place these individuals in a group home or facility (very likely with 
people they have never even met)”.  

While Billy does live at home, his presence is that of comfort. For the joy he brings is absolutely contagious. The reality is, this family was anything but broken. While they had struggles, they had joy that carried them through their journeys.  The imprint they left on my heart is one that will remain. My prayer is very similar to that of the Warnocks, that Noah’s Landing will soon open doors for the future of beautiful souls like Billy.

Photo Credit:"Noah'sArk.com"

What I have Learned this Semester

Photo Credit "Google Images"

I could probably write a lof about what I have learned this semester. I came into this semester switching over from a double major of Theology and Psychology to Theology and Journalism. I had zero idea what Public relations even consisted of. This class has exposed me to the world of Twitter, Ragan, and many other things. If I had to composite a list, here is what I would put:

1.I learned the diversity of Public Relations. Usually one knows the limits to their field but I learned that their is a vastness to public relations. It is not confined to a specific area and its spreads throughout fields. I could be a job in communication, planning, and working with the newest applications in communication. I learned not to limit a field to its name.

2. Public Relations is a large part of our university. As students, we are in constant communication with those around us. We are making connections daily with our professors, fellow classmates and the people in our internships. This connections for some with be lifelong and others seasonal. No matter the time span, it is a fact that at Southeastern we are very much involved in relating to the public.

3. Twitter may just be taking over the world. Haha, no but really Twitter has recently blown up. I had refused to get a Twitter for the longest time. I thought that perhaps that would be the equivalent to “selling my soul” but I have learned that it is a wonderful world. This class has taught me so much of how it works and how it can be an efficient tool to communicate with people. It is also great for making connections with possible employers.

4. Blogging is an effective marketing tool. I have been in love with blogging since my freshman year in high school. However it wasn’t until college that I learned that so many companies use it as a way of presenting their companies.

5. Networking is crucial to your survival in the PR world. You could be the best potential employee but unless people know you it is very difficult to build a reputation. You have to put yourself out there.

6. You have to take risks. PR is a risky business. The greater risk, the greater the reward. So don’t be aware to swim in unknown waters.

7. Relationships can bring restoration. When we were able to walk with our professor through one of the most difficult times in her life, we learned that she found comfort in the presence of relationships.

8. Mashable tweets more than anyone else in the world. Enough said.

9. NewsU is a valuable resource. I had never heard of this website but it proved to be a valuable and very educational resource.

10. PR is just as much relational as it is public. It is important to build lasting relationships with your clients. This is done through trustful communication and providing a good reputation in the PR world.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Lets Give It Up for Our Guest

Our guest this week is Sera Manubens. Reading over her blog I found tons of amazing posts. This one however, really grabbed my attention. She is an amazing blogger. Here is her post:

I found this article on Ragan’s PR Daily quite interesting, especially since I am a huge fan of non-profit organizations. For most non-profits, the only way to get attention and increase awareness is through social media. This graph shows some of the biggest non-profits and the correlation between their earnings and social media.

I work with an awesome organization called Feeding Children Everywhere, which works to engage the local community with packaging meals that are sent overseas to those in desperate need. A huge part of our time is focused on social media, constantly updating Twitter and Facebook to keep our followers and friends up to date with what is going on in our organization. We use these social media outlets to share about upcoming packing events, spreading the word and how God is continuing to grow our organization. Check out FCE by watching the video below or clicking on the logo.

Image Credit Feeding Children Everywhere

 

Not Just Your Neighborhood Brewery

If you are a college student you have probably found yourself stumbling into a Starbucks around 12am. I myself have called this place home during finals week. Not only can I expect great coffee and an awesome atmosphere, but the employees provide more than just service, they give hope.

Starbucks has opened several different programs that reach out to not only their customers but to communities that desperately need it.

Here are a few videos on how Starbucks is reaching out.

These water bottles can be purchased at any Starbucks and part of the proceeds go to giving people clean water all over the world.

This campaign is one that is newly started and it reaches out to the communities that need job opportunities in America.

As you can see, Starbucks provides so much more than coffee to late night college students. They are reaching out in difficult times to help those in need.

Love Out Loud

May I introduce, Coldplay

This for some is just a song with a beautiful melody, others can hear the cry that is implied.

Coldplay wrote this song out of a heart that was tired of seeing war. They took a different approach than that of GreenDays ”American Idiot” but the song is nothing short of a cry to see it end.

The band borrowed its rhythm from the great “Beatles” and in my opinion they do a great job in reusing a classical piece of mastery. Down to the very name of the song, “Violet Hill” which is a street near Abbey Road.

For those that said music lacked meaning, may I introduce to you Coldplay (whose new album is nothing short of brillance).

So give the song a listen and perhaps you will hear the words of outcrying hearts.

Not Just Traveling Pants

This year at Catalyst I sat next to someone who would impact me more than they knew. His name was Will. Our talk consisted of making jokes and commenting on our favorite speakers. We then transition into making funny faces at each other in Chipotle. I had no idea of the person I would come in contact with. I later learned that he started a non-profit called BilliamJeans. These jeans were unlike any other. For with a purchase of these jeans, a girl in sex trafficking would one day be that much closer to her freedom.

He handmakes all of these and they are available for men and soon will be for women as well. The goal is not to cover up the nakedness but rather to expose the truth.

Here is a video of what Billiam is all about.

Welcome to Your New Home

Japan,

I have just settled into what is going to be my home in Ishinomaki, Japan. Thanksgiving this year with not consist of Turkey or the warm fall breeze of Florida, but on foreign soil. As I sit here and meet these people I am quickly learning that this soil is not so foreign. The days activities consisted of getting to know the team a little better with a good ol’ game of hotseat and smashing into a van not large enough to hold us all.

Most of the day has been spent traveling by plan and bus but I can already tell this country is nestling itself deep into my heart. I know that when these four days have ended the want to go back to America will be faint if even existent.

This country, these people have had diaster like I have never seen, yet they smile. And from the core of who there are they welcome us into our home. They provide us with more than shelter. What they offer here is love.

Reporting Live from Catalyst

View the story “Reporting Live From Catalyst” on Storify

Interview of a PR Professional

I remember the first day I walked into my speech class. I was thinking “What am I doing walking into a freshman level class that I waited until my junior year of college to take?” When I took my seat I met my professor, Sandra Johnson. She not only made the class enjoyable but I was intrigued that she started the class with pictures and her story.

• B.A. in Communication (Cedarville University, 2003)
• M.A. in Communication with an emphasis in professional writing (Spring Arbor University, 2007).
• Courses in writing and composition, journalism, creative writing, editing, research and much more.

She is wife, a runner, a professor, a lover of Christ, and an avid Starbucks drinker. If she is not working, she is looking for adventure. She teaches speech and handles all of the communication and PR for Lakeland Christian School. I sat down and asked her a few questions about the crazy world of PR and she gave me such great tips and information. Being new to this world, she was gracious to educate me with practical and honest answers.

• How did you get started in the PR world?

I never planned to start working in the PR field. I got my undergrad in Communication studies, and I wanted to be a journalist. After college, I was a sports writer for a newspaper in Ohio until I got married and moved to Florida. I started working on my Master’s degree in communications and took several classes in professional writing and public relations.  When Lakeland Christian School created my job (Communication Specialist), they were looking for someone to be over their public relations and communication efforts. I took the job more because I would have the opportunity to write for publications, but it turned into much more of a public relations role. I do write the quarterly newsletter that goes out to about 5,000 people. I also handle all of the social networking, the website content, all of the branding material and much, much more. 

• What is some advice you would give to someone starting out in the PR profession?

Learn as much as you can by reading public relations blogs, newsletters (PR Daily is a great e-newsletter) and magazines. Attend conferences.  Work for a company whose service or product you believe in, because if you are going to promote something, you want to agree with it. 

• What is the most difficult thing about working in public relations?

You have to speak positively about your company/product all the time. As a PR professional, you are being paid to represent the company well. But you also know what goes on behind-the-scenes that might not be so wonderful. You might disagree with the decisions that people in the company make. You might know of unethical business practices. But these are things that you have to keep to yourself all the time. You can’t talk about these things outside of the company. Obviously if the issues become major, it is probably a good idea to move on from that company. No company/product is perfect, obviously, so there will be frustrations. I don’t agree with every decision that LCS makes. There are some major faults. But when I’m talking about LCS to anyone on the outside, it’s only going to be positive. 

• What has been the most rewarding thing about working in PR?

The rewarding part comes with representing an organization and/or product that you feel strongly about. I think that Christian schooling is incredibly important, and I know that my daily work is promoting the LCS slogan of “Education in the Light of God’s Word.”  Another rewarding part is that in PR, things are always new and fresh. There’s very little about my job that is monotonous, and I never get bored. I get to work with students, with faculty and staff, with families, with alumni, with donors, with the media, etc.  New projects come up regularly. 

My questions may not seem philosophical, but they are honest questions that I thought someone new to the PR world would need to know. I hope they have helped!

For more information on Sandra Johnson check out:

http://sandraalycecs.wordpress.com

Dear, New Bloggers

I can remember the first time I stumbled upon tumblr. The clouds never opened up, but I found this exhilarating feeling of being vulnerable with those I have never even seen. Blogging opens up a window of opportunity to actually say what you mean. You’re not worried about people’s perception because for all you know they are strangers. They slowly become the audience that hears your voice.

However, starting a blog can be a difficult process. I am hoping that through these helpful “tips” you will be on your way to thought sharing, and expression.

Step 1. : Find a blogging site that appeals to you. There are so many different blogging cites that you can plug in at. Tumblr is my personal favorite because of its accessibility. However, this may not be yours so find one that you can get connected with.

Step 2.:  Know the audience you are communicating to. I know I said before that you usually do not know those whom read your blog, but there is a way to get a rough idea of what crowd you are attracting.

Step 3.: Put some time into the look of your blog. I will be honest there are blogs I do not really pay too much attention to because there is nothing that “draws me in”. Find a layout or make one that shows your style but also is appealing to the audience you are communicating to.

Step 4.: Be consistent. It is important to update your blog often. The consistency comes from updating regularly and giving people new things to read. Your blog is not strictly for other people, but if you are looking at reaching a wider audience they would like to probably see new things regularly.

Step 5.: Watch what you post. Now, it is important to voice what you are feeling, but the internet can be a dangerous place. I am not strictly talking about not putting personal information on there. What I am referring to is public bashing. If you have just finished an argument with someone, stay away from a computer.

Step 6.: Interact with your followers. Most of the people that read your blog will want to message you or comment. Be friendly and comment back. If they ask you appropriate questions, answer them. This makes them feel valued and in turn helps them to identify with your blog even more.

Step 7.: Be authentic with your posts. Influence is one thing, but completely hijacking others thoughts is not advisable. Be you, realness is what society is asking for. Sure you may not be the most articulate, but you are the most you than anyone else. People want to hear your voice, so give it to them.

Step 8.: Share your blog on different social network cites. I think there is a way to over advertise your thoughts but most blogs will update your other status’ each time you post something new. Not everyone uses a blog and they possibly would like to read yours, doing this can get them connected with your blog.

Step 9.: Put in effort. Starting a blog is not the difficult part, continuing it however is a completely different story. Writers block and a lack of time can be the death of blogs. Don’t allow yourself to get to this point. Be consistent.

Step 10.: Have fun with it. This may not seem like a good tip, but blogging is not just work. It can open doors for careers yes, but at its core it is about sharing. Sharing is the doorway to vulnerability, if you take it too seriously you may forget why you even do it. Post something goofy and allow yourself to be real.

Now, I am not a blogging expert but I hope these tips help you on this journey into the world of expression. You have been given a voice, now use it.

Here is the address to my tumblr cite.

http://inhalelifeandexhalelove.tumblr.com/