Inspired

At the end of the Maya Gold Foundation’s first board meeting, we did a closing activity in which each director shared both a heart and a head connection.  One board member shared, “since Maya’s death, I have…we all have wanted to do something.  I feel a sense now, that we will be doing something.”  I think that he was speaking for us all.  I left with such a full heart.  That is nothing new.  My heart has been so full since October 2^nd.  But the fullness now is one of hope.

The mission of the Maya Gold Foundation is to empower youth to access their inner wisdom and realize their dreams.

Each word was carefully selected.  Seriously.  I thought I’d share with you the creative process in which we came to our mission.  It was a product of one of our nine-hour car rides during the fall when we were visiting Adin.  The hundreds of words that started on my clipboard from the car ride rolled over to a session, into what we claimed as our “first board room” at a hotel which will remain undisclosed.  Mathew and I found an empty conference room with a screen.  Fortunately, Mathew travels with a laptop and a projector.  We actually had fun culling down these words to capture the essence of what the foundation in Maya’s name would achieve.  Since we worked on the mission, it has remained a dream.  After spending six hours with 11 wise, committed, loving people, my sense is that a reality will unfold.

One of our first steps will be to hear from teens themselves.  After all, this is really the first step of empowerment, isn’t it?  Hearing a voice and responding; plans are underway for young adults to conduct focus groups for the teens.  Other ideas emerged including art projects with a social message, music too, service opportunities and offering healthy physical outlets.  We’re aware that there is “no one size fits all model”.  Presentations and workshops for adults, partnerships with organizations that are doing great work are all on our agenda.  We’ve already made some connections with NGO’s that serve children in Nepal.  This is all occurring as an amazing team of volunteers are preparing a spring fundraising concert.  Another one is in the works for the fall.  Inspired is the word.

The Maya Gold Foundation Board of Directors, February 7, 2016

Two photos from a snow shoe hike on the Undercliff Trail, February 8, 2014