Sunday, April 27, 2008
Greetings,
The 21st Annual Spring Sacred Path Men’s Retreat combined with the 8th Annual Call to Adventure Retreat for fathers and sons, boys and mentors was quite fulfilling. We had a number of young men from age 12 upward with us. Some attended with their fathers and others participated with their mentors. Three came from Pacific Lodge Boys Home and 5 came from C.U.R.E. (Common Unity Reaching Everyone) with their mentor, Cameron Bonner. This was the third year in a row that we have been able to provide scholarships for young men from South Central Los Angeles and we’re pleased to be able to create a relationship with Pacific Lodge. It’s auspicious for me since my father was a major fund-raiser for Pacific Lodge during the 60’s and 70’s. In fact, their practice field is named after my father. One of the counselors presented me with a picture of the plaque that reads, “Johnson Field.”
The weather throughout the 4 days was outstanding and did not present any additional challenges like the 120-mile winds that were experienced during the fall retreat. I wish to acknowledge Philip Folsom and his team from Fulcrum Adventures who manned the ropes course. They were well prepared to lead us through the low elements team building trust exercises and the 5 high elements. One of their men, Ryan, facilitated an impromptu Kung Fu staff session following the ropes course and one of the C.U.R.E. young men, Artwan, picked up the most challenging routine as though he had been practicing for years. Andrew Soliz poured water for us once again during 3 sweat lodges. Justin Atanasio conducted drum-making workshops and the men of the Sacred Path Wisdom Council served as Tribe Leaders and facilitated break out sessions offering a variety of programs. We had 48 in attendance, including staff. Though the enrollments were down some, perhaps as a result of the tight economy and individual’s concerns regarding where their dollars are spent these day, the quality of the participants was stellar.
Special thanks are offered once again to Ken Valach for his generous contribution of $10,000 last year to our Walter Atkinson Memorial Scholarship Program that funds our youth oriented programs. I also wish to express gratitude to Phillip Jennings, Alan Hinds, Charlie Lagola and Tom Couper for their donations to our scholarship fund this year. As a result of the selfless giving of these men we were able to provide over $6,500 in scholarships for this past retreat. We welcome the gifts that are lovingly offered by our supporters. If you’d like to make a donation please let us know and we’ll provide a letter of acknowledgement that may be referenced in reporting your tax-deductible gift.
USC coach Pete Carroll has visited Helen Keller Park on two separate occasions and is aware of our support of C.U.R.E. and wants to assist our combined efforts to make a positive difference in the lives of these young men. It appears that I’ll be meeting with him one day soon and of course I’m looking forward to that with tremendous enthusiasm.
Coach Carroll is one of the men I hold in high regard not only for what he has done for the SC football program including his mentorship mentality in the way he shepherds the players but also for his dedication to making an impact in the extended community surrounding the campus. You might have seen the article that Kurt Streeter wrote about Pete for the sports section of the LA Times (“Carroll is a life force at street level”, Sunday, April 20, 2008).
Please note that the dates of the fall Sacred Path Men’s Retreat are Thursday, October 23 thru Sunday, October 26, 2008. I had announced at the retreat that I thought the dates were set for the 16th thru the 19th but when I checked with John Bard he confirmed that we’re in on the 4th weekend. Please mark your calendars now.
One of our Wisdom Council men, Jay Berger, contacted me several weeks ago regarding his vision that the Men’s Center would offer support to returning veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of them are experiencing serious reentry challenges as well as the post-traumatic symptoms incurred from their experiences on the front lines. Their relationships are suffering and their family members are under severe duress. We have been in contact with Dr. Judith Broder who founded The Soldier’s Project to create a relationship and to offer our services. It’s our desire to have a number of vets at the October retreat and to provide additional support through our counseling program and workshops. We wish to expand the funds in the Conrad Burke Memorial Scholarship Fund to provide the financial viability for these men to take advantage of our resources. If you wish to give, you may designate where you specifically wish your donation to be utilized.
On Saturday, May 17th I will facilitate the 3rd in a series of Practicums on Mindfulness. This next event will focus on the practice of Stillness. We will again convene from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm at Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino. We’ll spend quiet time by the lake, experience a walking form of meditation, perform conscious breathing sessions, partake in a tasty lunch and sit in council as we explore how the Mindfulness practices are bringing more balance, peaceful serenity and lightness of being into our busy lives.
The enrollment is still open and there are some slots available as of this date. I hope you’ll consider joining us for the day. Further information and a registration form are provided in this newsletter.
Wishing you days filled with blessings and opportunities for gratitude. Thank you for investing the time to peruse this newsletter.
In the spirit of brotherhood,
Stephen
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
A Letter from Cameron Bonner
Dear Friends and Supporters,
I write this e-mail with sadness due to the passing of my aunt and also Gary's younger brother. As we mourn as a family, I still must stay focused. I was torn with going to the men's retreat last week because I was supposed to be at the funeral Friday. Gary made me keep our commitment to the men's center, so I took 5 young boys up to Malibu for a retreat that has made a difference in so many peoples’ lives.
I must thank Dr. Stephen Johnson and the brothers from the Sacred Path retreat for again blessing my community by paying the entire fee needed to allow 6 people to attend the retreat.
For the third year going I was able to share such a special event with some needy children. When I selected the kids I let each parent know how serious this event is. I made no promises, but deep in my heart I knew if we just got them there we would be able to plant hope in them.
Well, I'm happy to announce that this retreat was a success.
I saw 4 out of 5 boys make a change. I saw hardened youths learn to trust. I saw angry kids accept love from men of different races.
It wasn't all roses the entire weekend. In fact, we had a serious blow-up before Andrew's sweat lodge, after Strong Bear and Andrew and the council convinced me to do the sweat. During the second stage of the sweat it hit me.
I started feeling joy.
What became clear to me was that these kids weren't mad at me. These kids were angry at what I represent. I'm what has hurt them the most. I'm a Black male who like their fathers, or even the men who dated their mothers, leave them. Almost every black man they love leaves them, so what makes me different?
They did all they could to run me away so I would prove them right, but no, I'm not going anywhere. It became so clear that the rest of the retreat was a joy because the boys became a team. The cabin was so peaceful at night I slept like a baby.
This breakthrough saved me from giving up. So for this I say thank you, brothers on the mountain, for hosting a powerful gathering. My pledge now is to find as many men who can join us next year. This program is a must. We must find solutions for our troubled sons. So on behalf of the C.U.R.E. family I wish to say thank you so much for giving us a chance to heal.
We plan to host a follow-up event on a latter date where the members of the retreat can join the kids and their families at Helen Keller park to celebrate our youths’ passage into manhood. Rites of Passage are important, and now our kids have a true image of what a Man looks and acts like.
Bless you all,
Cameron Bonner
P.S.
I was away Thursday and didn't get a chance to see the newspaper story done on us until Monday. The Watts Times did a story on C.U.R.E., and I wish to share it with you now. Please go to this link to see the entire story. Here's the link.
http://www.lawattstimes.com/articles/2008/04/10/community/community1.txt
Thank you Brooklyn Gipson for coming to see what is being done and sharing what you saw with your readers.
Here's a piece of the story:
“I’m not looking for the next Reggie Bush or the next Jordan. I’m looking for a Tom Bradley or an Yvonne Burke. We’re trying to teach these kids how to be leaders,” Robinson said as Roberto, a young Latino boy, runs up from across the field. Exasperated and out of breath, Roberto explains to Coach Robinson, “I was studying.” As is a common tactic for athletic coaches, Robinson punishes the boy for being late by assigning 10 push-ups. Upon completion Robinson calls out “Hard work!” to which the young boy responds “Pays off!” before running off to join the other children.
Thank You all for helping us do our works. Together we're making a difference in children's lives. Thank you for helping Gary's football dream team.
Thank you God for everything.
Much Love and Respect
Cameron Bonner VP of C.U.R.E.
I write this e-mail with sadness due to the passing of my aunt and also Gary's younger brother. As we mourn as a family, I still must stay focused. I was torn with going to the men's retreat last week because I was supposed to be at the funeral Friday. Gary made me keep our commitment to the men's center, so I took 5 young boys up to Malibu for a retreat that has made a difference in so many peoples’ lives.
I must thank Dr. Stephen Johnson and the brothers from the Sacred Path retreat for again blessing my community by paying the entire fee needed to allow 6 people to attend the retreat.
For the third year going I was able to share such a special event with some needy children. When I selected the kids I let each parent know how serious this event is. I made no promises, but deep in my heart I knew if we just got them there we would be able to plant hope in them.
Well, I'm happy to announce that this retreat was a success.
I saw 4 out of 5 boys make a change. I saw hardened youths learn to trust. I saw angry kids accept love from men of different races.
It wasn't all roses the entire weekend. In fact, we had a serious blow-up before Andrew's sweat lodge, after Strong Bear and Andrew and the council convinced me to do the sweat. During the second stage of the sweat it hit me.
I started feeling joy.
What became clear to me was that these kids weren't mad at me. These kids were angry at what I represent. I'm what has hurt them the most. I'm a Black male who like their fathers, or even the men who dated their mothers, leave them. Almost every black man they love leaves them, so what makes me different?
They did all they could to run me away so I would prove them right, but no, I'm not going anywhere. It became so clear that the rest of the retreat was a joy because the boys became a team. The cabin was so peaceful at night I slept like a baby.
This breakthrough saved me from giving up. So for this I say thank you, brothers on the mountain, for hosting a powerful gathering. My pledge now is to find as many men who can join us next year. This program is a must. We must find solutions for our troubled sons. So on behalf of the C.U.R.E. family I wish to say thank you so much for giving us a chance to heal.
We plan to host a follow-up event on a latter date where the members of the retreat can join the kids and their families at Helen Keller park to celebrate our youths’ passage into manhood. Rites of Passage are important, and now our kids have a true image of what a Man looks and acts like.
Bless you all,
Cameron Bonner
P.S.
I was away Thursday and didn't get a chance to see the newspaper story done on us until Monday. The Watts Times did a story on C.U.R.E., and I wish to share it with you now. Please go to this link to see the entire story. Here's the link.
http://www.lawattstimes.com/articles/2008/04/10/community/community1.txt
Thank you Brooklyn Gipson for coming to see what is being done and sharing what you saw with your readers.
Here's a piece of the story:
“I’m not looking for the next Reggie Bush or the next Jordan. I’m looking for a Tom Bradley or an Yvonne Burke. We’re trying to teach these kids how to be leaders,” Robinson said as Roberto, a young Latino boy, runs up from across the field. Exasperated and out of breath, Roberto explains to Coach Robinson, “I was studying.” As is a common tactic for athletic coaches, Robinson punishes the boy for being late by assigning 10 push-ups. Upon completion Robinson calls out “Hard work!” to which the young boy responds “Pays off!” before running off to join the other children.
Thank You all for helping us do our works. Together we're making a difference in children's lives. Thank you for helping Gary's football dream team.
Thank you God for everything.
Much Love and Respect
Cameron Bonner VP of C.U.R.E.
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