Shop by Topic
Shop by Product
ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues
<< Previous Issue
| View Past Issues | | Next Issue >> 
The Power of Stories
May 20, 2010
When you succeed, don’t forget the responsibility of making somebody else succeed with you.
-Antonia Novello, Pediatrician and first Hispanic US Surgeon General
-Antonia Novello, Pediatrician and first Hispanic US Surgeon General
"I was raised in the Colorado State Children's Home in Denver.... I remember the orphanage had this practice where they would allow potential parents to check you out like a library book: they could borrow you for a couple of weeks, take you home, and see if you were fit for their family. A couple of times I remember riding in the car, leaving the orphanage with potential parents, and them just trying to make me happy and make me laugh, and me sitting in the front in these little booster seats cars had back then in the '50s. But I never remember being at their homes. What I do remember is getting returned to the orphanage, riding in the backseat of the car with no one talking to me. So I sensed right then and there that for some reason or another they didn't like me. I couldn't put it into words; I just felt it. I can distinctly remember riding up to the orphanage, which had an oval road in the front, and always feeling like I was back home. When I got out of the car, I can remember a couple of times running into the orphanage saying to myself, 'I never want to leave this place again!' And I think that was a lesson that carried me in law enforcement and as mayor — that I believe you should accept everybody for who they are and reject nobody."
Jim Greenman's book, Places for Childhoods: Making Quality Happen in the Real World demonstrates how centers can face real-world challenges and make quality care a reality. Special selections authored by recognized child care experts enhance this collection of updated articles written by Jim Greenman for Exchange magazine. Readers will be empowered by new ideas on how to make child care programs work for children, families, and staff.ExchangeEveryDay
Delivered five days a week containing news, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.
What is ExchangeEveryDay?
ExchangeEveryDay is the official electronic newsletter for Exchange Press. It is delivered five days a week containing news stories, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.
A Special Offer from CCEI!
PlayDesigns® Early Childhood Play Equipment
Developmentally appropriate fun for ages 5 and under. Flexible designs let you create maximum play value for any space and budget!
Comments (1)
Displaying 1 CommentDenver, CO, United States
Ray Martinez' more complete story is included in a recent publication of Story Corps, "Mom" edited by David Isay. Story Corps' mission is to preserve stories. If you have not heard them on NPR (Friday mornings) you are missing out. Check out their website for stories and more info. www.storycorps.org (I think.)
Ray Martinez was at the book signing of "Mom" that I attended here in Denver. I will never forget the first time I felt that image of checking children out of an orphanage being like checking out books from a library. Thank goodness there came a time in his life where he was not returned. He fortunately landed in a loving home. His, like all of ours, story is still evolving in interesting ways.
Post a Comment