@CWPFairfield Is Proud To Host @DanielTrustFDN @FairfieldU In Support of Youth Advocacy and Academics

This is a tale of Ubuntu at its best. It is about friendships, professional networking, storytelling, action, teaching, and investing in tomorrow's leaders. It is a story of relocation, finding one's voice, and looking inward to find ways for changing the world to be a better place.

This is a story of Daniel Trust. But it's also a story of Kathy Silver who taught Daniel Trust. And it's a story of Kathy Silver working with me.  When she learned of my research, volunteer work with refugee communities, and passion for promoting youth from all communities, she said, "I need to introduce you to Daniel Trust."

She did, and the rest is history.

Last spring, I nominated then senior Anmol Tabassum of Bassick High School to be a recipient of a Daniel Trust Foundation scholarship for her passionate community work, involvement in the dual enrollment program at Fairfield University, and desire to dedicate her life to innovation and outside-the-box project design. Daniel Trust saw her potential and invested in her, too....she's now a successful sophomore at Fairfield and making a tremendous difference with every step she takes.

I've hosted Daniel Trust to speak to our campus in March of 2013 and last summer asked him to speak with teachers about his scholarships and investments in young people. Today, Daniel Trust will be returning once again to speak with this summers participants in the Invitational Summer Institute. He is driven. He is focused. And his story is one of a kind. Most importantly, however, he inspires and I'm thrilled to have him return in 2015 to share his mission with teachers once again.

It is also awesome to view the update of last year's scholarship winners in this 10-minute celebration of awardees. I'm thankful for the ways we make each other more human through our partnerships and collaborations. These young women are a testimony to the willingness of teachers to advocate on behalf of their students (and for students to advocate for themselves). The world is a better place because individuals like Daniel Trust have wings to nurture the souls of many.