The following is the first posting in a series of blogs by Stewart Center staffers, volunteers, partners, and community members. Katie and Dakota live at the Center and are interning for the spring semester. Our names are Katie and Dakota, and we have been at the Stewart Center for just over two months. Though we
Recently the Davis family made our first trip to Disney World with the boys. Ty (6) and Jackson (3) enjoyed every moment of the adventure. Peter Pan, Buzz Lightyear, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Goofy’s Barnstormer were some of their favorite attractions. I had not been to Disney in over 20 years and seeing my
I frequently speak with people about the Stewart Center, and on occasion, the topic of poverty arises. Of all the reasons for poverty, my experiences tell me that a large percentage of the people I encounter believe that poor choices/habits are a major factor influencing the life condition of individuals on the bottom of society.
As a young person I spent numerous weeks in Charleston S.C. and the surrounding beaches. For many years it was a Davis family ritual to retreat to the coastal city and its beaches for vacation. Recently I participated in the Stewart Center’s annual end-of-school year youth trip. This year’s trip (Washington D.C. 2011, New York
There are a thousand things that I need to be doing instead of writing a blog post, but I must write while the wound is fresh. I fear that time will scab over the cut with “perspective” and leave only a small scar that becomes a vague reminder of a past injury and eventually fades
Recently, I was invited by Park Avenue Baptist Church to give a reflection on the meaning of reconciliation and/or restoration during morning worship. At the time of the offer I eagerly agreed. They gave me the opportunity because of my association with the Stewart Center and my presumed knowledge of the subject matter. I, like
For many people this time of year brings frenzied holiday schedules, road trips to see relatives, and swollen credit card bills. It may also bring unwanted house guests, awkward company parties, and anxiety or depression. Year after year I fall prey to some of these seasonal trappings, but honest reflection reveals that I prefer the
A friend sent me a quote some months back that characterized leadership as being restless for change, impatient for progress and deeply dissatisfied with the status quo. While I might not be characterized as a visionary leader that brings out the best in those I lead, I am most certainly impatient. I could write textbooks
Five months ago our family moved from Tucker, a suburb of Atlanta, to a house two miles from the Stewart Center. Our new proximity to the Center and our oldest son’s entrance into kindergarten have linked my personal and professional lives and given urgency to my work as director of the Stewart Center. Our new
Each May the Stewart Center facilitates an educational travel experience with participants from our middle school program. In order to secure a spot in the traveling party students must meet certain academic, conduct, attendance and service project requirements. Of the nine members in our middle school group six qualified for this year’s trip to New