Before founding SPAN the GaP, or at least as far as I can remember, I have never not  had the option of failing.  If I failed at a task or venture, so be it!  I would cleverly find a way to mask my embarrassment, guilt and self doubt and I would continue along my merry (or not so merry way). Now as I struggle with the difficulties of a new business start-up during trying economic times, I will admit that I am fearful. 

I am fearful because I believe in the mission that Cindy and I have developed.  That mission is to provide individualized services for at-risk children and families targeting needs relating to education, behavior and respectful self-advocacy. So many of our children are at a disadvantage due to a lack of exposure and experience and we believe we can span that gap and provide the support necessary to foster hope and inspire learning. The question being raised before me daily is "Will SPAN the GaP survive?" and "Should I consider just doing something else?

Believe me, I'm thinking and praying about those questions every day......

Perhaps Ruby's taxi service? 

Yesterday as I drove home, I passed a young women with a preschooler at the bus stop, near the new City Center in Manassas Park.  It was cool, about 50 degrees and lightly raining. Neither mother nor son wore more than a light jacket.  This was Wednesday and already since Monday I had picked up about 4 or 5 impromptu passengers and dropped them at school, but this was different.  This was a mom and a child, waiting for a bus in the rain. 

I began a monologue in my head "Should I go back? I called Bub and said I would be home in 15 minutes.  I break too many promises these days....... no, I can't leave them there. Bub will understand." At this point I made a legal u-turn and went back to offer them a ride.  Fortunately, I didn't scare them when I pulled up and they graciously accepted my offer. When I asked where they needed to go she responded "home, near the Manassas Museum." I called Bub and fortunately he was fine with watching Pokémon for another 15 minutes rather than starting homework, who would have guessed?!

As you all know, being silent isn't something I do well so why even try! I exchanged introductions with my passengers and then continued with small talk. Note: This conversation was carried on in Spanish.

"Does your son attend Early Headstart?"

His mother, Kristina, answered by saying that she wasn't familiar with any programs for kids. 

WHOA, stop the train! (Or is this case Ruby's Taxi!) Not familiar with any programs even though her apartment building is literally across the street from the City of Manassas Schools Main Office!

Now, let me step back. I am not accusing the City of Manassas Schools for any wrongdoing. Dr. Pope is a strong and committed advocate for children. The point I am trying to make is that the children and families that need our help aren't off in the far reaches of a neighborhood or in a basement, they are right under our noses!  Not only in small apartments, housing projects or shelters, but in our homes and neighborhoods as well. How many children and families, in need of a hand up, would be found if we (all of "we") stepped out of our comfort zones and really looked?

What can we do?

First, please keep SPAN the GaP in your prayers that it may serve as a positive resource for children and families in need.  Second, please consider whether your employer or business could be part of a solution for some of these kids and families.  Cindy and I believe that our agency serves a need and with that knowledge as our inspiration, have developed an outline for two new programs. 

The first is designed to support, teach and empower parents of at-risk preschoolers. Weekly sessions with children and their parent(s) provide a topic oriented presentation, activities, discussion, interactive group play, and snack.  The second provides homework assistance and tutoring for at-risk middle and high school students while also providing a safe location for otherwise unsupervised after school hours. Two-hour sessions are offered where students have access to experienced instructors, school supplies, computers and snacks. These programs will be provided at no cost to the community.

Thank you!

Many thanks for your time and for considering whether you may know of an individual, business or organization, willing to become a part of our solution-seeking team. Details regarding Program Sponsorship can be found at http://www.span-the-gap.org/new_programs

Although the weather is dreary, we wish you a heart filled with warmth. Ruby and Cindy 

P.S. If you would like to monitor the progress of SPAN the GaP, please sign up for automatic BLOG updates. 

According to the master of purple dinosaurs, Barney himself, they are "please and thank you." I have news for Mr. Barney though; he did not coin this phrase! No sir! This phrase was predated by the infamous, "Now, what do we say?" And who developed both of these world famous phrases which entice an almost instant reaction from all who are on the receiving end???

A mom, of course!  Which mom you may ask? The universal mom! My mom, your mom, everyone's mom! So in honor of all the moms and dads who still use the phrase today, I would like to offer SPAN the GaP's heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your generous support, donations, service and referrals. Without each of you, there would be no opportunity to offer HOPE. 

The goal is to periodically update this list, if we falter, please forgive us!

All of our love and appreciation, Ruby and Cindy

Mary & Jason W.    Norma & Edgar T.     Gisela & Ken S.    

Misty K.      Taylor C.    Carol & John H.      Shelly Y.  

Shirley H.   Susan & Charlie C.      Marie K.      Meg P.         

Maureen H.       Audrey B.       Malia H.     Pam T. 

Meghan H.    Margaret & Bill P.   Sheri C.   Barbara R.

On The Mark, Inc.  www.onthemark.com

Deem Printing   mike@deemprinting.com

ZETA Associates, Inc.        Steve H.    Stephanie N.   

Virginia G.      Mario S.      Natalie M.        Becky & Steve S.

PWC Parent Resource Center   Children's Hospital-Fairfax

The tunnel of which I speak was built in the imagination of a 13 year old boy during a basic screening of vocabulary skills, one Saturday afternoon at the public library.  To give you a little background, this young person has been raised by his monolingual Spanish speaking father since the age of 7.  It was at 7 that his parents divorced.  Since his start in school at 4 years old, through his now 7th grade year, he has attended 8 different schools.  Four of these in Maryland and 4 in Virginia.  One on one, he is pleasant and conversational although to the perceptive observer, language differences are apparent and serious. 

As a child identified with a disability and served under IDEA, he did and continues to have the right to a fair and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. The difficulty is that with so many moves between schools over the years, keeping track of services, appropriate goals and objectives and monitoring progress toward these goals has been a challenge. It could be easy for a young man such as this to fall into the cracks or to get lost in a tunnel spanning between frustration and hopelessness.

A question posed to him that day was "Can you make a road trip from New York to London?" The answer came quickly and "confidently." "Yes! If I had a car!"  The screener continued without reaction but was drawn back to the question later, out of curiosity more than anything else.  Again the question was posed but this time a map was provided.  It was obvious that he didn't know where to start to look for either New York or London so he was pointed in the right direction and asked the question again.  Again, the answer came, "Yes!" "How?" was the one word response by the screener.  For the next few minutes laughs were shared over attempts to find a way to make this road trip.  He quickly concluded that a trip via the northern most parts of the world would be far too cold, not to mention the lack of roads and connecting landmass, and a bridge was obviously out of the question because it would have to be "way too long."  He then triumphantly stated, "a tunnel!" After all, he had been in a tunnel in Baltimore, so why not?

As the screener considered his reasoning, she began to see his logic.  Flawed only by the limits of engineering and construction theory, but completely possible given his limited exposure and experience to the world around him.

As children and adults are judged and misjudged in the community and at school, it is vital to consider their exposure and experience within their environment.  From their homes to the world that they occupy, their understanding cannot be assumed to be equal to our own.  So with that we are all challenged to believe in the tunnel from New York to London, to believe in possibility and to strive to destroy the tunnel spanning between frustration and hopelessness.

Good luck this new school year and strive to change a life!  ruby

Originally: 06/24/2009, Revised: Sunday, May 10, 2009, Re-revised, August 16, 2009