I’ve been busy since the end of 2009 on helping a new non-profit get roots under its feet. The organization is called SEEED, for Socially Equally Energy Efficient Development. The young adults (the 20 somethings in our group) like to use the slogan "Plant One". It really sums up the spirit of our organization.

Now, six months later, we are still struggling to find start-up money. I’ve gotten a few grants and our Executive Director, Stan Johnson, has found more, but it is still not enough. So we rely on the volunteer services of an amazing group of people, young, old, black, and white. We all see the same vision. That a program to provide green job training by weatherizing homes in the inner city can transform our community. The violence, drug trafficking, and poverty that is tearing apart Knoxville will give way to a community in the heart of our city that has hope for a better future for its young people. It can happen.

We still need help renovating our community center and money to pay for staff. We know we need people who can dedicate full-time to this or it will fail. Most of our young adult volunteers are jobless and we would love to be able to pay them. They would learn leadership skills and develop a great resume. It can happen.