Graduation!
March 29, 2012 | 
Author 
Graduations are an exciting time!
As I think back on my own Grade 6 experience, I have to say that I really loved school. I had supportive parents, great friends and wonderful teachers, which made my learning experience a positive one and also a huge catalyst for me later becoming a teacher.
My transition from Sixth Grade to Seventh Grade was smooth. I just had to move from one campus of the school to another.
Going to school, for me, was a relaxed and happy time.
But, let’s take a moment to consider what some of our ZOE children have accomplished in their short lives to even reach this point of graduation. For many it has been a struggle. Not just on an academic level but in ways that we can only imagine. The resilience of these children, their persistence, their courage and their strength challenges me in my own life.
These children are truly inspiring!
One of our volunteers, Denise Tang, gave a wonderfully encouraging speech at graduation that left me feeling motivated and ready to go on and do great things!
I want to share part of it with you:
You were challenged to learn academically…and you did!
You were challenged to grow in leadership skills…and you did!
You were challenged to learn to work with people different than yourselves…and you did!
We are all so proud of you! Most importantly, God is so proud of you! He is so proud of you because you have persevered. You didn’t give up when it got tough in school. And because you persevered, you are sitting here ready to graduate.
As you move on from here, I encourage you to take all you have gained and discovered here and to build upon it. The road ahead will not always be easy, but the beauty is, God is there.
Deuteronomy 31:8 “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you…”
What a wonderful promise!
These ZOE graduates each had a dream to complete elementary school… But we know a dream alone is not enough. Despite what happened in their past, they had to do the hard work required. They had to set goals, focus and study to make the impossible, possible.
To the wonderful ZOE parents who stood right by these children, who believed in them throughout the ups and the downs, who helped them with their homework and supported their dreams when it all seemed too hard: you truly are amazing!
These special parents are testament to a life given and sacrificed to see someone else overcome great odds and reach their goal.
Having the privilege to witness the achievements of these children is a great gift that I will long cherish.
On behalf of the whole ZOE family, we say “Congratulations Grade 6 Class of 2012!” We are all so proud of you.
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Volunteers at ZOE are a Blessing!
From time to time, we would like to spotlight a volunteer that assists us with various tasks and projects in the ZOE USA office. All of our volunteers have such an amazing heart to serve. They find out about ZOE from various avenues whether it be through a friend, school, conferences and seminars that we attend or just through the internet! Many have a heart to combat human trafficking and want to somehow get involved. We are so blessed with the amazing people that God has sent our way and we are extremely excited to be able to introduce them to you. Thank you all ZOE Volunteers!
Name: Roshan
How did you find out about ZOE?
A friend of mine told me about ZOE
What made you want to volunteer?
About three years ago, I learned what an epidemic human trafficking is to the world and I wanted to help. After I graduated, I wanted to help the world instead of diving into corporate America and I thought that starting with ZOE would be a great way to make it happen.
How long have you volunteered at ZOE?
I’ve been volunteering since January 2012
What type of tasks do you do at ZOE?
Mainly IT related tasks
Tell us about your overall experience in the office?
I love coming into the office and volunteering. The people here are so friendly and easy to get along with. The responsibilites that I am given have clearly organized direction and they are easy to do! I know that the work I do has an impact on someone else’s life.
Have you learned anything new while volunteering?
I learned that there are countless people that are in slavery of one form or another all around the world and I can do something to help them!
THANK YOU ROSHAN FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK HERE AT ZOE! WE APPRECIATE YOU!
Missionary’s Mom on a Walking Mission
You may remember ZOE volunteer Joe Chongsiriwatana. His son, Noah, featured on this blog back in December’s post: The Most Awesome Toy Ever Made.
Noah’s kindness, creativity and generosity touched not just the hearts of the ZOE children, but many others who heard about his Lego initiative and felt inspired that they could also make a difference, no matter their age.
Well now just months later, Joe’s mom is making headlines for her enthusiasm and commitment to being a Team Captain in the upcoming ZOE Rescue Walk.
While other 64 year olds might be feeling like life should be slowing down, this super-energized grandmother is reminding us all that we are only as old as we feel.
To recap:
- The ZOE Rescue Walk will provide several ways to help raise awareness and funds to support ZOE Children’s Homes.
- All of the funds raised during the ZOE Rescue Walk will help ZOE continue on its mission of rescuing children in need.
- The ZOE Rescue Walk, gives Southern Californians the opportunity to provide support to children who are suffering, not from a physical disease, but from a societal affliction: human trafficking.
- The walk will take place on November 10th, 2012, between 9 a.m. and noon at Newhall Park in Santa Clarita, California.
- Interested participants can register as walkers, team captains, team members, or simply support someone who is walking. Registration is $20 for adults and $15 for kids. Signing up as a team captain allows participants to set a fundraising goal and invite their friends and family to become part of their team.
- In addition, ZOE is inviting businesses to become corporate sponsors of the event, which will include a silent auction, a kids’ walk and an awards ceremony.
- Visit http://www.zoerescuewalk.com to learn how you can participate.
- And remember:
“Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.” (author unknown)
Integrity and Honor: A Key for the New Boys Home!
As Americans continue to face challenging economic circumstances, stories of corporate greed and injustice seem to dominate the media. This, however, is not one of those stories. This is the story of corporate generosity and social responsibility, wherein two successful business partners team with their employees to extend much needed help to children.
Current ZOE Children's Home on the right. New boys home will be on the same property to the left.
Ron Regenstreif and Michael Goldstone, co-owners of Regency Lighting, a nationwide business based in Chatsworth, CA, built their business on ideas of integrity and honoring relationships. Their steadfast commitment to these ideas has garnered them success, as they now operate 78 locations nationwide. In conjunction with “honoring relationships,” Regenstreif and Goldstone believe that business owners hold a social responsibility to those less fortunate, and they contribute a sizeable portion of their annual profits to those in need. Regenstreif was searching for their next philanthropic endeavor when Vickie McCoy, Regenstreif’s and Goldstone’s long-time employee, returned from a trip to ZOE Children’s Homes in Thailand and reported ZOE’s need for additional housing for rescued boys. Without hesitation, Regency Lighting committed to funding the project.
ZOE Children’s Homes is a Santa Clarita, CA based non-profit organization that cares for orphans and rescues children from human trafficking. Currently, ZOE’s work is focused in Thailand, a region where human trafficking crimes are prevalent. Once children are under ZOE’s care, ZOE remains responsible for them through adulthood by providing a safe and loving home community. Currently, boys and girls are housed on separate levels of the same building at ZOE. However, because there has recently been an increase in the number of boys being rescued, the ZOE staff believes building a separate, 9,000 square-foot home for the boys would not only ensure the healthiest possible living environment for everyone, but it would also provide more space for ZOE to rescue more children. Upon hearing of this need, Regency’s executive team authorized McCoy to commit Regency Lighting to funding the $250,000 project and to extend the effort to Regency Lighting employees as well.
McCoy and committee have since organized fundraisers, whereby Regency Lighting provides supplies and their staff makes donations for events such as Root Beer Float Fridays. McCoy’s next project allows staff and other ZOE supporters to fund the facility by donating $27 per square-foot. If you’d like to join Regency Lighting by purchasing a square foot of the boys’ home or by becoming a ZOE supporter, visit www.zoechildren.org.
THANK YOU REGENCY LIGHTING!
First Ever ZOE Rescue Walk Coming Soon!
This year, there will be several charitable walks across Southern California dedicated to raising funds and supporting those suffering from diseases. For victims of cancer, multiple sclerosis and AIDS, these walks provide not only much needed financial help, but they also raise awareness and create a sense of community support. This November, Southern Californians will have the opportunity to provide support to children who are suffering, not from a physical disease, but from a societal affliction: human trafficking. The ZOE Rescue Walk will provide several ways to help raise awareness and funds to support ZOE Children’s Homes as they combat this human atrocity. All of the funds raised during the ZOE Rescue Walk will help ZOE continue on their mission of rescuing children in need.
The ZOE Rescue Walk, which will take place on Nov. 10, 2012, between 9 a.m. and noon in Newhall Park, offers several ways to join in the fight against human trafficking. Interested participants can register as walkers, team captains, team members, or simply support someone who is walking. Registration is $20 for adults and $15 for kids. Signing up as a team captain allows participants to set a fundraising goal and invite their friends and family members to become part of their team. In addition, ZOE is inviting businesses to become corporate sponsors for the event, which will include a silent auction, a kids’ walk and an awards ceremony. ZOE is also accepting donated silent auction items. Visit http://www.zoerescuewalk.com.com to learn how you can participate in any of these ways.
