Presentation of
The MENTOR Network’s
October 28, 2015
Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate Boston, Massachusetts
Evening Program 6:30 PM Dinner Reception 8:00 PM Ripple of Hope Awards Ceremony Opening Remarks & Introduction of 2015 Ripple of Hope Award Winners Bruce Nardella President and Chief Executive Officer
Presentation of Awards Kathleen Federico Chief Human Resources Officer
Jim Ashby President and Chief Executive Officer, CareMeridian
Jeffrey Cohen Chief Information Officer
Dwight Robson Chief Public Strategy and Marketing Officer
Gerry Morrissey Chief Quality Officer
Bob Melia Chief Developement Officer
Denis Holler Chief Financial Officer
Bill Duffy President, NeuroRestorative
Dave Petersen President, Redwood Operating Group
Presentation of Network Nightingale Ned Murphy Executive Chairman
9:30 PM Dessert Reception The MENTOR Network | 1
Network Nightingale Many thanks to The MENTOR Network’s 2015 Network Nightingale, Dante Evans, for honoring our Ripple of Hope Award winners with a song. A poetic writer and performer, Dante joined the Massachusetts MENTOR treatment foster care program in Taunton three years ago at the age of 15. Music has become a great outlet for Dante to express his thoughts and emotions. He moved to Taunton this past year and has been very active singing with his local church group. Dante also plays the piano, drums and bongos. He currently works at a coffee shop and is enrolled to take college courses this spring. Dante plans to continue to write music, perform and record with his church group while attending school. We thank Dante for sharing his gift of music with us tonight. His talent, passion and perseverance in the face of adversity are an inspiration to us all.
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R ipple of Hope Awards The MENTOR Network’s Ripple of Hope Awards were created in 2005 to recognize employees, Mentors and other independent contractors whose compassion, energy and skill create ripples of hope in the lives of others. Recognizing that the mission of The MENTOR Network could not be fulfilled without partnerships, 2013 marked the first time that The MENTOR Network has honored an external party with a Ripple of Hope Award. The award’s name echoes words spoken by the late United States Senator Robert F. Kennedy in his 1966 address at the University of Cape Town in South Africa during the height of Apartheid. Award winners are nominated by their peers and selected by The MENTOR Network in recognition of their unwavering commitment to make a positive difference in the lives of others, whether in an office, program or community setting. Recipients of our 11th annual Ripple of Hope Awards are heroes among us. Their legacies of caring extend beyond themselves to touch the lives of many.
2015 R ipple of Hope Award Recipients Patricia Zubrowski Toni Bethke Deloris Johnson Carolyn & Larry Walsh James Brett Kristy DeVan Brandon Mason Angela Sommer Grace Menor
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PATRICIA ZUBROWSKI Direct Support Professional REM Ohio
Community outings are a regular event for many of the individuals direct support professional (DSP) Patricia (Pat) Zubrowski supports at REM Ohio’s Serenity Cove day program. They enjoy craft days at a local store, volunteer through multiple organizations, go to the market and have even appeared on a local radio station to recite the pledge of allegiance. “Pat is not only a staff member at REM Ohio, she is an advocate for the individuals who attend our programs,” said Sarah Goss, administrative assistant at REM Ohio and one of Patricia’s nominators. “Pat sees what people need and how they are affected by their environment and adjusts the activities, sounds, sights, to allow each person to be more comfortable. She will do whatever it takes to make them feel accepted and comfortable out in the community.” Being out in the community isn’t always an easy task with the individuals in her group, but Pat takes into consideration all the different supports needed by each member to make it a positive experience. Together, they volunteer at a “Giving Garden” in Cincinnati, weeding and picking vegetables that are then donated to a local food pantry. Through another organization, they create care packages and bag groceries for children in need and homeless shelters. “The individuals can’t wait to go—they just love it,” said Shelley Gillum, program director at REM Ohio. “Many of the individuals she serves are nonverbal, they are harder to reach. She connects with them and she’s always coming up with great new ideas.” Pat makes it a point to connect one-on-one with each individual she supports every day. She knows by sounds and movements what each person wants, what they enjoy and when. “I like the challenge,” said Pat. “It’s so rewarding to see an individual we support accomplish something new or make an improvement in a type of behavior.” Pat began her career in direct care as a certified activities director in the 1970s. After taking a break from work to raise a family, she returned to direct care work a little over six years ago. “I always tell people I am doing the job God created for me,” said Pat. “I just love it.”
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TONI BETHKE
Administrative Assistant & Clinical Programs Student Coordinator CareMeridian, California
Toni Bethke is one of the first people patients and their families meet at CareMeridian in the Santiago Canyon community of Silverado, California. She takes them on a tour and once they are admitted she guides them through the admission process. No one could be a better fit to be the face of CareMeridian, according to her colleagues. “When I think customer service, Toni Bethke comes to mind,” said Rita Pathmanaban, vice president of clinical services and one of Toni’s nominators. “She goes out of her way to assist others, whether it is a colleague, a patient, a patient’s family member, a visitor to the facility, or anyone in the community. Her conduct as a representative of CareMeridian sets the standard for all of us.” In addition to welcoming individuals to CareMeridian and managing the day-to-day administrative tasks at the Santiago location for the past eight years, Toni makes sure that new processes are understood and creates educational materials to meet diverse needs. Her reputation as a skilled communicator and talent for successfully implementing new processes has led her to assist other CareMeridian facilities as well. “From the first day I met her, Toni has had me in awe of everything she does,” said Hanna van der Walt, clinical programs liaison at CareMeridian and one of Toni’s nominators. “Toni ignites a spark of hope in everyone that interacts with her and she leads by example. She is able to make connections with anyone. No one is a stranger to Toni for more than five seconds.” When CareMeridian ventured into the arena of accepting student nurses from career colleges, Toni became a vital part of the process by volunteering to assist with coordination. When the Rehabilitation Nurses Society of California, a professional association for nurses specializing in brain and spinal cord injuries, needed help creating their newsletter, Toni volunteered and was subsequently asked to join their board even though she is not a nurse. She has now held the position for several years and become an invaluable member of the board. “Helping someone is the greatest pleasure—it seems almost selfish,” said Toni. “I want to do the best I can and as much I can.”
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DELORIS JOHNSON Team Lead
Alabama MENTOR
As a former caseworker, clinical coordinator and program services coordinator at Alabama MENTOR, Deloris Johnson has worn many hats since she joined The MENTOR Network nine years ago. It’s those hats—and her willingness to throw the appropriate one on whenever needed— that led her to her current role as team lead. In addition to supporting and training program services coordinators, assisting foster parents, managing staff meetings, developing lesson plans, deescalating crises, Deloris is responsible for handling referrals—something she excels at to the applause of her colleagues, youth served and foster parents. “A good match is the key to success,” said Deloris. “I take my time to figure it out. These kids come to our program scared. We need to find someone who understands them.” Deloris knows it takes all stakeholders to meet the needs of the children and youth in our care and she’s making sure everyone works together to get there. “When Deloris approaches a foster parent about opening their home to a child, the foster parent trusts Deloris’s judgement that it will be a good match because they know she has thought through the placement,” said Joy Grafton, program director at Alabama MENTOR and Deloris’s nominator. “Many foster parents have said they gave a child a chance because of their faith in Deloris.” Her good relationships don’t end with foster parents. Alabama MENTOR’s partners at state agencies trust her, biological parents trust her, and, most importantly, the youth and children in her care trust her. In crisis situations this trust can be invaluable, but over time it has a significant effect—strong partnerships, committed foster parents, employee retention, and the success the children experience because of Deloris’s ability to build relationships and pull all the necessary resources together. “I understand what kids are trying to do—they are trying to overcome things in their lives,” said Deloris. “If we don’t give them a chance or take a chance on them we’ll never know their potential. I love what I do. I see what can become of the kids we support. It’s so rewarding to see them make it!”
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CAROLYN & LARRY WALSH Mentors
Pennsylvania MENTOR
Mentors Carolyn and Larry Walsh have helped change the lives of children and families supported by Pennsylvania MENTOR since they opened their hearts and home in 2010. Throughout their more than five years of dedicated service, they have achieved extraordinary success reunifying families and have been exemplary facilitators of the shared parenting model. “In every case Carolyn and Larry have taken on, there has been a heavy focus on biological family involvement with a goal to repair broken bonds and strengthen family dynamics,” said Chris Washko, a clinical trainer at Pennsylvania MENTOR and the Walshes’ nominator. “They not only make families feel welcome in their home, they make them feel like they are part of the team. They encourage and support each family member each step of the way.” Children come to the Walsh home with diverse backgrounds. Most of them are teenagers; none is under the age of 10. Many of the girls they have welcomed into their home practice self-injurious behaviors and most have experienced trauma in their lives. They are all considered high risk and all struggle with emotional and behavioral challenges that can make daily tasks such as doing homework or bathing intense acts requiring extensive guidance. Some are violent and compulsive. The Walshes get to know each child as an individual and help them see the positive side to themselves. “We do this because we have a chance to positively influence a kid’s life,” said Carolyn on why she and Larry became Mentors, adding to their already full lives. Carolyn is a project manager with Bank of America and Larry is a technician with Comcast. They have three kids of their own, with one still living at home. Children in the Walsh home are treated as part of the family. They do chores, they go to school, and they are expected to be truthful and accept the consequences of their actions. “Being Mentors is about bringing children into our home who have rough lives or kids that have few opportunities—so much so that their families are screaming for help,” said Carolyn. “We are trying to give what we can.”
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JAMES BRETT
President & Chief Executive Officer New England Council
James (Jim) Brett, president and chief executive officer of the New England Council, has spent his life and career enhancing the lives of others. Jim was inspired at a young age to advocate for individuals with disabilities. His mother refused to place in an institution her first-born son, Jack, who was diagnosed as a child with intellectual disabilities. She raised him and his five siblings at home, in the Boston community. “My mother was my hero, and my brother Jack was my teacher,” Jim recently told the Boston Globe. “Because of Jack, my siblings and I were sensitive to the idea that we had an obligation to help the disabled, to give them the opportunities to learn and work and lead a productive life, things that the rest of us take for granted.” Jim’s motivation to help individuals like his brother propelled him into politics. Serving for more than 15 years in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, he championed many social service causes aimed at expanding access to health care and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. In addition to leading the New England Council, an alliance of public and private organizations formed to promote economic growth in the region, Jim is a tireless advocate for people with intellectual disabilities, working to promote their full citizenship rights, independence, self-determination, and life-long participation in the community. Recently, Jim served as the Chairman of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities and continues to serve as a member, as well as serving as Chairman of the Governor’s Commission on Intellectual Disability. Jim is a past President of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health. In 2014, he was awarded the John “Jack” Brett Champion’s Award from Special Olympics Massachusetts and was inducted into the Special Olympics Massachusetts Hall of Fame. In 2013, the University of Massachusetts Boston established the James T. Brett Chair in Disability and Workforce Development, the nation’s only endowed chair in disability and workforce development. In 1996, Bay Cove Human Services of Boston named a new community home for individuals with disabilities “Brett House” in his honor. “Jim has significantly changed the way we, as a society, support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Ned Murphy, executive chair of The MENTOR Network. “He is a leader and friend to the most vulnerable members of our society and an inspiration to those of us who advocate for greater opportunities on their behalf.”
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KRISTY DEVAN Area Director
Ohio MENTOR
As an area director for both the Cleveland and Canton offices, and soon the new Youngstown location, Kristy has stayed true to her roots as a social worker while successfully growing services to support more youth in foster care. “If you are going to do this job well you have to take ownership. You have to take pride in what you do,” said Chip Bonsutto, Ohio MENTOR’s state director. “Kristy does both those things as a skilled leader and manager.” Kristy’s career path spans the children’s services spectrum. She spent six years as an investigator in a physical and sexual abuse unit for children before earning her master’s degree and joining Ohio MENTOR in 2006 as a therapist serving children who had experienced trauma. Seeing a need for expanded services and possessing a true belief in her colleagues and foster parents, Kristy moved into various roles—first as a recruiter, then program director before moving into her current role. “She is steadfast in her pledge to make the world a better place for children,” said Melanie Horn, recertification specialist at Ohio MENTOR and one of Kristy’s nominators. Staff, foster parents and youth look to her and admire her commitment; directors of the county agencies we partner with to serve them see her as a problem solver. “She sets an example,” said Chip. “She walks the walk.” In addition to her dedication to her role at Ohio MENTOR, Kristy and her husband recently adopted a teenager who had been in foster care. She credits the experience with giving her a greater perspective on service, making sure foster parents know they are appreciated and that her door is always open. She has also increased support for Mentors by implementing a program to assist with transportation and connecting children served with supportive adults outside the home. “She makes you want to do better and work harder,” said Denise Spagnola, mental health administrative assistant at Ohio MENTOR and one of Kristy’s nominators. “I am eternally grateful to work with someone who is so dedicated and inspiring.” Kristy believes she is where she is meant to be. “It’s just natural to me,” she said. “Building relationships is the most important thing.” The MENTOR Network | 9
BRANDON MASON
Direct Support Professional REM Iowa
As a direct support professional (DSP) out of REM Iowa’s Hiawatha office for the past five years, Brandon Mason has supported individuals in 17 of the 22 homes and, as a result, gotten to know most of the individuals supported and staff. He has built strong bonds with the intention of being in it for the long haul. “I just like being there,” said Brandon. “I’m one of the consistencies.” Brandon’s career choices have always focused on helping others. He started his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training in high school, then went to school for firefighting. He was still in college when he became a DSP. “Making a difference is what I want to do more than anything else,” said Brandon. Brandon doesn’t stop at the role of caregiver. He sees the bigger picture. Brandon will fix things—from wheelchairs to drains, to securing TVs for safety. He will stop in to visit with individuals he supports on the days he’s not working with them, even on his time off, because he knows it makes them happy. To help support the program, he has used his skills acquired in firefighting school to develop fire escape plans for several houses. “Brandon has displayed an unequaled amount of care and compassion with each individual he’s worked with,” said Michael Rivera, a program coordinator at REM Iowa and one of Brandon’s nominators. “He constantly goes above and beyond and is the first person to drop everything he’s doing to help. There are countless examples of Brandon’s generosity and kindness.” Brandon’s genuine interest in people as individuals is evident, as is his passion for helping to make their day better. It’s one of the reasons staff, managers and the individuals he supports often turn to him when they need help, whether it’s to fill a shift or address a behavioral issue. “Brandon takes customer service very seriously,” said Abigail Neiman-Eschrich, a program coordinator at REM Iowa and one of Brandon’s nominators. “He always has an upbeat attitude and will do anything he can to cheer someone up or come up with ideas for solutions, rather than focusing on the problem.”
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ANGELA SOMMER
Speech-Language Pathologist NeuroRestorative Maryland
As a speech-language pathologist at NeuroRestorative in Beltsville, Maryland, Angela Sommer serves a diverse population, doing everything she can to make a connection. “You have to step outside of everything you have experienced in your own world, in order to be able to understand where someone else has been and where they want to go,” said Angela, who joined NeuroRestorative in 2013 after working in a hospital and then managing her own practice. “If you listen and pay attention to someone, they will teach you what you need to do to help them.” NeuroRestorative Maryland offers a continuum of community-based programs and supports for adults with brain injury and other neurological challenges. Many of the participants Angela works with are Veterans and individuals who have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder. “In the world of brain injury rehabilitation, there is a critical need for the level of passion and selflessness accompanied by extreme professionalism and skill that Angela exudes on a daily basis,” said Lisa Beach, program director at NeuroRestorative Maryland and Angela’s nominator. “To better serve Veterans, Angela has embraced the unique Veteran culture in order to relate and adapt her skills and approach to be as effective as possible.” For Angela, that is how she approaches all patients. “Angela’s therapeutic interactions consistently produce outcomes that are not only positive in rehabilitation efforts but also result in connections not easily achieved by others,” added Lisa. “Thinking and acting out of the box is commonplace for her.” Angela often leaves the realm of speech therapy to advocate for her patients. Her goal is for them to achieve the maximum quality of life possible. Angela is always looking at the whole person and his or her unique needs. She is determined to help them meet their goals, whether it is through an alternate route to employment, the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, or finding the right combination of therapeutic supports. To accomplish this, she relies heavily on the participant’s team by coordinating with other therapists regularly and often co-treating to encourage optimal results. “To be a successful therapist you need to understand brain injury and you need to know your treatment tools, but more importantly, you have to know how to really get to know a person,” said Angela. The MENTOR Network | 11
GRACE MENOR RN Administrator
California MENTOR
The two homes Grace Menor, RN administrator at California MENTOR, and her staff run in Campbell and San Jose have changed the lives of the 10 residents they support and paved the way for a new era of care for the often misunderstood population Grace has dedicated her career to serving—men and women who are non-verbal and have intellectual and developmental disabilities coupled with complex medical needs. “She is a true advocate and an asset to each and every person she serves,” said Amelia Pepper Day, RN area director at California MENTOR. Grace’s contributions over the past 33 years as a nurse are immeasurable. She spent 25 years at the Agnews Developmental Center in Santa Clara, California, supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a nursing coordinator, she opened a special unit for the most fragile. Grace’s experience at Agnews enabled California MENTOR to pioneer community-based care for individuals with the highest medical acuity when the state elected to close Agnews. Grace was called out of retirement to make the homes a reality. She licensed them, she hired staff, and she worked closely with the state and other partners to ensure the individuals would have proper medical care and a high quality of life. As the state continues to close facilities serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Grace’s role as an expert and advocate continues to grow. She embraces opportunities to share her knowledge, expertise, experience and successful models with other agencies, educational facilities, students and others in order to foster the growth of quality services for the population she serves. “Most of our clients don’t have families,” said Grace. “They need someone to fight for them.” Her work does not go unnoticed. The homes she runs receive perfect reviews form the California Department of Developmental Services and she recently received a Service Above Self award from the San Andreas Regional Center for going above and beyond in serving individuals. “Grace is a trendsetter,” said Amelia. “That takes a lot of bravery.”
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2015 R ipple of Hope Award Nominees Thank you to all those who submitted nominations for The MENTOR Network’s 11th annual Ripple of Hope Awards. Please join us in congratulating all of the 2015 nominees:
Chester Aanden Evelyn Acuna Kim Adams Alberta Aguilar Jenett Akles Kenny Alele Fabiola Alfaro Tammy Ambrozi Steve Anderson David Arellano Jamie Atwood Valorie Avery Shalan Baker Alison Barresi Lisa Bartley Alicia Beckman Angela Beers Jacqueline Benowitz Toni Bethke Elsa Betts LaFay Blue Kevin Brockel Louanne Brown Cody Buchanan Nicole Bump Natasha Bump Kathi Burnett Jodie Byers Reyna Cabanas Charlotte Camper Seanlay Carey Ivy Cartagena Raymond Cary Larry Cassidy Amanda Chandler Cody Chism Nancy Clark Samuel Clingan Darlene Colucci Neely Congleton Rebecca Connolly Samuel Costa Roman Aubree Cote Allison Coutts Giovanna Curiel
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Caitlyn Dahl Jennifer Dannar Scott Davis Cheryl Demet Lonnie and Myrna Deshazier Kristy DeVan Dave Dixon Pam Dodd Debbie Eaton Maribel Echeverria Toni Ellyson Dolores Espinosa Brenda Figueroa Maria Flores Henrieta Gabrisakova Roxanne Galindo Chantelle Gamble Laura Gamelson Peaceful-Spirit Gantenbein Raul Gaona Lorena Garibay Saundra Garrett Arnie Graham Katherine Green Wynette Green Kyle Grimm Kenneth Hanson Nicole Hardman Frena Harris Paul Healy Treva Heck Buddy Heino Serina Hendricks Susan Henschel Cheryl Herdman Shannda Hickcox Antoinette Holt Shannon Hurst Kathy Ibrahim Kirsten Istvanovich Melinda Jackson Ben Johnson Deloris Johnson Jhconda Johnson Andrea Jones
Stephanie Judy Samba Kamara Amber Karom Ruth Kenyanya Karen Kinder Michele Klaers Andrea Kuehn Priscilla Kunkel James Laforte Danielle Ledbetter Julie Lennon Kayla Lewis Yila Lienert Amanda Lindberg Lindsay Lindley Sally Lok Roxanne and August Long Lisa Lopez Bianca Lopez Joseph Lopez Barbara Lopez Monica Lopez Stephanie Machado Brittany Macomber Julienne Madsen Brenda Malitsky Jeremy Malone Melissa Marcelin Andrea Martinez Yolandita Martinez Brandon Mason Tim McGinty Melissa McKissick Grace Menor Susan Michalsky Megan Middaugh Kim Milligan Leslie Milton Yawnica Mitchell Ryan Moll Lilizita Monteiro Anildo Monteiro Kari Montgomery Delores Moore Idalina Moujabber
Peter Mullaney Farzad Naziri Veronica Newton Mary Nieves Marco Noel Jennifer Novak Jesuina Nunes Ana Nunez Zara O’Hora Kim Ojibway Hiba Osman Ashley Overturf Jopie Paoki Elizabeth Parmley Mark Parrish Judy Parsons Danielle Passer Michelle Patient Bianca Perater Josefine Perez James Petersen Courtney Phillips Molly Pierce Victoria Pindur Anne Piper Aubrey Powell Heather Powell-Cover Tina Provence Mary Radcliffe Marcia Ramos Crystal Ramos Valerie Reedy Melinda Reisenleiter-Hawkins Ana Resendiz Heather Reynolds Katie Risenbigler Julie Ritchie Melanie Rivera Carol Roberts Anabel Robles Melinda Robson Lidiana Rodriguez Angela Roehrborn Amanda Roggentien Elizabeth Rojas Cherri Saindon
Risvey Saintine Mayra Salcido Mykia Salone Monica Sampson Gail Samuel Christina Sanchez Susana Santos Lesa Scharfe Rachel Schlotfelt Rebecca Schmidt Ciara Schroepfer-Reynolds Gabriel Scott Fanicy Sears Robert Seibold Joseph Seminara Winter Sette Andrea Shaffer Anthony Sheffer Andre Silver Bethanie Skaggs-Manley Halima Skrozo Angela Sommer Anne Sopousek Rosie Sormin Dyamond Spicer Michelle Spinney Brenda Stanley Debra Steinmetz Janet Stoneking Angel Stormer Pamela Survine Johnson Megan Talley-Lindsey Barbara Thayer Jeannie Thomas Angela Thompson Avia Tomlinson Ana Marie Upell Jamie Ustianowski Toni Valrie Mary Varela Randy Vaught Yesenia Victoria Floriann Vives Heather Walker Kristen Walker Carolyn and Larry Walsh
Rebecca Wasson Darryl Watson Jean Waycuilis Joni Weeks Billie West Jason Wheeler Yolanda Williams Leo Williams Maurice Williams Trisha Williams Obiweluozor Eni Winarni Patricia Woodall Ashley and Tim Woodward Robin Wright-Moore Shirley Young Jennifer Young James Zeidler Patricia Zubrowski
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The mission of The MENTOR Network is to offer adults, adolescents and children, as well as their families, innovative, quality services and supports that lead to growth and independence, regardless of the physical, intellectual or behavioral challenges they face. The Network’s philosophy emphasizes partnerships—with those we serve, their families, our employees, Mentors, payors and the communities in which we work—in an effort to help people shape the direction of their own lives in community-based settings.
“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” — Robert F. Kennedy, Cape Town, South Africa, 1966