Working Together

Greg had a great thought on a post the other day. He wrote:

This is the time for all of us to come together and do the real work this country so desperately needs. As one suggestion, I urge your readers to check out the work Van Jones is doing. Goggle it...you'll be challenged, inspired, and I pray, enthused. Then, get committed!

Well you won't have to Google it. I did and I am impressed by what I saw. VanJones.net is his homepage and where you can find the information about his book The Green Collar Economy
How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems. I noted that the Foreword is by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. who is passionately involved in many progressive ideas. Here's what Jones' press kit bio has to say:

Van Jones is the founder and president of Green For All, a national advocacy organization based in Oakland, California. Green For All is committed to building an inclusive, green economy - strong enough to lift millions of people out of poverty. Van is a tireless advocate, championing “green-collar jobs and opportunities” for disadvantaged people. He is committed to creating “green pathways out of poverty,” while greatly expanding the coalition fighting global warming.

Van’s advocacy for the toughest urban constituencies and causes has earned him many honors. These include: the 1998 Reebok International Human Rights Award; the International Ashoka Fellowship; selection as a World Economic Forum “Young Global Leader;” the Rockefeller Foundation “Next Generation Leadership” Fellowship; Elle Magazine Green Award 2008; George Lucas Foundation’s “Daring Dozen 2008;” Hunt Prime Mover Award 2008; Campaign for America’s Future “Paul Wellstone Award 2008;” and Global Green USA “Community Environmental Leadership” Award.

Van also co-founded both the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and Color of Change. Both organizations are committed to equal justice and opportunity for low-income people and people of color. He is a board member of 1Sky, the Apollo Alliance, and Ella Baker Center. In the past, he has served on the boards of the National Apollo Alliance, Social Ventures Network, Rainforest Action Network, Bioneers and Julia Butterfly Hill’s “Circle of Life” organization. He is a Fellow at IONS (Institute of Noetic Sciences). Van is also a Senior Fellow with Center for American Progress (CAP).

A 1993 Yale Law graduate, Van lives in Oakland with his wife and two sons.

Greg is right. As I said in the post the other day, one of the most important things that President Obama can do will be to inspire us to a call to committed service to our communities, nation and world. Sacrifice and service together will help make many of the dreams of many of us come alive.