My Why

Walter Larkins internalized the importance of respect, integrity, discipline, responsibility, and consequence at an early age. He also learned to be adaptable, tolerant and compassionate. Walter’s parents are of different ethnicities and became man and wife during a time when their union was deemed immoral. Yet, Walter’s parents persevered and were unrelenting in their commitment to one another and to their children even when society condemned them. The outgrowth of this experience manifested into the courage and hope that Walter embodies today. Walter’s mission is to plant seeds of aspirations to build better lives, offer choices and alternatives for individuals who feel trapped, and provide the means to achieve ambitions. Hear Walter’s thoughtful perspectives and insights. They are compelling.

Building programs that have lasting benefits are the result of people working together toward a common goal. From inception to execution and follow-on, the process is fundamentally the same. Terry Geiling will walk us through some of the service projects in which he was personally involved: brbr - Fisher House Project br - The Jonas Project br - The Rotary Polio Immunization Project br - Gold Star Manor Development Project brbr Terry will share his insights and observations about each of these undertakings. We can learn key points about what it takes to assure successful completion and how to keep all the stakeholders engaged with their eyes on the beneficiaries. Are you ready to kiss some frogs?

Dan Salas was raised in a struggling single parent home and learned very early that survival depended on his becoming resourceful, tireless and committed no matter how old he was. Although opportunities arose that might have compromised his integrity and pride, even as a youngster, if any choice did not feel right, he mustered up the strength to reject it. Dan created his life out of virtually nothing except a dream and a vision of being one with the majestic seas. Dan is the first to admit that his journey was not without challenges and set-backs. He recounts the people and experiences that kept him going, even though it would have been easy to quit. Join us to hear about Dan's sometimes precarious yet inspiring life as he escaped hunger and threatening circumstances. Also, tap into his passion and love of the ocean's wonders as an allegory of life. [The photograph of Dan Salas is courtesy of the Torrance Daily Breeze.]

J. T. Warring has served as an ambassador of goodwill and service as a Rotarian for over 42 years. He currently is at the helm of several Rotary fresh water projects in Asia. Every 21 seconds, a child dies from a water-related illness. 1.8 million people die every year from diarrhea-based illnesses, 90% of which are children under 5 years old mostly in developing countries like Myanmar. Water and sanitation are two of the primary factors for public health concerns. Once we can secure access to clean water and to adequate sanitation facilities for all people, irrespective of the difference in their living conditions, a huge battle against all kinds of diseases will be won, stated Dr. Lee Jong-wook, former Director-General of the World Health Organization. Moreover, investments in safe drinking water and sanitation contribute to economic growth. J. T. Warring gives us his first-hand experience in the battle to bring clean water to underdeveloped countries and the world of service.

Bal Jagat is a Hindi phrase meaning “Children’s World” and represents the organization's dedication to uniting children around the world with loving parents in the United States. Bal Jagat is a Hague Accredited international adoption agency and has been facilitating the creation of intercountry families for over 30 years, operating under the premise that adoption is a gift of life. The adoption services extend to families throughout Southern California as well as nationwide. Bal Jagat has helped permanently place over 5,000 children with American parents. Most of these children have challenges that make it difficult to find homes in their native countries, and with the resources in the United States, they are able to be cared for adequately. In this segment, we will uncover the compassion and the realities of intercountry adoption through the eyes of Bal Jagat's Director of Social Services and daughter of the agency's founder, Mausami Momaya.

Power 4 Youth began in response to the Los Angeles riots of the ’90s. A group of Long Beach ministers got together to try to understand what might have caused such a breakdown of community. In 1999 they began Power 4 Youth as a grassroots effort to reach kids “on the edge” – those who were not in trouble, but whose success depended on having a positive influence to balance the negative challenges they faced. The program began with six at-risk teens and six mentors, operating as a project of the Presbyterian Church. Although founded by a church, there has never been any religious component. Today, Power 4 Youth serves over 50 youths each week. Power 4 Youth continues to grow, matching at-risk middle school youth with mentors. We will be speaking with the Executive Director, Val Parker, to gain insights into how adults can positively influence children to take charge of their lives.

Terry Geiling is a humble man, who throughout his lifetime, has graciously and generously given his time, encouragement, optimism, vision, experience, knowledge, and skills to help improve the condition of others. From the time he was a young man in the Navy, to his self re-invention as a successful business owner, to his commitment to continuously put himself on the path to help,Terry has held the key and opened doors for people who did not know the doors existed. As a stronghold of optimism and action, Terry Geiling is a remarkable and compassionate individual who sets a positive tone where ever he finds himself. In this episode, we discover the man who enjoys a lifestyle of service.

Euvonka works to equip correctional leaders, volunteers, and incarcerated men and women to make prisons more rehabilitative places; she advocates for a more restorative criminal justice system; and she collaborates with churches and local service providers to support former prisoners, their families, and their communities. There is hope for restoration and healing for prisoners, their families, victims, and all those who have been impacted by crime. Those who once broke the law can be transformed and mobilized to serve their neighbors, replacing the cycle of crime with a cycle of renewal. Prison Fellowship® trains and inspires churches and communities—inside and outside of prison—to support the restoration of those affected by incarceration.

Euvonka works to equip correctional leaders, volunteers, and incarcerated men and women to make prisons more rehabilitative places; she advocates for a more restorative criminal justice system; and she collaborates with churches and local service providers to support former prisoners, their families, and their communities. There is hope for restoration and healing for prisoners, their families, victims, and all those who have been impacted by crime. Those who once broke the law can be transformed and mobilized to serve their neighbors, replacing the cycle of crime with a cycle of renewal. Prison Fellowship® trains and inspires churches and communities—inside and outside of prison—to support the restoration of those affected by incarceration.

Find A Tree was founded by renowned motivational speaker and dream coach, Daniel Armstrong. Its origins are rooted in an inspiring story about community development in Ghana, Africa. It was there that Daniel encountered two brothers who had what seemed like an unrealistic dream to launch their own school. While the boys found themselves discouraged by immense challenges and limited resources, Daniel encouraged them to find a tree, and start their school there. That prompt led the young men on a journey that quickly captivated an entire community and garnered the support of a local businessman who donated a building for their school. Within a year, a hundred local youth were in attendance. The boys' dream had come true, and Daniel found his life calling—to mentor people around the world in achieving their goals and realizing their dreams. His approach is built on six pillars to promote individual achievement: ambition, understanding, belief, action, resilience, and urgency.