In 2024 | will there be more
Let’s go back to 2014 when it was looking as if it had the potential to be We Survive’s last year with Sharon and Moody Cecil at the helm. With the 20th Anniversary celebration, it was time to revitalize the organization or conclude the year with a huge finale.
Sharon and Moody Connection
When Sharon moved to Louisville in 1969, I thought it was a temporary situation but Louisville has been my home ever since. At that time, I also didn’t know that Girl Scouts would become an important part of my life and an organization that influenced who I have become; where I learned about the gift of working with youth and found opportunities to mentoring future leaders.
Moody’s Amazing Vision offered a Guiding Light for many. He believed that when you give, you are given an opportunity to change lives. His interests were geared towards being a naturalist. Moody became a Master Gardener, was the Arbor Day Poster Contest Coordinator for the State of Kentucky and a Forest Stewart.
As cancer survivors, Moody and I combined our talents along with our years of experience in healthcare and volunteering for various organizations throughout the community that lead to the creation of We Survive.
Moody was a fierce champion for both the young and old. With his extraordinary love of nature, it was decided Moody and I would create an organization that would offer health and wellness programming that provided “nurturance in nature.”
We Survive LIGHTFEST Connection – Youth-driven programming
In 1994, WE SURVIVE, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide education to the community, break stereotypes, inspire strong youth leaders, and bring hope a gift of empowerment to those they reach.
In 1997 – LIGHTFEST – held at Churchill Downs – was born from the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay. Several of the girls who helped create the original LIGHTFEST are still involved with programming to this day.
The following was written by ~Brittany Zinsious Kinder when she was 15 years old. Her Girl Scout Troop began working with We Survive when they were 11 years old.
“I promised myself I would push away their past and accept them for who they made themselves to be. I promised myself to always try to recognize the sense of innocence from which may only be seen from within.”
I believe what Brittany wrote is something we all learned working with each other and especially working with Moody Cecil.
2023 Concluded with A two year 25th Anniversary Celebration of LIGHTFEST
The focus for this celebration was to Showcase Youth.
VolunteerMatch sent an introduction from Alyssa V, a young woman wanting to join the LIGHTFEST team to Light the World with Hope. He enthusiasm and skills were just what was needed.
Alyssa’s main goal was to have a project that would help her apply to college and solidify her interest in the field of psychology. Her strength was in writing but was open to producing art. She let me know that she was good at making slideshows and marketing flyers that might be helpful in designing educational materials.
Alyssa designed a creative invitation that conveyed the message with graphics and wording that was perfect for the Kick-off event held in July of 2023.
Basketball deLIGHT
We Survive concluded the 25th Anniversary activities for LIGHTFEST on November 4, 2023, with a basketball activity coordinated by Phillip Morrison Pro Basketball Skills Trainer and Hoops for Christ.
Graphics Created by Mississippi Student Alyssa V.
KINDNESS KAMPAIGN – Illuminating a Better Tomorrow
This project will be a collaborative effort of Sharon Cecil and Alyssa V. along with an advisory board whose members come from a variety of educational backgrounds with a passion for the health and wellness of the community.
There are those who hold degrees and certifications in Nursing, Psychology, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, Grief Management, Medicine, Business and Education.