Concrete For A Cause

I believe this to be true with all my heart and soul.  I was born a teacher.  I just always was one… I don’t remember not being a teacher.  On top of that, I have always had a torrid love affair with words and language.  Teaching English just suited me.  It wasn’t until a bit later that I found out that I was not only a teacher of the English language, but of those special students who, by absolutely no fault or choices of their own, experience life differently than most among us.  Regardless of my job or career, my vocation, that is to say, my calling, is always first that of a teacher. This is closely followed as that of a trusted and loyal friend. These are simply facts.  I truly believe I don’t have a choice in the matter.

When I discovered my love for these wonderful, but often marginalized folks, it wasn’t just an epiphany; it was a revelation!  I knew immediately that these were my people.  I knew that I needed them in my life. I’ve never experienced such an absence of meanness and a complete lack of cruelty.  Many of my students didn’t even understand the concepts of spite and malice…  If everyone would just take a page from their playbook, there would be no war! I sincerely believe this.

Unfortunately, I also learned firsthand the uglier side of the “system” that our students with disabilities and their families must try to navigate.  It is extremely convoluted and complicated and, more importantly, it’s finite. Once you figure out the system…   In Illinois, where I worked, students “aged out” of the public school system and all the supports that went along with that system at the age of 21…  Mind you, not at the end of the school year of the year that they turned 21, but the actual day.  Goodbye, Good Luck and Godspeed. It’s like being thrown from a cliff without warning. 

Fast forward a few years and a few career moves. Then, add the downtime that comes with a brand-new pair of prosthetic, titanium hips and it was the perfect recipe for my discovery of the glorious worlds of concrete and entrepreneurship. Another revelation!  A new freedom and joy that allows me to earn an honest living while working directly with my clients and actively helping my people to boot!  Truly, who could ask for anything more?

Now, the beauty of the concrete business is that every homeowner has it and it will always need to be replaced… eventually. As they say, it ain’t rocket science!! It is, however, science. Things can go wrong if it isn’t done correctly. Many things.  I’m certainly not going to romanticize concrete flatwork, quite the opposite. It’s boring stuff, no two ways about it. But I will emphatically make the argument that it does make a real difference in the appearance of a home and, when done correctly, can last for many, many years.  I believe that one’s home is a direct reflection of the owner.  Broken concrete looks tacky, unattractive, sloppy and careless; not to mention the fact that it’s a trip hazard and someone could be seriously injured…  Guess what?  Taking care of it can be a real hassle…  I’m here to make sure that is not the case.

Here’s the good news…  I’m very good at making certain your project will not only beautify and add to the enjoyment and value of your home, it will also run smoothly and happen in a timely manner with a clean, attentive and polite professional who is on a mission. I promise you I’m worth it…

But alas, how am I to marry my passion for teaching and helping my people with my newfound love of concrete and spirit of entrepreneurship?

I’ve decided to put my money where my mouth is…  I’m committed to giving away 1% of my net profits to help house adults with disabilities in a clean, safe, and comfortable environment where they can live among their peers with the support that they require and, most importantly, the dignity that they deserve.  As my revenue increases, so does the percentage that I give away. The end goal being to give away a bigger and fatter check at the end of every year to directly support this cause that I hold so dear.  NO STRINGS ATTACHED. Since when do doing well and doing a TREMENDOUS amount of good in this world need to be mutually exclusive things??? I say it ought to be automatic, built into the business model!