Special Edition

Thank A Youth Worker Day is

Thursday, May 8, 2014!

Join in the International Thank A Youth Worker Day Celebration on Thursday, May 8, 2014!

THANK YOU - I mean YOU for all you do, who YOU are and the difference YOU are making in the lives of young people!

Who else do you know who could use a "pat on the back" or a "look you in the eye" thank you?

Join in the International Thank A Youth Worker Day Celebration on Thursday, May 8^th.

Get your organization involved - here is a link with lots of ideas on how to do that:

http://www.thankayouthworkerday.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/taywd-what-can-my-organization-do.pdf.

What youth worker made a difference in your life? Maybe May 8^th is a good time to say thank you to them.

Here is a list of other ideas on what you can do as an individual:

http://www.thankayouthworkerday.com/50-ways-to-saythanks.htm.

Visit www.thankayouthworkerday.com for lots of other ideas. Become a partnering organization and get your logo listed on the this web site.

Here is a link to labels that you can pass out and proudly wear on May 8^th:

http://www.thejourneyonline.org/2014/2014TAYWDBadges.docx (Word)

http://www.thejourneyonline.org/2014/2014TAYWDBadges.pdf (pdf)

Your Journey Mission for
Thank A Youth Worker Day 2014!

Have you thought about how you are going to recognize the youth workers in your life?

Well...as usual, we have a fun way to celebrate with other Journey Fellows in your class.

We call it TAYWorDing (tay-word-ing)...a verb that means any simple act of surprising another youth worker with an act of recognition, appreciation or celebration.

TAYWorDing can be as easy and simple or as elaborate and complex as you want to make it.

Are you up for a secret mission to TAYWorD a Journey fellow?

THE STEPS:

Step 1:

Pick a Youth Worker to TAYWorD!

Lucky for you, we've already done this! Later this week you'll get an email with the name of the person from your Journey Class that we've randomly selected for you to TAYWorD. Attached to the email will be a roster for your entire Journey class so that you can reach out to that person.

Step 2:

Figure out how you want to TAYWorD them.

Do you want to send them a card, arrange for some flowers, send a small gift, deliver a cookie, hire a brass band or simply send them a heartfelt email of thanks for who they are and the work they do?

Remember, an honest word of appreciation is one of the most treasured gifts a person can receive.

Step 3:

Do it!

Make sure you TAYWorD them on or before Thank a Youth Worker Day, Thursday, May 8!

You may do it anonymously if you can or add the element of mystery. Shhh....

Step 4:

Spread the word.

If you or someone you know got TAYWorDed, let the rest of the Journey Community know by either (a) posting it to our Journey Community facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Journey-Community/21477203248 or

(b) emailing an update to Melinda@thejourneyonline.org and she will post it for you.

PLEASE...Have fun with this and

In case we haven't said it enough - THANK YOU FOR JUST BEING YOU!

The Journey Crew

Janet, Tom and Melinda

"We often take for granted the very things

that most deserve our gratitude."

- Cynthia Ozcik