288 words
Read time 1:03






F.I.A.T.M. is leading the way in recognizing the need for our youth to receive financial literacy. Our ESTEAM (Economics- Financial Literacy, Science, Technology, Arts + Math) program. Several years ago, comedian, Sinbad publicly discussed the ‘Digital Divide’ in the predominately POC (People of Color) communities. Now, this is not across the board. However, there is always room for improvement. Recently, I came across a post on mediatakeout.com in which rapper, Jim Jones discussed the importance of the youth needing money mentors. Jones candidly shared the pitfalls of not being exposed to how to make money, the value of a dollar and the consequences of your lack of knowledge. The biggest takeaway is precisely what compelled F.I.A.T.M. to offer the ESTEAM program: Applied Knowledge Is Power. It is imperative to know at minimal a working knowledge of block chain, cryptocurrency, balancing a check book, how to write a check, credit and much more. Years ago in both Junior and Senior High School there were elective classes called Home Economics where you took a cursory dive into life applicable studies. Needless to say, those days are long gone. Add to that the demands that parents have these days and it’s no secret why this much needed topic has landed on the bottom of things to discuss.


F.I.A.T.M. endeavors to meet basic and latent needs. This is simply another reason that you can feel comfortable sponsoring our program. If you’re interested in reading the article I referenced, you can find it here:
https://mediatakeout.com/jim-jones-explains-why-the-youth-need-money-mentors/


If you have a heart toward empowering our youth with your skills, time or resources feel comfortable sending me an email: [email protected]. I’d love to enter into a conversation with you.


Until next week,


Jacqui Dobens

Read Time: 1:08 
Word Count: 312
EVENT IS POSTPONED!!!
​
F.I.A.T.M. ( Family Is All That Matters) founder, Kuba Brown a.k.a. KB recognizes that it takes a village to make any significant impact in your family, community, organization, business and entity. Being a strong believer in leading by example, he has fostered a supportive environment in which heart-centric community leaders can gather together in fellowship, networking, encouragement and breaking bread. It has been so successful that KB didn't feel right keeping this treasure trove amongst the chosen few. As a result, the invitation has been submitted and accepted by Attorney, Anne Marie Duncan to share her extensive knowledge about how charitable organizations can benefit from being listed as a beneficiary in a living trust endowment directive. This is a tremendous revenue generating strategy of sustainability for a 501c3 charitable organization.  A financial endowment is a legal structure for managing, and in many cases indefinitely perpetuating, a pool of financial, real estate, or other investments for a specific purpose according to the will of its founders and donors. 
We are extremely fortunate to have someone with direct knowledge and inner workings of endowments to be willing to share her knowledge with us. Attorney Anne Marie Duncan is a trusted friend of mine that has the unique ability to drill down complex and complicated into digestible terms. On a personal note she is a great deal of fun and very relatable. I've had the pleasure of attending charitable and social events with her and can vouch for her professionalism and her witty sense of humor. If you find yourself in driving distance of Riverside, CA I encourage you to use the link below and register for this one-of-a-kind event. Seating is limited in an effort to continue creating a space where everyone is heard and have the ability to receive what they need for their organization.
REGISTRATION LINK IS DISABLED
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fiatm-lunch-learn-connect-7232022-11am-1pm-tickets-372863764557

Until next week,

Jacqui Dobens

Byline: As a strategy for clients, Dobens' implemented Lunch+Learn+Connect using her ConneCTA system of networking tool. Successfully introducing 371 individuals, salespeople, good causes and charities to her client(s) over a two year time span. 

Read Time: 1:46
Word Count: 4:86

​Earlier today I thought about a hiking trail that I frequented often. One Sunday morning I came across this tree that you see pictured above. I felt there was a life lesson in this tree. It spoke to me. Not literally, of course. It obviously has been through several seasons. It's also glaringly obvious that it is broken. What is not as obvious in this particular shot is how much it is flourishing! Upon much reflection you can revisit times in which you thought you'd bend until you break. Disappointments. Trauma. Tragedy. The good news is you're still here. Proof positive that you can bend and not break. In oter words one area of your life may not be going as you had planned. That doesn't mean that all of your life has to be in disrepair. You can still flourish even though you are broken. You have to push through. You must. You need you. We need you. 
New family members of FIATM may not know about the fire that ravaged through the headquarters (as well as other buildings) in Moreno Valley. Talk about a bend, not break moment. Not minimizing the devestation or the impact I'm simply sharing an incredible example of resiliency. A lighthouse. Why would FIATM get back up? Simple answer: Purpose Driven Mission. Now, this is not a trite phrase. It is undeniably the necessary ingredient needed to get back up when under no fault of your own tragedy strikes. 

A literary business book classic, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill states: "On the opposite side of every adversity is an equal or greater reward". Now, admittedly you have to look for it. Sometimes it's hidden. Sometimes it's buried. None the less, you've got to be willing to hunt and peck for it. In this case, the equal or greater reward for FIATM is the headquarters at Tyler Galleria. There is enough room here to provide a safe computer lab for students, E.S.T.EA.M. (Economics/Financial Literacy, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math). For decades now many have lamented over the digital divide, lack of opportunities for POC in science, tech and more. Well, FIATM is successfully putting shoe leather to the lip service that "somebody" should do "something "to change this. Hello. Nice to make your acquaintance. We at FIATM are the "somebodies" that are doing quite a few "somethings" to provide our own empowering equal opportunities. 
​
Feel comfortable checking out the programs tab on this site to see a small spattering of the positive imapct that we are continuing to make in various communities.
Also, because of what we are actively doing, you can feel comfortable donating and volunteering.

Untile next week,
Jacqui Dobens

Byline: Avid hiker at Santa Rosa Plateau until 2 deer reminded me that it's their home and I can only visit during posted hours (true story), lover of Havarti cheese and Friendship Bread.

Word Count: 608
Read Time: 2:13

Recently my uncle passed away. Prior to his passing I had the honor of being able to talk to him about our family, his life and what he wanted his legacy to be. Dictionary.com defines legacy as: Anything handed down from the past. With the exciting crossroads that F.I.A.T.M. is facing now, it's beneficial and imperative to look back in order to go forward. I like to share that what brought you here, won't take you there. However, the past has wisdom, experience, character challenging and building elements that are necessary for building courage, determination and grit. As I sat with my uncle during his final stages on this dimension I was inspired by some of his answers and began to see a parallel between his mindset and the leadership of F.I.A.T.M.. My first question to my uncle was, "Do you have any regrets"? His response was no. He shared that the opportunities he missed caused him to speak encouraging words to his family. Having grown up as the youngest of six children and a pretty wide gap between the eldest (my dad) and him spoiled him. You see, everyone catered to him. Looking back he shared he regretted his birth order which obviously he had no say in. If you were to ask F.I.A.T.M. as an entity if there are any regrets? You'd be met with a resounding yes! The only regret would be to not have let more people know in a more effective way about what we are doing and why. Now, let's embrace what iconic author and activist, Maya Angelou would say in this instance: "When you know better, you do better". This is precisely what we are doing right now. 
I asked my uncle his feelings on the importance of role models and mentoring in our society. He trailed off for a moment causing me to think he was no longer lucid or that the meds had kicked in. Fortunately, that was not the case. Even though his breathing became labored I saw a sharpness of determination in his eyes. He looked at me with a steel stare that I wasn't accustomed to seeing from him. I waited for what felt like minutes for him to formulate what seemed of great importance to him. He began very slowly and deliberately to share with me about his first mentor, my dad. He shared that his big brother took his role very seriously especially after their father died. You see, he didn't have the same timeframe nor quality of time with their father that my dad did. He paused and then continued that our legacy of intention is as important as our actualized legacy. The reason being that sometimes the way something starts with one person at the helm becomes even more confirmed by the second or third string that join in to add to the intended outcome. In my families case my dad joining the military, moving from Florida to New York and ultimately California caused my uncle to migrate to California from Florida. As a matter of fact, he lived with us upon arriving to California until he got on his feet. In F.I.A.T.M.'s case, there has been a steady ebb and flow of talented, passionate and heart centric individuals and organizations that have lent their treasures to F.I.A.T.M. which has made it as robust and relevant as it is today and going forward. 
If you feel compelled to add making a positive impact in others lives part of your legacy, feel comfortable responding here or send me a quick email at: [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you.
Until next week,
​Jacqui Dobens