The foundation was conceptualized in March of 2000. It was a result of attending Connections 2000 in Vancouver BC. I, Jean Abeel helped Mary Vernon, the co-creator of the event and therefore was able to meet Mark Victor Hansen, Robert Allen and Al Sizer. All of them were influential with their enthusiam and success in life - They are doing what they LOVE!

For a couple of days and with some wonderful networking, I decided to buy Mark Victor Hansen's tape series on Goal Setting. While I was driving home from Vancouver to Kirkland, I listened to the tapes. When I got to the US/Canadian border, the crossing guard asked if I was bringing anything home. I replied "No, just breakfast!". I was cleared to cross into the country. A little stunned by my own response, I contemplated why I said that to the guard.

"Yes, I guess I am feeding my mind"
"Yes, I believe it is food for thought"
"Yes, maybe I should pay attention"

I continued to listen to the tapes. The idea of contributing 10% of the my GROSS pay seemed like a lot to contribute especially when there were no programs out there that are in alignment with where I would like to see that kind of money go....so why not create my own program!?!

I was really excited about the idea and shared it with my husband later that afternoon as we hiked through St. Edwards State Park. It was rainy and muddy and nothing could have been more beautiful.

Ron, my husband, suggested the name "Here Me Are". He knew the story of how I would use it as a child. Initially I thought that the name would be too childish and nobody would take it seriously. As time went on, I felt the impact of what that phrase meant. "HERE ME ARE!". It is like a declaration of me showing up for life; of me agreeing to be the truth of who I am; of an affirmation of this is what I desire to create for myself - a choice!

The was no other name that fit our excitement so perfectly!

Hense, the Scholarship Program got started - we thought would be low key and we would look for opportunities to award scholarships based on the response to: "How do I make a difference?"

We wanted the best for the Foundation so we asked a friend of ours, Madeline GB, the author of "The Idiots Guide to Astrology" to create a date for the official birthday of the Foundation. Based on our criteria, she choose Aug 2, 2000. The potential of this foundation is worldwide.

A few months after the official start, we encountered a family "crisis" when a practical joke went bad. Our attention was quickly redirected with court issues and community service requirements. A family struggle was growing with attempting to complete the necessary hours of giving service. We were given hours by the school, by the counselors and by the judge. To help us out, we were given a catalog of eligible places to serve. Frustration ensued when rejection became the norm - "Due to the nature of your offense, we have decided to decline....." It became embarrassing difficult to pick up the phone and find another alternative.

We were already raw, and feeling like we were being punished again and again with each rejection. Apparently the court and school punishment wasn't enough. I became painful to watch our child go through such turmoil and to see his self-esteem erode. You could just see the self-talk on his face. No matter what we said, he was still feeling it deeply.

With time moving on and all the financial issues taken care of (by him personally) we still had the community service hours to complete. The challenge to "make" him call, the arguement and the battle of wills were all there.

I was standing on a ladder painting when I got the hit "Go get your nails done!" It was one of those messages that you wonder where that came from. You see, I did not have my nails done with the exception of the occassional manicure. So I did the only reasonable thing, I went to a nail salon that I have not been to before but was close by. The lady was booked for the next hour, so I began to really second guess the message. I came back an hour later and within a short time, I made friends with a lady that works at a Domestic Violence Shelter. My brain was beginning to put the pieces together!

By the time my nails were done, we had an incredible connection. There was nothing that my son could do directly for the shelter - it is a secured facility and no one is able to have access to it unless authorized. I went home and shared my connection with my son. He came up with the idea of collecting toiletries and clothing

This became our first Customized Community Servicer Project. He was able to spend time assisting the foundation in the creation of the paper work - time cards, etc., and was able to collect car loads of donations for the shelter.

With the struggle of getting him back in school, and the potential for our son being lost in the "system" we decided to take measures into our own hands again. Right in the middle of this was the 9-11 New York Twin Towers Historic Event. That day, I was telling my friend Kathi Speller about my idea of Customizing Community Service. Kathi got really excited and wanted to participate. We spent the next few weeks working with the contacts we individually knew and pulled together potential resources.

As a result, we now have the support of Kirkland's B.E.S.T. High School to help us as well as other official organizations to assist us in getting to the next step. When we have done more of our homework and have the business plan in a "final" format, "The Young Adult Court Mentor Program's" Director, Donna Belin, would like to assist us in dotting our i"s and crossing our t's. Through a meeting with her, she was supportive in our objective - Healing the community form the inside out!

The First Community Service Project grew in support. We were able to elicit the High School in our First Annual Christmas Project. We collected clothing, toys, journal and cosmetics to fill stockings for 15 women and 20 children. See the Christmas project page

The current Quilt project was a thought I had that we could do year round on an ongoing basis. Making a quilt for these women could offer them a source of warmth and support during their current struggle. See the Quilt Project page

January 2002 brought a gift to us. Kappy heard about our Christmas project and decided to participate. She knew that Domestic Violence Shelters can not wait for holidays to receive their much needed supplies so she organized a Harley SeaHogs "Ride" to help a local shelter. In February, HMA Foundation was again able to deliver a trailer load and a car load of donations to a Shelter.

Whenever we set a date of delivery, a network of women come together and spread the word. The generoisty is incredible. We had a beautiful soul donate a big box of material and a sewing machine for the Quilt Project. My husband's best friend donated $1000 for operating expenses. As a result, I was able to join eWomen Network - women helping women in business.

We have not yet begun to step out! What we need is the team in place to handle the demand that is out there. The team is needed for the networking and to create the programs that we CAN develop and that we KNOW will make a difference. I am looking for that TEAM that wants to participate on a heart level. I am looking for those TEAM MEMBERS that can assist in building those projects that are looking to be built.

The HMA Foundation is working - it is healing everyone that it touches. It is shedding love and light on the possiblity that we ALL make a Difference! No one is exempt!

Through patience, trust, faith, love and light, the "Here Me Are Foundation" will grow. The people who are meant to participate will show up and make themselves known.