by Scarlett Lewis
Date: Saturday, August 3rd at 9:00 AM PDT
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Cost: Suggested donation $10 US.
While you may register for a free ticket, donations are very much appreciated.
This thought-provoking hardcover children's book is a collection of life lessons that guide young readers to live a life with courage, gratitude, forgiveness and compassion-in-action. Written by Scarlett Lewis and her mother, Maureen Lewis, this children’s book is intended for adults to read with children, reflect and discuss. The charming illustrations by artist Jane Davidian will capture your heart.
This book was written in tribute to Jesse Lewis, Scarlett’s son, who saved nine of his classmates before being killed on December 14, 2012 in the Sandy Hook School tragedy. The book is dedicated to everyone “Choosing Love” all over the world and honors Jesse's chalkboard message of “Nurturing Healing Love” which is providing a pathway to create a safer, more peaceful and loving world. It is through his words that inspired Scarlett Lewis to create the Choose Love Movement.
Although this was written with elementary-aged children in mind, it includes universal wisdom and is beneficial for all ages. “A Pathway to Flourishing” is beautifully illustrated and the hope is to spark the interest of families and classrooms to allow every child to feel safe, seen and celebrated.
“This December marks ten years since Jesse was so needlessly and violently killed. I knew immediately that if the shooter had access to social emotional learning, this tragedy would never have happened,” said Scarlett. “I feel Jesse’s spirit around me and he inspires me every day to be strong and share his message of love with the world. This book is a way that I can memorialize Jesse and share his message with children to help them be kinder and more connected with each other.”
Proceeds from the book will benefit the Choose Love Movement.
Choose Love programs are free and teach essential life skills to children and adults. It has grown organically, one person at a time over the last 10 years, and now reaches 3.5 million children and adults in over 120 countries. Scarlett Lewis’ vision is to reach and positively impact 25 million people by 2025.
Purchase your copy of Choosing Love, a Pathway to Flourishing from Amazon
About the Author
Scarlett Lewis is a super-survivor and one of the United States' most high-profile architects of change. She founded the Choose Love Movement after her son, Jesse, was murdered during the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in December 2012. It is one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history. At six years old, Jesse, alongside 19 of his first-grade classmates and six educators, died. Yet law enforcement says Jesse used his final moments to heroically save nine of his friends.
Shortly after his death, Scarlett decided to be part of the solution to the issues that we’re seeing in our society today—and that also caused the tragedy. She created the Choose Love Movement and became an advocate for character development and social and emotional learning (SEL), which teaches children how to manage their emotions, feel connected, and have healthy relationships. The resulting life skills program she developed, the “Choose Love Formula” has been taught to more than 2 million kids and adults. This inter-generational educational program is taught in all 50 US states and in more than 100 countries.
Before his death, Jesse left a message on their kitchen chalkboard, “Norturting Helinn Love” (Nurturing, Healing Love). When Scarlett learned that these words are included in the definition of “compassion” across all cultures, she realized that love, connection, and belonging are universal wants and needs that connect all of humanity.
Her challenge to us all is this: "Be mindful of practicing your courage to choose love — every day, in every interaction and in every situation. Remember, you have a choice. In every decision, we are either choosing love or fear.”
About the Facilitator
Kathryn Goetzke, MBA, is CEO and Chief Hope Officer of The Shine Hope Company, the Author of ‘The Biggest Little Book About Hope,’ podcast host of The Hope Matrix, and Creator of award-winning Hopeful Minds, Hopeful Cities, and Hopeful Mindsets. She is the Founder of iFred, the International Foundation for Research and Education on Hope, established in 2004. Kathryn and her work have been featured at Harvard University, the World Bank, the United Nations, the Kennedy Forum, and more. Kathryn was recently appointed to be a representative at the United Nations for the World Federatior for Mental Health and is working to get an International Day of Hope established at the United Nations.
