Well today is the first day. I am so excited that you have visited here. My name is Russ Anthony and this is RussAnthony411.org. I am a social worker and this site allows me to use my computer and multimedia interests to promote various social work causes. The 411 is a little “old school” but it is for information. Information that will be provided by this site by the administrators and users of RussAnthony411.org. It started with an iPhone. Last week, I attended a rally in Nashville to support teachers in the Tennessee Education Association. I was amazed at how many people showed up in the rain to march through downtown. my first thought was to just get out my cell phone and video some scenes to show to friends and family.   The teachers marched, sang and cheered all the way to the Capitol. It was incredible. Then it continued to rain and they cheered and sang some more through the speeches at the rally. What an amazing bunch of folks.

The videos of the march can be found on RussAnthony411’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/russanthony411

It started with an iPhone five days ago and now I am writing my first blog for RussAnthony411.org, adding content to RussAnthony411’s FaceBook page and planning for the next RussAnthony411 YouTube video. To do all of this this I could really use your help. If this topic interests you, let us create something that could potentially help a lot of people. Many people need help and many are willing to give it – often connecting the “needers” (is that a word?) and the givers together is difficult. There has to be a better way to share that information. RussAnthony411.org will use a video, commentary and links to resources to put needers (okay, it’s a RussAnthony411 word) and givers together.  I believe that there are enough concerned people in Nashville and Jackson, Tennessee;  Milwaukee and  Madison, Wisconsin to help those less fortunate. I believe that there are enough concerned people in other places in the world also but I have only lived the cities I mentioned.

RussAnthony411.org will post community needs that other areas have solved. For example, homeless shelters for families with older teen boys, adequate public transportation for second shift/weekend employment, “if-you-don’t-pay-child-support-you-go-to-jail-so-you-can’t-pay-child-support” cycle are deserving concerns. Or how about the time, effort and resources that are spent assisting a family who is 1) receiving public assistance and 2) staying in public/subsidized housing find rental assistance when they are…receiving public assistance to stay in… public/subsidized housing. The answer is out there for a lot of solutions and it is hoped that RussAnthony411.org can be an additional resource for those who care about helping people. Helping through technology.

So again, this is my first attempt at creating a website so it will surely look different in the days ahead. In the meantime, if you are not able leave a post here, please go to YouTube or FaceBook for RussAnthony411. Although my first post was a little preachy, I want to keep the tone light-hearted.

By the way, if you lose something and it’s not where it’s supposed to be – look where it’s not supposed to be.

Russ