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Dear Social Justice Advocate,
The United Nations declared July 18 to be Nelson Mandela International Day inhonor of the former statesman's legacy and contributions during his personaljourney from prisoner to President. Through my longstanding relationship withthe House of Mandela, I will welcome Dr. Makaziwe Mandela, the eldestdaughter of Nelson Mandela, to our hometown this summer to highlight ourcelebration of the First International Mandela Day in the State of Florida.
Nelson Mandela believed that everyone has the ability, and the responsibility, to change the world for the better. Webelieve that the events surrounding Jacksonville’s first Nelson Mandela International Day, including the presence of Dr.Makaziwe Mandela, will lead to great positive change in Jacksonville. Mark your calendar for the celebrations surroundingthis historic event:
KICKOFF TO FREEDOMOn Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at the TIAA Bank Field East Club, we will hold a fundraising and recognition galato celebrate the ideals of Nelson Mandela and promote the life-changing work of some of Jacksonville’sforemost social justice leaders. Hosted by our sponsors, this inspirational evening will benefit Operation NewHope.
Nelson Mandela International Day is a global call to action celebrating the idea that each individual has thepower to impact and transform the world. To honor Nelson Mandela's 67 year commitment to social justice, weare challenging Jacksonville citizens to participate in service for 67 minutes on July 18, 2019 andcommemorate it with #67ActJax.
#67ACTJAX
EXHIBITION OF "THE NELSON MANDELA UNITY SERIES"An exhibition of art by Nelson Mandela, opening by invitation only, on July 19, 2019 at the Lightner Museum inSt. Augustine, Florida.
Please consider joining us as a sponsor of this extraordinary event and help us both honor Nelson Mandela and continue hiswork in pursuit of his vision of diversity, human rights and social justice. We look forward to making history together.
“It is time for the next generations to continue our struggle against social injusticeand for the rights of humanity. It is in your hands.” - Nelson Mandela
Sincerely, Khalil Osiris - Reflecting Freedom, [email protected]
Khalil Osiris became pen pals with Makaziwe Mandela, the eldest daughter of Nelson Mandela, while he was in prison. Osirismade a commitment to Nelson Mandela in 1986 that he would one day visit South Africa and work to honor the life-changing impact Mandela had on him. In 2011 Osiris moved to South Africa to fulfill his commitment. Meanwhile ...
History of Nelson Mandela International Day - Jacksonville
November 2009December 2015The UN General Assembly passes resolution
A/RES/64/13 in recognition of Mandela’s values and his dedication to the service of humanity in:
• conflict resolution• race relations• promotion and protection of human rights• reconciliation• gender equality and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups;• the fight against poverty• the promotion of social justice.
• promote humane conditions of imprisonment• raise awareness about prisoners being acontinuous part of society• value the work of prison staff as a socialservice of particular importance.
The UN General Assembly extends the scopeof Nelson Mandela International Day to also beutilized in order to:
This resolution adopts the revised UnitedNations Standard Minimum Rules for theTreatment of Prisoners, and approves that theyshould be known as the “Nelson MandelaRules” in order to honor the legacy of the latePresident of South Africa.On the 100th anniversary of his birth, UN
Secretary-General António Guterres saysabout Nelson Mandela’s legacy, “He stands
today as a beacon for universal values -peace, forgiveness, humility, integrity, passion,
respect and service. Madiba showed us thatthese are not just words or vague ideals, but
concrete actions that we can all take.”
July 18, 2018
TodayInspired by the life of Nelson Mandela, Osiriscarries the spirit of the Mandela legacy withhim to Jacksonville, Florida where he isorganizing the First Annual Nelson MandelaInternational Day (JAX), to be celebrated July18th, 2019.
Nelson Mandela International Day is not a holiday, but a time to inspire individuals to take action and change the world forthe better. It is a day for all of us to opt into humanity – to roll up our sleeves and play an active role in building ourcommunities. This is an opportunity for each of us to share Nelson Mandela’s vision of a better future for all.
Khalis Osiris and Dr. Makaziwe Mandela chose Operation New Hope to benefit from the fundraising during Nelson MandelaInternational Day Jacksonville because their freedom-based mission so clearly reflects Nelson Mandela’s life work. Their mission is to provide support, life and job skills training for people with a history of involvement with the criminal justicesystem, and place them in employment that offers a sustainable quality of life. Operation New Hope works to build a strongercommunity by creating opportunities to realize second chances and reduce recidivism.
About Operation New Hope
Operation New Hope was founded to address the problems facing Jacksonville’s Historic Springfield community - poverty, crime,homelessness, disrepair, and drug addiction. By initially employing neighborhood residents as craftsmen and laborers to buildand restore more than 80 homes throughout the Springfield and Eastside neighborhoods, the organization successfully broughttogether a community once lost to blight, poverty, and outright neglect. The organization's success caught the attention of the most powerful office in the world and in 2003, President George W. Bushselected Operation New Hope as the pilot site for the Ready4Work program. It has been recognized as one of the mostexperienced re-entry service providers ever since. Their work has been praised by the last four White House Administrations, aswell as, current and former City of Jacksonville leaders - Mayors Lenny Curry, Alvin Brown, John Peyton & John Delaney andSheriffs Nat Glover, John Rutherford & Mike Williams. On a recent visit, HUD Secretary Ben Carson, said about Ready4Work, “Idon’t think there is any better (program) than this." Operating with a four-pronged approach (case management, supportive services, job training and job placement assistance)Ready4Work ensures clients receive wrap-around care. Additionally, strategic partnerships with faith-based organizations, localbusinesses, community outlets and the judicial system motivate and move individuals to become productive, responsible citizenswithin the community. Ready4Work saves taxpayers millions of critical dollars a year that can be reinvested back intocommunities to help address the root causes of incarceration, like poverty, lack of quality affordablehousing, limited education, mental illness, and substance abuse. The success of the program is evident in the transformationstories of its clients, enhanced hiring practices for the employment partners, healthier communities and families, and betterpublic safety through reduced recidivism. Operation New Hope has truly transformed Jacksonville into the City of SecondChances. Now in its 20th year, Operation New Hope is poised to expand services, planning additionallocations, exploring social enterprises, and incorporating restorative justice. It is with great hopethat they will continue growing, bringing the Ready4Work program to cities all over Florida andbeyond, leading to many Cities of Second Chances! More information can be found at https://operationnewhope.org
For more information or to make a sponsor commitment,email [email protected]
