More About Our Mission
Understanding Works combines volunteer opportunities with an intergenerational book project, a purse outreach and helping students from developing countries stories to teach empathy to students. A BOOK by ME teaches history from the perspective of various subjects so authors, illustrators and their readers learn from them. Love Like Lorraine asks students to take action by filling gently used purses with things women need to give to people in need. The problems people face in developing countries are far greater than problems of most Americans. Overall lesson for these projects is the basic truth that "Understanding Works" when we take time to listen with our ears and our hearts.
Team A BOOK by ME
Cassie Bowen Holler
Curriculum Development
Cassie wrote and illustrated a book while in high school. With the help of her professor, she began
developing curriculum for books during college. Today she works in administration at Key School in Texas where students are valued with their unique social, emotional and intellectual needs.
Jeanie Bowen
Project Manager
Jeanie manages all the book projects and helps with the Love Like Lorraine projects. She's inspired by her greatest hero, her father Dale Bowen, a WWII veteran. He was a great American hero like the ones in our storybooks.
Deb Bowen
Founder
Deb created the book project in 2003 under the covering of the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities. She is blessed with an amazing support team, including a wonderful and talented board of directors. She's surrounded by people who care very deeply about education and the emotional needs of children.
Deb Bowen
Founder of A BOOK by ME, Deb Bowen is a proud member of the National Society of Daughters of American Revolution. She asks children to hear the WWII generation firsthand and write their stories for the next generation so the lessons won't be lost.
It started over a decade ago when she asked students to write the stories of three Jewish women she befriended ― each named Esther. Today kids 18 and younger can choose to write a story for the Holocaust, Human Rights or Heroes series. They can also choose to help those in need in their community and around the world. The goal is the kids involved are always learning, and teaching others, about social justice, compassion and understanding.
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