| Well, if leading a positive life and dedicating your time | | | | days or a whole week to walk in their shoes to truly |
| to worthwhile causes keeps you young, Mary Jane is | | | | understand what it is like to not have a home. It is a |
| the perfect poster girl for this lifestyle. When I first met | | | | purposeful empathy program, designed to make |
| Mary Jane during the Canada-US Servas Conference, | | | | people understand what this group of people are going |
| I thought she might be in her late 40s, early 50s. Once I | | | | through on a daily basis. Her group also participates in |
| got to know her on a more personal level I found out | | | | memorial services that acknowledge the names of |
| that she is 70! She didn't mind sharing her age, and her | | | | people who died in the street, who would otherwise |
| youthful energy and positive spirit captured me. | | | | have left this planet barely leaving a trace. |
| Mary Jane is a trained administrator and throughout | | | | Throughout the years, Mary Jane has had a chance to |
| her distinguished working career she has managed | | | | dedicate herself to various causes. She has also been |
| projects worth up to $16 million. She also has | | | | part of the Iraq War Awareness Initiative that allowed |
| substantial experience as a grant writer which she has | | | | people to meditate and reflect on the Iraq War. Mary |
| put to good use for various non-profit endeavours | | | | Jane has participated in a Quaker-organized event |
| over the years. Her most important causes include | | | | that shed light on the cost of the war in Iraq. This |
| peace and social justice which she supports in various | | | | event featured a pair of army boots for each |
| ways. | | | | American soldier who has died in Iraq. In addition it |
| "Faithful Fools" is a San Francisco street ministry for | | | | showcased hundreds of women's and children's shoes |
| the homeless, and it is coordinated by members of the | | | | that make the civilian loss of life in Iraq tangible. |
| Unitarian and Catholic churches. The organization holds | | | | In addition, Mary Jane has hosted hundreds of people |
| fundraisers and provides training to candidates for | | | | as a Servas member and she will be sharing some of |
| community ministry in how to work with local homeless | | | | her interesting travel and hosting stories in the near |
| individuals. It also offers a program called "witnessing", | | | | future. One of the most significant initiatives she has |
| a concept used by the Quaker religion to | | | | been involved with included Holocaust victims that |
| acknowledge conscious concern. Individuals get to | | | | were staying with German families in order to make |
| pratice being present with homeless people for either 2 | | | | peace with history. |