Pathway for Hope
When we look back through the history books, we see people of different colors, beliefs, and perspectives. People who were shaped by their personal experiences. Many fled persecution, poverty, and devastation to take a risk on the chance for a better life, not just for themselves, but for their families. They overcame the odds and made the world a better place. These people were not looking for handouts, but for a hand up. They gave up a world they knew for a reality they did not know was possible. While these are the exceptional cases, there are many more people who do not even know they have greatness inside. No one has ever told them to dream. No one ever told them there was another way.
Following the September 11th terrorist attacks, Ron Bruder wanted to understand why they happened. As a successful business man, he was interested in history and he knew that if an attack like this could happen once, it could happen again. He focused his attention on the Middle East and more specifically on the younger generation. He observed that regardless of individual circumstances that young people in the United States generally grew up with a sense of optimism—that they have the potential, if they so desired, to achieve greatness. Alternatively, a young person growing up in Gaza or Yemen does not wake up with a similar feeling of optimism, even if they do possess the desire.
Most people would point out the cultural differences that attribute to this sense of optimism or the lack of it, but Bruder believed that it went deeper than that. He discovered the real reason was the lack of educational institutions to provide students with an opportunity for hope. Educational institutions provide tangible knowledge and skills that build confidence. Throughout the Middle East while education may be valued, it is accessible only to the fortunate few. The education system in many cases only perpetuates a culture of pessimism. Bruder realized that the terrorism threats America faces is less about the country itself and more to do with how young people in the Middle East think about themselves and their future. So, Bruder established the Education for Employment Foundation. The EFE Foundation’s mission is to create job opportunities for unemployed youth in the Middle East and North Africa by providing world-class professional and technical training that leads directly to career-building jobs. He did not just start another non-profit, philanthropic organization. He provided a pathway for hope. He wanted to teach people that there is always an alternative to the path they think they are on.
When people are denied an opportunity to achieve their potential, they act out of desperation. They turn against societal norms to find a way to survive in the absence of opportunities. When we close our minds, doors, and borders, we only hurt ourselves. We begin to build walls that block empathy, understanding, and inclusivity. The “American Dream” exists because of the pervasive optimism allowed to flourish. Throughout the United States, people from different countries with varying beliefs can find common ground and a pathway for hope. Our educational institutions have a duty to continue forging a path that builds trust, offers value, and perpetuates optimism for generations to come. It is our responsibility to continue fostering an environment for hope to thrive.
