- Theodore
Roosevelt
"Have a bias toward action - let's see something happen now. You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right away."
- Indira Ghandi
"I never had a policy; I have just tried to do
my very best each and every day."
- Abraham Lincoln
- Abraham Lincoln
If I could sum up who I am today, I believe these three quotes would provide a fairly accurate description.
First off, I have to defer any credit for this idea to everyone else I have crossed paths with in life. I've simply stumbled onto this thanks to everyone else. I even lend credit to having unbearable sinus issues as before this launch, without all the sleepless nights, the idea maybe does not come to fruition like it has. (Yes that was corny, but it's to prove the prior point)
In general, I just do not want any credit, the idea will have literally been worthless if I'm the only one behind it. Everyone's support has already caused the idea to evolve into what we now see today. So credit goes everywhere else. Just consider me Paterson's own self-proclaimed social media promoter. I'm here to bring people together through Facebook, improve the communication and relationship amongst all our citizens, and allow us to focus on worthy, productive, and efficient projects that will bring our country back to life. Nothing more. I would love to have done this anonymously with no recognition at all. (Now that's humility) Unfortunately, the cause needs credibility attached to it to succeed and I believe the work that I'm doing here in Paterson speaks for itself and as such, I lend the cause the necessary credibility.
Also have to throw a shout out to my mother. Anyone who knows her recognizes her amazing courage and determination that motivates everyone around her. All my success is due to her. Period. Full stop. That's truth. I love you so much, mom.
First off, I have to defer any credit for this idea to everyone else I have crossed paths with in life. I've simply stumbled onto this thanks to everyone else. I even lend credit to having unbearable sinus issues as before this launch, without all the sleepless nights, the idea maybe does not come to fruition like it has. (Yes that was corny, but it's to prove the prior point)
In general, I just do not want any credit, the idea will have literally been worthless if I'm the only one behind it. Everyone's support has already caused the idea to evolve into what we now see today. So credit goes everywhere else. Just consider me Paterson's own self-proclaimed social media promoter. I'm here to bring people together through Facebook, improve the communication and relationship amongst all our citizens, and allow us to focus on worthy, productive, and efficient projects that will bring our country back to life. Nothing more. I would love to have done this anonymously with no recognition at all. (Now that's humility) Unfortunately, the cause needs credibility attached to it to succeed and I believe the work that I'm doing here in Paterson speaks for itself and as such, I lend the cause the necessary credibility.
Also have to throw a shout out to my mother. Anyone who knows her recognizes her amazing courage and determination that motivates everyone around her. All my success is due to her. Period. Full stop. That's truth. I love you so much, mom.
My name is Lyle Silverman and I arrived in Paterson last year as an AmeriCorps Member at the New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC). Credit to all the schools that passed on employing me, I'm seriously thankful everything worked out as it did. It only caused me to work harder and now look where I am. (again, not without you all. Without you, this website = worthless.) Things work out for a reason.
Now although I cannot pinpoint the exact moment, at some point during this volunteer experience, my entire life was transformed in the most amazing way. I always thought in the past that I'd eventually have the ability to write a book or something as a historian and influence people in some fashion; I never realized though how I might do something even greater and more meaningful. I am a flawed individual still but I always try my best to do what is right.
I decided during my first year in Paterson that, in my time here on this earth, I would try and give it my best effort, to dedicate myself to making a positive impact on anyone that I come into contact with every single day. Sometimes I might fail, (like this project could, we'll see..) but I will always hold my head up knowing I tried. The teaching profession provides that opportunity for me to make this positive impact on a daily basis even when I don't succeed. Because that does happen. I am going to have students that I cannot figure out how to reach. It has already happened. But I still hold out hope constantly that one day, maybe they will remember the advice I gave them and heed it the next time.
But why Paterson? Simple.
Paterson made me know for certain that I possess tremendous value to this world and as such, I try my best to expand that positive influence wherever I can.
From my first drive in to work, I instantly fell in love with the Great Falls. On any given day, I can sit down at Overlook Park, take out my Kindle, enrich my abilities further with a book, and stay for hours while I admire the beauty of this natural wonder.
Then I made my way up the stairs at School #5 for the first time where I would work the entire year; I looked down at the desolate Hinchliffe Stadium and wondered how something like this could happen? But that negative feeling quickly disappeared. What I really saw was an opportunity to be a part of something special. I knew in my heart that Paterson had immense potential.
As a historian, I then discovered something even cooler. Paterson was one of the most significant cities, if not the most, in American history. We became the most advanced modern economy the world had ever seen and Paterson was literally where it all began. How cool is that? What a source of pride that must be for this city I thought, this is a remarkable characteristic to rally around. The rich history only added to my belief in the potential of what Paterson could be.
Looking beyond the history, I saw a youth population that was eager to learn, parents that just wanted the best for their children, and leaders who were trying their best to make all that happen. In all, I saw a population that just wanted the best for their city. But something was off, it just seemed that no one knew exactly how they could achieve that greatness. All this and more is exactly what has motivated me to bring this city whatever value I possibly can.
Fast forward to today, I now work for the NJCDC as an Academic Instructor for Great Falls YouthBuild. YouthBuild is an alternative school program focused on giving young people, ages 16-24, the skills to acquire their high school diploma and/or a trade of their choice. I absolutely love my job and the difference I make in my students lives. Still though, I always feel that I can do more, not just for my students, but for the whole city. I still have a lot of younger kids to guide from School 5 and other ventures so in order to make sure they don't end up in my program down the line, I recognize a need for me to take actions that are in the best interests of those children. And so I do..
I recently began researching the subject of 'community' in my quest to make the most positive impact that I can. One of the first things I uncovered was that potential was the wrong word to be using to describe as to why I chose to dedicate myself to Paterson. I do not see potential in Paterson anymore.
Instead, I now see what is possible for Paterson. Notice the difference?
For these possibilities to be realized and experienced however, we must change the conversation that has left us in our current state. The conversation amongst the community, prior to now, has focused only on the negative. That will never allow us to move forward, we have already seen the results of this conversation.
With this website, the help of the citizens of Paterson, and the rest of the Nation, the conversation about Paterson, NJ is morphing into something extraordinarily positive. We are changing the conversation by showing other Patersonians and the Nation the entire scope of positive possibilities that can be achieved by banding together as a true community.
Soon enough, we will not have to discuss the possibility of rejuvenated Paterson. Soon enough, the possibility will become reality.
And the same will be said for America...
