Common Ground Initiative
Melanie Plenda
Am I a patriot? Yes, and you are too.

As football season rolls in, I’m reminded of how strongly people felt, on both sides, when some NFL players took a knee during the national anthem. I remember the feelings and opinions being so intense that it ruined friendships, dominated social media and gave the impression that these highly paid athletes, mostly Black men, were unpatriotic.

I have a different view of that.

Am I a patriot? Yes, and you are too.

Q&A

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MYTURN, a nonprofit based in Manchester, connects kids and teens with people who have seen the impact of life on the streets

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MYTURN, a nonprofit based in Manchester, connects kids and teens with people who have seen the impact of life on the streets

This interview is Part 1 of an occasional series by The Common Ground Initiative called “Avoiding Prison or an Early Death,” where I will write about my experiences growing up as at-risk youth in Brooklyn, New York, and how decades later, in a different state, communities are facing these same issues.

To kick off the series, I looked at an effective organization in Manchester, MYTURN.

MYTURN gives at-risk and disadvantaged youth the chance to focus on their goals and succeed in life. It provides mentorship and safe spaces for these young men and women to gain the skills and knowledge critical to becoming upwardly mobile members of society. I spoke with MY TURN’s executive director, Allison Joseph, for The Common Ground Initiative’s podcast in August.

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Common Ground Q&A with Daniela Allee

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Common Ground Q&A with Daniela Allee

When it comes to trailblazing Latinas in New Hampshire, Daniela Allee is one who’s on the rise. Through NHPR, she helps get Spanish news to the communities of the Granite State. She has a pulse on the Latino communities in the state, keeping in touch through apps, events and in-person reporting. A resident of New Hampshire for five years, Allee brings a breath of fresh air to the regular status-quo.

Meet Cordan James Haveron

Meet Cordan James Haveron

Cordan James Haveron, of Manchester, is a proud Army veteran who served in Baghdad, Iraq from December 2009 through December 2010.

These days, the 33-year-old helps other veterans and the homeless in Manchester. He’s the owner of a moving company, Vetrun movers, LLP, that he operates with another veteran. He’s also the founder of The Comeback Kids, which helps transform lives through mentorship, awareness, and mental health.