Firemen are probably the most positive role models in communities----they have no negative connotations, they are not connected to punishment nor pain----they are the true heroes in today's cynical society.

We believe there are many well intentioned, idealistic concerned adults and young people who, like Steve, yearn to make a difference-seek meaning for their lives and are often frustrated and prevented from doing so.

Written by Steve October 21, 1992

PURPOSE STATEMENT

My purpose is to look at problems, solve them creatively, making a win-win situation. To show others a better way-to help them-to eliminate wrongs, careless government spending, to maximize tax dollars and get the best for everyone, to make this world a better place, to keep it clean and beautiful, to love one another, no gangs, to influence people positively, to reach out and help others.

Written by Steve just three weeks before his death at age 30

Goals
Push myself and accomplish things-DO MY DREAMS!

Think big ideas, excitement, energy, challenges to come.

Financially independent

Run organization for charity or influence people in power to put things right in the world.

Written by Steve at age 29 as part of his application to law school
A desire to help others has always been one of my strongest character traits. It is present in every one of my four brothers. I suspect this is primarily due to philanthropic parents as role models. My parents founded a non-profit organization in order to promote more responsible government.… In recent years, I've been able to contribute money to the foundation by working extra hours.

In college, most of the classes that interested me dealt with social concerns which eventually led to a degree in Social Science. Law studies also interested me and I thought about continuing my education but other demands forced me to enter the work force and postpone further study.

I have two careers that have renewed my interest in law. As a firefighter, I see innocent victims of crime daily. My role has been limited to helping them after these crimes and I've witnessed their helplessness and frustration. Strengthening laws and prosecuting the criminals would relieve some of the fear that strangles our community and keeps people from being more productive. As an attorney, I could play a positive role in crime prevention and community service.

I also own and operate my own real estate brokerage firm. I've dealt with government regulations that hinder progress and sap time and money with hundreds of rules made to keep the whole bureaucracy alive. The role of public advocate appeals to me. As an attorney I could argue against numerous regulations in favor of more efficient government.

In real estate I deal primarily with private investors wanting to direct savings towards investments that allow financial security. This background, combined with legal training, would provide a greater opportunity to influence legislation aimed at self-reliance.

I think I'll be successful in law school because of my strong desire for change in the status quo. I feel that I'm financially and emotionally ready for this new challenge and I'm hungry for the knowledge and skills law school will introduce. My background and experiences prove that I have the intelligence and tenacity to get through law school and pass the bar exam. I have Associate Degrees in Fire Science and Liberal Studies with honors; I'm a member of the Pi Gamma Mu honor society in Social Science and I have a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science. I am a licensed Emergency Medical Technician a State Certified Firefighter. I am involved in many community activities with Fresno Firefighters such as blood drives, visits to Valley Children's Hospital and fire prevention programs for children.

Written by Steve six weeks after his 24th birthday
If somehow, funds could be channeled locally, to responsible people and church or volunteer organizations that could keep tight budgets and make every penny count with little waste and inefficiencies because of their small size, I think the money needed for these programs would stretch much farther. Also, by bringing it down to the grassroots level, people will know who is helping them-their neighbors are!! They will feel guilty about accepting this money, and while their neighbors go to work each day, they will be searching for ways to get out from under this blanket of guilt and rise up to their peers' level and become responsible, productive people. They will search out volunteer organizations, pick up trash, or do anything that can be looked upon with favor by the ones that are financing their survival. …

It all makes perfect sense-people helping people-Man being compassionate. I have nothing against compassion but I do have great qualms about dependent people that are only dependent because they are allowed to be dependent. I mean these people will undoubtedly feel better about their life once they find a place, once they find a niche in society; they will be happier and feel a sense of belonging-no longer will they be considered the "outcasts"- they will be needed and after all, isn't that what we all want? Don't we all want to feel needed deep down inside; whether it's being needed by your boyfriend or girlfriend, or needed by your parents, or by your job, or by society?  It feels good to be able to be counted on to help out. That sense of dependence, as long as it is controlled to just the correct size, will make you a happier person and bring you so much more satisfaction: just knowing you count and you make a difference and you matter is a great feeling. I can tell you from experience that I'll work twice as hard knowing others are counting and depending on me, and that what I'm doing is important and will make a difference, than I would if I felt like what I was doing was worthless and unnecessary. Granted, too much dependence will lead to stress and we all don't like being stressed out, but I'll argue that too much of anything is bad! I just don't think restructuring the social programs and the government bureaucracy will create too much pressure for anyone.

Written by Steven in 1989

Change
We must make some changes in this system of ours. Localize government so that people can identify with the sources of their support and feel guilty for accepting the money, and honestly try to repay it or volunteer their services or something… I'm so disgusted by the way our government grows, getting more and more anonymous, more and more susceptible to fraud because of its size, and more and more unmanageable. Bureaucracy feeds upon itself and the money collected is going to pay the employees of this giant maze and only a very few pennies are trickling down to people who need it. …

Good deals

I heard over the radio that there was a working single parent that was offering a month's worth of weekends for housecleaning if someone would just give her two tickets to the World Series game between the Giants and the As coming up. She had an eight year old son who was a die-hard baseball fan and she simply couldn't afford to take him. That little bit of sunshine in her life would really make a big difference! And what would it cost? Not so much. The same is true for giving assistance to a family that is struggling under tremendous medical bills for being unfortunate enough to have a child born with medical problems. They were unfortunate. I wasn't. I somehow feel like I should help "my brother" anyway I can after my life is "together and I can spare the cost. This is so much more rewarding to me than any enjoyment I could get from a new tuxedo or a $500 dinner at a restaurant where the food is only so-so and people go for status reasons and dress up to "show up" their neighbor.

These writings, discovered after Stephen's death, are the impetus for the Another Way project. Please contact us if you would like to be part of this pilot program. Stephen is the son of the founders of the Harry Singer Foundation.

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