A Journey of Hope: Inspiring Stories of Courage and Unconditional Love

By Neil Willenson

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0976716933
• ISBN13: 9780976716938
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Camp Heartland Project, Inc.
• Length: 132 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.3" x 0.5" x 10.3"

Customer Reviews

Journey of Hope

On the third night of camp, we held a small candlelight ceremony before the kids went to bed. In a circle, we lit a single candle and passed it around. Each child had a chance to speak. Ryan was shy. But when the candle was passed to him, he looked at his fellow campers, nodded his head and said, "You know, this is the best week of my life." At that moment, I knew that Camp Heartland would be a success. ~Neil Willenson A Journey of Hope is an inspiring book of artistic photographs, handwritten letters, children's drawings, stories, speeches, poems, experiences and teenage conversations. Neil Willenson and the children of Camp Heartland reflect on the beauty of a campsite dedicated to children with HIV and AIDS. In writing about the children who have deeply influenced Neil's life, there is sadness, but there is also a love of life and the knowledge that each child experienced beautiful moments during their life. Through no fault of their own, many of these children contracted the disease through blood transfusions. Many of the children who visit Camp Heartland have lost parents and relatives to AIDS and have their own fears, dreams and experiences with HIV or AIDS. These children are not only struggling with multiple medical issues, they also endure cruelty due to prejudice and misinformation. Some of the children come from troubled backgrounds where their communities do not support them and others have become beacons of light for children in their situation. "Please look at me and see I am just a child trying to live with AIDS and HIV It was given to me by my mother Passed on to me at birth And now, I'm trying to live my life Giving it my best while here on Earth" ~Stephanie, Age 9 Camp Heartland is an escape, a place where children can meet friends who know what it feels like to have difficulty making friends. This is a place of love and acceptance, a place where children can talk about their illnesses. In this book you will read about their struggles and joys. There are poems from friends, stories from camp counselors, conversations that enlighten and e-mail journeys that are filled with humor and reality. Neil Willenson was honored with the "Use Your Life" award and his compassionate cause also helps to educate children and families. The camp relies on the generosity of donations and all the proceeds from this book will go to Camp Heartland. This book also gives information on how you can visit the website and see wish lists of desired items needed and how you can send in contributions to support this very compassionate cause. A Journey of Hope brings to light the best of what human beings can give to each other while experiencing the realities of life here on earth. By reading this book, you will be able to view life from the perspective of children who often seem to be mature beyond their years. A Journey of Hope is one of the most beautiful celebrations of life and hope I have ever read. ~The Rebecca Review

A selection of beautiful strength filled stories

This book is amazing. I have been a camper at Camp Heartland for about 10 years. To see my self on the cover and to be able to open the picture and story filled pages to see other friends that i have met over the years is a breath of fresh air. The poems and artwork show extreme talent in the children who created them. I highly recomend this book and think it is a great tool to teach people or children who are not as educated about it. It shined a light on the real faces of HIV/AIDS which makes everything alot less scary.

The writings, poems, stories, and speeches of Camp Heartland children

A Journey Of Hope: Inspiring Stories Of Courage And Unconditional Love is the collaborative effort of Neil Willenson and the children of Camp Heartland, a community established in 1993 to provide support and recreation for young people affected by HIV. These are children suffering from the ravages of HIV/AIDS who must take fistfuls of distasteful medicines, deal with sometimes horrific side effects, endure painful medical procedures, grieve for loved ones lost, cope with the fear of their own mortality, and deal with the prejudices and misconceptions of others. A Journey Of Hope features the writings, poems, stories, and speeches of Camp Heartland children. These are words and images that will reach into the very heart and soul of the reader to evoke sympathy, empathy, compassion, and concern. Beyond the stories of suffering, tragedy, and discrimination, A Journey Of Hope reveals the love, courage, resilience, optimism, and strength of these children. It should be noted that in addition to camping sessions and the usual outdoor activities, Camp Heartland's medical, social work, and camping professional work throughout the year to give children either infected or affected by AIDS unconditional love and acceptance. Indeed, Camp Heartland has been a leader in AIDS awareness and prevention programs through their work with schools, churches, and businesses nationwide. Every school library, every community library, every pediatric hospital, and every youth center library should have a copy of A Journey Of Hope on their shelves and available to the youths of their community.

A Profound and Beautiful Journey Indeed

A Journey of Hope is a book that everyone should have the opportunity to read. It embodies the spirit of giving, compassion, caring and hope in a time of great apathy surrounding the disease. It gives an intimate, powerful and honest perspective of just how deeply HIV and AIDS have impacted our youth and families in America. A Journey of Hope profoundly moved me. Then, having had the privilege to serve as a counselor for Camp Heartland this summer, I shed even more tears having witnessed first hand, the raw and indescribable beauty and magic of Camp Heartland. I too had the distinct honor to meet the author who is one of the most remarkable and inspiring men I have ever met. His passion and commitment to our youth affected or infected by HIV is truly unparalleled. Mr. Willenson has graciously given you a personal gift, the opportunity to experience a glimpse of the beauty, love and spirit that the children of Camp Heartland possess and those that are fortunate enough to serve with them.

great for church groups

I use this book with my church youth groups to talk about the power of the human spirit, compassion, community and strength. It is also a wonderful way to drive home the idea that one person can make a difference in the lives of others. Youth need to be reminded that there is no age limit to creating positive change. Camp Heartland is doing amazing work to provide a safe place for children and youth with HIV to be loved for the amazing individuals that they are. This book can open doors for church groups to connect to the children and youth at Camp Heartland and follow up the connection with financial support and needed AIDS education for youth within church communities.