Who Gave You a Key to a Locked Door?

By Donna Deaton

David and I attended the Taylor Doe “and then moments” meeting at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center in Poteau, Thursday evening. Doe, also known as “TDoe” spoke about the “and then moments” that happen when someone gives someone else a “key” to “unlock a locked door” of opportunity.

Here are the key points I got from it:

• Everyone has doors of opportunity. Some doors are locked and you don’t have a key. Someone with a key helps you out. That is your “and then” moment.
• The “someone” might be a neighbor who helps you get your first job or a teacher who has connections to “someone” who may have connections to someone else.
• How many keys do I have to help someone else have a “and then” moment?
• Who gave me a key?
• Caring leaders create “and then’ moments for other people
• Caring leaders guide others through the unknown—what is checked baggage vs carry on
• Caring leaders see things in people that sometimes they can’t see within themselves.
• Caring leaders share what they know to make other people’s lives easier.

Doe ended the presentation with this: Let’s hear people say “I moved to Poteau because people here are generous with their keys”.

Following Doe’s presentation, several people in the community were recognized for giving someone else a “key”. Everyone who attended the program was offered a key with the words “Duplicate Often” on one side and “and then moments” on the other side as a reminder to be the one who opens locked doors of opportunity for others.

The program was made possible through a partnership with CASC and Harbor House and a CHRPMental Health Grant

 

1. Marsha Caughern–helping students navigate from high school to college
2. Mona Perry—civil rights
3. Katie Hopper–community art
4. Jan Stone—Special Olympics
5. Michael Davidson—Emergency Services, Upward Sports, Youth Pastor, Senior Pastor, Faith Community Church Food Program (fed over 300 people last week)